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)

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@TheMegatron673]

anytime i see a fat ps3 restoration i feel amazed.

[@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

[@WhoisthiskidRay]

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

[@MarkHyde]

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

[@injeraenjoyer4570]

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

[@SethGrinter]

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

[@shomasuda4675]

I live in Japan,and bought this model by about ¥10.000.(Mine is "healthy,without any problem.) So this video helps me a lot to learn how it works.Thanks!😄 And I have to say sorry for my poor English😅I have not studied English at all these days,for about 20 years.

[@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.

[@MyBurdenToBury]

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

[@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!

[@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!👍

[@_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 😂😂

[@mylove420x]

You put DKoldies to shame bro

[@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.

[@amaiorano]

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

[@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.

[@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👍

[@jotacalvo]

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

[@alpha_au]

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

[@BorderlineOCD]

Thanks a ton!

[@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

[@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.

[@swim37]

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

[@spamaccount6460]

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

[@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.

[@DanPreciousUK]

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

[@kellyliu4329]

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

[@BorderlineOCD]

Glad you like them!

[@salamnishellhole2160]

aye, you're playing LittleBigPlanet! what an absolute classic that game is

[@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 👍

[@Loukoumakias]

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

[@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

[@kermitthegaminghermit8736]

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

[@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.

[@urfearz3983]

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

[@acalavidyaraja]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@fendushi]

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

[@adeeshabandara9140]

There are no words to say,You are a genius

[@mauronavarro3209]

Awesome work. Even the system is working better than before

[@nathanieltignor3771]

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

[@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.

[@umbrollo]

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

[@oldschooldude8370]

You rock man. What a headache replacing those caps.

[@V8ZN]

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

[@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.

[@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 ...

[@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

[@bradleyfelix3541]

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

[@darbaz1192]

Well done👍Greetings from Germany.

[@TomKiyosakiLong]

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

[@AMJGterra72]

18:50 that game was fire 🏌🏾‍♂️

[@MrHankulley]

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

[@-INK-]

Looking forward to that launch model repair video

[@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

[@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.

[@mancavehobbies6213]

Very underated channel keep up the awesome work dude

[@BorderlineOCD]

Thanks very much.

[@cedricaguilar4501]

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

[@CrazyPCgamercatguy]

Well done! I was holding my breath @ 17:21 !

[@LemmeSquish]

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

[@BorderlineOCD]

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

[@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 👍

[@jovieasyrof2017]

keep it up man! love your content

[@Norrecito]

Such a nice repair! I have just picked one up two weeks ago on one of the flea markets thinking it must be faulty because it was so cheap. Turned out it works perfectly fine...ohh well, one day I will find a ps2 backward compatible model with the yellow light of death and attempt to fix it :) Please don't stop making these videos, I have learned so much from them.

[@gerbalnuts69]

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

[@mintbrisk5961]

I all most wanted to cry after hearing it come back to life

[@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

[@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💯💯

[@JorshPodGaming]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@rossi4166]

Fantastic Job man

[@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

[@GaryLiddington]

Super satisfying video

[@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

[@khalidjiwandono164]

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

[@anj2099]

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

[@Natures_Intentions]

Great content keep the videos coming.

[@billakosl.a3227]

Nice restoration great video

[@sithounetsith9877]

Even a 1h repair video ,we will love it as an audience my friend !

[@BorderlineOCD]

The KZbin stats would disagree with you, but I believe YOU will fully watch it 😊

[@sithounetsith9877]

@@BorderlineOCD Already watched entirely 🎥🎥😉, thanks for your videos !

[@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.

[@Peter_A1466]

Neat trick for shortening that bolt!

[@timroux3640]

This dudes posts are so cool 💯💥

[@BorderlineOCD]

Much appreciated.

[@akumazusfusion8368]

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

[@JigoroKano]

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

[@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!

[@Aidyn3000]

Amazing video. Thank you for making it.

[@omanstyles2449]

Outstanding video!

[@tom_123]

Two notes: I’m glad you took that thing outside to blow out the dust, and I like your sink.