Launch Day 60GB PS3 YLOD!

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Solid Lifters

Solid Lifters

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I've had my (near) launch day PS3 for almost three years. Since that time I have never heard my PS3 reach any fan speed other than speed one and two.

Lately, for the past few weeks, my PS3 has been hitting much faster fan speeds. While it once went from speed one, a normal, lightly audible fan speed, to two, a more noticeable but tolerable fan speed, and that was it, it is now hitting two or three extra fan speeds. I never thought the PS3 had 5 different fan speeds. 3 is very loud, 4 is a jet plane taking off and 5 sounds like it's about to blow.

Most of time, it reaches 3 and stays there for a while, but reduces to 2 when the action on screen reduces. On hot days, during the hottest part of the day, it reaches 4 or even 5! Though, it does reach 5, it wont stay there for long. Maybe 20 seconds at the most.

What's weird and why I bring this up, two internet friends from other website forums have noticed the same exact thing from their launch PS3s. Coincidence? Some FW download change? Insanity?

How about you guys?

EDIT: YLOD finally happened. Currently getting items and parts to replace the fan and hopefully fix YLOD problem.
 
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My 40GB PS3 appears to have two fan-settings: hardly audible and warp-speed. When playing a game, it goes to warp-speed quite fast and stays there while you keep playing. Rather annoying.

My 80GB PS3 does not suffer from it though, it's always quiet (I understand the 80GB PS3 has a different cooling system).

In your case, it might be that games are getting more intensive on the CPU/GPU and the console is getting hotter. It also may be the case that dust is accumulating inside the PS3 (since you have owned it since the release date) and thus it's getting hotter.

I don't know if you're comfortable doing so, but you could take a peek inside and see if there's dust in there and get rid of it if necessary.
 
NLxAROSA
My 40GB PS3 appears to have two fan-settings: hardly audible and warp-speed. When playing a game, it goes to warp-speed quite fast and stays there while you keep playing. Rather annoying.
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Mine does the same thing (40gb). It never used to, but it does every time you play a game now. Take COD4 as an example. the first match I play is on almost silent fan, then a few minutes into the second, it goes into Ludicrous Speed.
 
My 80gig has a bunch of speeds aswell, and has gotten quite loud, My advice, Pull your ps3 farther from the wall. I believe the reccommended space is like 3ft!
 
Mine doesn't depend on the game so much as the temperature in the room. I usually keep AC off, and in the summer if I load up a game it ALMOST ALWAYS goes on high speed and is loud. I have 40GB BTW. IN the winter it doesn't matter which game I play it stays quiet.
 
My 40GB's fans usually go into overdrive on the hotter days, playing games like Killzone 2 that really work the GPU. I usually stop playing and turn the system off when that happens.

The only thing i could suggest is moving the system to somewhere cooler, further from walls and other electronics generating heat, and giving it a good go around with some compressed air.
 
I've got my PS3 in a cupboard - if I play without opening the cupboard - then my fans get real hot - even the case gets hot too!

Done that a couple of times... don't want to do it again!

C.
 
yeti
I've got my PS3 in a cupboard - if I play without opening the cupboard - then my fans get real hot - even the case gets hot too!

Done that a couple of times... don't want to do it again!

C.
Click to expand...

Is there any opening at all in that cupboard? like the back? I have my console in a sort of entertainment center along with my stereo and tv on top but I've made cuts in the back to allow air out/in.
 
Blackbird.
Is there any opening at all in that cupboard? like the back? I have my console in a sort of entertainment center along with my stereo and tv on top but I've made cuts in the back to allow air out/in.
Click to expand...

Hole for plugs in the back (created by a jigsaw!) - but it's fine if I leave the door open whilst I play!!!

Basically it's what used to be a coffer - but instead of having a lifting lid - it's been converted (professionally and before I had it) to open at the front with doors.

C.
 
Blackbird.
Yeah but when the case gets hot, that's damn hot! `
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Yeah - my own fault for forgetting to open the cupboard - and playing for a couple of hours!!

If I realise I've done that - I open the cupboard and stop gaming - leaving it on the XMB so that the fans are still dissipating the heat - but it's not doing anything strenuous!!

