Dying PS3 advice

[essentialsaltes]

The PS3 suddenly developed a habit of shutting itself off after a half hour and going red-blinky lights.

My googles tell me that most likely it's overheating and/or has dust all over its innards. The fan doesn't seem to be working overly hard when it goes, so I'm wondering if it's something more mysterious and malignant. Any advice out there?

[Poll #1822641]

Comments

[smaugslair.livejournal.com]

My PS3 has died as well. The USB ports aren't functional. I could still use my BT remote to watch bluerays, until I reset the console to try to get the port working, so now its just a brick.

[freudinshade.livejournal.com]

Could probably build a functional unit out of the two of them.

I think Mike's problem is certainly worth taking a can of air and/or a vacuum to. It's not likely to make things worse.

Yours sounds like it's in worse shape if you can't even pair the bluetooth. The USB ports aren't that critical but the bluetooth is kind of essential.

[essentialsaltes.livejournal.com]

I did use the vacuum on the exterior to suck the vents, but it didn't fix things. I'm just debating whether it's worthwhile to open the case. Even if that fixes it, I've had it 4.5 years... how long will it be before something else turns it into a brick?

[ian-tiberius.livejournal.com]

Well, maybe. But what do you stand to lose - twenty minutes or so?

[essentialsaltes.livejournal.com]

What if I suck the data off the hard drive with the vacuum cleaner?

I dunno, I'll find some way to break it. There's a reason I specialized in theoretical physics rather than experimental physics.

[argonel.livejournal.com]

Take out the hard drive and place it somewhere safe while you hoover away. As I recall you need to remove 1 screw to completely remove it from the console.