Sony PS3 "Fat" YLOD Repair - Faulty Console Restoration

Another PS3 restoration, this one being the first YLoD repair on the channel. This particular unit is a CECH-H01 model, which is a revision older than the PS3 HDMI repair video that I shared a couple of weeks ago:
🎮 Sony PS3 "Fat" HDMI Repair: • Sony PS3 "Fat" HDMI Re...
YLOD needs no introduction. The console doesn’t turn on and presents a yellow light followed by 3 beeps and a flashing red light i.e. the "Yellow Light of Death" or simply abbreviated YLoD.
🌎 Support the channel by buying some of my merch or one of my console builds
www.BorderlineOCD.com
🛒 Some of the specialty products you might have seen me use in the video
Fume extractor with hose: amzn.to/3hspLZi
Basic crimp kit: amzn.to/33I4FOv
🔌 Mouser links
2.5V 470uF Aluminum Organic Polymer Caps: www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...
💡YLOD links (required reading). Don't listen to what I say or do as I do. Join the debate and pick your poison.
• The OG thread about YLOD on PSX-Place: www.psx-place.com/threads/tut...
• NEC/TOKIN datasheet: file-databank.netdna-ssl.com/...
• SYSCON wiki: www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/Syscon_...
• SYSCON git: github.com/db260179/ps3syscon
• SYSCON thread on PSX-Place: www.psx-place.com/threads/fau...
🔧 Toolkit
Screwdriver Set: amzn.to/2X7s0Gj
Automatic Wire Stripper: amzn.to/30F5TJm
🖌 Soldering Essentials
TS100 Soldering Iron: amzn.to/2YIJZUR
No Clean Flux Syringe: amzn.to/2NFUZvQ
No Clean Solder: amzn.to/2NHEAqQ
Desoldering Braid: amzn.to/312Grws
🔍 Soldering Add-ons
Tip Tinner: amzn.to/31w2EF4
Helping Hands Soldering Aid: amzn.to/3ihgksP
🔥 Thermal Compounds
Arctic MX-4 Thermal Paste: amzn.to/2Ak2y8w
1.5MM Arctic Thermal Pads: amzn.to/2Vv1RQU
🖥 Composite and S-Video on my Mac
USB Capture Card: amzn.to/2YM4TT7
(Catalina 64-bit drivers can be found on the manufacturer's website)
🎵 Music
Sappheiros - Spirit / sappheirosmusic
"Sappheiros - Spirit" is under a Creative Commons license (CC BY 3.0)

[@davidbentham9586]

Im the original author of the syscon thread, great to see people attempting to fix these ps3's again. For anyone who feels that the syscon is not clear, please feedback what requirements you think would work for everyone? post a pull request on my git repo.

[@BorderlineOCD]

Ha! I should have put two and two together from your community posts that you are "db". Hope to bring more visibility to your work and I'll be in touch in the coming weeks or months when I'm ready to get my hands dirty with it. I'm sure I'll need guidance on those solder locations.

[@davidbentham9586]

@@BorderlineOCD Yeh feel free to suggest, dont worry about the syscon,its quite easy to get to grips with, error codes need some work on fully understanding, but we r getting there.

[@davidbentham9586]

@@za-se4jv Ok, if u could do a git pull request with the changes then i test them out. i will correct the tx rx labelling

[@postal69-420]

@@za-se4jv remember that the GUI program also exists, which skips all of the python hassle

[@postal69-420]

@@za-se4jv If you need any help getting that setup I have a video on my channel for it

[@Svetoslav85]

I really like how complex and well detailed are your videos. Repairing game consoles is only for those dedicated to the precision and perfectionism. Cheers mate!

[@BorderlineOCD]

Thanks man, I'm glad it's received this way. It truly is my therapy and I put a lot of love into it!

