Options

There are a couple of possibilities for rescuing my data. All but one require that I spend yet more money. The internet tells me that the most likely reason for the failure of a system as old as mine is due to over-heating - the solder points on the CPU are no longer connecting to the motherboard. Another reason for the Yellow Light of Death, as it’s known, is a faulty power supply. So here are my options:


1. The hair dryer home repair method - Blow into the rear vent on the PS3 with a hot hair dryer for 15 minutes in the hopes that the solder will re-flow, connection will be reestablished and the unit will operate long enough to back up one’s saves.

        Pros:  Cheap.

        Cons:  It’s ridiculous!

                  I’ll have to pay for PS+ to do a quick backup.

2. The tear-down/heat gun home repair method - Void the warranty, open the sucker up and go at the motherboard with a heat gun available from hardware stores. This repair is said to last for weeks, it should easily allow me time to do a full hard drive content transfer via ethernet cable.
        Pros:  I get to buy a heat gun.
        Cons:  Costs a lot: heat gun, screw drivers, thermal paste, etc.

                  Not guaranteed to work.

3. If both of the above fail, it’s still possible that I have a faulty power supply. I could buy a used, broken PS3 on adverts.ie and switch one power supply unit out for the other.            
        Pros:   I get to dig around inside.
        Cons:  No guarantee new power supply works
                  Sony could have repaired the power supply for €160

I’ll report on each of these in turn over the coming weeks. The hair dryer test is happening today. In reality I’m unlikely to get past stage 2. How much does thermal gel cost?