My old PS3 died a couple of weeks ago from the common affliction of YLOD (Yellow Light Of Death). I bought a new super slim one but I figured I may as well try to resurrect the old one.
Apparently all I need to do is melt some mother board copper connectors back in place with a heat gun. Then clean up the old thermal paste, add some fresh paste, pull it all back together again and that's it - Should turn on Ok. I am borrowing a heat gun on the weekend so we'll see what happens. The way I see it, I have a 50/50 chance.
The thing is that I already have a new super slim PS3 so if I bring this guy back to life, I am not sure if I should sell it or keep it as a collector item since it's one of the big first release models.
http://kupscigar.com/fixes/PS3_board.jpg