C.
 
I noticed my higher fan speeds about a month ago. 2 days ago while racing 800pp Suzuka my PS3 completely shut off and now has ylod.

Been searching various internet sites and forums and this problem seems to be happening a lot, and mostly within the last couple of months and mostly launch systems.

Sony isn't doing anything yet, other than charging their $150 flat fee to fix any problems. I remember back in the PS2 days there was a big problem with disc read errors and eventually Sony would just fix it for free, so hopefully as the scope of this problem is realized they will do the same.
 
You could try stripping down your PS3 completely and clean the fan, and main board/metal board enclosure properly.

Then the main part is applying new thermal compound to the heatsinks.

You may find the compound paste in poor condition after 2years or not fully applied originally. The heatsink compound is a major part of keeping the board cool and not expanding and breaking the solder.

How to take apart your PS3. Don't get the heat gun on it if yours is still working. Just put new paste on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U70SgRDVcBo
 
Chronos
You could try stripping down your PS3 completely and clean the fan, and main board/metal board enclosure properly.

Then the main part is applying new thermal compound to the heatsinks.

You may find the compound paste in poor condition after 2years or not fully applied originally. The heatsink compound is a major part of keeping the board cool and not expanding and breaking the solder.

How to take apart your PS3. Don't get the heat gun on it if yours is still working. Just put new paste on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U70SgRDVcBo
Click to expand...

Yup, cleaned it out already no change, so Im preparing to get down to the nitty gritty but I need to get a heat gun first.

My try phoning Sony to make a case/point but that may be in vein from what I'm hearing
 
I use a good strong vacum about monthly to clear the air intake grills,its amazing how much they will accumulate dust.
 
icelt
FWIW I noticed this article on Eurogamer today that might provide some useful insight. This assumes one subscribes to the proposed theory that 360's and PS3's use of lead free solder during mfr'ing makes the MB's more prone to eventual thermal fatigue and failure.
System Failure: Why PS3 and 360 drop dead for the same reasons
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That's why the YLOD fix is using a heat gun at 350c to reheat and re-solder the connections that crack and disconnect from heat damage.

It seems Sony might have another class action lawsuit on their hand, like the PS2. The PS2 had DRE (disc read error) problems stemming from dust and contaminants getting in the laser lens and assembly. Cost Sony millions.

The PS3 solved that problem but have a new one with the solder connections cracking. All because of the fear of using lead, which is just silly.
 
^I don't think Sony would get sued because they didn't use the Lead solder out of health issues associated with Lead.
 
sumbrownkid
^I don't think Sony would get sued because they didn't use the Lead solder out of health issues associated with Lead.
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Health issues has nothing to do with it. Sony didn't manufacture a product that would last past a few years without a recurring problem. People are going to sue and Sony stands a good chance of losing.

BTW, lead in solder doesn't cause health problems, usually. It's the flux in the solder burning (that white smoke when you solder) that causes it.

The concern about the lead is after the useful life of the PS3, the board is going into a landfill in some third world country and is going to pollute the environment. Now, if these parts would just be recycled properly, Sony could use a lead based solder that wouldn't give use these YLOD failures and overheating issues.
 
I have my launch PS3 as well, seems fan speeds are louder as well, I guess increased in speeds.
I don't worry about it barking on me.. But I am getting PS3 Slim regardless in ONE month.
What I think

1. I have 72000 RPM, gives out more heat to console
2. PS3 inside might be bit dusty, I never open it since lunch.
3. Just like cars, older the car, the more fuel it may burn..
 
I have a launch PS3, I have blown dust out of it a couple times and the fan doesn't run any faster now than it did before.
 
^I heard a lot of horror stories about the intercoolers making the PS3 actually worse. Plus Sony won't cover the warranty if your system does go kaput because of a 3rd party accessory such as that intercooler.

I'd avoid that type of stuff.
 
