PlayStation®3 General Discussion

[irishfighter100]

Hi all, Just wondering why does the PS3 get YLOD?

Well, I've had mine since about September 2007 and after reading so many posts about people getting YLOD has kind of scared me lol

Well, My PS3 isin't in a space where it has no air ventilation it is standing up completely circulated.

So thats that ruled out.

But why does it YLOD? What causes the YLOD?

When I get home at about August I'm going to back my PS3 up, Now, I don't have a clue what that is or how to do it lol

I was thinking of buying a fan for it but will that pro-long the life of my PS3?

Also, How do I clean the vents of my PS3 without taking the PS3 itself apart? If I do so, Will it also prolong the life of my PS3?

Thanks in advance.

[James91]

The YLOD occurs after a major hardware failure. Many people suspect that 9/10 YLODs result from bad solder joints on the motherboard, while 1/10 result from power supply malfunction (these numbers are not proven, just speculated).

So far, the leading theory in the cause the YLOD is that over time, the processor gets so hot that it causes the solder to liquefy, and eventually the solder loses it's connection with the CPU / GPU on the motherboard. This explains why the YLOD is most commonly seen on older models like the 60GB and 40GB models which use older processing technology, thus causing more heat and inefficiency. So far on this subject, Sony has refused to reveal any information regarding the causes of or solutions to the yellow light of death.

[Super--Brad]

From what I know of:

YLOD is due to the CPU and/or GPU, in some cases it can be the HDD (Rare).

• The heat given of the CPU and GPU melt the solder so that it is not 100% connected to the motherboard.
• The PS3 manufacturer's are using cheap soldering to keep the Chips connected the motherboard, this cheap solder can be melted at a lower temperature than a quality lead-free solder.
• Having the fat PS3's horizontal could potentially play a role as gravity is pulling the chips downwards (Motherboard is upside down), also plus the slight melting of the solder would easily move the chips.

[ZOMB13-R4NG3R]

two machines... both purchased from different places (about 40miles apart)... two different owners within couple of miles between each machine being used... one used vertical, the other horizontal... one without fan, the other with... one purchased one month before the other... both YLOD 1 month between each other...

looks like there is nothing you can do... is all in the hands of the company that produces it... according to Sony there are many things that can cause the YLOD (which they dont like people calling it)... power supply, blue-ray drive, motherboard, HDD, you name it...

but from what I can tell there is only one thing that is more common than the rest... so many people can fix them by reflowing the solder round the CPU/GPU...

[irishfighter100]

So, Do you think after 3 years it is expected to YLOD?

[Super--Brad]

Mine never lasted a year and a half, so count yourself lucky it has lasted this long so far.

[irishfighter100]

Wow!!!

Yeah, I definatley have to back up and do a major clean when I get home!

So, If it does YLOD I'll have to buy a new one?

[Super--Brad]

Well I had an extended warranty, and been through 3 refurbished PS3's and all died relatively the same time after each other (Around 6months).

I now do most of my gaming on a Slim, much more reliable console.

[ZOMB13-R4NG3R]

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irishfighter100 wrote:
So, Do you think after 3 years it is expected to YLOD?

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just like a 360 expect a PS3 to die... its not if, its when... at least MS give a 3 year warrenty on RLOD... if the Quantity of owners that machines that fail is so low (like Sony claim), you would have thought Sony would have replaced or repaired out of good will... but hay what do I know about keeping customers when Sony is doing well with its EU treat em mean keep em keen policy...

[irishfighter100]

So, If it does YOLD will I have to buy a new one?