Sony PS3 Reference Tool DECR-1000A issues

I have recently acquired a DECR-1000A which seems to have some issues. The power supply has a coil that's whining, so I know I need to replace that, but not sure where I might find a replacement for it. Also, when I first received it, it exhibited symptoms of green light of death, where it would turn off with three beeps after just a few seconds. No yellow light (which it wouldn't have) and no alternating red/green light either. I disassembled it to have a look at the condition of the motherboard and was a bit surprised to find no thermal compound on the Cell/RSX. Instead, there was a very thin black material (like a very thin thermal pad) between the heatsinks and the top of each chips heat spreaders. I know I will need to get the RSX reballed (most likely replaced), but just wondered if anyone knew whether this was normal to have thermal pads rather than paste in there. I can post pics of the inside and a video showing what it does if it will help. Thanks in advance.

 

Topic approved

 

OK, I'm guessing my last post is just lost, so I'll repost the photos. Most of these are here just for anyone who is curious to see them, but I'd be interested in getting info on those thermal pads I talked about. You can see them in the fourth to last photo, labelled DECR 13.

 

i guess that the black pad is what you say , some kind of thermal pad

i wonder if replacing it with quality thermal compound would be better

also is it just me or is the back of your unit warped/damaged ?

 

Yeah, I was thinking some MX-2 in place of those pads might be worth considering. And yes, the unit originally went from Palestine to another PS3 scene dev in Portugal. He decided he didn't need it, so I talked him into sending it to me. The unit has seen some dings along the way from the looks of it (the PSU got the brunt of the damage, which is where the whining coil came from, I'm sure). If this hadn't been a rare item, I wouldn't bother with the repair, but a reference tool is certainly worth the effort to restore as much as possible.

 

also thanks for posting some inside shots of the unit , i myself will be getting the same unit and if i ever need to repair it they will come in handy , are the hard drives sata and connected to some kinda of sata>pata bridge ?

maybe its just me but i prefer the design of the 1000A to the retail ps3's

 

Same here. Full size heatsinks and an overall more robust design certainly trumps it's retail counterpart, but then, so did the price back in the day. Just be sure you have plenty of room for someplace to keep it, as it's ridiculously big (it's rack mountable). Also, lift with the legs, and not the back (no joke).

Sorry, just realized I missed your other question, indeed, the hard drives are SATA and are on a PATA interface. Very odd that they did it this way, rather than oboard SATA controllers and bus.

 

I think i have the parts you need to repair your unit. PM me if needed

 

The only real part I think I need is the power supply. I could consider replacing some of the casing (the front bezel is cracked and the rear chasis is a bit warped). The RSX is going to be replaced and reballed with leaded solder BGA. My only real issue is the coil whine in the power supply. If you have one available, I'd certainly be interested in it. I'm not sure what shipping costs from California to the UK would be, but it's certainly worth getting a quote, as these parts aren't easy to find.

 

I have a fully working unit that missing the front panel so I can basically give you everything you need beside that front piece. Let me know what you need and I can have them weighted for the shipping cost.

 

Why would you part out a working unit? Would seem to make more sense to sell it as it is.

 

It's missing the front panel. I can't sell it as a complete working unit unless I can find that front piece

 

If you're serious about parting it out, I'd definitely be interested in the power supply. I'm not sure about the rear chassis (as it looks like it's it's all part of the bottom of the casing, which would be more expensive than it's worth for cosmetic purposes). I'd also be interested in the motherboard, as it's always handy to have a second one on hand for part swapping or as a backup.

 

I'll have more info for you tonight. Just need to take some pics

 

Sounds good. If the shipping wasn't likely to be astronomical, I'd look at taking it in it's entirety off your hands, but even within the US, the rates would be pretty high for how heavy/big it is, not to mention the duties I'd be looking at to import something like that. Parts are easier to undervalue for customs, but a whole unit would be alot tougher.

 

PM'd you a ton of pics. Please check them.

 

Hi there. I was originally the guy who previously had the DECR in the first place. It came from Israel, and the guy (who is also a member on this forum) guaranteed that it'd come in working condition. however it didn't. when it came to my house (i live in Portugal, Europe), sometimes it'd boot and stay on but no video and no controller charging, while other times it'd not boot at all. it came with an antenna as well, although i forgot to ship that to General Plot, so it's still in my house.

 

You keep forgetting, 3absiso is in Palestine. I just hope it's the RSX and not the southbridge that's damaged, as the RSX can be replaced, but the southbridge can't be.