Most games do not take very long to load, but it depends on the game as some do take long. If you are using cd-r copies of games, then the situation you described sounds normal; I've experienced the same when using cd-rs. If the problem persists with pressed discs, then maybe the laser is on its way out. If it does eventually go out, it is an easy fix. Replacement lasers run around US $20-25 and are a plug-n-play swap. But I wouldn't bother replacing it unless it quit reading discs all together. Also, if it quits reading discs due to the laser getting stuck to one side (only happened to me when using cd-rs), just gently unlodge it and it should work fine.