Topic: My PS3 "died" tonight...any way to fix it short of sending it in for repair?

[broodwars]

Like the subject heading says, my PS3 essentially "died" tonight.  The system will no longer read any disc inserted into the drive, and on the rare occasion that it will accept it and load the game I get one of two things:

1.  Shortly after the Playstation 3 logo appears on-screen, the system kicks me back to the XMB with the error message "80010514".
2.  Shortly after initiating play, the game crashes.  This particularly happens if the game has to access saved data and you generally know it's coming because suddenly the background music stops playing.

Supposedly 80010514 is related to a corruption of the PS3's disc recognition software and is supposed to be caused by faulty firmware updates and other odd software glitches.  It's a known issue with PS3s, especially ones from the era mine is from (it's an original 80gb model I bought refurbashed 4 months ago, and is long since out of warantee).  I've already contacted Sony to get the ball rolling on the very expensive repair process, but short of doing that is there any way to get this thing working again?  If I have to go through with a repair, I also have to find a way to backup all my data (which is a real problem when there are multi-GB files on the HDD and my largest portable storage medium is 1 GB).

In case you're curious, this whole thing started a few hours after I downloaded the new Disgaea 3 trophy patch and started up a new game on the thing.  A couple hours later, my PS3's suddenly not playing anything anymore.  I don't think the trophy patch itself called this, though.  This system's occasionally done this before, but it only refused to display discs on the XMB a couple times and that was a PS2 game a month ago.

[kraken613]

Man that sucks!

My PS3 is the only out of all 3 systems that hasn't died on me.

360 RRoD 7 times, then my Wii disk drive died. But I have had a PS3 a lot shorter time than either of the other systems though, only about a year. Had the other two since their launches.

[Caliban]

I also have to find a way to backup all my data (which is a real problem when there are multi-GB files on the HDD and my largest portable storage medium is 1 GB).

What if you only transfer the save files, isn't there a way you can format your PS3 harddrive and then do a (huge) system update?

[broodwars]

I also have to find a way to backup all my data (which is a real problem when there are multi-GB files on the HDD and my largest portable storage medium is 1 GB).

What if you only transfer the save files, isn't there a way you can format your PS3 harddrive and then do a (huge) system update?

Yeah, I thought about doing that, but I'm starting to think the damage my be irreperable at this point.  You see, after reading that it was a problem that could have been caused by firmware problems my first thought was to have my PS3 search for firmware updates to see if I just needed to update the firmware.  Sure enough, there was a new firmware update (v2.80) and I downloaded/installed it.  The first game I tried to run after I did that crashed and all the symptoms returned.  So yeah, it is possible that maybe a complete reformatting followed by the world's longest firmware update could fix it...but considering that this just started doing it this seriously tonight a month or two after the last firmware update makes me think I'm not so lucky that it could be fixed by something that simple.

[Caliban]

I looked up your error number (http://www.ps3news.com/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=3819), and the information I got was that the BD lens is dead.

If you're willing to do a DIY fix then take a look at this thread: http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=ps3&thread.id=3549879&view=by_date_ascending&page=1

which I got from this thread: http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=ps3&thread.id=2749209

[Ymeegod]

My did the same thing.  First time I sent it in to Sony and they charged $160 to replace the Blu-ray drive.

After 108 days it died the second time.  I didn't bother to replace the drive though sony but you can actually buy newer drivers off ebay ($40-50) and install them yourself.  The failure rate on the PS3 is actually going up.  It seems like the problem happens the most with late 2007 models (the 40 gig ones with no BC).

I'll try to find the youtube video of the guy replacing the PS3 drive.\

[NWR_Lindy]

The PS3 drive is super-easy to replace.  Just pop off the left-side plate with a flathead screwdriver, pull out the HD, and put the new one in.  When your PS3 reboots it'll then ask you if you'd like to format the new drive.  Then you're off to the races.  To transfer the stuff on the old drive over, get an IDE shell with a USB out.  It'll recogize it as a storage device and you can copy stuff over at will.

However, if your Blu-Ray lens is dead, that's a different issue entirely.

My original 60GB is rock-solid.  Then again, it should be, since I paid $600 for it.

[BlackNMild2k1]

My did the same thing.  First time I sent it in to Sony and they charged $160 to replace the Blu-ray drive.

After 108 days it died the second time.  I didn't bother to replace the drive though sony but you can actually buy newer drivers off ebay ($40-50) and install them yourself.  The failure rate on the PS3 is actually going up.  It seems like the problem happens the most with late 2007 models (the 40 gig ones with no BC).

I'll try to find the youtube video of the guy replacing the PS3 drive.\

Sounds like Sony has been cutting corners and cheaping out on parts to get the PS3 cost down. Kinda like the PS2 strategy only a PS3 isn't really cheap enough to just go out and buy another one to replace the broken one with.

[ThePerm]

did you ever feed your ps3? No. Thats probably why it died.  I didn't ever feed my Jaguar and it died.

[broodwars]

Well, my PS3's coffin arrived today, so it's off now to get resurrected at apparently a Sony repair facility in Texas.  Damn Sony's cheap, though...they sent me a nearly-empty box (all it had was a styrofoam frame and plastic bag to protect the PS3, packing instructions, and some tape to close-up the box) 2-day UPS air, but the return pre-paid shipping is only 3-day UPS ground.  Great...

[Ymeegod]

So you ended up spending the $150+ on the repairs .

Welll if the federal case goes though the good news you might get that money back (similar to MS's case against the 360).

Me, I ordered a replacement laser lens finally (it's a hard item to get since the demand is so high) and should be getting next week.  Costed $60 total and with any luck it shouldn't give me any trouble installing--I just hope this is the last time (already replaced it once).

