via – CNETThe year is 2007. A midday sun peaked above the hills of Southern California, wrapping it’s warm embrace on the suburban homes and SUVs of the middle class. Little did I know, on this bright, beautiful day, my life would change in a strange way. Inside one of those homes, I sat, controller in hand, playing the latest Final Fantasy game as a way to unwind from the long work week. I did not play very long, as my cellular phone rang it’s familiar Nokia tune.
My best friend, at the time, was on the other line, boasting about his latest gadget. I, the tech nerd, was flabbergasted when I found out that he, my not so tech saavy cohort, had procured and obtained and purchased the Playstation 3.
A chorus of song birds seemed to fill the air as he detailed his purchase and the games he had bought. I, not having one of my own, listened in green ferver, as he laid out how amazing it was. The following weeks had me passing by his flat, playing what games he had, and reveling in the magnificent images that played along the screen. I knew then, I would have to have one of my own.
Months passed, and I fought to not give in and buy one. I did not have the money, and I had a girlfriend at the time that I was spending most of my cash on. But the urge only grew, and it enveloped me like a tidal wave of Sony fandom. A mere three or so months later, I purchased the irresistable, chrome box.
Placing it in front of my less than adequate, standard television, I knew I was falling in love. It’s curves and it’s interface made me all the more smitten. I knew, I would be playing this system for years to come.
Years did come and pass, and through consoles of boxes, and we’s, and the like, none had stayed with me like that Playsation. The one that stayed with me until it’s own end. The Playstation 3, with it’s enormous body and loud grumbling stomach of a fan, in the middle of a match in Call of Duty, where my k to d ratio was 300% (yes, that’s right, 3 kills!), a yellow light blinked at me, and the once regal beauty died in a sea of red blinking lights.
For five years the Playstation has been my hub for television, video games, and sometimes even the internet, and I now lay it down to rest. And though I read you can send it in to get it repaired for a nominal fee, I knew, it would only be a temporary fix. I could do it myself, but I don’t trust myself enough to get the job done and get it done right. The only thing I do know, is that it had lived a long time and it would be time for me to move on…or would it?
If you’ve encountered this problem, know this. I have read many forums, and spent hours weighing the pros and cons, and I have learned that sometimes things like this are hard to let go. If you are a gamer, you want to continue gaming, to some degree. So if your Playstation, of any year, experiences the Yellow Light of Death, you have several options open to you. With Sony you can send it in and get it repaired and you are then guaranteed with a short term warranty (which Sony charges up to $150 for out of warranty repairs), and you will have to wait a month and a half.
Should you be saavy though, and are good at repairs, then I highly suggest you repair it yourself. But be warned, not I, nor anyone who ever suggests repairing it yourself, are responsible for the further damage you may cause to your system or anything else that may happen to it. But maybe for you it will be worth the risk, so I leave you with the following links. May it find you on better seas. As for me? It looks like I will be buying the slimmed down version and hopefully be able to get the damn game out of the console. Good luck.
Repair: http://www.ps3-help.com/fix-red-yellow-light-of-death/
Places to go to get it repaired: There’s always Sony, but as for other places, I haven’t found any online that I trust. I realize everyone else’s experience may vary so you will have to do your own research.
