What's wrong with this PlayStation 3???

[Arkvoodle]

I bought a used 20GB PS3 over my Thanksgiving vacation, in the hopes of finally moving into the next-gen console crowd. Brought it home, did the "Zero-out" thing to set it up for my old low-res TV and, well... THIS happened:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Paladin4221/PS3YCbCrCable.jpg

I knew my older TV wouldn't exactly provide the best resolution but I'd hoped that it would be slightly better than THAT.


I restarted the system again and it appeared to be cleared up but then a more serious problem appeared: The thing cannot play any form of media (game, DVD or other disc) for more than 10 minutes without the display suddenly freezing in another cloud of static & snow (though sound remains).

What could be causing this? And more importantly, what can be done to repair it?

 

[Gedo]

I think you have to call Sony. It seems the PS3 is broken. I'm sorry to tell you this, but whoever sold you this is laughing at this very moment.


Oh, if you're getting another system, get at least a 40GB. 20GB not much space when you have to install every single game.

 

[Jobz]

Well it's only one of three things that could be causing it I suppose. The TV, the console, or the connection cable. Try the system on another TV with the same cable, if it works it's your TV that's the problem. If it doesn't then try a different cable to pinpoint the problem.

 

[ghostsprite9]

i would go back 2 the shop and complain

 

[Arkvoodle]

I think you have to call Sony. It seems the PS3 is broken. I'm sorry to tell you this, but whoever sold you this is laughing at this very moment.


Oh, if you're getting another system, get at least a 40GB. 20GB not much space when you have to install every single game.

But, if I understand correctly, 40GB models aren't backwards-compatible. That was the biggest factor in my purchase choice.

 

[Rush_Thores]

yeah based on the word "used" in your story, I'm a gonna take a wild guess on the issue there. . .

 

[klc0100]

Have you tryed just moving the cables around, my PS3 has started to slowly blur on the screen and after about 30 seconds it becomes unviewable. I just have to take the yellow cable out from the tv or move it around and it goes back to normal for a while.

Also does this freeze the game or just make it unviewable?

 

[Aura Guardian]

Where did you buy it online?

 

[JakalMc]

Well if the TV isn't the problem...it looks like someone has ripped you off.
Best of luck.

 

[Arkvoodle]

Have you tryed just moving the cables around, my PS3 has started to slowly blur on the screen and after about 30 seconds it becomes unviewable. I just have to take the yellow cable out from the tv or move it around and it goes back to normal for a while.

Also does this freeze the game or just make it unviewable?

It freezes the IMAGE of the game; I can still press buttons and hear sounds that apparently suggest the thing is still in progress. But the display is useless.

 

[Calobi]

Check everything in this order: TV, where the cable is plugged in (to both the TV and PS3, making sure that it's in right and secure. I know someone who plugged a USB cable into their Ethernet port and couldn't figure out why things weren't working), the cable itself, then the system. Hopefully, it's just a cable problem.

 

[crimsondynamics]

I think you have to call Sony. It seems the PS3 is broken. I'm sorry to tell you this, but whoever sold you this is laughing at this very moment.


Oh, if you're getting another system, get at least a 40GB. 20GB not much space when you have to install every single game.

But, if I understand correctly, 40GB models aren't backwards-compatible. That was the biggest factor in my purchase choice.

If you can, by all means keep the 20GB version - provided it works, that is.

You can always upgrade your hard drive up to 500GB if you want to, but apart from the 20GB and 60GB models none are backwards-compatible and the advantages of having backwards-compatibility far outweigh having a slightly beefier hard drive which is easily user-replaceable anyhow - at least, that's my opinion.

I believe wireless LAN is also missing in the 20GB version but in any case I've found gaming over wireless unstable compared to cabled LAN. You can also pick up a wi-fi usb for your PS3 if you need one.

But yeah... that PS3 looks like it's toast.

 

[Supernovajake]

I think you have to call Sony. It seems the PS3 is broken. I'm sorry to tell you this, but whoever sold you this is laughing at this very moment.


