We bought a hardly used ps3 for our son for x-mas. We have tried hooking it up but can't get it too play. The tv is not an HD tv, the older style tv, also have a cable box attached to the tv. Plugged the cords into the cable box & to the ps3 but still nothing! Any ideas? Thank you!

you need to go back on a HD TV turn on your PS3 and turn of the HD settings then it should work fine.
hope this helps

Hi:
Check the video connector on the PS3 for a switch to switch from composit video to HD video.

try a lower video output resolution on your PS3

Shelley,  the fix for this is simple! Hold down the power button for about 5 seconds and the system will beep. This resets the video setting for your ps3 from HD too whatever the current cables are that you are using too hook up too the tv. This works on my PS3 which I just bought about 3 months ago and should work with the older ones. 

You must reset your PS3 in order to accept the new TV configuration.

If the video output settings on the PLAYSTATION®3 do not match those of the cable or TV in use, there may be no picture. If the screen goes blank, turn off the system.

Then, with only the PLAYSTATION®3 and the TV connected, touch the system's power button for more than 5 seconds to turn the system back on. The video output settings will automatically be reset to the standard resolution.

From: http://playstation.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/playstation.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=967&p_sid=1frk_Cuj

Hope this helps please remember to rate my response, thanks!

OpenSource13

this may be due to the fact that your ps3 will be set up to hd. go into video settings when you switch it on and this should solve the problem. i had similar problems and bought a hdtv until someone pointed this out to me. however once you have experienced ps3 in hd you will not go back!!! hope this helps

try reformating the hard drive go into systems on the console and pick reformat not ouick but full this can take up to 4 hours

Hi there, Have you checked that the HDMI Cable is inserted into both your PS3 and HDTV correctly ? if the cable moves about in the HDMI port that causes static sometimes ! Also check that your cable isn't damaged.

If the problem persists. i would just Use your Composite (Red,Green,Blue) connection from your TV to your PS3. you said it doesnt have static problems. and Using the composite cable you can still get the Full 1080p Resolution on your TV that the PS3 can Up-Scale to!

Hope this Helps ?!

Have you tried giving to your son to do