GTA IV freezing up; PS3 fix suggests deleting data, starting over [update]

Numerous reports of a game-freezing bug in the PlayStation 3 version of Grand Theft Auto IV have been appearing on websites and forum threads today. (Anecdotal evidence suggests that only 60GB units have been affected.) While Rockstar has yet to release an official statement addressing the potential defect, at least one PlayStation.com Forums poster has reported a successful fix:

"I had this same [lockup] problem so I called Rockstar. The lady on the phone told me to erase the game data (the original install and the game saves) and then start over. I did what she told me to do and the freezing problem went away."

Anyone reading experience this problem? Any luck fixing it?

Update: There are also reports that the Xbox 360 version is locking up, though we have yet to find a conclusive source (e.g., forum thread) [here's a source!] -- or any suggestions for a fix (no game data to delete!). Any leads?

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

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