PS3 hard freezes right after launching an app/a game

Hello @vertinhol !

Firstly, thank you very much for your input into my issue.

You've given me a great reminder to mention that I've been digging into the physicality of a console.

I have had it apart as much as you possibly can, and cleaned it as much as I could from the inside out. From a mechanical standpoint, the console is flawlessand as clean as a new. The fan spins and the thermal interface between the dice and the cooler has been refreshed.

I have even thought of hot-air treating some components in despair, but I am by far not knowledgable enough to be sure I won't break anything.

Maybe you didn't reassemble it correctly and you forgot to re-plug something which is probably not true but worth the shot, also I'm wondering if it's a PSU issue, because when you run a game the PlayStation will draw more power during that process, and if your PSU can't provide it then it will shut down.

@vertinhol great idea for a baseline of diagnostics!

So I measured voltages on the 4-pin connector and on the main rail prongs throughout an entire cycle from power-on to an attempt of launching a game and it maintained constant 12.04V on a main rail, didn’t even drop by 0.01V when froze.

The 4-pin rails were dead still as well at 4.80V, 3.13V, GND, 5.48V

Having taken a look inside, I must admit that I found my re-assembling job pretty good, nothing is loose on the inside (thermal paste reapplied, of course)

@gosteczek the voltages must be 5V, 3.3V, GND and 5V, I don't know if the difference you found can lead to instability or not, but assuming it doesn't then maybe somehow it's a software issue, can you restore the PS3 to its factory settings, also check if there are any updates before doing that.

@vertinhol whoah, I must admit that nearing 5.5V on what should be a 5V rail sounds scary, I will try to tackle voltages levels next somehow.

As for software, I tried re-building filesystem and fixing potential database problems with safe-mode settings. I went as far as to putting in a new, clean hard drive and performing latest version OS flash from USB drive, which completed successfully. Unfortunately, however, the problem persists is exactly the same way I found it on a fresh system. I guess it's just a next variable eliminated.

Still, I'm very thankful for your input into my issue

It's quite interesting that I saw little to none traces of the problem online, I'm really surprised not to see other ps3 users reporting the issue, but I hope that we will find a solution to this problem.

Lack of backwards compatibility for PS3 absolutely sucks, I undestand the decision from a business standpoint, but nevertheless, if you can't get your hands on the aftermarket ps3 or your game does not work on like rpcs3, you're screwed :/

I hope someday and answer to this will be posted and we will get our PS3s fixed!

Hello, I've recently had the same issue. I have a few digital games on my ps3 slim and they run great, for hrs. When I put a disc in it will run for 10mins maybe. Then the sound will quit and the screen will turn white but at the bottom it will still say EA sports. Ive taken it apart and cleaned it thoroughly, I've cleaned the blue ray sensor. Everything seems fine. I have no clue what is wrong. I've even done the reformatting. Like I said, digital versions run great for hours. If anyone has any suggestions or fixes please comment. Thank you.

Anyone found a solutions to this?