I'm considering getting one of the broken 60gb models from ebay and attempting to fix it. Anyone have experience opening up a PS3 and messing around? I'm hoping that myself with maybe the help of a couple of friends can figure out what's wrong. If we can and can fix it ourselves keeping the total cost below $200, then I'll consider it a win. This plan could however just have me out $100 or more. Thoughts? Experiences? Oh yeah, the one I'm thinking about's description says that a Call of Duty 4 disc is stuck inside, so it comes with it, so at least I should hopefully get a game, so it wouldn't be a complete waste. They are keeping the hard drive though since they don't want to lose their data (understandable), so I'd have to replace that. I'm pretty sure one of my friends will have a spare usable drive laying around. It's apparently the red blinking light.

just buy 1 new its only 299$

I'd still be waiting a little while on new. I've been saying for awhile that I'd probably wait for around $200 or $250 with BC, but I may still decide to get the slim some time. This also gives me a project to work on and from what I can tell, it would still be possible to send the system in to Sony for repairs and maybe get them to fix it. The ebay seller said that they were quoted $120 to repair it, but I guess they decided they didn't want to pay. If that is so, I could still get this one working for perhaps $250 or so. Comparable to a new price anyhow.

you can try but almost all launch models of electronics have some kind of problem, even if you can fix it, there is no guarantee the fix will be permenent. If you dont really need ps2 bc i would suggest you get a new one

I think there is a guy on youtube know how to fix YLOD by placing it in a oven or something like it, you can try that if you want....

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. If we can't find anything particularly obviously wrong, I can always send it in. I checked Sony's service site and opening it up voids the warranty, but it's already out of warranty, so it doesn't really harm anything to check.

Yo m8  lets say you buy a Ps3 (broken) from ebay, you put in a total of 200 euro and what if you can't get it working then you just throw 200 away..

A new ps3 is only 299 now,thats brand new so lets say that one goes broke you will get a new one..

Well, it wont be above $130 for the system with shipping. If we can obviously tell what is wrong and can find the parts (I checked a little and there seem to be parts available for some things), then I'd be able to save a good amount of money. If we can't as was said, I can pay the $150 with shipping to get it repaired by sony. So I think at worst I'll end up at basically a new system price anyhow, but with the extra features. Also, 200 Euro would be about $282. That's about what I think it'll be at maximum with having Sony fix it. We'll see. I will admit I do like the whole smaller unit and less power usage of the slim though.

I think you shouldn't buy a used ps3.. simply because there may be 5 accounts linked on these broken/used ps3's and if so you cannot use the PSN on it.

I would get a new PS3..

That is a good point. I didn't know about that, so it wasn't something I considered before. I can try asking the person on ebay how many accounts they have used. I may also look into if there is a way to get Sony to wipe the accounts clean or something. Anyone know about that? If not, I'll look it up in the morning. I'm going to get some sleep.

huh? why dont you just delete them????? anyway you do seem to have a good point for what you are doing, plus with a fatty console you can pretend you are an old school long time owner ( lol?!)
if Sony can guarantee to fix it then I'd say go for it.