With the PS3 being such a versatile machine it is important that you set the PlayStation 3 correctly to avoid any errors or any functions. Obvious I know but use a good quality HDMI cable if you have a HDTV the difference in incredible between the too. Make sure that in the PS3 system settings you select the HDMI settings if the PS3 hasn’t automatically detected it already. This will save you having to use the safe mode to restore your PS3.

Click Here For The Latest PS3 Update

The system setting, network settings and video setting seem to be the 3 that cause most of the PS3 Problems. I do understand that these setting can be overwhelming when you first see them and how many different setting there are inside the PS3.

If you know what is wrong like no sound or picture you are best to check these settings are correct, go to systems then settings and scroll down to the suspected setting problem and check.  You will find all the systems settings there and all you need do is scroll down to find the one that is relevant and open it and follow what you need to do to correct the issue.

Having the incorrect settings can cause your PS3 to malfunction or give out error codes(LINK).
Make sure all your game settings, including audio and video settings, are set correctly.

If you are experiencing these sort of error messages and an update hasn’t fixed these errors them you may have no alternative but to set the PS3 back to factory conditions, just like you have just unpacked it out of its box.

To get started on checking your PS3 settings, click on the links below:

1. System Settings

2. Network Settings

3. Video Settings

Check All Connections and Cables

I know it is obvious but you would be surprised how many related ps3 problems there are due to a bad connection or a faulty cable. A lose connection will cause extra heat where it is not wanted and will eventually cause a permanent fault. These types of ps3 problems usually display an error message. Make sure you buy good quality HDMI Cables and not the cheapo ones.

Make sure that the power to the console is switched or turned off before you insert the cables back into the PS3 and the TV. Before inserting the cables back into the console and TV have a quick look at the ends of the plugs to make sure that it is not damaged in any way. Ensure that you fully insert the plug into the socket on the PS3 and TV both the ends need to be inserted properly.

Here is a statement from Sony advising you about this PS3 Problem; Sony advises that the connection to faulty or defective components or the failure to connect to a properly wired outlet may cause sparking and pose a fire risk and could cause damage to your system.

In that case there is a surge protection adapter you can buy to prevent that from happening.

Below we have replicated Sony’s Connection methods. However, we would recommend that that you refer to your own User Manual that’s specific to your PS3 model.

Go here to get a copy of your PS3 Manual.

PS3 Problems-Connection Methods

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How to access PlayStation 3 SAFE MODE

I’ve noticed a lot of misinformation on these boards about Safe Mode, or as most incorrectly call it, “the recovery menu.”  Therefore I’m posting the OFFICIAL safe mode entry from the Knowledge Center here.  I hope this helps some people out!

What is Safe Mode and how do I enable it on my PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system?

Safe mode is a feature for starting the PS3™ system with the “minimum required functionality” if the system is no longer able to start up normally due to an action was taken (such as turning off the system’s MAIN POWER switch while data was being written to the hard disk drive). By starting up the system in safe mode then executing a menu option, you may be able to eliminate the symptom. Please note there is a chance that safe mode options will not fix the problem and you system will require service.

We do not recommend using the options in Safe Mode unless you are experiencing issues with the PLAYSTATION 3.  Some of these options could result in loss of data.

If you choose to perform one of the Safe Mode options, please back up your data before attempting to enter safe mode (when possible).

Safe Mode is only available to PS3′s with system software 2.60 or greater installed.

When to Use Safe Mode

Execute safe mode when the PS3™ is experiencing the following symptoms:

• When the PS3™ system is started up, the XMB™ menu is not displayed (only the wave screen background appears)
• When the PS3™ system is started up, nothing appears on the screen
• When the PS3™ system is started up, a message stating [The hard disk's file system is corrupted and will be restored.] is displayed > [OK] > Restore operation > Restart
• Original message is displayed again or the system stops during restoration.
• When the PS3™ system is started up, a message stating [The hard disk's database will be rebuilt.] is displayed > [OK] > Rebuild > Failure > System stops while formatting hard disk drive.
• The system stops while restarting after a PS3™ system update or while updating or rebuilding the database.
• The situation does not improve even when the system is restarted.

Safe Mode Options

In Safe Mode, you will have the following options:

• Restart System – Ends safe mode and starts up the PLAYSTATION 3 normally.
• Restore Default Settings – Performs the same operations as [Restore Default Settings] on the XMB™, and also deletes PlayStation®Network account information from the system.
• Restore File System – Attempts to repair all areas on the hard disk drive where files can be saved. Corrupted data may be erased if it cannot be recovered.
• Rebuild Database – Deletes messages, playlists, changes made on [Information] screens, trimming information for pictures in [Photo], video thumbnails, video playback history and video resume information.
• This operation may take a long time depending on the type and number of data items.
• Restore PS3 System – IMPORTANT: All data will be lost by performing this step.
• This will reformat the hard drive on the PLAYSTATION 3, deleting all data and restoring it to as if it just came out of the box. This is the same as [Restore PS3 system] on the XMB.
• System Update – Updates the PS3 system software. This can only be done with an update file already saved on an external storage media.