It's on the way to the grave... My 60gb got higher fan speeds for about 2-3 months before it broke down with YLOD (Yellow Light Of Death).
 
kekke2000
It's on the way to the grave... My 60gb got higher fan speeds for about 2-3 months before it broke down with YLOD (Yellow Light Of Death).
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Well, it happened. YLOD. and it took a few more months than yours. Odd, the fan NEVER got higher in speed. The PS3 just slowly started to turn off quicker and quicker and quicker until it wouldn't turn on at all. Lucky for me I took out the disk before it completely shut down on me. The PS3 doesn't feel all that hot or overly warm, either. What gives?

I don't understand, if it was overheating, why didn't the fans hit a higher speed like it did during the Summer?

What did you do with your YLOD PS3? I'm thinking about fixing mine myself.

Did anybody pay Sony to have their fixed? What was the cost? How long is the warranty? If you can offer me experiences, I'd appreciate them.
 
When my PS3 gets higher fan speeds, I vacuume the vents. Job done, the fan goes down again.

Once I didn't do it, there was something wrong with the PS3 as I turned it on, and it basically turned into a vacuum cleaner itself. Like, I'd put my hand to the vent and it'd suck it with considerable force into the casing. I tried turning it off and all it did was beep and flash its light. The noise it was making was literally like a vacuume cleaner too I though it was done for, but thankfully it turned off, then I vacuumed it and it was fine after that.

I know one of the main reasons for YLOD is the adhesive Sony used for the wires and casing can powder over time (usually helped with lots of heat changes from weather), and that gets merry with the cooling and everything goes to the dogs, so I vacuume as a feable attempt to help it run as long as possible. 👍
 
I've got a 40 gig ps3 from late 07, upgraded now to a 250hd. My uncle bought a launch 60gig(played ps2 games) ps3 and had no problems intill GTA4 came out. There was some kind of bug that wouldnt allow the 60gig ps3 to read gta4 which was talked about on a lot of forums(Here aswell IIRC). Sony replaced his ps3 and he hasn't had any problems since. Now, I note we both run folding@home all the time(my uncle almost 24/7, myself whenever not playing games) an almost never cut either of them off. Thus dust in the vents is a big problem if your a smoker our just have high traffic through that area. My uncles ps3 just the other day cut off by itself and when he tried turning it back on it said his HD was corrupt. It asked if he would like to fromat, so he did of course an started watching it go very slowly from 1%-2%-3%....about 30 mins. So, he just left it to do its thing an came back to it the next day, where it had stoped at 4% an didn't budge for another day. Ok, that sucked. He tires again an gets the same results, making him a not so happy person. So today I took out his HD an wasn't to suprised to see a whole LOT of dust....clogs of dust :/ After silding the HD out of the metal case its housed in I immiditally could see a darkened out line of all the little holes from the metal case on the label on one side. I can savely say that HD is toast. We then took my 40gig HD from my ps3 and put it into his, asked him to format it and launched right up ready to log into his account. Now, I know this probably can't help you cause you got a YLOD but I wanted to post about this an your thread seemed like the best place.


P.S. Sony charges 150$ to replace/fix your ps3

P.S.S. Theres lots of youtube vids of people fixing YLOD ps3s
 
My 80GB only uses it's higher fan speed when playing DVD's or Blu-Rays, and even then for about 3 seconds.

'Tis a bugger, Solid, hope you get it fixed.
 
As it turns out, the YLOD is not permanent. I can turn my PS3 back on for about 90 seconds before it shuts off again. When I tried it, I noticed no fan noise. It appears the fan has either died or the connection as been disrupted.

I'm going to open it up myself. Thanks to Gilsky's YouTube videos, I feel confident I can do the job myself. It's just a bunch of screws and disconnecting cables and wires. No big deal.

Problem is, I have to order a new PS3 fan. Call Sony? I don't plan to do more than that, for now. Just open her up, clean her out and replace the fan, or reconnect it. If that doesn't work, I'll then move to the more drastic task of heating the solder on the CPU and GPU.

If I FUBAR it, I'll just buy a new slim PS3 and stick the 250GB in it.

Oh, and I was damn lucky I could turn my PS3 back on, briefly. I was able to get the game disk out and backup my saves. Let this be a warning to you guys to backup your saves!
 

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