Power starts up then automatically switches itself back off.

PS3 comes on pick user then menu comes on but cant pick anything

When you plug in your system with the power cable and turn the toggle switch (in the back) do you see the red stand by light?

The red and yellow light comes from 1 bulb and the green and blu light comes from another..

If you have the YLOD and your yellow/red light is out, you will only see the green light.

I am really interested in your problem.

Do this to check your status: If you can do this function below but not any other, chances are, you do have the YLOD. It can be fixed.

Power off the unit using the toggle switch on the back. Hold down the 'eject' button and turn the toggle switch back from off to on. This will run a fan test and should eject your disc. Remember, this will only work on the 20, 40g models. Not the backwards compatible units with the 4 usb port holes and the memory card slots.

Does the lights blink red? If so, you have the infamous YLOD, aka. Yellow Light of Death. This is the number 1 cause of pS3's dying. It is an overheating issue linked to your CPU and GPU (the processor chips) You may need to find a local PS3 repair shop who can repair this. The process takes about 3 hours.

If you have a unit that is not backwards compatible, any non 60g or 80g then you can retrieve your disc.

Power off the unit using the toggle switch on the back. Hold down the 'eject' button and turn the toggle switch back from off to on. This will run a fan test and eject your disc. Remember, this will only work on the 20, 40g models. Not the backwards compatible units with the 4 usb port holes and the memory card slots.

This is due to your fan inside your ps3. It has failed, or is failing and is causing a system failure. Unfortunatly it cannot be fixed. it will need to be replaced.
Contact sony or your insurance company
Hope this helped you, have a great day!

You have a bad connection on the motherboard somewhere.

Btw, I’m available to help over the phone in case u need at https://www.6ya.com/expert/sean_54c3a3dc48a7773c

have you tried this?

Turn the console off at the back switch for a few minutes. Then switch it on from the back, then hold the Power button until you hear a second beep. If your PS3 is completely stuffed it probably won't do this, but there's a chance it might let you into the recovery menu which will let you do a format or System Restore and hopefully get your machine running again.

Is there any green or red flashing lights?

Hope you don't have the yellow light of death.

This is the yellow light of death i got it some time ago and had to buy a new ps3 there is a way to fix it but i costs more than a new ps3 i had to buy a new one so your screw lol.

did you try the remove hard drive test?

remove the hard drive boot it up with it out and see if display comes and says no hard drive then turn it off and put the hard drive back in and booting it up

The only thing i can think of is click the switch to turn off the PS3 completely leave it off for about 30 second turn the switch back on and try again. If the doesn't work you may have a problem with your power supply and might need to get your PS3 serviced

sounds like something is drawing down on your 12 volt supply drives or on board regulators. Try it without the drives connectged, and see if you can get the system to boot up(you'll just get a notice that your drives are unavailable, but you'll already know that, right?

got backup for your Dell?