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My PS3 died and I’m trying to live to tell the story

S

spindashing

Banned
My 20 gb launch system suddenly shut down during UC3 online multiplayer and flashed its red light.

I can turn it on and I backed up my saves but I am worried as fuck. :(
 
M

Mike Works

Member
80GB phat (MGS4 bundle edition), system apparently just shut off mid-play session (girlfriend was playing while I was out jogging), and now it's giving the blinking red light. I unplugged it and I'm going to leave it off overnight, so I don't know if it'll even boot up again.

Any suggestions on what I should do? I just bought a PS+ subscription :/
 
L

Laranja

Member
Mike Works said:
80GB phat (MGS4 bundle edition), system apparently just shut off mid-play session (girlfriend was playing while I was out jogging), and now it's giving the blinking red light. I unplugged it and I'm going to leave it off overnight, so I don't know if it'll even boot up again.

Any suggestions on what I should do? I just bought a PS+ subscription :/
Click to expand...

Just make sure you backup your data if you ever manage to turn it on again. Other than that, I really have no other suggestion, sorry.

It might just have been a one-time crash and not any hardware problem, too, so don't be too pessimistic. I had my system crash like that one or two times and it worked fine afterwards. It eventually got an YLOD, but that was years later...

Sorry, I mis-read your post. Seems like your system is having the same problem mine was having a couple of weeks ago. From what I gathered, your system really is dieing. I could get mine to start-up about half the times I pressed the on button, though, so I managed to use the backup utility.

As far as saving the system goes, you can either try to open and re-apply the thermal paste (assuming yours is overheating, but it seems to be the most common cause), or send it to Sony for a repair.
 
T

ThaiNoodles

Banned
Don't be TOO worried. I'm pretty sure the red light and shut off means a system overheat. Might need to spray some dust out of that bad boy/make sure it's ventilated and not on the carpet or anything and you should be good to go.
 
L

Laranja

Member
ThaiNoodles said:
Don't be TOO worried. I'm pretty sure the red light and shut off means a system overheat. Might need to spray some dust out of that bad boy/make sure it's ventilated and not on the carpet or anything and you should be good to go.
Click to expand...

Hopefully this works for him. It didn't for me. :(
 
S

spindashing

Banned
Mike Works said:
80GB phat (MGS4 bundle edition), system apparently just shut off mid-play session (girlfriend was playing while I was out jogging), and now it's giving the blinking red light. I unplugged it and I'm going to leave it off overnight, so I don't know if it'll even boot up again.

Any suggestions on what I should do? I just bought a PS+ subscription :/
Click to expand...
It sounds like you're going through the same thing as me.

I did turn my system on and played Assassin's Creed II and Sonic Generations for an hour combined and everything seems to be working. I'm just real paranoid. My system was dusty, though. Maybe I should clean inside of it?

Fuck.
 
M

Mike Works

Member
spindashing said:
It sounds like you're going through the same thing as me.

I did turn my system on and plaid Assassin's Creed II and Sonic Generations for an hour combined and everything seems to be working. I'm just real paranoid. My system was dusty, though. Maybe I should clean inside of it?

Fuck.
Click to expand...
At least your system turns on. Back up your saves ASAP!

My tech-head brother is coming by today to open my system up, so I'll keep you (and this thread) up to date as to what goes on. Sounds like we might replace the HD.
 
M

Mike Works

Member
Yep, game over. Opened it up, removed the HD, booted it - still "worked" (blinking red light), so HD wasn't the problem. Took the whole thing apart, scraped off the cracked thermal paste, re-heated the two processors in an attempt to reconnect the soldering, put it back together and the system actually started its rebooting process, but then went back to the blinking red light, so I think it's done. Silver lining is I'll be able to capture my saves off the HD since it's not dead.

But yeah, hoping there are some deals on the PS3 this E3 :/
 
L

LegoArmo

Member
YLOD. European launch model, just over 6 years old.

I hate that ugly super slim, so, straight away, I bought a used 320GB slim from an Amazon Marketplace seller for £120.

I'm very upset. I need to find a way to get my disc out of this thing. 5 months before the next generation, too. Ugh.
 
C

CueTheMusic

Member
Mike Works said:
Yeah, does anyone know how to get the disc out short of tearing the thing apart?
Click to expand...

sometimes the fan test works. turn off the power switch in the back. Press and hold the eject button while turning the power switch on the back on again. It should spin up the fans on full blast and eject the disc.
 
M

Mike Works

Member
Thanks, I'll try that.

Silver linings of this whole experience:

1. Some guy wants to buy the Bluray drive from my system for $50, ha.

2. I'm going to have 2 controllers now once I buy another system, also ha.

3. I went to my bank to sign up for a bonus points credit card to buy the new system and discovered that there were 3 changes I could make to my standard banking account in order to save $10 each month. So in a year and a half, this whole fiasco will have paid for itself. Third ha.

