Hi!

I believe my ps3 has finally succumbed to the YLOD. If I turn it on, the power button starts blinking and 

turns yellow for a second. Is there any way to repair it, besides sending it off to Sony?

I'm not sure if this guide could help. Doesn't seem to be too trustworthy...

http://ezinearticles.com/?PS3-Yellow-Light-Fix---Simple-Tips-to-Fix-This-Error-Today!&id=3694869

Thank you!

I got YLOD a week or 2 ago.  I was able to fix it myself using this vid. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_Ic1_TY-GU&feature=related

Just keep in mind some people have different results.  Some have had the PS3 last for months.  Some for a year.  The only way to truly fix it permenant yourself is to by a reball kit so you can actually use LEAD solder on the GPU and CPU.  It has a higher melting point and is more flexible.

I've seen that method mentioned in a few places and it seems to work for some people but not others.

My PS3 got the YLOD about 2 months ago and I didn't really fancy sending it to Sony and getting a refurb replacement for £130 so I tried the re-flow method of fixing it. I followed the video posted above (there are a few variations depending on what model PS3 you have) and afterwards my PS3 was up and running again.

It lasted about 2 months before it crashed from over heating again, although after leaving it a couple of days it worked fine on it's own but I don't think it will last long. I think the important thing to know is that whatever you do to try and fix it will only act as a temporary solution and you will have the same problem again in a few months (which varies in each individual case).

Not much, motherboard, CPU or GPU is damaged, even if you fix it it's not gonna be permanent.

Either send it to Sony or buy a new one.  Everthing else will not last for very long.  I had mine fixed by Sony last September, and it has run perfectly since.  However, if I didn't have a launch 60 gig with BC, card slots and 4 usb port, I would've just bought a slim.

My friend has used the re-flow method to fix his, and it worked for about 2 weeks.  It fixed it again, using the same method, and it lasted about 1 week.  He then went and bought a slim.

What ever you decide, good luck

I think I'm going to back up my PS3 HDD data, today.  Just in case.

hm, i guess I will hav to buy a new one then. Do you know how much it costs to get it fixed by Sony?

When I rang them about 2 months ago they said it would cost £131. They  will come and pick it up a day or two after you phone them and will give you a refurb straight away so at least you don't have to wait to get it fixed.

you are in euro region? if so its about 180 euros.

i had an YLOD too and reflow it but only last a few weeks but i did just to make a backup of my saves. so worked fine for me... if you can buy a slim (is uglier but it don't heat so much and its a bit more quite) go for it!

Well, that's the problem with the reflow method, it's using the same shitty solder as before.  This is the real problem, not usually the CPU or GPU.  The chips get to a temperature where the solder begins to melt, at which point they begin to lift from the board.  So reflow is only a temporary fix.  So far mine has gone a few weeks with no problems.  I've been trying to keep it flat so even if it gets too hot the chips won't shift as much.

Like I said before, the only way to permently fix it is to get a reball kit with lead solder balls.  I think I saw some on Ebay for around $60.  Of course, if you feel you don't have th know-how or experience to do that type of fix, I would suggest either sending it back (which i think costs ~ $150) or just invest in a Slim.