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Sony re-releases its problematic PS3 firmware update

By Tim Conneally, BetaNews

July 8, 2008, 11:42 AM

Last week, Sony pulled its PlayStation 3 firmware upgrade (v2.40) after users began to report that it "bricked" their consoles. An updated update has been made available.

First promising that a fix was coming some time "midweek," in Playstation.blog, the new firmware upgrade is reportedly available worldwide already.

Though Sony has issued no official statement addressing problems caused by the upgrade, or even what percentage of downloaders were affected by it, the company said earlier that incidents were low in number. Of course, the numbers must have been substantial enough to warrant such a delay. Complaints on official PlayStation message boards were not in overwhelming quantity, but were nonetheless common.

Systems not under warranty face a flat repair fee of $150 from Sony, and the company has not said if it will waive the fee for users who lost total functionality due to the update. An inquiry with SCEA was outstanding as of press time.

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By bobthegoat2001

posted Jul 9, 2008 - 5:57 AM

"Systems not under warranty face a flat repair fee of $150 from Sony, and the company has not said if it will waive the fee for users who lost total functionality due to the update."

Like I said before for anyone that got a bricked PS3, when you bend over at least make it a moving target.

Score: 0

By Dark_Helmet

posted Jul 8, 2008 - 9:33 PM

from threespeach.com

"SCEE has sent us the official statement on firmware 2.41.

“The PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) system software version 2.41 is now available for update from July 8, 2008. With this update, we have fixed the problem that prevented a limited number of PS3s from activating properly after updating to version 2.40, when certain system administrative data were contained on the HDD.

For those users who have updated to version 2.40 and have experienced the problem that XMB™(XrossMediaBar) is not appearing, or no images are displaying on the screen, please contact Customer Service.

We have confirmed that for those users who have successfully updated to the version 2.40 and are able to activate the PS3 system, this problem will not occur on your PS3.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused you and appreciate your understanding and continued support.”"

so it seems...that no matter how much BetaNews would like to make you believe Sony is going to screw their customer base...so far at least in Europe...they are being GASP! consumer friendly...

Score: 0

By Setian^Stalker

posted Jul 9, 2008 - 7:39 AM

"so it seems...that no matter how much BetaNews would like to make you believe Sony is going to screw their customer base..."

Read the article again then show us where betanews are trying to "make you believe" something negative about your favored company.
And no your opinion of the console does not in fact change what actually happened. Report an issue, every media outlet does it...

Score: 0

By Niro

edited Jul 9, 2008 - 12:53 AM

So...Sony themselves trying to make it sound like it's not a re-release...and the Sony fanboys are buying it

Why does that not surprise me?

oh and
"For those users who have updated to version 2.40 and have experienced the problem that XMB™(XrossMediaBar) is not appearing, or no images are displaying on the screen, please contact Customer Service."

basically says...call customer service? Does it say that it will be fixed at no charge? No...no, it doesn't seem to say that anywhere...

This paragraph is good:

"We have confirmed that for those users who have successfully updated to the version 2.40 and are able to activate the PS3 system, this problem will not occur on your PS3."

So...they're saying, if you updated SUCCESSFULLY and you are not having any problems, then you will not have any problems? Uh...yea, that's good to know...

Score: 0

By Bravo

edited Jul 9, 2008 - 8:20 AM

Does it say it will be fixed for a charge?
No...no, it doesn't seem to say that either.
But I bet if you where to call the CSR will let you know the deal.

I'm guessing your a 360 owner, hope its not an elite because those just started crapping out too.

Sony should have adopted MS's strategy have the PS3 last 10 month to year, what # xbox are you 4,5 or 6?

Score: 0

By SGD

posted Jul 9, 2008 - 11:03 AM

Who cares if it is an elite if it suffers from the red ring it is fixed for free. Not to mention all the nice free stuff that they give you for the trouble. One person here reported that he got a free year if live. Not to bad if ya ask me. Unlike sony have to pay to get it fixed. I wonder if that $150 includes shipping I bet not.

