PS3 Frankensteining (?) as a beginner

[hadrien]

Hi psx-place!

I recently picked up a phat PS3 that has the YLOD from a second hand store. Initially I was going to pay for it until they tested it in-store and found out it was broken, so the shop owner just gave it to me for free. It is a non-backwards compatible model, but I was thinking that maybe I could still get some use out of it somehow as a way to start learning how to perform amateur repairs? I currently have no soldering equipment and zero experience with hardware repairs or hardware modding, but I still am interested in getting it working despite how daunting the task of repairing a YLOD PS3 is.

This interest in getting it working again led me to discovering the Frankenstein Mod for PS3s, which I was somewhat familiar with beforehand because I had jailbroken a phat PS3 before that ended up dying due to a failing GPU. I currently have a jailbroken PS3 slim that I use, but the idea of somehow bringing back the phat PS3 that I had initially modded always enticed me. Now that I've just picked up another with a somewhat similar issue, I feel like maybe now is the time for me to start learning repairs, but as a complete beginner, I'm somewhat lost on where exactly to start.

For starters, is there any way to pull SYSCON data without soldering on a YLOD PS3? If so, how? If not, how should I go about soldering if I'm trying it for the first time? Are there common mistakes or other things I should look out for when attempting it for the first time? Is buying the equipment to solder expensive? Are there specific soldering tools or equipment I should avoid purchasing and if so, which ones? Concerning the other phat PS3 that I have with a dying GPU, since I know that that's the issue, should I just preemptively attempt to swap the RSX on that one with a 40nm? I know that there are other parts of the motherboard that need to be moved around or changed because of the RSX being swapped, but how difficult are those to swap if attempting it for the first time?

Of course, I'm not expecting answers to all of, or even any of these questions, but I'm just somewhat overwhelmed with the amount of new information that comes with hardware repair, especially when it comes to seventh generation consoles like the PS3 and the Xbox360. Part of me feels like trying this is just going to be a complete waste of time. On the other hand though, I have nothing to lose except the money I spend on equipment, and that's only if I stop attempting these repairs. I've spent nothing on the two PS3's I have that need fixing. I guess the main point I'm trying to make with this post is, for individuals who have been performing repairs like this for quite some time, what is something you wish you could go back and tell yourself about when you first attempted a repair like this?

I appreciate any constructive discussion or advice. Thank you for reading my post and I'll try to keep anyone interested updated and answer any questions to the best of my knowledge. This is my first time using a forum as well, so, I'm sorry if I make mistakes here and there with forum posting. Again - thank you for reading!

 

[Plermpel]

With instant YLOD you can only get into Syscon manually.
Basic soldering is pretty easy, just get a cheap soldering station with at least 30W and an actual temperature sensor inside. Depending on where you live, there will be different options I like Weller, but that's a personal preference. I'd also suggest to use copper or brass wool to clean the tip as it's much easier than the useless wet sponge.
You will also need decent quality soldering wire (tin), probably some flux and desoldering wick. It is pretty easy with a little bit of practice and a skill you can use for a lot more than just reading Syscon error logs.
Replacing a BGA package is a whole different story though, as it needs a lot of expensive equipment and experience.

 

[PierzOr]

If not, how should I go about soldering if I'm trying it for the first time?
Are there common mistakes or other things I should look out for when attempting it for the first time?
Is buying the equipment to solder expensive?
Are there specific soldering tools or equipment I should avoid purchasing and if so, which ones?
Concerning the other phat PS3 that I have with a dying GPU, since I know that that's the issue, should I just preemptively attempt to swap the RSX on that one with a 40nm?
I know that there are other parts of the motherboard that need to be moved around or changed because of the RSX being swapped, but how difficult are those to swap if attempting it for the first time?

Of course, I'm not expecting answers to all of, or even any of these questions, but I'm just somewhat overwhelmed with the amount of new information that comes with hardware repair, especially when it comes to seventh generation consoles like the PS3 and the Xbox360. Part of me feels like trying this is just going to be a complete waste of time. On the other hand though, I have nothing to lose except the money I spend on equipment, and that's only if I stop attempting these repairs. I've spent nothing on the two PS3's I have that need fixing. I guess the main point I'm trying to make with this post is, for individuals who have been performing repairs like this for quite some time, what is something you wish you could go back and tell yourself about when you first attempted a repair like this?

If you are somehow able to have the wires needed for UART make contact with the points on the motherboard for the duration of the diagnostic while also being able to input commands you don't need to solder.

Soldering two wires to get a SysCon error log is one thing, taking off two RSX and putting one back is another.
The first will cost you maybe 50-100 EUR in equipment, the latter 500-1k+ for the ghetto-setup.
That being said, neither are impossible to learn.

I'm assuming you have a multimeter, basic electric/electronic knowledge and common sense.. you will need those.

To start with soldering, get a decent cheap solder iron, personally i prefer "T12" style because cheap (2EUR) tips on aliexpress and fast changing of tips.
The stations come as cheap as ~20 EUR (T12 OLED), this is not the most accurate but a good cheap beginner solder iron station.
Get a couple of different shaped/sized tips, a medium sized chisel tip will work for all-round use.
A decent beginner hot air will be ~30 EUR (JCD 8858), but not needed for just SysCon.
63/37 solder and desoldering wick, tweezers.
Ethanol alcohol and q-tips to clean the cheap flux from aliexpress will get you a long way, always use enough and clean off the flux after it has been activated(heated). << pro-tip
A sponge to clean your solder iron tip, a fire-proof surface to work on & you're good to go.

Just the soldering iron and basic consumables will allow you to do basic soldering.
You will know what additional tools to get as you go.

I started off with an ERSA multipro which is a reputable brand and a decent iron but i regret it because that iron was 50 EUR and did not have temperature regulation, also expensive and hard to change tips.
It is connected with a heavy mains wire, when doing fine work this can be a strain.
I also (when i finally realized i needed flux) started off with corrosive flux used in copper pipe welding... don't get that flux.
Next up was an AOYUE 968 "rework station", which works fine and has hot air but is heavy, big and was ~150 EUR.
Now i'm using a T12 OLED iron / JCD 8858 hot air which both work fine most of the time.
Looking at SEQURE SI012 Pro Max USB PD to use with a USB PD powerbank..
There's other options like Weller, ERSA, Hakko, JBC and others with more accurate performance and better quality components but the price is accordingly.


Are you sure your fat PS3's RSX is dying? What about the NEC/TOKIN?
Do you even know what SKU they are?
As for "frankensteining" your PS3, start with getting a SysCon reading so you know what kind of hardware you're actually dealing with.
From there try to get the units working stable.
I would not worry about the (i think it's just one resistor?) complementary components when swapping a 1681?-ball bga yet..
After that, have a look into what a cheap bottom heater, reballing tools and consumables cost and do your homework on pre-heat and reflow profiles and so much more.
There's a lot that can go wrong when re-balling: delamination, ripped off bga pads/traces, merged, missing or too small solder balls, board warping, to name a common few.

But yeah, actually repairing (or modding) stuff can be very rewarding.
At least, i think so.

Try it, one step at a time.

For guides on how to hand solder, check these:

1958 "ABOVE AND BEYOND" NASA SOLDER & SOLDERING TECHNIQUES ELECTRONICS INSTRUCTIONAL FILM XD48824
paceworldwide Basic Soldering Lessons 1 - 9

They are old, but still very valid today in regards to hand soldering.