[broodwars]

So you ended up spending the $150+ on the repairs .

Welll if the federal case goes though the good news you might get that money back (similar to MS's case against the 360).

Me, I ordered a replacement laser lens finally (it's a hard item to get since the demand is so high) and should be getting next week.  Costed $60 total and with any luck it shouldn't give me any trouble installing--I just hope this is the last time (already replaced it once).

I'm afraid I'm not really cut out for DIY repair work.  As much as the repair cost hurts to get the Blu-Ray Drive replaced, I'd rather have it done by people who know what they are doing.  I appreciate the advice, though, and will probably try for a DIY if this happens again.

[broodwars]

UPS just sent me an Email to let me know that a 3-day delivery package was headed my way. I suppose this means my PS3 is on its way back now (it's the only package I currently have "on order" that's using UPS), and I'm not sure yet if that's a good or bad thing. The instructions that came with the box Sony shipped clearly said to expect 3-7 days at the shop before returning while their site clearly says 7-10 days. That it's coming back after only 2 days with Sony troubles me, especially since their repair site still doesn't have any record of work done on my system. Hopefully whoever restored the system when I bought it didn't do anything Sony didn't like with the hardware and now they're just sending it back without doing any work on it (their instructions say they will not touch "modded systems"). Guess I'll find out on Friday.

Currently trying to decide with the PS3 coming back whether or not to keep my N64 out. It's clear that I'm not going to get anywhere close to finishing Ogre Battle 64, and my Wii won't be seeing serious use till at least around the time the Metroid Prime Trilogy comes out if not later. I'm tempted to box the Wii up and find someplace to put the N64 in the meantime, because the PS3 is such a space hog.

[Flames_of_chaos]

My PS3 died last week, the problem is that the internal power supply unit died.

[broodwars]

My PS3 died last week, the problem is that the internal power supply unit died.

Ouch.  So what do you plan on doing with it?  DIY with a "new" internal power supply off the internet or send it in to Sony for them to do it?  That doesn't sound like a $150 part.

[Flames_of_chaos]

Power supplies go for 50 - 80 on ebay, I rather just pay sony than screw up my PS3 more. I heard it happens by overheating which causes some resistors to burnout. Considering how many hardware revisions PS3 went  through(all with different voltage ratings) I don't want a nice surprise.

Edit: Before the power supply died I saw the yellow light so it can be the power supply AND something else.

[Caliban]

My PS3 cannot read discs... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

****. Now I have to buy a Slim, and transfer everything from my Phat 80gig.

I will be playing Wii for a while now, as my procastination has yet to allow me to send my broken 360, so you can see how long it will take me to buy a Slim.

[broodwars]

My PS3 cannot read discs... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

****. Now I have to buy a Slim, and transfer everything from my Phat 80gig.

I will be playing Wii for a while now, as my procastination has yet to allow me to send my broken 360, so you can see how long it will take me to buy a Slim.

You don't have to buy a $300 Slim when you can just pay $150 or so to get your 80 gb fixed, which is what I had to do with my unit.  Plus, you get to keep your PS2 backwards compatibility.

[TJ Spyke]

What makes you think Caliban has a PS3 with backwards compatibility? It can't be the size because they made 80GB models long after they took out BC (I know, I have a 80GB model I bought in November 2008).

[broodwars]

What makes you think Caliban has a PS3 with backwards compatibility? It can't be the size because they made 80GB models long after they took out BC (I know, I have a 80GB model I bought in November 2008).

You're right, I had just assumed his model had it.  Even still, it's impractical to pay $300 to do a $150 job unless you just really want that slimmer model with more efficient power usage.

[Caliban]

My PS3 does have BC, but I just think that the PS2 games run better on a PS2...

I think I'm going to try what broodwars suggested. The only thing I'm concerned with is if my PS3 will get a better optical drive, or is it just the same kind of drive that will fail at a much sooner rate.

What if I trade it in at EB Games, will they accept it as it is? I'm inclined to think that won't be the case.

[broodwars]

My PS3 does have BC, but I just think that the PS2 games run better on a PS2...

I think I'm going to try what broodwars suggested. The only thing I'm concerned with is if my PS3 will get a better optical drive, or is it just the same kind of drive that will fail at a much sooner rate.

What if I trade it in at EB Games, will they accept it as it is? I'm inclined to think that won't be the case.

The 80 gb PS3's backwards compatibility is pretty unreliable due to being software emulation (rather than the 20/40/60 gb's hardware emulation), but it's still better than nothing if you don't own a PS2.  You just have to do a little research if you're interested in playing a PS2 game on it to make sure it's compatible.  Sadly, quite a few games I'd like to play now are not compatible (*eyes Wild Arms 4-5 and Shadow Hearts: From the New World*), but most work just fine with just minor hiccups in FMV quality or whatnot.
 
I can't speak for the replacement drive's absolute integrity, but what I can tell you is that I got my drive replaced last year and haven't had any issues since so I don't think we're looking at something similar to the 360's RRoD issue.
 
No, Gamestop/EB Games won't accept your PS3 if it can't play games.  They will test it if you bring the unit in.

[TJ Spyke]

They didn't used too, but I guess they got sick of being burned by people saying their system worked (they also used to plug it in, but only to see if it turned on. They didn't try playing any games).

[vudu]

You can probably get some money for it on Craigslist--I'm sure someone will want a broken PS3 for cheap.

[Chozo Ghost]

This thread proves that you should only buy Nintendo hardware. While I'm sure Nintendo hardware CAN break down, its never happened to me and I've owned every system they made starting with the NES. $ony and M$ consoles seem to be breaking down left and right, so people should know better than to buy their stuff. If you do and it breaks down you have only yourself to blame because its well known that this happens.