Tue, Jan 18, 2011 | 03:11 GMT
PS3s bricked by custom firmware
With the publication of the system’s root key, the PlayStation 3 was considered defenceless, but the old girl has one more trick up her sleeve. Drop the latest custom firmware into a 60 GB model console, and behold! A very expensive doorstop!
Destructoid reports that the latest version of the firmware, v3.55, has been responsible for the untimely death of several launch PS3s.
To further add to the pain and embarrassment of would-be hackers, it appears that more than one console was put out of its misery even after the firmware was found and reported to be total rubbish as warnings went ignored.
Although the problems seems confined to one model so far, and to be caused by an error in the firmware rather than a product of Sony’s security, it’s probably wise to make sure you know exactly what you’re doing if you intend to fiddle with your expensive console – for any reason.
13 comments
#1
SteOne3
18/01/11, 3:21 am
Well maybe people should read the full information before jumping into the unknown. Well at least they have a foot rest eh. HELLO PYTHON 360!!!!!!
#2
XxT_I_K_IxX_PR
18/01/11, 6:40 am
Lmao… it’s funny how people are hacking their consoles without even knowing what the hack is gonna do haha I’m actually glad this happened… >=D
#3
Erthazus
18/01/11, 8:28 am
#4
Blerk
18/01/11, 8:50 am
Ouch! And the BC model, to boot!
#5
Crysis
18/01/11, 9:00 am
The original 60gb ps3 with hardware based bc & a black trim or the second 60gb model with partially software based bc & a chrome trim or both?
Speaking of bc, little off topic, but is the new S model 360 with the 4g ssd bc without paying for a separate hdd? I know all previous models needed the hdd for bc…
#6
Blerk
18/01/11, 9:09 am
Yes it is, although you still need a network connection to download the patches.
#7
Crysis
18/01/11, 9:11 am
Too bad Sony couldn’t do something like that, sell an external accessory so we can play PS2 games, also means that they could distribute ps2 games on PSN too
#8
NeoSquall
18/01/11, 12:26 pm
@7 Actually, Sony is patenting something like that.
#9
Kuwabara
18/01/11, 1:21 pm
maybe bricking aint a good idea. it might make them buy a xbox out of frustration.
#10
osric90
18/01/11, 4:44 pm
Why in hell they don’t release the software emulated PS2 (MGS4 Pack for instance) for all PS3s? I’ll cheer up hackers to do that if Sony doesn’t and will have my PS3 modded and killed.
#11
Crysis
18/01/11, 5:00 pm
@10, this may unfortunately explain why http://au.gamespot.com/news/6181373.html
I personally think Sony missed out on a potentially large revenue stream by cutting out the PS2 entirely, having a FULL back catalog on PSN would be awesome, but there’s probably not even 100 psone games & 0 ps2 games, i think Sony has really underestimated the power of digital distribution.
#12
TheWulf
18/01/11, 7:55 pm
Sony’s never bricked their own console with an official update, though, eh?
Oh, wait…
Sarcasm aside, it’s an easy thing to do with unfamiliar hardware such as that of the PS3. And anyone going into this should certainly have understood that there are risks. It’s like the PC – anything you download could ‘brick’ your computer.
And considering that Sony’s managed to release two nice examples of brick-happy firmware thus far, I don’t think there’s much embarrassment involved, to be honest.
It’s a learning experience.
#13
Yoshi
19/01/11, 2:28 am
No need to worry you can still go online