Activating Safe Mode

Step 1: Turn off the PLAYSTATION 3 by holding the Power button on the front of the unit till the Power light is red.

Step 2: Touch and hold the Power button, you will hear the first beep, meaning the PLAYSTATION 3 is powering on.
Continue to hold the Power button and after about 5 seconds, you will hear a second beep, indicating the video reset.
Continue to hold the Power button and after about another 5 seconds you will hear a third beep and the system will power off (Power light is red).

Step 3: Touch and hold the Power button, you will hear the first beep, again for the PLAYSTATION 3 to power on.

• Continue to hold the Power button and after about 5 seconds, you will hear a second beep for video reset.
• Continue to hold the Power button and after about another 5 seconds you will hear a quick double beep.  At that point release the Power button.
• If you succeeded in activating Safe Mode, you will see a message on the screen saying, “Connect the controller using a USB cable and then press the PS button.”
• Connect a USB cable to the controller and the PLAYSTATION 3 and press the PS button to enter Safe Mode.
• Then you will see the Safe Mode menu.

Step 4: We recommending performing the safe mode options in the following order until one of the options works for you. If one of the options work, do not continue onto the other options.

• Restore Default Settings
• Restore File System
• Rebuild Database
• Restore PS3 System

That is from the Official PlayStation Community website.

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Removal Of Excessive Internal & External Dust.

Keeping the PS3 Problem free is essential and prevention is better than a cure, so keep your PS3 as clean as possible and most of all dust free is an important part of the upkeep to your ps3. Keep the PS3 away from any heat source like a fire or radiator that produces heat.

Cleaning The PS3 Console

One of the best things you can use to blow out any unwanted debris from inside the PS3 is a compressor, or a can of compressed air, this will blow compressed air into the console and remove any dust and dirt from inside the console. If you don’t have a compressor or a can of compressed air the alternative is a household vacuum cleaner this will suck out the unwanted debris  but I have found that it doesn’t remove all the dust because it is not as powerful as a compressor but it will do a good job in removing most of the dust. When using either of these methods particular attention should be paid to the air vents making sure they are free from any obstructions.

When using the compressor, can of compressed air or the vacuum cleaner makes sure you are a few inches away from the console you don’t want to be to close in case you accidentally catch one of the small components.

Now you’ve removed most of the dust, use what is often referred to as the “fan test” to blast any remaining debris dust from inside the console.

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 Cooling Down Your PlayStation 3 Correctly

If you have been using your PS3 for any great length of time the red light sometimes occurs because the ps3 console is running too hot for too long. This type of abuse to the console will eventually cause you to have some PS3 Problems some will be more serious than others.

The problems that occur due to excessive heat could develop in to the flashing yellow light or as it is known as “Yellow Light Of Death”. Another vital component that will fail if the PS3 console is used excessively is the ps3 cooling fan, the cooling fan works overtime to keep the ps3 at a reasonable temperature trying to keep the system cooler whilst it is being used for too longer periods.

If you do use your PS3 to that extent then check out our maintenance guide for help with dealing with this PS3 Problem.

Take the following steps to cool down The PS3 console

Disconnect the console from any cables so you just have the PS3 console by itself.
Let the console cool down completely before you go on to the next stage of cleaning and removal of any debris.

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This is obvious but surprisingly some PS3 users do not do this correctly, you should always shut down the PS3 correctly get into the habit of shutting the console down correctly after you have finished using the PS3.

Some electrical products can with stand a certain amount of neglect and abuse the PS3 isn’t one of them. If you are not on top of your PS3 you will encounter some PS3 Problems. Have you ever wondered why some people don’t have any PS3 problems and others do, well it’s down to the maintenance you put in to your console. Do nothing or very little and you will have these ps3 problems, regular maintenance and you won’t suffer these ps3 problems.

The PS3 is more than a gaming machine, you can listen to music or play cd on it, watch a DVD or blue ray movie on it also, you can surf the internet on it and stream movies on the PS3 as well as play fantastic games on it. Considering all these facts the PS3 is one of the top appliances used in most peoples household on a DAILY basis.

We know that the PS3 is used most days in many households now consider this if the PS3 is used that much each day and it is put in an unsuitable environment it is going to suffer and get extremely hot and eventually will break down. If you turn your console off incorrectly you will get a warning message on your screen when you next turn it back on. Turning your PS3 off correctly will ensure you don’t encounter any corrupt or missing data.

