PS3 Heroically Died - What to Do?

Halo375 on 28/08/2017 - 11:28

So my faithful PS3 Slim has died - to be specific, it is no longer recognising optical media (game discs and bluray movies). This is not really the end of the world as I could just use this as an excuse to FINALLY upgrade to a PS4. The problem is I still have PS3 games that I really like so I still want a working PS3.

Some advice is needed from this esteemed audience of experts:

  1. Have you any experience with fixing a PS3 yourself by either replacing the bluray drive or the laser? Did you get it to work? Would you recommend self repair?

  2. Have you any experience with any repair shops around Melbourne? Do you have any recommendations or warnings for where not to go?

  3. Should I just toss it in the garbage, sell my games and buy a PS4 Pro and quit messing around with old tech? Sure there would be a few people arguing that too and I'm not going to deny them a chance to share that opinion.

Poll Options

  • 6
    1. Repair it yourself
  • 1
    2. Get someone else to repair it
  • 23
    3. Dump it and get a PS4
Gaming

Comments

  • 87percent on 28/08/2017 - 11:32
    +1

    stick it on ebay with $0 starting, state no refund and for parts only and pick up only. You'll be surprised what sort of stuff people buy.. and then buy a PS4

    • FeRGan on 28/08/2017 - 13:05

      You have to be careful with $0 listings. You might end up giving the console away for nothing, and still be left messing around with P&H.

      • tomsco on 28/08/2017 - 13:12
        +2

        Yep, I once let go my PS3 arcade stick for (I think) $4. I could have been a jerk and not honoured the sale, but I figure it will balance out eventually (and it did with some of the other items I was selling at the time).

  • trustnoone on 28/08/2017 - 11:42

    Things may have changed recently but last time I did it (quite a few years ago), it was sorta difficult. The problem wasn't swapping the hardware over (PS3 is quite easy to take apart and replace the drive I think is just a ribbon cable and a few others, just be a little slow and careful).

    But I think the bluray drive is "married" to the motherboard, so they are essentially connected and you'd need to change them both (which I'd imagine is similar to getting a new PS3). You can re-Marry the motherboard to a new drive (process if I remember correctly is quite easy) but you need to have a hacked PS3 to do this.

    Of course things may have changed recently so might be worth checking online IMO I love my PS4. But if possible I'd repair myself otherwise you won't have much choice but to sell it off as parts?

    • Halo375 on 28/08/2017 - 11:57

      Repairing it myself is kinda where I'm leaning at the moment. The PS3 has served me well for a long time so I reckon I should try to give it a second life if possible. I hadn't heard the bluray was married to the motherboard - I reckon I'll need to do a lot more research before commencing the operation.

      • FeRGan on 28/08/2017 - 13:06

        It might to cheaper to just buy a used one.

      • Slippery Fish on 28/08/2017 - 15:40

        Just grab a cheap second hand one for $80-100 max

        • mingofmongo on 29/08/2017 - 11:32

          This.

          I picked up a second hand 250gb superslim PS3 from Cash Converters for $50 with a dualshock 3.

          I still have heaps of PS3 games I want to play, and also own a PS4 pro. Wouldn't want to be without the PS3 though!

  • apple2016 on 28/08/2017 - 11:52
    +1

    You should be able to get a used ps3 from gumtree for less

    • Kangal on 28/08/2017 - 15:32

      This.
      Firstly weigh-up how much you want to actually play those games. If its a maybe once a year kind of affair, just write them off and upgrade.
      Probably better to upgrade to a Gaming PC, its cheaper despite the Mining Boom.

      • godofpizza on 29/08/2017 - 09:25

        you still have working controls and cables, you could source a console only for less than 50-80$ depending on model/condition/harddrive

        • Kangal on 29/08/2017 - 16:20

          Sure, you could do that.

