Are New Firmware Updates Tough On Older PS3 Models?
See Full ImageIf you're considering upgrading your old PlayStation 3 to one of the new Slim models, there are multiple reasons in support of that idea. But there may be another one you haven't considered...
Of course, all of this is nothing more than a theory; we're merely noting a running coincidence in responses from our readers and e-mails we've seen in our inbox. In the past, some firmware updates for the PS3 have proved problematic, but many times, they seem to hit older models harder. With the most recent update - firmware 3.10 that delivered Facebook to your XMB - some users were complaining of games and movies freezing on a continual basis and when further prompted, you will find that most of them have old 60GB, 40GB, or 80GB models. I'm wondering if Sony has a response to this, simply because the coincidence appears to be...well, too large to be just a coincidence. I know nothing of programming or how the firmware updates are delivered, or if it's even possible that older models would suffer more from these updates. I'm no tech guy; never have been. I'm only reporting on what I've seen and when I hear a complaint related to a firmware update and I ask after the model in question, 80-90% of the time the answer is expected: they have a PS3 that's at least a year or two old. So, is this all conjecture or might the newer models simply receive these updates in a more reliable fashion?
Perhaps we'll learn more about this in the future but in the meantime, I would say that if you're a Slim owner, I wouldn't be too concerned about downloading new firmwares (at least not for a while).
11/21/2009 2:06:07 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (126 posts)
Gamer_Josh
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 3:32:14 PM
Last edited by Gamer_Josh on 11/21/2009 3:32:32 PM
1 up, 1 down
bigrailer19
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 5:01:28 PM
just saying ;)
0 up, 1 down
Axe99
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 5:52:47 PM
0 up, 1 down
johnld
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 8:08:52 PM
2 up, 0 down
Jed
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 12:32:07 AM
0 up, 0 down
556pineapple
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 2:06:26 AM
0 up, 0 down
OPHIDIAN
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 7:54:38 PM
That moment they informed me they would replace it for free, it was like renewing my vows with playstation. :P
2 up, 0 down
Lemon_Saint
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 1:03:07 PM
0 up, 0 down
goodgamer
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 2:19:16 PM
Reply
0 up, 7 down
coverton341
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 2:27:27 PM
Reply
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tes37
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 2:34:11 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
SnipeySnake
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 2:42:31 PM
Reply
Whenever i my trophy data tries to go in the sony server, i stops at 15% and comes with his error. Meaning i couldn't go on my profile and change my color or people couldn't view my trophies.
How i solved it:
I continuously clicked on my profile without stopping. Eventually it will work.
2 up, 0 down
frylock25
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 2:49:36 PM
0 up, 0 down
tes37
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 2:49:41 PM
0 up, 0 down
Kowhoho
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 2:57:52 PM
0 up, 0 down
www
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 7:20:51 AM
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Alienange
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 2:48:31 PM
Reply
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fluffer nutter
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 3:02:49 PM
Reply
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daus26
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 3:13:37 PM
Reply
No offense, but a lot of lower quality products tend to be made in china. But then again, this may just be a theory. Electronics made in Japan though, have always worked wonderous for me.
The only problem I got from the recent firmware update is that I can no longer stream the videos in the psblog.
Last edited by daus26 on 11/21/2009 3:14:39 PM
2 up, 0 down
SnipeySnake
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 3:51:16 PM
0 up, 0 down
Charger7302
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 6:17:20 PM
Oh and I know sony said this is just phase one of facebook integration, but why didn't they just wait until they had it ready for full integration? Seems kinda pointless to force your users to update when all your adding is just a little piece of an unfinished feature.
Last edited by Charger7302 on 11/21/2009 6:18:39 PM
1 up, 0 down
daus26
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 9:05:41 PM
All game consoles are typically mass produced in China, and that includes the original 60 gig ps3. I was just one of the rare ones that had a PS3 to be produced from Japan.
Just take a look at your PS3. It will most likely say "Made In China." If not, then you're one of the few as well.
1 up, 0 down
www
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 3:19:45 PM
Reply
I never had firmware update problems with my old late 60GB. My 2nd 80GB never had no problems till I sold it, my 3rd 80GB is also fine.
