View Full Version : PS3 Issue
DuckTalesNES
03-31-2010, 02:26 AM
So I've had a PS3 for quite a while and mostly used it for watching blurays and dvds. Well I just got Final Fantasy XIII yesterday and went to play it today. Got about 20 minutes in, and then the screen started to blur up and basically froze on me. I was concerned so I shut the system off and removed the disc.
At restart I got a blank screen so I shut it off again. I made sure everything was connected properly and everything restarted correctly. Then on the PS3 menu screen, I was going to see if there were any updates for the system or anything (to see if maybe that was the problem), and then the screen did the same thing, getting really blurry/pixelated and then freezing.
Does anyone have any suggestions about this? Is this a common problem? I have one of the original PS3's that is fully backwards compatible, and I would really like to keep it instead of replacing it. Feedback greatly appreciated.
zektor
03-31-2010, 03:16 AM
This is probably to the extreme, but it sounds to me that there is an issue with the GPU (overheating or otherwise). Are you still under warranty? Been hearing a whole lot lately about issues with these older models in which the PS is overheating the CPU and GPU. Hopefully this isn't the case on your side...
DuckTalesNES
03-31-2010, 03:26 AM
4 things about this really annoy me.
1) I don't want to spend the $$$ to replace it.
2) I have the version I wanted that can play PS2 games and it'll be a bitch to find another one, which WON'T be under warranty itself either and might have the same problem.
3) What about my downloaded games?
4) I FINALLY have a PS3 game that I'm really interested in playing and it goes kaput on me.
DuckTalesNES
03-31-2010, 03:27 AM
Part of my post cut off, don't know why.
But, do you think if it is overheating, that keeping it shut off for a while to cool down will help the problem? Should I switch the system to vertical? Any suggestions?
zektor
03-31-2010, 03:53 AM
Well, at least for your downloaded titles, that is not an issue. One great thing Sony has done is to allow the games to be easily moved to another machine on your own.
Simply go into your account settings and disable your account linked to that console before you get rid of it. When you get the new system and log back in, you will be able to download all of your titles you purchased again. You can actually download these games to five separate systems at once if you wanted to. In other words, your purchases follow you from system to system....no need to worry that you will loose them. Although, in my experience, you DO loose purchased movies/tv shows. These did not have a record that I purchased them when I moved to another console awhile back. BTW: If you do NOT disable the link to that console, you loose one download spot (you will only be able to add your games to four consoles max at that point)
Maybe you messed with video settings? Try holding the power button for 15 seconds or so...which should reset the console to default video settings. Other than that, just make sure you do not have it crammed in a tight spot....give it some air to breathe.
DuckTalesNES
03-31-2010, 03:55 AM
Yeah right now I can't even get it to load up the menu screen or show anything on my TV at ALL. :-(
This is so frustrating. If my NES from fucking 1988 can work, why can't the motherfucking state of the art machine work.
zektor
03-31-2010, 03:57 AM
Yeah right now I can't even get it to load up the menu screen or show anything on my TV at ALL. :-(
This is so frustrating. If my NES from fucking 1988 can work, why can't the motherfucking state of the art machine work.
One other thing it could be is the HD. I recall one unit I worked on would not display, but after I removed the HD the picture came up. I simply hooked the HD to the PC and repartitioned/formatted, popped it back into the PS3 and let the machine format it again, and all worked fine.
DuckTalesNES
03-31-2010, 04:00 AM
I'll try anything at this point, how do you go about doing all of those things with the hard drive?
Don't worry man, I feel your pain too, my 80g passed away just a few days ago.
zektor
03-31-2010, 02:47 PM
I'll try anything at this point, how do you go about doing all of those things with the hard drive?
Well, it is a long shot, but worth a try:
If you have the unit sitting flat, there is a panel on the left side. Pop off that panel and you'll see a blue screw. Unscrew that and you can remove the HD cradle easily. Depending on your model, yoiu will either have to grab the metal arm, slide it to the right and slide the drive straight out, or grab the arm and pull it straight out. It is also documented in your owners manual as you are allowed to remove this without voiding warranty. Try removing it and then turning on power. If you get video, you'll be in luck. You'll get an error that the HD has not been found of course (since it is removed) but at least you can narrow down the problem to the HD directly if you get video response.
