My PS3's Dead. AnyReplacement Suggestions?

[thegamezmaster]

My 80g, 4 usb, and B/C system died yesterday. Made some phone calls and researched the web. My problem and question is: do I replace with a refurbished one? Get a new one, money's kind of tight. Can't figure out why in checking retail sights why the 120g slim costs the same as the 160g slim? Or do I go to a pawn shop and get one slightly cheaper? Have bought a couple of systems from this one shop and had good luck with them. Are the warranty on a used one able to be put under warranty from Sony? I'm just not sure what's the best and most cost effect way to replace. Any help is very much appreciated. Thanks.

[Oobgarm]

Did you get the Yellow light? Or did something else happen?

120 and 160 slims were the same price at retail. The 120 came first, and the 160 replaced it.

If you're buying used, then whatever warranty you're going to get will have to be through the place you buy it from, if they offer one. Only way you're going to have a warranty through Sony is buying new.

Find a used slim model, seems like the best route to go.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

The 120Gig SKU might be discontinued, that would be the only reason that the larger capacity unit is the same cost at retail - it being the current standard base model at the MSRP for the base model.

Repair/replacement cost for an out of warranty unit from Sony will be less than buying a new one and they currently guarantee that you'll get the same make/model back up to and including launch day 60 gig units, however, since PS3s are heavy, the most cost-effective method to ship the unit to them will also likely be the slowest.

Sony does sell 40 Gig fat refurbs at certain retail outlets for $200 but for that cost you can probably do a shipped repair on your existing unit with Sony and retain your B/C features.

*edit* They'll also transfer the complete contents of your HDD over to the repair/replacement unit during a repair/replacement if the drive on your current unit isn't borked. So, that's another benefit of going with Sony for repairs.

*edit edit* The above may not be a standard feature of repair services, so, best to disregard it as a part of your potential decision making process on what to do.

[exit]

They'll also transfer the complete contents of your HDD over to the repair/replacement unit during a repair/replacement if the drive on your current unit isn't borked. So, that's another benefit of going with Sony for repairs.

When did they start doing this? This must be something new, because it's always been that you will lose all of your data during the replacement/refurb, which is the main reason why most people do the reflow instead of sending theirs in to Sony.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

When did they start doing this? This must be something new, because it's always been that you will lose all of your data during the replacement/refurb, which is the main reason why most people do the reflow instead of sending theirs in to Sony.

Hmm. They did it for me.

I thought it was a standard feature of the repair process. Though, since I can't find any info that supports that as a standard repair service, you're probably right.

[thegamezmaster]

So I guess my big question is which route would you take if you were me? Just looking for opinions to help me make mine. New, used, refurbished? That's one of the big questions. It's hard to decide because I'm on a fixed income and disabled and I get a lot of enjoyment from playing my PS3. Thanks again for any input.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

In this console generation, personally, I would go with new or refurb.

Any used console has an unknown amount of mileage on the laser, drive motor, the cpu (thermal paste, etc).

PS3s are pretty sturdy overall, but we're seeing launch units at the 5 year mark now and YLOD seems to be the key point of failure.

[heybtbm]

PS3s are pretty sturdy overall, but we're seeing launch units at the 5 year mark now and YLOD seems to be the key point of failure.

Just curious...what does the yellow light of death mean exactly? Google mentions four different things. My launch 60 has been struggling to get through Uncharted 2...even forcing the PS3 to shut off twice now.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Just curious...what does the yellow light of death mean exactly? Google mentions four different things. My launch 60 has been struggling to get through Uncharted 2...even forcing the PS3 to shut off twice now.

Similar to RROD, (Red Ring of Death) on the XBOX360, when the PS3 suffers from some type of catastrophic failure on the motherboard (processors, cpu, etc.) it fails to be able to function or boot up.

From what I understand it's similar to the problems that the XBOX has with the heating/cooling/breaking of solder joints which is why heat guns, new thermal paste, re-flowing and re-balling of solder are typically suggested DIY fixes. Unlike the 360 this phenomenon has taken far longer to show itself in early generation PS3s.

Attempts to boot a YLOD system will be met with a quick flash of yellow and then flashing red on the power status light and several quick beeps.

If your system is shutting itself down, it sounds like you're on your way there.

[CDiablo]

I would suggest if you have a YLOD you should get it repaired. If it is a chip overheating issue a good reballing should have it last for many years to come. This should cost much less than a used PS3. If it is a simple PSU or HDD issue you can DIY.

[Rickstilwell1]

I've learned that soldering is actually pretty easy once you practice with it. The hardest part for me is usually opening a game system and putting it back together the same way I found it. NES is pretty easy but a new system can be harder.

[MarioMania]

How about the Blu-ray Drive?? How much to get a new drive, I have an 80 Gig b/c system

Doesn't play Bluray Movies on Games..But runs DVD's, PS2 & PS1

[kedawa]

I've learned that soldering is actually pretty easy once you practice with it. The hardest part for me is usually opening a game system and putting it back together the same way I found it. NES is pretty easy but a new system can be harder.

You can't fix RROD/YLOD with a soldering iron.
The parts that need to be resoldered use a ball grid array on the underside of the chip, so you need a very precise(and expensive) temperature controlled heat gun to do it properly, although you can get away with doing it the hacky way sometimes.
It's not super complicated and if the machine is a doorstop anyway, then there's no harm in trying.

[The 1 2 P]

Find a used slim model, seems like the best route to go.

Thats what I was going to suggest. I got a 3 month old 160 gig slim off of craigs list for $150 with three recent games, which I sold for $90 to balance my console out to $60. Just try to get one thats less than a year old.

[thegamezmaster]

Did you get the Yellow light? Or did something else happen?

120 and 160 slims were the same price at retail. The 120 came first, and the 160 replaced it.

If you're buying used, then whatever warranty you're going to get will have to be through the place you buy it from, if they offer one. Only way you're going to have a warranty through Sony is buying new.

Find a used slim model, seems like the best route to go.

That's what I ended up doing. Found a 120g slim, looks new with a warranty. Got it from a place I've dealt with and am friends with the person in charge of the games and he even knocked $30 off the price. Brought it home and hooked it up and works like a charm. Am very happy. Now just need to get rid of a ps3 80g 4usb ports with ylod. Anyone know anyone that's interested in it? If so have them PM me. Don't know if it's repairable or be used for parts. Does anyone know a good guide on how to reflow one? thanks.

[BHvrd]

My first gen 60 gig is still kicking. Although I have to cookthe motherboard in the oven about every 3-6 months to reflow the solder.

Gonna buy me a 40 gig replacement power supply soon as the original is one heat prducing beast and the 40 gigs run much cooler and have plastic bottoms instead of being just a big chunk of metal on metal.

[Smashed Brother]

[Oobgarm]

I have never understood why people on a gaming forum bag on others and tell them that they need to go outside instead of playing games.

[Baloo]

This really would be the last place to bag on a person for that, haha.

[exit]

<insert condescending image here>

Nice way to diss someone for no reason, perhaps you confused this for Gamefaqs.