Rick Dangerous Posted November 5, 2017 Share Posted November 5, 2017 I'm not going to hair dryer it.... Anyone still doing a decent re-ball/repair service on these? Thanks. Luckily my original fat PS3 works (must have got a great one!) and I have a "slim" as well so i'm not without in the meantime... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boog Posted November 5, 2017 Share Posted November 5, 2017 (edited) I wouldn't bother... it'll just fail again eventually. The early PS3s were all disposable junk. Better off putting the money towards another slim if you want a fairly reliable backup system. Edited November 5, 2017 by boog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SignGuy81 Posted November 5, 2017 Share Posted November 5, 2017 I could look at it for you if you'd like just give me a PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atari Dogs Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 My ps3 lasted three years then got the rlod. I got it repaired twice the lasted about six months each, the i bought a new ps3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xenomorpher Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 (edited) Even if you get it fixed and it happens again when you're playing a disc, it will get stuck in the drive. Sony really screwed that up. I'd get a slim version and keep it as ventilated and dust free as possible for a primary system. The super slim looks cheap, but it has less moving parts and I like mine so far. Those fat versions are time bombs. Back up your data if you haven't already. Edited November 6, 2017 by xenomorpher 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moycon Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 Even if you get it fixed and it happens again when you're playing a disc, it will get stuck in the drive. Sony really screwed that up. I'd get a slim version and keep it as ventilated and dust free as possible for a primary system. The super slim looks cheap, but it has less moving parts and I like mine so far. Those fat versions are time bombs. Back up your data if you haven't already. Wow I have one of the fat PS3s and mainly use it every day to watch streaming (YouTube, Amazon) I do have content like SingStar songs and DLC games downloaded to the console. When you say back up the data what do you mean? Isn't content tied to the system itself? What would backing up do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xenomorpher Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 Wow I have one of the fat PS3s and mainly use it every day to watch streaming (YouTube, Amazon) I do have content like SingStar songs and DLC games downloaded to the console. When you say back up the data what do you mean? Isn't content tied to the system itself? What would backing up do? I was taking about game saves. Those I think are tied to your account and can't be used on another system until you sign in, but I never tried it either way. You can only back up DLC I think for when you want to upgrade the hard drive since it is tied to that system as you pointed out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Dangerous Posted November 6, 2017 Author Share Posted November 6, 2017 I realize it's the least reliable PS3 made, but I really like my first Gen fats because of the full backwards compatibility. PS1, PS2 and PS3 in one system... it's hard to beat that! Thanks SignGuy81 will PM you 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Dangerous Posted November 9, 2017 Author Share Posted November 9, 2017 https://www.ubreakifix.com/game-console-repair/playstation-3-repair These guys in Canada are still offering the YLOD repair...I would like to avoid international shipping if possible though. This local (!!) shop offers the repair but then when I talked to them they said they don't like to do them anymore: https://www.wirescomputing.com/game-console-repair/ They said they are basically a pain in the ass time suck and they always wind up breaking again. Why oh why did the most awesome PS3 also have to be the one with a shelf life... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+chue Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 (edited) I will give you the name of the guy that did mine, but my experience with him was not great. He has plenty of 5 star ratings from others though. Maybe my experience was a fluke. So here's my story: I had a YLOD on my PS3 and sent it for repair. The repair went long and I messaged the guy many times but he never responded to my communication. After three months I figure I'm not getting the PS3 back so I complain to the payment provider (PayPal) and ask for a refund. The complaint works it's way through PayPal and it gets to the point where they say they will talk to the service provider. At this point I am hoping to just get my money back, and not my PS3. Maybe a week after the complaint, to my surprise, I get a package in the mail - it's my PS3 - I plug it in and it works! So after all the teeth pulling I am relieved that I got my working PS3 back. So yes I have a working PS3 now, but only time will tell how good of a job was done. So far I've been babying the PS3 and not pushing it too hard. I do plan on pushing it a little harder soon though. This is the guy I used: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Playstation-3-PS3-Reballing-repair-service-One-year-warranty-RoHS-standard/291290818089?epid=1150079233&hash=item43d2492629:g:T5MAAOSwQiRUohan He also has a website, but if you decide to use him I would recommend you go through eBay (I didn't). That way you have 2 levers you can pull - ebay and PayPal. Edited November 9, 2017 by chue 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Dangerous Posted November 15, 2017 Author Share Posted November 15, 2017 Sweet, thank you, I am going to go this route I think. The local guy was going to do a re-melt only, which I think is useless (or at the least, temporary.) I like this one year guarantee and the idea of the protection from ebay/PP. Price isn't half bad either.