Shadow Kisuragi
03-31-2010, 03:07 PM
This sounds like a GPU issue, unfortunately. I had a friend who had the same exact symptoms and it ended up being a failing GPU.
DuckTalesNES
03-31-2010, 03:48 PM
Yeah after talking through things on the phone and trying to boot up the system in safe mode, it looked like things were going well and then the screen got blurry again.
So my options are:
1) I can mail it back to them and upgrade to a slim for $119.99 plus $29.99 shipping and handling and have a 90 day warranty on the slim.
2) I can mail it back to them and have them repair it for $149.99 plus $29.99 shipping and handling, and have a 90 day warranty on the repaired system.
I would like to go with option 2 but I'm worried that the same problem is going to happen again since it is older. I'm also worried about them sending me some refurbished system for option 1. What do you guys think I should do?
Frankie_Says_Relax
03-31-2010, 04:07 PM
I would like to go with option 2 but I'm worried that the same problem is going to happen again since it is older. I'm also worried about them sending me some refurbished system for option 1. What do you guys think I should do?
I believe that repaired systems get an extended warranty. If it happens again shortly after that you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
DuckTalesNES
04-01-2010, 02:42 AM
No they told me on the phone only 90 day warranty no matter which option I take. I'm leaning towards taking the slim at this point because I don't want my system to crap out again (but it is extremely frustrating because I love the backwards compatibility).
zektor
04-01-2010, 04:44 AM
No they told me on the phone only 90 day warranty no matter which option I take. I'm leaning towards taking the slim at this point because I don't want my system to crap out again (but it is extremely frustrating because I love the backwards compatibility).
I would go with the slim if I were you. If you want to play PS2 games, either grab a new ps2 slim for $99 or grab a used one for half of that (or less). I know it is not as graceful as having that all-in-one unit, but at least you'll be able to play everything regardless.
Frankie_Says_Relax
04-01-2010, 08:34 AM
Not sure about everybody else, but I vaccuum out all of the dust fans and vents on my launch day 60Gig PS3 once a month. I don't keep the unit on the floor or in a dusty heavy environment by any stretch of the imagination ... but considering what builds up in there I'd hate to see what it would look like if I did.
I also keep it in a well ventilated entertainment center with good air circulation on all sides.
All reports point to over-heating as the main cause of PS3 failure these days, and clogged exhaust/intake vents/fans or usage in a "hot box" environment would certainly facilitate an over-heat.
Knock wood, I haven't had any problems with over-heating, etc. Occasionally I have a day where it has probems with connecting to the network that powering down and cleaning seems to have fixed, but that could be the fault of my router or even just something that power-cycling clears up without the removal of any excess dust in the system.
megasdkirby
04-01-2010, 08:53 AM
Not sure about everybody else, but I vaccuum out all of the dust fans and vents on my launch day 60Gig PS3 once a month. I don't keep the unit on the floor or in a dusty heavy environment by any stretch of the imagination ... but considering what builds up in there I'd hate to see what it would look like if I did.
I also keep it in a well ventilated entertainment center with good air circulation on all sides.
I noticed this too. The PS3 I did the YLOD fix on had all it's vents clogged with dust and grime, to the point where no air could enter the console. I cleaned all vents, but I also took the opportunity to clean the fan inside the console, which was dirty beyond belief.
I try to keep my console dust free, clogged free. I also play only when my air conditioner is on, as I usually lower the temperature to around 70 or so. This makes the room very cold, which causes the console not to use the loudest fan setting. Also, I have the console located in a place where there is ample air flow, and I turn off my console every few hours, making sure I toggle the switch on the back to cut out all electrical power. This cools down the console even further.
It's going to be 8 months since I purchased my console, and all is well.