40gb PS3 Dead

yhack · 12 Aug 2009 at 23:15

Hi, my PS3 died. I turn it on and I get the YLOD.

I've seen some guides on how to resurrect it with a heatgun and thermal paste, has anyone tried this?
Which thermal paste should I buy, assuming I can use the ones OcUK sell?
Also, if I have to get a new PS3, can I take the hard drive out of this one and put it in a new one to get my saves back?

Thanks in advance for any help

ic1male · 13 Aug 2009 at 00:29

I can help with the HDD question - when you remove it and put it back, either in the same console or another one, it will format it. So you're buggered unless you can fix the YLOD without removing the HDD.

I think that's right. Although it seems a bit iffy - how would the PS3 know the HDD has been removed when the power is off, for example?

EDIT: No, I think it's only when you remove the HDD from one PS3 and put it in another one that it formats it. IIRC, Whappers managed to fix his YLOD and then back up his game saves so he could use them again on his new PS3.

Dutch Guy · 13 Aug 2009 at 11:37

You have four options:

1) Get someone to fix the YLOD, cost is ~75 euro's here in The Netherlands and has a success rate of >90% doing this you get to keep your saves
2) Fix the YLOD yourself, free but might be difficult if you have no experience
3) RMA thru Sony, you will get a new one or refurbished one, doing this means you lose your saves if nog backed up externally
4) Buy a new (slim) PS3

Streeteh · 13 Aug 2009 at 11:39

First port of call should be Sony, they sometimes repair consoles out of warranty so certainly worth a try.

yhack · 1 Sep 2009 at 19:58

Fixed it today with a heatgun and some arctic silver

It was a lot easier than I thought it would be.