Tips, Tricks and Fixes

[akadkins]

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

If you open it, Sony won't touch it.

Understand, but since I'm not in warranty, I don't see the benefit of sending it to Sony. They send me back a re-furb console...not my original...so I lose all the content on my HD as I'll have to re-format. Not earth-shattering as I can re-download games...but do lose all my save content. Haven't backed it up since I upgraded from 60GB to 320 GB a few months back.

It is cheaper to go with a known repair site...only problem I see there is if they can't repair it for some reason. Then I'm left with a shiny brick.

[garageinc2001]

If you are not under warranty, Sony will fix it if you pay the $150. Just search for Tips, Tricks and Fixes. It is a large thread with pointers and videos from youtube showing how to do the fix. Its pretty simple as long as you follow a method and take your time. Good luck. If you have any questions, PM me!

And yes, by Sony will fix it, I mean, usually send you a refurb. You can do it for free. Have you ever touched the inside of a computer? Watch the vid and see how you feel about it.

[jswilli1]

I have fixed my Launch 60gb 2X already myself using the reflow technique. It only takes a few hours from start to finish. If you send it to Sony chances are it will fail again after the repair. The YLOD problem is due to heat and the separation of the solder joints within the CPU and GPU chipsets. All you need is a little time, patience, and a heat gun. If you are interested in trying the repair I will find the video I used on You Tube for you.

Here is the link I used
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_Ic1_TY-GU

The details are here from this Forum:
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...&postcount=203

[aygie]

Originally Posted by blitz6speed

Only if you do the network transfer with both ps3s running at the same time. It moves copy protected saves to the new ps3. Otherwise, they're gone.

Damn thing won't turn back on so I can't do it. So mad.

I phoned them yesterday and told them I want a brand spanking new machine.

[saprano]

Thats why i dont play MW2 that much anymore, it makes the system extra hot. and since theirs no install, the laser is constantly reading. if i do play its only for like 3 to 4 hours and i make sure my room is cool. but even when i do that the fan still goes on 2 gear, or the next fan speed after you turn the PS3 on, whatever its called. it takes awhile, but it does. when im playing fallout 3 the fan never leaves the first speed. even cod W@W.

How long have you had the PS3?

Does having the PS3 on but not playing a game count towards aging the cpu/gpu? heh.

I have mine on right now and the heat blowing out of it is not that warm.

[jswilli1]

I have noticed in several posts that the YLOD tends to occur during COD which was the case with my first two YLOD and this was within minutes of being turned on. Secondly I have noticed that most of the 60GB "Launch" PS3's that have the YLOD have had HDD upgrades. My PS3 has a 500GB Seagate, it was only a few months after the upgrade that I got my first YLOD.

For the OP what size HDD do you have? just curious....

[PS3-Playb3yond]

I don't believe this is a YLOD issue because once get YLOD it doesn't start up again.It doesn't even let you see the XMB. If I understood you correctly you said you were able to turn it on for 10 mins after it stopped working the day before so try this: -

My adive is to clear the air vents with a compressed air can. And perhaps move it temporarily to see how long it runs.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by jswilli1

I have fixed my Launch 60gb 2X already myself using the reflow technique....

Everyone who does the reflow does it several times, Be ready to do it again and again. It's not a good solution.

My 60GB recently had the same problem but in my case the 3 year warranty was a few days from expiring instead of being a few days gone.

So... I got a refubed unit from Sony for free but I would gladly pay the $150 next time if they keep offering 60GB units.

-Brian

[akadkins]

Originally Posted by jswilli1

For the OP what size HDD do you have? just curious....

My upgraded HDD is 320GB. Not sure about COD being the cause...leaning more towards thought that since that is the big game right now, of course it is likely to be what you are playing.

I've given the console about 12 hours and it is still YLOD. Seems to be no coming back even though I cleaned it up a bit.

Thanks for all the advice...I'm a bit impatient so I don't think I'm willing to pay a bit more and have Sony send me a refurb unit. Would rather pay for quick fix. Understand it is likely to happen again...maybe then I'll go with reflow option...watched through videos and am hesitant to do that myself.

[jswilli1]

Originally Posted by bhampton

Everyone who does the reflow does it several times, Be ready to do it again and again. It's not a good solution.

My 60GB recently had the same problem but in my case the 3 year warranty was a few days from expiring instead of being a few days gone.

So... I got a refubed unit from Sony for free but I would gladly pay the $150 next time if they keep offering 60GB units.

