Just got a PS3 aaand...

[Memnoch]

just picked up a PS3 and unfortunately it doesn't power on. Now I got it off someone else as I have a plan for this but needed some info first and figured you guys might know - Is the interior configuration just like a computer? Basically I know someone really good with computers and rebuilding them and such and so if it's doable I'm going to have him rebuild it to work again AND maybe work in a bootloader.

 

[OSCORP]

Did you flip the switch in the back?

(jus checkin)

or did you know it wouldn't power on can't really tell by what you said?

 

[Memnoch]

Know for fact. Come on now.. do ya really think I wouldn't know about the switch in the back?

 

[OSCORP]

Know for fact. Come on now.. do ya really think I wouldn't know about the switch in the back?

I've seen people do just that.

 

[Vader AL]

is the power cord plugged into the wall?

 

[Memnoch]

Yes yes, It's nothing external. Im sure it's internal.

 

[Darth Caedus]

Well if you open it up, there goes the warranty. I wouldn't be doing that. That's weird though, I've never heard of anything like that. Does the red standby light even go on in the front, or no power on at all?

 

[Memnoch]

Well like I said, I got it from someone else so no real warranty anyway. No lights or anything.

 

[Darth Caedus]

Well like I said, I got it from someone else so no real warranty anyway. No lights or anything.

I believe you got one of these

 

[Memnoch]

But it can be cracked open and worked on like one would work on a computer correct?

 

[Darth Caedus]

But it can be cracked open and worked on like one would work on a computer correct?

I guess you could. Don't know it opening it up will help you any. Might not be able to get any replacement parts if something is damaged. It may be like a computer internally, but I don't know if you can just swap out parts to fix it

 

[RoboDad]

But it can be cracked open and worked on like one would work on a computer correct?

If you mean "can it be opened, and there will be printed circuit boards and other computer-like components inside", then yes, that is correct. If you mean "can it be opened, and there will be a PC motherboard inside with PC-compatible and replaceable parts", then no. You may be able to see something like a loose connection that could possibly be tightened, or a visibly fried component (which would at least show you what is broken), but beyond that there is nothing you will be able to do to "fix" it. All of the components in the PS3 are proprietary, and the only way it can be repaired is by taking it to a Sony-licensed dealer. There are no third party sources for PS3 replacement parts (at least that I know of).

 

[Memnoch]

If you mean "can it be opened, and there will be printed circuit boards and other computer-like components inside", then yes, that is correct. If you mean "can it be opened, and there will be a PC motherboard inside with PC-compatible and replaceable parts", then no. You may be able to see something like a loose connection that could possibly be tightened, or a visibly fried component (which would at least show you what is broken), but beyond that there is nothing you will be able to do to "fix" it. All of the components in the PS3 are proprietary, and the only way it can be repaired is by taking it to a Sony-licensed dealer. There are no third party sources for PS3 replacement parts (at least that I know of).

Thanks! That is the exact answer I was looking for. At least know I know that if it can't be fixed easily (ie something to do with the power connection into the unit) then I'll just be parting it out. .... Unless you know of someplace that is a Sony licensed dealer that fixes PS3's that are sans warranty? Do those even exist?

 

[Chimera 1]

Well. First check to see if the power cord is ok. It may have a short in it. They can be replaced. You know of the switch in the back but you also have to hold your finger over the power touch pad until it comes on. But check to see if the cord is good or not. It may be as easy as that. OR if it is connected to a power strip make sure the recepticle on the power strip is good. They tend to short out sometimes. If it is a wall outlet make sure that outlet is good. HAte for you to rip the thing apart to find out the breaker was flipped off in the basement or the wall outlet was bad. All these have happened to me causing me to spend hundreds when it was a free or 2.99 fix.

 

[Memnoch]

Ok, finally got to messing around with this PS3 and here is what I found. The unit WILL power on, everything works fine, disk goes in and is ejected fine, don't see any fried parts... however, upon starting the system I hear the fan for about a minute then nothing? Will a non running vent fan cause the system to not display an image.. or is the fan really just that quiet?

 

[lerath666]

I believe you got one of these

but isin't that everything sony makes?

 

[lerath666]

Ok, finally got to messing around with this PS3 and here is what I found. The unit WILL power on, everything works fine, disk goes in and is ejected fine, don't see any fried parts... however, upon starting the system I hear the fan for about a minute then nothing? Will a non running vent fan cause the system to not display an image.. or is the fan really just that quiet?

So it runs, but nothing is displayed on the screeen? That is one of a few problems. The output on the system has some faulty wireing. OR the tv cable is bad, OR the VGA chipset on the board is fried. A non-running fan will not cause this.

If I remember correctly, in an attempt at power conservation the PS3 fan runs, then quits running untill the system heats to a specific temperature, and then runs again to cool it down, then shuts off again.

 

[Darth Caedus]

Ok, finally got to messing around with this PS3 and here is what I found. The unit WILL power on, everything works fine, disk goes in and is ejected fine, don't see any fried parts... however, upon starting the system I hear the fan for about a minute then nothing? Will a non running vent fan cause the system to not display an image.. or is the fan really just that quiet?

well if the system doesn't have a cooling system, the chip will overheat and turn off and not run. I don't have a PS3, so I don't know if the fan just runs silent. I can tell you that the xbox 360 fan is loud as hell, so I would assume that the PS3 fan should be heard at least a little bit.

 

[Memnoch]

At this point I think I may just go to Best Buy and see if they won't take a look at it. Other than that it's either off to an electronic repair place (prolly wont do any good) or off to eBay for parts to fund a brand new from the box system. I just really don't wanna lose that 60 gig hard drive.

 

[Natrix]

What do you mean about losing the 60G hard drive?

Just get a cheap PS3 and upgrade the hard drive with whatever size you want if you are talking about storage space.