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)
Quit arguing the legalese. They will probably get away with it scot free. When even after installing millions of root kits on customers computers (which was obviously illegal and covered up well by mainstream media) they only had to distribute some CDs to public libraries and pay the lawyers. Fact is what will hurt Sony is not the legal system but what accountants call Goodwill. Doing these things permanently damages your brand and when next generation people go to buy a console they will remember Sony is now like the Sega of consoles.
YOU GUYS THE EASIEST METHOD TO GET OS BACK:
BOYCOTT SONY PRODUCTS
KEEP REPEATING THIS MESSAGE
Well, that’s obviously a given (no more money to Sony or for any PS3 products until this change is rescinded).
Sad to see the comments slowing down. Let’s keep it up. Don’t just let the negative press blow over, that’s what they’re hoping ofr…
improperlyaged taking out all comers with the legal kung-fu. kick,punch its all in the mind.
Keep it clean. Don’t spam the board. They are removing comments because people are acting like jerks.
I don’t like it, I’m mad myself. But let us keep it civil and clean please.
This almost makes me want to sell off my PS3 and never purchase Sony products again. I had a great intention to use this feature within the coming weeks after I purchased my far more superior Bulky PS3. It did more than my friends’ slimline PS3.
First they take functionality that users wanted away with changing the PS2 into a slimline version, and now they’ve done it with PS3.
Bad move Sony, I’ve love you for years, but after turning on my bulky PS3 today I’m reconsidering buying anymore of your products or supporting you in any other way.
Way to go.
@5671
The comments are slowing down because Sony is blocking us.
My other PSN Account can’t comment anymore.
I had planned to purchase Infamous and Killzone 2. But those are on hold until I’m sure I can play them with 3.15.
okay i’ll be honest i dont want to boycott sony i love their products and have spent much time and money on the ones i already own. however i have to be honest between this and the teriible support in the psp department i will have to seriously consider not buying my next system without a sony logo on it. while i will continue to use what i already own because i cant afford to just replace it all i must refuse to support sony products when it is time to purcahse new tech. me next laptop will not say vaio like my current one does. my next camcorder will not be made by sony. my next handheld system most likely the new nintendo ystem at the time. n….as much as it hurts to say my next full system purchase may actually read nintendo. have’nt owned one since the super nintendo maybe its time i went back.
Was not a april fools joke >:(
also seriously if i do lose all online funtionality because future firmware updates become mandatory and will obviously include the 3.21 feature removal there may soon be an original 80gb ps3 with backwards compatibility up for sale. i spent over $5000 bucks in just over two years on this system so if i do choose to leave i’m defintiely gonna have to sell it just to recoup my money. sad day for sony, sadder day for me as a sony fanboy.
I am not going to upgrade even if this means I won’t be buying any stuff from your store as well. You can take a look at my purchase history to see how much I bought in the past. You guys really amaze me.
I don’t know if somebody posted or not. 5500+ comments is a bit to wade through. But for those that did not update are games that do not require online working? How about PSN games?
hi twin dad, fortunately FF13 is working for me, and i haven’t updated yet!
@improperlyaged
u know what sucks about PSP? In the US it’s close to CRAP imo but in Japan it’s selling really really well. I never understand why Sony US isn’t pushing PSP as much as Sony JP, most of the games on the PSP Japan are getting good ratings.
Sony needs to get their head out of their *** and start doing better like they have in the past on PS1 and PS2. Listen to the consumers demands instead of ignoring or taking away stuff like this 3.21 update.
nothing wrong with the big N’s handhelds. console wise the haven’t hit out of the park since snes the wii is just a big waste of potential. maybe sega should get back in the game.
At least we can still play PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 1 games :^)
@twindad nope certain psn games require you to be signed just to play (pain for example) since u cant sign on u cant play. so essentially with this game ur not just losing online capability (since it has none) ur losing the ability to play the game at all.
I never that I’d find a company I hated more then Microsoft…. I was wrong, [DELETED] Sony.
wow i just realized another argument as to why the firmware is illegal. the psp. the psp doesnt have firmware 3.21 but i can still sign in through that. same account. how can they restrict my account on one device and not the other. hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. wow i dont even have a legal degree and i am able to destroy any argument sony has about how this could possibly be legal. how is that?
