Dead PS3

[elaniel]

My US PS3 has got the yellow light of death. Will Sony touch a US console here in the UK?

I have a disc stuck in there that I can't get out either, any advice on this?
Also is there any way to get my game saves and videos off of the old console?

I'm going to buy another US one (although a slim version) and can I transfer this stuff to the new console?

[C']

Sony UK won't do repairs of import consoles unfortunately.

My US 60GB PS3 got the YLOD just over a month ago and I took it somewhere local for a reflow and whilst it got it up and running again it lasted just 3 weeks before it died again.

Depending on what model PS3 you have you may be able to force the disc to eject.



However this isn't available on the very earliest models of the console. In those cases your only option is to take the console apart and remove the disc manually.

The only way to get your saves/videos of the console is to get it working again and then copy to an external device. However, PSN downloads you will just be able to redownload to your new console via your download history list (provided you haven't hit your five activations limit which if you only have had one PS3 and haven't been game sharing you should be ok with). There is also a transfer function available in the OS but again, you'd need the old console repaired and working again.

When I got my console repaired I never expected it to last forever but was hoping to get another few months out of it. I'm taking mine back under warranty from the repair place on Tuesday where they will hopefully give it another lease of life enabling me to get my FFXIII disc out and deactivate the console. Like yourself I actually want another US model (albiet a slim this time) and was hoping if the repair held out for a while there would be a price drop later in the year.

[elaniel]

I'm getting a new console regardless (still have my PS2 to play my PS2 games on, so no worries about BC).
I just want it to work for a few days so I can at least get my data off of the console onto the new one.

I've tried that method and sadly it doesn't work for me. Within half a second it turns yellow.

EDIT:
Found a place in Coventry that fixes it for ?50. Also found that GAME give ?75 cash for the 80GB PS3. No way for them to tell it's a US model is there as I have a kettle lead is there? I can repair it, transfer and then trade it in. Bit of a grey area doing it that way though.

Can I just use a US-UK plug adapter rather than buying a new lead?

[JP]

The leads are identicle in both regions apart from the plug itself of course.

We've got both a US and USA PS3 at home with the USA model being used for import films, we one power lead, HDMI cable and optical cable set up be that telly and we just swap the console over and use the same leads depending on which we need to use.

Our UK model is a launch 60GB PS3 and the USA model is also a really early version so I can't unfortunately confirm any details concerning the slimmer models but I would guess they would still be 100V~240V.

Hopefully somebody will be able to confirm 100% though, don't go plugging anything in on me guessing that they still are.

[elaniel]

I've always had a UK kettle lead plug for my fat PS3. I'm just wondering if I can use a plug changer from Maplin to go from the US to UK plug without any sort of step-up/down rather than have to buy a whole new cable.

[sj33]

If we're talking repairs, the PS3 has always been multivoltage, there's never been a need for a stepdown as far as I'm aware. I'd assume you could just throw in a Uk lead and they'd be none-the-wiser.

As far as trade-ins go, don't forget the difference in Blu-Ray, DVD and PS1 region.

[elaniel]

I have a UK lead anyhow for the fat one.
It's the new console (slim) I'm concerned about as I'm unsure if I'd just be able to add a plug changer on the end of the existing US plug rather than buy a whole new plug.

[elaniel]

Just thought I would add, that my new USA slim PS3 (160GB) works fine with a UK power cable. I ordered a 5Amp cable and they sent me a 3Amp one and it works fine.

[Daragon]

Thought I'd bump this rather than open a new thread, but does anyone know what I'd get out of Sony for sending them my newly YLoD 60GB launch model?

I really don't want another 60GB back, if it'll just turn to **** on me again. Perhaps a slightly inexpensive upgrade isn't a terrible idea? Can't imagine 60GBs go for much trade in these days?

Not the best timing at the moment for it to fail on me, but perhaps recent events can be turned to my advantage. Have read about people negotiating a reduced repair charge for complaining.

[Neon Ignition]

I imagine they do the same as MS and either send back the same unit fixed or send a refurbished unit of the same specs. When my 40GB Fat died I just traded some stuff for a 120GB Slim, seemed easier as the 360 made me wary of refurbs. If you throw the 60GB away keep the HDD, great for pimping out a Wii

[Daragon]

Very wary of refurbs like yourself and in my experience like that of so many elses, a repair of a console tends to a quick, temporary fix. I don't want to be forking out for a repair or refurb phat if it's not going to outlast another 12 months. If I'm effectively paying close to a new console then that's what I want back!

[InvisibleKid]

If you ask Sony to fix your 60GB BC launch fat PS3 they'll offer you the a refurb of the same model with something like 4 month's warranty - or a refurb slim for the same price.

A guy turns up at your address (I got him to come to the office) and swaps them there and there - no questions asked.

I went for the 60GB BC fat model again and it's worked beautifully for me - and the whole thing had been covered in plastic, it just looked like a beautiful new machine to me. I couldn't see anything 'refurbed' about it and not had any trouble with it in the 18 months I've had it.

[Daragon]

4 months? That's BS! Maybe I will be safer going for the slim, it'll be quieter, take up less room and presumably I won't be having cold sweats every time I boot it up as with my 360. Only one or two more PS2 games left in my collection I've yet to play, so might just try and find a new PS2 slim as well.

So my refurb will be delivered with a guy carting off the knackered one then? Is this what happens with everyone or just special cases? Would save me postage I guess and obv there'd be no turnaround so that's something positive to gleam from this ****ty situation at least

[InvisibleKid]

As far as I can tell it's the same for everyone (delivery guy turns up I mean.)

I mean seriously, I bought a YLOD'ed BC fat from ebay - tried to fix it myself, broke the case, lost the WiFi chip - seriously this thing was a mess and I completely destroyed it. I told the Sony guy on the phone EVERYTHING I had done - he said, doesn't matter, pay the repair money we'll get you another. I couldn't believe it - but I have a shiny, brand new, BC fat on my TV stand. :-)

[Daragon]

Are slims immune to the YLoD? Would rather have the peace of mind, silence, extra shelf space and presumably a bigger HDD than a hit and miss backwards compat.

Edit: Loved the way the guy kept me on the phone for several minutes telling me what would happen in a nice, calm manner before slipping out the "Oh and as it's out of warranty that'll be 135 quid please". Apparently I can only have a new 60GB console and yes, the new warranty is only a kick in the ****ing teeth shattering 4 months!

Is the console refitted with brand new parts, or just recycled ones plucked at random from some heavy arsed smoker's yellow machine?