Trying to Fix BROKEN Items Purchased from eBay! S1:E70

Joey Does Tech
11 May 202434:40

TLDRIn this episode of 'Profit or Loss,' the host attempts to repair two faulty PlayStation 5 consoles purchased from eBay with the hope of reselling them for a profit. The first PS5 has a disc edition console with a pulsing blue light of death issue, which after a thorough diagnostic check, is suspected to be related to the South Bridge IC. Despite replacing the South Bridge, the console still malfunctions, and upon closer inspection, a crack is discovered on the APU, rendering the unit unsellable. The second console, with an HDMI fault, undergoes a meticulous check of its HDMI port and associated circuitry, with all components appearing functional. In a surprising turn, replacing the HDMI retimer chip against all logical findings leads to a successful repair. The episode concludes with a profit calculation, revealing a gross profit of £3,260 for the day's efforts.

Takeaways

  • 🛒 The video is part of a series where the host buys faulty electronic items from eBay, fixes them, and sells them for a profit.
  • 🎮 The host purchased a PlayStation 5 console for £170 with the intention of fixing it and reselling it.
  • 🔍 The console had a 'Blue Light of Death' issue, which initially suggested a possible APU (Application Processor Unit) problem.
  • 🧐 Upon closer inspection, the warranty sticker was intact, and the host suspected the issue might not be related to the APU.
  • 🔧 The host conducted a thorough diagnostic, checking for shorts and voltage levels on the console's motherboard.
  • 💡 It was discovered that the South Bridge IC on the motherboard had suspiciously low readings, leading to its replacement.
  • 🔥 Despite replacing the South Bridge, the console still didn't work, leading to further investigation.
  • 🚫 The host found a crack on the APU, which was likely the cause of the persistent issues, making the console unsalvageable.
  • 🛍️ The host then moved on to a second PS5 with a supposed HDMI fault, which also had an intact warranty sticker.
  • 🔉 After testing and replacing the HDMI port and the HDMI retimer IC, the second console was successfully fixed.
  • 📊 The host calculated a gross profit of £3,260 for the day's episode after selling the fixed console.
  • 🎁 A giveaway is mentioned, sponsored by iFixit, offering a starter kit worth up to £50, available to participants on the host's Discord channel.

Q & A

  • What is the main focus of the video series 'Profit or Loss'?

    -The video series 'Profit or Loss' focuses on buying faulty electronic items from eBay, attempting to fix them, and then selling them for a profit.

  • How much did the presenter pay for the PlayStation 5 console in this episode?

    -The presenter paid a total of £170 for the PlayStation 5 console.

  • What issue was the PlayStation 5 console facing as described in the eBay listing?

    -The issue described in the eBay listing was that the console powers on for a second to a blue light and then powers back off. There was also a suspicion that the warranty sticker was tampered with, indicating the console might have been opened before.

  • What was the final diagnosis of the problem with the first PlayStation 5 console?

    -The final diagnosis was that there was a crack on the APU (Accelerated Processing Unit) of the console, which was not initially suspected and led to a failed repair attempt.

  • What discount is being offered by iFixit during the promotional period mentioned in the video?

    -iFixit is offering a 20% discount on select toolkits during the promotional period from the 10th to the 31st of May.

  • What is the presenter's personal favorite toolkit from iFixit?

    -The presenter's personal favorite toolkit from iFixit is the Protek toolkit, which includes everything needed to repair all sorts of devices.

  • What is the error code 80820 related to?

    -Error code 80820 is related to an unknown power or short issue on the console's motherboard.

  • What was the suspected component causing the issue with the second PlayStation 5 console?

    -The suspected components causing the issue with the second PlayStation 5 console were the SSD controller IC or the Wi-Fi IC.

  • What was the final solution to fix the second PlayStation 5 console?

    -The final solution to fix the second PlayStation 5 console was replacing the HDMI retimer chip, which was a shot in the dark but ended up resolving the issue.

  • What was the total profit made in the episode after selling the fixed PlayStation 5 console?

    -The total profit made in the episode was £3,260 after selling the fixed PlayStation 5 console.

  • How can viewers participate in the iFixit giveaway mentioned in the video?

