Tips, Tricks and Fixes

[Rike255]

Originally Posted by Misfit138

Hey all. Long time lurker, but this is my first post. About 2 weeks ago my 40gb PS3 started having trouble. A couple of Blu-ray movies started skipping and freezing. They were from Netflix so I checked them and they did have some damage, so I chalked it up to that. But then a few days later I tried one of my own movies (The Incredible Hulk) and it wouldn't even read the disc. I can't remember what the error message said exactly, just something along the lines of "disc cannot be read" So I put in another movie and it worked fine for about an hour, then froze up and wouldn't eject. Had to hold down the eject button and then after it beeped and restarted it ejected the disc. Tried a game (COD MW2) and it started out fine, but then after maybe 40 minutes it started to have glitches and eventually froze, and I had to do the same to get it to eject. This has happened each time I've tried to play it. Admittedly my system was dusty, so I unhooked it and cleaned it on the outside, and also used a vacuum to try to clean as much from the inside as I could. I also tried the fan test and that blew out a puff of dust. Tried the system again after all that and had the same issues.

So any ideas? Is it dust possibly built up on the inside and could be fixed by maybe taking apart the system and cleaning it internally, or could it be something else? I've had this PS3 since early '08 (and it's been relatively problem free, maybe a few hiccups here or there but nothing like this) and would hate to have to buy another one (especially since I'm pretty much broke right now), though the thought of getting a slim is enticing.

Thanks for reading and any help,

Mike

Sounds like the laser went/is going on your BD drive. If you're feeling up to it, there's a how to guide in the first post of this thread.

[Rike255]

Originally Posted by BirdManJr

Thanks...yea those always have something going on so maybe thats why...what games do you have that you can confirm dont seek alot.

Typically if you load a level the disc won't be doing much until you change areas or something. For example, with an FPS once the gameplay starts and you're running around in a given area most of the stuff should already be loaded.
I'd imagine in Madden, once you start a game the disc won't be doing all that much until you finish the game or return to menus etc.

How loud is the PS3 when it's reading a disc? I don't notice it unless the sound is on mute, or when the background is silent. When I first put the disc in and hover over the Game icon in the XMB menu I typically hear it spinning up pretty clear.

[BirdManJr]

Originally Posted by Rike255

Typically if you load a level the disc won't be doing much until you change areas or something. For example, with an FPS once the gameplay starts and you're running around in a given area most of the stuff should already be loaded.
I'd imagine in Madden, once you start a game the disc won't be doing all that much until you finish the game or return to menus etc.

How loud is the PS3 when it's reading a disc? I don't notice it unless the sound is on mute, or when the background is silent. When I first put the disc in and hover over the Game icon in the XMB menu I typically hear it spinning up pretty clear.

Its hard for me to explain the sound...its not like a woosh or a fan sound...its like a dj scratching a record sound...and i dont have my tv muted but its down low..and soon as i put a disc in it starts doing it...then when its loading the game data it does it...when a game loads it does it...and sometimes during the game its doing it too...the system itself stays cool tho it doesnt get hot...and the fans are quiet the only thing is that disc seeking sound...it sounds like its working too hard...but thats why i was asking is that pretty normal with the slims? because i still can take it back for exchange at bb...i dont want to because i dont want to reload all the updates and all that but i would rather do that then have a system die on me right after my 30 days is up..but like i said playing the blu rays theres no noise at all...just those games. i havent tried any other games tho.

[Misfit138]

Thanks for the help, Rike. You know, I was also thinking it might be the laser. I checked out that "how to" on replacing it, and it might as well be open heart surgery. I'm not very mechanically inclined (too impatient for starters) and don't want to run the risk of making the problem worse. Maybe I can just sell it as is or something, and put whatever I get for it towards a Slim. I've been wanting to get one since last year, but now I have a real excuse. Just sucks that upgrade will come because of this one crapping out. Having two PS3s in the house woulda been nice.

RIP 40gb PS3
2008-2010

[Rike255]

Originally Posted by BirdManJr

Its hard for me to explain the sound...its not like a woosh or a fan sound...its like a dj scratching a record sound...and i dont have my tv muted but its down low..and soon as i put a disc in it starts doing it...then when its loading the game data it does it...when a game loads it does it...and sometimes during the game its doing it too...the system itself stays cool tho it doesnt get hot...and the fans are quiet the only thing is that disc seeking sound...it sounds like its working too hard...but thats why i was asking is that pretty normal with the slims? because i still can take it back for exchange at bb...i dont want to because i dont want to reload all the updates and all that but i would rather do that then have a system die on me right after my 30 days is up..but like i said playing the blu rays theres no noise at all...just those games. i havent tried any other games tho.

Hmm I don't know what to think. Do you know anyone else who owns a PS3 slim? Maybe try listening to what theirs sounds like to hear if it's similar to what you're describing. It's probably nothing, but I can't really think of a sound mine makes that fits your description (although my slim makes some funky noises).

