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[Joust]

I just got a Ps3.
it has no video output on composite video or HDMI.
sound does work so I know it starts up. I tried the hold the power button down thing to reset the video resolution.
I tried different sets of cables.
I've been looking for this problem and found that there are many on ebay that has this problem.
is there any clue as to what this issue is?

[Loveless Knight]

Yeah, I got the exact same problem.  Now though, I can at least get the PS3 working for couple minutes before it goes. CRAZY VIDEO FREEZE and still hear sound working.

Here's my history if this can help you or anyone reading. (PS if anyone does fix this, please PM as well.) So got the PS3 from my friend cause it worked for a while and then went hot and froze video. eventually, the unit then afterwards wouldn't even turn on.  Light stayed green, DVDs would pop out, etc, but only to shut off would be hit the switch in back. Yet, I noticed it was pumping a load of heat out the back and the fan was working way harder than as it was on a normal functioing PS3.

I opened the unit to try to inspect if there were burn marks or misconnected wires, none. I kinda thought this might be the same issue with Xbox's RROD. Scraped off the old thermal paste, put some new. WORKED LIKE A CHARM!!!

Played Kingdom Heart II for a couple hours, and to check it was not a fluke, I turned it off. Turned it back on, sound, no video. I kept turning it on and off for maybe a half hour and got tired.  I came back to the system a few months later (I've had this since Christmas btw.) System was still acting same way sound, no vid.

I tried now the Arctic Silver trick. Exact same situation, worked beautifully for a few hours but the video was grainer this time (I was also playing a PS1 game) Turned it off and turned it back on, Startup came on but kept freezing after a few seconds.

There's where I am at now, I can't pinpoint what hardware it could be, but overheating is a definite issue.

Sorry if this doesn't solve the problem, but i'd rather pinpoint what it is in the first place.

[Joust]

it sounds exactly like the problem on the 360. It sounds like bad solder joints on the video chip.
I have not cracked mine open so I'm going to get Sony to replace it. They are charging me 170 bucks though.
Not impressed with them for this. Its still under warantee but i don't have a receipt cause it was a gift.

I would try adding a shim under the heat sink and see if the additional pressure makes a difference.

[rant] I wish these guys would realize that lead free solder causes these problems. that along with leadless ball grid array chips are a recipe for disaster. [/rant]

[Loveless Knight]

What can safely be used as a shim? I can probably try it.

[Joust]

QUOTE(Loveless Knight @ Mar 19 2008, 09:31 PM)

What can safely be used as a shim? I can probably try it.

depends where you want to shim.
if its the main contact points of the heat sink, you need something that will transfer heat. copper or aluminum is best for that. coat both sides with arctic silver. the problem will be getting something thin enough.
if its another part of the chip you want to push down i'd go with nylon.

[Loveless Knight]

So I decided to reply after a few months of being MIA,

So i didn't get a chance to find a shim, but I tried a wacky crazy idea because of the overheating issue. I just took the entire system out of the ps3 plastic case and resembled it on top of a wire mesh for more airflow and cooling for the fan to push more air. It's been a few days and now the system turns on and off with no issues. I haven't tried placing the case back on to see if there are airflow restrictions which causes PS3s to seize up. Can anyone else verify?

[orugadegato]

i already try the "xbox360" heating solution at the 2 cores, but still no video at all............