PS3 Blinking Red Light

[korme]

I'm currently afflicted with the red light error on my PS3. As in you try to start it, the PS3 loads for one second then shuts off. I think it's the equivalent of Xbox's Red Ring of Death.

My question is can GeekSquad fix this or is it a bust? I called BestBuy and they said they would have to look at it before knowing... isn't that just a way to guarantee getting money out of me?

[CraigSca]

From reading, a blinking red light means "non-specific hardware failure". I guess it depends on what the problem is - did they say they would determine the issue for free, or are they charging you for that, too?

[BillJasper]

I'd call Sony and ship it to them to fix.

[BillJasper]

Or just buy a new one.

[-apoc-]

What model PS3 is it? Usually in the older models that is a fried board but you can try and reflow the board to fix it for awhile. Reflowing it is actually pretty easy if you have a heat gun and are ok taking it apart. If it is out of warranty there is nothing to lose trying it yourself since you can pick up a used (refurb) one for roughly the same price it would be to have someone else fix it.

[korme]

From reading, a blinking red light means "non-specific hardware failure". I guess it depends on what the problem is - did they say they would determine the issue for free, or are they charging you for that, too?

Didn't specify as I'm assuming I would be charged.

As for just buying a new PS3, well, if I was rolling in the cashflow, I probably wouldn't have started this thread BillJasper :)

[PackerFanatic]

I'd probably go with Sony directly as well if you can't/won't mess with trying the fix yourself. Best Buy will probably gouge you and not even be able to fix it.

[korme]

Jesus, just went to GameStop and they are selling previously owned PS3's for $230. I can't believe they are still that high

[Ramzavail]

do a search for my ps3 thread - the guy I used was awesome. I can pass along his info if you want me to.

[korme]

Ended up biting the 'HOLYCRAPBOREDONLABORDAY' bullet and bought a new one. Still have the old one though so I wouldn't mind getting it fixed and returning this 'un

[dubb93]

Fixing a PS3 isnt like an Xbox. The RROD on the 360 is a quick and easy fix if you know what you are doing. The PS3 is another story. I would never pay for one to be fixed or buy a refurb. Most reputable people who repair consoles won't touch a PS3. Once they are gone they tend to just keep breaking.

[Groundhog]

I imagine 360s are a little better built these days? I had 2 brand new consoles, one around initial release, one maybe 2 years later, both went the way of the RRoD and I gave one away still bricked, while I got the other one repaired and sold cheaply to a friend, and it since bricked for him.

I had an original PS3 near the launch date that I sold to a friend who still uses it no issues, while my current PS3 slim was also bought around launch and again, no issues.

My experience with the 360 would probably see me never touch another Microsoft console again, which is a shame as I actually did prefer the overall layout of the console and the online experience.

[dave731]

My ps3 has the YLOD. It is a launch 60GB Fat and I have "fixed" it myself a couple of times only to have it YLOD again after a month or two.I have since bought a new one but I don't have the heart to get rid of the fat.

[Groundhog]

I'd actually forgotten how big those bad boys were until I saw my old one a few weeks ago. Yikes, it looks like a desktop PC case.

[korme]

It doesn't seem as stable, but I can stand the slim one up on the side and it's fine, right?