Sony responds to adverse firmware 2.40 effects

by Randy Nelson { Jul 2nd 2008 at 4:38PM }

As we've already reported, SCEA has removed firmware 2.40, released early this morning, from its update servers. Users attempting to use the System Update feature from the PS3 XMB from firmware prior to 2.40 are now being told that their software is up to date.

This action follows a large number of reports on the official PlayStation message boards of the update adversely affecting users' systems. The most widely noted problem is systems simply failing to reach the XMB upon booting, instead getting stuck on a screen with only the familiar "wave" background displayed.

Some posters have reported that removing the PS3 hard disk, formatting it via a PC, then re-inserting it allows the PS3 to boot properly ... with the obvious drawback of losing everything – profiles, saves, DLC, etc. – that was on the drive.

Joystiq contacted SCEA for comment on the situation as was told by PR director Patrick Seybold that they are aware of the message thread and that they are "looking into it right now and will work with those customers directly to address any issues they may be experiencing." This comment came before the update was removed from Sony's servers. We're seeking further comment and will update as we receive it.

Update: SCEA has issued a formal statement via the official PlayStation blog confirming that firmware 2.40 has "temporarily" been taken offline until it can "isolate the problem" and "identify a solution."

Tags: BreakingNews, firmware-2.40, sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

Hyams @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:43PM

Sony have been working on this update for how long? How could they let a problem this bad get through?

copa @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:59PM

They tried to warn you this would happen if in-game XMB was implemented.

But no... you INSISTED on making them create that damn firmware update!

Hala Madrid!! (Madrileno hasta la muerte!) @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:11PM

Almost two years Hyams

Although I don't have any problems with my PS3 and its a 20GB. (Yes people 20GB, I'm too cheap) :p

Boostjunkie @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:34PM

It's going to be hard to ever complain about Xbox update problems again.

deaftly @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:56PM

Yup this just made every Sony fanboy shut up for at least a few days....hopefully.

xFenixKnightx @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:23PM

Wishful thinking deaftly, wishful thinking. Noshino must be rolling up in his grave...oh wait, you know what I mean. :P

Popfrogs @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:36PM

@deaftly: We fully expect to see you trolling the ps3fanboy forums again shortly. We miss you.

borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:25PM

"Yup this just made every Sony fanboy shut up for at least a few days....hopefully"

Nyet comrade, we'll just pull a page from the 360 RRoD playbook:

Look [insert name here], you must have mistreated your console. Did you make sure that before you applied the patch you put it in a dust-free, sub-zero protective chamber? Did you say prayers to the corporate Gods?

No?!? Then it's your own fault. Sony responded to the few problems there were and we should kiss their ass that they were so kind.

Did that just sum up the RRoD defensive comments?

j.howlett @ Jul 2nd 2008 7:09PM

borland you forgot, " I've had mine (since launch / a long time) and not a single problem!", "they're coming out with smaller chips so everything will be just fine " and various all cap insults and denials. pics or it didn't happen, me and 4 of my friends and one or none of us ever had a problem. they can laugh at those in denial who can't play their mgs4

tmacairjordan87 @ Jul 2nd 2008 7:30PM

Uhhh...I have had mine since launch and it runs perfect. Dammit I hate it when fanboy defenses actually apply to me >:(

borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Jul 2nd 2008 7:42PM

"Dammit I hate it when fanboy defenses actually apply to me >:("

Lie, or take an arbitrary side and defend it to death. That is the path of the fanboy too.

Jordan @ Jul 2nd 2008 9:29PM

Well if this makes people who have issues with Xbox360 say "That makes me feel better." then I've got to say something directly to Sony...

Thanks for lowering the bar.

ThePerfectCompanion @ Jul 3rd 2008 12:16AM

LOL at the sony fanboys...

Enjoy 3rd place this generation!

Reefer @ Jul 3rd 2008 12:40AM

This happened to me. I had to shut off via the power switch. But, as soon as I restarted my PS3 it went straight to the update cycle and 2.40 was installed no problem. Yeah I did panic for a sec but its all good

Clay @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:45PM

Oh crap....

I went home for lunch to update my PS3 but it hadn't finished yet when I came back to work... I'm afraid to go home now...

Clay @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:46PM

btw does anyone have any information if only certain SKUs were affected or if there's any determining factor? I have a very recent 40G so I should be fine... right?