Score: 0

By terminalx

edited Jul 8, 2008 - 6:06 PM

Score: 0

By Dark_Helmet

posted Jul 8, 2008 - 5:29 PM

wait...what idiot is going to pay $150 for something that can be fixed with a format of your current HDD??..

first of all the amount of PS3's affected is minuscule...nowhere near as "problematic" as BetaNews would want you to believe...

second..this is not a "re-release"...this is firmware 2.41...NOT 2.40...so no re-release to speak of...

3rd...the consoles are not "bricked" at all...it caused curruption of the HDD...would you say your entire PC was bricked if your HDD failed? hell no...you would either replace the HDD or format the old one and give it a go...

this is all nonsense...out of warranty console owners do NOT face a $150 fee...they face a formatting of their current drive and a installation of the new firmware...

don't let CommieNews convince you of anything else...

Score: 0

By Setian^Stalker

edited Jul 9, 2008 - 8:10 AM

Then why are you reading a news site you clearly dont like?
Lets put aside the fact that it was reported the same way on so many other outlets.... you clearly think this site has no quality to offer you. So you choose to *lower* your standards and grace the site?

"first of all the amount of PS3's affected is minuscule...nowhere near as "problematic" as BetaNews would want you to believe"

The problem is real PERIOD. Betanews are NOT blowing the problem out, how on earth you can even THINK that is beyond me. I think you are looking at everything with a very strong PS3 *fanboy* (nothing wrong with my ps3 lalala dont wanna hear it) perspective and it certainly doesnt help.

"second..this is not a "re-release"...this is firmware 2.41...NOT 2.40...so no re-release to speak of..."

That's being pedantic and you know it

"3rd...the consoles are not "bricked" at all...it caused curruption of the HDD...would you say your entire PC was bricked if your HDD failed? hell no...you would either replace the HDD or format the old one and give it a go..."

Great, why not phone your boss and suggest they make mention of that with the 2.41 update in their blog for those users already affected, not everyone thinks as a fanboy does you know. Your comment on bricked... thats being pedantic again and once again you know it but your just looking to nit pick at anything you can on this site since you dont like it here right?

"this is all nonsense...out of warranty console owners do NOT face a $150 fee...they face a formatting of their current drive and a installation of the new firmware.."

So if a family with a out of warranty console sends their console in for repair they dont face a $150 fee? Fantastic, can they send the invoice do you?

The only nonsense is yourself and your pathetic attempts to attack this site.

Score: 0

By terminalx

posted Jul 8, 2008 - 6:07 PM

Why can't Sony fanboys read...

The firmware is a re-release BUT it does add a few tweaks as well, since not everyone was able to use 2.40 hence it would be a re-release to some as they never had it to begin with...

If the amount is as small as you claimed Sony would not have had to pull it. Since only Sony really knows how many were affected your claim of minuscule would not fit in for why they would only pull it for so few.

Bricked means the console is unusable, which it is in its current state, now formatting the hdd will fix it but maybe theres a lot of important data on there and a format is going to be an issue?

"Systems not under warranty face a flat repair fee of $150 from Sony, and the company has not said if it will waive the fee for users who lost total functionality due to the update. An inquiry with SCEA was outstanding as of press time."

Hi, can you read?
kthxbye

Score: 0

By Dark_Helmet

posted Jul 8, 2008 - 7:11 PM

no, why can't YOU read...

the firmware is NOT a re-release...that was made up by BetaNews...

"Hi, everyone. As many of you know, we released PS3 firmware update v2.40 last week, but had to take it offline temporarily because, for a limited number of users, the XMB wouldn’t display after the update was installed. We’ve been able to fix the problem, and I’m happy to report that firmware update v2.41 will be released shortly."

no mention of "re-release" there...no matter what BetaNews says...2.41 is its own stand alone update...no such re-release of 2.40 exists..

