PS3 GPU problem

[CodeName]

Hi, I have an old ps3 fat 60 GB first generation that I want to save...

Here's the problem: I turn on the ps3, everything is fine, but after some minutes, the screen starts to freeze, I know it's not a problem of the disc reader because it does it also on the menu. After the freeze, multiple lines of colours appear all over the screen and at the end, the screen becomes black, like it turned off. But my PS3 is still turned on, and i can't do anything with the controller. I still have another ps3 but if it is possible, i would do anything to save the older ^^. I was thinking of doing the same thing as an ylod ps3 ( open ps3, cleaning the gpu with a heat gun...) but i would want your opinions if that will work in my case, or if anything else would solve the problem.

 

[Eks]

First of all, are you sure it isn't an overheating issue? My old Xbox 360 20GB did the kind of the same thing when it was getting too hot, except for the becoming black and freezing part - crazy colors would just flash all over the screen. (Yeah I know it's not the same console but it could still be related)

If not, then it could indeed be a problem with your GPU, but you should make sure it isn't a heating/ventilation issue first before bothering to take it apart.

 

[TB]

Sounds like a heat issue to me, as well.

If you're confident in your abilities, opening it up, cleaning the old thermal paste off and reapplying new paste should help. 👍

 

[CodeName]

Thanks for the answears. So I'm going to do that, I just ordered a arctic silver 5 thermal paste now, it will come next week, monday I hope XD

 

[Grayfox]

I would have used arctic cooling MX4 over AS5.
You will also need some IPA to clean the old grease of the chips.

 

[Robin]

Thanks for the answears. So I'm going to do that, I just ordered a arctic silver 5 thermal paste now, it will come next week, monday I hope XD

I used AC5 on my 60GB when I opened it up and changed the paste about 4-5 years ago. Has never skipped a beat and it drops a fan level very quickly when you stop doing something intensive. Be aware there is a defect with the 60GB in that the heat sinks don't sit super flush with the chips so don't do an ultra thin layer of paste.

Make sure you take care opening the 60GB, there's a ribbon to the card readers when you take the lid off and also there is a very thin wire for the disk slot sensor which you can break easily when taking out the drive.

 

[CodeName]

HELP!!! I have another problem!!! After open, apply some arctic silver 5, and close, there is a problem... When I try to turn it on, it just does 3 bips without leds then turn off... HELP pleaaaasse!!!!

 

[Robin]

HELP!!! I have another problem!!! After open, apply some arctic silver 5, and close, there is a problem... When I try to turn it on, it just does 3 bips without leds then turn off... HELP pleaaaasse!!!!

Check that you reseated all the internal cables you unplugged and check that all ribbon cables are secured. Also AC5 is conductive so if there is any overspill it might cause a short circuit.

 

[CodeName]

Check that you reseated all the internal cables you unplugged and check that all ribbon cables are secured. Also AC5 is conductive so if there is any overspill it might cause a short circuit.

I'm sure all my cabbles are ok. So it comes from the arctic silver 5? What should I do? Remove a little bit?

EDIT: Also I don't know if that may help but the hard drive is not the original, it is a 40 GB from another PS3 that isn't yet formated. Also, my ps3 only turn on whith the interrupter on the back, not with the button on the front, i just can't do anything with the eject and the turn on button on the front, I just can turn the ps3 only with the interrupter on the back, then the rest you know...

 

[Robin]

It might only be the AC5 if some has spilled off the chips on the to sides of the mobo, if there is none on the sides then that probably isn't the problem.

It might be a HDD issue but someone else would have to help with that one because I have never put another PS3's one in. If you have the original HDD try putting that one back in.

If the buttons on the front are not working it might be a loose connection to that circuit board. I'm not sure what else would be causing the issue unless your GPU has finally died.

 

[CodeName]

It might only be the AC5 if some has spilled off the chips on the to sides of the mobo, if there is none on the sides then that probably isn't the problem.

It might be a HDD issue but someone else would have to help with that one because I have never put another PS3's one in. If you have the original HDD try putting that one back in.

If the buttons on the front are not working it might be a loose connection to that circuit board. I'm not sure what else would be causing the issue unless your GPU has finally died.

It's not the HDD because i tried to start without HDD and same problem... I've also formated my HDD on my other ps3, and when I put it back on the strange ps3, same problem... Also, here are some pictures of the inside, I guess everything is correct, but just give a look, maybe the problem is there

 

[Robin]

I don't see the pics but yeah just go and give everything a double check again. Make sure everything is put back where it should go. The 60GB had A LOT of pieces and interconnecting wires.

 

[CodeName]

I don't see the pics but yeah just go and give everything a double check again. Make sure everything is put back where it should go. The 60GB had A LOT of pieces and interconnecting wires.

Now you can see them, sorry for the error. Please check them, problem may be here I don't know, anyway thanks for all the things you're doing for me

 

[sesselpupser]

I can't see any error in the first 3 photos, but check that the connections to and from the board in the second photo are definitely good, that's (obviously) the board for the front buttons on the PS3.

Photos four and five; is that how it looked when you first opened the PS3 or had you touched the thermal paste? It looks like a pretty poor application if that's how it looked before you did anything, you can see gaps in the paste so there would've been areas on the chips which weren't being cooled. If that's what your application of paste looked like, you're not doing a very good job of it I'm afraid!

 

[CodeName]

I can't see any error in the first 3 photos, but check that the connections to and from the board in the second photo are definitely good, that's (obviously) the board for the front buttons on the PS3.

Photos four and five; is that how it looked when you first opened the PS3 or had you touched the thermal paste? It looks like a pretty poor application if that's how it looked before you did anything, you can see gaps in the paste so there would've been areas on the chips which weren't being cooled. If that's what your application of paste looked like, you're not doing a very good job of it I'm afraid!

I'm pretty sure all my cables are ok. Yes, I apllied that thermal paste, if you think that's bad, what should I do to correct it? Thanks in advance

EDIT: wow, bigger problem now: after applying some more arctic silver 5, the ps3 doesn't even turn on... Help would be veerrrry much appreciated

 

[Robin]

You have to get some isopropyl alcohol and wipe it off cleanly and start again using something like a credit card to spread. Also your fan looks like it could do with a good dusting.

This was my application of AC5,

 

[CodeName]

You have to get some isopropyl alcohol and wipe it off cleanly and start again using something like a credit card to spread. Also your fan looks like it could do with a good dusting.

This was my application of AC5,

So I have to clean the arctic silver 5 that I spreaded and put again more?? Nooooo, I saw how argtic silver 5 goes quickly empty... Well, if i can't do anything with the silver 5 that I applied, I'll see...

 

[dice1998]

Has needing a reflow already been ruled out?

 

[Robin]

So I have to clean the arctic silver 5 that I spreaded and put again more?? Nooooo, I saw how argtic silver 5 goes quickly empty... Well, if i can't do anything with the silver 5 that I applied, I'll see...

How much have you used? a 3.5 gram syringe of AC5 (I think the smallest they make) should last years. I have covered 7 chips and only used about half a tube.

You could try and smooth what you have already applied but its going to be quite difficult.

As dice1998 said a reflow might be needed if it still doesn't power on.

 

[Grayfox]

You just need a pea sized blob on the CPU and GPU chips.
Then you use a card to spread out around.

Too much TIM is a bad thing.

 

[Pako]

Since this hasn't been said yet, water cool that Son of a GPU! 👍

On a more serious note, the amount of thermal paste used should have nothing to do with it booting or not, I would say you have another issue going on there. Hopefully it's something simple like a unplugged cable, etc.