@5671 TwinDad
I would think that InFamous would be alright. I’ve had it for a few months now, and as far as I know, the only part of the network it uses is for Trophies. I’m not a long-time Sony user, 3 months, so I’m not sure how all that works.
@5672 improperlyaged
The Nintendo 3DS should be coming out some time before next March. It sounds awesome, and there should be more info on it at E3.
Now, to get back on topic. I wonder why Sony has not at least said SOMETHING about this? Nearly 6000 comments sort of stands out.
OMG I just realized I can’t play LBP and can’t also play ModNation Racers once it comes out… Damn you SONY!!
ok so to clarify my last point. the psp’s ability to sign in to psn with the same account proves that the access can not be restricted based of firmware. obviusly both use diferent firmwre and programming code however the psn is still the psn. they are not designated specifically for psp or ps3 and therefore cant be relegated to firmware restrictions. again sony u lose and i prove u wrong.
@improperlyaged
Yessss ! We have the same law !
@Reinheart
If you have enouth money : Buy a PS3 Slim pack with the game you want. So you will be able to play ALL the games you previously buy, and you will cost money to SONY as they will loose money on you buy, and they won’t sell twice games …
wow, and to think i own 4 Ps3’s and they don’t want to hear my opinion..
@zepala
I have PHAT and SLIM lol only problem my PHAT is on my 46″ Bravia and SLIM is on a small TV and too lazy to swap the two LOL
Just pointing fingers at Sony lol
actually i will be costing sony and all their developers money as form now on i will only buy sony games used. they wont see a dime of my money. sorry to all the developers not ur fault sony is trying to cheat its customers. but hey its not my fault geohot hacked their system.
Bets this was just a dry run for the PR team for the much bigger move of charging for PSN?
As before said : It was on the box ‘Free PSN access’…
Didn’t they also claim OtherOS would remain on the fattys because they advertised that?
damn is it just me or has it got real quiet in here since i went off and listed all the legal reasons against this firmware. i mean it seems like all the people saying were just being dumb and its not that serious have gone away now that i basically rebuked every possible argument. face it people this firmware is illegal. just stop being so naive.
I specifically bought a PS3 because it had the capability to run linux. I usually stay away from Sony products because of the kinds of restrictions the built into them, but I took a chance on this one and got BURNED. That Sony chose remove a significant feature they used to sell the PS3 the the tech community tells quite clearly that Sony doesn’t give a crap about their customers. Measure how many acts of piracy they have had before now and how much they have after now. The history of piracy prevention by OS and hardware changes prove that they NEVER work to prevent piracy, only drive the company out of business or into bankruptcy. Check the history of Electronic Arts and others who tried to prevent piracy on Commodore64 with hardware keys and writing into half-tracks, etc. REMEMBER THIS BEFORE YOU BUY ANOTHER SONY PRODUCT – ANY SONY PRODUCT. You may buy a Bravia and find in a month that you cannot watch DVD movies or certain cable channels anymore because Sony decided that they are too easy to pirate or are making fun of them. Or maybe it could be that you are not buying all your old movies again on BluRay.
All I have to say is Sony, go to hell. I was forced to backup all 136gb of my data, format to get my 10gigs, download you downgrade, and begin restoring. I follwed everyhting the downgrade said and fro some reason my restore gets stuck at 83%. I have checked over everything and it still will not restore. So, in other words, I lost all 136gb of data to downgrade my $600 system I purchased with this feature in mind, and the only excuse you can give is “security concerns.”
thanks for the answers. I’m actually in the middle of FF13 right now so specifically thanks for the confirmation on that.
oh for those of you looking to dump ur games gamestop is actually offering a 40% bonus if u trade in 6 or more games. so if i trade in all 57 of mine plus the accessories and system and psp and games i could probably buy a xbox360 elite a wii and a nintendo dsixl?????
Its ok to take something away i do not use at all but it is another to take something away and not give something back for it. Sony this makes me sad but nothing I can do about it just try not to do it again PLZ.
