Should I get my 60gb PS3 Fixed?

[mmntech]

Stupid me is having a dilemma with my PS3. I have a 60gb launch unit that has suffered the dreaded yellow light of death.

So I phone Sony to try and get it fixed. So it's $169 CAD to fix/exchange it, plus $30 to ship it, plus tax on top of that. So it's $225 to get this thing repaired. Alternatively, I can drive it to their repair depot, which is an hour a way, and not have to pay shipping. But that will likely cost me the same in gas. It would take a vary long time to get it fixed either way.

Second option. I buy a PS3 Slim. Cooler running and more energy efficient. Should be more reliable as well. Problem is I have a few PS2 games I really love (Okami) but no PS2 to play them on. So I would probably need to get a PS2 to go with it. That would cost me $400. However, I'd be back in business asap.

Third option. I just leave the damn thing, sell my games off, and go back to PC gaming. I think we can write this one off though even though I do like PC gaming again.

So what would you guys do?

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

My buddy just got his 60 GB PS3 fixed for like $150 shipped.

Sounds like Sony shafting you.

Get the 60 GB fixed, BTW. 60 GB > Slim

 

[DaveSimmons]

The Slim is cooler, quieter and uses half the power as launch units so I'd consider the slim + PS2 option.

With a component (not composite) cable for my PS2 image quality is about as good on my Samsung 1080p DLP as the PS3 60GB's upscaling of PS2 games. The main advantages of the 60 GB are not needing more cables and the unlimited hard drive based PS1/PS2 memory cards.

 

[Blayze]

My buddy just got his 60 GB PS3 fixed for like $150 shipped.

Sounds like Sony shafting you.

Get the 60 GB fixed, BTW. 60 GB > Slim

I heard Sony raised the price on fixing the backwards compatible PS3s ($179 instead of $150). I'm not sure if its true.

If you use the backwards compatibility a lot I would get the 60GB fixed. However you only get a 90 day warranty on your refurbished system that you get back from Sony. Personally I would buy a Slim instead of getting it repaired.

 

[mmntech]

My buddy just got his 60 GB PS3 fixed for like $150 shipped.

Sounds like Sony shafting you.

Get the 60 GB fixed, BTW. 60 GB > Slim

Well it is Canada, so there's an exchange rate difference. Everybody makes valid points so it's a tough decision. The shipping was a surprise because the thread on Sony's official PS forums said that shipping was includes in the repair cost. Must be US only.

Say I do get the Slim. I know Sony now offers a data transfer utility with the latest FW. Anybody know if I can plug my HDD into a new Slim via USB and transfer everything over? (saves, games, etc)

 

[mindcycle]

I bought a 20GB PS3 with backwards compatibility a few months ago. The blueray drive failed and I replaced it with a new one which cost me about $90. I'm not familiar with the YLOD but it's probably a much more involved process to fix that on your own.

I tell you what though, I wouldn't give up my BC PS3 for a slim even if I had to fix it again. There are too many good PS2 games I have yet to try and the PS3 offers AA and up-scaling options for PS2 games.

 

[RedRooster]

Is the PS3 library that poor that you still need to depend on PS2 games to have fun?
I can't imagine making the time for two systems' games, especially PS2's enormous backlog. I can barely get through the 5 or so current gen games I have going at a time.

 

[BW86]

60gig is the best model so yeah I say fix it

 

[purbeast0]

I'd sell it broken, i'm sure you could get like $200 or more for it.

then i would buy a slim.

 

[mindcycle]

Is the PS3 library that poor that you still need to depend on PS2 games to have fun?

Not whatsoever.

I can't imagine making the time for two systems' games, especially PS2's enormous backlog. I can barely get through the 5 or so current gen games I have going at a time.

If you're like me and had your PS2 break years ago, it's nice to be able to go back and play the good games you may have missed or play through the games you still own. Shit, I still play NES games from time to time. Just because a game is old doesn't mean it isn't still fun or worth revisiting.

 

[mmntech]

Is the PS3 library that poor that you still need to depend on PS2 games to have fun?

It was when I first got it, so there's a few PS2 games I play a lot still. Okami, GT4, and the God of War games I play a lot. Okami obviously doesn't have a current gen version (besides the Wii) and it's one of my favourite all time games. It would suck major balls if I couldn't play it anymore. I was PC exclusive for the last two console generations so I never owned a PS2.