It is also recommended to switch the ps3 console off at the back once you have shut down the system in the proper way. This only applies to the earlier versions of the PS3. The slim PS3 does not have an on/off switch you would have to UN-plug the console from the electrical outlet.

Turn off any other pieces of electrical equipment that is connected to the PlayStation like the router or a modem and leave it turned off for a few minutes. When its time to turn all the equipment back on switch all the pieces of equipment back on in the reverse order. Turn the modem or router back on first the PS3 should be the last item to be turned back on it this sequence.

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Other PS3 problems that many users have reported to have a design flaw with the ps3 console which causes it to break down. The most talked about ps3 problem is the flashing or blinking Yellow Light problem named the “Yellow Light of Death” or “YLOD” for short. The “YLOD” ps3 problem is one of the more serious ps3 problems, it is also the most complained about.
What causes the “YLOD” fault? It is believed to be down to excessive heat inside the PS3 console; this excessive heat can damage the processor and causes dry joints on the motherboard. This excessive heat causes the solder to melt and it causes the component to become lose forming a dry joint. In certain areas inside the PS3 they are more prone to dry joints because of a combination of different heat sauces inside the PS3.
In the earlier versions of the PS3 like the 20GB and 60GB consoles are more likely to develop the “YLOD” problem because they are less efficient than the modern day PS3 Processors.
There is also a “Red Light of Death” this is a fatal ps3 problem and it is the failure of the PS3 hard drive. Depending how often and how long you use your PS3 and how you take care of you PS3, usually a PS3 hard drive should last between 3 and 5 years if not longer. It is like most products you buy these days the carry a good guarantee and after that they break down due to its age but 5 years is about the usual.
Check out our PS3 Maintenance guide, this guide will help you prevent the YLOD problem and keep your PS3 free from errors.

Many people don’t realize that where you place your PS3 is most important, the best place to position your PS3 console would be somewhere close to the TV but in as much open space as possible this will help the air flow around the PS3 console. I personally have a small desktop electric fan next to the PS3 console which points directly to the PS3 air vents and when I have been on the PS3 for a while I switch the fan on this will sent some cool air into the PlayStation and cool the components inside the console. The PS3-Cooling-Fan clips onto the PS3 and delivers cool air into the PS3.

If you place the PS3 console in a bad position for example next to your TV which will send WARM air towards the PS3 console, this will restrict the ventilation which in turn could cause the PS3 to overheat and if this keeps happening then overheating problems can cause flashing red light, or flashing green and red lights and in the worst case scenarios, the dreaded “yellow light of death”.

If this PS3 Problem persists then you need to take action to clear the air vents from any restrictions, the fan on the PS3 will get noisier and will run for longer periods. This indicates an overheating problem and the best thing to do would be to clear the air vents using a compressor or a can of compressed air to blow out any debris. Alternatively you can use a vacuum/hoover to remove any unwanted bits of fluff or dirt that has already attached itself to the console components, especially the fan blades themselves.

Keeping The PS3 In Tip Top Condition.

For trouble FREE PS3 use and preventions of any kind of failure it is best if you do these few steps.

The PS3 operates at its best when the PS3 is relatively cold, if you are a heavy user the PS3 will tend to get hot and this will cause problems. Keep the PS3 console in a well-ventilated area and when used a lot use a desktop fan to send cool air inside the PS3 to cool the components down.

Do not put the PS3 on a carpet or dusty surface, if you do carpet particles will end up inside the PS3 and sometimes melt themselves on to some of the components that get hot, the same thing happens to the dust it clogs up the air vents preventing cool air from entering the console and prevents the warm air from being extracted from the console. The retained heat will simply make its way back into your console causing the PS3 and the fan in particular to work harder to remain cool. Other areas to avoid placing the PS3 inside a cabinet or stacked on top of other electrical products like a DVD player that will generate heat that could get sucked up inside the PS3.

The Best Position For The PS3.

It is best to position the PS3 flat on a clean well-ventilated area take special attention to where the air vents are, the more room around the air vents the better. I personally wouldn’t recommend you put the PS3 on its side, in case studies it has been found that many YLOD sufferers put their PS3 on its side, this could be what increases the likely hood of getting the YLOD. There is a stand that has been designed especially for the PS3 console which ensures you don’t obstruct the air vents.

Keeping The PS3 COOL.

If you are like most PS3 users (me included) and are constantly on your PS3 your PS3 is going to get HOT I would recommend that you use another means to cool the PlayStation down.  There are a couple of way you can do this, use a desktop electric fan or an additional external fan specifically for the PS3 both these methods will reduce the heat inside the console. Another option would be to use a cooling pad to keep the PS3 colder whilst in use.