Wow they really are deleting alot of comments, arent they?
This cannot be legal.
When they started to promote PS3 the said that you could run linux on the PS3. It was a Market Stategy. In fact, many people bought their PS3 for that reason. I’m also one of them.
And this is NOT “optional”. Why, because U can’t do many thing if you do not update your system.
This is totally wrong.
L8er!
Instead of taking things away SONY you need to improve gaming on ps3 have you heard your server sucks so why not give us an update that actually benefits us, instead of depriving us
i am quite upset about this.. especially when i paid twice to get my 60gb ps3 serviced just so i could keep the features it had instead of saving and buying a slim :|
I too am not updating anytime soon. Even though I haven’t used the “Install Other OS” feature yet I still stand with the folks who do because next could be the BC in my system that I do use or some other feature like the Media Server.
I have been a Sony/PlayStation Fanboy, Defender and Supporter and over time those things have changed because of Sony. I have a PS3, 2 Vaios and a Bravia. I will not be a early adopter for PS4. As someone who bought mostly only PS3 exclusives at full price I will cut down on that and start re-considering buying USED games if any at all at this point (especially if I can’t play them). This is from a person with about 60 Blu-rays and 60 PS3 games or more.
Maybe it’s just me. I’m just getting tired of copyrights, licenses, DRM, organizations making agreements where they take no responsibility for anything. I’m just tired. On the Bright side this opened up my eyes. At least i’ll probably save some money or more than likely it’ll go to a different platform/console/company.
To add. I paid $500 for my first 60GB ps3 but for the real earlier adopters this is a terrible way to treat them. Those are the people who supported you when most PS2 owners turned their back and the rest trashed you and was hoping for your complete failure.
Was anything even added in 3.21? Way to hurt momentum!
if i wanted to hack my game consol i would have bought an xbox360. instead i thought being able to use linux was better now i don’t have that option that i chose this system for.
another thing extend your warranties why does the consumer have to pay 150 dollars for repairs that are sonys fault
Is there a reset option to make the machine how it was when purchased, default firmware? Or the update takes out the ability to reset?
How come my $500 Sony home computer system (PS3) works just like the $299 Sony home computer system (PS3 Slim), what I paid for is what my $500 PS3 offered, promoted and able to do as advertised by Sony and their representative. Crippling my machine’s ability to perform as advertised and sold due to their incompetence, just doesn’t make sense. Doesn’t make sense.
Typical Sony, 2 steps forward, 4 steps back for the consumer. Due to this dumb firmware, Sony is forcing me to make a choice. I was downloading games and goin on PShome left and right. They lost my business. I hope every gamer in the world doesn’t download this dumb firmware. Its the principal. If they take away this feature today, who is to stop them from taking anything else. I’m afraid they might do what Ubisoft is doing and have a DRM format to play games. Pissing off hackers is the worst thing Sony can do. Its only a matter of time before before its possible to make custom firmwares. THIS IS WAR!
@imporperly aged
Hey I didn’t even realize all those reasons as to why this update was illegal. Thank you very much.
Also, I feel Sony is encouraging hackers to hack PS3 cause of this firmware. Its time to stand up for our rights as a consumer. You sell me a product that suppose to have features, they shouldn’t just take it away. Again, its war! I hope every body owning a Fat PS3 doesn’t update. 3.21 is the devil. I sure as hell am not downloading this.
i hope sony reconsiders and gives us another update adding the install OS feature back to our systems
3.21 = sony’s dooms day countdown.
removing os support as a countermeasure for hacking?
thnx sony, for nothing…
There once was a dutch mathmatician who said;
If your encryption is good enough, you can reveal all BUT the encryption key.
Do us a favour, fire your whole security department and hire some decent people to do that for you.
Other os is the reason I bought this thing, And I hoped sony would have seen the light by giving you more than a game console alone.
blindsided, that is what we are as consumers of sony
ps; if you hadnt rushed the psp (thus by NOT releasing a hastily adapted DEBUG firmware), what would have been the deal now on psp piracy?. CFW is a direct consequence of that. And this stupid action will emerge CFW on the PS3…
shame on you!