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)
i just wish sony would tell us which games will run on 3.15 and which games wont.if i go to my local game store i would like my money back compared to store credit.if any game that i preordered is only compatible with the higher firmware i just want to get my money before its to late.
There is at least no risk using the dns giver somewhere in this blog.
All communictions between your PS3 and the PSN are SSL communications.
All packages which can be installed on the PS3 needs to be signed by SONY.
The only trick this DNS does, is sending you the 3.15 FW control file when your PS3 is asking if there is a new update.
@twindad
are you saying just because i have a boat i am a pirate or maybe just because i have a weapon i am a murderer?i am sorry that because most people that used linux didnt hack and the few that did in your eyes we are all in the same category
hackers.
The Saying ” You Get What You Pay For” thats laughable according to sony ya get what ya pay for until we feel u shouldnt have it anymore im not saying they didnt have a reason but i will not defend them for this action it is not right and i believe THAT is the basic tenet behind this blog. i have not used the otheros feature as yet but that does not mean i might not in the future choose to use a feature the system did come equipped with. However if i choose to update i will lose something i paid for and if not lose functionality.
It’s Just Wrong
@zepala. You are incorrect in your assumption about the risks of using this DNS. Who controls the SSL key? It is trivial to set up a proxy so that you talk encrypted to the proxy on one session, the proxy talks encrypted on a separate session to the server, and the owner of the proxy sees everything unencrpyted.
@twindad
either way linux on ps3 was hella slow who really used it anyways plus ive heard from many places that the ram and cell were not fully functional in linux.
why keep a function that potentially and obviously was being used for bad instead of good, all the people doing great things with their ps3 will be able to keep on doing their research.
the pc is a much better platform for open source tinkering and its hacked to death go nuts on that leave the ps3 alone we dont need software all the titles we love being prostituted away, do you really want the console turning into the pc market , personally sony should have never put the function in from the beginning .
no real gamers really care we are playing games not installing a gimped version of linux LOL
@BonkDeHond:
You realy think that in SONY’s paranoia, they let the PS3 connect to an SSL server for which it doesn’t have the Certification Authority. And you think the PSN ingame functionnalities let a client, which key didn’t come from SONY, connect to it ?
@zepala. Well Sony wouldn’t do it on purpose. Of course not. You should read up on this before making such assumptions. Is an IP address encoded in a certificate or a domain name? How does your client know where it is getting a certificate from? By DNS. How would it authenticate a certificate? Perhaps by connecting to a certificate server (again using DNS). You’ve given away DNS. Unless they’re doing some sort of encryption on top of this using pre-shared keys. But even then, the OS has now been dumped and all of the PS3s are the same. There’s no private certificate that uniquely identifies you, where you are the only one with access to the private key like in SSH.
My guess is that they are not doing much else than raw ssl. I don’t know for sure. But how else would these proxies that spoof the reporting of the firmware work if they couldn’t read and change the messages between the Sony server & your PS3 if they were end to end encrypted? Think about it.
@Nirone226
No. I was saying the same thing you are. People keep bring up pirates when the complaints on this site had nothing to do with pirates. It’s an invalid argument.
@@bonkDehond
Your right it’s easy to play man in the middle, but it isn’t likely to happen. Again surfing the internet has more potential for harm.
The client never knows where it gets the certificate from. That isn’t part of PKI. However as you mention it could be possible to redirect a request for authentication for the Ca server. But I think your taking it a bit to far. There are far to many website with details on how the PS3 finds out if it is up to date or not. While their is an ability to gather personal information and other details. The threat level is low. You are making assumptions yourself, as we all are. I’m just saying that as far as risk goes the internet itself is far likely to be the source of personal downfall.
This is about intellectual property. For a good review of IP listen to the PodCast “Who Owns Ideas” on the CBC. I can’t link to it, but Googling for it will bring it up. Sony should have learned with their XCP fiaco that they can not violate consumer rights.
