Messing around fixing a PS3. What should I do with it?

[Scougar]

Currently in the process of tinkering with a PS3 that had been sitting on the garage for years (80gb fat version ). What should i do with it assume i get it fixed?

Media server, browser, basic gaming... What else can i do with it?

Looks like the logic board on the bluray drive needs replacing due to a snapped flip up ribbon connector,and hopefully that will sort the major issue.

(Annoyingly, i had it running, but trying to update the firmware (mandatory) screwed it up

 

[Scougar]

I got to the point of having the drive spin up the blue light flash, and i could get into safe mode, but kept getting errors on 'checking'. Annoyingly now, I am back once again to the flashing red light and it shutting off immediately.

I have actually previously had it running after a hair dryer fix (lol) but trying to update the firmware (told me it was mandatory ) scuppered it.

 

[Scougar]

Had put this down for a while. Decided to strip the thing apart, and try with a hairdryer (which is a bit lame for heat) to get the chips nice and warm etc. Well.. after putting it back together and firing it up having used new paste etc, the thing worked and I was actually able to install the updated firmware 4.66 I believe. The system rebooted, I was just going through the process of setting the date and username etc, and it turned off again with 3 beeps.

Long story short... it's doing the whole 3 beeps thing again. Sounds like I need to get it properly reballed if I want to get it to work. Probably not worth it for an old PS3 when I can get an Xbox One for $349.

 

[Scougar]

Stick it in the oven , feel the Hairdryer isn't getting hot enough to reseat the contacts . Keep going , worse that can happen is it dosnt work and dosnt cost you a thing

I actually did a little reading on the oven option, so yes, was thinking about it.

 

[Scougar]

Finally did an oven play around. 3 minutes at 200c. Most things wrapped in foil only really exposing the main the chips. So far it is now working for about an hour including system updates and games.

I think I somehow broke the tiny ribbon cable on the front circuit board though as that doesn't light up and I have to screw around with a cable under the blu Ray drive to get the console to turn on. Wonder if I can get a new cable cheaply.

 

[Scougar]

Wouldn't bother, the oven trick is usually a temp fix.

lol but d'oh. I Should have listened and waited at least a week. Was working fine for about 2 days, then died whilst I was loading up the Last of Us (which I had just bought lol).

Tempted to get a PS3 just for messing around with as it's 'alright', but it is indeed slow in the menu's as mentioned. This unit is toast it seems, and not worth spending the money for a longer term fix when used slim models can be had with much bigger hard drives for not much more than the cost of a repair.

I still don't really see the point of a console when I have a PC though hehe.

 

[Scougar]

Probably going down to store tonight to get a used ps3. Should I get a super slim 12gb and use the old 80g harddrive for $129 or get a slim 120gb for $149?

Edit: Bought the slim 120gb. Controller is sticking so needs to go back though. Also...man, I was nearly tears at the beginning of the last of us!

 

[Scougar]

For me.. having a little girl made it worse I think.

The controller is toast as is the USB cable (that is broken as well). The controller sticks forward/back etc on the left hand stick. Hopefully they won't be arsey about it as they have a 7 day return guarantee. Anyway.. it was also covered in cigarette stuff... gross. They can't even be bothered to clean the stuff. Pretty poor.

Also.. after downloading gigabytes worth of data for the GT5 updates, I went to try the most basic race (single, arcade, high speed, zonda.... etc).. gets to the 7th car loading up and the console freezes, lol. I tried other tracks and it works fine... not sure what to make of that though.

 

[Scougar]

Sure I will add you on there. I didn't cry, but I was tearing up for sure.

No fuss swapping out the controller. They gave me a decent dualshock 3 to replace it thankfully.