3 up, 0 down
Naztycuts
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 3:22:21 PM
Reply
I've heard that Sony's "fat" ps3 model had sub-par ventilation, and other manufacturing defects (however minor) over time they may just give out. I look at it like the "Slim" was the relaunch of the ps3 meaning it's the ps3 that Sony wanted to wait and release, but they could only let M$ get so far ahead without having their next-gen to compete or risk losing even larger numbers of their install base.
With that said I think it's obvious who's "rushed to the market" systems are more dependable.
I think I've made a valid point all things considered.
2 up, 0 down
JDC80
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 4:06:25 PM
If I'm lucky this thing holds up until I can get enough money to trade it in for the slim.
0 up, 0 down
Aftab
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 4:24:28 PM
Personally, I've never had a problem with any of my electronics (including my 360, which is a used 2005 manufactured model). But, this could have to do with my gaming habits (I play in "chunks" and I never leave it running when I'm not playing) and the colder northeast US climate I live in. My 360, though, sounds like a jet taking off when it's running (or more realistically like a hair-dryer).
The first generation fat models didn't have as much as a ventilation problem as they just had "hotter" chips. In other words, the ventilation more or less is the same across all fat models. But, the launch models as well as the later ones used more power and generated more heat.
And this has been a problem in computer architecture since the advent of faster processor technology like the Intel's Itanium, that attempted to push processing speeds to 3.2Mhz and beyond. The theoretical solution was to reduce the burden on processors by distributing it across multiple core processors instead of just one, but the problem still remains.
4 up, 0 down
Naztycuts
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 5:16:21 PM
1 up, 0 down
aaronisbla
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 8:43:56 AM
Sure there are problems with it, but its quite minor. Not saying that those who go thru it are lying, but to say it was rushed out is false. If thats the case, every system released has been rushed out
Last edited by aaronisbla on 11/22/2009 8:49:26 AM
0 up, 0 down
Aftab
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 9:47:45 AM
0 up, 0 down
Naztycuts
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 1:48:55 PM
@aaronisbla Hey man I was just speculating, there's this thing I do it's called thinking. Do you think that Sony is going to release "official facts" that would hurt their image? No and if you think the xbox wasn't rushed to market for a headstart then you must not have watched the news when it launched. In business you can only let your competition get so far ahead (even if you have a better product) before you HAVE to get something out there to compete with them. Again these were just my views and opinions man.
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aaronisbla
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 7:12:25 PM
I know its your opinion, all I'm saying is if you find some solid proof that it was rushed out like the 360 was, please sure it with us.
Last edited by aaronisbla on 11/22/2009 7:15:12 PM
0 up, 0 down
Naztycuts
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 10:17:19 AM
My bad man I misread what you wrote, and as far as the rest, if I happen to come across anything that supports it I'll let you know. I doubt I will find anything official on it, and I know PS3 has a very low fail rate (especially vs. the 360) they just never tell you what was wrong with them to cause the YLOD, they just say "system hardware failure" or a "drive failure" What's really the cause ya know? Something had to make these components fail.
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hu24ebr
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 3:37:39 PM
Reply
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hu24ebr
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 3:17:46 PM
all you have to do is buy a heat gun, and some thermal paste, open the ps3, clean the cpu and gpu, heat every chip for 20 seconds, apply new thermal paste, and assemble back together again.
Last edited by hu24ebr on 11/22/2009 3:19:16 PM
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Aftab
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 3:43:29 PM
Reply
It could be that 90% of the time, the problematic sku reported happens to be an older model, simply because 90% of ps3 owners have an older model. Meaning that would be the case even if the sku was not a factor of the firmware update problem, at all, or in other words, if the firmware was a equally and proportionately a problem across all sku's. Hopefully that is the case, especially since there are people here with older models who are happily reporting trouble-free updates. So, wish me luck, knock on wood, I'm going through the update, tonight.
1 up, 0 down
maxpontiac
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 4:13:00 PM
Reply
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packersfan66
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 4:31:40 PM
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Highlander
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 4:43:31 PM
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Ben, no offense, but you're the last person I'd have thought would run this kind of crap.
It's a firmware update, all it can do is run the software that the system will run. With the exception of something literally designed to stress a system by thrashing the HDD and forcing the CPU/GPU to maximum activity for a continuous period in order to push as much energy as possible through them and cause as much heat as possible, there is no merit to the thought that a firmware update could somehow stress an older PS3 more than a newer one.
