Tips, Tricks and Fixes

[Hedchekr]

Originally Posted by Jeremy1983

Just got off the phone with Sony, it's $149 + 29 shipping + Taxes = almost $200

Can anyone recommend proper materials to due the self fix? Preferably from Amazon. I need a heat gun, thermal paste, and anything else?

Also, what's a rough estimate of the chances that the self-fix will work at least for a little while? 50%, 90%?

Thanks. Life without PS3 sucks!

I know this happened to me, but I just bought a slim on Black Friday. I am however, going to fix my lauch 60gb. Besides those things you mentioned you will need a #9 Torx screw driver, and some alcohol to clean the paste off. I have read a bunch of posts about people saying it work for anywhere from a month to over a year but who knows? It probaly depends on how good of a job you do. I will also try to find a link for this thermal paste that is supposed to keep the temp down, which should help. Also the are people online that will fix it for around $60-75 and if they can't no charge besides shipping. One guy also has a chip reseeder (not sure if thats what its called), but I am not sure if its needed or if its really helps.

[Jeremy1983]

Originally Posted by Hedchekr

I know this happened to me, but I just bought a slim on Black Friday. I am however, going to fix my lauch 60gb. Besides those things you mentioned you will need a #9 Torx screw driver, and some alcohol to clean the paste off. I have read a bunch of posts about people saying it work for anywhere from a month to over a year but who knows? It probaly depends on how good of a job you do. I will also try to find a link for this thermal paste that is supposed to keep the temp down, which should help. Also the are people online that will fix it for around $60-75 and if they can't no charge besides shipping. One guy also has a chip reseeder (not sure if thats what its called), but I am not sure if its needed or if its really helps.

Thanks for the response. Do you know which part the #9 Torx screw driver is for?

[Hedchekr]

Originally Posted by Jeremy1983

Thanks for the response. Do you know which part the #9 Torx screw driver is for?

It is for a couple of screws that are in the PS3.

http://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Silver-.../dp/B000BSLU2S

Here is the link for a thermal paste called artic silver it is supposed to be really good.

http://www.amazon.com/ArctiClean-kit.../dp/B0007TOR08

Here is a link for the artic cleaning solution fro clean off the old paste. With this link though it will show you kits that come with the paste, cleaner and a torx screwdriver set.

http://www.amazon.com/Bondhus-12632-.../dp/B000E7ZLHQ

And here is a link for a torx set. I hope this helps.

[Marine Mike]

Originally Posted by Jeremy1983

Just got off the phone with Sony, it's $149 + 29 shipping + Taxes = almost $200

Can anyone recommend proper materials to due the self fix? Preferably from Amazon. I need a heat gun, thermal paste, and anything else?

Also, what's a rough estimate of the chances that the self-fix will work at least for a little while? 50%, 90%?

Thanks. Life without PS3 sucks!

I went between Home Depot and Radio Shack for when I fixed it.

I bought a $40 heat gun and $10 thermal paste and $10 for the tool set.

The only thing I'd have to resupply myself would be the thermal paste and its good for at most 3 reflows.


So really, you'd have to reflow your PS3 15 times for you to match the price. By the tenth time, I'd hope you had gathered enough money to buy a slim.

[Jeremy1983]

I ordered these:

http://www.amazon.com/Kawasaki-84001...4104883&sr=8-2

http://www.amazon.com/ArctiClean-3-5...4104902&sr=8-3

I think I have the proper screwdrivers already. With Prime, they are gonna arrive on Saturday.

If there are any additional tips, please let me know. I'll post my results. Wish me luck!

[Hedchekr]

Originally Posted by Jeremy1983

I ordered these:

http://www.amazon.com/Kawasaki-84001...4104883&sr=8-2

http://www.amazon.com/ArctiClean-3-5...4104902&sr=8-3

I think I have the proper screwdrivers already. With Prime, they are gonna arrive on Saturday.

If there are any additional tips, please let me know. I'll post my results. Wish me luck!

Yep that'll work. Thats actually the same heat gun I am going to get if I can't sign one out from my work. Good luck!

[financially stable]

i'm not trying bash sony, but you mean to tell me they have no supply of ps3's, available?!?? com'on sony WTH.

and i thought they were repairing it, not sending me a refurb one!

[Cplhicks]

Originally Posted by financially deprived

i'm not trying bash sony, but you mean to tell me they have no supply of ps3's, available?!?? com'on sony WTH.

and i thought they were repairing it, not sending me a refurb one!

They pretty much always send refurb ones, that's why people have to repair their own, since you lose all you stuff on your HD otherwise. If they repaired the one you sent in, there'd be no reason to worry about all your data. I'm sure Sony thinks it's better for fast turnaround, but given the way they restrict data it's a pain in the ass.

Originally Posted by Jeremy1983

Just got off the phone with Sony, it's $149 + 29 shipping + Taxes = almost $200

They charge for the shipping now? Holy crap. Glad I got mine in before the change. Yikes.

[Uxi]

Originally Posted by Cplhicks

They pretty much always send refurb ones, that's why people have to repair their own, since you lose all you stuff on your HD otherwise. If they repaired the one you sent in, there'd be no reason to worry about all your data. I'm sure Sony thinks it's better for fast turnaround, but given the way they restrict data it's a pain in the ass.

Yeah, they should at least do a data migration or reencrypt the new drive to match the new PS3 (they'd have to have the algorithm and be able to make the appropriate tools for their service centers to do this). The PS3 probably needs a boot/rom mode that doesn't require full use of the Cell/RSX and what not. Just enough to power the HDD so that we could at least still do a side by side transfer ala the latest firmware.

They charge for the shipping now? Holy crap. Glad I got mine in before the change. Yikes.