    -Viewers can participate in the iFixit giveaway by joining the Discord channel using the link provided in the video description and then pressing 'participate' in the giveaway section.

Outlines

00:00

🛍️ Introduction and Console Overview

The video begins with the host discussing his process of buying faulty electronics from eBay, fixing them, and reselling for a profit. This is episode 70 of the series, and after a disappointing episode 69, the host is optimistic about making a profit. The video is sponsored by iFixit, and the item in focus is a PlayStation 5 Disc Edition console bought for £170. The console appears to be in good condition apart from a few scuff marks. The eBay listing mentioned a 'blue light of death' issue, and the warranty sticker seems intact, suggesting it hasn't been tampered with. Upon testing, the console powers on briefly before shutting down, indicating a potential problem.

05:01

🔍 Diagnostics and Component Checks

The host proceeds to diagnose the console, checking for power supply voltages and finding no issues with the standard 12V, 5V, and 3.3V lines. However, the console shuts down unexpectedly, leading to a diagnosis of a possible short on the board. The host uses a multimeter to check for shorts, focusing on the Wi-Fi IC and fuses, but finds no apparent issues. The South Bridge IC shows abnormally low resistance readings, suggesting it might be the culprit. The host also notes a crack on the APU, which is a significant concern, but decides to replace the South Bridge first before jumping to conclusions.

10:02

🔩 South Bridge Replacement and Testing

The host decides to replace the South Bridge IC, using a donor South Bridge and manually reballing it onto the console's motherboard. The process involves heating the South Bridge, applying flux, and using a stencil to ensure proper alignment. After successfully reflowing the solder and attaching the new South Bridge, the host cleans the area thoroughly. Despite the replacement, the console exhibits the same symptoms, indicating the issue might lie elsewhere. The host then considers the power supply, but swapping it out doesn't resolve the problem.

15:04

💡 Further Investigation into the APU and HDMI

The host discovers a crack on the APU, which is disappointing as it was overlooked initially. This crack could be the root cause of the console's issues. The host then shifts focus to the HDMI port, checking for physical damage and continuity, which appear to be fine. Despite the warranty sticker not being intact, there's no clear evidence of previous repairs. The HDMI port is tested with a monitor, but no signal is detected. The host is left puzzled as the issue doesn't align with common HDMI-related problems.

20:06

🔬 In-Depth HDMI Circuit Examination

The host conducts a thorough examination of the HDMI circuit, checking for voltage and continuity across various components. Despite the console not displaying any signal, all measurements appear normal. The host even compares the faulty console's readings with a working one and finds them to be identical, which is perplexing. The host also tests the console in safe mode with no success. The HDMI port, the JL connector, and the associated capacitors all seem to be functioning correctly, leaving the host without a clear direction for further repairs.

25:06

🔄 Replacing the HDMI Port and Chip

As a last resort, the host decides to replace the HDMI port and the HDMI retimer chip, despite all measurements indicating they are functioning correctly. The host meticulously desolders and resolders the components, ensuring a clean and secure connection. After replacing the HDMI retimer chip, the host tests the console again. To the host's surprise, the console now works, displaying a picture when connected to the HDMI 1 input on the monitor. This success comes after a process of elimination and a bit of trial and error.

30:10

📊 Conclusion and Profit Calculation

The video concludes with the host calculating the profit from fixing the console. The total cost of parts was 50p for the port, and the host estimates a sale price of £160 for the non-working console and £250 for the working one, resulting in a gross profit of £3,260 for the day. The host also mentions a giveaway on the Discord channel sponsored by iFixit, encouraging viewers to participate. The video ends with a reminder for viewers to take advantage of the iFixit discount and a farewell until the next episode.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡eBay

eBay is an online marketplace where people can buy and sell a wide variety of goods and services. In the context of the video, the host purchases faulty electronic items from eBay with the intention of repairing them and reselling them for a profit. eBay serves as the platform where the initial transaction for the broken PlayStation 5 takes place.

💡Profit or Loss

This refers to the financial outcome of the host's endeavor to repair and resell electronic items. The video series is titled 'Profit or Loss,' indicating that each episode will reveal whether the host made a financial gain (profit) or loss from their repair efforts. The host mentions a total profit of £55310 over the course of 70 episodes, indicating the series' focus on financial results.