[@pentiummmx2294]

fixing a ps3 is not for the faint hearted, it is quite hard to fix, i'd rather just let my ps3 die and just sell it as a parts/for repair console on ebay. i have recapped a pentium 4 pc motherboard, but doing that on a ps3 is next level stuff.

[@cheekychunkSR]

@@pentiummmx2294 skill issue

[@zeroturn7091]

Repairing my PS2 was a cakewalk compared to the PS3. PS2 suffered from DRE, and Sony only offered a temporary solution. Turns out that my drive tray rails were the issue. Later on I bought one of those 3 in 1 cables from monoprice, and it fried the GPU. PS3 had YLOD, and I left one those cellphone repair shops reflow my board. It must’ve worked for an hour then GLOD.

[@ewerton8463]

never stop posting videos my man

[@BorderlineOCD]

Thanks for the sentiment bud, much appreciated.

[@TR19]

Never not don't discontunue posting new videos

[@belmaalijagic8434]

Never continue

[@nadirabegum3137]

​@@BorderlineOCD0:22 😅

[@mjc0961]

What?! Those holes are for trimming screws? I never knew that. I never would have guessed that. Thanks for the lesson!

[@JohnSmith-nj4zq]

Also use the cloth or paper towel to cover it when doing it. Or the screw might fly off and you can't find it.

[@khrashingphantom9632]

The calm demeanor, the precision equipment, the gloves, and the extraordinarily delicate attention to detail... This is a surgery video. Lol. And sir you are a fantastic doctor. I think the majority of your patients will make a full recovery, and based on this they ALL will say you have terrific beside manner. Lol. I'm brand new here and I'm not sure how I got here, but I'm glad I've gotten to enjoy this. I'll definitely be checking out the rest of the channel. Thanks again. This was amazing.

[@BorderlineOCD]

Thanks for watching.

[@gam85191]

I almost had a panic attack when you put the system back together the first time without cleaning it lol

[@BorderlineOCD]

Blasphemy!

[@OLOLAK_7777]

🤣

[@deeznuts5034]

Haha ! I was thinking the same but it makes sense. Test first to see if it works otherwise waste of time cleaning.

[@Amp5150]

bro i just scrolled to make this comment

[@jamespaterson8465]

@@Amp5150 Bro, I scrolled to make the comment. Saw that someone beat us to it, then "liked" it.

[@thegreatjonzini]

Such a needed video for the repair community. PS3 has always had terrible amateur repair videos. Thank you!

[@MarkHyde]

To be truthful, I really enjoy your laid back enthusiasm for the technology you repair. Your methodical exactitude is awesome :)

[@WhoisthiskidRay]

The quality and love put into these videos and systems are beyond appreciated. Keep them coming!

[@RetroRepairGuy]

Nice repair! You're right you can't find one without a scratch on the used market cause it's in my house! I bought mine when they first came out; waited in line at Walmart and cost almost $700. I gently rub it with a microfiber cloth every month and use the electric blower on it every 6 months. Just like new!

[@BorderlineOCD]

Right on! You know you have mad love for your PS3 when you "rub it gently" every month :P

[@mjc0961]

That's surprising to me, every time I've tried to gently rub something glossy with a microfiber cloth, it still scratches, because no matter how gentle you are you're still pressing the dust against the surface which is what causes the scratches.

[@alancamilleri]

Well done for preserving all the warranty stickers. Don’t take any notice of what they say as I too like the original look . Keep it up 👍 you are doing a wonderful job

[@alancamilleri]

That’s a gift when someone does things the proper way 👍👍👍like that me too got that sorr off ocd

[@tdub8719]

I've seen a few of these "phat" PS3 consoles teardowns and cap replacements vids and your vid was one of if not the best I've watched. Great work.

[@injeraenjoyer4570]

It's insane you revived this thing. Incredibly, incredibly nice work.

[@hadesmcc]

Excellent video man, I love how thorough you were regarding the YLOD issue, with all the links and mentions for people to do their own research. Also, obviously we were all rooting for you. :)

[@BorderlineOCD]

Cheers bud, thanks for the support!

