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)
As I Said Gimme BC on the newer Slim Models, and I’ll just Keep my Fat as my homebrew station/DVR.
Till then, I guess all your latest software and tech is useless to me, as I will not be updating/downgrading.
Everyone is crying about this if you want this you should get up and turn on your computer ….the only reason why your all mad is because you can’t HACK….i played MW2 today for the first time in a long time and the game play is so much better because everyone is not hacking ……I am glad SONY did this…..STOP CRYING
You suck sony.All this time we have defended your platform against others for the backwards compatibility and uniqe features that this system brought to the table .I have been loyal to playstation since its begining,Even coaxing my 4 children into believing that yourr system was a worthwile investment.At the time i purchased this ps3 it seemed the most logical solution.(ps2 and computer/xbox and computer/ps3 and computer/or just a ps3 and do everything that any game system and computer would do,Thanks for the many years of enjoyment but i cant accept using my hard earned money to be nothing more than an unappreciated consumer that cant make decisions for himself.I think through this you will soon find out word of mouth would have been your most valuable advertisement.Now all bragging that i have done for you in the past will turn to slander!
INTRINSIK wasn’t really directed at you more so at all that have threatened on the blog to leave PS3 n go to 360 over this Alt OS thing … like you I own multiple systems one Wii two PS3’s one 360 & a gaming pc made for gaming plus 2 Sony Bravias…. The funniest 1 I heard was the guy that was gonna sell his PS3 and get a 360 and a pc…Ok get a $199.00 USD stripped down 360 ok now buy a 60 GB HDD theres $99 USD ok now a wireless adapter another $100 USD thats $400 W/O tax $100 more than a new slim with no blu Ray with the 360 or web browser
not to mention a worthwhile gaming computer you build 1,600 & up if you buy from newegg or a similar site… you buy from say dell same spec that you could build… $2,500 and up how much did that guy expect to get for his PS3…. LMAO for real
Yes, with this point of view, the 360 is more expensive.
The good point is : WITHOUT the SONY EXPERIENCE, this make it much cheaper !
@D3CuTT
Actually, the hacking is even more rampant now because of this.
ps3news . com/forums/ps3-hacks/ps3-hypervisor-lv2-gameos-dumped-publicly-leaked-110423 . html#ixzz0jzsrBbU7
Release day walk in to the store and spend 900$ cad on a 60GB ps3 with a lot of nice features and 2 games. Proud to be a supporter of Sony. Ive got Linux, Blu-ray, and my old ps1/2 games to play. The money felt fairly well spend at the time…
Even though all my friends had/have an X-box 360 so I can’t play online with them because the 2 can’t come to an agreement for cross platform, (Really hate both Sony and Microsoft for this)
Even though there was so few games on the shelf to choose,
Even though the starting game line up was crap,
Even though Sony was losing a lot of exclusives to Microsoft,
Even though the next in the series of my FAVORITE game is exclusive to x-box 360,
Even though eh, Now Ive got even more money into this overpriced paperweight and I can’t use PSN or the store? WTF Thanks guys I bought this system full well knowing there was a crap line up for games and let it sit for months waiting for a decent game to be released. I couldn’t afford the damn system at the time but you guys REALLY needed the sale’s I’m sure so after scraping up what saving’s I could I bought your damn system and I went for the 60gb not the 40gb because of the additional features…
Thanks
@D3CuTT
are you sure it wasnt cause you are just rusty or maybe you just arent that good at that game?
i dont use linux to hack.i take offense that you are so narrow-minded to say that.i use it as a backup computer and internet browser since the ps3 browser freezes so much.my monitor just died so maybe according to you and your logic i should just buy another one whenever the money tree blossoms.the main complaint is that they are stripping functions from a system that if you bought it with those options set you back over 600 dollars.i have said it before.what if they deem backwards compatibility through emulation as a problem?firmware fix and i as well as other ps3 “fat” system owners would not have this anymore.
@INFIDEL_JIHAD
Agreed. Fanboyism is so last gen. I wish people would stop thinking so analog. If there is a game out there I want to play like I care who publishes it. Why should I not support a developer because BLANK company bought the IP? I just know where I want to spend my money. If BLANK company screws me, ok cool I have options.
Oh, and as for gaming PC’s, my current rig cost about 8k and blows away ANYTHING a console can do, the down fall of it is
1) having to sit at the PC (plop n play is awesome if you work on pc’s all day)
2)The d.a.m.n thing eats PSU’s like no other.
I dont think everyone is getting mad over the actual os part.everyone is getting mad because something you purchased is taken away.What would limit them to removing downloaded games that you have purchased or access to the games?What if they wanted to sell more blueray players so they blocked your ability to play any new movies,dvds,cds,mp3s unless you conformed to their controls.
