Recent PS3 updates prompt more complaints of console failures
By Donald Melanson 
posted January 21st 2010 5:01PM
posted January 21st 2010 5:01PM
Well, we heard a raft of complaints of Blu-ray drive failures and other issues when Sony rolled out the 3.0 and 3.1 firmware updates for the PlayStation 3, and it looks like things may have taken another turn for the worse with the recent 3.10 and 3.15 updates. While it's a bit early to call things widespread, some forums are once again starting to heat up with reports of various problems that mostly seem to have occurred after the 3.15 update rolled out last month -- although some folks also seem to have had trouble with the earlier 3.10 update. As with last time, the issues being reported vary a bit, but the 60GB PS3 seems like it may be the most affected, with one completely unscientific poll on the official PlayStation forums finding that 27 users of the 60GB model had no issues after the 3.15 update, while 35 users had either some "bad" issues or a complete system failure ('course those with no problems aren't that likely to be seeking out threads about problems). So, anyone notice that their PS3 isn't behaving like it should? Let us know in comments.
My 60gb ps3 got the yellow light of death while playing MW2, everything was fine before the update. What makes me angry is that I paid $150 just one year ago to have this same problem fixed now Sony wants me to either pay $150 to have it fixed again or for a limited time trade my system in for the new slim model for $119.99.
250GB Slim. Updated to 3.15 seemed like everything was fine. Put in Prototype and can't play it. I just get that 'this game accesses your HDD at certain points' screen and it freezes there with the loading icon spinning. Blu-ray playback is also problematic. Now when I select the disk it takes over 5 mins for it to load before I can watch. Hope they fix this quick.
Add me to the list of dead ps3s.
I have the 60gb.
Never had a problem with it.
Updated to 3.15.
Now does not read anything.
$178 to repair or $119 for a trade in for a 120gb that does not do everything my 60gb did.
60g Launch. Turned on the machine the other day and was greeted with a message detailing how I have to update my firmware. I'm a 'if ain't broke' kinda guy, I never update bios/firmware unless I need/have to so I went ahead and let it install, turned it off. Turned it on for the first time since then to watch a DVD tonight and the drive does nothing. Tried a BD, PS2, PSX. Nothing. Got online and saw everyone else's problems with 3.0/3.15 and was appalled by how they were treated by Sony to a resounding "not our problem". Now I realize that old hardware dies, especially first revision stuff, that's just a grim reality in our modern throw away society (my old fat PS2 always had issues, Vice City never played right). However, mine is very lightly used and to me is very obviously a fault in the firmware being that I have not had even a whisper of problem, it has been faultless. I don't play MW2 or Uncharted 2, which apparently run the system/BDD really hard (btw, that means nothing. I have a PS3 and it should be able to play PS3 games regardless of how "system intensive" they may be. Isn't that what console games have over PC games?). I've really only played some DVD, Netflix BD, and PS2/PSX games, so it has nothing to do with the laser being run too hard. Sony should take care of this problem the right way by fixing what was they broke. If this is in fact a fairly small, insignificant portion of users that are experiencing these problems, that is all the more reason for them to correct this. Because I can guarantee that if that don't handle this at no cost to me, I will tell every single person I know to avoid Sony like the plague and how much money would they lose if I convinced just one person to never buy Sony (console, games, etc)? surely more than their cost to fix my console. I honestly can't believe that ppl have given Sony more money to repair/replace theirs if they really thought it to be Sony's firmware at fault. I will gladly go to XBOX if Sony tries to screw me out of money. They only game that I will miss is Gran Tourismo (that and Final Fantasy are the only reasons I have a console at all) I'll just play it on an emulator some day.
So I say, in this massive social network world, BOYCOTT.
F*** Sony! I've overlooked so much crap they have done in the past that I can't any longer. And as a business owner I know that if a customer complians, you make it right at your cost, because losing their revenue and potential revenue via word-of-mouth is far greater than what it will cost now. Big companies forget that I guess, but it's up to us to make sure they remember that we are not sheep and will not blindly purchase what ever they want.
Remember Sega?
I have a Metal Gear Solid 4 Edition 80g and mine stopped playing BR's altogether, I could start games, but when I went to go back to the main PS3 menu, it would crash. I used it mainly for BR playback, and I've only had it for a little over a year. I called Sony and humored the first guy I talked to on the phone, he wanted to make sure I didn't change some video output settings that would give me a black screen. He then proceeded to tell me it would be about $150 to send it back and have it "fixed" and I promptly asked for his supervisor. This "supervisor" tied to talk to me like I was a child, so I gave him an earful for about 5 full minutes before I then asked for his supervisor. My machine was barely 3 months out of warranty, and I was NOT going to pay to have it fixed when I dropped over $500 not 15 months prior for it. The final "supervisor" actually had some sense and let me send it in for free and have it fixed, so they replaced something in the machine, mechanical, and it's back in my apartment not a week later. I don't know if my ps3 crashed after the update, but we'll see how long this one lasts.
Hello All,
I have a 60gig PS3 and YES, up until this last firmware update, all was great. Now blu-ray and DVD's will not work, I started watching MOON and when it got interesting, BAM! it started to st-udder then froze, FTW. MW2 works fine, all else is fine but no B-R or DVD. I prefer this older PS3 than the slim shaddy PS3. I hope SONY updates with patch to fix, I can't spend the $300.00 now and I want my Movie fix $@%#
O.K.... O.K... I have heard enough we as the consumer have reached over 60% of user whose system has crashed do to the recent updates. After a call to custormer service and a few heated discussions!!!!. I have found a loop hole. After talking to a supervisor they have granted a GGW ( gesture of goodwill ). And waved the $189.99 to repair it!!!. So my ps3 is currently @Sony for free being fixed should be here by friday. So the you go engadget freinds.. :) .... Use it and remember there is strength in numbers. ( solo we will fail .!!! But together we will prosper !!! . I would like to thank engadget for what they are and 4 us the consumer...You ROCK.!!!!! THE YAK IS OUT... GO PRE
i updated to the 3.15 firmware. instantly my system does not play Blu-Ray or PS3 games. soommeeetimes it plays DVDs and music CDs but only when it feels like it. i called Sony and they want to do NOTHING about it and act like they dont know anything about this 3.15 FW affecting many systems. i hate Sony now. im buying an XBOX and taking my chance with the R.O.D. cause at least they will fix it for free!
Also had a problem free unit until the 3.15 FW update. No BR & some games won't play now.
My 60GB PS3 will not play Blu Ray movies now. The disc will freeze then skip to the next scene 3-4 times a movie. Blu Ray games play perfectly, as to DVD movies. I'm currently sending in my PS3 to get fixed too. Maybe I should wait for a fix?
My 60 gig thats a few years old already is still alive and kickn :D I freakin love my PS3
Another note.. I hope everyone blows out their ps3s with compressed air every month.. they suck up as much junk as a vacuum cleaners. As one guy said in a post, these machines need A LOT of air flow.. keep them clean and free flowing and they will last for ever. :D
I have a Gen 2 80gb system just DL'd 3.15 the other day and amazingly now my PS3 will not recognize any discs... normally I do not keep my ps online I just happened to go online to check the PS store and saw the update and like an idiot DL'd it. Never thought it could hurt my system... I do know I had 0 problems before that update.
The picture during gaming only on my 60 gig system is distorted bad both disk and hard drive games (pixilates). video and mags like qore are perfect. This just started after last update and will cost $174.00 to fix at sony. I work this system hard daily so its been good for several years. refuse to trade for slim refurb at lower price.