"If the amount is as small as you claimed Sony would not have had to pull it. Since only Sony really knows how many were affected your claim of minuscule would not fit in for why they would only pull it for so few."

or maybe..."GASP!" Sony did the RIGHT thing by pulling an update that caused problems with SOME people in order for it to not happen to anymore? unlike Microsoft that knowing released a piece of HARDWARE that was so seriously flawed it was bound to fail and then tried to cover it up with an extended warranty to avoid class action lawsuits...you are just a Sony hater...and that is fine...but keep your FUD spreading to a minimum please...the "editors" of BetaNews do enough of it for all of us...

the HDD's data is corrupt, or at least the "boot sector" of it...so unless Sony is going to allow you to bypass the boot sequence installed on your HDD the data is gone...its unfortunate, but its not even like the HDD has failed...its in perfect working order, there is just corrupted data...you have not been around computers very long if you are unfamiliar with corrupted installs of operating systems or updates causing data loss and formats...i don't see MS knocking down people's doors to fix freak issues that arise when they update Windows...or Western Digital coming over to try and replace the data i lose when my HDD actually does fail...

I'm not a Sony fanboy...I own a PS3, a 360 and a Wii...a Samsung HDTV...and an Onkyo Home Theater system...i have an Apple laptop, and a Windows based desktop with an Intel Processor and an ATI video card...i have no allegiances to any company in the industry...i simply want what i feel is the best product...

you sir, are just to blinded to realize you sound like an idiot...or maybe you don't just sound like an idiot....

Score: 0

By terminalx

posted Jul 8, 2008 - 8:22 PM

If the original firmware is intact that was 2.40 and they added content for people who already had it would be re-released call it whatever you want but its a very minor change to people who had 2.40.

You are speculating, no company is going to take down an update that affects a small amount of users, it takes more then a few for ANY company to decide to pull an update.

I am a Sony hater yet I have a ps3, a ps2 and a ps1...right keep trying though...if you can't come up with logic making it up works well too.

Yeah, except Windows is supporting millions upon millions of configurations, its a hell of a lot easier for there to be a bug as there is no possible way to test every single configuration.

There is only a few different ps3s, but you know keep going on and on about MS as it really pertains here...

Score: 0

By Dark_Helmet

posted Jul 8, 2008 - 9:28 PM

and how are you NOT speculating?...i love how its speculating if you try to defend Sony...but its not if you are bashing them...

Score: 0

By Setian^Stalker

posted Jul 9, 2008 - 7:57 AM

At the end of the day you are no better.
You are not sony, you can only speculate to defend them with this issue.

Score: 0

By Niro

posted Jul 8, 2008 - 11:45 PM

It's not speculating when a company releases a product, then removes the product from the market because there was a problem with it, and then re-introduces it with a fix. It's called a re-release...that's just common sense...well, for most people I guess

Score: 0

By Dark_Helmet

posted Jul 9, 2008 - 12:10 AM

you = fail at reading comprehension...

you're not even on the right topic...

Score: 0

By Niro

edited Jul 9, 2008 - 12:19 AM

LOL...ok let me see...you claim this is not a re-release, terminalx corrects you, you try to again somehow spin this into a new update and not a rerelease of 2.4...I correct you...

This thread may have gotten to long for someone of your caliber to understand...so let me try to give you a short version of it:

"
terminalx
"Why can't Sony fanboys read...

The firmware is a re-release BUT it does add a few tweaks as well, since not everyone was able to use 2.40 hence it would be a re-release to some as they never had it to begin with..."

Sony_Fanboy
"the firmware is NOT a re-release...that was made up by BetaNews..."

terminalx
"If the original firmware is intact that was 2.40 and they added content for people who already had it would be re-released call it whatever you want but its a very minor change to people who had 2.40."

Sony_Fanboy
"and how are you NOT speculating?...i love how its speculating if you try to defend Sony...but its not if you are bashing them..."

Niro:
"when a company releases a product, then removes the product from the market because there was a problem with it, and then re-introduces it with a fix. It's called a re-release...that's just common sense...well, for most people I guess"

ya...I'm way off on this one! LOL!

