When I play a game or DVD on my ps3 the fan turns on and Is loud. Do I need to take it somewhere to get checked out?

YLOD,,difficult problem,u try open youtubre how repair for YLOD problem>>

switch off ps3, right now before turning on the ps3 keep your hand pressed firmly down on the eject button and the on/off button simultainisly and then power up, it will make a loud fan noise but the game/dvd will pop out.

Most probably your fan has gone faulty. The link below shows how to disassemble it, do this and clean out, or replace your fan, or indeed it MAY be the DVD, perhaps that may be the culprit, you still have to open to check. Be slow and methodical. keep all screws together in a little container. Be cateful when unplugging leads. You should be fine.
http://www.llamma.com/PS3/repair/PS3_disassembly_tutorial.htm

That is actually a poor conclusion. There are three different lasers, one for blu-ray, one DVD and one for CD games all in one holder inside. It certainly CAN be the laser. The description id the DVD/Blu-ray part is having focus problems. Contact Sony for a service center that can install a new drive (It needs to be calibrated on install)

it sounds like its overheating ...try an external fan to keep it cool of move it out of enclosed area

thats becouse it a BLU-RAY it is diffrent i figured out the hrd way 2 :P

its your backup fan turning on you must not have adequate venitlation take it out of small place and put it near a fan or window

Does the PS3 still work while the fan is running. This is typical with PS3, especially if the fan is dirty. It comes on and off to cool down the processors.

r ur ps2 cd's original or copies coz the ps3 doesn't play copies
abd check ur dvd if it's PAL or NTSC and then check ur ps3 for the same thing
if the ps3 is PAL it only plays PAL dvd's and vice versa

check your cables connecting your ps3 to your tv. there might be ground somewhere.

hope this helps.