PS3 Yellow Light of Death

[fingersmaloy]

Happened to me the other day. PS3 is dead. Supposedly I have to send it to Sony for repairs at my shipping expense (expensive) and pay around 170 bucks for the actual service, and that's if I don't even bother calling them to inquire. If I want to call their helpline, it's about 25 cents a minute. Plus they wipe all your data, and frankly the thought of starting Fallout 3 over again from the beginning makes me cry blood. All this and my warranty only expired three months ago.

Anyone else had this happen? Anyone have a cheaper solution? I found a tutorial on how to fix it yourself on Youtube, but you have to buy a heating gun and be a relatively competent handyman, so I'm thinking I might just exacerbate things.

If anyone has any advice for the frugal gamer, I'd like to hear it. Right now I can't help but feel like the people pulling the strings at Sony are nothing more than a pack of thieving bastards.

[superlarz]

Look around local websites like craigslist or go to local gaming stores someone may be able to help you. I see you are in Japan, so I dont know for certain you will find your answers here but you should definately try. I would expect to spend about $50 for the repair.

[corn619]

I have a question, if you do send it to Sony for repairs, and say you have a 60GB PS3 with PS2 BC would you get a 60GB with PS2 BC back? I would be very pissed if I loss my PS2 BC function. I would suggest having someone local doing it. Losing your saves would be a unrecoverable loss. Couldn't you just remove the HDD before sending it to Sony? Or do they require the HDD as well? Man, do I miss memory cards.

[superlarz]

I believe you get the same unit back , just repaired. I dont think it would affect you systems BC. I havent really looked into the "yellow LOD" too much because I dont hear about it too often so im not afraid of it happening to my system, but I imagine one of the reasons the system could fail is a broken HDD. I would most likely leave mine in before sending it to sony unless they said to remove it or I had another way to test that the disk was booting properly

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

I believe you get the same unit back , just repaired. I dont think it would affect you systems BC. I havent really looked into the "yellow LOD" too much because I dont hear about it too often so im not afraid of it happening to my system, but I imagine one of the reasons the system could fail is a broken HDD. I would most likely leave mine in before sending it to sony unless they said to remove it or I had another way to test that the disk was booting properly

To get your system back you have to pay about $200, to get any plain old pre-repaired PS3 back it's $150.

[enderfall]

I believe you get the same unit back , just repaired. I dont think it would affect you systems BC. I havent really looked into the "yellow LOD" too much because I dont hear about it too often so im not afraid of it happening to my system, but I imagine one of the reasons the system could fail is a broken HDD. I would most likely leave mine in before sending it to sony unless they said to remove it or I had another way to test that the disk was booting properly

To get your system back you have to pay about $200, to get any plain old pre-repaired PS3 back it's $150.

I'm pretty sure you get the same model back in return, so if you had a 60gig, you'll get one back (just not yours).

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

I believe you get the same unit back , just repaired. I dont think it would affect you systems BC. I havent really looked into the "yellow LOD" too much because I dont hear about it too often so im not afraid of it happening to my system, but I imagine one of the reasons the system could fail is a broken HDD. I would most likely leave mine in before sending it to sony unless they said to remove it or I had another way to test that the disk was booting properly

To get your system back you have to pay about $200, to get any plain old pre-repaired PS3 back it's $150.

I'm pretty sure you get the same model back in return, so if you had a 60gig, you'll get one back (just not yours).

Nope, I spoke to my store's Sony rep the other day when she came in to retrofit our PS3 Demo Unit from the original into a Slim Demo and she made sure to tell me that if I choose not to pay extra then I'll get back an "equivalent" unit. She also clearly explained that equivalent meant that the unit simply needs to be compatible with PS3 games and Blu-Ray discs, PS2 compatibility is a "gift" on Sony's part to the consumer and by no means are they required to give me another BC unit unless I get lucky and another 60,20,80 gig BC unit is in line to be sent out when mine is sent in.

She also told me that as the 20, 60, and 80 BC units have all been out of production for more than a year chances are that Sony may not even take it in for a repair at ll due to not being able to repair and then re-distribute the units at a later date given the scarcity and availability of parts for them.

It's underhanded and it pisses me off to hear this shit form Sony, but I guess it's what we've come to expect fro them in recent years. When I send in my 60 gig (Whenever I get the freaking $200 it costs to get MY unit repaired and returned to ME) I'll find out if Sony even supports us 60 gig users anymore.

[lordofduct]

and when people praised PS3 for not breaking like 360... all I had to say was that all shit breaks, and customer support is what you should be more concerned about.

Personally I don't like either.

@OP - it's high time you learn a little soldering and basic console repaid if tutorials are available. You're a retro gamer (or at least I suppose you are as you hang out here)... you should be semi-handy with a soldering iron by now. You'll need it come soon, all those cart systems are reaching an age where this kind of knowledge is very necessary.

[GSZX1337]

Damn OP, that really shits. Lately, I've been a little worried about the YLOD since I also have a 60 Gigger (which I'm posting with now ).

and when people praised PS3 for not breaking like 360... all I had to say was that all shit breaks, and customer support is what you should be more concerned about.

You're a retro gamer (or at least I suppose you are as you hang out here)... you should be semi-handy with a soldering iron by now.

He could be emulating the older consoles, which could explain why he can't solder. I do agree with you that he does need to learn how to use a soldering iron since it's an invaluable skill.

[nickfil]

is this a regular normal thing for the ps3? I thought they were indestructible.