Score: 0

By Dark_Helmet

posted Jul 9, 2008 - 12:40 AM

"You are speculating, no company is going to take down an update that affects a small amount of users, it takes more then a few for ANY company to decide to pull an update."

terminalx was talking about my comment about the problem occurring on very few PS3's...he said i was speculating...

Score: 0

By Niro

posted Jul 9, 2008 - 12:48 AM

Ah...I see, so because I used the word not speculating, you dismiss the whole post because you associated those two words with your one comment...but my post as a whole was on topic and correct...which sounds like (from your lack of any ability to counter my post, because it is based on fact..or rather true un-spun definition of words) you finally concede that this is a re-release due to a Sony screw up. I gotcha, thanks.

Score: 0

By cescam66

posted Jul 8, 2008 - 7:51 PM

hm hm hm..... come on child just get out of here and go play with your PS2

Score: 0

By BrokenHALO

posted Jul 8, 2008 - 5:48 PM

"CommieNews".

That was pretty funny mate! It's good to see 1 other person on here with common sense.

Score: 0

By unununium

edited Jul 8, 2008 - 4:58 PM

PS3 Fanbois vs 360 Fanbois... FIGHT!

Score: 0

By KENNYFOREVER

edited Jul 8, 2008 - 4:33 PM

Sony are now a moraly bankrupt company,My PS3 failed after 13 months ,but had an extended Warrenty,but the company could or would only replace it with a 40gb model,without flash card players,and doesn't play the old games,
They should be taken to court,if they ever cross me again l will not hesitate,
the message for the future buy XBOX

Score: 0

By preinterpost

posted Jul 8, 2008 - 3:47 PM

In related news Sony have filed an application change their corporate name to Daiwa Industries. Inside sources claim plans are on the way to establish a new headquarters on an artificial island in Tokyo Bay. Sony failed to immediately return a call seeking comments.

Score: 0

By Setian^Stalker

posted Jul 9, 2008 - 8:00 AM

LOL thats a good movie :)
Suprised noone else has picked up on it

Score: 0

By BrokenHALO

posted Jul 8, 2008 - 2:25 PM

What a load of misinformation.

The very few PS3's bricked by 2.40 need to contact customer service. They will NOT need to pay the $150 repair fee. Sony will replace or repair for free.

Hey BetaNews... Google, It's a wonderful thing. Use it.

Score: 0

By terminalx

edited Jul 8, 2008 - 2:45 PM

Except, its not, the last comment says they received NO WORD from Sony, but you know don't let reading the entire article hinder your ability to make accusations.

Google is not a 100% accurate tool to use for siting sources either...

Score: 0

By SGD

posted Jul 8, 2008 - 2:32 PM

Link

Score: 0

By Danno

posted Jul 8, 2008 - 2:03 PM

Question:

Does anyone know if Sony also expects their "customers" to pay for shipping of these bricked consoles?

Score: 0

By SGD

posted Jul 8, 2008 - 2:32 PM

You can count on it their customer service sucks.

Score: 0

By foxfyre

posted Jul 8, 2008 - 2:13 PM

ask sony

Score: 0

By Adrian79

posted Jul 8, 2008 - 1:41 PM

I updated just last week!

but "superstardustHD" needs to re-release the 4.00 patch! so i can get some trophies arleady!!!!!!! ugh

Score: 0

By slinkys_delsol

posted Jul 8, 2008 - 12:52 PM

First anf foremost, I have a PS3 and I was able to update to 2.40 without issue, but weather the PS3 is in or out of Warranty, Sony NEEEEEEEEEEDS to fix them... FREE!

For those unfamiliar with the PS3, when you turn it on and it connects to the net it forces the fact that a New Firmware Version is available and to Upgrade ASAP!

The only PS3's that I can see them NOT fixing are ones that have been opened / modded.

