Background: I've had my PS3 since launch and I've never had any problems with it aside from some games freezing from time to time. In fact, until it happened to me, I didn't even know that YLOD(Yellow light of death) existed.
Situation: I was playing MW2 this morning, and while still in the lobby for a multiplayer match, the game froze. My thoughts were "Oh well, guess I gotta reboot it." I did, and it worked fine, however about 5-10 minutes later it froze in the middle of a match(and I was doing well, too), so I thought "Ugh, not again", and as I got up to go and restart it, it shut itself off, and the red light started blinking. After dusting it off a bit, unplugging it, and letting it cool, I tried booting it up, it started up for about 2 seconds and then a yellow light blinked once, and then became the same blinking red light. Nothing has changed since.
Solutions: I searched on google(of course) and on youtube, and apparently a lot of people have had this problem. Many of these people had something similar happen to them, involving MW2(I doubt it's solely MW2's fault but it seems suspicious that so many people have had this problem). I also found a few ways to fix this problem: A) I found a video on youtube showing how to fix this kind of problem, which seems a bit risky, but I think it may be worth it. B) Send it in to Sony and spend $150 to get it repaired(as long as Sony keeps the data on my hard drive intact, this seems like a fine, and safe plan). C) Get a broken PS3 on ebay and replace the broken parts on the new one with mine and use that. Personally I don't like this idea as it means I won't get my data back, which means I lose easily 150+ hours of game data, which doesn't include online multiplayer data, as that is linked to my PSN(I think so at least) and therefore shouldn't be an issue in any of these solutions. D) I could trade in my PS3 to Gamestop and get a new one at a $60 discount. This has the same issues as C. E) If you guys have any other solutions, please post them.
One way or another, if I can get my data, I am definitely getting a USB hard drive to backup my stuff.
On a serious note, I'd send it in. Back up your files first 'cause you don't want to lose everything if they reformat it. It's much cheaper than buying a new one, and doing a home fix with or without spare parts from another PS3 is dangerous. Better safe than sorry.
On a serious note, I'd send it in. Back up your files first 'cause you don't want to lose everything if they reformat it. It's much cheaper than buying a new one, and doing a home fix with or without spare parts from another PS3 is dangerous. Better safe than sorry.
I can't back up the files, because my PS3 shuts itself off a few seconds after turning it on, and the red light starts blinking. I did however have enough time to take out my MW2 disc, which is a relief.
orannis62: I'd go with Option B, it's the only thing you know for sure will work.
That's probably what I will do, but I really hope Sony doesn't mess with the hard drive. I suppose I could leave a note on the PS3 or call them and tell them that when I send it but who knows if they will remember what I say.
On a serious note, I'd send it in. Back up your files first 'cause you don't want to lose everything if they reformat it. It's much cheaper than buying a new one, and doing a home fix with or without spare parts from another PS3 is dangerous. Better safe than sorry.
I can't back up the files, because my PS3 shuts itself off a few seconds after turning it on, and the red light starts blinking. I did however have enough time to take out my MW2 disc, which is a relief.
Would you be able to access the hard drive by taking it out and connecting it to a computer, if possible? (not sure, have yet to replace my HDD with a higher capacity model like I've been planning to)
Anyway, go with the Sony repair, its your best bet, and the techs (usually) know what they are doing.
On a serious note, I'd send it in. Back up your files first 'cause you don't want to lose everything if they reformat it. It's much cheaper than buying a new one, and doing a home fix with or without spare parts from another PS3 is dangerous. Better safe than sorry.
I can't back up the files, because my PS3 shuts itself off a few seconds after turning it on, and the red light starts blinking. I did however have enough time to take out my MW2 disc, which is a relief.
Would you be able to access the hard drive by taking it out and connecting it to a computer, if possible? (not sure, have yet to replace my HDD with a higher capacity model like I've been planning to)
Anyway, go with the Sony repair, its your best bet, and the techs (usually) know what they are doing.
It would be nice if I could do that, I'll do some more searching and see if anyone else has used their computer to backup their files.
On a serious note, I'd send it in. Back up your files first 'cause you don't want to lose everything if they reformat it. It's much cheaper than buying a new one, and doing a home fix with or without spare parts from another PS3 is dangerous. Better safe than sorry.
I can't back up the files, because my PS3 shuts itself off a few seconds after turning it on, and the red light starts blinking. I did however have enough time to take out my MW2 disc, which is a relief.
You can remove the hard-drive even if you have the YLoD, all you need to do after that is connect it to a PC and back-up all your saves.
Option B) would be the safest after SONY would be handling it. I've had 2 friends send theirs in after YLoDs and they told me they removed the hard-drive before sending it in then stuck it back in once it was returned and they ran just like normal.
If you don't mind losing your backwards compatibility and have money to spare you could buy a new model, but whatever you choose you should back-up your files with a PC.
orannis62: I'd go with Option B, it's the only thing you know for sure will work.
That's probably what I will do, but I really hope Sony doesn't mess with the hard drive. I suppose I could leave a note on the PS3 or call them and tell them that when I send it but who knows if they will remember what I say.
Oh, that's not guaranteed? Sorry, guess I misread. I'd still say do that, though. On the other hand, what exactly does A entail?
orannis62: I'd go with Option B, it's the only thing you know for sure will work.
That's probably what I will do, but I really hope Sony doesn't mess with the hard drive. I suppose I could leave a note on the PS3 or call them and tell them that when I send it but who knows if they will remember what I say.
Oh, that's not guaranteed? Sorry, guess I misread. I'd still say do that, though. On the other hand, what exactly does A entail?
deathdriver23: It would be nice if I could do that, I'll do some more searching and see if anyone else has used their computer to backup their files.