Apart from anything else, the three systems you mentioned above all have different motherboards and components ranging from original launch systems with 90nm CPU/GPU and a complete PS2 chipset on board all the way to the 40GB system which shares a motherboard with the second generation of 80GB systems and uses a smaller Cell and RSX than the original launch 60GB systems.
As for everyone face with a fault that causes a yellow light on the PS3, call Sony and arrange a $150 repair. Your system is anything up to 3 years old now, the chances are you've used it pretty heavily and the HDD is fragmented and the BluRay drive needs a clean, it's even possible that dirt and grime have built up in the cooling system to an extent that reduces it's efficiency. The fact that a firmware update happened within the last month is pure coincidence if your PS3 was going to fail anyway.
Statistically PS3 still has a low failure rate. Sure for the person it's failed on, the failure rate is 100%, but over all it's very low. So it sucks if it's you, but that still doesn't make it a widespread issue.
Systems do age, hardware does age. Power cycles stress components all the time, some components may have an imperfection that is undetected until years of service have stressed the component to the point of failure. That's normal and unavoidable.
I've worked with hardware for decades now, and firmware updates can introduce bugs that cause problems. Sometimes it's a revision that's incompatible with particular components or a bug that's only activated when there is a articular combination of configuration. That can cause a system to brick, but it doesn't cause a hardware fault. A hardware fault will happen whether or not there is a firmware update.
This theory that a firmware revision is somehow tougher on launch systems is utterly without merit.
Last edited by Highlander on 11/21/2009 4:46:10 PM
8 up, 2 down
Highlander
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 4:52:35 PM
4 up, 0 down
xnonsuchx
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 4:53:06 PM
1 up, 0 down
bigrailer19
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 4:59:22 PM
i said it in the last article about the 3.10 update caysing freezing issues and ill say it again. There may be a few people having issues but they are obvisouly in the minority. Yes Sony will fix it regardless the amt. of people having problems but its nothing to gripe about.
Updates have no hidden agenda whatsoever! they are put out to patch and fix, and yes update our systems for bigger and better things. Even though facebook isnt a necessity it definately makes the console more appealing.
It actually seems like the consumers with the older ps3 are having less problems as well. I dont see the point in articles like this because it stirs up controversy that sint needed, wether its a harmless question or not! all someone has to do is read the headline and they will run with it!
Get over it people they are updates, and Sony would do whatever to fix a broken update so please just accept the fact that Sony is actually on our side with these updates and want to make the systems better! I dont see updates being harder on older systems, that and the hardware is the same in the ps3! I have seen no conclusive evidence of this at all!
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 11/21/2009 5:02:20 PM
2 up, 1 down
Fane1024
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 @ 5:03:45 PM
I got my YLOD just before 3.10 released. If I had gotten it two days later, I might have been tempted to blame 3.10, but I would have been wrong. The hardware failed because the chips got too hot after three years of use and accumulation of dust.
I wish Sony had built the 60 Gb a little better, so I wouldn't have gotten the YLOD, but that's what you get when you buy bleeding-edge technology.
Last edited by Fane1024 on 11/24/2009 5:10:00 PM
0 up, 0 down
xnonsuchx
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 4:49:10 PM
Reply
Add one more to the coincidence believers. And even if you see a bunch of people complaining about it online, how many people are ACTUALLY affected...maybe 1-5% at most? It's kinda annoying to read stories that make it sound like maybe 25-50% of people are affected...but then all sensationalism annoys me. :-)
0 up, 1 down
Jed
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 12:46:19 AM
1 up, 0 down
DGo8
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 5:04:00 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 5:37:53 PM
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I didn't know 2.40 killed ps3, but didn't the NXE update for xbox brick a bunch of consoles?
Last edited by Jawknee on 11/21/2009 5:41:16 PM
0 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 5:50:57 PM
Reply
Bear in mind that the article is only driven by what I've seen. I get a lot more feedback than any of you, and when I say that the vast majority of issues concerning firmware updates happen with older systems, I'm not exaggerating. If it's coincidental, fine. If I'm wrong, fine.
But at least understand what was written so we're not afraid to write something OTHER than pro-Sony editorials. Just because YOU don't have problems doesn't mean they don't exist, and I also find it very interesting that so many people are willing to voice their displeasure when a firmware update messes with their system and then, a week later, they're staunchly defending the system as if it didn't happen. Let's try to avoid this sort of short-sightedness, shall we?
