PS3 Software Upgrade...

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LennonNZ

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#59349 2-Apr-2010 20:41

So...

I turned my PS3 on today.. and I tried to log in and it said I had to update my Software.. So I did.

And now Other OS has been removed..

If I didn't upgrade then.. I would not be able to use my PS3 properly as I could not log into the PSN network to do other stuff on the PS3 like vidzone etc.

No where on the PS3 did it say (as far as I could tell) before I upgraded it would remove the other OS functionality.

As the reason I got the PS3 (a fat one) was because of the OtherOS functionality and then they (Sony) remove it...(and not removing it makes your PS3 not work.. catch 22 situation)

Do you think I could get it a refund (a replacement or them fixing it would be impossible) under the CGA as the unit isn't working for the reason I bought it?

Thanks

DjShadow

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#314255 2-Apr-2010 20:56

I would of treated this press-release that Sony put out on the 29th as warning the Other OS function was being removed:

http://nz.playstation.com/games-media/news/articles/detail/item272094/System-Software-Update-3-21/

LennonNZ

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#314263 2-Apr-2010 21:11

I understand.. but the upgrade was forced.. don't upgrade and no PSN access. Upgrade and no Other OS access. I didn't read the press release but its moot anyway..

If I didn't upgrade.. Other OS would still work.. BUT then PSN access wouldn't of worked anymore..

AmooMan

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#314275 2-Apr-2010 21:35

I also have a fat PS3...

I did not do the upgrade as I knew it would remove Other OS support...
But now I can't get into the PSN....

This sucks....

I will not use my PS3 till they pull the firmware upgrade.... or someone makes a work around firmware...

Nice one Sony.... happy Easter to you to....

Behodar

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#314412 3-Apr-2010 16:25

LennonNZ: Do you think I could get it a refund (a replacement or them fixing it would be impossible) under the CGA as the unit isn't working for the reason I bought it?

I don't own a PS3 but when I first heard this news, I thought "if that happened to me then I'd claim it under the CGA". So, give it a go!

LennonNZ

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#314416 3-Apr-2010 16:33

Well my PS3 has died now.. rebooted it today and now it flashes lights and stays on flashing red light.. need to ring up and get fixed under warrenty :-(

This what it does now..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIGBykJOrBI

not my video.. but the same thing.. lots of them on youtube..

Craig

LennonNZ

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#314424 3-Apr-2010 16:52

There warrenty line not open until tuesdays :-(

Byrned

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#314554 4-Apr-2010 08:11

From what I remember, being able to install another OS was something that was marketed, therefore, I believe you would have a case under the FTA as it now doesn't do what it was advertised to do.

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NZtechfreak

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#314577 4-Apr-2010 09:15

I was disappointed to hear about this firmware upgrade, although I hadn't yet got around to installing linux I really liked the ability to have a go. I understand why, but nevertheless its a shame, hopefully they can sort out something more inventive to block piracy and then re-enable Other OS functionality.

I would think you could well have a case under the consumer guarantees act.

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bazzer

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#314618 4-Apr-2010 10:24

Wow! That is not on in my book. I also haven't gotten around to trying it, but it was nice to have the option. Also, I've formatted my HDD to allow 10GB for Other OS which is now lost isn't it? I can't use it for anything without reformatting which will require a second hard drive to do the backup.

Surely, Sony must be getting some backlash over this? I am not up with the issues, but I presume there's a way to play "backed up" games via Other OS now?

chiefie

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#314639 4-Apr-2010 11:16

I doubt that you'll see Sony PlayStation on retracking back to allow Other OS option. They're streamlining their OS upgrades and they never really want to support Other OS option but more of a way to make PS3 more interesting during the console war back 3 years ago - Xbox360 and Wii were very popular.