[@SethGrinter]

Best video I have seen on this process. Well spoken, good description, and good catch on those low profile capacitors. Subbed!

[@_chakan_]

Found your channel last night and I’m now binge-watching all your videos. Great content my dude, and you’re extremely well spoken and good at explaining what you’re doing. I’m not sure if it would be feasible, but have you considered doing live streams?

[@buddybleeyes]

Think im about to do the same, just stumbled across this video 😂😂

[@trilexfix]

The one thing I really like about your channel that I rarely see in repair channels is how much care you put into the repair as far as cleaning the system and keeping everything as original as possible which is also something my company strives for. I would however recommend that you use low melt solder in order to remove those pesky caps. I haven't done the YLOD just yet but I did just recently have a YLOD on a PS3 just come in so I will be attempting this repair.

[@zeroturn7091]

How would you fix GLOD without a donor GPU?

[@GrmDark]

Literally just spent the past few days working on my OG Ps3, and this gets posted. Learned new things even tho my model is quite different from this one. Awesome video👍

[@zackyboomheadshot]

You have another subscriber, I have seen the vast majority of the videos you have uploaded, Ps3 YLOD, Ps2, Game boys and yesterday the Xbox OG. I also appreciate that when you make a mistake, you put it, such as when you cut the flex of the screen with the blade or pads that are lost. Congrats and keep it up!👍

[@Jeffmorgan83]

I had just stumbled across your channel today and binged watched several videos. They are relaxing and enjoyable. You have earned yourself a new subscriber.

[@MyBurdenToBury]

Your chuckle after it worked was priceless,no better feeling then a job well done!

[@elipsorange]

Unbelievable. Dude I've been searching to try and understand why the ps3 does this to begin with. I'll read more about it but I do have a concept on what you did and how to do it. Really appreciate you posting this. Thanks a million.

[@amaiorano]

Another MyMateVince fan! Been watching him since the beginning. He's great, as are you! Keep it up!

[@Mitchfaberskateboarding]

awesome video well edited. Thank you for your time and effort. Ive tried to do the clean and thermal paste 3 times but no luck.my skills stop at that.its great to see someone really fix these old dinosaurs. your repair will give it another life well done.

[@kellyliu4329]

Amazing work from start to finish. Thanks for all the tips and hacks along the way!

[@BorderlineOCD]

Glad you like them!

[@alpha_au]

Another fantastic, detailed and in depth video. Absolutely loving the content mate, keep it up!

[@BorderlineOCD]

Thanks a ton!

[@kermitthegaminghermit8736]

Awesome job. Very informative and entertaining video. You’re like the relaxing end of system repairs!

[@113odyssey]

Nice work! Glad to see "the fix" worked okay for you. I tried doing the first NEC token (near the RSX) the other day on an old YLOD 60 gb. Unfortunately no change. I intend to swap out more, but I need to order more of these capacitors first. Wish they weren't so expensive. Lots of NEC's to replace on a single board especially with that 4 to 1 ratio.

[@urfearz3983]

Keep the good work man, I like seeing this stuff cuz I do like cleaning or knowing why my stuff is broken. 😤🤘🔥

[@clarkepp]

Cool tip about the screw cutting. I have had my crimping tool for probably 30years and I never wondered what those holes were for. Thank you so much for your excellent content and keep up the great work.

[@Raunchola]

I almost killed my thumb with one of these back in apprenticeship. :(

[@buxtech]

anything M4 and above are damn near impossible to cut without some sort of mechanical assistance. I mean you CAN cut an M4 but you wouldn't want to do more than 1 of them if you can help it! lol

[@JrManPT]

I have two ps3s that have been waiting for this video, just need to practice some more before I try this and your videos help alot 👍

[@jotacalvo]

The fact that you preserve the factory sticker and use gloves makes me automatically pay attention to your advice 👍👍👍

[@spamaccount6460]

Really like the video. Leaving in the stripped screw part and talking over it all instead of blasting techno music were great choices.

