I got the YLOD last night while playing MW2 and was frantically looking for help online. I read that this occurs when the heatsink and the GPU/CPU separates when the thermal adhesive melts from over heating. I found this link that might help. I'm going to give this a try and let you know how it goes. Hope this helps...

http://playstationlifestyle.net/forums/s...

What I am to suggest is a risky way, and most likely not recommended!

I researched several things online to find out how I could fix this issue. From what I read, the most common solution was to "reflow" the motherboard. Since I am in Africa, with no warranty and any other options, I decided to go with the most extreme suggestion. To cook my motherboard.

Once again, do this as a desperate measure and assume that it will not work.

Striping your PS3 all the way down to the motherboard, you need to make sure you remove everything that is not completely built into the motherboard, to include the battery and extra thermal paste. After that, place it on a tinfoil pan into a preheated oven at 425 Degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. After the 10 minutes, remove it and let it cool for 30 minutes. Reassemble the entire console and ensure you place new thermal paste on it. Then cross your fingers and try it out.

I was successful, as well as many others. But there have also been some with horror stories from others that melted some items. Before doing this jump on youtube and check out some videos like this.

It is VERY risky, but it worked for me.

or use a heat gun. they sell them quite cheap...

cooking a MB... never heard of that, but might be worth risking. especially, when no warranty, or no other option...

Reflowing the mobo in the oven would not be advised in my opinion due to the fact that the parts on the bottom can drop of since it is a double sided board.

I would use the heat gun reflow method. There are many videos on Youtube. Much easier, be sure not to overheat or bump the board while it is hot. Otherwise, you are pretty much doing the same thing that is done during manufacturing.

From what I have researched it seems to be issues with the BGA (Ball Grid Array) under some of the chips as well as poor heatsink compound.

Some people have had good luck with the reflow and new heatsink compound (artic silver is best).

the only permanent fix is to reball the rsx bga chip. you might have to take it to a professional with a bga rework machine.

open it to the mobo ion it and reflow it

look on youtube how to do it as i got a new ps3 when mine died an i dont care for BC so i got a 400$$ 80gb

My PS3 died too after nearly four years so no warranty comeback.

I followed This Video on how to fix it.

I didn't have a heat gun though so I searched a bit more on the internet and found this video from the BBC consumer affairs program Watchdog.

So I googled to see if anyone else had tried using an oven to do the repair. The general consensus seemed to be around 400F for 10 mins.

I didn't have a tray so I wrapped the motherboard in tin foil and stuck it in the oven (pre-heated to about 400F for 10 mins.)

I then let it cool down for 20 minutes and followed the video again for re-assembly.

Worked like a charm for me PS3 is working perfectly again.

I tried the hair drier method. Wroap the PS3 in a towel or jumper with an opening at the blu-ray side.Blast it with a hair drier on full for 5-10 mins. The whole console will get very hot and you may melt the trim but if you let the whole thing cool slowely then it should work well.

Did for me and if it YLOD again then you can blast it with the hair drier again. I've done it 5 times now. The fix doesnt last forever and I suggest you take the outer casing off and clean out all the dust etc to prevent further over heating.

My solution for the YLOD was to bake the motherboard at 120° C wrapped in Tin-Foil for 30 Min. and let it cool down for several hours. Also I used a better thermal paste. On the CPU the thermal paste looked cracked and dry. I think this was the main problem. After reassembling everything worked fine... wonder how long ;)

you need silver lite paste to protect the chips and it has to be spead evenly, covering the whole chip or you will get air pockets in the paste, the hair dryer trick does work but i've done 5 consoles now for friends using a cardboard box seal at one end, use a decent hair dryer at full power moving side to side for about 15 to 20 mines, let it cool completely, add your silver lite paste and put the machine back together.

problem solved.

first time took me about 3 hours to do but now only takes just over an hour or so. very disappointed in sony for using rubbish materials in such a popular bit of equipment with the highest price tag of all the game consoles