PS3 firmware 3.21 locking out more than just other operating systems?
By Donald Melanson 
posted April 6th 2010 3:58PM
posted April 6th 2010 3:58PM
Sony already irked a few people by removing the "install other OS" with its PS3 firmware 3.21 update, and it looks like it may have also inadvertently drawn the ire of quite a few other users. Judging from reports on the official PlayStation forums, a sizable number of PS3 users have run into an array of different problems after installing the update, which range from folks not being able to log into PSN or load a disc after the update, to users not being able to turn on their PS3 at all -- some have even reported freezing during the update process. Of course, there's also lots of users that have updated without any issues whatsoever, and the problems don't seem to have yet drawn an official response from Sony. Let us know how things worked out for you in the comments below.
[Thanks, MeowMix]
[Thanks, MeowMix]
Updated both my PS3's, no problem.
@A1 same here. both my ps3 and xbox updated fine.
@JRKScope
Ah! USB update for the Xbox today? Forgot about that, my daughters going to be stoked.
It always seems that no matter what system gets an update people moan about machines being bricked.
I bet half of it is fanboy bullshit.
@A1
Didn't update either of my ps3s. Patiently waiting for geohot. No problems.
@The Dead Marxist Trio
I'm with You on that one. It will be a celebration.
@A1
Updated my PS3 and all of a sudden out of my 15 PS3 games, the only ones that would load were GTA IV and FFXIII. But my PS3 was messing up a little before the update. GoWIII kept freezing up on me during the game. All I did was open up the system, airdusted it out and when I closed it back up, all games loaded again...sadly GoWIII will still freeze up on me from time to time.
@The Dead Marxist Trio
Me too, but I had bypass the update. I can't go without playing MAG.
@A1
Updated my Non-BC 80GB CECHL Phat. No problems visible and no regrets either.
(Won't miss that slow Xubuntu install with less than 256MB of RAM without GPU acceleration. *shudders*)
My Slim has lost connection to PSN because of this update. All my router and dns settings are correct. There was never any issue prior to this update.
The only way I can resolve it (and it still seems random) is if I go to my PS3 network settings and test the connection. Usually after that is successful I can connect, but then it won't connect when I try to play Battlefield Bad Company 2
@A1
Same here but I didn't have any other OS's installed. I wonder if those with problems had a Linux partition or even an unsupported version of Linux installed.
@A1
no problem with mine
ugh microsoft is horrible with hardware and sony stinks @ software
then again microsoft cant even do windows right sometimes so at least sony gets it right more often
@A1
The previous PS3 update caused mine to have power on/off problems, then Sony quietly slipped out an updated update -- and things were fine again, without Sony ever admitting a problem. I'm betting that will happen here.
But I'll never know because I'm not updating and losing my "Other OS" option.
@Aguiluz good to hear that someone else who had a linux install had no probs, I have yet to update but I have ubuntu installed, it is slow and not what I was hoping for after the install so I really don't mind giving it up
@A1
I updated and it's runs beautifully considering COD MW2 has been running for 10 hours straight and then on and off since the update. Online also...
@The Dead Marxist Trio
Considering they dont have any CFW up at all, you might be waiting for a long time. Then they have to get the CFW to work with PSN and Blu-rays. Don't hold your breath for Geohot. The iPhone is not the PS3.
@A1
Even after having Linux on mine. The update was still fine. Just now I have to have my laptop with me while watching TV.
@A1 Slim updated fine, but there was never any other os support for that. I'm waiting on geohot before I touch my ps3fat
Updated my old 80gb (with BC) no problem so far. All games, PSN, Internet, etc... working fine.
@A1 I dont know, the PS3 seems to keep loosing functionality with updates, quite unlike any other device I know, where the contrary is true.
@CrypticJackass "keep" losing functionality with updates? What did it previously lose with firmware updates?
@spin cycle :
space: unnecesary icons like 'whats new' or 'PSn store' under games..
