You can test your PS3 motherboard with a multimeter.
Your PlayStation 3 game console can experience a number of problems, from a faulty disc drive to a bad power supply. If your PS3 won't hold power and you feel that the outlet and cable are fine, it could be the result of a bad connector on the motherboard. You can save some cash by disassembling the PS3 yourself and testing the board with a digital multimeter.
Instructions
1. Unplug the power cable of your PS3 from the socket but don't unplug it from the rear of the console. You will need to plug it back in later.
2. Remove the screw on the left side of the console, near the top.
3. Slide the top cover of the console to the left and lift it up to remove it.
4. Remove the seven screws on the exposed panel on top of the PS3.
5. Remove the panel and set it aside.
6. Remove all screws from the corners of the metal disc drive inside the PS3.
7. Lift the drive up and unplug the thick ribbon cable that attaches to the back of it. Set the disc drive aside. You will now have access to the motherboard.
8. Locate the back of the motherboard where the power adapter meets the board. You will see a connector on the board that the adapter attaches to.
9. Plug in your PS3 and turn on your digital multimeter. Set the multimeter to "V" so that it reads volts.
10. Touch the the black (-) lead that is connected to the meter to a non-electrical part of the PS3, such as the plastic housing. This will ground the meter.
11. Touch the red (+) lead to one of the pins on the adapter connector on the motherboard. The meter should produce a reading between 11 and 13 volts. If it is lower than that the motherboard power connector is failing.
Tags: disc drive, connector motherboard