If you bought a car with on star you wouldn’t want the car company removing it because you also ordered it with a set of 20″ rims.there should be no consicuinces for not wanting to remove it.
Very disappointing, I use my PS3 as a backup web/ftp server for when my arch server goes down.
Guess I won’t bother buying any new games ;)
I did not update. I will not update. And I will not purchase another psn, or ps3 title.
I use Yellow Dog Linux PS3 all the time, it is a low heat, low sound pc that I can run specific servers on for school projects. When I get back home I usually switch over to the gameos to play some online multiplayer like Uncharted 2, but not anymore…
You guys have ruined too much of the firmware in updates for me. epecially the fading text in a text based os, annoying scolling banner and box in the upper right, completely broken gameos web browser after 2.30 update, and now otheros. Even though quite a few things were added, they still do not make up for those 4 aforementioned mistakes.
I have been here since January 2007, purchasing games, qore subscriptions, psn titles, ps1 titles, movies, and actively participating in betas.
Never again Sony, Never again…
I tried what FoX_HounD_2ooX stated in post 6193. I was able to not update and get on Playstation Network and play a network game. I verified my version is still 3.15 and I still have the option to install “other Os”. Not shure what the different DNS settings do, but It did have me reinstall my game (like I had no trophies and was starting over) , but I was able to get connected and play on the PSN. Thanks FoX_HounD_2ooX
Why do some people have the idea Other OS has been used to cheat in games (e.g. MW2 hacks?). Because Sony made it sound that way? As far as I know, no such thing exists.
@Sven
Yeah, I can’t imagine how you can cheat using two OS at the same time on the PS3, at least to me, that would be NEWS because I didnt know
Also, as far as I know the only way of cheating was using exploitable glitches. Cant imagine people trying to modify files on the PS3 to cheat. IS that even possible?
amaninashed.blogspot.com/2010/04/start-of-end.html
umm sony’s system to do what they want with it and the other OS i wouldn’t use for the main fact my PS3 freezes every once in a while on internet browser just looking up game Faqs and cheats.
The firmware 3.21 was the kick in the groin I needed to wake up. Now I know Sony doesnt believe in the fans. Sony is all about money, just the same as Microsoft. From now on Ill look somewhere else for my electronic entertainment. Goodbuy Sony, from a former supporter.
^ mebmebler
your welcome, im just trying to help the many like myself that don’t want to update yet still want access to psn
A firmware update that takes away features and adds nothing..
JUST WHAT I ALWAYS WANTED!!!
:D :D :D :D :D
Here’s an update on the feedback I sent off to SCEA yesterday:
Unfortunately, I got the boilerplate response that a few have quoted here. But there’s a catch-22:
I’ve not updated as yet, thus I’ve neither lost data nor attempted to go online since SSW 3.21 was posted (I’m in the process of upgrading the HDD to make more room for games.) I simply summed up what I’ve seen here in a very calm and rational manner. So how is it possible that Sony reps assume I’ve updated or lost anything when I’ve done no such thing yet? I’m having no “difficulties” as yet BECAUSE I’ve done no such thing yet.
Will post my letter shortly.
Give us, the early adapters, back OtherOS. You and I know that removing it is not going to fix your security concerns. In fact returning the OtherOS will appease many a technically gifted person who would test your “security” out of spite!
Oh Sony, how you so test my patience.
Whoops, typo, I did NOT pay attention to Geohot’s work until this OtherOS disaster.
I have a PS3 Slim version and even I am PISSED OFF AT SONY!! How exactly are my relatives who have (and use) the alternate OS version expected to be able to communicate?
YOU SHUT THEM OFF … it was either lose your Alternate OS or lose your friends?! Some choice!
Try to chalk this up to Security? You can’t be that stupid, so lets just call it what this is … Sony lying to their customers.
I hope you are giving these customers a credit. Disgusting move, Sony!
I refused to update, and shortly after, my PS3 got YLOD (again, 16 days after fixing it). So I will wait until they sort out this 3.21 issue before I get a new PS3.
People would probably be more upset if all of them realized this update is essentially the same as having someone break into your home and threaten you into letting them throw away a computer that you Purchased from them…
They’re just breaking into your house and holding your family and friends (PSN) hostage until you agree to throw that cell processor based linux PC with an endless supply of free open-source applications… out into the trash! (even though physically it’s going to continue to take up space in your living room as a gaming system…)
Yep, there’s definitely a reason to be a little ticked off.. and if companies can do this to their customers now, then the future seems pretty damn bleak.
What do you think is worse, the removal of otherOS, or the bad response from Sony on the issue?
Why are all my comments ‘awaiting moderation’? Is it a particular word I typed.
yes lots of moderation filters.. key words..