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 11/21/2009 5:53:06 PM
14 up, 3 down
Axe99
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 5:56:49 PM
2 up, 3 down
www
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 6:13:44 PM
1 up, 0 down
LowKey
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 6:23:45 PM
Last edited by LowKey on 11/21/2009 6:31:44 PM
0 up, 1 down
Highlander
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 6:35:13 PM
I work with hardware, and have worked with computer hardware for decades. There is nothing in a firmware update that is somehow tougher on one system than another. The thermal design of the PS3 (as is the case with any other quality design) is based around the theoretical maximum heat dissipation required. For the theory that some kind of feature included in a firmware update would cause a hardware failure to be true, the firmware would have to somehow cause a hardware condition beyond the theoretical or designed limits.
Given that the devices in question are up to 3 years old and have had - in many cases - heavy use, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that simple wear and tear has made those older systems more susceptible to failure than the newer systems with fewer power cycles under their belt. That alone would account for a disparity between older launch systems and newer slims with regard to failures. Not to mention the relative disparity in numbers between existing purchasers with old systems and those with new.
Combined with the natural tendency to be more attentive to our systems following an update it's not hard to see why people jump to the conclusion that older systems have more of an issue with updates. But that doesn't mean that there is a causative relationship.
Your final statement (in the original article) is quite ambiguous and leaves a reader with the thought that while Slim owners shouldn't be concerned, what about others?
If you want to take us as a group to task for being critical of your article, that's your privilege, but the article discusses a possible hardware issue and uses nothing more than anecdotal evidence as support for the thesis. OK no conclusions were drawn, but you know that most people who own a PS3 and read the internet do not have a background in computer hardware and tend to take their lead from articles on the Net.
So, in answer to your question "So, is this all conjecture or might the newer models simply receive these updates in a more reliable fashion?" I'll point to my replies as support for my answer that yes it's pure conjecture.
Last edited by Highlander on 11/21/2009 6:35:59 PM
4 up, 5 down
LowKey
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 6:49:46 PM
4 up, 4 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 6:53:25 PM
I'm just telling you what I see.
5 up, 2 down
bigrailer19
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 9:21:41 PM
If people are contacting you Ben and saying there machines are being affected by updates (older ones specifically) i highly doubt its thousands upon thousands compared to the millions upon millions of PS3 owners. That is still a small number of people, and in my opinion would still be a minority. I know numbers wernt thrown out there, i just find it surprising people would tell you rather than do something about it themselves, unless they are asking for advice of course. I also find it rather weird that 90% of the comments have been about how they are not ussually affected by updates, and have the older systems yet people (the small amount that have had problems) are defending this.
I dont mind articles that are not pro-sony, and im also not of the the people who said im affected by Firmware updates, then jump on this article. I have never been affected by an update to the extent of complaining about it. In fact i never have compained about one, because i know they are there for the greater good! and if something was to go wrong Sony would fix it, as in NOMOREWAR's case as an example!
I love this site, and i enjoy reading what you, (Ben and Arnold) have to write about, say, and your opinions. But Articles like this always rattle me for the fact that it always stirs up controversy, no matter who writes it. If someone were just browsing and seen this title, it could get blown way out of proportion without them even reading the whole article. Thats my problem with this. If people are having problems ok so they are, i know just cus im not doesnt mean others are not. But i have to say i dont believe its solely because of updates. The hardware in PS3' is the same. From my point of view it doesnt seem like its a huge issue.
Highlander seems very knowledgable and the theory of wear and tear makes more sense. Highlanders points are valid so dont hate on him because he actually has a very good argument. he doesnt need my back up obviously cus he knows more than my whole graduating class but still, i feel the same way he does, he just puts it into better words!
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 11/21/2009 9:27:11 PM
5 up, 0 down
Highlander
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 10:58:31 PM
Whatever. Go on and believe whatever you want. I prefer experienced to 'old', but your mileage may vary.
I'm simply saying that anecdotal evidence of a problem is not enough to formulate a theory because it is a highly self selecting sample of experiences. But, hey, go on and ignore that, go on and insult me because I disagree or may (or may not) have more knowledge or experience than you.