[@Loukoumakias]

It just popped up on my recommendations and I really enjoyed this video. Great job!

[@DanPreciousUK]

I can only dream of having these skills and repairing my OG PS3. Looking forward to your next video already.

[@swim37]

This is the best video of this repair on youtube. Thanks for this.

[@umbrollo]

Just brilliant. Really enjoyed that video. It has nudged my confidence forward to try it.

[@deathforce6980]

im so jealous of this mine is the og release model me and my dad bought on midnight release. im glad that this video still gives me hope of it working again some day

[@fendushi]

I would never have the patience or the time to do this, thanks for your efforts for making this video.

[@THEDTSMAN]

Great video, brilliant presenting. Loved every second. I have 4 PHAT PS2 BC machines and they are all in tip top condition. Two of them are factory sealed. The remaining two had a major clean overhaul with SSD upgrade and thermal paste. Even had to JB one to re marry the BD drive and now all is good. Top work dude.

[@joshuap.2851]

Do it yourself or paid someone. Looking for someone to do on my backwards compatible one and willing to pay

[@joshuap.2851]

@Samantha Holland yea one actually since I got 3. Was going to clean it up and give it a try since I already cleaned awhile back but haven't done in some time. How much you offering?

[@THEDTSMAN]

@@joshuap.2851 I did them all myself.

[@extremecaliber2662]

Can't wait to see the a01 repair! I used to work on them myself but due to not having a good soldering iron (had the cheap chinese ones on amazon) they mostly ended up in failed projects.

[@landonpomerleau1711]

If you're interested, try using valve grinding compound for stuck hardware like that. I use it on a lot of my projects and it really helps. It's like liquid sandpaper. Just don't put too much on because it'll make a mess- just enough to fill the head of stuck hardware like that.

[@Victorinot]

Cool to see someone try more permanent fix methods. I don't have the tools or skills for this so I look forward for your videos.

[@TheMegatron673]

anytime i see a fat ps3 restoration i feel amazed.

[@acalavidyaraja]

really satisfying. especially how clean it was in the end.

[@mthanry]

Very well done on yet another successful repair. I had never come across those low profile capacitors. A game changer.

[@BorderlineOCD]

They certainly made the job a little easier. They're expensive but worth it I think.

[@CecilTheDarkKnight234]

I've been waiting forever to see YOLD teardown/fix.. Keep up the good work man.

[@BorderlineOCD]

Glad to hear it. Another one on the way, although I think I have my work cut out for me on that one!

[@CecilTheDarkKnight234]

@@BorderlineOCD 60gb or 20gb model? 60gb model I've taken apart just to clean and yeah they are not fun .. Mine that could still possibly be repaired "it needs a new disc drive, thermal paste/pads" is the 20gb 4usb Fully BC model.

[@justinprohm]

Can we take a moment to appreciate how nicely he taken off that warranty seal. I seen manyy related videos and not one person had taken the sticker off without damaging it or voiding it, sounds funny but motivates me to try and tinker with the sealed e01 i got with my unsealed a01

[@nathanieltignor3771]

Great KZbinr right here guys keep on keeping on with the great videos Man

[@mauronavarro3209]

Awesome work. Even the system is working better than before

[@Creamen]

Man, the "trick" to shorten the screw blow my mind this Saturday morning ! 47y down on the ground and I never figured out the purpose of those holes !! Thanks for sharing - I'll try on my PS3 when my backlog will be short ...

[@adeeshabandara9140]

There are no words to say,You are a genius

[@sdungworth]

Great Job Mr I loved the PS3 cool console great video I have been watching your videos in order and I Really enjoying them. All my very best Simon from the UK 👍

[@V8ZN]

I learn a lot on these videos. Keep it up!

