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)
So lets say your ps3 breaks down, and you have a warranty. Does that mean Sony probably will send me back a slim ? was this all just an attempt to make the slim look better ?
Deathsmile– I’ve been wondering that. If they make ALL PS3s functionally the same, it means they don’t have to worry about repairing Fats, keeping parts in stock for 2 different models, etc.
It solves a few problems we’ve known they’ve had in terms of repairing Fats… now for that pesky PS2 BC to go and they’ll be mostly set! (and SACD playback, which I actually went and bought a small collection of SACDs after getting my fat PS3 and discovering how great they sound!)
For those thinking the slim is better than the original (PHAT). Obviously you never had the (Phat) system. because you would be feeling pretty stupid seeing everything thats missing from the slim. I own both consols, The original (PHAT) is mine, the (SLIM)is for the kids to play on. When my CD ROM broke, I had a new one installed instead of just buying the newer and much cheaper slim model just so i could keep all the bells and whistles i purchased.
I WILL NOT LOWER MY PHAT SYSTEM TO THE SAME AS THE SLIM.
almost 6,500 comments, and still not a single reply from Sony. actually, i take that back, we have gotten a response from Sony, and that response is “We hear you, we just don’t care. Keep giving us your money, and we’ll keep wiping our @$$es with it. Thanks for your continued loyalty, tools.”
JGFUJYF
Removal of “Other OS” support with firmware v3.21
As of firmware version 3.21, installation of Other OSs is not be supported on any model, and the option has been removed from the XMB.[90] The reason given by Sony was ‘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.'[91] It is speculated that Sony was motivated by the vulnerability discovered by George Hotz, who created a software and hardware hack that uses the Other OS feature to take control of the hypervisor.[92] Sony’s main Linux developer has been reassigned, so any PS3 Linux development would have to be on his own time.[93] This has caused some controversy as in effect Sony is removing officially advertised features and support from already sold products.[94]. Furthermore, it raises questions about the millions of Euros Sony saved over the years on import tax in Europe, thanks to being able to declare the PS3 a computer rather than a game console — game consoles carry an import tax, while computers do not.
Wikipedia
This sony will be in court for evading taxes in Europe?
I want other OS back
Damn… I personally never used this feature, but from the comments that I see above, it must have been a good one. I agree w/ unholierthenthou, I spent $650 for a 60gig console that had a bluetooth prob, sent it in for a replacement or repairs, which they chose to charge me $150 for when it was a default in the console.BS So I spent a total of $800 dollars for a PS3. So SONY do you see how loyal your customers are? And you guys are over here removing fearures? Wow, we want what we paid for, is that too much to ask for? Because if it is, your going to lose a lot of consumers. Shoot, now that I have read the comments above and hearing how bad your guys’s stock OS sucks, I want the feature back.lol I’m just curious, what would replacing the stock OS do to your PS3 anyway
Let’s wait until they wake up!
To be honest with all the other SONY consumers that are loyal out there, we feel violated by the corp. in which we grew to love. They robbed us from our moneys worth and yet their probably sitting down laughing at us as they are still making money. As for now, I’m personally going to stop buying SONY products and anyone is welcomed to join me. : )
@beathose
i definitely wont be joining you cause i love their games and its still one of the best pieces of tech out there , plus this can essentially free up some more system ram off of the normal os so the games can benefit even more.
im sorry for your loss people but essentially its a gaming console and i really couldnt care less about linux.
@lilcsr20
How so? For over a 300$ price difference the phat has 60GB less then the slim. ps2 games? Like I said if it can be software emulated then it’s only a matter of time before that’s on par with a slim. Leaves what? Card readers and 2 extra USB… I can remove those myself as I don’t use them.
“was” far superior to the slim. But it’s in the process of being killed. Like I said I need facts that my downgrading will help prevent piracy. I’m all for preventing it when it comes to console gaming. My ps2 has the ability to pirate but Ive only got 3 games vs the 60+ real ps2 copy’s and only because I can’t buy/find the 3 games real disc new or used locally.
My psp is not hacked. I’m fully aware and capable of doing so, I choose not to, I have no reason. My ps3 on the other hand is now locked out of PSN if I want to keep OtherOS It’s less then a slim as it sits now. Or I can update and it’s equal to a slim minus the price payed.
Sad. Really sad. I will not update and will not purchase anything else until this is resolved. I use linux rarely but I paid for it. Taking it away is against the law. This is stealing. COD4, I guess it will be purchased for the PC. Maybe XBox, No more Sony, most likely back to the basics, Nintendo. B2
Flowjo– the removal of OtherOS does not free up ANY significant amount of RAM! OtherOS is an OPTION to ALLOW the system to boot into Linux. It was NOT a Linux install or anything else. It was basically a menu option with a TINY bit of code behind it to set up a bootloader.
There will be ABSOLUTELY ZERO positive impacts to PS3 performance, RAM use, etc, from the removal of this feature. Anyone who believes anything else is deluding themselves.