@twindad. It’s easy enough to redirect wildcards to any address in modern DNS servers with wildcard records.
My humble experience is different. I find the Internet a safe place if you’re reasonably careful (twenty years with very few problems.) Giving away control of my low level infrastructure like DNS and installing unknown 3rd party .exe’s on my machines? No thanks. Not for me.
I guess we’ll have to respectfully agree to differ on our perception of relative threats and risks.
@flowjo69
yes. the linux on it was horrible. I played with it several times and use Red Hat on my personal system.
There was good to come of the Linux. The military and university crowd use it for cheap parallel computing. That was of a good use. Folding is good use. I have yet to hear of bad. Tinkering with a system doesn’t make you a pirate. There are plenty of PS3 developers including indies that used the linux to test and learn cell code.
I buy all my games new to support developers and system makes so that I can ensure that I have a PS4 to play on.
I said it before and I will say it again. Piracy was rampant on the PS2. Sony’s move likely wasn’t about piracy. They used Linux to try and get almost free import tax into Europe, they tried it on the PS2 and PS3. Sony was denied by the courts in EU the tax reduction.
I will stand my ground at 3.15 and clinch my wallet never to let sony touch again. I hope many others do the same.
Otheros is a feature I use on a daily basis. But that’s ok, no more money from me, one of your biggest supporters.
Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
@BonkDeHond
When I said risk levels I talked about your average user. I wasn’t talking about you specifically. We agree completely on the installing of applications. I think we also agree on DNS and risks in general. I’m saying that aside from CC information and login. There isn’t likely to be loss of information. Browsing the web without sense your likely to pickup a BHO and lose more personal information.
We agree that people do need to be careful and realize that their personal information could be captured. However, at least in my personal opinion, it is very unlikely that the people behind this are up to no good. Hence my take on the risk level to be low.
“fool me once, shame on — shame on you. fool me — you can’t get fooled again.”
@ BonkDeHond
“My guess is that they are not doing much else than raw ssl. I don’t know for sure. But how else would these proxies that spoof the reporting of the firmware work if they couldn’t read and change the messages between the Sony server & your PS3 if they were end to end encrypted? Think about it.”
In reading up on the process as other understand it. The spoof is on the Sony end. It makes your PS3 think it’s talking to Sony update servers. I see it the same way.
@ zepala
“There is at least no risk using the dns giver somewhere in this blog.
All packages which can be installed on the PS3 needs to be signed by SONY.
The only trick this DNS does, is sending you the 3.15 FW control file when your PS3 is asking if there is a new update.”
There is risk, that is what he is trying to tell you. There is always risk. What he is saying is that you nor I have any proof that is the only trick that the DNS is doing. Maybe the people programmed it to redirect requests for login to a proxy server that stores your login details. I don’t think they are, but there is indeed risk.
There would be no ability to install a program, but they could at least eavesdrop on your Server conversation.
We must make a stand, we need as many people as possible, commenting as much as possible, for as long as possible. If we do this, it may bring down one of the servers and send a strong message of opposition. Because we all know they are not reading these, STRENGTH IN NUMBERS – TAKE A STAND!!!!!
I’m going to get flamed but oh well.
Seriously people? your pissed because Sony got rid of a non essential function that people were misusing? (and don’t kid yourself.. it was being misused).
Funny thing.. I bought my PS3 to play PS3 crap.
Same as my Xbox 360.. to play Xbox 360 crap.
Does any other system have an OtherOS? no. or any of the extended functionality that PS3 does? NO. but if it gets misused.. I’d remove it too.
If your PS3 stops running Sony crap.. yeah.. be mad.
If you can’t run a Linux file servers off your PS3? BOOHOO!
buy a damn computer.. that’s what they are made for.
WHAT AN AWESOME DOWNLOAD DEVICE! Wish I could use it for more than that…whos gonna pay my extra USELESS power consumption because of this new update..I got 40+ Im downloading AND all their add-ons..call 650-655-5920 tell SCEA REAL Consumer affairs what you think…not some LAME call center…I told you Nolan, Im not gonna take it!!!