-Brian

The first two reflows lasted about a month each as I am on my third reflow. This time I heated the CPU/GPU for about 5 total minutes with the heat gun. Seems to be working so far since I have passed the 1 month mark. I can do the whole process from start to finish in about 1hr now. I hate to lose the 60GB model since it plays PS2 games, has SACD, Memory card readers, and extra USB ports. When the unit finally kicks the bucket I can say I got every last drop out of it. The other reason I do the reflow is the poor excuse for backing up the HDD. I actually did the backup and put the 500GB HDD in my second PS3 and did a restore. None of my saved game data transferred which in my opinion is a joke particularly on the EA save game data.

[saprano]

Originally Posted by bhampton

Everyone who does the reflow does it several times, Be ready to do it again and again. It's not a good solution.

My 60GB recently had the same problem but in my case the 3 year warranty was a few days from expiring instead of being a few days gone.

So... I got a refubed unit from Sony for free but I would gladly pay the $150 next time if they keep offering 60GB units.

-Brian

What kind of thermal paste does sony use on the PS3? it seems the ones people buy from the store aint good enough to last even a year.

But if it keeps your PS3 alive why not keep doing it.

As for the separation of the solder joints, sony should of made sure they can never be separated. but that kind of testing would take years i guess.

Did they even test how much heat the PS3 can take before this even happens?

I dont want these problems to be around with the next generation of hardware. freaking annoying.

[jswilli1]

I used the middle grade Thermal paste found at Radio Shack, I finished the tube on the third application. I paid about $7 for it, they have a premium paste for about $10 also. I know when I cleaned the original paste it justed rubbed off, it was dry as a bone.

[bhampton]

Hey,

I used to work in a electronics manufacturing plant that made motherboards and such. The chips that are having problems are called BGA (Ball Grid Arrays) that had tiny contacts under them like half spheres (balls.) They are very challenging to manufacture in the first place using specialized equipment and processes.

Heating them up and thinking it's "fixed" is just not realistic. Maybe you can do that to back up your data. You're degrading the system with each of these attempts.

For now... For $150 Sony will send you a unit that works like new. Still, I think the older 60GB units have trouble with some of the newer games. Mine died just after FW3.0 and a round or two of Uncharted 2 Demo.

-Brian

[blitz6speed]

Originally Posted by aygie

Damn thing won't turn back on so I can't do it. So mad.

I phoned them yesterday and told them I want a brand spanking new machine.

You can *****, complain, yell and more. They will NEVER give you a new machine, just a refurb. I was on refurb #4 or 5 from sony with defective 40 gigs and they kept sending me bad refurbs. I eventually sold the last system i got from them on craigslist without even opening it and got myself a ps3 slim. Very happy with my decision.

[Clark Kent]

I get nervous reading about any original 60 GB machine failing. Three units bought within months of launch, but only one unit gets any regular videogaming on it. One is strictly for BD movies, and the other gets little use. None of them show signs of going bad, but you never know. Being obsessive about dust pays off apparently.

[akadkins]

Trying another tactic or two before going with outside help. Wrote Sony US asking if there was any thought of NOT charging original launch adoptors for YLOD problem as it APPEARS to be a growing issue for the original harware. Can't hurt to ask...

Also asking Sony UK if they can repair my US console...this would be a quicker turnaround for me (as a US owner living in the UK).

I'll keep you posted...

[Shin-Ra]

Originally Posted by akadkins

it APPEARS to be a growing issue for the original hardware.

Isn't this normal for electronics? The older hardware gets, more it's used, the more likely it is something's going to fail.

In addition to that, original PS3 users are more likely to be heavy users, have left their PS3's on hot for weeks folding etc.

[aygie]

Originally Posted by Shin-Ra

Isn't this normal for electronics? The older hardware gets, more it's used, the more likely it is something's going to fail.

In addition to that, original PS3 users are more likely to be heavy users, have left their PS3's on hot for weeks folding etc.

Yes and no, I have plenty of electronics that I've had for years and years and use everyday but their fine...yes they probably don;t as much as my PS3 does but (in my situation) being on my third PS3 in 2 years isn't acceptable.

Bad luck? Maybe.

[Shin-Ra]

Originally Posted by aygie

Yes and no, I have plenty of electronics that I've had for years and years and use everyday but their fine...yes they probably don;t as much as my PS3 does but (in my situation) being on my third PS3 in 2 years isn't acceptable.

Bad luck? Maybe.

If you bought newer, very similar models of the same electronics, you wouldn't expect the oldest models to fail first?

Your problem is different and I don't think that common.

[aygie]

Originally Posted by Shin-Ra

If you bought newer, very similar models of the same electronics, you wouldn't expect the oldest models to fail first?

Of course, my point was more about the lifetime my machines have had being very short.

I still have a launch nintendo 64 which goes like the day i bought it.

For a £550 machine I never expected to go through 2 in 2 years.