My 60GB PS3 just died on me. I know Sony charges a flat rate to repair $150. My question is are they going to-

1) repair my unit
2) send me a refurbished 60GB
3) send me a new/refurbished 40GB or current 80GB?

I enjoy the 60GB BC and hate to lose it. Anyone sent in a 60GB for repair? If so what did Sony send back?

Thanks

Shorty recently sent his 60gig in for repair; he got a 60gig back.

I think it will depend on the cost to Sony's repair service to repair it versus replacing it with a refurb. So it all depends on what's wrong with your unit and what might need to be replaced. I don't think I've heard of anyone getting something other than their original 60gig or direct equivalent back (yet).

Thanks for the quick response! That easied my worries before I call Sony tomorrow.

They'll send you a refurb of the same kind back. When you send it in, it goes directly to Sony's "replacement" center and not their "repair" center. Which is BS considering that they tell you that it's going to the repair center first.

Any word on how long it takes to complete the whole process? I'm in the same boat as Injected Sin--my PS3 (60gig, received 1 week after PS3 launch) just died (literally) minutes ago.

Today is my off day so I can head over to Gamestop & pick up a new one, but backwards compatibility is a must have feature for me. I'm just glad I followed Martez's & Shorty's advice while lurking in the Motorstorm Pacific Rift thread and made back ups of all my save games just a week ago. Still is a pain, though.
Thanks,
Shadowlock

14 days

Did you guys notice any symptoms leading up to this? Ever since I installed LBP on my system, my Blu Ray drive is noisy at times when games are loading...I just have a feeling in my gut that I'm gonna need to fix this thing sometime in the near future, I also have a 60 gig.

Did you guys notice any symptoms leading up to this? Ever since I installed LBP on my system, my Blu Ray drive is noisy at times when games are loading...I just have a feeling in my gut that I'm gonna need to fix this thing sometime in the near future, I also have a 60 gig.

The only symptom that I noticed is that when I ejected a disc and shutdown the system but left the disc just in the loading bay, then switched the system on, the PS3 would not take the disc in all the way. That's about the only thing. Other than that, everything worked as per normal for me.

I had my BR drive go out and got my original PS3 back. I will add that ALL the paperwork Sony sent said I was going to get a different one, including the paperwork that came with my fixed PS3. So now I have my original 60gb back, yet none of the paperwork serial numbers match the hardware.

One of my PSN buddies had their European Launch 60gb BR drive go out two weeks ago. He is in London and the Sony customer service agent told him he had to wait a week and half cuz they ran out of 60gb's and they were waiting for new ones to be made. I doubted he was going to get a new one but sure enough he did.

How do you know you got your same system back?

I sent my 60 gig back on monday. I got a email stating they are sending me a 60 gig today. Fast T/A. Just in time for street fighter

i rec'd a 60 gig machine last thursday (sent my 60 gig with the blu flu out the friday prior); i am pretty sure the one i rec'd is NOT my machine (because of different serial #s and my deactivation issue (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1114869)) - it runs fine and seems more quiet, too.

and it is $169 with tax, etc.

Approx. 2 weeks doesn't sound too bad. Just checked with my local EB Games/ Gamestop. They don't have any PS3s in stock at the moment, although a store in the area had a used 60 gig. But even used the price is too high ($430).

I'll call Sony this afternoon. Hopefully, I'll have it back in time for SF4. One bright side I guess--I now don't have to worry about whether or not to dnload the KZ 2 demo (w/possible spoilers) or just wait for the game to come out. Looks like that choice has been made for me :(

Did you guys notice any symptoms leading up to this? Ever since I installed LBP on my system, my Blu Ray drive is noisy at times when games are loading...I just have a feeling in my gut that I'm gonna need to fix this thing sometime in the near future, I also have a 60 gig.

Nope, not for me at least. Blu Ray drive had no noise/issues, hard drive was original drive and worked fine. One minute is was running the looping title screen of the GTI cote azure demo dnloaded from PSN, then a strange click as is the power had gone off or the hard drive had failed, then the blinking red light. All attempts to reboot/hard reset have failed.

I did add an external hdd to it about a week ago (seagate 320-used 2 USB ports to power it, but with 2 free USB ports, I don't think that could be a contributing factor).

And you're sure it is the PS3 hardware that's dead?

I wouldn't trust a generic call to Sony Support... I saw this thread over on the PSU boards (http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=ps3&thread.id=3685685) yesterday where someone figured out that it was only his HDD that needed reformatting... Just passing it along... just in case it might save you a headache.

I'll be pissed if I ever need to repair my 60GB and they send me something else unless it has:

1) SACD output over HDMI
2) Full backward compatability

I'll be pissed if I ever need to repair my 60GB and they send me something else unless it has:

1) SACD output over HDMI
2) Full backward compatability

You don't have to worry. They send you what you send them!

In fact, I sent them a PS3 without an HDD and they sent me one back with an HDD in it.

