PS3 Died/Part Two - Blu-ray Forum

Joseph · 12-25-2008, 08:03 PM

As I posted earlier, my PS3 ceased functioning, and all of fellow members that posted messages were very gracious. However, nobody answered part two of my question which was how many of you out there use an add-on fan unit with their PS3's? I haven't sent my unit out yet to Sony and I am really wondering the cause of it's demise. By the way I lasted just six days until I purchased an additional unit. The turn around time would mean no PS3 back in my possession by Christmas, and we all know I treated myself to new media for my machine. Thank you in advance for your replies and happy holidays to all!

groovyone · 12-25-2008, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joseph

As I posted earlier, my PS3 ceased functioning, and all of fellow members that posted messages were very gracious. However, nobody answered part two of my question which was how many of you out there use an add-on fan unit with their PS3's? I haven't sent my unit out yet to Sony and I am really wondering the cause of it's demise. By the way I lasted just six days until I purchased an additional unit. The turn around time would mean no PS3 back in my possession by Christmas, and we all know I treated myself to new media for my machine. Thank you in advance for your replies and happy holidays to all!

I do NOT use an additional fan, but mine is pretty out in the open.

ToEhrIsHuman · 12-25-2008, 09:10 PM

the vast majority of PS3 "deaths" come down to two issues: overheating, or clogged-up Blu laser diode. Both are caused by the same thing...dust. Keep plenty of room around your unit and periodically wipe up the dust all around it. You should also use a hand-vacuum to clean the PS3 vents all around the unit every couple of months too...more often if dust is a on-going problem. The systems overheat because the vents get blocked by dust, and the Blu laser diode assembly gets caked with dust that sticks to the gel used as a lubricant on it.

I religiously follow these rules and my Chinese-made (i.e. crappier one), launch 60GB unit has been problem-free (knock on wood) and quiet.

jswilli1 · 12-25-2008, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToEhrIsHuman

the vast majority of PS3 "deaths" come down to two issues: overheating, or clogged-up Blu laser diode. Both are caused by the same thing...dust. Keep plenty of room around your unit and periodically wipe up the dust all around it. You should also use a hand-vacuum to clean the PS3 vents all around the unit every couple of months too...more often if dust is a on-going problem. The systems overheat because the vents get blocked by dust, and the Blu laser diode assembly gets caked with dust that sticks to the gel used as a lubricant on it.

I religiously follow these rules and my Chinese-made (i.e. crappier one), launch 60GB unit has been problem-free (knock on wood) and quiet.

I almost started a new thread a few weeks back based on exactly what you just wrote. I see alot of failures popping up on various models of the PS3 here in the forums. I too vaccum my PS3 but I do it 2 to 3 times a month, Although it is in my entertainment center the vents are clear and the door stays open when my equipment is on. I went as far as cutting a section in the back of my entertainment center to allow the heat to exhaust out the back as well as the top. I have a 60gb PS3 and it is still quiet and running smoothly. We should do a poll and ask people how they maintain and place their PS3 within their Home Theater.

As far as the Second Question for the OP I do not use a secondary fan, I believe attaching one voids the warranty with Sony? The way the fan attaches spreads the vents and is a dead giveaway if you send the PS3 to Sony for repairs.

Seeking_Alpha · 12-25-2008, 10:09 PM

I use two external computer case fans for my entertainment cabinet. I got the idea from this article:

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/how...closed_cabinet

pacificvibes · 12-25-2008, 10:15 PM

Yea I do not use a fan. Mine is out in the open and I havent had a problem yet (knock on wood

)

Marquoz · 12-25-2008, 10:22 PM

I do not use a fan, I have mine in the open with it standing on it's top. I clean it out once a month with canned air to keep the vents open. I still had the diode die on me.

supergp17 · 12-25-2008, 10:24 PM

I've owned my ps3 for over a year now. 3 months after i got it, i then got a nice 61" HDTV and decided to lay the ps3 flat in the space in the stand below the tv. Over the next several weeks i noticed it starting to lock up and over heat.

I then placed it back on its side in an open space, and from then on it never overheated again. I believe by doing this it allows the heat to more easily escape the ps3 through the vent straight up in the air. Warm air does rise.

Anyway, to get back to your fan part, i never use them.

vektar · 12-25-2008, 10:28 PM

i dust mine out ever month or so or when ever i go to frys and get some cans of air, and it really helps to have the ps3 in the open locking it up in those little entertainment centers is just asking for the system to break.

jswilli1 · 12-25-2008, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seeking_Alpha

I use two external computer case fans for my entertainment cabinet. I got the idea from this article:

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/how...closed_cabinet

Great article and I noticed that they have a two fan kit to mount in the back of an entertainment center. When I cut the back out of my entertainment center I cut it for a unit I have that has 5 24VDC fans. The only problem is I was trying to find or build a PS to run the fans. I got three of these units with 5 fans installed that were being thrown out at work. I may just swap out the 24VDC fans with 12VDC fans (quieter) and get the 110V to 12VDC converter listed in the article to run them. Thanks a bunch for the info I will definetely be looking into the article further.

jswilli1 · 12-25-2008, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marquoz

I do not use a fan, I have mine in the open with it standing on it's top. I clean it out once a month with canned air to keep the vents open. I still had the diode die on me.

