How to Take Apart the 60 GB PS3

Lay the PS3 flat so that the words "PlayStation 3" facing upward. This gives a point of reference for all the remaining dismantling instructions. If a step says to look on the bottom of the system, the bottom is in reference to the PS3's position in this step. Locate the rubber feet on the left side of the system. Remove all these rubber pieces, and unscrew any screws hidden underneath.

Slide the faceplate off the top of the PS3. Once the screw is removed in Step 1, the faceplate will slide free. Underneath the faceplate will be seven screws that need to be removed. Lift up on the bottom left corner of the external case and separate the two halves of the PS3's shell. You will now be able to see all the internal components of the PS3.

Remove the power supply from the inside of the PlayStation 3. To do this, unscrew the four screws that hold it in place. There will be one screw at each corner of the box. Unplug the power supply by disconnecting the plugs that look like telephone cords and the power supply will be able to be lifted free.

Remove the Bluetooth board from beneath the power supply. To do this, unscrew the four screws that hold the board in place. Once these screws are removed, locate the ribbon connection and disconnect it from the motherboard. The ribbon connector will be held in place by a small plastic tab, once the tab is lifted up, the ribbon connector will be free and the Bluetooth board can be removed.

Remove the Blu-ray player, the large silver box on the right side of the system. To remove this component, simply lift the box slightly so that you can see underneath of it. You will notice a larger ribbon cable, similar to the one you removed in Step 4. Using exactly the same method, lift up the plastic tab that holds the ribbon cable in place. The plug in front of the Blu-ray player will need to be disconnected.

Locate the small green circuit board at the bottom-right corner of the PS3. Remove the screws that hold this circuit board in place. Disconnect the small ribbon cable and the circuit board can be removed. Unscrew the remaining screws that border the entire inside of the system. There will be 10 in total. Once these screws are removed, you will be able to lift the whole motherboard from the PS3.