If you upgraded the hard-drive, and send in your 60GB with the upgraded drive, what do you get back? I'm just wondering if there's ways to make sure you don't loose stuff like game saves, etc. if you haven't been backing up.

If you upgraded the hard-drive, and send in your 60GB with the upgraded drive, what do you get back? I'm just wondering if there's ways to make sure you don't loose stuff like game saves, etc. if you haven't been backing up.

I can't say for sure, but they recommend that you remove your HDD when you send it in.

Therefore, I'm assuming that if you send in a PS3 with an upgraded HDD, you're more than likely going to get a PS3 back with a stock 20/40/60/80/120 HDD.

In the end, it doesn't matter because if you haven't been backing up your stuff, the minute you stick your HDD in the new system, it's going to require formatting before use. So, you're pretty much SOL.

If you upgraded the hard-drive, and send in your 60GB with the upgraded drive, what do you get back? I'm just wondering if there's ways to make sure you don't loose stuff like game saves, etc. if you haven't been backing up.

The only way to make sure you don't lose stuff is to do a backup to an external HD on a regular basis. If you put a HD in a new PS3, it's just going to make you format it. Restoring a backup is the only way to get the data back.

How do you know you got your same system back?

Many ways. It had the same external marks from cats, same serial number sticker(has a string caught in it a weird way), and when I booted it up it still had the data I put on it(User 246) to see if I got the same one back. I'm not bringing up the f'ed up screws to the hdd drive bay. Any human with an ounce of compasion wouldn't have put the f'ed up hdd retaining screw from my old system into a new one. :(

Many ways. It had the same external marks from cats, same serial number sticker(has a string caught in it a weird way), and when I booted it up it still had the data I put on it(User 246) to see if I got the same one back. I'm not bringing up the f'ed up screws to the hdd drive bay. Any human with an ounce of compasion wouldn't have put the f'ed up hdd retaining screw from my old system into a new one. :(

Well, lucky you bro. I wrote a note and sent it to Sony and hoped that they would send my same system back. But, like I said before, it doesn't go to their "repair" center, it goes directly to their "replacement" center.

A few of my psn friends had issues over the holidays as well. Judging from those people(4 in US, not including Euro's) I assumed BR drive issues get their PS3 back, but YLOD get a refurb unit.

It's strange though. You guys wish you would have gotten the same unit back, while I wish I would have gotten a refurb for my $150. At least then I would have known they went through the whole unit and I was getting as close to a new unit as possible.

And you're sure it is the PS3 hardware that's dead?

I wouldn't trust a generic call to Sony Support... I saw this thread over on the PSU boards (http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=ps3&thread.id=3685685) yesterday where someone figured out that it was only his HDD that needed reformatting... Just passing it along... just in case it might save you a headache.

Actually, from the "click" I heard when it stopped, powered down, and refused to come back on, I have a sneaking suspicion that the internal hdd probably died (either that or something to do with the power supply), but I can't prove either.

I could buy a new hdd, but since I work full time & am a grad student, it would be next Wednesday before I could buy one, switch it out, and test it. Better (in my case at least) to "gift" Sony $150 to do the heavy lifting just in case it isn't the internal hdd. At least this way (according to King Shorty) I have slim chance of getting the system back in time for SFIV and a very good chance of getting it back for KZ2.:cool:

Thanks for the link, though. It convinced me that a call probably wasn't the best way to go. I chose the online service request which is (in case anyone else ever needs it):

http://www.us.playstation.com/support
& then click on Service at the bottom.

I got mine back in 2 days w/ all my hdd info intact from a shop on ebay.

Shadow, you could just remove the HDD and see if it boots up. You don't need to put in another HDD to test it.

I got mine back in 2 days w/ all my hdd info intact from a shop on ebay.

Yeah, but how much $$$$ did it cost? And who the heck warrants it to work after you receive it back? What if it breaks in a month again?

Too shady... :(

Yeah, but how much $$$$ did it cost? And who the heck warrants it to work after you receive it back? What if it breaks in a month again?

Too shady... :(

I believe the guys on ebay charged $75 for the repair.

When mine got repaired because it wouldn't play GTA4, I was sent another 60gig, but with only a 40gig hd replacement. Oh well... it was free -and I was going to replace it with a 320gig anywya.

Shadow, you could just remove the HDD and see if it boots up. You don't need to put in another HDD to test it.

I did not know that. Learn something new every day. I'll grab a screwdriver, a couple cookies, and see what happens. :D

Thanks.

I did not know that. Learn something new every day. I'll grab a screwdriver, a couple cookies, and see what happens. :D

Thanks.

You only need one screwdriver (to remove the blue screw that holds the HDD bay in place).

You only need one screwdriver (to remove the blue screw that holds the HDD bay in place).

Nope, no dice. Looks like it is an internal problem after all. Found the cookies easy enough:D, but it took forever to find a decent screwdriver. Removed the blue screw, slid out the hdd, and crossed my fingers . . .