^ yes they banned afew words from this blog (example the word “re.mov.e”)… anytime you type those words, your post “awaits moderation”
It must have been the word re.mov.al
I think they should stop moderating these comments and spend their time addressing the issue at hand.
I cant remember the last time there were so many negative replies.
I just hope that Sony will realize their mistake and give us back the Other OS option.
Also, why can’t we rate it 0/5?
It seems the lowest it can be rated is 1/5, which is not accurate, I would not give this topic any points, why am I forced to give it a ‘pity point’?
@jimmylr
I can only assume that Sony is on holidays, hoping this whole thing will just ‘blow over’
yes
LOL I love all of the comments from people insinuating that if you are for having the other OS function on the PS3 that you ‘must be an evil hacker’.
I’m arguing on another forum with some tool from Canada about it right now and it’s hilarious. He skips over the fact that I posted that I never stole a game in my life and I have no intention to do so.
But ‘omg if you want the other OS thing, you must be a hacker’.
There is no reason the ps3 slim cant run an other OS other than sony wants to be bastards.
There is no reason the ps3 slim cant run ps2 games by software emulation that they used before in ps3 with out the ps2 cpu/gpu combo chip other than sony wants to be bastards and only let certian models have already done and working software.
They do not even mantain the emulation or other os software anymore but they wont put it in to be bastards or they just start taking it out.
This will last like a year until they find yet another way to get to the ps3 hardware by yet another hack or mod chip anyway if they want to get to the ps3 that bad they will this wont change much.
LOL Comment is awaiting moderation. Funny. Just like the idiots who think you’re ‘omg evil’ if you’re for the Other OS function.
it is laughable that they think removing “other os” will stop the hackers, just a small speedbump really. kinda like banning gun sales, or making people go through a bunch of stuff to legally purchase a firearm, when most crimes are commited with an Illegally purchased weapon
oops I said re mov ing in a comment :>
hahahaha..take this you hackers! nice move sony! only hackers would get disappointed by this if you ask me..i don’t find another reason for your disappointment for the removal of a feature that you are not using at all! anyway i like this update..it gonna make a lot of hackers angry!!! hahahaha
I thought I couldn’t hate Sony any more than I already did, man was I wrong, they took something already terrible and made it 10x worse
I can’t count the sleepless nights I have spent trying to use PSLinux as a media center for files that wouldn’t play on the XMB, ONLY to get bombarded with bugs, glitches, and things just plainly not working due to how locked down OtherOS was
So now, even for how locked down it was, they are now removing it for SECURITY REASONS?!?!?!?! What the heck is going to happen when running Linux that’s going to cause problems with the XMB? Install some huge trojan, that once the PS3 is restarted to the XMB will infect the entire PS3 and start raising havoc on PSN? I don’t think so, and isn’t Linux known to be the safest OS in existence?
I don’t think security is the issue, I just think it’s another way for Sony to piss us off once again, it’s not the first time, Sony discontinues stuff ALL THE TIME
Nice once Sony, another reason to avoid Sony products >:(
@D3CuTT
are you stupid? lag switching in MW2 has nothing to do with Linux. people do not use Linux to hack MW2, it doesnt work that way
Sony, I will not be updating, and I will not be buying anything more for my PS3 or PSP until you reverse this decision.
I want a refund for all of my purchases for Home, and all of my multi-player titles such as LBP and Uncharted 2 to which I am now locked out.
If you haven’t changed your mind by July, expect a protest at your booth during the 2010 San Diego Comic Con.
I hope you realize this is just going to push more people to try out hacks, such as PS3 Proxy, which will lead to TRUE security issues.
i love my playstation. i always find new things to do on it. sumhow u take sumthin i neva even got a chance to try? my cuzzin owns a 360 and we argue fervently over which is betta. i have to hide this from him. i defend yall to the death and honestly you makin me look dumb with this [DELETED]. i paid to much spread for yall to be takin features from me. this look terrible on ya resume. on top of that ya slogan is ¨it only does everything¨. blasphemy. it does everything except this particular and INITIAL feature. i feel thats false advertisement. i dont wanna see that in no more commercials afta this [DELETED]. [DELETED]… stick to the script sony. [DELETED][DELETED][DELETED][DELETED] oh yea. yall cud moderate my [DELETED]. why you scared? [DELETED]
they not lettin my real comment rhu. sony SCARED yall!!!!! lmao
Can someone make a blog.share idea about this, I have tried, but my ideas are always discarded when being moderated.
It seems they don’t want to deal with the issue, nor do they want to face the fact that it was an un-popular move.
Why dont u let sony remove the otheros? let them its not needed your pc will do a better job, it takes up resources and sony could implement BC in its place.