Has your old Playstation 3 become noisy or slow? Dust may have accumulated inside. If you want to protect your Playstation, you could try cleaning it. It can be difficult, because the Playstation is carefully built, but with a little preparation you won't feel too much pressure. Start with Step 1 to get started.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Open the PS3
Step 1. Unplug the PS3
Before opening the system, make sure you have unplugged the power and video cables, as well as all USB peripherals. As with all operations on sensitive electronic devices, ground yourself before touching the inside of the console.
You can use an antistatic lace or touch a metal object to ground yourself
Step 2. Remove the hard drive
Before opening the case, you will need to remove the hard drive. Fortunately, it is quite easy to take it off. Remove the disc cover located on the left side of the PS3. You will need to unscrew a blue screw carefully. Pull the hard drive straight out once the screw is removed.
- Peel off the adhesive at the top on the side of the case to reveal a star screw. You will need a suitable screwdriver to remove it.
- Removing the sticker will invalidate the warranty.
Step 3. Remove the top panel
Once the screw is removed, you can slide off the top panel of the Playstation. This will reveal the top shell, which is secured by nine screws along the edges. Some screws are identified by arrows printed on the plastic. Remove and set them aside.
Part 2 of 3: Remove the Components
Step 1. Find the attachment points
There are two hooks that hold the shells. You can find them behind the unit. Push them at the same time and gently lift the shell. Be careful, because the top is connected to the underlying hardware with ribbon cables, which are very fragile.
Gently disconnect the ribbon cable and set it aside for now
Step 2. Remove the card reader
Find the plastic card that holds the reader in place. Move the card, and you can remove the reader from the unit. Carefully disconnect each cable.
Step 3. Remove the power
Power is the silver or black box next to the Blu-ray player. Remove the five screws that hold the power in place. Disconnect the cables on both sides. Remove power from the unit.
Step 4. Remove the wireless network card
You'll find it on the same side as the power supply. Four screws hold it in place and it is connected with a ribbon cable.
Step 5. Disconnect the Blu-ray player
It shouldn't be held in place by a few screws at this point, but it will be connected with two cables. Unplug them and lift it from the Playstation.
Step 6. Lever off the power and reset circuit board
It is a small card located on the front of the Playstation. It has four screws and a board that need to be removed before you can unplug it. It is connected by a small ribbon cable.
Step 7. Remove the motherboard
Seven screws will remain along the edges of a metal plate. Remove them so you can take the motherboard out of the case. Once unscrewed, pry off the entire motherboard and back panel.
Grab the rear fans and tilt them with both hands. This part is surprisingly heavy, and dropping it could easily damage the board
Step 8. Remove the fan
On the back of the motherboard, you will see a large fan. Disconnect the cable, and then remove the three screws holding it in place. Remove the fan so you can dust it off.
There is no need to disassemble other parts to clean the inside of the console
Part 3 of 3: Cleaning and Assembly
Step 1. Start cleaning
Once the parts are removed and you have access to all the spots, you can start dusting. Use compressed air to blow dust out of hard-to-reach places and suck it up with a vacuum cleaner. Make sure you clean any niches, as dust can lead to overheating.
- Blow on all ventilation grids with compressed air, and be sure to blow on the motherboard heatsink as well.
- Clean the USB ports, and dust off all the components.
- Clean the large fan thoroughly to remove all traces of dust.
Step 2. Replace the thermal paste (optional)
If you are really worried about overheating, you can remove the heatsink from the motherboard and replace the thermal paste. This is not necessary and is only recommended if you can live without the Playstation, because there is a good chance of damaging the heatsink during removal.
Step 3. Reassemble the unit
Once the cleaning is complete, it's time to put everything back together. Go through the steps in this guide in reverse order to make sure you put everything back in the right place. Make sure all components are connected correctly and everything is working.
Be sure to remember to reinsert the hard drive before turning on the Playstation, or you will not be able to use it
Advice
- This takes about 1-2 hours, so be patient and take breaks if necessary.
- A great way to keep the screws tidy is to use a sheet of paper to tape them in the order you removed them. Or use a sheet for each step.
- Try to work on a wooden surface. Avoid fabrics to avoid the build-up of static electricity.
Warnings
- Ribbon cables are very easy to break, so be careful when handling them.
- Do not remove any components by force.
- Try not to touch the motherboard if you can avoid doing it.
- Use screwdrivers of the right size so as not to strip the screws.
- Make sure the system is turned off and completely disconnected from the power supply during the operation.
- Do not follow these steps if your device is still under warranty, as it will invalidate it.