4 up, 0 down
LowKey
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 2:15:17 AM
4 up, 2 down
aaronisbla
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 9:12:46 AM
Highlander disagreed with the article at hand and provided some of his knowledge to help him prove his point. He didn't do it to show off his "geek cred". And i don't see where Ben was attacked at all. Highlander never said he's right and everyone else is wrong, he just gave his opinion of what the problem may be. Your anger is uncalled for
1 up, 3 down
Boger
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 5:56:52 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
pavlovic
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 5:58:35 PM
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I've read many comments blaming 3 and 3.01 firmwares for broken BD readers.
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 6:37:21 PM
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!
Last edited by Highlander on 11/21/2009 6:37:37 PM
4 up, 4 down
NoMoreWar
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 6:44:11 PM
Reply
from everything that i have read, i remain fairly confident that the next update just may resolve my freezing problems. someone commented on the first article about 3.10 freezes saying that he had been experiencing freezes since 3.00 or 3.01, and that 3.10 actually seemed to fix it for him. so, as i said, i remain confident
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 10:51:07 PM
0 up, 0 down
bigrailer19
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 11:06:39 PM
0 up, 0 down
NoMoreWar
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 12:04:49 AM
Last edited by NoMoreWar on 11/22/2009 12:05:42 AM
0 up, 0 down
Craigo
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 6:47:36 PM
Reply
2 up, 0 down
NeoHumpty
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 8:02:52 PM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
tes37
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 8:24:55 PM
Reply
3 up, 0 down
daus26
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 9:16:30 PM
2 up, 0 down
coyo18
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 9:59:30 PM
A defrag option on the XMB
2 up, 0 down
tes37
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 10:03:33 PM
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 10:47:27 PM
1 up, 0 down
NoMoreWar
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 12:08:24 AM
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 2:05:01 AM
2 up, 0 down
xnonsuchx
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 3:00:03 AM
The only way to really defrag it would be to backup, reformat and then restore the backup data. I think I only ever did a backup when I upped my 60GB HD to a 250GB one and wanted to copy my ~20GB of data to the new HD. Maybe I'll up it to a 500-640GB HD in the near future and do a backup then.
1 up, 0 down
Imagi
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 3:58:25 AM
If people are that concerned I would think that backing up all your content to an external USB drive, formating your PS3's internal HDD and then restoring your backed up data should do the job.
2 up, 0 down
NoMoreWar
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 10:08:05 AM
1 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 @ 5:23:25 PM
Supposedly, you hold down the power button during start-up to force the system to re-do the Display and Audio settings and then do it again to launch into the service menu.
As I said, I haven't tested the procedure, so I may be describing it inaccurately.
p.s. The file storage system is supposedly less prone to fragmentation due to the way it stores files as opposed to something like Windows.
Last edited by Fane1024 on 11/24/2009 5:24:59 PM
1 up, 0 down
NoMoreWar
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 @ 9:06:07 PM
1. restart system
2. restore default settings
3. restore file system
4. rebuild database
5. restore ps3 system
6. system update
i was assuming that rebuilding the database was the same as a defrag, but i lost some videos when i did this. so maybe its restore file system. anyway, the system update feature allows you to forcefully reinstall the latest update via usb flash drive. i'm going to attempt to force 3.01 back onto it and see if it works (not sure if it will accept an older firmware).
Last edited by NoMoreWar on 11/24/2009 9:09:53 PM
0 up, 0 down
Buckeyestar
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 10:47:26 PM
Reply
Last edited by Buckeyestar on 11/21/2009 10:48:53 PM
1 up, 0 down
fooosie
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 11:27:34 PM
Reply
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___________
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 1:24:45 AM
Reply
as for the older versions freezing more often its probably because of the heat.
older systems especially the 60GBs produce enough heat to cook a steak.
and ive heard there much morse susceptible because the heat sink paste sony was using was really cheap and crappy and did not distribute heat properly.
also it breaks down very quickly, another reason why most units that YLOD are the 60GBs because other systems are not old enough for the past to of broken down yet.
watch any fix it yourself YLOD video on you tube and most will tell you to replace the heat sink paste every year or so because sony uses some really cheap crap.
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 2:27:13 AM
Personally, I'd absolutely recommend against dismantling your PS3, removing the heat sink and fan, cleaning off the old thermal compound and applying new compound, before trying to re-assemble the PS3. The reason being that most people don't know what they are doing when it comes to heat sink fans and thermal paste. One mistake in the way it's applied, or the HSF is re-mounted in the system and you have a small cloud of acrid smoke and a toasted PS3.