I would not recommend canned air for two reasons:

1. The compressed air blows the dust into the unit, you want to keep the dirt out of the PS3
2. Compressed air when coming out of the can mixed with room temp air creates moisture and sometimes "spits" water vapor and can be bad entering the PS3 (especially with the dust).

Marquoz · 12-25-2008, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jswilli1

I would not recommend canned air for two reasons:

1. The compressed air blows the dust into the unit, you want to keep the dirt out of the PS3
2. Compressed air when coming out of the can mixed with room temp air creates moisture and sometimes "spits" water vapor and can be bad entering the PS3 (especially with the dust).

I wouldn't blow it into the PS3, more along the top to keep the dust off the vents.

VinnAY · 12-25-2008, 10:59 PM

I have a reg size room fan, vs. some of those little fans for electronics. I have all my equipment in a closet under the stairs and in particular my AVR (Onkyo 605) would get mega hot, and it shutdown on me one time. Also, the PS3, the fan would get to a roar it would get so hot. Mine has died twice in a year and when I got it back the second time, the fan is noticeable louder and has various speeds. Never noticed that the two times it died previous, now it's been six months and no problems.

Sling · 12-26-2008, 02:11 AM

I dust my 40gb once a week and Fan test every 3 months.
http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/04/12/...est/4#comments

brett_day · 12-26-2008, 02:13 AM

no fans for me. Just keep my ps3 well ventilated, lying flat. I never even hear the fans kick in! i have a 40gb by the way

Toptube · 12-26-2008, 02:21 AM

Do not use a standard vacuum on ANY electronics. Vacuums create a lot of potential for static electricity. You run the risk of blowing out something on your PS3. If you must vacuum it, get a special static free vacuum designed for use with electronic equipment.

Cans of compressed are a pretty safe bet. They don't typically eject any visible condensation as long as you keep the can level, which is usually stated to do so on the bottle. Even then, the amount of condensation that may come out during a few quick blasts is not enough to conduct any electricity away from its normal route. Most of the reason why its visible is because it comes out very very cold. A summer in Mississippi is going to be more humidity on your PS3 than a short blast from a can of air, and Mississippi level humidity is within approved operating conditions for the PS3.

kev.s.lim · 12-26-2008, 02:54 AM

I've got an original 60GB launch and have never had it crash on me. It doesn't get loud (imho) but the fans are almost always constantly on but I never realize it.

JonD7 · 12-26-2008, 03:06 AM

my PS3 died like a month ago but I think the powersupply went out on mine... the power doesn't turn on at all!

Avarice · 12-26-2008, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonD7

my PS3 died like a month ago but I think the powersupply went out on mine... the power doesn't turn on at all!

Same thing happened to mine, 10 days later I am head-shooting scrubs again in resistance 2

I love sony's service and return policy.

DavidAg02 · 12-26-2008, 06:07 PM

I installed a pair of 120mm computer fans in the back of my media cabinet shortly after I got my PS3. The inside of the cabinet was getting way too warm for me to be comfortable with. I have an infrared temp. gun and was reading surface temps above 100 deg. F. After installing the fans, the temps peak around 90 deg. F. That is a pretty big difference for such a small and inexpensive improvement.

This picture shows one fan installed at the back of the cabinet. The second fan is directly on the other side of the center divider.

It does seem to draw more dust into the cabinet, so once every 6 weeks or so I make sure to pull everything out and dust the surface of all my components. I really recommend using microfiber cloths and a Swiffer duster. A small hand held vacuum, like a Dust Buster, can be a big help too for cleaning shelves and corners.

12-25-2008, 08:03 PM	#1
Joseph Member Member since:Jan 2007	PS3 Died/Part Two As I posted earlier, my PS3 ceased functioning, and all of fellow members that posted messages were very gracious. However, nobody answered part two of my question which was how many of you out there use an add-on fan unit with their PS3's? I haven't sent my unit out yet to Sony and I am really wondering the cause of it's demise. By the way I lasted just six days until I purchased an additional unit. The turn around time would mean no PS3 back in my possession by Christmas, and we all know I treated myself to new media for my machine. Thank you in advance for your replies and happy holidays to all!

12-26-2008, 02:11 AM	#14
Sling Special Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Virginia Beach Blu-ray reviews:2	I dust my 40gb once a week and Fan test every 3 months. http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/04/12/...est/4#comments Last edited by Sling; 12-26-2008 at 02:15 AM.

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12-25-2008, 09:10 PM	#3
ToEhrIsHuman Expert Member Top contributor Member since:Jun 2007 Location:San Diego, CA USA 4K collection:393 Blu-ray collection:947 DVD collection:3	the vast majority of PS3 "deaths" come down to two issues: overheating, or clogged-up Blu laser diode. Both are caused by the same thing...dust. Keep plenty of room around your unit and periodically wipe up the dust all around it. You should also use a hand-vacuum to clean the PS3 vents all around the unit every couple of months too...more often if dust is a on-going problem. The systems overheat because the vents get blocked by dust, and the Blu laser diode assembly gets caked with dust that sticks to the gel used as a lubricant on it. I religiously follow these rules and my Chinese-made (i.e. crappier one), launch 60GB unit has been problem-free (knock on wood) and quiet.