Originally Posted by Misfit138

Thanks for the help, Rike. You know, I was also thinking it might be the laser. I checked out that "how to" on replacing it, and it might as well be open heart surgery. I'm not very mechanically inclined (too impatient for starters) and don't want to run the risk of making the problem worse. Maybe I can just sell it as is or something, and put whatever I get for it towards a Slim. I've been wanting to get one since last year, but now I have a real excuse. Just sucks that upgrade will come because of this one crapping out. Having two PS3s in the house woulda been nice.

RIP 40gb PS3
2008-2010

Good call. I spent a lot of time fixing my 60GB PS3 before I eventually broke down and bought a new one. If you find you can't sell the system, attempting the fix was kind of fun in itself (the first time at least).

[trublu86]

Alright guys I have a 80gb BC PS3 and it just started having problems. When i turn it on the whole screen starts to flicker like static and the screen shuts off once in a while. So I checked my connections and cables and TV. My cable tv works great so its not the TV. Here is the wierd part. This doesnt occur when i play a Blu-ray movie, just a game. So I have ruled out cables and connection. What could it be?? It only happens when i play a PS3 game. Any hope would be appreciated.

[Rike255]

Originally Posted by trublu86

Alright guys I have a 80gb BC PS3 and it just started having problems. When i turn it on the whole screen starts to flicker like static and the screen shuts off once in a while. So I checked my connections and cables and TV. My cable tv works great so its not the TV. Here is the wierd part. This doesnt occur when i play a Blu-ray movie, just a game. So I have ruled out cables and connection. What could it be?? It only happens when i play a PS3 game. Any hope would be appreciated.

Might be the TV switching resolutions for the game. If your TV is 1080p by default, try setting it to 720p (or whatever resolution the game runs in) in the settings menu then load the game. If the flicker doesn't happen then that's what it is.

[trublu86]

It looks like a found a vid on youtube for the flickering problem. All I had to do was go to Settings--Display Settings--Deep Color Output (HDMI) and select that option to off. Problem solved!!

Here is link to vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CVIPttw1xc

[jeabombers]

When I went to play a game the other day, my PS3 shut down automatically about the time the game got to the "press start" screen. It shut down with three quick beeps, and the power light flashed red continuously. I tried again, and seemed to have the PS3 stop a little bit more quickly than it had the first time. I tried another game, and it did the same thing, and I tried a BD, and it did the same thing still. NOW the PS3 shuts down immediately, before it even gets to the XMB. I tried turning off the power switch for a couple of hours, and also tried unplugging the system overnight.

I haven't seen this issue mentioned before. Not YLOD, and WAS playing perfectly fine. It seems like I might have had this issue a year to year-and-a-half ago, but I don't remember what the problem was. Obviously if I had the problem, it got fixed somehow. Does anyone know?

*POSSIBLE* cause/what I did the same day: I had my PSP hooked up to the system and was looking for a way to transfer the copy of Grandia I had downloaded at a friend's house to the PS3, but couldn't figure anything out. Afterward, I tried playing the aforementioned game, but left the room for a few minutes to get something to eat. It wasn't until I came back into the room that the system powered down (so it might have been on for a total of 5 minutes.)

I *do not* have high-speed (at least until Monday, since I decided to go ahead and get it.)

I'm hoping this is some bone-headed thing that I just can't think of a fix for and someone else does know....

[Rike255]

Originally Posted by jeabombers

When I went to play a game the other day, my PS3 shut down automatically about the time the game got to the "press start" screen. It shut down with three quick beeps, and the power light flashed red continuously. I tried again, and seemed to have the PS3 stop a little bit more quickly than it had the first time. I tried another game, and it did the same thing, and I tried a BD, and it did the same thing still. NOW the PS3 shuts down immediately, before it even gets to the XMB. I tried turning off the power switch for a couple of hours, and also tried unplugging the system overnight.

I haven't seen this issue mentioned before. Not YLOD, and WAS playing perfectly fine. It seems like I might have had this issue a year to year-and-a-half ago, but I don't remember what the problem was. Obviously if I had the problem, it got fixed somehow. Does anyone know?

*POSSIBLE* cause/what I did the same day: I had my PSP hooked up to the system and was looking for a way to transfer the copy of Grandia I had downloaded at a friend's house to the PS3, but couldn't figure anything out. Afterward, I tried playing the aforementioned game, but left the room for a few minutes to get something to eat. It wasn't until I came back into the room that the system powered down (so it might have been on for a total of 5 minutes.)

I *do not* have high-speed (at least until Monday, since I decided to go ahead and get it.)

I'm hoping this is some bone-headed thing that I just can't think of a fix for and someone else does know....

Sorry dude but that sounds like YLOD to me. When the system shuts off, does the light blink yellow for a split second before is starts flashing red?