But, if it's out of warranty and you think you know and you wouldn't listen to the voice of reason that says that the original compound probably has 95% or more of the performance of the 'high quality' compound you intend to apply, you'll no doubt go for it. Good luck, you may need it.
The most effective way to prevent your system from overheating is simple common sense. Keep the vents clear. vacuum them clean every once in a while, clean the surface that your PS3 is sitting on from time to time and clear the area to ensure good airflow.
As for thermal paste degrading. I run an overclocked air cooled Prescott Pentium D chip with the original retail HSF and thermal paste with a modest 12% overclock. Temps remain well within the healthy range and I've run the same system without change for nearly 5 years. Temps are the same now as they were when I built the thing. Thermal paste may degrade at the edges, but the performance of the thermal pad as a whole is not affected - unless you remove the HSF. Of course then you must replace the thermal compound. Beware though, some of the Arctic Silver and similar compounds are designed for benchmarking and challenging overclocking situations and do break down in a relatively short time. Using them is like using WD-40 to help an old engine to start. Once you use it once you can't stop using it.
0 up, 0 down
___________
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 7:46:36 AM
though i would like to open it up and see what revisions they have made.
heres a story for ya.
a few years ago we were building brand new dual core computers.
one of the guys put the CPU in backwards, instead of putting the pins than putting the paste on the top he put the paste on the pins than heat sink and crushed them.
should of seen the teacher, never have i seen someone so angry, cant blame him but i was ready to bolt.
O and it was not me, it was this old guy in my class, even though i made it sound like it was me.
im a idiot, but not that much of a idiot.
Last edited by ___________ on 11/22/2009 7:48:11 AM
0 up, 0 down
Qubex
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 4:30:13 AM
Reply
In order to keep it in working order... I keep the ventilation vents spotless by using an Electrolux vacuum cleaner with brush spout to suck out all the nasties ever week... been doing this for almost 4 years and the machine works beautifully and is quite...
Q!
"i am home"
0 up, 0 down
DemonNeno
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 10:43:35 AM
Reply
Secondly, you will ALWAYS have software install failures. Albeit they shouldn't account for more than 2-5% of users. It's the nature of the cyber beast.
Third, what would the theory of older systems failing be based on, hardware-wise? Other than smaller die technology (thus why the slim runs cooler, the smaller the chips, the less heat is created), there isn't an noticable difference between the systems.
And finally, the YLOD is called technology. This is why anything manufactured has a warranty. If they invested top notch technology into the PS3, the price could easily triple to account for the R&D and materials. So what is done by manufacturers is known as the better of the two evils. They take something that has a lesser chance of failure, although failure is ALWAYS possible, and incorperate that technology until something new is affordable. Hence why the slim ultimately came out, as a smaller, leaner and greener unit.
The price of a die the size of the slims' would have hiked the initial PS3 a good ~$300 back in its hayday. Keep in mind, with a smaller chip, they incorperated a smaller mainboard. The two could easily put on the finanical hurt per unit. Look at CPUs for PCs. What would cost you $200 for a 95nm CPU one year can be replaced with a 65nm CPU the next for the same price.
Bottome line, I think the illness has more to do with data corruption than it does anything else. Although, i must admit, i don't know what precautions Sony takes with these files prior to the flashing of firmwares once the data is downloaded.
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DemonNeno
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 11:26:48 AM
I've yet to find any info on how this PS3 actually executes its' updates. It seems as if it's classified Sony info, but it would save me quite the headache if everything about the damn updates wasn't in the dark for the consumer base! :?
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Highlander
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 2:15:39 PM
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Nick Maim
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 12:58:06 PM
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Can't see how an update on a system would cauze issues on an older system that is running the exact same specs as the new one. After all, all the parts are the same, just physically smaller on the new Slims..
Unless we're talking a quantum fluctuation issue on the boson higgs gravitron swap between components blah blah.. you should do another post on that as a possible thing.. get hits..