Sony PlayStation probably has done their numbers and they probably feel that there's not that many big losses should the people that had/use Other OS option decided to abandon ship. Or I'd even speculate that they may have monitored the Other OS usage everytime you book up and did update and that statistic probably said a lot that the update of Other OS isn't stellar... there.

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plehmann

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#314663 4-Apr-2010 13:12

Its an interesting point.
Advertising functionality for a product, be it a TV or a phone, console or washing machine is, depending on the person buying it, one of the more important reasons for purchasing that item compared to a competitor product.

Being that we now live in a connected universe with more and more product/appliances being both connected and reliant upon internet connectivity, the ability for a manufacurer to arbitrarily removed functionality at their behest must surely contravene trading standards/CGA.

Lets take the example of the Kindle debacle:-One legitimately buys an electronic copy of 1984 and then have Amazon reach into your home via your network connection and physically erase the product you bought!!!

There was a serious backlash about this and I believe that there was a person in Oz that sued successfully for privacy / damages.

Amazon apologised blah blah and the headlines went away.

Whats more insidious is the ability of the manufacturer to advertise and differentiate its product based on functionality that is used legitimately to sell the item and then to remove that functionality remotely. I'm sure that there is 1) a EULA and 2) it gives Sony the right to andd and REMOVE functionality at its own decision.

In the case of the Kindle I would be surprised if there was not a EULA that "allowed" them to remove books that had been purchased. I hope that the GCA/trading standards would supersede these 'contracts' though I'm not even close to being an expert in NZ consumer laws.

So what can be done about this ?

1) upgrade and hope that the 'community' comes up with a workaround.
2) don't upgrade and wait until the community comes up with an alternative firmware version (see 1 above, though 1 is more risky... aka downgrade then re-upgrade with 'fixed' firmware.
3) use one of the ps3 proxy sites to connect via psn.
4) upgrade and live with it :(
5)upgrade and then sue sony
6) contact the CGA

most of these situations 1-4 inc suck. I use my PS3 now more for its media delivery capability (PS3 media server, delivered media form my server) than for gaming. It also has the most relevant blu ray player in the arena.

I am curious as to what GeoHot has instore for the hacking community, as he has obviously found a nerve with Sony on this one.

I’ve got 2 young kids that are allowed to play certain games for a limited amount of time each week. ( some cheer leader games, little big planet etc) however I'd like to be able to allow them to play the game but not have to handle the delicate DVD-less delicate blu ray discs.

Thats my legitimate usage.
I'd personally like to have all my disc images one single large drive for convienence sake. I have all my films ripped to my server and have stashed the discs away.
Of course that raises the ability to pirate games and sony rightly wants to protect its financial ecosystem.
Well as per the days of tape2tape ....cd copiers....bittorrent etc these can all and are used for illegal purposes.
option 5.
Cost money and resources in time and effort. This is the key thing that large corporate such as sony hide behind, I used to work within a large corporate and some of the things that I saw going on to 'protect' the revenue would have no doubt raised an eyebrow or 2.
So bottom line after my little rant and brain splurge it boils down, as ever to do you have the money?, do you want to spend it sueing Sony?, do you have the time and want to expend the effort?

As ever I guess it'll be upo a few very very gifted individuals to find a technical workaround.

I for one will not be upgrading my ps3 60gb phat until I see some alternatives, I'm lucky that the PSN is not that important to me ...yet.
Lets hope that there is ome recorse to action.
I'm gonna ring the CGA people and raise a CASE with them to follow up.
this is the cheapest least aggravating route that I can think about. How much traction this will yield I have no idea but I would urge you to do the same.
http://www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/consumerinfo/cga/
http://www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/contactus/index.html

long shot but fair trading may be another route to take.
all in all rather grim IMHO.

Geohot I hope you get this sorted asap.

P

Zach

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#315152 5-Apr-2010 23:00

I will not use my PS3 till they pull the firmware upgrade.... or someone makes a work around firmware...

"Skipping the 3.21 PS3 update" access PSN from old firmware versions.