Sony PS3 update bricks consoles

[The Central Scrutinizer]

The latest PlayStation 3 update released by Sony is causing a barrage of complaints from users.

The 3.21 firmware upgrade, which amongst other things removes the “Install Other OS” feature, seems to be bricking some older consoles. Other users complain that the update doesn’t complete properly, that certain controllers no longer work, that Internet connectivity is slowed down to a snail’s pace, HDMI not working at some resolutions, and inability to connect to the PlayStation Network.

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[garyopa]

It happens it seems with each new update. -- At my repair shop, I get a rash of machines to repair once the update happens.

Most of the time I can correct the problems, but forcing an re-update via the recovery menu, using my external usb stick.

It seems those using "wireless" are the worse, the update gets corrupted in the progress I guess. -- I got two machines to fix right now, one loops over and over at 60%, the other completed the update, and freezes now just after the logo is displayed.

[amp2006]

well i always update it via usb drive

[l_oliveira]

I aways download updates for my US PS3 at the JAPANESE website (http://www.jp.playstation.com/ps3/up...ndex.html#pcud) because it's aways up earlier than the US update and yes, I aways use the USB storage option too.

I could use the normal method because my console don't have wi-fi but yes it's faster to just download with the PC as I can keep a copy of the .pup file.

[4_ever_ps2]

My ps3 is now on 3.21 and I haven't had a problem with it. I must be one of the lucky ones.

[noetikos]

i will sell my big-body PS3 before i update to 3.21 fw and see my console take a shit on me because of a buggy fw. it is a must to update by using a flash drive instead of updating via the xmb fw download manager.

i'm just going to stay @ 3.15 fw and keep using the dnas address trick to play online and stuff. PS3 proxy will always be a last resort and its been used since 2.30 fw was around.

PS3 homebrew will be here very soon now. ha, ha "booyah" sony!!!!!!!

[garyopa]

Recently I been getting alot of PS3's in of course BRICKed when downloading the new v3.21 update.

Reason is, the v3.21 is double-checking all your HARDWARE to make sure it is fully correct and functional incase you have MODDED it somehow.

(Wish I knew where all these MODS are Sony is claiming, must be the best kept secret on the 'net ever!)

Anyhow, I have been able so far to unbrick all the systems I have seen so far.

I also noticed unlike previous firmware updates, once you have started this update progress, you are LOCKed out of "RECOVERY MENU MODE" with the HDD trying to update!

Here is short-run down, on my "unbrick'ing" process.

BRICK TYPE #1 of 3
*** 60% forever loop - Gets to between 59% to 62% displays an error.

Answer: Your bluetooth/wireless/card reader modules is either loose, NOT the original ones shipped with your machine, or they are broken or non-working in parts.

Fix: Try removing them, and replacing or cleaning the ribbon cable, if that does not work, unsolder the 8pin EEPROM containing the mac/bluetooth/usb info, and solder onto a know working module.


BRICK TYPE #2 of 3
*** 65% forever loop - Gets to between 64% to 68% displays an error.

Answer: Your blu-ray drive is either loose, NOT the original one, or part of the drive board is dead, even tho it was playing discs before!

Fix: Try removing it, and replacing or cleaning all the ribbon cables, if that does not work, unsolder the 48pin BGA firmware chip and solder onto a know working drive board (very hard to do!!)


BRICK TYPE #3 of 3
*** 99% freeze loop - Gets to 99% and just sits there looking dumb!

Answer: Either your HDD is damaged or has a bad boot sector, or the reset signal on your motherboard is not working.

Fix: Try another power supply, seems to work in my cases, or replace the small eject/reset/power board in the front of the motherboard. (If HDD, see below)


IF ALL ELSE FAILS

And the FINAL answer, if all the above fails, normal due to bad download via wireless, or hdd corrupts the update, in these cases you will normall see fails at 10% or 20%, and for sure before it reachs 50%, in ALL cases, kiss this HDD goodbye, and your save files, because if you try again with SAME HDD you will be back in a loop, and need to redo the below FIX again:

The for sure FINAL un-brick fix (if all the above fails on your unit):

#1: Remove the looping HDD, and throw it away!
#2: Disassmble your PS3, and unplug the battery!
#3: Find another PS3 HDD that is from working machine which is using the same firmware that you WERE using before!
#4: Wait about 30 minutes for the removed battery to drain from your PS3.
#5: Reassemble your PS3
#6: Turn on your PS3 with the new HDD, BUT GO RIGHT AWAY into RECOVERY!
#7: At recovery menu, pick ONLY option "RESTORE PS3 SYSTEM" (i think #5)
#8: Answer all the appearing prompts, for lang./date/time/internet, etc.
#9: You now should have a working PS3 again running on the older firmware

At this stage, you can decide to try the update again, but if it fails, again you need to throw away the HDD, and get another one, or use your PC to ZERO-FILL it to get back into the recovery menu, after setting up the ZERO-FILLed HDD on another older firmware PS3.

That's all, have fun "unbrick'ing" your PS3, or sending it to Sony for a $224.87 replacement!

[noetikos]

hey gary, i have a question for ya.

hypothetically speaking, if my PS3 freezes occasionally or a lot while using the web-browser and i would decide to update to v3.21, would my PS3 brick under the #1 of 3 brick category?

[garyopa]

hypothetically speaking, if my PS3 freezes occasionally or a lot while using the web-browser and i would decide to update to v3.21, would my PS3 brick under the #1 of 3 brick category?

If you using wireless and you are having timeout/freeze problems, then it is possible your wireless is bad or loose, I would try fixing that problem first, and if bad, your update will loop at the 60% mark, then you have to fix it before your update will complete, but does not sound likely if just the web-browser.

Normally "freeezing" in the web-browser is caused by lack of HDD space for the caching of files, once you are under 1gb of free space, I have see these types of problems.

[noetikos]

i have the original toshiba 80GB hdd in my system with 40GB or so of space left and i still experience this almost on a daily basis when i'm surfing the net on the PS3 web-browser. my system never freezes during streaming with netflix.

perhaps the wireless module board has already become defective.