Old ps3 died what are the best options?

[Cronozilla]

It really has nothing to do with reliability. It has to do with heat output. And the chips used in the slim are a smaller manufacturing scale so it outputs less heat. In effect it's more reliable ... but honestly these old PS3s fail for different reasons; MOST of the time it's improper care.

I went to a best buy last year, there was a PS3 they had out (phat model) strapped with security devices all over and it was sitting upside down (On top of the air intake) and they leave it running like that all day, the exhaust air was hot as hell (my phat PS3's exhaust is never this hot). Looks like it's been there for years. If that's not reliable, I don't know what is. :p

You can keep your saves ... just pull the Hard drive out, that doesn't effect the warranty at all. You can back them up on a PC if you like. The PS3 uses 2.5" (laptop style) SATA HDDs.

The model I'm fixing now (with the blown caps) is also a launch 60GB model. (got it for $50!) And most actual repairs I've seen online are more about fixing fuses and components than anything else. It seems like, if this is the first time you ever had any problems with it trying to stay on, it probably isn't the chips.

All Xbox 360 slim did was cut two more holes in the sides and add a massive fan to DIRECTLY cool the CPU and GPU. Which the other 360 model did not have (the DVD drive sat on top of those heat syncs ... stupid design)

And, I don't know if I'd trust Sony to send back another BC PS3 to be honest. Unless you can get a written guarantee from them, I wouldn't risk that. Those things, even broken, can go for over $150. Refurbished ones are like $300. They are VERY sought after.

Also, what happens when you turn it on? Like, exactly. It might be easier to give a recommendation if we have an idea why it's giving YLOD.

[EvilRyu2099]

It turns on for a few moments than shuts off and as you know the yellow light shows up for a moment then a blinking red light as it shuts off.. Yes you are right about being wary of getting a refurbed model as that may fail soon also.. Explain to me how I fan get the hdd backed up on a pc externally so that I can save to my slim ps3? I would very much appreciate it!!

[Cronozilla]

Well it'll only be useful if you get the same system back ... Thanks to DRM (You thought it was just for PCs!).
The files are all locked so that they'll work with that specific system ID. That's why there's a backup utility in the PS3 menu. If you used that backup utility, then you could transfer saves between systems (or if you had PS+ it would have done it automatically)

BUT, if it is going to be the same system ... you can connect the HDD to your computer (it's standard SATA) and make a 1:1 image of the entire drive.

Sadly, if you have a new hardware id, the PS3 will not even attempt to read the data, it will just tell you to format the drive.

Also, you might have to make the backup running Linux (you can do it with a Live Disc, which doesn't install anything, it's all very user friendly), because Windows is stupid and will try to format it if you open it. Also imaging software is free on Linux :p (Ubuntu has GParted which is good stuff)

Also, it appears there are actually re-balling services online, they claim to be less than Sony's $150 charge ... but ... They're unknown sources online Use at your own peril, I suppose. I suppose stay away from Capital Circuits ... looks like it has Better Business Bureau reports on it. (Bad) You can check various place's rating here http://central-northern-western-arizona.bbb.org/

When it boots up do you hear anything? Like the symphony music? Or see anything on screen? Usually, if it's chip-related YLOD it'll start up and immediately turn off. So, I'm curious.

How about you unplug the console for several hours (like 24) then plug it in and try again and let me know how it behaves.