Still, I'll miss my phat and it's backwards compatability. C'est la vie.
 
Hyphen

Hyphen

Member
LegoArmo said:
YLOD. European launch model, just over 6 years old.

I hate that ugly super slim, so, straight away, I bought a used 320GB slim from an Amazon Marketplace seller for £120.

I'm very upset. I need to find a way to get my disc out of this thing. 5 months before the next generation, too. Ugh.
Click to expand...

scrapplejoe said:
My 60GB FAT shit the bed a couple weeks ago... =(
I have a slim though that I had in living room so no worries
Click to expand...

I've had my 60GB UK launch PS3 since... well, launch. It's been very good to me. Planted a 320GB hard drive in there early on, and apart from an issue last year when I had to do a full format (sacrificing non-copyable saves), it's been alright. However, Assassin's Creed III is giving it some trouble now - Polygonal spikes with 'tv static-like' textures are cropping up all over the place. Apparently this is a sign that my PS3's graphics card is slowly giving up. Strangely though, this problem only happens on Assassin's Creed III.

If I hadn't just paid a mammoth gas and electric bill I would have bought a cheap replacement PS3 in preparation for The Last of Us. Because I swear to Naughty GOD, if this PS3 craps out before I get to play that game, somebody will most definitely get hurt.

"You hear me, baby? Hold together."
 
P

Picobrain

Banned
I think my bluetooth in my PS3 slim (320GB) has died, wireless is still working though.
I can not sync anything (tried different controllers and devices). Is there any fix for this?
 
S

spindashing

Banned
Mike Works said:
Yep, game over. Opened it up, removed the HD, booted it - still "worked" (blinking red light), so HD wasn't the problem. Took the whole thing apart, scraped off the cracked thermal paste, re-heated the two processors in an attempt to reconnect the soldering, put it back together and the system actually started its rebooting process, but then went back to the blinking red light, so I think it's done. Silver lining is I'll be able to capture my saves off the HD since it's not dead.

But yeah, hoping there are some deals on the PS3 this E3 :/
Click to expand...
Damn, man.

My system actually still works. I haven't gotten the lights since then; I must have played it at least seven hours in total across a few days, but I bet my PS3 is on its last legs.

I am hoping for PS3 deals this E3, too.
 
bigace33

bigace33

Member
Its funny that 360 has the name for being a console that dies on people, I've only had one 360 RROD on me, but I've had two PS3s check out on me. I've owned 4 360s and 4 PS3s over the current gen.
 
X

XiaNaphryz

LATIN, MATRIPEDICABUS, DO YOU SPEAK IT
Mike Works said:
80GB phat (MGS4 bundle edition), system apparently just shut off mid-play session (girlfriend was playing while I was out jogging), and now it's giving the blinking red light. I unplugged it and I'm going to leave it off overnight, so I don't know if it'll even boot up again.

Any suggestions on what I should do? I just bought a PS+ subscription :/
Click to expand...

I have the same model, it loaded up fine earlier in the day, but my brother tried to turn it on a couple hours later and I get the blinking red light also. :(

Trying to decide whether to go through the effort of reviving it to back stuff up, but what should I do about locked saves you can't backup?
 
C

clav

Member
XiaNaphryz said:
I have the same model, it loaded up fine earlier in the day, but my brother tried to turn it on a couple hours later and I get the blinking red light also. :(

Trying to decide whether to go through the effort of reviving it to back stuff up, but what should I do about locked saves you can't backup?
Click to expand...

Transfer the saves via ethernet cable.

http://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/settings/transferutility.html

Both systems have to be functional though.
 
H

HardRojo

Member
Hey everyone!
A friend's PS3 died today, it is a fat bought in late 2008 so it's the one that doesn't come with BC and only 2 USB ports on the front I guess, according to him it shut down all of sudden and now won't turn on even though the red light is there, he said that when he presses the power button on the console it turns on for a second and instantly dies, he also stated he couldn't turn it on with the controller and pushing the eject button doesn't work either.
Is there something he's missing? I told him he could have someone who repairs systems look at it but maybe it's something pretty simple so, any suggestiongs GAF?

Also, my Uncharted 3 disc is inside that PS3 :p
 
X

xKilltheMx

Member
HardRojo said:
Hey everyone!
A friend's PS3 died today, it is a fat bought in late 2008 so it's the one that doesn't come with BC and only 2 USB ports on the front I guess, according to him it shut down all of sudden and now won't turn on even though the red light is there, he said that when he presses the power button on the console it turns on for a second and instantly dies, he also stated he couldn't turn it on with the controller and pushing the eject button doesn't work either.
Is there something he's missing? I told him he could have someone who repairs systems look at it but maybe it's something pretty simple so, any suggestiongs GAF?