Jettic @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:08PM

I updated my 80GB PS3 early this morning, I've had no issues so far.

Eggy @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:11PM

There is always a tiny percentage of people that have problems with this kinda stuff. It's the same with every firmware update. You'll be fine.

Eric @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:14PM

I updated 4 units, all work perfectly....

kbomb1upc @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:47PM

Updated mine yesterday and it froze once when trying to update SSHD but I haven't seen any problems since.

Lars @ Jul 2nd 2008 8:34PM

Mine froze during the update process, but it went through ok and seems to be fine. Mine is a 60GB model with a 250GB drive (could be part of the problem).

Griever92 @ Jul 2nd 2008 8:47PM

Updated my 60GB early this morning, about 3 hours after the update went live. No issues with the system at all.

nato_DUKE @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:06PM

Update went fine except my saves appear to be gone. So much 4 finishing mgs this weekend. Sony,this is bs.

NATO_Duke @ Jul 3rd 2008 7:02PM

Actually, only lost saves in a couple of games so far. Weird. Probably wasn't the patch that did it then.

Kevin @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:47PM

Boy am I glad I didn't download this last night.
I got home from work and fired up my PS3 to update it, and it said it was up to date. I thought it was strange until I saw this post here.

I just bought my PS3 2 weeks ago, so this would have sucked royally had it crashed my system. I'm glad I waited!

AwesomeTown @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:14PM

Same here, in fact I was trying to update it two minutes ago and I was royally confused.

Josh @ Jul 2nd 2008 9:46PM

I'm glad today's my birthday, and didn't get around to updating yet because of it.

Good luck to everyone affected by the problem, though. =/

LaughingTarget @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:48PM

See those clear PR waters? Yep, just the eye of the hurricane.

playwhutyalike @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:49PM

My thoughts and prayers go out to the PS3 owners who should have their much deserved upgrade right now as it was promised.

Man, sometimes technology sucks.

BrennaCeDria @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:49PM

I downloaded it all this morning, and while it was working okay when I went home for lunch, I'm going to keep an eye on things for now. Just curious, if someone who's already updated goes to system update, will it roll back the system?

BrennaCeDria @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:18PM

Actually, I just thought about it and if I do have the problem, I can just get a new PS3 from Best Buy since I bought that silly replacement plan. I'd like to keep my saves intact, but if it goes out anyway and there's no easy fix and quick...

Dougie @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:11PM

No, says latest update is installed

BrennaCeDria @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:45PM

*shrugs* No big. Like I realized after my original post, I have an out if I need it.

Matt Ferens @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:49PM

I just tried to update and it was already pulled. Just like Sony to get me all excited and then pull it away.

DarkNessBear @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:02PM

Just like your sex life.

Clarky456 @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:20PM

lol

Matt Ferens @ Jul 2nd 2008 9:03PM

Blarg. Well, anyway, I guess my reason to turn on my PS3 in this week is gone.

FemaleOrca @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:49PM

can someone tell me what the quote from "Seybold" says in the last paragraph? Its coming up as fractions and symbols for me in both Firefox and Safari.

LaughingTarget @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:52PM

"looking into it right now and will work with those customers directly to address any issues they may be experiencing"

Change your encoding, I'm on Firefox and see it fine.

FemaleOrca @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:04PM

how do i do that?
ever since i updated to the new firefox ive been getting this issue. wikipedia is a mess for me.
where can i change the encoding?

LaughingTarget @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:09PM

View --> Character Encoding --> Unicode (UTF-8)

SimbaDogg @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:50PM

fuck i would be soooooo pissed if i lost all my GTA4 info. i'm starting to get to the point where i'm not all that into the story anymore (some stupid things have happened IMO) and i just want to see how its finally going to end. and i'm only 45% in with 40 hours into it.

SimbaDogg @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:55PM

actually...i did the update this morning @ 3am PST, and i was able to go around and view the current trophies icon from xmb, and change a few settings on the control panel, check mail box etc...so hopefully mine is fine (launch 60 gb), if it turns out that i reboot later tonite only to have it freeze up i'll be pissed. Either way, i'm gonna copy my saves to a memory card the minute i turn it on.

borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:59PM

If you have an external hard drive there is a better option. I've used the backup/restore capability before and it restored everything to downloads in progress. I think it will selectively "edit" restore data if it's a different machine, but the restore ability worked 100% for me.