“Captain’s Log, Stardate 4012010.3.21 We have entered a hostile environment a large corporation who cares not for it’s customers. Located in sector “other os”. Our most critical mission of keeping our features once sold to us at close of sale. Our eminent foe Mr.sonee ,will attempt to study the decay of it’s customer base after a futile mandate to dow ngrade.
flowjo69, as you state the PS3 is a gaming console however, what you fail to realize is the unit was marketed in a variety of ways, including a full Linux compatible computer system. The classification of the product for import is also that of a computer system. So I am curious to know if you have the newer and cheaper slim
This “downdate” even made me realize more how interesting it is to have mine running linux, and to think I haven’t installed it even if I knew before that it can be done. And I will definitely do it once I have the time.
I wonder why the title was “PS3 Firmware (v3.21) Update” as it is NOT an update to begin with. Oh please.
I’ve checked the box on my PS3 that I got about 6 months after launch & looked through the manuals, I didn’t see anything mentioning the option of installing another OS, so I don’t see how anybody could sue Sony for removing this feature.
That being said, it truly sucks that Sony did this & I can understand the anger people showing. I imagine Sony might try to remove BC (which if the did, then I could see a class action suit being filed because that is something that is mentioned on the box & in the manual) as a way making sure everyone has to get rid of their old Phat PS3’s & get a Slim
It’s not about the loss so much as the principal…
If we let this occur, what’s next?
ha. They moderated out my comments regarding the situation. Probably because they know I am correct.
I have an 80g bc phat ps3 and i have not downloaded a firmware update since i was forced to do so for 3.00.
too many issue back then causing our beloved BC’s to crash due to firmware update and Sony’s refusal to take responsibility.
I am staying at 3.00.
Sony Playstation 3: “It does some things, and now even less”
“Everything” is what you claim, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Your m.o. seems to be all about keeping your customers in a cage…to see to it that no one gets anymore enjoyment out of your system than what was originally intended, and now even less than what was intended. I’ve been grinding my teeth about this since I witnessed all of your knee-jerk reactions to people playing NES emulators on the psp several years back. I would love to use this thing as a multi-media machine, but it is so limited…nothing but fat32 support for external drives, mp3’s, divx and mpg4, and nothing over 4gb file size, not to mention the less than desirable wireless internet capabilities. Yeah, it really does everything. (see next)
(continued) With every passing day Sony resembles more and more what’s wrong with the corporate state we live in, you seem to be above the law, or at least above common decency. I wish I hadn’t shelled out 500 dollars…to you crooks, but hey, lesson learned I guess. Undoubtedly my last major purchase of a sony product, you’re not the only ones in the game, not by a long shot. Oh and p.s. rumor has it that there is a way to access the ps network without updating, and if there is, I will definitely do it. I can be a smarmy prick too sony. Up yours.
Sony, We all know you just want us Linux users to go out and buy a slim so we can continue to use the PSN. (Use PS3 Linux as a back up computer)
You could at least of tried to find out how many PS3 owners that use OtherOS.
Give us access to the graphics chip and more ram then because I have paid for it.
Also, please don’t delete my posts…I’m sure there are more than enough web sites that have sprung up over this ridiculousness in the past week without me having to do the same. But then again think of all the traffic…
Sony PlayStation 3 “We don’t know what it’ll do tomorrow”
I’m amazed absolutely no response from Sony about this fiasco.
happy new firmware! and more games, games, games please.
Agreed, this fiasco is so unbelievable. I’m so disappointed with Sony and their poor decisions.
Dear Sony
When i bought my PS3(December 3 2007) i was amazed by it’s capabilities. Memory Card reader(for my camera, very very usefull). SACD reading. Hardware-based PS2 emulation( with my collection of older ps2 and psone game, never had a single problem). 4 USB port for lots of things. 1Gb ethernet connection for smooth file transfer. And what to say about the third party OS that you’ve talk so much about before the release of the PS3.
I had Ubuntu installed on it since the very begining. Recently, i went on HOME and guess what, i had to do the update 3.21.
Like i do all the time, i go see first what’s include in the update. OMGWTF no more other OS!?!? Guess what, i did it!!!(one of my friend was willing to buy my old ps3 for 600$ because he didn’t want me to do it) but i still updated it you know why, because it’s my very last SONY product i’ll EVER BUY in my entire life. And if a new update doesn’t to bring that back, i guess i’ll take every thing that i own made by SONY( Vaio, 8mm Digital cam, cybershot cam, ps3, all my games, mp3 walkman, minidisc player, psp, all the games, second psp, third psp, car audio system, subwoofer, and burn them down and put the video on youtube just to see how many views i can get Just for Fun to show the irony of how stupid you guys can be!
My regards to you,
DogDaM
dogdam18@hotmail.com
I’m not really surprised, there was a similar issue like this a while back. Never any response from Sony for weeks. Then just a pathetically lame response along the lines of “We hear you and are currently looking into the matter” what bull$hit, of course you hear us, there are over 6000 comments. Looking into the matter? It does not take weeks to look at something. Stop waiting for it to blow over and FIX THE ISSUE.
And just to watch over myself, my comment directly above is 6494.
Sony really doesn’t seem to understand how to effectively use a community to build their product instead of stomping all over their customers.