          But if the games aren't really that important, its probably smarter to cut your losses.
          Sell the PS3 as-is, and provide the box, accessories, and games. Might get $100 for it.
          Then either build a cheap Used Gaming PC (<$700), or build a NEW Midrange Gaming PC (<$1,400).
          Either way, the Gaming PC platform works out to be cheaper than the PS4/Xbox One platform for general gamers.

          Examples:
          Used Gaming PC
          - (my goto) Dell Opitplex 9010 MT or SFF
          - Core i5-2400 <-> i7-3770 (3.0GHz <-> 4.3GHz)
          - 8GB <-> 32GB DDR3 RAM (1333 <-> 2133MHz)
          - 5400rpm HDD <-> Crucial MX300 (500GB <-> 1+2TB)
          - GTX 750, RX 550, GT 1030, GTX 750Ti, RX 460, RX560, GTX 1050, GTX1050 Ti (SFF)
          - GTX 960, GTX 970, R9-290, RX470, RX570, GTX 980, GTX 1060, RX480, RX580 (MT)

          New Gaming PC
          - Corsair Clear 400, Fractal Core 500, Cooler Master 110, Fractal Node 202, SilverStone RVz02
          - Ryzen r5-1600 (3.9 <-> 4.2GHz)
          - 16GB <-> 32GB DDR4 RAM (2400 <-> 3200MHz)
          - Crucial MX300 <-> Samsung EVO 960 (500GB <-> 1+2TB)
          - RX470, RX570, GTX 1060, RX 480, RX 580, GTX 1070, GTX 1080

        • Halo375 on 29/08/2017 - 16:26

          @Kangal: The games are important and the lack of a need to upgrade is important too. I was a PC gamer for a veeeeery long time until I defected to the console crowd. PC gaming just got too frustrating with the need for investing, patching, upgrading and adjusting all the settings to run a game at its best. I admit it! I just got lazy!

        • Kangal on 29/08/2017 - 16:36

          @Halo375:
          Well, sounds like issues from 2009.

          Since a very long time, PC's now get automatic updates in the background.
          Things like Nvidia's GeForce Experience sets up all the "best" settings for you Automatically.
          And if you buy Mid-Range specs, you generally get great value that lasts a long time.
          I still know of PC Gamers who built their PC back when the PS3 was new… and their rig is still faster than the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X, and that's without upgrading for the most part.

          Seems like you're just looking for an excuse to stick to something you're familiar with, the PS3.
          I don't blame you. Its an okay system for what it is. I still have mine, and a PS4.
          I use the PS3 for my Japanese games, like Basara. But I literally play it a couple times a year, and contemplating on retiring it… but I still have some other games for it that I bought and haven't played.

          Though I'm more interested in a new TV.
          If I can find a good 4K one that can do fast-paced, then I'll build a new PC for myself.
          I know monitors are better, but I don't have the space for a desk. So I'm just waiting for that decent TV to come.
          And by the time it does, RAM/SSD flash prices would drop and the Mining Bubble would burst… so potentially I could build something for much cheaper than today. Until then, I have to say the PS4 (Base/Slim/Pro) is a decent system to tide people over, as the Xbox franchise has become too stagnant this generation.

  • [Deactivated] on 28/08/2017 - 12:00

    Had the same issue with my PS3 about 1.5 years ago.

    Found someone that could repair it - it was 110 AUD with a 3 month warranty. Have been using it since and no let up or issues to date. Believe the places was in Moorebank in Sydney (if you happen to be based in Sydney). Took about 30 minutes for the guy to replace the board.

    http: // www. beetronix. com . au/gaming-consoles/sony-playstation-3.html - these were the guys.

    • Halo375 on 28/08/2017 - 12:22

      Thanks for the advice!

  • geek001 on 28/08/2017 - 12:01
    +2

    How does a console "heroically" die? Did it sacrifice itself during a power surge to save you getting electrocuted or something? :)

  • Sergeant Salami on 28/08/2017 - 12:10

    Get a second hand ps3 optical drive and swap it over.

