Uploaded January 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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 am telling the story of how I got into PS3 repair. I'm doing so in chronological order of the events.
Links:
Original Posts detailing this console (Started in the same Post as PS3 #1. Scroll down to #2). psx-place.com/threads/research-experimental-nec-tokin-capacitors-replacement-ylod.25260/page-137#post-261514
SYSCON Tutorial: psx-place.com/threads/research-experimental-nec-tokin-capacitors-replacement-ylod.25260/page-192#post-295119
Frankenstein Phat PS3 Tutorial: psx-place.com/threads/frankenstein-phat-ps3-cecha-with-40nm-rsx.28069/page-76#post-324546
PS3 Tantalizer: psx-place.com/threads/research-experimental-nec-tokin-capacitors-replacement-ylod.25260/page-217#post-313627
Tools & Products Used or Recommended (Affiliate Links):
PS3 Disassembly | T6-30 Torx Security Bit set (amzn.to/4fneAfg)
SYSCON UART | 3.3v USB-to-TTL Serial Cable (amzn.to/3YohDN3)
Breadboard Jumper Wires | Male to Female (amzn.to/3A2Rvzu)
Wire Stripper | 20-30 AWG (amzn.to/3Us6QjT)
99.9% Pure Isopropyl Alcohol (amzn.to/40mLuIu)
Soldering Iron | FNIRSI DWS-200: amzn.to/4lK3MLf
Soldering Flux | STIRRI-ASM-TF no-clean (amzn.to/40ihOft)
CPU Deliding Tool | Purpose Built (amzn.to/4b911iB)
GPU Deliding tool | Pry Bar Door Panel & Trim Removal Tool (amzn.to/4fjBfsO)
Plastic Razor Blade Scraper & Blades (amzn.to/3AbKdJJ)
Steel Single Edge Razor Blades (amzn.to/4hqgZHR)
99.9% Pure Isopropyl Alcohol (amzn.to/40mLuIu)
Microfiber Cleaning Towels (amzn.to/4fieUM6)
GPU (RSX) Glue | STARS-922 Heatsink Plaster (amzn.to/4ffskZT)
CPU (CELL) Glue | Permatex 82194 Ultra Grey Rigid High-Torque RTV Silicone (amzn.to/3YCLzGJ)
CPU Glue Dispenser | 3ml Luer Lock Tip Syringes (amzn.to/3C1YXLF)
CPU Glue Dispenser | Syringe Tip Caps for Luer Lock (amzn.to/3YqpauS)
CPU Glue Dispenser | Blunt Tip Dispensing Needles with Luer Lock 14 Ga (amzn.to/3UqRigj)
Vacuum Sealer | Came with enough bags (amzn.to/4e7GcDQ)
Wolfcraft MT Pointed Spring Clamp (amzn.to/4dYyDzv)
Digital Calipers Measuring Tool (amzn.to/40kVvWB)
ARCTIC MX-4 (20g) Thermal Paste (amzn.to/3A412po)
ARCTIC MX-4 (4g) Thermal Paste (amzn.to/3YqauMe)
Arctic Silver Ceramique 2 (25g) Thermal Paste (amzn.to/3C1YA3K)
Arctic Silver Ceramique 2 (2.7g) Thermal Paste (amzn.to/3C2mBro)
Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut (1g) | Liquid Metal Thermal Interface Material (amzn.to/3NI4Ccr)
Open Cell Foam Tape | 1/2 X 1/4 Inch (amzn.to/4hxF7bA)
For Motherboard Brace | M4 Brass Standoffs (amzn.to/3O2fGBv)
For Motherboard Brace | M4 Knurled Thumb Screws (amzn.to/3ArDLOC)
Rotary Engraving tool | For precision masks removal (amzn.to/47AesGj)
Licensed Music:
8bit Dungeon Boss - Video Classica by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1200067
Artist: incompetech.com
Dama-May - Primal Drive by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1200086
Artist: incompetech.com
“Blaxland Nihilore” Free Music by AN
Follow us on Instagram @an.freemusic
Mechanolith by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100879
Artist: incompetech.com
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
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 am telling the story of how I got into PS3 repair. I'm doing so in chronological order of the events.
