Sony removes install “other OS” from PS3

03-29-2010
I read this http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/03/28/ps3-firmware-v3-21-update/ today while at work.

I’ve copied it in case it gets removed by Sony. Hopefully they do change there mind about releasing this “update” (or as The Internet is calling it today a “downgrade”).

PS3 Firmware (v3.21) Update

Posted by Patrick Seybold // Sr. Director, Corporate Communications & Social Media

The next system software update for the PlayStation 3 (PS3) system will be released on April 1, 2010 (JST), and will disable the “Install Other OS” feature that was available on the PS3 systems prior to the current slimmer models, launched in September 2009. This feature enabled users to install an operating system, but due to security concerns, Sony Computer Entertainment will remove the functionality through the 3.21 system software update.

In addition, disabling the “Other OS” feature will help ensure that PS3 owners will continue to have access to the broad range of gaming and entertainment content from SCE and its content partners on a more secure system.

Consumers and organizations that currently use the “Other OS” feature can choose not to upgrade their PS3 systems, although the following features will no longer be available;

• Ability to sign in to PlayStation Network and use network features that require signing in to PlayStation Network, such as online features of PS3 games and chat
• Playback of PS3 software titles or Blu-ray Disc videos that require PS3 system software version 3.21 or later
• Playback of copyright-protected videos that are stored on a media server (when DTCP-IP is enabled under Settings)
• Use of new features and improvements that are available on PS3 system software 3.21 or later

For those PS3 users who are currently using the “Other OS” feature but choose to install the system software update, to avoid data loss they first need to back-up any data stored within the hard drive partition used by the “Other OS,” as they will not be able to access that data following the update.

Additional information about PS3 firmware updates, including v3.21 (once it becomes available), can be found here:
http://us.playstation.com/support/systemupdates/ps3/index.htm

PS3 owners who have further questions should contact Consumer Services:
http://us.playstation.com/support/ask/
800-345-7669 (800-345-SONY)

5:32 pm
I called Sony as soon as I got home.
Mark answered.
I asked him about the above article and how I can get a full refund.
He said he was very familiar with the press release and said my best bet is to sell it for online for a really high price. More than what I paid for it.
I explained to him that isn’t the reason for my call. I would like a full refund from Sony since they are removing a “feature” that was a selling point for the PS3 for me.

He stated that no “they” (he kept referring to Sony as “they” made it seem like he wasn’t part of the company) are within there right of there EULA/TOS/whatever to remove a features at anytime. He stated that since the PS3 is now hacked “they” (referencing Sony as an almighty company again) will be locking it down. He actually said “locking it down”. I believe his exact quote was “Not putting up with people hacking it so there locking it down.”

He provided me with an address I can send small claims court papers to:

SCEA
ATTN Correspondence
PO Box 5888
San Mateo, CA 94402-0888

He also advised to file a complaint on the Sony website under the contact us option.

5:38pm
End call.

11:38pm
NOTE: Currently there are 1750 (nice round number) replies to the blog entry on Sony’s website totaling 33 pages worth!

Mystery number (866) 428-8102 part 3

03/24/2010
3:38pm received another call from (866) 428-8102.
It took about 3 seconds of me saying “Hello” before anyone responded. A male voice asked for a Cynthia something or another (couldn’t catch/make out the last name). I asked him his name. He said it was Ira. I asked him who he was calling from. He stated that “it’s a personal business matter.”
I advised him that I’ve told this number numerous times to place me on there DO NOT CALL LIST. I also advised him that there is no Cynthia here by that name. He didn’t respond at all to that. He disconnected the call instead of replying!

Total length of call 40 seconds

Mystery number (866) 428-8102 part 2

Monday 03/22/2010
11:10 am I received another missed call from (866) 428-8102. They did not leave a message.

Mystery number (866) 428-8102

I recieved missed calls from (866) 428-8102 at the following dates & times:
03/02/2010 9:34am
03/04/2010 6:35pm
03/07/2010 4:00pm
03/09/2010 5:34pm
03/11/2010 8:41am
03/15/2010 4:06pm
03/15/2010 5:05pm
They NEVER leave voicemails. I wasn’t able to answer those whenever they called.