@Twindad. There would be no ability to install a program.
Again I respectfully disagree. Why not? They control the contents of all of DNS if you choose to use their DNS server. Anyone who controls DNS can potentially control and modify every single file or page you read or write via the Internet via a machine that uses their DNS. What’s to stop them modifying downloaded photos or any other media file that you then save from your PS3 to your PC? What if you change these DNS settings on your wifi router rather than directly on the PS3? They can do the same for any scanner update on all your PC’s. I don’t want to over blow the risk or scare anyone unnecessarily, but please don’t assume that the effect will be limited in this way or that. It isn’t. DNS is the very basis of the Internet. Don’t underestimate how much security implicitly relies on DNS being reliable and secure e.g. automatic updates.
Many problems can not Install Other OS.
I’ve installed the update and I’m sorry.
Disappointed.
@BonkDeHond YOU ARE HILARIOUS!!! People ARE idiots though and will try and say they know how to get past that…thats even funnier than them not knowing in the first place, eh. Me…I stick to dBase ver1.0 myslef..RAW COMMAND OPERATION.
Call 1-650-655-5920 (inside US, outside please adjust for country codes) and tell the REAL Consumer Affairs Head EXACTLY how you feel about this ‘optional’ update.
Oorah and Semper Fidelis Gents.
@BonkDeHond @people
For sure use an alternate D.N.S. is risky, but:
1 For SSL trafic is almost imposible to perform an man in the middle a.t.t.a.c.k, The d.n.s. owner should have the root key of SONY public key to validete himself as SONY. this is highly unlike to happen, even if this guy obtain the key, the compromissed key could be revokated easly.
With alternate D.N.S. the only possible atack would be a p.i.s.s.i.n.g w.e.b.s.i.t.e, so don’t use this d.n.s. for regular browsing.
About p.r.o.x.i.e.s:
I’ve decompiled L_o_g_a_n5’s p.r.o.x.y. (is VB6, easy to decompile) and the version i’m using is clean, it does what it says, so no risk in the original release. Other version could have m.a.l.w.a.r.e.
This is unfair. Purchased the older system because it has option to use linux. If security or other things are or concerns to Sony(may be they are thinking of booting in linux and accessing some PS3 PS3 media contents eg. downloaded videos etc). If this a concern then Sony should address by having some encryption build into the PS3 software, as users can still yank out the hard drive and get the contents.
Right now booting in linux help my PS3 work as network file sytem in my home.
I haven’t read the past 50 pages or so since the rollout was supposed to happen in Japan time but hadn’t yet. I personally am not planning on updating until/unless I have to but over the weekend tried to go ahead and check out backing up my system. First off I was told I needed 20GB of space (and don’t have a FAT32 formatted drive to use). Then also the trophies do not get backed up and had to be synced with the server but obviously it could not be done on April 1st. AWESOME. Luckily I was able to use that DNS to connect and sync. Not sure about all this DNS talk though right now. Still haven’t backed up/upgraded yet.
Just putting my 2 cents in i Really have to thank sony for pretty much making my purchase useless. i rent an economy apartment i go to college. i dont have room where i live for many extras i purchased this system so i could use it as my PRIMARY computer not a second one not one to dabble on linux i use it for all of my reports all of my web browsing and all of my software. i did not set it up to have 10 gigs for the os i set it up to have 10 gigs for the gaming part because i use it for gaming yes but not nearly as much as i use it for school now i will ether have to go without gaming or fail my school… not much of an choice there. i have unplugged the ps3 so that i know nothing will happen to the os and have had to borrow a computer from a friend until this whole mess is sorted out. so yes i will be jumping on the CAL when i find out where it is because i never would have bought the ps3 (ps2.5 is more like it) if i had known i would no longer be able to use it for what i want AND need it for
thanks sony i realy appreciate it
Anyone who’s arguing that this isn’t such a big deal because at least we can still use PSN using the PS3’s network proxy options..