💡PlayStation 5 (PS5)

The PlayStation 5 is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. In the script, it is the primary item that the host has purchased from eBay to repair. The host discusses the condition, cost, and potential issues with the PS5, which is central to the episode's narrative of attempting to fix and sell the console for profit.

💡Warranty Sticker

A warranty sticker is a seal that indicates whether a product has been opened or tampered with since leaving the factory. In the video, the host inspects the warranty sticker on the PS5 to assess if it has been previously opened, which could affect the console's warranty status and the host's ability to repair it without voiding the warranty.

💡Blue Light of Death

This is a term often used in the gaming community to describe a specific error state in which a PlayStation console powers on but fails to boot up properly, indicated by a persistent blue light. The host encounters this issue when testing the PS5 and it becomes a significant part of the troubleshooting process.

💡iFixit

iFixit is a website and online community focused on the repair of electronic devices. In the video, iFixit is mentioned as a sponsor, providing a discount to viewers on toolkits and other repair-related items. The host uses iFixit's resources and promotes their offerings to the audience.

💡SSD (Solid State Drive)

An SSD is a type of data storage device that uses solid-state memory to store data persistently, which is much faster than traditional hard drives. The host discusses the possibility of the SSD being the issue with the PS5 and goes on to inspect and test it during the repair process.

💡Short Circuit

A short circuit occurs when an electrical path not intended by design allows current to flow along it, which can lead to malfunction or damage to electronic components. The host uses a multimeter to check for short circuits on the PS5's motherboard, which is a critical step in diagnosing the console's issues.

💡South Bridge IC

The South Bridge IC (Integrated Circuit) is a component of a computer's chipset that manages peripheral devices and data flow. The host suspects the South Bridge IC to be faulty based on the readings from the multimeter and decides to replace it as part of the repair attempt.

💡Reballing

Reballing is the process of replacing the solder balls on an integrated circuit so that it can be reattached to a circuit board. The host reballs the South Bridge IC, preparing it for reinstallation onto the PS5's motherboard, which is a delicate and technical part of the repair.

💡HDMI Port

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a common interface found on many electronic devices for transmitting audio and video signals. The host examines the HDMI port on the PS5 for physical damage and to determine if it's the source of the console's display issues.

Highlights

The video is part of a series called 'Profit or Loss' where the host buys faulty electronic items from eBay to fix and resell for profit.

In episode 70, the host attempts to fix a PlayStation 5 console that initially powers on but then shuts down, showing a 'Blue Light of Death'.

The PlayStation 5 was purchased for £170 and is a disc edition console with a few scuff marks but no severe damage.

The warranty sticker on the console appears intact, leading the host to believe the console has not been previously opened.

The host successfully powers on the console, but it encounters a long pulsing blue light before shutting off, indicating a potential hardware issue.

The video includes a sponsored segment by iFixit, offering 20% off select toolkits and a 10% off code for other items.

The host disassembles the console to diagnose the issue and finds a dusty fan, which is cleaned.

Upon further inspection, the host discovers a crack on the APU (Accelerated Processing Unit) of the console, which is a significant setback.

Despite the crack, the host decides to replace the South Bridge IC, hoping it might resolve the issue.

The South Bridge replacement does not fix the problem, leading the host to consider other components like the SSD controller IC or Wi-Fi IC as potential culprits.

The host then works on a second PlayStation 5 with a supposed HDMI fault, finding the HDMI port to be in good condition.

After extensive testing, the host decides to replace the HDMI port on the second console, even though initial tests showed no issues.

The replacement of the HDMI port is successful, and the second console starts working, which was a surprising result for the host.

The host confirms that the repaired console supports 4K resolution and the HDMI cable functions without any signal cutouts.

The episode concludes with the host calculating a profit of £3,260 for the day's repair work.

A giveaway is announced for up to £50 worth of a starter kit, sponsored by iFixit, and is open to participants worldwide.

The host emphasizes the importance of using the provided iFixit discount links for viewers looking to purchase repair tools.