My PS3 Blinking Red Light Repair

[Tranced]

I have had my original PS3 PHAT 40GB FW 3.15 sitting in my room in pieces for over a year and a half. Time permitting last Saturday I finally got to work with her hoping a simple RSX thermal paste would correct the overheating issue. I cleaned up the dry thermal paste on the heat spreaders/heatsink then popped the RSX heat spreader off and applied new thermal paste underneath it. After trying to remember how the hell I stripped her I slowly put her together. Each clip, every screw with anticipation. I already new that the Blu Ray drive was bust but to see her boot for the first time in such a while would bring tear to cheek.

Finally after some very careful 'reconstruction' I had the unit ready for it's first boot. This machine was my first, I loved her, would caress her controllers as she kept me company when times where hard, lonely, wanted something to play with or escape into my imaginary world of gaming. After all she gave me I had an obligation to give her a second chance at life so we could one day enjoy the pleasures we once shared.

I carried her gently towards my HD TV, set aside my other love, PS3 160GB Slim FW3.55, gently removed the HDMI cable and power cable. I commenced by inserting such said cables to my PHAT 40GB PS3 and when she lit up red while on standby the joy inside me began to build. Wait a second, I need to explain something here. PLEASE NOTE! She does not mind me calling her PHAT as she knows that I enjoy her curves, the way she fulls the room even with only 40GB. I then took the leap and gently caressed the touch sensitive power button...

Only to be met with the dreaded YLOD! So I did what many would do and commenced with the following.

For FCKS sake! Why! Why me! (I mean her! <--Selfish turd.)

What's next?

1.) CPU heat spreader removal, tricky but next as the mobo does look ok.
2.) OMg it's the mobo!
3.) OMg she's dead, dead, even more dead than I have been on this site recently!
4.) OMG Satan you have taken my first gaming love! Why! Why Sony! Why!
5.) other options? Please advise.

[Tranced]

I will be looking at the website that BahumatLord suggested (PS3 and YLOD :()here

[wartutor]

lol nice to have u back tranced and good luck on your ylod phat problem...

[Tranced]

Thanks bud! and she's not phat LOL

[adr]

Does my power supply look big in this?

[Carolina Deluxe]

Yes please check out my thread and website or the ebay page that is on the website and on my thread!! Will be happy to fix your broken consoles!

[Tranced]

BUMP. I have been busy and would like to try this again. After re-applying the thermal paste, I now think that I should tackle the CPU heat spreader. Only thing is that it's difficult to remove the heatsink due to the vacuum the thermal paste is causing. Whats the chances a breaking the MOBO? Seems very 'stuck'

[D3c3pt1c0n]

Removing the CPU's IHS is fairly difficult & risky. You will need a good razor blade that's flexible, being careful not to scratch the CPU itself. Being honest though, most likely you will need to reflow your RSX or have it reballed. I have successfully repaired hundreds of consoles using a flux & reflow method.....Also, it's not a vacuum of thermal compound holding the IHS to your CPU. It's actually glued around the edges....... The YLOD is 90% of the time caused by fractured solder joints under the RSX, caused by dried thermal compound not transferring heat properly. You're correct to have changed the compound, but not finished assessing the actual problem....... Replacing thermal compound & not repairing the solder joints under the processor is like changing your oil filter in your car & not replacing the oil.

[Tranced]

Also, it's not a vacuum of thermal compound holding the IHS to your CPU. It's actually glued around the edges.......

I was referring to pulling the heatsink from the MOBO. I know the heat spreader is glued to the CPU. Problem is getting the heatsink off were I reapplied the thermal on top of the heat spreaders. It's very stuck. Pulling to hard will cause the mobo to flex. Any flex will cause further damage to solder joints. If you know what I mean.

[D3c3pt1c0n]

I was referring to pulling the heatsink from the MOBO. I know the heat spreader is glued to the CPU. Problem is getting the heatsink off were I reapplied the thermal on top of the heat spreaders. It's very stuck. Pulling to hard will cause the mobo to flex. Any flex will cause further damage to solder joints. If you know what I mean.

Sorry, misunderstood. Depending which model console you're taking apart, would be best to remove the heat sinks & entire fan assembly from the metal housing while keeping your MOBO attatched to the casing in order to help keep it from flexing. Basically instead of pulling on MOBO, flip it over & pull off the fan assembly. But again, that depends which model console as this doesn't always apply......EDIT: Just looked @ your pics above. This would definitely be your best bet at reducing the risk of flexing your board.