Oh, if you're getting another system, get at least a 40GB. 20GB not much space when you have to install every single game.

But, if I understand correctly, 40GB models aren't backwards-compatible. That was the biggest factor in my purchase choice.

If you can, by all means keep the 20GB version - provided it works, that is.

You can always upgrade your hard drive up to 500GB if you want to, but apart from the 20GB and 60GB models none are backwards-compatible and the advantages of having backwards-compatibility far outweigh having a slightly beefier hard drive which is easily user-replaceable anyhow - at least, that's my opinion.

I believe wireless LAN is also missing in the 20GB version but in any case I've found gaming over wireless unstable compared to cabled LAN. You can also pick up a wi-fi usb for your PS3 if you need one.

How do you upgrade the hard drive to 500GB?

 

[JakalMc]

I think you have to call Sony. It seems the PS3 is broken. I'm sorry to tell you this, but whoever sold you this is laughing at this very moment.


Oh, if you're getting another system, get at least a 40GB. 20GB not much space when you have to install every single game.

But, if I understand correctly, 40GB models aren't backwards-compatible. That was the biggest factor in my purchase choice.

If you can, by all means keep the 20GB version - provided it works, that is.

You can always upgrade your hard drive up to 500GB if you want to, but apart from the 20GB and 60GB models none are backwards-compatible and the advantages of having backwards-compatibility far outweigh having a slightly beefier hard drive which is easily user-replaceable anyhow - at least, that's my opinion.

I believe wireless LAN is also missing in the 20GB version but in any case I've found gaming over wireless unstable compared to cabled LAN. You can also pick up a wi-fi usb for your PS3 if you need one.

How do you upgrade the hard drive to 500GB?

Simply buy one from a computer store and switch 'em 'round. I'm pretty sure it tells you how in one of the manuals.

EDIT: I'm not 100% sure, but I believe that there is a certain type or model that you have to buy...I'm not really computer savvy

 

[klc0100]

I think you have to call Sony. It seems the PS3 is broken. I'm sorry to tell you this, but whoever sold you this is laughing at this very moment.


Oh, if you're getting another system, get at least a 40GB. 20GB not much space when you have to install every single game.

But, if I understand correctly, 40GB models aren't backwards-compatible. That was the biggest factor in my purchase choice.

If you can, by all means keep the 20GB version - provided it works, that is.

You can always upgrade your hard drive up to 500GB if you want to, but apart from the 20GB and 60GB models none are backwards-compatible and the advantages of having backwards-compatibility far outweigh having a slightly beefier hard drive which is easily user-replaceable anyhow - at least, that's my opinion.

I believe wireless LAN is also missing in the 20GB version but in any case I've found gaming over wireless unstable compared to cabled LAN. You can also pick up a wi-fi usb for your PS3 if you need one.

How do you upgrade the hard drive to 500GB?

Theres a little slot under the ps3 you unscrew it and slide out the harddrive and replace it with a new one.

 

[Theo Samaritan]

How do you upgrade the hard drive to 500GB?

Google is your friend. Also the sony manual has a "tell you how" thing.

 

[Anarchemitis]

One question mark in the title would be sufficient.

 

[crimsondynamics]

How do you upgrade the hard drive to 500GB?

Simply buy one from a computer store and switch 'em 'round. I'm pretty sure it tells you how in one of the manuals.

EDIT: I'm not 100% sure, but I believe that there is a certain type or model that you have to buy...I'm not really computer savvy

Theres a little slot under the ps3 you unscrew it and slide out the harddrive and replace it with a new one.

Google is your friend. Also the sony manual has a "tell you how" thing.

It's not hard. The PS3 accepts standard notebook-size (2.5") SATA hard drives. For exact specifications, the manual covers it, as well as the procedure. Just be careful with stripping the screws - make sure you have the right size screwdriver.

When in doubt, search in google, or visit the PS3 forums. There's plenty of guides online.

 

[Supernovajake]

Ok, thanks everyone. Sorry OP about the slight thread highjack. I'll keep everyones advice in mind for the future.