Lower resolution in the XMB..
original black flowing background...
OtherOS from the slim (which is merely an update)..
Works Perfectly, Yellow Dog never offered enough incentive to install Linux anyways
@BigDog Thats cause you are using a CD....I mean who uses those anymore?!? **Kevin Butler voice** COME ON!!!!
Just don't update yet
I assume its a minority, mine is fine....
btw...what about those iPad WiFi and power issues? with all those iPad posts I am sure you couldnt of missed these?
@commenter7
Yes look here:
Apple suggests Fixes for iPad Wi-Fi Issues
http://www.i4u.com/article32744.html
There are lots of reports of iPad owners having Wi-fi problems.
@commenter7
Two stories that will always be found on Engadget:
"The Apple Store is Down"
"PS3 Firmware Update Problems"
The second story almost always includes the "there doesn't seem to be any consistency to the issues we're hearing about, and apparently there isn't a large enough number of people affected to warrant an official response from Sony" line, nevertheless, it is reported as diligently as an Apple store outage.
@Beatnik
yeah but apparently its a hardware issue. I dont own an iPad but if this is true this could potentially lead to a recall
@commenter7
If they posted about iPad problems, they'd have to give back the shill money the earned posting 10 articles about apps in less than a week.
I've actually enjoyed the iPad coverage, but that many articles about nothing but apps just screams, "Look how cool this is, you should totally buy one."
@jon
I already posted this WiFi news, in the post ipad vs joojoo, but seems like Engadget staff didnt want to have this news as BREAKING in a yellow ribbon at front page, dont know why, Isnt this news REALLY BREAKING, I thought the iPad was perfect isnt it??
@Beatnik
Too bad nobody gives a rat's ass about your Ipad wifi posts.
especially not in a PS3 article.
@logicbombde
Hey I love playstation 3, but also love linux, and I dont think of updating it for a very long time.
What's next? Removing the gaming feature, it's only used by a hand full of people anyway.
@BigDog no problems here. on a ps3 slim.
rumor has it, when you lose weight, you're more productive.
I assume its a minority, mine is fine....
btw...what about those iPad WiFi and power issues? with all those iPad posts I am sure you couldnt of missed these?
@commenter7
fuck, doublepost.. downrank pls
@commenter7
Hahaha, we downranked both...
Both of my PS3s are fine....one is a phat 80GB B/C model and the other is a slim
@Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi
Hey is that the MGS4 bundle PS3? How is yours running?
Mine's still working like a champ, but occasionally I've noticed some strange vibrating, almost grinding noises coming from the disc drive... only a problem when my living room is dead quiet (which isn't too often)
No wonder why sometimes, when I load call of duty 4. It just goes black screen and I had to turn off my PS3 and turn it back on. When I'm on the game and press the PS button, it freezes than ever. I thought it was the game.
I thought the 3.21 was an optional update. Perhaps I am wrong, either way I generally wait a couple of weeks to install updates unless the update is required to access PSN.
I have to be careful my Gen1 20gb has weathered a many an update storms, last thing I want to do is brick the thing for no good reason.
@Teer1998
It is optional in the sense that they will not make you update at gunpoint.
@Ipadsucks
you fail, GTFO
@Peytral i like his name tho
Sony better fix this fast. The best way to kill your market share entirely is to provide an update that restricts users from starting their console again.
This update is a waste of bandwidth for Slim users.
@Ipadsucks
Its not like the 360 has much more fewer problems is there? :/
Mine seems fine (80GB w/PS2 compatibility). My only issue is I sometime lose connection through HDMI, but happening before the update too.
Netflix disc won't load anymore but everything else will fine. Weird as shit... i mean it was working literally minutes before i updated. It won't turn off, it hangs when its turning off. I have to unplug it to turn it off. This is aggravating
@moosemonster
im having the same problem... Netflix disc not working. All blu-ray's, DVD's and other CD's work fine just not the Netflix disc. What gives!