Hobbies And Interests
Overheating Issues
As with any piece of electronic equipment, the PlayStation 3 overheats if it is not in a properly ventilated area. The newer, slim version of the PlayStation 3 was designed with vent and fan placement on the back of the system. This architecture allows the fan to pull the internal heat off the system components and blow it out the back. If the PlayStation 3 is too close to a wall, restricting proper ventilation, it automatically shuts down. Moving the system to a well-ventilated area before turning it back on solves the overheating issue.
Power Failure
The PlayStation 3, like all electronics, experiences power failure. Unplug the power adapter from the wall and the system. Check the cord for breaks or tears. If none exist, leave it unplugged for a few minutes before reconnecting it. Also, check the outlet or surge protector used for the PlayStation 3. If other devices are plugged into the outlet and maintain power, or you locate a tear or break in the cord, purchase a new power cord. Afterwards, if it continues shutting off, its possible the system's internal power supply is faulty. Visit Sony Support at http://us.PlayStation.com/support/contact_options/index.htm for contact and repair information.
Hard Drive Failure
The PlayStation 3 contains an internal 2.5-inch SATA hard drive, which is susceptible to file corruption or bad sectors. If the hard drive is not accessible or readable, then a freeze or shutdown occurs at certain points in a game or when you perform actions on the menu bar. Upon reboot, the system should return an error code that starts with "80." Visit the Sony Support Site at http://us.PlayStation.com/support/ and input the returned error code in the right hand form and press "Enter." If it is hard drive related, it will give specific instructions for repair, which usually involves booting into safe mode or replacing the hard drive. Visit the Sony Support site http://community.us.PlayStation.com/message/695272 for specific instructions on booting into safe mode.
General Hardware Failure
The dreaded yellow light of death occurs when your system will not boot after a shutdown caused by a general hardware failure. A hardware failure occurs due to an internal malfunction of a system component, such as the motherboard, Blu-ray drive or processor. Diagnosing a hardware failure after a shutdown is as simple as pressing the power button. If it does not turn back on, but the power LED turns green, then yellow, followed by three short beeps and a flashing red light, you will need to have the system repaired. Visit the Sony Repair site at https://service.us.PlayStation.com for repair authorization and instructions.