How do you know they aren’t going to rem.ove the custom dns proxy “featu.re” in the next patch? How often did people use that featur.e before 3.21 ? Probably a lot less than used Other OS!
If anyone thinks the 3.21 patch is “okay and acceptable” then they’re basically accepting that Sony can continue to take out any feature they want even though you paid for it. Just because you can still access PSN without updating right now using custom proxy, don’t expect that menu option to be there in a few “updates” from now..
@shivaborntoplay
I think this is more so of an issue of being able to play burnt games on the PS3 without DRM “Out-of-the-box”
But what confuses me the most about all this what does the “Other OS” feature have to do with it? Sony had put in place a hardware restriction on the “Other OS” feature that had made it impossible to play any PS3 game on Linux (a great move by them btw)… Can someone explain this?
“But what confuses me the most about all this what does the “Other OS” feature have to do with it?” NOTHING
“Sony had put in place a hardware restriction on the “Other OS” feature that had made it impossible to play any PS3 game on Linux (a great move by them btw)… Can someone explain this?” NO :)
this is like if you bought a car with a feature like airbags and the manufacturer asks you later to bring the car back coz they want to remove them. doesn’t matter whether you have used them or not. its something you have already paid for.
something is true, the idea of using your ps3 as a computer with the otheros function was an advertisement point they used and when you bougth the systems, a lot of people buy it knowingthey could use it as a computer. the problem here is that they are forcing us to accept this FW. it’s an infrigment to the product because of all the games already bought that we cannot use because of lack of connectivity to the network. ok they could restrict the access to future product after FW 3.21 but they cannot do it with older games like moderm warfare 2 or killzone 2.
wow is this a record for comments for playstation?
I would like Sony to try to somehow get around the hackers and still allow other OS option or at least modify so no one can modify that part in which the hackers are using to infiltrate everything.
im a qore subscriber (unfortunately) since im not going to update, if i played by your rules, i guess id be screwed right SONY? since i wouldn’t have access to psn
whatever happens i just want to play moderm warfare 2 online again. i don’t care i if lose the ability to download videos or to buy games from the network but i have a rigth to ask for the ps3 as good as it was working before april 1st. before april 1st i could play online. if i don’t want to update that’s my problem but that should not affect me playing online the games that i have bought before FW 3.21. you want a basis for a legal action, that’s one
What I don’t u.nderstand is: how can this s.ituation l.ead to a m.ore s.ecure s.ystem?
Many users will not u.pdate. So the r.isk of h.acking the s.ystem under the o.ther os still r.emains. While a s.ecurity p.atch a.llowing to use l.inux any further would have been i.nstalled s.urely by nearly every u.ser.
Using a t.hird p.arty s.erver to a.ccess p.sn with f.irmware 3.15 is a r.isk for all these u.sers. They are t.elling their a.ccount n.ame and p.assword to a s.tranger. This is d.efinitely n.ot longer a s.ecure system.
Once a c.ustom firmware comes out, it can be i.nstalled on every sold ps3, slim or fat, with or w.ithout the other-os o.ption.
And those s.trange t.hird p.arty s.ervers can i.nstall a c.ustom firmware even without their n.otice!
The i.ntroduction of the s.lim ps3 w.ithout l.inux f.unctionality is s.even m.onths ago. Should this not be e.nough time to w.ork on a s.ecurity p.atch for the fat ps3? I am a.gainst p.iracy but p.ersonally d.isagree with this w.ay c.ustomers are t.reaten.
This forum no longer performs as its original intent.
Just like the PS3, this forum has lost it functionality since the posts are all from the users and none from Sony.
To all who are dismay, disappointed, unhappy about this firmware please direct your concern to the proper channels.
The Better Business Bureau (beebeebeedotorg) and the Federal Trade Commission (effteeseedotgov) would better serve you than this forum ever will.