I wonder if I can ship it to them in the PS3's original box. I still have it. Would expedite things a little bit instead of waiting for them to give one to me.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Is the PS3 library that poor that you still need to depend on PS2 games to have fun?
I can't imagine making the time for two systems' games, especially PS2's enormous backlog. I can barely get through the 5 or so current gen games I have going at a time.

If you like JRPGs, PS2 is still the system to own. For every mediocre $60 PS3/360/wii RPG there are 10+ $20 better PS2 ones plus another 5+ $50 out-of-print.

I've just started Persona 3 FES, and still need to play Persona 4, Final Fantasy X & XII, Xenosaga 3, Shadow Hearts, plus other good games like Ico.

 

[DivideBYZero]

The Slim is NOT quieter. My 40Gb was whisper quiet, my slim is like a mini vac.

 

[JCGhz]

I've had great success with (repairing) reflowing PS3's with a hot air rework setup and preheater.. i have one up for 6 weeks now 60gb 2006 model and its used daily for streaming to it and light gaming. No i dont use a heatgun

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

I heard Sony raised the price on fixing the backwards compatible PS3s ($179 instead of $150). I'm not sure if its true.

He literally just got it fixed a week ago.

Well it is Canada, so there's an exchange rate difference. Everybody makes valid points so it's a tough decision. The shipping was a surprise because the thread on Sony's official PS forums said that shipping was includes in the repair cost. Must be US only.

Aha, there we go.

 

[Blayze]

Well it is Canada, so there's an exchange rate difference. Everybody makes valid points so it's a tough decision. The shipping was a surprise because the thread on Sony's official PS forums said that shipping was includes in the repair cost. Must be US only.

Say I do get the Slim. I know Sony now offers a data transfer utility with the latest FW. Anybody know if I can plug my HDD into a new Slim via USB and transfer everything over? (saves, games, etc)

Unfortunately both PS3s have to be on for the data transfer utility to work. You might be able to hook the hard drive up to the new Slim with USB and recover some of your data. However some save files are also locked to the console they were played on and you can't back those up (Street Fighter IV is an example).

If your system want turn on/YLOD I'm not sure how you can deactivate your PSN account other than sending it to Sony (I don't think they allow you to do this online or over the phone.). You will still be able to log in and download your PSN stuff on the new Slim if you don't have 5 system activated. Although if you have downloaded videos from the PSN store you will have to get the old PS3 deactivated before you can download on the Slim. From what I understand you can have 1 system activated for video and up to 5 for game purchases.

 

[Raduque]

You could always get it fixed, buy the Slim and sell the 60gb. You'll probably come out ahead, even with the PS2 factored in.

 

[hans030390]

There are a lot of guides online regarding ways to fix it. Taking the PS3 apart might not even be necessary! Save yourself some money.

 

[mmntech]

There are a lot of guides online regarding ways to fix it. Taking the PS3 apart might not even be necessary! Save yourself some money.

The problem I have with fixing it myself is it can't be sent back to Sony at all if I break the seal. I've heard a corrupted HDD can cause problems so I might try reformatting and see if it does anything. Since I was playing LBP at the time, which is constantly accessing the HDD, there is a slight possibility that's what caused it.

 

[mindcycle]

The problem I have with fixing it myself is it can't be sent back to Sony at all if I break the seal. I've heard a corrupted HDD can cause problems so I might try reformatting and see if it does anything. Since I was playing LBP at the time, which is constantly accessing the HDD, there is a slight possibility that's what caused it.

Well good luck man. The 60GB PS3 is definitely a good system.

 

[mmntech]

I suppose I'll get it fixed. That's what the majority seems to say.

 

[johnnydrinkawater]

What part generally fails on "yellow light of death"?

You could possibly track down the parts on ebay and fix it yourself. And I wouldn't be too worried about Sony's warranty if they're willing to charge you that outrageous fee. They are notorious in my book for screwing their customers on repairs and maintenance charges.

 

[mmntech]

What part generally fails on "yellow light of death"?

You could possibly track down the parts on ebay and fix it yourself. And I wouldn't be too worried about Sony's warranty if they're willing to charge you that outrageous fee. They are notorious in my book for screwing their customers on repairs and maintenance charges.

Same thing that kills the 360. The CPU or GPU become unseated. It could also be a bad PSU.

 

[johnnydrinkawater]

Same thing that kills the 360. The CPU or GPU become unseated. It could also be a bad PSU.

If you aren't too comfortable pulling it apart, I'd take it to a reputable computer repair place before sending it to Sony.

 

[sygyzy]

60gig is the best model so yeah I say fix it

Why is 60GB the best model? How is it better than the slim which is smaller, quieter, and uses less power?