[@sfetsasp]

it was a very good video, but when you told us the lifehack with the crimp tool, it became a great one !! well done my friend

[@bradleyfelix3541]

Such a beautiful looking console. Some people don't know how to look after stuff

[@AngelHVACR]

Thanks to your videos man ive been flipping ps3's and some other things on ebay 😭flipped 2 ps3 fixed them so easily had damaged hdmi ports ur videos were a life saver mann💯💯

[@TomKiyosakiLong]

Anyone would have seen it as junk. But people like you are a genius

[@AGianos]

I would HIGHLY recommend getting a soldering hot air station with a forced air pump inside, The difference is the air is generated inside the station, and then forced out with a pump, vs forced out of the handle with pretty much a fan. making this upgrade will change your repairs and your confidence working with all board SMD repairs.

[@oldschooldude8370]

You rock man. What a headache replacing those caps.

[@peterbearfr]

A neat video, I just bought a beeping PS3 for a piece of bred ... just want to try to fix it now :) Your video and speech are clear, love it.

[@DJ239]

Great to see a YLOD PS3 good as new. I'm still scarred from it happening to me back in the day. I remember playing Lost Planet 2 when it first came out, when all of a sudden "black screen blinking yellow light" during an online match out of nowhere. I had the launch model with BC for PS2.

[@MrHankulley]

Impressive repair ! And what a nice SONY TV you have !

[@smithincanton]

One thing I've seen noted is the inner two contacts are both ground and the solder plane in-between them is also ground so you can scrape away some solder mask and solder right to the ground plane. Solder paste might be a better option than normal leaded solder it'll have a lower melting point. Really awesome to see it up and running when you first tested it! I have a few I need to do this to. Great work!

[@BorderlineOCD]

You're exactly right about the ground plane. That entire mass under the center of the TOKIN caps is one big ground, which is what makes those buggers so hard to remove.

[@LemmeSquish]

Been waiting for this! Might learn how to do this, too.

[@BorderlineOCD]

I salute you friend. Best of luck on your journey.

[@Slowed_and_reverb_place]

you're lovely person and your channel is so good don't stop posting the great videos cuz one day you will have 1m subscribers and you're Chanel will be match bigger

[@jeff15]

Amazing super detail video. Just received a phat ps3 waiting to be fixed same way. Bravo 👏 repair. So happy.

[@BorderlineOCD]

Great to hear! Good luck repairing your PS3!

[@akumazusfusion8368]

Great video. Very informative. I didn't know what those holes were for.

[@JUNKREVIVAL]

I just payed 3 dollars for a yellow light of death fat ps3 cechho1 so watching this video helped alot looks like I'ma be trying something I've never done before wish me luck

[@gubodaniel9523]

Any results? :D

[@JUNKREVIVAL]

@@gubodaniel9523 sadly no I got to aggravated and bought a 12 pack of bush light said fuck it and bought a working PS3 slim

[@rossi4166]

Fantastic Job man

[@Daniel-it1dp]

Nice job and I appreciate your methodology and reasoning on the warranty sticker. I just got a fat PS3 from my BIL that he says doesn't start...I'm not looking forward to attempting this fix but we'll see how it turns out.

[@knightwar3]

I lost some tiny smd capacitors when trying to remove the nec caps using a tweezers it just slipped away from my hand be careful, the top cover can be removed without hot air it just a piece of plastic just be very careful when trying to lift it up. Glad to see it working again for you

[@mauropoletto5113]

One of the best videos ever. You have a new subscriber, thanks!

[@BorderlineOCD]

Glad you enjoyed it bud.

[@mancavehobbies6213]

Very underated channel keep up the awesome work dude

[@BorderlineOCD]

Thanks very much.

[@jovieasyrof2017]

keep it up man! love your content

[@dailylife3001]

Soo genuine and true video brother all hard work of urs came in sweet result just keep us updated always about this device was is a temporary fix or permanent and also love ur videos as always

[@BorderlineOCD]

Thanks bud, appreciate you watching over the many months and your supportive comments.