12-25-2008, 10:09 PM	#5
Seeking_Alpha Active Member Member since:Jul 2008	I use two external computer case fans for my entertainment cabinet. I got the idea from this article: http://www.maximumpc.com/article/how...closed_cabinet

12-25-2008, 10:15 PM	#6
pacificvibes Tattoo King Member since:Apr 2008 Location:Irvine, CA PSN ID WinterShrinkage Home Theater Gallery:16 Blu-ray collection:51 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	Yea I do not use a fan. Mine is out in the open and I havent had a problem yet (knock on wood )

12-25-2008, 10:22 PM	#7
Marquoz Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jan 2008 Location:New Orleans Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:167 Trading Score:2	I do not use a fan, I have mine in the open with it standing on it's top. I clean it out once a month with canned air to keep the vents open. I still had the diode die on me.

12-25-2008, 10:24 PM	#8
supergp17 Active Member Member since:Jun 2007	I've owned my ps3 for over a year now. 3 months after i got it, i then got a nice 61" HDTV and decided to lay the ps3 flat in the space in the stand below the tv. Over the next several weeks i noticed it starting to lock up and over heat. I then placed it back on its side in an open space, and from then on it never overheated again. I believe by doing this it allows the heat to more easily escape the ps3 through the vent straight up in the air. Warm air does rise. Anyway, to get back to your fan part, i never use them.

12-25-2008, 10:28 PM	#9
vektar Senior Member Member since:Apr 2007 Location:san jose ca 4K collection:160 Blu-ray collection:542 DVD collection:24 Blu-ray reviews:28	i dust mine out ever month or so or when ever i go to frys and get some cans of air, and it really helps to have the ps3 in the open locking it up in those little entertainment centers is just asking for the system to break.

12-25-2008, 10:59 PM	#13
VinnAY Banned Member since:Sep 2008 Blu-ray reviews:1	I have a reg size room fan, vs. some of those little fans for electronics. I have all my equipment in a closet under the stairs and in particular my AVR (Onkyo 605) would get mega hot, and it shutdown on me one time. Also, the PS3, the fan would get to a roar it would get so hot. Mine has died twice in a year and when I got it back the second time, the fan is noticeable louder and has various speeds. Never noticed that the two times it died previous, now it's been six months and no problems.

12-26-2008, 02:13 AM	#15
brett_day Blu-ray Guru Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Moore, Oklahoma Home Theater Gallery:18 Blu-ray collection:45 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	no fans for me. Just keep my ps3 well ventilated, lying flat. I never even hear the fans kick in! i have a 40gb by the way

12-26-2008, 02:21 AM	#16
Toptube Power Member Member since:Jan 2008 Blu-ray collection:52	Do not use a standard vacuum on ANY electronics. Vacuums create a lot of potential for static electricity. You run the risk of blowing out something on your PS3. If you must vacuum it, get a special static free vacuum designed for use with electronic equipment. Cans of compressed are a pretty safe bet. They don't typically eject any visible condensation as long as you keep the can level, which is usually stated to do so on the bottle. Even then, the amount of condensation that may come out during a few quick blasts is not enough to conduct any electricity away from its normal route. Most of the reason why its visible is because it comes out very very cold. A summer in Mississippi is going to be more humidity on your PS3 than a short blast from a can of air, and Mississippi level humidity is within approved operating conditions for the PS3.

12-26-2008, 02:54 AM	#17
kev.s.lim Member Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Sacramento, CA Home Theater Gallery:7 Blu-ray collection:21	I've got an original 60GB launch and have never had it crash on me. It doesn't get loud (imho) but the fans are almost always constantly on but I never realize it.

12-26-2008, 03:06 AM	#18
JonD7 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Cali 4K collection:86 Blu-ray collection:251	my PS3 died like a month ago but I think the powersupply went out on mine... the power doesn't turn on at all!

12-26-2008, 06:07 PM	#20
DavidAg02 Senior Member Member since:Dec 2008 Location:Houston, TX Home Theater Gallery:16 Blu-ray collection:46	I installed a pair of 120mm computer fans in the back of my media cabinet shortly after I got my PS3. The inside of the cabinet was getting way too warm for me to be comfortable with. I have an infrared temp. gun and was reading surface temps above 100 deg. F. After installing the fans, the temps peak around 90 deg. F. That is a pretty big difference for such a small and inexpensive improvement. This picture shows one fan installed at the back of the cabinet. The second fan is directly on the other side of the center divider. It does seem to draw more dust into the cabinet, so once every 6 weeks or so I make sure to pull everything out and dust the surface of all my components. I really recommend using microfiber cloths and a Swiffer duster. A small hand held vacuum, like a Dust Buster, can be a big help too for cleaning shelves and corners.

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