it's definately true, it's not the timing that causes the laser to be fried, but the fact that the chip constantly sends its signal to the laser, causing damage if it's not filtered some.
I know of alot of people whose laser failed right after or soon after installing a neo without cap.

Arakon,

Could you please expand on that? These are the NEO2.2 pins as I understand them;

PIN #1 = supplies + (power) to the chip
PIN #2 = sends SCE signal out to PS 2
PIN #3 = PS 2 drive tray pulse tells the BA5810FP chip whether to expect a drive tray open or close
PIN #4 = checks/signals RESET button on the PS 2
PIN #5 = closes PS 2 drive tray
PIN #6 = opens PS 2 drive tray
PIN #7 = checks if game CD is PSX/PS 2 (If PS 2, immediately stops SCE signal & restarts when a "tray close" is seen. If PSX, it stops after about 15-20 seconds)
PIN #8 = supplies ground to the chip

pin 2 constantly sends out a signal, and at 5V no less, while most components in the ps2 run off 3.3V, including the laser. that damages the laser sooner or later.
before using caps became common, there were ALOT of ps2's with failed laser units after installing the chip.
the safest way for a neo 2.2 is this: a 100 V 1 uF cap on pin 2, and a 220-270 ohm resistor behind that, to smooth and lower the signal, so the negative effect is minimal, but the signal still enough to work.

Arakon, thanks. I'm grateful to have learnt something. I don't have a NEO2.2 but will now look at the voltage level in the SCE signal on the OrigaChip.

Nice one and thanks again.

Just confirming the above i adjusted my pot to 600ohms last night, tonight it doesnt load any sort of dvd, just sits there clicking. i have now adjusted to orginal settings and it still wont load.i have a 1 uf cap fitted to my chip. If i go out and get the laser replaced/fixed am i likey to end up with the same issue 2 months down the line. If so is there anything i can do to totally eliminate laser damage. This unit is 1.5 years old, could it just have gone regardless of chip. Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

hmm xmas eve my ps2 stops loading dvd games
i think crap messiah no good anymore
i get dvd cleaning disk(dvd with little brushes on it
after i cleaned laser dvd loaded in perfect
must b worth a try
many people has had this problem