Also, my Uncharted 3 disc is inside that PS3 :p
Click to expand...

Yeah same thing happenned to mine...nothing I know of will get it to work. So..its dead. It's not YLOD its just dead. Best guess after searching around was the PSU died.
 
N

netguy503

Member
xKilltheMx said:
Yeah same thing happenned to mine...nothing I know of will get it to work. So..its dead. It's not YLOD its just dead. Best guess after searching around was the PSU died.
Click to expand...

So that's why I haven't seen you online? That's terrible man. So sorry. I enjoyed playing with you/talking to you. :(
 
L

LordEssdot

Banned
LordEssdot said:
I have a 120 GB original slim. Every time I cut mine on, it freezes right when or before the XMB pops up :( :(
Click to expand...

Pfft... nevermind, If I went on youtube I would've found out that all I needed to do was a factory reset =/

Damn, it was sitting there since last October and now it raises from the grave.

*hugs my PS3 while slowly petting it's matte exterior*

"its ok.... i'm here now
 
S

SMT

this show is not Breaking Bad why is it not Breaking Bad? it should be Breaking Bad dammit Breaking Bad
HardRojo said:
Hey everyone!
A friend's PS3 died today, it is a fat bought in late 2008 so it's the one that doesn't come with BC and only 2 USB ports on the front I guess, according to him it shut down all of sudden and now won't turn on even though the red light is there, he said that when he presses the power button on the console it turns on for a second and instantly dies, he also stated he couldn't turn it on with the controller and pushing the eject button doesn't work either.
Is there something he's missing? I told him he could have someone who repairs systems look at it but maybe it's something pretty simple so, any suggestiongs GAF?

Also, my Uncharted 3 disc is inside that PS3 :p
Click to expand...

Sounds like the power supply.
 
C

clav

Member
dream431ca said:
A loud Pop then no power? Sounds like a capacitor blew in the power supply.
Click to expand...

You mean fuse.

If it were capacitor, he could technically sue.

Symptoms sound like power supply ones.

Hopefully the PS4 will use external power bricks, so in these kind of scenarios, you can easily replace it without breaking the warranty.
 
M

MogCakes

Member
What's the average shelf life of a PS3? My slim's been running pretty since 2010, with occasional dusting in a cool room. I may pick up another PS3 bundle for future-proofing.
 
B

bill0527

Member
Well this just sucks all kinds of ass.

My 40GB (I upgraded to a 320GB HDD) fat i bought in November 2007 stopped detecting any kind of disc last night. Slot drive works perfectly, but you put a disc in, you can faintly hear the Blu-ray drive act like it starts to want to read it and then it just stops.

I stayed up til 3am watching YouTube videos on possibilities trying to fix it. Tried all of them, every little trick and nothing. I took it apart, cleaned it, and it still won't work. I read several places that this particular model has the faultiest laser assembly so that doesn't fill me with confidence in replacing it.

I am not sure what to do. I have a massive backlog of disc based games. It was my primary Blu-ray player. I need it for GTA V in Sept., my PS+ expires in 10 days and i planned to renew it, but I took all the extra money and trade in credit I had down to GameStop yesterday morning and pre ordered a PS4, games, and extra controller. I really, really hate to go buy a new PS3 this close to PS4 launch. In fact, I don't think thats even an option as my wife will probably remove my balls and put them in her purse, especially since I threw down all that money on PS4 yesterday.

I guess my options are:
1. Buy a new laser assembly for about 35 bucks off eBay and hope this fixes it.
2. Sell it for parts and probably get maybe 50 bucks towards a new one. Then go buy a new Blu-ray player.
3. Cancel my PS+, trade in or sell all of these games in my backlog (GoW: Ascension, x-com, FFXIII, FFXIII-2, a few others)
4. Keep it and use it as a media box and make digital purchases, and hope the rest of the system holds out.

Wow, this just couldn't have happened at a worse time.
 
B

bill0527

Member
Well I got $50 out of my busted one on Craigslist this afternoon and just decided to buy a new one.

Not fucking happy about this AT all. Thats money i could have put towards the PS4.
 
T

Trick_GSF

Banned
I'm in a bit of a mess here and would really appreciate some help. My PS3 died got YLOD a hour or so back. Dead. So I want to deactivate my account, obviously I cannot go through the PS3 like normal, so I looked online and found a fairly simple way using this website: sonyentertainmentnetwork.com

Sadly I get this message when trying to deactivate:

You can only deactivate your PlayStation®3 system from PlayStation®Network using your PS3™ system. You cannot deactivate it using a PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system or PC.

