So I figured I would share this because...well i thought it was pretty cool. I have an old PS3 80G (put my own 500G drive in) that is backwards compatible....and also prone to the Yellow Light of Death over and over again (YLOD). Its a known defect. PS3 gets too hot.....sodder gets melted away chips lose their connection on the motherboard....game over. If anyone has gone through this you would realize that you it just happens one day and you lose everything on the PS3............consequently I usually back up my PS3 once every 6 months just so happens its been over a year and well it died.
If I send it back to Sony they just give you a refurb or try to get you to go with the 500 G slim model. Well I really didn't want to do that and go through losing and redownloading everything again.
So after reading several forums I chose to use a reball service from ps3repairshop.com based out of Florida. I also chose to go with the EZChill service which is an upgraded fan. I figured I probably could have done this myself but it would have only served to get my data off. This is my last attempt before I just go with the Slim model.
ps3repairshop.com has been pretty amazing so far. They send status updates and pictures that I thought I would share:
Quote:
The RSX Reball Service on your PS3 is in progress and we are happy to report the first six stages of the procedure have been completed:
1) Disassemble, then prepare the PS3’s main system board for visual inspection and RSX chip extraction. See attached images.
2) De-solder & remove RSX chip from the PS3’s main system board.
3) Perform visual inspection of the RSX chip and the corresponding BGA 1254 pads on the PS3’s main system board.
4) Remove original lead-free solder from the RSX chip and the corresponding pads on the main system board.
5) Reball the RSX chip with 1254 lead-tin eutectic solder spheres.
6) Reattach the RSX chip on to the main system board’s corresponding 1254 pads. See attached image.
The remaining steps are as follows and are often completed within 1-3 business days unless the symptom is still present at Stage 8 or reoccurs during Stage 9:
7) Remove protective Kapton tape from around RSX, apply Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound on RSX and CBE main processors.
8) Partially reassemble PS3 then perform short system test to check for elimination of YLOD / GLOD.
9) Perform optional services (such as EZ-Chill installation), replace heat-pads on secondary chips (if necessary), fully reassemble PS3, perform extended system tests.
10)Ship upon receipt of any applicable payment that is due.