The Sigmatorium

[Minjin]

Soooooo, not really airsoft related but since our down time or rainout time frequently finds us on the PSN, I figured I'd throw a blurb up. So as most of you know my OG PS3 60 Gig fatty recently shit the bed. I got the dreaded (but rare, compared to Xbox's problems) YLOD, or Yellow Light of Doom. Basically I was in a game of COD with Zero and Stang, and got Beepbeepbeep, and my system shut off. I tried to turn it on but it wouldn't restart. The yellow light is very brief, I did get a video of it but haven't put it anywhere just yet...

The problem, 95% of the time, is that the thermal paste that goes between processors and heat sinks is poorly applied and over time degrades and loses its thermally beneficial properties, and as a result the heat transfer out of the processors becomes inefficient. Now, in the short term not a huge problem. If you play a lot, then it magnifies. Badly. Heat doesnt get pulled out of them and as a result the solder joints that hold them onto the motherboard crack and lose function. Solution: Clean off the existing paste, reflow the solder, and put new paste on.

First try, didn't work worth a shit. I emailed the guy that came up with the process (he's in the UK and got back to me within 12 hours) and he said to up the heat and time by 50 degrees and ten seconds.

Second try worked. For thirteen minutes. Got through one game of COD and it shit on me again. I figured one more try... (three is the most I have read about with it still working...) And nothin.

So now I have a cool new super efficient slim PS3 that Nette surprised me with on her way home from some chick lady party event. Uses 30% of the power the old ones use, is silent (so far) and the only down sides I can see are that a) I cannot get my save files from my old HDD, and b) I cannot play my PS2 games. Upside, between them and some PS3 games I dont play anymore, I should have enough trade in value for the new map pack.

I suppose I get the joy of replaying a bunch of games now. Upside? Well, it might be an upside...

One warning sign of possible impending YLOD is that, due to the reduced heat dissipation, your fan will get louder and louder. I know I commented on mine a few times, it was approaching aircraft levels of volume towards the end... It will get loud after short periods of play, even. So I'd suggest to you lovely folks that you backup your saves, especially once you notice your fan noise increasing.

And I got pics of much of the teardown if anyone's curious.
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I failed my biology exam today. I was asked to name 2 things commonly found in cells.
Apparently, Mexicans and black rapists is not the correct answer.

[Sleeves]

What about preventative maintenance? If you notice the fan speed getting louder, would it help to remove and just apply new heat transfer paste before the solder joints crack, or is it a 'once it's started is over' type deal?
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I'm going to tongue punch your mom's fart box!

[Minjin]

Honestly I've read reports of both ways. Depends if you have any warranty left or if you are willing to send it to Sony to fix. If you DO want to, there are a number of people online that say they have done it. But you do have to remove the warranty void sticker to do it. Which makes you kind of committed. But if you want to, then Arctic Silver 5 is one of the most recommended brands I have come across. Ten bucks for a small tube at Memory Express.
_________________
I failed my biology exam today. I was asked to name 2 things commonly found in cells.
Apparently, Mexicans and black rapists is not the correct answer.

[Saint]

Word artic silver is what I use on system builds, it's good stuff. Other plus side about ps3 repair is that ps3s are ridiculously easy to take apart

[Minjin]

Yup, just gotta be careful of ribbon cables. A couple of em dont have TOOOOOO much extra length. But still easy.
_________________
I failed my biology exam today. I was asked to name 2 things commonly found in cells.
Apparently, Mexicans and black rapists is not the correct answer.