  • Topdog on 28/08/2017 - 12:12

    EB Games will repair your PS3 at a fixed cost of $89, that is all it will cost if they "Can" repair your console. Please note you will be charged this even if they cant.

    https://ebgames.com.au/reboot

    • HeyHeyHeyIsItADeal on 28/08/2017 - 13:47

      How does thaat even work? Why not just take your chances buying a working second hand PS3?

      • Slippery Fish on 28/08/2017 - 15:43

        They take parts out of traded PS3 and put in yours.

        • HeyHeyHeyIsItADeal on 28/08/2017 - 15:52

          Please note you will be charged this even if they cant.

          I mean't this part. That's a pretty expensive "Hey, Could you look at this to see if you could fix this?" fee.

  • [Deactivated] on 28/08/2017 - 12:17

    the ps3 is pretty easy to fix, the blueray player is just held in by a couple of screws and a cable to disconnect and thats it, so if you cna score a 2nd hand one off ebay and use it as parts…. or even check ebay for the part you need.

  • StickMan on 28/08/2017 - 12:31
    +1

    Presses X to pay respects

    • Halo375 on 28/08/2017 - 12:51

      Presses triangle to acknowledge respect.

      • bdl on 28/08/2017 - 13:59
        +1

        Press PS button to shut down Playstation.

  • riddick4 on 28/08/2017 - 12:45
    +1

    Hi mate. Just buy another PS3 on eBay for like $80 bucks. Me personally I don't play PS3 games but I love my PS3 as a media hub for pics, vids and music. Nothing else comes close. Do as others have mentioned and list Ur broke PS3 on eBay, but I wouldn't bother fixing. Just buy another and do a data transfer from Ur old one.
    Also……..buy a PS4.

  • chcse on 28/08/2017 - 13:13
    +1

    If you still have PS3 games you want to play, I would recommend buying another used PS3. If you're worried about condition then you can always go with EB Games and inspect on the spot (plus I think they have warranty of 3 months). The ones near me has 160GB Slim PS3 for around $150 and you can still use your broken one for digital games or media hub.

    • mingofmongo on 29/08/2017 - 11:34

      My local Harvey Norman (Hobart CBD) has a brand new 500gb superslim PS3 with controller and 3 games for $199 if you want a brand new one!

      • Halo375 on 29/08/2017 - 13:23
        +1

        I think this crowd would kill me if I spent $199 on a PS3 instead of re-investing it into a PS4. Mind you though, if I hold out long enough I could skip the PS4 and get a PS5 which just might be backwards compatible.

  • Mrbean007 on 28/08/2017 - 15:43
    +1

    Get the model number search it up on ebay and few youtube videos pretty basic to change the lens around $20 for a new blueray lens from china done a few back in the days :)

  • Some Human on 28/08/2017 - 23:33

    EB does repairs on them for $79-89 and they don't charge you if they can't repair it. Wish I'd known that before I totaled my brothers 3DS trying to fix it.

  • here2rock on 29/08/2017 - 07:06

    Get it fixed from your local repair shop, still a fantastic console with great games.

  • PlasticSpaceman on 29/08/2017 - 09:31

    I'd see if you can fix it yourself via non-destructive methods eg doing a reset (backup just in case then https://www.naschenweng.info/2009/06/02/ps3-recovery-menu-fi…), and in the meantime keep your eyes open for a deal on the PS4 console (eg Nov last year there was https://press-start.com.au/bargains/2016/11/24/gamesmen-sell…).

    If you are handy with electronics and the software rebuild/reset doesn't help, then sure I'd try pulling it apart but otherwise back it up and take to EB to be repaired/swap for one with a warranty….

    • Halo375 on 29/08/2017 - 10:06

      Thanks, I'll give that a go!

  • [Deactivated] on 29/08/2017 - 16:23

    If you lived in Brisy you could have mine
    Is a 320gb reco with the better parts and ya can't kill it.

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