Tips, Tricks and Fixes

[fsavoie]

Originally Posted by Stereomike

Yep, Sony has a great customer service, on top of the list with Videotron.

Sarcasm? Like bell, videotron does not have that good reputation on service...

[jamclaur]

Originally Posted by Trailbreaker77

I called Sony a couple weeks back because my 60gig was acting weird. I was told there is an option to get YOUR system fixed and returned to you. What I was told I could pay $150 for a replacement system (most likely a slim unit) or pay $190 and get my system back. My concern like yours is I want my BC, four USB ports and my memory card slots back. Also I don't want to loose all my data so I was told by the Sony rep that while a repair on your system will take longer you will get your system back.

Good Luck.

I'm going to try to reflow it myself. I don't know if it'll work, but we'll see. I hope it doesn't ask me to reformat the HDD when I put it all back together. I feel so stupid for not syncing trophies and backing up regularly.

Originally Posted by Marine Mike

Quick tip is that when the motherboard is cooling, make sure its completely level. Sure it may seem like a no brainer, but its a very important thing to make sure happens.

Thanks for the tip. I'm open to anything that will help. I'm actually pretty nerve racked...

Originally Posted by Uxi

I'd be really interested if only isolated items were missing. Almost like they imaged the drive and replaced the unit? Was it the same s/n? If they change the mobo, it's practically a new device.

Any of you guys timid about doing it, it is really easy. If you've ever replaced a PC motherboard, you can definitely do that. Taking a heat gun is a bit unconventional... just blow it over the chips for the prescribed period and then it's just letting it cool and put it back together. It is very easy to assemble and disassemble with those tabs and what not.

I'm pretty nervous. I've never replaced a motherboard. I've only changed my hard-drive. So we'll see what happens. I'm going to follow the guide, I REALLY hope this works. My stomach is in knots.

[StereoMike]

Originally Posted by fsavoie

sarcasm? Like bell, videotron does not have that good reputation on service...

What? Where did you hear that? I've been a customer of Bell, Star Choice, Rogers, Videotron, and Videotron has the best CS by far, Bell being the worst, they treat customers like sh!t.

That being said, I agree with Shin-Ra, don't believe crap you read on the internet. You are just unlucky. I have 2 PS3s and like the vast majority, they have been running fine for years.

[SkillzthatKillz]

About 4 days ago my PS3 (40 GB non b/c unit) started to act up. When I am playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 online, it will often freeze and then I have to turn the whole system off with the power switch on the back. Also, I was watching the Blind Side on Blu-ray the other day and it was skipping around. At first I thought the disc might have had some smudges on it but it kept skipping/freezing after I cleaned it. I am thinking it might be that the disc drive in my PS3 is starting to bite the dust ( I have been using it for constant gaming/movie watching since December 2007). Do you guys have any idea what might be wrong or any ideas on a simple fix for the system? I really don't want to have to call Sony only for them to have me pay $150 to fix it if I don't have to. Thanks in advance for any responses!

[christopher2200]

If I was you I would just wait for it to go totally out and buy a new one. Two of my friends PS3 went out paid Sony $150 to and it broke again after about 6 months. They said it would cost another $150 to fix both bought new systems and bought extended warranties for them. You will be a lot better off doing that.

[Uxi]

Originally Posted by jamclaur

I'm pretty nervous. I've never replaced a motherboard. I've only changed my hard-drive. So we'll see what happens. I'm going to follow the guide, I REALLY hope this works. My stomach is in knots.

Just watch the linked youtube video. It's really easy and you'd have to try to break anything. The rest is simply clipping and unclipping the various cables.

[jamclaur]

Originally Posted by Uxi

Just watch the linked youtube video. It's really easy and you'd have to try to break anything. The rest is simply clipping and unclipping the various cables.

I just took the heat sync off. I'm almost half way... lol.

Edit: Just finished heating it. Now I have to wait 20 minutes for it to cool.

[SkillzthatKillz]

Originally Posted by christopher2200

If I was you I would just wait for it to go totally out and buy a new one. Two of my friends PS3 went out paid Sony $150 to and it broke again after about 6 months. They said it would cost another $150 to fix both bought new systems and bought extended warranties for them. You will be a lot better off doing that.

You think it would be better to just pick up a new Slim model for the extra $150 instead of fixing my current fat model? I might just do that instead...decisions decisions

[jamclaur]

Originally Posted by SkillzthatKillz

You think it would be better to just pick up a new Slim model for the extra $150 instead of fixing my current fat model? I might just do that instead...decisions decisions

Either way you're only going to get a 3 month warranty. No matter if you get slim or not. After that period it's going to cost the same amount to get it fixed.

