Oh No! YLOD! Who You Gonna Visit? Techbytes!

So here’s the scenario: I’m just daunering through the Playstaion Store whilst downloading a demo on the PS3 when, without warning, it turns off, beeps and flashes it’s wee red light. So assuming it just having a hissy fit, try to turn it on, for it to turn on, beep and turn back off. Yes ladies and gentlemen, my 4 years & 130 day old 60GB launch day PS3 has fallen victim to Yellow Light Of Death (YLOD) syndrome.

It was quickly online to find somewhere that could repair for a reasonable price. After all, a brand new PS3 is just out of the question at the moment, it’s not back compatible and my fattie just so much better than the slim (minus the hard drive space mind). After much trawling, comparing and deliberations of whether to try the hair dryer trick (which was quickly scrapped as knowing my luck I’d kill it well and truly!), I stumbled upon Techbytes and, after much reading reviews (that were mainly PC related with a few consoles thrown in), I decided to give them a try.

After explaining what I thought was wrong with it, a few more questions seemed to point that I was right. Handing it over, price and an explanation of their turn around time was given along with a book in receipt (they scanned the console's serial no) so if needed, I could check on the progress of the repair. I was pleasantly surprised to be notified 2 days later via text that my console was ready to be picked up, despite having been told that it might have been longer due to high demand.

The receipt I got when I picked the console up detailed what exactly had been done to the console and for the price (£69 for YLOD repair at the time of writing), it was worth it (compared to the price of purchasing a new console). Considering that the repair is covered for 3 months, I don't think that you can go wrong. Have since had it up and running for the past few days checking for myself that everything is alright (even though they’ve already tested it), although I am now paranoid about backing everything up, so it’s the last thing to get done before switching the PS3 off. If you’re in the Glasgow area, then I have no hesitation in recommending these guys to you.

 

Techbytes Glasgow

 

* Parts of this post will be appearing on review sites, so don’t worry if you feel you have a case of Deja vu :p *

Links For Donations to Japan

As you’ve probably all heard and seen by now, an eathquake now marked as being at a magnitude of 9.0 and a subsequent tsunami devastated entire areas of Japan. The stories and images coming from the country are heart breaking. Many of the humanitarian charities are now running appeals for you to donate to. These are just a few that I’ve come across, allowing you to donate to ones that are close to your heart. This is by no means a definitive list, but these are official ones, mainly from the UK. If you are from elsewhere in the world, then please either navigate from the British sites to your country’s site or locate one from your country.

 

Save The Children
Shelterbox
British Red Cross
Oxfam
Salvation Army (through Just Giving)

 

Also, search engine Swag Bucks, the site that allows you to earn credits (Swag Bucks) as you search, have just recently started accepting Swag Bucks as donations. Visit the blog to see more information regarding it.

 

Please give whatever you can. Remember, every little helps!

 

Regards

Vhari x

Nintendo 3DS Pre-launch Event @ The Lighthouse, Glasgow 12th February 2011

The Nintendo 3DS is the latest offering from in the hand held console marketing. The 3DS isn't released until the 25^th March but lucky individuals have been invited along to pre-launch events to see the and experience the console, long before it's launch and one such event took place in Glasgow at The Lighthouse.

 

The event was split into different 'rooms'. The first room showed how far the Nintendo hand held consoles had come over the years before being introduced to the 3DS, but more importantly introduced Streetpass by use of an interactive pad. In the basic sense, with the 3DS in sleep mode, you're able to swap information with other 3DS users (like playlists, gifts for Nintendogs etc). Next it moved on to the first scene room.

 

To go along with the 3D element of the new console, two of the games coming to the console were brought to life. The first was Street Fighter. Alright maybe nothing to write home about (a little fight scene of course) but you were then able to take photos. 

 

Next we're brought into the next room, where we're faced with a guy, torch in hand along with gun telling us to get on our knees. Now he tells us his name is Chris Redfield...yes welcome to Resident Evil. With hands on the person in front (great way to get to know people by the way) Claire Redfield leads us through a darkened room...complete with leg grabbing, arm tugging T-virus infested zombies of course. Back in the light, it's video time with footage of the titles confirmed for the 3DS. Alright, we get the picture.

 

Now we get onto the good stuff. The actual hands on experience with the console. And now we see what the hype is around this. At first the 3D effect is very odd and it can take a bit getting used to after flicking between the flat and 3D you do see the difference it makes. It feels like someone is dragging the background away from you. It really comes into it's own on the likes of RIDGE RACER and Asphalt. A new addition to this console is circle pad, which you may find you're attracted automatically to it instead of the d-pad (directly below it). It feels a little more natural using it than the d-pad.

 

The last room was trailers (running on 3DS's of course) and the pre-installed software. Of the pre-installed software, the Augmented Realities (AR) game really caught the attention. Using the dual cameras on the back of the 3DS you focus on a card and play the game that unfolds before you. The interesting thing about this is that you have to move AROUND the card. One of the other games that they had on show was Super Monkey Ball 3D. To play, you tip the 3DS in the direction you want it to go on (if you're familiar with sixaxis on the PS3, you'll already know how this works). It was also interesting to see 3D video playing on the 3DS.

 

So having seen it, what's the opinion? It's probably one of the first ads that is right; seeing IS believing. Until you've actually tried the games then you can't truly appreciate the hype. However, there is one little issue. Anyone who has seen a 3D film will know that depending on where you sit depends on the effect you experience. The same goes for the 3DS. Depending on the position of the screen and how you look at it depends on the 3D effect which can distract from the game. Apart from this it is looking like a solid little console although price could put people off.