What I recommend when you get it back is getting a decent sized flashdrive, then you can move important data onto it as backup, and then move it to a computer.
On a serious note, I'd send it in. Back up your files first 'cause you don't want to lose everything if they reformat it. It's much cheaper than buying a new one, and doing a home fix with or without spare parts from another PS3 is dangerous. Better safe than sorry.
I can't back up the files, because my PS3 shuts itself off a few seconds after turning it on, and the red light starts blinking. I did however have enough time to take out my MW2 disc, which is a relief.
You can remove the hard-drive even if you have the YLoD, all you need to do after that is connect it to a PC and back-up all your saves.
Option B) would be the safest after SONY would be handling it. I've had 2 friends send theirs in after YLoDs and they told me they removed the hard-drive before sending it in then stuck it back in once it was returned and they ran just like normal.
If you don't mind losing your backwards compatibility and have money to spare you could buy a new model, but whatever you choose you should back-up your files with a PC.
In that case, I think I'll just remove the hard drive and send it in, that should do it, and then I can get all my files backed up. Thanks, I think I may have found an answer.
orannis62: I'd go with Option B, it's the only thing you know for sure will work.
That's probably what I will do, but I really hope Sony doesn't mess with the hard drive. I suppose I could leave a note on the PS3 or call them and tell them that when I send it but who knows if they will remember what I say.
Oh, that's not guaranteed? Sorry, guess I misread. I'd still say do that, though. On the other hand, what exactly does A entail?
Yeesh. Well, I know I wouldn't try that, but I don't know how hardware-savvy you are. If you are confident, that may be worth a try, but otherwise, just go with B.
deathdriver23: In that case, I think I'll just remove the hard drive and send it in, that should do it, and then I can get all my files backed up. Thanks, I think I may have found an answer.
Yeah, it should work perfectly.
As far as I know, most of the YLoDs are caused by a melted solder joint, the British Watchdog were able to fix YLoDs by placing affected consoles in a special microwave after removing all the plastic parts, after treatment the PS3s ran smoothly afterward. So with that they shouldn't need the hard-drive to repair it. Wouldn't hurt to back it up anyway, just to be safe.
On a serious note, I'd send it in. Back up your files first 'cause you don't want to lose everything if they reformat it. It's much cheaper than buying a new one, and doing a home fix with or without spare parts from another PS3 is dangerous. Better safe than sorry.
Don't troll. He's asking about advice on his PS3, not his PC. Move on.
OT: Can you take it to an electronic repairers in your local area? If they're cheaper than the $150 than Sony are gunna rob you of, go through them. If not, send it in. Don't DIY it because you might do more harm than good. Hope all goes well. :)
On a serious note, I'd send it in. Back up your files first 'cause you don't want to lose everything if they reformat it. It's much cheaper than buying a new one, and doing a home fix with or without spare parts from another PS3 is dangerous. Better safe than sorry.
Don't troll. He's asking about advice on his PS3, not his PC. Move on.
OT: Can you take it to an electronic repairers in your local area? If they're cheaper than the $150 than Sony are gunna rob you of, go through them. If not, send it in. Don't DIY it because you might do more harm than good. Hope all goes well. :)
The PC thing was a joke. I love my PS3.
I gave advice on his PS3; mine YLOD, and I sent it in. Don't regret it at all. Actually, sending it to a local shop (where I live) is actually more expensive than sending it in to Sony because it's a freakin' PS3. Not many people in the Midwest US know how to fiddle with one of those things.
IdealistCommi: Couldn't you get a new PS3, and just move the HDD to the new one, then sign in as your old profile? That seems like a good idea
If you put a hard drive from one PS3 into another, you need to reformat it for it to work with the new PS3, meaning you need to erase the data.
1. Have you tried backing it up over a network?
2. Have you tried removing it from the PS3 and plugging it into an external hard drive dock for your PC? You could then copy all the stuff over, send it off, and copy it back.
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Background: I've had my PS3 since launch and I've never had any problems with it aside from some games freezing from time to time. In fact, until it happened to me, I didn't even know that YLOD(Yellow light of death) existed.
Situation: I was playing MW2 this morning, and while still in the lobby for a multiplayer match, the game froze. My thoughts were "Oh well, guess I gotta reboot it." I did, and it worked fine, however about 5-10 minutes later it froze in the middle of a match(and I was doing well, too), so I thought "Ugh, not again", and as I got up to go and restart it, it shut itself off, and the red light started blinking. After dusting it off a bit, unplugging it, and letting it cool, I tried booting it up, it started up for about 2 seconds and then a yellow light blinked once, and then became the same blinking red light. Nothing has changed since.
Solutions: I searched on google(of course) and on youtube, and apparently a lot of people have had this problem. Many of these people had something similar happen to them, involving MW2(I doubt it's solely MW2's fault but it seems suspicious that so many people have had this problem). I also found a few ways to fix this problem:
A) I found a video on youtube showing how to fix this kind of problem, which seems a bit risky, but I think it may be worth it.
B) Send it in to Sony and spend $150 to get it repaired(as long as Sony keeps the data on my hard drive intact, this seems like a fine, and safe plan).
C) Get a broken PS3 on ebay and replace the broken parts on the new one with mine and use that. Personally I don't like this idea as it means I won't get my data back, which means I lose easily 150+ hours of game data, which doesn't include online multiplayer data, as that is linked to my PSN(I think so at least) and therefore shouldn't be an issue in any of these solutions.
D) I could trade in my PS3 to Gamestop and get a new one at a $60 discount. This has the same issues as C.
E) If you guys have any other solutions, please post them.
One way or another, if I can get my data, I am definitely getting a USB hard drive to backup my stuff.