Sony removes install “other OS” from PS3 (part 4)

Well after 7454 posts (150 pages worth) Sony has locked the blog entry http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/03/28/ps3-firmware-v3-21-update/ due to it being over 30 days old.

Sony removes install “other OS” from PS3 (part 3)

Well I tried to login to PSN (Playstation Network). Seems like they blocked the DNS settings everyone was using to bybass the new firmware update 🙁

Luckily Netflix still works!!!!

PS
There are now 7,145 comments on Sony’s blog entry announcing the firmware “downgrade”. 143 pages worth!

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/03/28/ps3-firmware-v3-21-update/

Sony removes install “other OS” from PS3 (part 2)

04/01/2010
I am unable to login to the PSN (online playstation network on the PS3). It requires me to update to the latest firmware first. Sadly that firmware will remove the install other os feature. Which was one of the selling points for the PS3.

So I called Sony.

5:36pm
The automated system says the current expected hold time is 3 mins

5:39pm
I reach Arcila(? I should have really asked her how to spell her name.)
She advises that you can not play online unless you update to the latest firmware
She also states that “any new Blu-ray movies will require firmware 3.2.1 or higher”.

A few other memorable quotes from her were:

“that’s the way it is”

“We are not allowed to hang up on you.”

I advised her that it was advertised to have “install other OS” support which was one of the reasons I bought it.
She stated “the install other OS option was a free feature that we’ve chosen to remove”
I asked “Well backwards compatibility is a “free feature” in the original PS3s. When is that going to be removed?”
She stated “Most PS3s don’t even have that”

I again asked when will you be removing the PS2 backwards compatibility support.

She stated “The new ones don’t have that anyways”.
She wouldn’t answer my question. Just kept implying that if you have that “free feature” you should feel luck you do…. For now.

“my hand to God we will not issue you a refund”

I’m sure you don’t want to deal with 500 calls like this a day?
“Don’t mind. It’s my job.”

I asked her for the address to send small claims court paperwork to.
Took her a few mins to find it. She was muttering under her breath the whole time as she looked for it.
She did state a min or so into looking “can’t find a address” then she went back to muttering and finally found it. Same address I had received before. Though she didn’t give me the ATTN: Correspondence bit at first. I had to ask her if there was anyone I needed to address it to and she then provided that part.

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

5:58pm she hung up.

6:07pm
I gave my attorney generals office a call on the off chance they were still open.
They weren’t.
I doubt the will be open tomorrow for Good Friday. It’s worth a shot though.

6:15pm
I change my DNS settings and I am able to avoid the software update and get on PSN.

NOTE:
The blog entry on Sony’s website
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/03/28/ps3-firmware-v3-21-update/
that started it all now has 5287 comments on it totaling 106 pages!!

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!

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.