On the XMB™ menu, go to PlayStation®Network and sign in to your PlayStation®Network account.
Go to Account Management > System Activation > PS3™ System.
Select the type of content you no longer want your PS3™ system to use.
Highlight [Deactivate System] and press the X button. Your system is now deactivated.
Highlight [OK] and press the X button.
Click to expand...

Any other way of going about it other than call Sony?
Thanks.
 
O

Ovid

Member
Trick_GSF said:
I'm in a bit of a mess here and would really appreciate some help. My PS3 died got YLOD a hour or so back. Dead. So I want to deactivate my account, obviously I cannot go through the PS3 like normal, so I looked online and found a fairly simple way using this website: sonyentertainmentnetwork.com

Sadly I get this message when trying to deactivate:



Any other way of going about it other than call Sony?
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Call them.

I had this issue when I tried to deactivate video on my PS3 Fat. I called them up and they did it for me.
 
N

Nakazato

Member
Well my ps3 is kicking the bucket as well it was a 2006 20gb fat model. Playing The last of us it went it turned itself of Beep Beep Beep Red light (flashing). There's a shop that offers to fix for 60. So dose anyone know if sony will take a console that has been opened if its not fixed ?? ; ;

Got a ps3 20gb sending it to sony would be nice (to get a slim) but Im in transition of moving :\ with out a permanent address
 
S

slick7rick

Member
it finally happened. my 80GB launch ps3 finally stopped reading any discs. now i'm stuck paying sony $129 plus shipping (lol) or a local repair shop for $85 (one day repair).

i'm only doing this so i can keep playing my beloved PS2 games (klonoa, FF, KH, GTA)
 
N

NeoUltima

Member
Nakazato said:
Well my ps3 is kicking the bucket as well it was a 2006 20gb fat model. Playing The last of us it went it turned itself of Beep Beep Beep Red light (flashing). There's a shop that offers to fix for 60. So dose anyone know if sony will take a console that has been opened if its not fixed ?? ; ;
Click to expand...

TLOU is a phat PS3 killer. Mine just did the same.

No YLOD though...I wonder if it was just some glitch with the game and old hardware since you are the second person I have seen with this problem. Seems awfully coincidental.
 
N

Nakazato

Member
NeoUltima said:
TLOU is a phat PS3 killer. Mine just did the same.

No YLOD though...I wonder if it was just some glitch with the game and old hardware since you are the second person I have seen with this problem. Seems awfully coincidental.
Click to expand...

hmmm I really tempted to send it to sony for a slim. But I rather just use that 119 for a PS4
 
dcx4610

dcx4610

Member
My PS3 fat died via YLOD about a month ago. I couldn't believe it when it happened. It's my first system to die on me and I've had nearly all of them since the 2600 to current (and they still work to this day). Also, everyone I know personally that has had a fat, it has died on them.

I didn't expect or want to buy another PS3 with the PS4 mere months away but I ended up doing it anyway. I was still chapped that I lost all of my trophies and saved data.

I tried the blow dryer trick but it didn't work and at that point just decided it was dead. A few days later, I watched some more blow dryer videos and this time I put the PS3 in a box and used the blow dryer for a full 15 minutes. Bingo!

I was able to upload all of my saved games to the PSN cloud storage and sync my trophies. Mission accomplished. Anyone that gets the yellow light of death, definitely try the hair dryer trick and hopefully you can get yours to power on at least long enough to get your saves. Don't mess around and just use the cloud storage. It's quick and easy.

And for those that still have a working PS3 fat? Trade it in to Gamestop ASAP. It's just a matter of time before it dies. If you want to still play PS3 and PSN games even after the PS4, trade it in for a Slim or Super Slim while you can.
 
D

Dead Man Typing

Member
My 60GB EURO launch PS3 has just been bitten by the flashing red light bug.

Now assuming I can't get it to stay on for any length of time using the hair dryer trick, what are my options for recovering save files/account info?

If I put the HDD straight into another PS3 it will try to format it, correct?

Can I use some kind of USB housing to connect the HDD directly to a PC and copy over everything (except non-transferable saves)?

Let's say I don't particularly care about my save files but what I do care about my PSN purchases. Can I just buy a new PS3, sign into my PSN account and redownload everything? Will that content work offline?

It seems I can deactivate my PS3 using the Sony website. Is that just for video content or does it apply to my game licenses, too?

Thanks!
 
C

CaptainZombie

Member
My kids 120gb PS3 Slim Blu-ray drive is not working quite right. I took the system apart twice today and cleaned the BD drive lens and it doesn't still read any BD movies or games. Anywhere I can order a BD drive for this? I know I have to use the board that is on the current BD Drive I have which is easy to do.

I was tempted to just go digital with the few games they play on their system so that way we don't have to worry about anymore issues with discs on their end.
 
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