. . . but still getting a quick, yellow flash, then a blinking red light (continuous). Boo!:(

On happier note, I checked my gmail account, & Sony's sending a UPS box 2nd day. Should be here on Friday. I may have to see if I can't take "long lunch" so that I can get it packed and out again on that same Friday.

Thanks again for all the help guys. You all have made this far less stressful than it could have been otherwise. I've had computer/games systems fail before (C64, NES, original "woodgrain" Atari 2600), but in every case, there was some warning . . . and I've gone so long without one failing that I got just a bit spoiled. Never again will I roll my eyes at our "X" friends and their RROD problems.

You can still roll your eyes at your buddies from across the pond. At least Sony did not release a system knowing it was going to fail.

My 60GB died last night as well. When I put a disk in the drive it doesn't read it. The circle(or whatever you want to call it) just stays up there like it's loading. It gave no indication that there was anything wrong with it before this. Does anyone know if there's anything else I can try to fix it before I send it to Sony? Also does Sony update the firmware before sending it back?

My 60GB died last night as well. When I put a disk in the drive it doesn't read it. The circle(or whatever you want to call it) just stays up there like it's loading. It gave no indication that there was anything wrong with it before this. Does anyone know if there's anything else I can try to fix it before I send it to Sony? Also does Sony update the firmware before sending it back?

This is what happened to my 40gb; the problem is your bluray drive (naturally). You could open it up and try cleaning the lens; there have been many accounts of people doing this and the system works fine afterwards. In fact, the person I sold my 40gb to did this and it worked fine; I don't mind since I wound up with a better version of the PS3 in the end.

This is what happened to my 40gb; the problem is your bluray drive (naturally). You could open it up and try cleaning the lens; there have been many accounts of people doing this and the system works fine afterwards. In fact, the person I sold my 40gb to did this and it worked fine; I don't mind since I wound up with a better version of the PS3 in the end.

My concern with that is Sony won't fix it if they think it's been tampered with. If it turns out to be the drive is actually dead or something equally serious then I'm stuck with a dead PS3 and I would have to spend even more money just to get a system not a good as mine. Sigh..... I guess I'm going to have to pay Sony to fix it :(

My 60GB died last night as well. When I put a disk in the drive it doesn't read it. The circle(or whatever you want to call it) just stays up there like it's loading. It gave no indication that there was anything wrong with it before this. Does anyone know if there's anything else I can try to fix it before I send it to Sony? Also does Sony update the firmware before sending it back?

That's exactly what mine did when it broke 3 weeks ago. I filled the web form out on a Sunday. Later that week the empty box showed up. Sent in the 60 gig system and like 2 days later they sent it back - same one, same serial number, same data on the hard drive. All in all it was 16 days from first contacting them.

No indication what they did to fix it, I wish I knew if they replaced the blu ray drive or just cleaned something.

This was 5 months after the 12 month warranty, but since I bought it with a VISA card, VISA doubled the warranty to 24 months. Once I fax in the bill to VISA they'll cover the $149 charge.

You can still roll your eyes at your buddies from across the pond. At least Sony did not release a system knowing it was going to fail.

I just got my PS3 back (actually, it is a refurbished model, I believe), but who cares? Not me! I'm back in the game!:)

Took just 13 days total AND I got it back in time for SFIV (have the game in the hand and will be taking my lumps offline/online shortly).

SONY TEAM ROCKS! (WOO-HOO!) . . . yes, I know that's Burnout Team's "catch-phrase," but Sony (as a company) gets so much bad press/trolling that I had to come back to this thread to give them props! :D

Now bring on KZ2!! ;)

Shadowlock

there goes another one.......




you will get the same model back fixed like new, no scratches or anything it won't be your PS3 just one that they fixed to the point it is like new.

Any word on how long it takes to complete the whole process? I'm in the same boat as Injected Sin--my PS3 (60gig, received 1 week after PS3 launch) just died (literally) minutes ago.

Today is my off day so I can head over to Gamestop & pick up a new one, but backwards compatibility is a must have feature for me. I'm just glad I followed Martez's & Shorty's advice while lurking in the Motorstorm Pacific Rift thread and made back ups of all my save games just a week ago. Still is a pain, though.
Thanks,
Shadowlock

I opened a case with Sony to request repair on 2-10
I received a confirmation email on 2-10
I received a shipping box from Sony on 2-13
I packed and dropped off the unit to UPS store on 2-14 (Saturday)
I recieved an email on 2-17 from Sony saying they have my unit
I recieved an email on 2-17 saying they shipped me a replacement
I received a UPS email saying I should get my unit on 2-19

I opened a case with Sony to request repair on 2-10
I received a confirmation email on 2-10
I received a shipping box from Sony on 2-13
I packed and dropped off the unit to UPS store on 2-14 (Saturday)
I recieved an email on 2-17 from Sony saying they have my unit
I recieved an email on 2-17 saying they shipped me a replacement
I received a UPS email saying I should get my unit on 2-19

took me 2 weeks on the dot to get mine back. I see that their turnarounds seem a little faster now.