This is so retarted ! I waited this long for nothing but removal :(
6000 comments and zero replies by Sony Rep. (((( Shaking my head. Way to go Sony…..
I’m very angry >:(
I don’t want to install this update and lose a feature that I need.
But I want to go on PSN too…
What can I do to keep both???
…I don’t like a company that sell me something and then steals it, it’s totally unacceptable.
Can we get a refund?
While there’s no doubt in my mind that what I have to say has been said before in this thread, I don’t particularly feel like wading through over 6,000 posts to find out if that’s the case or not. I’ll just say my piece and move on.
One of the key reasons that I have a PS3 was due to Sony’s commitment to Other OS support. While I find its removal upsetting, what I find far more deplorable was the way in which it was removed. Want to keep it? That’s fine; you’ll just lose functionality that’s unrelated to the Other OS feature, but which is still core componentry of the system. Take your pick.
In effect, you made thousands of other people hostage to your policies while removing functionality that we had paid for. The presumptuousness, arrogance, and audacity of this move is frankly unprecedented, and has largely ensured that in the future I will go out of my way to never purchase another Sony product again.
My recommendation would be to restore this function and rebuild some of the goodwill with your user base that you have destroyed, but the impression I get from the phone call I had earlier with your support number is that your users’ opinions are of no interest.
Way to go, folks. Way to go.
i really cant understand why so many of you are actually mad about this , dear lord men did you actually buy a ps3 so you could install another os and tinker with it? can you not afford a very cheap pc to run a multitude of os with full resource support.
i think many of you fail to see what happened with the pc market, if you want people to blame point your fingers at the stupid worthless hackers that want to exploit everything they can in turn potentially be harming all the people that couldnt give 2 fU@ks about installing another os and that is a much much much larger audience, im sorry but most of you complaining about this are in such a terribly small minority that no one cares about.
in the future if you still really care about linux BUY A PC NOT A CONSOLE !!!!
@floppydrv
dude you could built yourself a pc to run all that stuff for absolute peanuts and it will actually run substantially better and you can have a ps3 set for gaming alone the reason why it was created remember.
you could build 3 pcs to run all of what you said for like 1000 bucks including monitors.
Oh well, hope every one had a good Easter holiday and everyone’s fresh and ready for a return to work tomorrow. Well the one’s that still have a job, you know with the recession and everything!
@flowjo69
What you seem don’t understant, is that the PS3 is not a PC (Said in the way it’s not an x86 nor an x64 intel compatible processor). It was a processor technology you can’t access on configuration under 10,000$.
Sure to run Linux, and actual PC is more performant. But that’s not the main thread of the discussion we found here !
I listed some of the PS3 features before I bought it: web browsing, wifi, video streaming, video&music&pictures playing, divx compatible, blueray player, PlayTV add-in (to watch and record TV), could install Linux, and additionaly, you could play with it.
So, either you could buy a PC, a TV recorder and good BlueRay player, or you could get one PS3 to do it all, cheaper and considerably more silent than a PC (I am sure that those wise men talking about very cheap PCs do not have one in their living room).
Maybe a minority got a PS3 because it also could run Linux, but a small percentage of many people is yet a lot of people to be annoyed with Sony. Most of these people wanted to use their PS3 as console and asa PC more or less often, so we will lose either way when upgrading. If somebody is running Linux to crack the console or expected that someone else would eventually crack it, they probably won’t upgrade.
@flowjo69
Your absolutely right! I have a choice! I could spend three months looking and researching for a system that will give me the most bang for my buck…you know, one that browses the web, plays blue ray, is multimedia rich for streaming servers, has wired and wireless networking, can be hooked to USB drives and other peripherals, reads many popular memory cards, has remote access capabilities, plays tons of games, is backwards compatible with my older games, and dual boots…oh wait I had something like that already…I think it’s broken though, wonder what else is gonna go on it next?
I see your point flowjo69, I hope you and Sony can see mine.
Less != more