BUT on
03/18/2010
at
4:51pm
I was able to answer. The phone is immediately disconnected due to my shoddy AT&T service at work.

They call back at
4:44pm
Lori called me asking for a Cynthia. I advised her that there is no one by that name at this number.
I tried to tell her that I have told this number the same thing before BUT she kept cutting me off.
I tried to tell her to place me on there do not call list BUT she kept cutting me off.
I tried to get the name of her company BUT she kept cutting me off.
She stated she would remove me for there list and hung up. I was never able to complete a full sentence besides my initial one “There is no one here by that name”.

4:51pm
I accidentally called them back trying to take a screenshot of the call times. I immediately hung up before it connected.

BCBS hasn’t paid provider from my HSA

Saturday March 13th 2010
Received a letter from Quest Diagnostics saying that I have an outstanding balance of
$14.97
Reviewing BCBS website on Monday March 15th 2010 I verify that I previously submitted that to BCBS.
I will have to call them (BCBS) and find out why the provider hasn’t been paid from my HSA.

Can not access Deluxe Gorillaz website

7:25am
I sent an email to support@pushentertainment.com which said:
Hello, I can’t login to the Gorillaz site.
http://www.pushentertainment.com//index.cfm?promotion=417&mediaType=6
The websites keeps giving me the message “We cannon find your iTunes download. Retry”.
I purchased the Gorillaz deluxe album from iTunes.
I’m using a Mac running Snow Leopard with all the updates installed.
Neither Firefox nor Safari would work. Both are the latest versions.
Any assistance you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
XXXXX

10:54am
They responded back very quick!!! with:
Can you send an email from the Support & FAQ link at the bottom of the validation page. We will then see your machine settings and be able to help

11:02am
I followed there instructions and sent the email from the Support & FAQ link at the bottom of the validation page.

11:04am
Email I got back from them said:
Please log back in and you will get in.

11:09am
I responded back with:
Sweet! It worked!! Thank you very much!!!

Great! Fast! Support! I like it. Thanks support@pushentertainment.com!

Apple iPhone Dev Center part 2

Email I sent Apple today:

Trying to sign it I get the message
“Your Apple ID has been disabled. Please contact us.”

I have 15 days left on my membership.

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Bank scare turns out pleasant

March 2nd 2010

10:53am received a strange phone call from a 800 number. I ignored it.

11:01am checked my voicemail. It was from my bank asking me to call back since there is some suspicious activity on my account.

11:02am called the bank via the number on my debit card. NOT the number that was left on my voicemail.

11:04am Amy answered. I advised her that I did just buy 80 or 90 dollars worth of stuFF from amazon.co.uk
She said that will do it. She verified the amount was around that and put a note on my account that I ok’d that charge to amazon.co.uk

Can’t access Apple iPhone Dev Center

Just sent the following support email to Apple:

I am getting the message “You must be enrolled in the iPhone Developer Standard or Enterprise Program to access the development resources for iPhone SDK beta.
Not enrolled in the iPhone Developer Program?” when I click on iPhone SDK 3.2 beta in the Dev Center. My membership doesn’t expire till March 19th 2010.

Playstation 3 YLOD (Yellow Light Of Death)

My PS3 died last night (2010/01/27).

I was watching disc 2 of LOST season 1 on Blu-Ray. At the exact end of episode 7 (The Moth) where it was transiting to the next episode it shutoff. I thought it was rather odd. I tried turning it on and it powers up and immediately shuts itself off. Trying to hit the eject button wouldn’t eject the disc.

I torn apart my house today and found the receipt. Sadly I didn’t purchase the extended warranty (normally they’re scams. So I’ve heard). I purchased it in April 2008 so it is out of the 1 year Sony warranty. I wonder how much they’ll want to charge me to fix it.

I read online today that you just might be able to get your disc ejected by holding down both the power and the eject buttons. I just tried it and it worked! Which makes me “slightly” happy since who knows if I’d get that back from Sony if I ship it to them.
I’ll be going out of town this weekend so when I get a chance next week I’ll give them a call and see how I can go about getting it replaced/repaired.