[@buddybleeyes]

Got a sub from me dude, this is cool af that replacing the capacitors can fix the yellow light of death- even if its temporary! I'll be sure to stick around for the update :)

[@darbaz1192]

Well done👍Greetings from Germany.

[@khalidjiwandono164]

man , i hope i can fix my console just like you, your video means a lot

[@cedricaguilar4501]

I cried when my 1st PS3 had the YLOD, it was my 1st real console and gave me so much memories.

[@retrobear9367]

Oh thank goodness. You started putting that thing together dirty and I was cringing. Ty for cleaning it lol. I miss my back comp ps3. My brother in law gave me a Super Slim a few years ago. I've just been happy with that. Just put in a ssd for my digital games. Nice little performance boost

[@timroux3640]

This dudes posts are so cool 💯💥

[@BorderlineOCD]

Much appreciated.

[@SNAKE_PLISSKEN1979]

Great work!! And i have learned a few new things. Very cool. Greatingzzz from germany. The crimp tool to shorting a screw.. Crazy..

[@JorshPodGaming]

awesome, love this video!! and the PS3 looks like new now :D

[@billakosl.a3227]

Nice restoration great video

[@GaryLiddington]

Super satisfying video

[@gerbalnuts69]

Haven't had a fat ps3 open in over 10 years great trip down memorylane.

[@anj2099]

Such a good video I watched it again. Thanks OCD.

[@paulknights1764]

Beats the hairdryer in a box 📦 method… Great job 👏🏻 on this repair.. amazing what love , care & patience can do .

[@BorderlineOCD]

Thanks 👍

[@buxtech]

bro that method helped me recover a game and get another couple days out of my fat ps3 before it died again ;P

[@Natures_Intentions]

Great content keep the videos coming.

[@DCeric]

Awesome loved the work done here. In the future I'll probably have to do the same steps. I would have recommended changing the battery though cause who knows when it will go but doing your test probably shown there was a lots of life left in it I presume. Amazing stuff though cause i'm sure I'll have to go this route in the future.

[@JigoroKano]

Enjoyed the thorough clean up, but I was surprised that you didn't aligned perfectly all the capacitors to the same angle 😄

[@mattbeth79]

Just picked up a YLOD CECHA01, waiting for you to post that video so I can follow along!

[@BorderlineOCD]

Congrats. I am restoring the glossy case on my CECHA01 in my next upload but its still on the repair backlog. Hopefully you won't have to wait much longer :)

[@mattbeth79]

@@BorderlineOCD I went ahead and stripped it down, cleaned everything (dusted, brushed with isopropyl alcohol). Got new thermal pads yesterday, reassembling today. Still unsure about the heating of the chips, seems like the most important and most risky step.

[@xxbuschxx9647]

Hey there I recently saved an old fat ps3 I bought off Amazon Great Video.😊

[@darwiniandude]

Watched your Lynx II video, a very nice refurb which didn't work since I suspect 9V has already fried the cpu. The algorithim recomended me this video, and I have a PS3 sitting in my connection with this same issue. Might get to it one day. Subscribed. Very nice videos, thanks. I recently got a Lynx II, no power, and wired 5V onto the capacitor and got it to power on. So i've ordered all the components to reburb mine as you did yours.

[@kierannixon3561]

Excellent video, gives me confidence to have a crack myself. Removing the warranty sticker without breaking it was the point I realised watching the video to the end would be worthwhile! What did you use to detach the warranty sticker? Was it isopropyl alcohol?

[@Aidyn3000]

Amazing video. Thank you for making it.

[@alanchacon5130]

i have same model console and same problem, im going to try fix, nice work and great video.

[@omanstyles2449]

Outstanding video!

[@IbarTomas]

love the video. I have a PS3 Fat 60gb in my closet that has the YLOD, but I don't have the tools and skills to fix it.