I'd analyze the benefits and what you actually use on your current system and go from there. If I had backed up and synced my trophies like I should have I'd be getting a slim for sure.

At first I was annoyed that PS2 BC was gone but I never play the games. And I'll just get another PS2 if I ever want to. The only thing i'll miss is the CF Reader and the 4 USB slots.

[SkillzthatKillz]

Originally Posted by jamclaur

Either way you're only going to get a 3 month warranty. No matter if you get slim or not. After that period it's going to cost the same amount to get it fixed.

I'd analyze the benefits and what you actually use on your current system and go from there. If I had backed up and synced my trophies like I should have I'd be getting a slim for sure.

At first I was annoyed that PS2 BC was gone but I never play the games. And I'll just get another PS2 if I ever want to. The only thing i'll miss is the CF Reader and the 4 USB slots.

I thought that new PS3's came with a 1 year warranty...

[jamclaur]

Originally Posted by SkillzthatKillz

I thought that new PS3's came with a 1 year warranty...

nah. It's a referb, both with the same warranty.



For a limited time we are offering a trade-in for your current model to the latest PlayStation®3 120GB model.

The factory re-certified PlayStation®3 120GB system includes:
• 120GB HDD for storing games, music, videos and photos. (Technical Specifications)
• High-Definition Blu-ray player for the best movie experience.
• Internet ready with built-in Wi-Fi.
• Two USB ports
• HDMI output for 1080p resolution
• Plays DVDs and CDs
• Cell Broadband Engine advanced microprocessor
• And comes with a 90 day Limited Service Warranty

[jamclaur]

Do I need to let the thermal compound dry? If so how long? It seems to just stay wet...

[jamclaur]

Im SOOOO elated! It worked!

[owa]

Congrats!

Was it difficult putting it back together? It always seems easier to take something apart than it is to put it back together.

[Rike255]

Originally Posted by jamclaur

Do I need to let the thermal compound dry? If so how long? It seems to just stay wet...

No you don't let it dry. Glad to hear it worked!

EDIT: Make a back-up first thing if you haven't already

[jamclaur]

Originally Posted by owa

Congrats!

Was it difficult putting it back together? It always seems easier to take something apart than it is to put it back together.

Nah, It wasn't too bad. I sat everything in their own places with the screws beside it... Then I went through the video backwards to make double sure.

Originally Posted by Rike255

No you don't let it dry. Glad to hear it worked!

EDIT: Make a back-up first thing if you haven't already

I did... lol. I let it sync while I went to buy a slim...

[Uxi]

Originally Posted by jamclaur

Im SOOOO elated! It worked!

Congrats. Now you could build your own PC.

[jamclaur]

Originally Posted by Uxi

Congrats. Now you could build your own PC.

I have a mac... But I really prefer not to feel that sick... haha.

[DOH43]

I got my PS3 Christmas of 2007 and worked perfectly watching blu ray movies and doing some gaming until Firmware 3.15. After the upgrade my optical drive would not detect any discs (Blu Ray, DVD, or PS3 games). Today after the new 3.21 upgrade I tried it out again trying to get lucky. No luck with blu ray. My kids loved Ponyo so I rented a bunch of Miyazaki movies from the local library and I had the DVD of Kiki's Delivery Service in front of me so I took a chance. It worked!!!!! The disc went in. It showed up on the xcross media bar under video with the gold dvd disc and started playing. Then I realized I put in the supplements disc, not the main feature. So I ejected the bonus disc and inserted disc 1. .... Nothing happens, dead as it's been since 3.15. So after the obligatory "C'mon Man!". I popped in the supplements disc again. And it loads and plays?????? So now I grab a bunch of Discs off my shelf. GI Joe Bluray, Red Cliff Bluray, Fight Club DVD, X-men III DVD, FInding Nemo DVD and go to town trying this and that. Gi Joe...nope, Red Cliff...nope, Fight Club (both discs)...nope, X-Men III..nope, Finding Nemo (both discs)...nope. As a joke I say to myself at least the PS3 has good taste and likes Miyazaki. So since I have a bunch of the DVDs I try Spirited Away. Main feature Disc 1..nope, Bonus disc ...success!!! Howl's moving castle, main feature nope... bonus disc...success. Porco Rosso, main feature nope...bonus disc...success!!!! Strange but true. I don't know what this means. Hopefully some of the more tech savvy in the forum has some thoughts. Maybe some of the folks with messed up optical drives can try to confirm what I've found. Sorry about the length but I hope it was somewhat interesting.
Any thoughts would be appreciated,

[owa]

Originally Posted by jamclaur

Im SOOOO elated! It worked!

Still working? I'm still debating whether to try it or not. I bought a heat gun a little while ago so maybe I'll give it a shot this weekend.