-Mike
I don’t understand.
I can continue to use Linux on my PS3 if I will not go to PSN…
I can go to PSN if I don’t use Linux…
But, what’s the problem to use both???
Honestly, I couln’t care less about these whiners. Sony, don’t listen to these complainers and just make lots of great GAMES. That’s the most important thing you can do for your loyal fans. Games, games, games. That’s the only thing that can make you great, not Linux.
Students:
Many of you will end up taking a course that covers digital rights and IP issues. Suggest this issue to your professor/teacher as a line of discussion. It will inform people who might not otherwise be aware of the situation; These are the same people who make up Sony’s target audience. As a side bonus, you might get some extra participation marks.
People spent up to $599 on a system marketed as not just a gaming machine but a super computer. These people helped make the system popular in the face of stiff competition (be realistic, in the beginning it was a major uphill battle for the PS3).
How did they get rewarded for their loyalty?
Sony, instead of thanking these early adopters for keeping the Playstation brand afloat, removes features and uses “security” as a scapegoat.
Slim owners, who should be thankful to early adopters for making the system popular enough to be able to buy a $299 version, call them whiners.
Shame all around.
I bought my 60GB used and later picked up a Slim. But I won’t be updating and I won’t be playing PSN and I won’t be buying new games.
Because I feel sorry for those people who paid the high price when Sony promised “potential” and only got screwed.
I feel sorry for those people whose valid concerns and frustrations are mocked by people who should be thanking them for being able to buy the system at a more affordable price.
It’s times like these when I wish 360’s RROD never existed, so that it would have fully humbled the electronics giant and the people who now make excuses for it.
Well i’m a few hours away from buying a multiplat game on the X2 for the first time. Once it’s done the gate is open. There’s then nothing holding me to strictly get multiplats only on PS3. Sucks but i’m holding out as long as possible. Do the right thing Sony.
I also canceled Armageddon and Dune Blu-ray Pre-orders at Amazon and I let them know that it was because of Sony and that if they wanted my continued business on Blu-ray movies and PS3 games that they contact Sony. It won’t do a thing but it is the truth.
600$, 1/6th of a hard drive, and an entire sunday completely wasted!!
well, at least its optional, all you have to give up is PSN!!!
comment #’s 6497, 6498, don’t let them delete our comments
I am fairly certain that because Sony advertised that the PS3 could use Linux, and sold it to paying customers based on the assumption that they would be able to run Linux on this system, that there is definitely grounds for a legal case here. I know I bought my PS3 for this reason and use this feature 100% legally. I use it as a computer for my basement and truly enjoyed it. Sony did not even make it easy to install Linux. I had to spend over a week tweaking Linux just to get it to work remotely well, and now they are taking this feature away. Users did not even ask Sony to support Linux, but, to continue to allow their users to use it is the least they can do. This is total BS Sony! Shame on you! Don’t punish your loyal users for your lack of pretesting for piracy back doors. Smarten up! You are one of the biggest companies in the world. Fix the issue another way! Do you really want another lawsuit that could potentially be bigger than the Rootkit suit? Bottom line, if I don’t have Linux, I’m selling my PS3 and all my BluRays.
Awaiting moderation!? So you can delete comments? Wow. How Big Brother of you Sony. While you’re at it, are there any books you want to burn?
I got one of the early 80 gigs and I can safely say that nothing of value was lost. Linux is horrible and it really doesnt matter because everyone should buy a game system FOR THE GAMES. That extra feature was really insignificant. GoW3, Killzone 2, FF13 (the good version), MAG, R2, Folklore, the list goes on. I will continue to play my superior games on my superior system, whether or not I can use lolLinux.
i find it hilarious how you can tell exactly where sony is up to in deleting comments, it just all of a sudden changes from minor dissapointment to DEATH TO PS3
You idiots. They’re deleting comments because this is an open site and the comments in question are probably offensive. Srsly. Can’t believe how upset ppl are getting over this. Go play MAG and stfu.
@Clavaat I’m glad that you were not affected by this, but this is not about Linux, this is about consumer rights. We are arguing that the sale of a product is an agreement between the consumer and the seller, and that the seller does not have the right to alter the agreement after the sale date. If I sold you a car, and later came by and took the stereo, how would you feel about it?
@clavaat
no, seriosly look at the forum, you can actually tell when the tone changes. its clear that their deleting the exteme hate posts, besides i no linux wasnt amazing, but it was still a function!
leon is right about that right there
A software update that removes a useful feature? Fail.
@clavaat
Actually, a couple of us have been following this forum for the last few days since we’ve been affected, and many of us who have been respectful but critical have had our comments erased.
@EVERYONE WHO KEEPS DISMISSING OUR CONCERNS SAYING “IT’S ONLY A GAME SYSTEM”
Please read the entire history and you’ll find that it was sold as a computer, marketed as a computer, purchased as a catch all for many at a reasonable price point, and then changed into a toy by forcing us to forgo that aspect if we wanted to continue playing games or blu-ray.
Keep your belligerence to yourselves and the solitude of your parents’ basements….those of us that work and are not affluent have had part of our investment taken from us.