Oh wait- so you didn't put Thermal Paste on it.. alright.

But for future reference, if you get more brave with hardware and such, if you had put Thermal Paste on your Ps3's processor like... once a year, theory has it that it makes it last a lot longer.

This needs to be quoted again. Ignore this advice at your 60gb ps3's peril.

If you really want the extra features of the original 60GB unit, it may be worth the $161 for a CECHA1 refurb from SCE. Mine has lasted two years under light use (secondary PS3 since Jan 09) with no problems.

If you want your game saves and data, then either have someone do the heatgun reflow repair (which is temporary) or do it yourself and then back up your data. Unfortunately the only way to back up your protected data (non-copy saves, PSN purchases, etc.) is by doing a console to console transfer, meaning you have to have your replacement PS3 ready (which means buying a second PS3 first).

So the biggest hassle (and most expensive solution) would be temp repair your 60GB, buy a replacement PS3, do the direct data transfer to the new PS3, deactivate the old PS3 and either dump it/sell it for parts/use it as a book end, or send it to SCE for a $161 refurb which you can either use as a secondary PS3 or sell as a working, factory refurb 60GB unit that hasn't been used since.

Or just skip all that and start over with a new PS3 (nothing but your trophies) and keep the old unit so you can do all the above if you ever want your original data back.

I bought the same model on Dec 8th 07 and i got the Ylod this past Monday the 24th while i was playing ME2. It was 3 years and a month for me as well. I feel your pain bro, that model kicked ass!

The good thing is I already have most of my saves backed up. Everything but one unsynced trophy :P which i got yesterday playing Fallout when it happened.

But how would i deactivate the YLOD PS3? I believe it's 5 account activations right?

Everything but your locked saves. I've lost those twice on two separate PS3s over the past 4 years. My last attempt to do a console to console transfer failed when the broken PS3 simply refused to stay alive long enough to complete the process.

For a broken PS3, the only way to deactivate it is remotely. Either through an SCE service rep, or...

http://www.qriocity.com/us/en/

Easiest way to manage accounts and deactivate systems through your PSN ID.

I logged into it but it says i can only deactivate through the xmb on the system when i click the deactivate link-_-

Yeah, sorry about that. Unless someone knows of a remote way of deactivating consoles without a console, you're going to have to call SCE service.