Keeping The PS3 Dust Free

Keep the air vents free from any type of debris is essential, dust is the most common, pet hairs, human hairs and tobacco smoke are other types of unwanted bits of debris that could end up inside the console. Regularly vacuuming will keep them at bay. If the air vents are clogged up with a combination of those then the PS3 won’t be able to breath and it won’t be able to cool down properly and there will be insufficient air circulation around your PS3.
When you are not using your PS3 put a dust cover over the console preventing any further debris from entering the console. Remember to place the cover over the console once it has had time to cool down.

For ways to safely rid excess PS3 dust from the air vents and from within the console itself, click on the link and see our dust extraction page.

Clean all discs before inserting them into your PS3, the static on the discs attract dust like a magnet to metal. If you experience problems with discs not being read properly, check that the disk is clean and undamaged. To clean the disc use a lint free cloth wiping away from the middle of the disc towards the outside and NOT around in circles. When you have finished with the disk place it back in its case and avoid placing the disc in direct sunlight. If your disc is really dirty and full of grease from your hands thy this disc cleaner to wipe away unwanted finger prints, dust and grease.

The connections on the back of the PS3 console and the back of the TV do get hot and if you don’t insert them properly they will cause a loose connection and start to arc the terminals, most of all make sure that you use the correct cables into the correct socket. Check these cables regularly to make sure that they are a tight as possible fit, you would be surprised how many PS3 problems are caused by lose or the wrong type of connection. Add a surge protector to the PS3 this will prevent any surges of electricity that will damage the console or TV.

The T500 RS Racing Wheel for PS3 from Thrustmaster, maker of innovative PC and console accessories, delivers the most realistic, powerful driving experience, with no compromises. The T500 RS wheel and pedal set is specially designed for Gran Turismo 5, and other driving simulators for the PS3. PC drivers are now available through the Thrustmaster website, making it fully compatible with all PC racing titles. The Thrustmaster T500 RS has an Ultra-precise wheel with up to three full turns of rotation which makes the Experience the ultimate in PS3 game play.

The Thrustmaster T500 RS is totally optimized for game play performance and driving sensations and has three adjustable pedals provide the most realistic driving experience. The T500 RS is a real driving simulator, combining power and precision. Thrustmaster has drawn from more than 20 years of expertise in racing wheels, with a single goal: to develop a wheel and pedal set that allows users to go as far as possible in the Gran Turismo 5 experience. The designers have taken into account the expectations of the most demanding gamers, while also adhering to the technical choices of the developers of this new opus in the benchmark car racing series.

An Infinite Number of Driving Styles

Completely optimized for GT5, the T500 RS meets the demand for absolute realism. The first thing you will notice when setting it up is its weight: 10lbs for the wheel, and 16lbs for the pedal set. Another instantly visible feature is the omnipresent use of metal–for the gearshift levers, the wheel’s central spokes section (12″ in diameter) and the pedal set. This has required a mechanical design with no compromises.

Realistic Wheel Handling

Ergonomics were at the heart of the wheel’s development, with an eye on optimizing game play, performance and driving sensations. The sequential gear levers mounted on the base feature large 6.7″ levers that are constantly accessible without letting go of the wheel. The wheel itself offers a remarkable 1080° rotation. These 3 full turns are also adjustable, thanks to a motorized stop, allowing the gamer choose the maximum degree of rotation according to the type of racing circuit and the car being driven.

Metal Pedals with Two Driving Positions

The spacing and height of the 100% metal pedal set is also fully adjustable and accommodate individual driving preferences by offering 2 positions: “floor-mounted” F1 style, or “suspended” GT style. The brake pedal has been given extra attention, with reinforced and adjustable resistance that lets users perfectly tailor their braking with near surgical precision, and which includes a removable mod. A textured foot rest, also crafted entirely of metal, completes the pedal set. Gamers will notice that having 3 pedals at their disposal not only enhances the level of realism.

Gaming Chairs for total enjoyment whilst playing on your favorite computer game. This is the best way to play any PS3 game in comfort this gaming seat has two 2-way speakers inside the headrest with sub-woofers and rumble feedback in the chassis. The frame is fully adjustable with reinforced steel-tube frame and is finished off with a durable synthetic leather seat. There is a three-point adjustment to accommodate gamers of different heights and sizes for maximum comfort. The compatibility using steering wheels and pedal sets and such like are set to the current market standard and it recommended for the age group of 14 years and older.
Compatible with Playstation2, Playstation3, Xbox, Xbox 360, Wii Gaming Consoles and Windows.

The PlayseatSV Product Description.
The PlayseatSV is for the gamer the SV stands for Sound and Vibration taking the PlayseatSV in-home gaming to a whole new level, having the speaker’s right next to your ears and the reinforced frame work. It really does take gaming to a new level; the seats are very comfortable to relax in and enjoy playing games or even watching a DVD the sound quality is fantastic watching a Blu-ray DVD. Immerse yourself in the game with powerful sound and vibration.