Plus, they make some games Firmware reliant which means "Unless you are using Firmware version X.XX, this game will not be playable" (PSP Operates the same way)

Sony, take a lesson from Microsoft to how they dealt with the Red Ring Issue, they did not make people pay any $$$ and system in and out of Warranty were fixed. Granted it was a 6 week process, but they backed their customers.

Sony, if you are going to force these updates on users to maintain a well running system, then you need to stand behind these upgrades. If they break due to it, it's not because a user did anything wrong, it's your upgrade which should be tested and tested and tested before it's released to millions of people.

Firmware's (PC or Console) generally fail a few reasons:

1. Power is Cut off.
2. You interrupt the Update.
3. Chip sets are different.
4. Programmers Error.

If you force people to spend $150 for repair, they are just going to add another $150 and buy a 360.

Score: 0

By Danno

posted Jul 8, 2008 - 2:01 PM

"If you force people to spend $150 for repair, they are just going to add another $150 and buy a 360"

Not only that it would hinder them purchasing any future consoles based on this.

What about shipping are they making these people pay for shipping their consoles too?

Score: 0

By slinkys_delsol

posted Jul 8, 2008 - 4:21 PM

Sony needs to eat the costs of any shipping or repairs done to damaged PS3 from the Firmware update.

The number of this are small overall, there is not a large number affected like there was with the 360 and the Red Ring of Death which MS themselves knew of the issue and shipped it anyway (16.5% of all 360's Failed out of the box at some point)

If Sony wants to retain those customers and get in the "Good Graces" to potential buyers, they need to take it on the chin on this and repair the issue they caused.

Score: 0

By elitegangsta

posted Jul 8, 2008 - 12:00 PM

Sony needs to fix the broken updated consoles, period. It was their fault, it is now their problem. This kind of problem stems beyond warranty issues and becomes the responsibility of the testers and other staff of Sony when something like this is publicly released. Also the fact the update was pulled tells the public Sony took the blame. Good luck to everyone with the new update (or who got the old update). Thanks to Sony for issuing a new fixed update and for hopefully taking care of the ones effected by the old update.

Score: 0

By SGD

edited Jul 8, 2008 - 12:03 PM

Sony doesn't work like that. Hopefully people wil take them to court like they have countless other times for broken consoles.

Score: 0

By baryotik

edited Jul 8, 2008 - 2:04 PM

i never encountered issues with any firmware updates from sony (including 2.40 of course). i just updated to v2.41 and everything is smooth sailing as usual. bottom line is, i enjoy my ps3 -playing games, exploring a second OS Yellow DOg Linux, - it's worth the investment. honestly, it's the most used device in my house together with my TV. sony has been proven to manufacture reliable consoles unlike some company called M$ -- take note of the $$$$ people.

Score: 0

By SGD

edited Jul 8, 2008 - 2:42 PM

What a load of shiiit. They have no track record of reliable consoles. Know well documented console problems, PS1 had to placed on its lid to read disks, PS2 had disk read errors making repair or replacement the only option. The problems with the PS2 were so bad there was a class action lawsuit against SONY and guess what SONY lost. I guess that means they are relaible. The blu bloods over at bloray.com are starting to complain about failing drives on the PS3. They you go realiablity at its best.

I guess once again we will educate the sony trolls. MS is paying for all expenses even shipping on the failed 360. Sony has never fessed up to their problems. Sony does not care about its customers and their past record proves that. Cough batteries, cough root kit, cough failed optical drives.

One more thing I forgot you are so clever M$. That is far from something new or creative. In reality it should be $ony.

Score: 0

By BrokenHALO

posted Jul 8, 2008 - 6:08 PM

Wasn't it you mate that said there was a "yellow screen of death" for the PS3 or some other BS made-up issue?

Yes the PS2 had issues of its own but this isn't 1999 anymore. This is 2008 360/PS3 we're talking about.

