Fixing a PS3 Slim • Gaming • PS3 • Eurogamer.net

trav 15 Aug 2016 12:14:36 1,000 posts
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Registered 18 years ago

So my PS3 slim makes a jet engine sound after about 15 minutes of being switched on. This isn't even under strain either. Sitting on the user account screen has the same effect.

I've taken it apart, cleared out fan, vents and every speck of dust imaginable and even gone to the extreme of replacing the thermal paste in the machine. All working once put back together, but still same fan issue.

Ran out of things to try. Tried to trade it in at CEX, but they wouldn't take it either because of the noise. I want to play the old Batman games, Mass Effect and Red Dead Redemption, but not pay silly money for a new machine.

Anyone got any thoughts on other things to try and fix?

SamNunn92 15 Aug 2016 17:04:56 943 posts
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Registered 10 years ago

Do you get any overheat warnings on the console itself? How hot does the air feel that is being pumped out of the fans?

Deleted user 30 October 2016 21:53:48

This is old but just throwing it out there.

Tldr: if ps3 dying, remove hdd, try turning on. It might be the hdd that's screwed it up and it needs a format or a new hdd but your ps3 might be ok.

^^^ that's because, boring story bit:

Two years ago, ps3 slim ylod'd on me. Had it repaired for Ł40 from console doctor, worked fine ever since. That is until earlier this evening, completely dusted and hoovered the consoles and TV. Connected everything and ps3 iffy.

It wasn't doing a ylod - I'd switch on, it would prompt the hdd database needs to be rebuilt. I'd accept and then it die flashing red, but no ylod.

I thought back to when I got repaired - they said they apply better thermal paste than Sony's... so I thought it couldn't be that again. Surely this time it would last.

Removed hdd, switched ps3 on, remains on, asking for hdd, fans don't even start. Left it for ten mins, didn't die.

Reinserted hdd, not prompted the library thing - I've copied save data and now playin sf x Tekken. Gonna play for a bit and see how I get on.

Sony could do w with putting on chkdsk scan for and attempt blah bla blah. Ive had the database rebuilt all the time.

Deleted user 30 October 2016 23:10:59

So I've been on xf x tekken for past hour and my ps3slimis alive and well. Tha fans are just like they normally are.

I think I need to wipe the hdd clean. I think after years of downloading, deleting and downloading new games, it needs defragging or whatever.

tldr: CHECK YOUR HDD'S.

Deleted user 31 October 2016 03:58:02

Useful info, thanks. I'm sure my PS3 Slim is a bit louder than it used to be, but it hasn't crapped-out on me yet. Dust, I expect.

And, yep, ever since the original Xbox I've wished that consoles with HDDs had proper disc-maintenance tools tucked away in the OS somewhere. Disc optimization, error-checking, etc. Y'know, the absolute basics that all PCs have had since MS-DOS days :rolleyes:

Deleted user 31 October 2016 10:04:48

Get a 360 S instead. Problem solved.

One_Vurfed_Gwrx 31 Oct 2016 11:16:57 4,467 posts
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Registered 15 years ago

My PS3 has been doing similar (plus ejecting discs). Was going to give it a decent clean as a next task but will try the HDD thing (as Ibrecall in the past when it went funny it did rebuild the database often). I really don't want to buy a new one as mine is an import model so I get Japanese PS1 compatability as a bonus.