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 My original launch Fat PS3 also has the YLOD. I want to get it fixed one of these days, but I'd rather have someone local (Michigan) look at it than pay the arm and leg to ship it out. One of these days I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+thanatos Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 My original launch Fat PS3 also has the YLOD. I want to get it fixed one of these days, but I'd rather have someone local (Michigan) look at it than pay the arm and leg to ship it out. One of these days I guess. We should ask Ben Heck's guys to set up a PS3 reflow station at the MGC. I have an 80GB fat - 4 USB, but some PS2 backwards compatibility was software only. It went back for repairs twice in the first 2 years. Was reliable after that, but I haven't turned it back on in probably 3 years now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 Actually that's not a bad idea. I wonder if they'd be willing to do that? This is actually my refurbed replacement PS3 Fat. My original died during a FF 13 game (wouldn't read discs anymore) and I sent it back to Sony for a replacement (of course the warranty had expired a few months earlier). Then this one died about a year later during a FF X-2 marathon. Maybe FF's are cursed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+chue Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 (edited) As Travis mentioned, reflows are a temporary solution. Reballing is what you want. Reflows works for a while, but then the light of death eventually returns. It's great for when you just want to pull some game saves off the PS3's drive. I actually reflowed one and it did die after a while. There are loads of stories on the net that confirm this. Now since you know Ben Heck, maybe you can ask him why this is. I'd be interested as well. Maybe he'd do a show on it! Edited November 19, 2017 by chue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SignGuy81 Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 I'm not Ben Heck, but the lead free solder used is more brittle and susceptible to cracking over time from the continued heating and cooling of the unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiberianSpForces Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 (edited) Here's a PS3 reballing video in its 41 minute glory. https://youtu.be/bAiM9DX7e7E Edited November 19, 2017 by SiberianSpForces Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 As Travis mentioned, reflows are a temporary solution. Reballing is what you want. Reflows works for a while, but then the light of death eventually returns. It's great for when you just want to pull some game saves off the PS3's drive. I actually reflowed one and it did die after a while. There are loads of stories on the net that confirm this. Yeah I did the hair dryer trick which brought it back to life for a few minutes and allowed me to get my save off (80+ hours into the game), but it died again shortly after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osgeld Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 I reballed a chip on an industrial computer once and reflowed it in a real deal reflow oven at work it sucked 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Dangerous Posted March 13, 2018 Author Share Posted March 13, 2018 I used this guy on ebay and he seemed to be fully above the boards. Even had a web page for me to track progress: https://www.ebay.com/itm/PS3-YLOD-X360-RROD-PS4-BLOD-XBOX-One-Repair-Service-Reflow-Reball-6-Month-Wrnty/131614857493?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649 My 60GB FATTY is on its way back now, 6 month warranty, will report on its reliability down the road. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Dangerous Posted April 25, 2018 Author Share Posted April 25, 2018 I used this guy on ebay and he seemed to be fully above the boards. Even had a web page for me to track progress: https://www.ebay.com/itm/PS3-YLOD-X360-RROD-PS4-BLOD-XBOX-One-Repair-Service-Reflow-Reball-6-Month-Wrnty/131614857493?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649 My 60GB FATTY is on its way back now, 6 month warranty, will report on its reliability down the road. Soooo...this guy has more or less stolen my PS3 fat. I got it back and it overheated when trying to update, so I sent it back over a month ago and haven't heard anything. I have left him 4 voicemails, and 1 message on ebay over the past two weeks. I have his address and phone number but no email. How best to handle this? Through ebay, local authorities? It's not even the time that is bugging me, so much as the total lack of communication... haven't been refunded or anything but the transaction is closed as far as ebay knows because I just mailed it back. Wishing I hadn't...what a crock! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+chue Posted April 25, 2018 Share Posted April 25, 2018 The eBay listing says that the seller is on vacation... that may be why he is not answering your communication. I would contact eBay and if they cannot resolve the issue then get in touch with PayPal. After it is all said and done, be sure to leave an eBay review of your transaction. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SignGuy81 Posted May 3, 2018 Share Posted May 3, 2018 (edited) Soooo...this guy has more or less stolen my PS3 fat. I got it back and it overheated when trying to update, so I sent it back over a month ago and haven't heard anything. I have left him 4 voicemails, and 1 message on ebay over the past two weeks. I have his address and phone number but no email. How best to handle this? Through ebay, local authorities? It's not even the time that is bugging me, so much as the total lack of communication... haven't been refunded or anything but the transaction is closed as far as ebay knows because I just mailed it back. Wishing I hadn't...what a crock! Just out of curiosity how long did it take you to receive it back the first time after sending it in? EDIT: LOL, Look at the last few pics here from your repair service professionals https://www.ebay.com/itm/Playstation-3-PS3-Downgrading-Any-To-3-55-NOR-ONLY-Service-Fast-Turnaround/131595376727?hash=item1ea3b21857:g:mcEAAOSwLVZV6Uh4 Don't even know how to apply thermal paste(for anyone wondering what that does and why that is not how to properly apply thermal paste is because it creates air pockets which could very well explain why the OPs PS3 came back overheating). EDIT 2: I just noticed this at the top of the page This seller is currently away. If you make a purchase, there may be a delay in processing your order. which may explain why they aren't responding to you. Edit: Just realized person above me already said this. Edited May 3, 2018 by SignGuy81 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Dangerous Posted May 3, 2018 Author Share Posted May 3, 2018 Repair failed....I am writing this one off as done and gone. No further communication from seller other than "repair failed." I'll never see it again. Consoled myself by buying a super slim off craigslist for 80 bucks. Ticks me off that the best PS3 (the 60gb CHECH01 model) was also the most un-reliable... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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