PS3 Fat vs Slim - Horizontal vs Vertical YLOD

[lost_within]

kinda off topic but if you want to see something cool, google

ps3 thermal pictures. It was a while back but a debate about this way or that way console sitting/standing and how it affects everything. Its really cool to see on thermal the differences between how the heat reacts to the fan blowing and how heat will always rise. Pretty cool. Worth a look anyway.

[CRTGAMER]

Hey, great search words, thanks. Proof that Desktop mode is cooler. Baby its hot in there!

Google Images: ps3 thermal pictures

[CRTGAMER]

Stupid Lead Free Solder



Thanks to OSHA, all current consoles have this brittle solder. Bah! My son's PS3 died, the original Fat with the PS2 Emotion Chip inside. THIS WILL BE THE FOURTH TIME FOR A PS3 FAIL! Luckily the previous fails were still in Sony Service Center warrenty.

This is the original launch feature loaded PS3 but the PS2 game compatibility is never utilized. A PS2 with HDAdvance/HDLoader is better anyways. The service center repair is out of the warranty window. I can either send it in and cough up another repair fee or finally relent and get the Slim. I think the Sony Service Center has an exchange broken PS3 Fat and pay a cheaper then retail for a slim, may go that route.

Lucy all the previous PSN purchases can be backup downloaded again, although some games can no longer be backup downloaded, no longer on PSN. Wait till download backup support goes away when the PS4 comes out.

I wonder if the Slim is the smarter choice with a better reliability factor of the smaller board?

Last time I checked Sony Service Center Prices:
Even Exchange Repair = $190.00
Upgrade Broken Fat to Slim = $140.00

[Hobie-wan]

That Looks more like properly cooled solder versus solder that was disturbed as it was cooling which will lead to a dull lumpy surface. Considering that picture is from a place that does repairs it wouldn't surprise me if they are *cough* exaggerating the issue a bit. Yes led free solder isn't as good, but that picture looks like fraud to me. I have enough newer devices with lead free solder in them and have done enough soldering to know that a disturbed joint looks like that and my devices do not.

[CRTGAMER]

That Looks more like properly cooled solder versus solder that was disturbed as it was cooling which will lead to a dull lumpy surface. Considering that picture is from a place that does repairs it wouldn't surprise me if they are *cough* exaggerating the issue a bit. Yes led free solder isn't as good, but that picture looks like fraud to me. I have enough newer devices with lead free solder in them and have done enough soldering to know that a disturbed joint looks like that and my devices do not.

Changed the pic. Lucky I still have my rolls of leaded solder. The reflow or reball is beyond my Pencil Iron though. A far more intricate job then a Mod Chip or WEGA chip desolder.

[D.D.D.]

The PS3 should be laid down at all times with clear access for air intake on both sides of the machine. It must be allowed to ventilate. The exact same principle applies to the 360. I have had all of my machines (360 and 2 PS3s) in this orientation their entire life (well the 60GB PS3 was second hand but I've been assured it's never had any problems and has been cleaned regularly before I bought it, the warranty stick is still intact) and never had a single RROD/YLOD. That can't be some kind of coincidence.

Add one for me although it's a slim.

One other thing, if you smoke in the same room as your consoles you are killing your machines. Tobacco, just as it stains your furniture/ceiling is also getting sucked into your consoles and leaving a sticky substance on your components and even worse, the fan. This is going to kill your systems much faster.

Shocking right? Bad for humans & bad for machinery too.

Plus, give your systems a clean every time you dust/clean your house. If you clean your house once a month (Shame on you, you dirty bastard!) At least give your consoles a clean and a blast with compressed air to get rid of the dust once a fortnight (more often if you use them every day). Chances are it's the dust build up in the air intakes that is killing your systems faster. If I had a pound for every time I went to fix somebody's PC because it was acting strange and the case is completely clogged up with dust I'd have enough to buy a sealed copy of Radiant Silvergun!

Ditto. So many PCs I've "fixed" often times were just over-heating because they were almost completely caked in dust.

[AppleQueso]

Wow, FOUR ps3s in a row, all dead? I know Sony's consoles have never really been known for their reliability but that's just nuts.

Honestly, I want to put my finger on the fact that they're all refurbished systems. Sony probably does a half-assed job 'fixing' them.

Personally, after all that I wouldn't send it into Sony for another refurbished console that's likely to die AGAIN down the line. I'd try selling it as-is to someone and possibly saving up for a while and buying a slim either brand new, or one that's been gently used. NOT a refurbished slim from Sony.

The problem can't just be lead free solder. My bet is more on good old manufacturing defects.

[CRTGAMER]

Wow, FOUR ps3s in a row, all dead? I know Sony's consoles have never really been known for their reliability but that's just nuts.

Honestly, I want to put my finger on the fact that they're all refurbished systems. Sony probably does a half-assed job 'fixing' them.

Personally, after all that I wouldn't send it into Sony for another refurbished console that's likely to die AGAIN down the line. I'd try selling it as-is to someone and possibly saving up for a while and buying a slim either brand new, or one that's been gently used. NOT a refurbished slim from Sony.

The problem can't just be lead free solder. My bet is more on good old manufacturing defects.

Old house not made for heavy amp draws
There is also a very recent aquisition of a first edition used power hungry 360 drawing 230 watts at the same outlet. My son assures me that only one console is powered on at a time, the other in "Sleep" standby mode. I know even in standby mode the power brick is still pulling a little power. I can't believe its that much though, only enough in keeping the transformer coils in the power brick warmed up. The weird thing is my HD CRT also gave out when the curse of the hurricane fan 360 arrived.

All fails were Fats
All the PS3's that died are 1st edition 60gb Emotion Chip units. I suspect the first two fails were due to Tower placement and cheap extension cord on all but the last one. The last one held for quite a while and it finally conked out next to the sleeping 360.

Sony Yellow Tax Program
Luckily all the previous fails were under 90 days, so the exchange was free. This one is another donation to Sony Yellow Zone Deposit. I am definitely going with a slim, still undecided to go the cheaper factory refurbish or a new one off the shelf. Sony has enough of my money already, but a slim seems to be more reliable.

So far the WEGA CRT in the front room has held up too, I almost have the WEGA RLOD Twenty Dollar Repair Guide wrapped up, will post in a couple of days. I'll also update here which route I go for the fifth PS3 to pass thru my doors.

[CRTGAMER]

Fat to Slim 99 Bucks
My Fat is untampered so I decided to go the Service Center Repair route. Just got off the phone with Sony Repair and discovered the upgrade exchange for a broken Fat PS3 to a Slim 120gb PS3 is now $99.00. I don't think broken Slims can get this same offer.

A factory refurbish with ninety day warranty, ⅓ the price of a new one. Since the Slim might run cooler since its smaller and less chips, maybe more reliable. So I'm getting rid of the beloved and temperamental 60gb Emotion Chip Fat for a double sized 120gb Slim. Paid the 99 bucks and the shipping box is on the way. Since I am already in the system, a confirmation EMail popped up right away after I got off the phone.

I couldn't find the upgrade to Slim offer online, the reason why the phone call.

Sony Repair site:
https://service1.us.playstation.com/rma ... EAA600200B#

1SCEA Playstation Sony Repair Phone Number : 1-800-345-SONY (7669)

[Opa Opa]

What's strange about Sony is that they make high quality and very durable electronics but can't launch a game console without some immediate problems.