Mine just died again. I have the coffin from 6 months ago. Do I need to open a new case or just send it in as is?

What happens if I do a DIY repair just so I can get my disc out and deactivate my PS3? Can I send it in then (even though it works, at least temporarily) or do I need to reYLOD it again?

[Jeremy1983]

Originally Posted by Uxi

What happens if I do a DIY repair just so I can get my disc out and deactivate my PS3? Can I send it in then (even though it works, at least temporarily) or do I need to reYLOD it again?

If you break into the system, Sony won't fix it under warranty and may not fix it at all.

[PEDXING]

I posted a little while ago about some weird graphical issues with my PS3 (weird black lines shooting infinitely out of objects in inFamous and Motorstorm, water glitching in LBP, God of War Collection and Red Faction freezing), and now whenever I watch a video from my harddrive, and sometimes play a game from my harddrive it looks like there are dead pixels popping up.

At first it was three little green dots but now sometimes there are upwards of twenty, but they only pop up every once in a while during a game, and it's usually just the first three when I'm watching a video on the HDD.

I haven't thoroughly tested it yet but I'm pretty sure it isn't dead pixels in my tv (a 46 in. Sharp Aquos) because there are so many instances that the green pixels are not there)

Does anyone know what these issues might be? Is my PS3 dying? Is the graphics card in the PS3 dying or something, can I repair it relatively cheaply? Is it worth it to just go get a slim?

Sorry for such a wordy post but thank you in advance for your help!

[aygie]

Originally Posted by Uxi

What happens if I do a DIY repair just so I can get my disc out and deactivate my PS3? Can I send it in then (even though it works, at least temporarily) or do I need to reYLOD it again?

If you break the warranty seal they wont replace it free of charge.

Oh and just so everyone knows Sony will only deactivate you PSN account if you've had 5 faulty machines. (Found this out the other day.)

[aygie]

Originally Posted by PEDXING

I posted a little while ago about some weird graphical issues with my PS3 (weird black lines shooting infinitely out of objects in inFamous and Motorstorm, water glitching in LBP, God of War Collection and Red Faction freezing), and now whenever I watch a video from my harddrive, and sometimes play a game from my harddrive it looks like there are dead pixels popping up.

At first it was three little green dots but now sometimes there are upwards of twenty, but they only pop up every once in a while during a game, and it's usually just the first three when I'm watching a video on the HDD.

I haven't thoroughly tested it yet but I'm pretty sure it isn't dead pixels in my tv (a 46 in. Sharp Aquos) because there are so many instances that the green pixels are not there)

Does anyone know what these issues might be? Is my PS3 dying? Is the graphics card in the PS3 dying or something, can I repair it relatively cheaply? Is it worth it to just go get a slim?

Sorry for such a wordy post but thank you in advance for your help!

Probably a long shot but try a different HDMI cable and see if that helps? If it doesn't something does sound funky with your PS3.

[Cplhicks]

Originally Posted by Uxi

Mine just died again. I have the coffin from 6 months ago. Do I need to open a new case or just send it in as is?

I believe there is a stipulation you have to send it in within 30 days or something after opening the problem with them. You could probably use the box, but you'd need to contact them again to reopen/start a new case in the system.

[S430]

Hi Marine Mike,

I know you are a PS3 expert. I have a question if you wouldn't mind.

My PS3 won't detect or load a disc. I am going to buy a used deck (complete) but I just want to make sure of one thing... The 4 wire plug into the deck (1 black 3 grey wires) I suppose it is a power supply cable. I unplugged it from the deck and power the PS3 on and used a muti-meter to find that the voltage between the black and two greys were both 12v and between the black and the last grey was 6.9v. Is this alright?

I just want to make sure there is nothing else wrong before I replace the deck.
Thanks,
Frank

[Jeremy1983]

I just attempted the self fix and permanently damaged the unit. While attempting to disconnect the power supply, the cable wouldn't come loose, so I pulled too hard (eventually with pliers) and pulled out the wiring along with the cable I AM PISSED!

After my adult temper tantrum, I got my disc and hard-drive out, and then tossed the PS3. The only shining light is that I just ordered a slim with a 3-year warranty from Amazon for $335. It will arrive on Tuesday. Better luck to all of you!

[Uxi]

Originally Posted by aygie

If you break the warranty seal they wont replace it free of charge.

This is a launch 60, so long out of warranty.

Originally Posted by Jeremy1983

I just attempted the self fix and permanently damaged the unit. While attempting to disconnect the power supply, the cable wouldn't come loose, so I pulled too hard (eventually with pliers) and pulled out the wiring along with the cable I AM PISSED!

After my adult temper tantrum, I got my disc and hard-drive out, and then tossed the PS3. The only shining light is that I just ordered a slim with a 3-year warranty from Amazon for $335. It will arrive on Tuesday. Better luck to all of you!

What do you mean tossed it? I'll take the hulk if you want to get rid of it. Mostly interested in the BD-drive, but part of the rest, too.

[Jeremy1983]

Originally Posted by Uxi

What do you mean tossed it? I'll take the hulk if you want to get rid of it. Mostly interested in the BD-drive, but part of the rest, too.

You are more than welcome to pick up any and all parts in south orange county. It's all in the trash as of now.

[blitz6speed]

Originally Posted by Jeremy1983

You are more than welcome to pick up any and all parts in south orange county. It's all in the trash as of now.

pm me, ill take it, im in orange county.

[STATUS671]

(60 gig) So I was in the middle of playing MW2 when my PS3 shut off and the power (red light) kept blinking, I tried turning it back on and it boots up and the shuts down, there is a click type sound coming from the HD, is there hope.....