Bought my 60GB PS3 on October 2007. I got nervous like 1.5 years ago and opened it up to change the thermal compound. So far, it is still kicking, but recently, I've been getting the urge to open it up, clean the dust and probably change the thermal compound again. I don't know but I feel I'm a bit paranoid that it will die on me.

Things I believe have made my system keep working:

1. I don't stand the system up on it side. (I feel it less strain on the blu-ray drive. Noticed it would take longer to read disk at times and it just sounded like it was working harder)

2. Clean the collecting dust that builds up on the system boards and vent areas. (I use a clean paint brush or the air cleaner if I have one)

3. Keep area clear out of the PS3's airflow path. Try to keep things at least 10 inches away. (I figure my baby needs space to breath)

These things may seem stupid to some of you, but they haven't let me down yet.

Mine finally died in August of 2009 after 4 months of agonizing pain and multiple life preserving methods (I'm a beast with my heat gun now). It's in a better place now.....Well not really, I sold it at a pawn shop for $150 after "fixing" it one last time.

**Bought June 07** Mine died after I tried to play Killzone 3; game froze after 5~10 minutes of play, tried to go online, had to update firmware. Did so, and it bricked. Doesn't even turn on now. :( It's not YLOD, but any advice anyone? Please? lol Sony wants $129.99 to "fix it"; I say 599.99 is enough to warrant me a free console. 

My PS3 60gb BC still going strong!!! (knock on wood)

haha when i saw the thread i was like "man i want to know that too" :D

thanks Darth xD

so a yes for me...and the Result?ohh...looks like we can say about 50% of the launch PS3s are dead with a rising rate cause i think more PS3s will die soon...hopefully its not my ^^

No , LA noire killed my PS3 a few days ago T_T

I bought it in september 2007, it has broken down 3 times. The first one broke down the day after I bought it after having played only Resistance for about 1 hour. The second one broke down after about 6-7 months the warrancy was still valid. The last one broke down about 3 months ago, now naturally the warrancy has expired. Since I already spent 600€ I don't think I'm going to buy a new one again.

My PS3 is from 2008, have not YLOD but my drive has broken down once, when i was out of warranty to boot. So i now have a PS3 which doesn't play discs and i am waiting for the price to go down before i buy a new one, most games are on 360 anyway.

had my original for about 3 and half years before it broke. it was worth every penny, I was and still am satisfied with what I got for my £350.

edit: oh it was YLOD by the way.

i'm surprised people still have working 60gb. Mine YLOD a little over a year. Refurb lasted 8 mths before YLOD. Got a slim at launch.  Just a matter of time and all of 'em will eventually. I miss being able to play ps2 games with the same console though. Wish sony will come up with a fix