PS3 video problem (I think)

[mistmonster]

I have a launch PS3 that seems to have a video problem or maybe memory. It's way out of warranty. I don't mind sending it to sony, however the problems are a bit intermittent. On top of that, I have a tough time actually using the correct terms to describe its problem. I'm afraid if I send it to them they won't stress it enough to see the problem. Since you guys seem to know everything, please let me know if you have any advice. I really want to keep it

Problems are intermittent but easy to recreate with the right games.
I keep my place COLD and it sits out in the open with plenty of air flow. However, I do have cats and dust and if you think taking it apart to clean is a good idea I will start there.

While playing PS3 games only the video messes up. The best way I can describe it is that it has artifacts?

Check this web page http://www.playtool.com/pages/artifacts/artifacts.html

Pictures 3 and 4 is what is does. However picture 4 is much worst than what mine does. Mine seems to pick a single object on the screen and do those funky colors and flicker.

I see this on games like Dragon Age and White Night Chronicles. Games like Fat Princess don't seem to do this. Blue ray and downloaded movies always are fine.

Sometimes the icons on the screen where you select what you want to do turn black.

Anyone have experience with this kind of issue? thanks a bunch!

[xerodok]

HDMI, component or AV?

[mistmonster]

HDMI, component or AV?

Opps sorry I should have included that. HDMI I have tried changing HDMI cables and actually now 2 different tvs.

I did call Sony tech support and they had me do a few different things, I can't remember exactly its been awhile. But something about holding the power button to reset it to defaults.

[xerodok]

But something about holding the power button to reset it to defaults.

Holding the power button on the front for 5~ seconds will reset your system's display settings back to default. This would be something you would do if you were hooking it up to a TV that wasn't HD and that's what it was configured in.

You need to determine if it's the HDMI port or not. Try hooking up your system to a regular TV, or the same TV, with component/AV cables.