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shaydey77
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 1:18:54 PM
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KOSMOS111
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 1:56:55 PM
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Robochic
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 2:13:28 PM
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When i mean owner issue i mean tampering ect... this is true with the 360 and I have seen it true with the ps3 from my friends who work at the call centre for 360 and my friends who just wanted to tamper with the PS3 to see what they can do with it. Now I'm not saying that all problems are due to owner issues but the majority of people I talk to after an update is like well ya i took my ps3 apart and upgraded something or I did this to it to make it look cooler and now I can't update cause it screws everything up and thats their faults not Sony's.. its the same BS i hear with 360 owners well I wanted free play so i tampered and now when I update I get 3 red lights or blah blah these people i dont' feel sorry for them it's their faults.
Ben i see where you are coming from but the Question I would ask is "have they ever tampered with the Hardware in someway" if they say yes, you have a good answer. Oh and changing the HDD is not Tampering even though someone tried telling me it was lol
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Highlander
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 2:17:59 PM
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MrGenocide
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 3:31:37 PM
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Deleted User
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 3:42:48 PM
I'm going to keep my PS3 offline until I hear otherwise. I'm not buying any games off of PSN any time soon.
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chucknasty
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 6:12:27 PM
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if you have an older system you never dust and it craps the bed after four years please don't blame the software.
Sorry to be slow to rant, just back back from vacation...
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shadowscorpio
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 7:34:27 PM
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Last edited by shadowscorpio on 11/22/2009 7:37:39 PM
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Deleted User
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 8:52:36 PM
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Highlander
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 10:56:22 PM
The upshot is that the 120GB drive in the PS3 has a real technical capacity of about 111GB, and your 8GB haven't disappeared, they were simply never there.
As Brighat1971 says the console also reserves some space so several GB of the total capacity of the drive is also reserved, but it should be clear to you when you look at the drive information just how much the system uses for itself.
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Imagi
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 @ 3:19:45 AM
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shadowscorpio
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 7:40:50 PM
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You know i wonder if the people experiencing issues have an upgraded harddrive??
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CaptainTrips
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 8:44:19 PM
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realmadpuppy
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 10:40:55 PM
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shadowscorpio
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 2:21:43 AM
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I don't know much about computers ,harddrive space and such but learning . Thanks guys
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Highlander
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 10:11:59 AM
If you buy a 1TB drive only to find that in fact when it's formatted you have 932GB according to your computer, the first thing you're gonna ask is what happened to my 68GB of missing space? (I know I did!)
I just feel that it's dishonest of HDD makers to sell drives with misleading numbers on them.
Last edited by Highlander on 11/23/2009 10:13:45 AM
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comowhat
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 8:34:57 AM
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RekeHavick
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 11:26:44 AM
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Not that I care.
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NoMoreWar
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 1:51:57 PM
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Fane1024
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 @ 5:40:21 PM
More fixes and features are supposedly on the way.
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sha4dowknight05
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 5:58:40 PM
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spiderboi
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 @ 4:03:58 AM
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Question to the techie guys: how much space do I need when backing up? What does the PS3 backup, does it also include the GAME DATA installs, or just the SAVE DATA? I've some LBP content I bought, and not sure if this will also be backed up.
*Note: I tried connecting an 80GB HDD via USB but the PS3 doesn't seem to detect it. Can I only back up using Flash drives?
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NoMoreWar
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 @ 10:17:27 AM
the other thing you can do is copy over the stuff you want to keep individually. you can copy music, videos, and some game saves. but lately a lot of games no longer allow you to copy the game saves for some reason. thus the backup utility is a better way to go. it just takes awhile...
as for your external hdd not working, perhaps it is not the right format. i think it has to be fat 32 for the ps3 to recognize it. as long as there isn't anything on it that you need/want to keep, i think the ps3 can reformat it for you under the format utility. you should see an option for USB device i believe.
Last edited by NoMoreWar on 11/24/2009 10:26:54 AM
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Fane1024
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 @ 5:52:15 PM
I just helped my father back up his PS3 and c.160 GB of data (photos, music, etc.) compressed into 116 GB. It took around 3 hours to create the file.
I would suggest also keeping a separate copy of any game saves which you are allowed to copy, as restoring your system takes about as long.
And the external drive does need to be FAT32.
Last edited by Fane1024 on 11/24/2009 5:56:08 PM
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AluShady
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 @ 6:10:42 PM
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I went into best buy with the warranty an hour ago and now I have a new slim 120g version.
I miss my stuff though.
I was a little under 2 weeks away from the warranty expiring. Bliss.
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LowKey
Reply
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 2:18:21 PM