PlayStation 3 CECHH01 Teardown

Duration: 45 minutes

Steps: 11 Steps

Having some heat problems? No worries, time for a little cleanup! Here’s how to give your device a much-needed refresh.

Step 1

– Gently pry off the cover using your fingernail or a spudger. Take it slow and steady!

– Unscrew the PH1 screw—nothing fancy, just a simple twist.

– Carefully pull the HDD out. A little wiggle should do the trick!

Step 2

– Peel off that sticker and gently lift out the rubber tab hiding beneath.

– Locate and remove the T8 security screw—sometimes you’ll need a T10 driver instead.

– Carefully pull the cover towards you to lift it off and get access inside.

Step 3

Heads up: the Blu-ray drive isn’t secured with screws. Be careful not to tip over the console!

– Take out the 6 long medium screws. They’re just waiting to be unscrewed, so give them some love.

– Next, unscrew the medium screw marked with an S – it’s like a little treasure map for your screws.

– Use your finger to press the tab next to the medium screw and give it a gentle lift. The case will swing open from the front, like magic.

– When you’re putting it all back together, start with the front edge and rotate the back into place. The screws will click everything back where it belongs, no sweat.

Step 4

– Flip the Blu-Ray drive over, then gently lift the black tab to detach the ribbon cable.

– Unplug the 4-pin cable that’s connected to the Blu-Ray drive.

Step 5

When reassembling, the tiny screws with fine threads are labeled with an M. Keep an eye out for those markings to make sure everything goes back together smoothly.

– Take out the M screw

– Unscrew the medium-sized screws

– Pop out the long M screws

Step 6

– Gently press down on the tab and give it a straight pull

– Simply pull it straight out with confidence

Step 7

Avoid using a metal spudger! There are some exposed prongs that could lead to a short circuit or even give you a little shock. I didn’t know that when I first tried it, so trust me—take care!

– Grab something non-metallic and gently lift this corner to make things easier on yourself.

– Give the power supply a straight-up pull to pop it out.

Step 8

– Start by taking out those pesky short-medium screws. They won’t be missed!

– Next up, unscrew the ground screw. It’s always good to disconnect things properly.

– Now, it’s time to get rid of the heatsink screws and braces. These guys hold everything in place, so be sure to set them aside safely.

– Finally, gently lift the front panel to remove it. Don’t rush it—take it slow, and it’ll come off smoothly!

Take your time here—the heatsinks aren’t secured with screws, so using too much muscle could bend the fins. Easy does it!

This is actually my second round of opening this device, so I didn’t bother with thermal paste on the chips—there’s some on there, but honestly, a bit too much in my opinion. When reassembling, you’ll notice all the screw holes are marked; if a hole isn’t marked, just skip the screw. Easy peasy! If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.

Step 9

– Start by unscrewing the M screws and disconnecting the board battery—your PS3 will forget the date and time, but don’t worry, we’ll get it back. Next, be mindful when reassembling; the shield goes beneath the top half of the HDD cage, so double-check its placement. To free the HDD cage, gently lift it from this side and wiggle it loose—those pins can be a little stubborn, so take your time. Then, remove the shield covering the USB and WiFi controller to access those components. Carefully lift the USB and WiFi controller straight up from the motherboard, and peel away the white tape underneath. To access the motherboard shield, lift it from this side—be gentle and patient. Finally, the motherboard comes out smoothly when lifted from the right angle. If you run into any trouble along the way, you can always schedule a repair with Salvation Repair to help you out.