PS3 #2: Ressurecting the impossable! | EPIC rollercoaster repair that nearly broke me.

THIS IS NOT A TUTORIAL.

In September of 2020, I attempted to fix my second Yellow Light Of Death PS3. PS3 #2 has been the longest running repair I've attempted. This video summarizes both my successes and mistakes over the two year period I spent on this console. As such, it's jam packed. The latter half especially.

This video is best viewed after watching PS3 #1: Tantalum Terror. I'd been lured in by the NEC/TOKIN hysteria and in the first half of this video I show how the misinformation continued my descent into the mire, and how I finally came to realize it wasn't "the fix."

I am trying to avoid splitting these repair logs into parts. 1 Video per console is the goal. So for the sake of time, I move quickly and don't explain every detail. This video contains very technical sections that may go over the viewers head. Instead of treating you like a baby, my approach is to lay it out in plain English as best as I can. Hopefully it makes sense, but if not, please understand that there was simply too much information to cover things I've already explained, or intend to explain, in another video.

I am telling the story of how I got into PS3 repair. I'm doing so in chronological order of the events. This repair attempt spanned the entire time I've worked on PS3's. If it seems like I'm jumping forward in time and there was a lot that happened in between, that's be I am and there was. Please remember that when I started work on this console, we didn't have the same knowledge and tools available to diagnose the Yellow Light Of Death (YLOD) we do now. So you will see me struggle, make mistakes, contribute to the misinformation, etc. I am airing dirty laundry and fully aware it stinks. But I think it's important to show you what not to do.

Links:

Licensed Music:

“Blaxland Nihilore” Free Music by AN

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro & Backstory
01:30 Types of YLOD
03:01 NEC/TOKIN Hysteria
05:51 Bias, Delusion, and Misinformation.
10:15 Thermomechanical False Repair
13:46 The Determined Fury of Purpose!
15:51 Reballing's Hard
17:56 Here's Frankie! (RIP)
19:53 Revisit - A test of skill
22:54 Trolls, Rabbit Holes, and Troubleshooting woes.
27:32 Troll in the Voltage Tree
29:07 Progress?
31:45 Testing Phase
33:33 Conclusion

[zperretta]

PLEASE make more videos you are REALLY REALLY good at it

[ciscodisco]

Your content is very high quality and detailed, keep up the good work

[Walaryne]

Dude, I don't even own a PS3, but your sheer will to fix dead PS3s is downright inspiring. Makes me want to get back into learning electrical engineering.

[somebonehead]

Need someone like this in the 360 space.

[Josh.Davidson]

Great video as usual Felix!

19:10 I really think it depends on the flux you're using. I reball RSX with NC-559-V2-TF and one layer of flux and all ball sit into place perfect and no need to apply another layer.
32:00 Damn I gotta start showing the stress tests now hahahahaha.

[jaydarb]

Man, these videos are awesome.
New ones don't come out very often but I savor when they do come out. Each one manages to mix comedy with information with understandability and I think that's what makes them special.

[zachh]

Nice work on dissolving the misinformation.

[LowTonin]

Incredible work dude. I know it must have taken a lot more work to do so, but you were really honest and truthful about the the entire process which I greatly appreciate.

[golden_avocado]

Please keep uploading, I have a backwards compatible PS3 that just needs a new Blu-ray drive and you're giving me the confidence to actually go tackle that repair

[adultlunchables]

This dude is a mad lad. Love these videos.

[Trist]

I think I've been watching your videos back to back for over 2 hours, it's really inspiring. More informative than any tutorial I've watched. You're number one among obsessed mechanics! I can't wait to see more of these videos.

[raphaelshalaby]

Wow, I never thought I'd have to say it, but you made electrical engineering riveting

[MerolaC]

I don't have a PS3, I never owned a PS3 (or anything past the PS1), I never repaired a console in my life (only maintenance, for what is worth.) I don't think I'll ever repair one either, let alone a PS3, yet, you are so good and informative when doing these videos that I subbed and I watched them all so far.

Keep up the amazing work!

[FarmYardGaming]

Videos like thid are a testament to how interesting electrical components, engineering and consoles are, I love this stuff so much

[Benzina]

This is probably the longest video I've seen on YouTube without getting tired of it. Nice work!

[zdxrkxeno]

ive recently gotten obsessed with the whole ylod situation as well, it is certainly a very intresting topic, and im almost tempted to start buying PS3's with the ylod to try and fix myself! and later on i might learn how to make frankies too. your videos help me learn a lot about the whole ylod situation, keep up the awesome work!

[Razrmndd]

That´s truly the perseverance of a person who want something done.

Dude, is insane how you are dedicated to revive a console. All the info and research you have done is admirable and i hope i do the same to my old ps3, that i still keep it until i´m able to fix it.

[kevin_mx]

Bro you're an absolute mad lad.
I don't even own a PS3 (or any other console except for a few handhelds TBH), and I don't even fully understand what you're doing (since my native language is not English lol).
It took you so long, and so many things to learn, to fix such a board that was pretty much *doomed* to die.
So much I've learned from this and your other previous videos.
Absolute mad lad. You have my greatest respects.
And thanks for such high quality content.

[MIDNITE]

I've been through a similar journey over the past year.

The triple beeps in this video kept giving me PTSD flashbacks. I am a broken man.

[nhand]

Amazing work. Your deep dive into the repair is so much better than typical fixit videos. I now realize I'm not yet at the top of Mt Stupid and have a long way to go, but you've inspired me to stick at it.