Look, there are +'s and -'s for both the 360 and PS3. There are things that the 360 does better than PS3, BUT, I think it is very well documented that MS has had reliability issues and that the PS3 has so far been a very stable machine. Sure you get hick-ups along the way; like this 2.40 issue that "CommieNews" would like to make a big deal of. But the PS3 has not had issues that come close to comparing it to a 16-30% failure rate for the 360, regardless of how "CommieNews" writes the story.

Surely you can admit that mate.

Score: 0

By Setian^Stalker

posted Jul 9, 2008 - 8:03 AM

"Yes the PS2 had issues of its own but this isn't 1999 anymore. This is 2008 360/PS3 we're talking about."

No, he replied to:

"sony has been proven to manufacture reliable consoles unlike some company called M$"

So the previous generation was raised before you jumped in the conversation.

Score: 0

By SGD

edited Jul 8, 2008 - 7:28 PM

Yes it was and there are reports of the yellow light and that is a heat related issue. Yellow screen of death now that is comical. I see you are avoiding the blu ray drive failures that are beginning to creep into the picture.

As far as this is 2008 not 1999 past performance is a good indicator of future performance. Old habits just don't die.

Wow you actually said that both systems have their + and -'s that is a first.

Commie news don't like what they say then move along mate.

Score: 0

By BrokenHALO

edited Jul 8, 2008 - 8:21 PM

Beginning to creep into what picture mate? By whom? Where? Don't you think that this site would have reported it a long time ago?

I've been following the progress of Bluray for a long time and I've only heard of the PS3 having drive failures a hand full of times. And every one of those times it was you trying to start something that just isn't there!

I'm not saying that the PS3 is problem free (obviously look at 2.40), but stop trying to make a big deal out of nothing!... and that goes for you too BetaNews.

Score: 0

By SGD

edited Jul 9, 2008 - 9:04 AM

You are so full of s***tt. I have posts links to your church site bluray.com about people claiming the failures of the bluray drive. The church parishioners even stated that it was $150 to fix the problem. A couple other people also responded to my post stating that other sites are also commenting on the bluray drive failure issues so that makes a me a liar. I guess since I don't belong to your church I'm wrong and am the devil. You really spin things with great desperation. You really seem to not like the site so do us all a favor and move on. Then again we would be left with less comedy from clueless $ony trolls.

Score: 0

By Setian^Stalker

posted Jul 9, 2008 - 8:08 AM

"and that goes for you too BetaNews"

The thing is... they aint. For one reason or another people are threatened when a issue with their console of choice comes up and automatically go into defense mode regardless of the issue at hand.
In fact THIS article is quite light in comparison to others seen with googles news portal.

And finally people should KNOW by now how betanews report and why people read here. If they keep compairing them to *insert major media outlet here* they will always fail and fail hard. If people dont like it then its so simple where to go...

Score: 0

By baryotik

edited Jul 12, 2008 - 12:00 PM

OMFG! I was just reading all the responses and I just can't believe how fired up SGD is regarding this issue. Looks like he's getting some $hare from M$. Anyways, firmware update issues are way beyond comparison with the dreaded RROD! But anyways SGD, just keep your loyalty to Microsoft, and BTW, outside the point, did you know that M$ will be releasing Windows 7 sooon? LOLz, just released Vista and they're coming out with another version. What do you call that SGD? Oh, BTW, you need not respond, I know you'll be so much fired up that this site will get burned! Keep the cool mate! LOL!

Score: 0

By terminalx

posted Jul 8, 2008 - 2:35 PM

Well, after your third console you are bound to get it right just ask $ony (see how clever that is WOW I am so WITTY!) about DREs, overheating and exploding batteries. Not to mention rootkits as well, yup they definitely are reliable...

Score: 0

By Niro

posted Jul 9, 2008 - 12:09 AM

One thing that IS reliable about Sony is that they won't admit to any wrongdoings until they lose in court...that's something they have shown consistently.

I don't understand the $ in "$sony"...are you trying to say Sony is a corporation that is out to make a profit, just like MS??? No...I refuse to believe that! Sony is only there to serve the consumer, unlike MS, they don't care about money! Everybody knows that!!

Score: 0

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