What model of PS3 do you have? (Ie: 60GB fat, 120GB slim, etc)

[jeabombers]

Originally Posted by Rike255

Sorry dude but that sounds like YLOD to me. When the system shuts off, does the light blink yellow for a split second before is starts flashing red?

What model of PS3 do you have? (Ie: 60GB fat, 120GB slim, etc)

The only time I have noticed the "yellow light" is when I shut it down naturally, which is when the system is switching from green to red so quickly. It is an original 60gig, but I'm pretty sure this has happened before. I'm not sure on the time frame of it starting to work again before, though, or what I might have done to "fix" it. What happens if I leave the PS3 unplugged for a few days? Anything besides losing time/date?

[Rike255]

Originally Posted by jeabombers

The only time I have noticed the "yellow light" is when I shut it down naturally, which is when the system is switching from green to red so quickly. It is an original 60gig, but I'm pretty sure this has happened before. I'm not sure on the time frame of it starting to work again before, though, or what I might have done to "fix" it. What happens if I leave the PS3 unplugged for a few days? Anything besides losing time/date?

Nothing bad will happen from unplugging it for a few days. When YLOD happens, the power light switches from green to yellow for maybe 1/4 of a second (very quick but you will be able to see it if it's happening), then it starts flashing red until you hit the power button again.

[franklinpope]

I read all the instuction but still I dont understand how can resolve my problem.
My PS3 will not recognize any of your controllers even if you plug them into the PS3. I read your answer about the question is folliwing
("Turn off your PS3 by holding down the power button on the PS3. Then after its shut down, flip the switch on the back. Wait 1 minute and turn it back on." )but still my problem was not solve please give more asstitance.

[Rike255]

Originally Posted by franklinpope

I read all the instuction but still I dont understand how can resolve my problem.
My PS3 will not recognize any of your controllers even if you plug them into the PS3. I read your answer about the question is folliwing
("Turn off your PS3 by holding down the power button on the PS3. Then after its shut down, flip the switch on the back. Wait 1 minute and turn it back on." )but still my problem was not solve please give more asstitance.

Try these steps:

Turn PS3 off (into standby mode, so the red light is on)
Plug the controller into the PS3
Press the PS button
(The PS3 should turn on and your controller will be registered correctly)

If that doesn't work, then do this:

Get a paper clip or a pin
On the top of the controller (beside the 4 red LED lights) there is a small pin hole, push the button inside the pin hole to reset the controller.
Then repeat the steps above.

[BlackLightShark009]

I did ask this in a different section but no replies yet. Anyway i was wondering does the pc tell you when your external drive is done being formatted? I have a 500g seagate that i want to use with my Ps3. In the set up part is there numbers i need to change? Thanks for any advice.

[Rike255]

Originally Posted by BlackLightShark009

I did ask this in a different section but no replies yet. Anyway i was wondering does the pc tell you when your external drive is done being formatted? I have a 500g seagate that i want to use with my Ps3. In the set up part is there numbers i need to change? Thanks for any advice.

What do you mean formatting on the PC?

If you mean you want a new internal HDD for your PS3, when you put the HDD in your PS3 it'll get formatted automatically when you turn the system on.

If you want an external USB HDD for your PS3, it needs to be formatted to FAT32. NTFS (windows default) will not work.

[BlackLightShark009]

Originally Posted by Rike255

What do you mean formatting on the PC?

If you mean you want a new internal HDD for your PS3, when you put the HDD in your PS3 it'll get formatted automatically when you turn the system on.

If you want an external USB HDD for your PS3, it needs to be formatted to FAT32. NTFS (windows default) will not work.

Im not talking bout a internal. I have a External. I don't know the steps for making the PS3 recognize it. I only found 1 vid but the guy said windows can't format over 30g so he just made a 30g fat partition. How do i format the drive to use all 500g? Thats what i want to know.

[Rike255]

Originally Posted by BlackLightShark009

Im not talking bout a internal. I have a External. I don't know the steps for making the PS3 recognize it. I only found 1 vid but the guy said windows can't format over 30g so he just made a 30g fat partition. How do i format the drive to use all 500g? Thats what i want to know.

Oh. Yes you can format an entire 500GB HDD to use on the PS3. But you might have to download a utility to do it because the Windows OS is such a POS. Just google "How to format a hard drive FAT32" or maybe someone else will have some instructions.

Just remember the HDD has to be FAT32 or the PS3 won't recognize it.

[G1ggs]

Originally Posted by BlackLightShark009

Im not talking bout a internal. I have a External. I don't know the steps for making the PS3 recognize it. I only found 1 vid but the guy said windows can't format over 30g so he just made a 30g fat partition. How do i format the drive to use all 500g? Thats what i want to know.

Paragon Partition manager is a great util for formatting hard drives.

[Samour]

I have a 60gig ps3 fatty. all the icons looks like they are loading and thats all they do. I tried the 3 beeps but it just takes me to the hdmi and video setting. If i try to format both ways, its just stuck at 0%. any help is appreciated.