Links:
Original Posts detailing this console (Started in the same Post as PS3 #1. Scroll down to #2). psx-place.com/threads/research-experimental-nec-tokin-capacitors-replacement-ylod.25260/page-137#post-261514
SYSCON Tutorial: psx-place.com/threads/research-experimental-nec-tokin-capacitors-replacement-ylod.25260/page-192#post-295119
Frankenstein Phat PS3 Tutorial: psx-place.com/threads/frankenstein-phat-ps3-cecha-with-40nm-rsx.28069/page-76#post-324546
PS3 Tantalizer: psx-place.com/threads/research-experimental-nec-tokin-capacitors-replacement-ylod.25260/page-217#post-313627
Tools & Products Used or Recommended (Affiliate Links):
PS3 Disassembly | T6-30 Torx Security Bit set (amzn.to/4fneAfg)
SYSCON UART | 3.3v USB-to-TTL Serial Cable (amzn.to/3YohDN3)
Breadboard Jumper Wires | Male to Female (amzn.to/3A2Rvzu)
Wire Stripper | 20-30 AWG (amzn.to/3Us6QjT)
99.9% Pure Isopropyl Alcohol (amzn.to/40mLuIu)
Soldering Iron | FNIRSI DWS-200: amzn.to/4lK3MLf
Soldering Flux | STIRRI-ASM-TF no-clean (amzn.to/40ihOft)
CPU Deliding Tool | Purpose Built (amzn.to/4b911iB)
GPU Deliding tool | Pry Bar Door Panel & Trim Removal Tool (amzn.to/4fjBfsO)
Plastic Razor Blade Scraper & Blades (amzn.to/3AbKdJJ)
Steel Single Edge Razor Blades (amzn.to/4hqgZHR)
99.9% Pure Isopropyl Alcohol (amzn.to/40mLuIu)
Microfiber Cleaning Towels (amzn.to/4fieUM6)
GPU (RSX) Glue | STARS-922 Heatsink Plaster (amzn.to/4ffskZT)
CPU (CELL) Glue | Permatex 82194 Ultra Grey Rigid High-Torque RTV Silicone (amzn.to/3YCLzGJ)
CPU Glue Dispenser | 3ml Luer Lock Tip Syringes (amzn.to/3C1YXLF)
CPU Glue Dispenser | Syringe Tip Caps for Luer Lock (amzn.to/3YqpauS)
CPU Glue Dispenser | Blunt Tip Dispensing Needles with Luer Lock 14 Ga (amzn.to/3UqRigj)
Vacuum Sealer | Came with enough bags (amzn.to/4e7GcDQ)
Wolfcraft MT Pointed Spring Clamp (amzn.to/4dYyDzv)
Digital Calipers Measuring Tool (amzn.to/40kVvWB)
ARCTIC MX-4 (20g) Thermal Paste (amzn.to/3A412po)
ARCTIC MX-4 (4g) Thermal Paste (amzn.to/3YqauMe)
Arctic Silver Ceramique 2 (25g) Thermal Paste (amzn.to/3C1YA3K)
Arctic Silver Ceramique 2 (2.7g) Thermal Paste (amzn.to/3C2mBro)
Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut (1g) | Liquid Metal Thermal Interface Material (amzn.to/3NI4Ccr)
Open Cell Foam Tape | 1/2 X 1/4 Inch (amzn.to/4hxF7bA)
For Motherboard Brace | M4 Brass Standoffs (amzn.to/3O2fGBv)
For Motherboard Brace | M4 Knurled Thumb Screws (amzn.to/3ArDLOC)
Rotary Engraving tool | For precision masks removal (amzn.to/47AesGj)
Licensed Music:
8bit Dungeon Boss - Video Classica by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1200067
Artist: incompetech.com
Dama-May - Primal Drive by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1200086
Artist: incompetech.com
“Blaxland Nihilore” Free Music by AN
Follow us on Instagram @an.freemusic
Mechanolith by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100879
Artist: incompetech.com
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
