Your PS3 exhbitis certain signs that it's failing.
Despite its five-star rating from CNET.com, the Sony PlayStation 3 is not impervious to certain issues that could leave you console-less. The PS3 functions much like a computer, including memory, a processor and a motherboard. If your PS3 begins to show signs that it's no longer working as well as it should, it could be a sign that the console will soon be nonfunctional. Look for sure signs that your PS3 is dead before you enact your warranty or have the console serviced.
Symptoms
When your PS3 begins to fail, you'll notice the problems in your game play and the consoles overall functionality. For instance, if you feel your console getting hot when playing games or watching movies, the fan might be malfunctioning, resulting in the overheating and eventual failure of internal components. If your PS3 shuts off suddenly without warning, lags during game play or freezes, it could be another sign that it's slowly malfunctioning.
Diagnosis
While the actual reasons for your dead or dying PS3 will depend on your individual situation and console, some ailments are common to the PS3 in general. Overheating is a problem, since the processor and the motherboard become heated when in use. Without a functioning fan, constant overheating can damage your console. A malfunctioning motherboard or memory card can also cause damage, causing your PS3 to simply stop working.
Yellow Light of Death
One specific problem the PlayStation 3 has faced is known as the "Yellow Light of Death," or YLOD. The YLOD occurs suddenly to some PS3s, typically on the now-discontinued 60GB models. The YLOD is caused by a malfunctioning connection in the motherboard and is diagnosed when your PS3 won't power on, instead blinking a yellow light from the power indicator. If you've received the YLOD, the fix is a complicated soldering of the motherboard, a procedure best left to professionals.
What to Do
Your PlayStation 3 came with a one-year Sony warranty that protects you against hardware and software failure, such as the YLOD, overheating or other issues. If you're still within warranty, Sony will either service or replace your PS3 if it won't power on or cannot sustain game play. If you're out of warranty, contact a console repair technician. She might be able to fix your machine, but any unauthorized service voids any existing warranty on the machine. Even if your PS3 is completely dead and you're out of warranty, Sony can likely offer you a refurbished machine at a discounted price as a replacement.
Tags: game play, signs that, Light Death, processor motherboard, sign that