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)
Seriously I’ve never been so dissapointed in Sony. Thankfully there are very few exclusives on the ps3, and I can make do with forza and the next metal gear will be on xbox anyways. Seems the same for final fantasy. The ps3 has just lost its edge.
lawsuit is coming ….!!!
the psp went down so fast that sony umping on this makes me proud to know they dont want this system to turn into the psp. they dont want devs jumping ship because of piracy. and I am shocked at how many people are like “f-it im sueing and im bying a 360” good luck with that. if you complain about the ps3 and lack of linux have fun with xbox and there 60 gb hard drives for 120$
please i can get a terrabyte for under 80$ now. and a power supply that costs 100$ and a wireless card for another 100$ sweet, if your that “pc savy” to be up in arms about linux, hope you cry when buying a hard drive for your 360. im fine with my 250gb ps3 with 1tb external next to it.
I’ve been a PS fanboy for several years(since PS1), you remove Other OS, or ANY OTHER FEATURE that I originally bought the system for, I’m selling the PS3 and converting to 360.
maybe we’ll stick with our wiis. that has linux support and homebrew and free hard drives. Plus its only around $200 now
Jobber
@Bigf00t424: Yes, if they remove it. I will be right with you.
The thought that they can take this from early supporters, leave a bad taste in my mouth. I don’t use this feature, but it was a feature that was on the box none the less and I would like to know what I paid for is available if I ever decided I wanted to use it. I am a big Sony person and they are certainly making it harder and harder to back them. What poor choices they have been making. Think about your consumer SONY!!! Your not doing us any favors…. :P
@1277 Exalted_Knight:(Off Topic) You need to set the jumper on the back of the hard drive. It has something to do with the transfer rate (Need to set if from 3.0 to 1.5).
oh yeah by the way. The only way to use the “hack” that sony was so worried about was to solder your system.
this really wont fix anything since someone could still develop a mod chip.
this is just sony being average developer blaming piracy for its short comings instead of concentrating on making good games.
wow, sony deleted my previous comment about how they are removing features, i didn’t know we lived in soviet russia? they are trying to silence us on the point of the theft update(THEY ARE TAKING AWAY FEATURES!!!)
sonys mad that some of it’s community isnt completely oblivious to what was happening in the underground and that simply saying “to prevent a hack” isnt going to work when the hack was harmless.
Varxx that was the same with psp. then it got easier and easier until it was gone and now its struggling in sales at best.
why not stop it now BEFORE it ends up like the psp.
no, the PSP is still doing fine. Get your facts straight. Half the time it’s out selling the PS3 just FYI
Well I first thought this was an April Fools’ Joke, but apparently it seems not likely. I feel sorry for the people who installed Linux. I for one did not install the feature or did not even care for it, but the main reason Sony is doing this is to stop piracy and all the hacks that are upon it.
Trying to come up with a lawsuit against Sony isn’t going to help, plus if you really think about it, Linux is actually free when installing the right software upon it. Anyone can do it.
Mostly, almost everyone on here are acting like babies. Did you guys even use this feature, if not, why are you whining. Sony comes out with an update for removing and now you guys wanna hop on the Linux bandwagon? I bought a PS3 to play games and movies, not run an OS system. Think about it, that’s mainly what it’s for.
trapper
The hack did nothing.
Do research before you scream “OMG IT ALLOWS PIRACY! YOU ALL DEFENDING ARE PIRATES!”
It simply allowed developers to do what sony promised but then gave only a sample.
looks like SONY declared war on the hacker scene and their customers in one move, brilliant – the whole reason the PS3 stayed so secure, because it was open, has just disappeared and you get to piss off a bunch of customers at the same time
Lets go look at what the hack does at the moment. (Its been around for 2 months now)
Custom Themes
Homebrew Developement
What it does not do:
Piracy
Give full access to the Cell Processor
Varxx SOFTWARE sales. where are psp games….oh right there on torrent sites. where are ps3 games. on the shelves moron.
everyone and there mother has a hacked psp because a baby can do it at this point, its a lost cause.
Online Better Business Bureau complaint page:
https://odr.bbb.org/odrweb/public/getstarted.aspx
SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT Inc
1630 Stewart Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404-4058
(310) 829-6630
Guy sold me a stereo once, then broke into my house to get it back.
I killed him.
are you implying that by doing this the ps3 will be “HACK PROOF LOLOLOL”
thats the dumbest thing ever. All this is doing is [DELETED] over the homebrew community.
Nothing is hack proof
Varxx you cant be that ignorant to not see that opening the ps3 like that WILL LEAD TO PIRACY.
Are you that ignorant that you think this will make the PS3 hackproof?
This is very upsetting. I finally get PSUbuntu installed a few weeks ago, then learn that it’s going to be disabled?!?
i didnt say hack proof, but its a huge plug
@1264 And any users who have linux installed:
THE UPDATE WILL COMPLETELY REFORMAT YOUR HDD IF IT DETECTS LINUX. THIS MEANS THE WHOLE THING INCLUDING YOUR PS DATA. YOU MUST BACKUP THE ENTIRE PS PARTITION BEFORE UPDATING. IF YOU DO NOT BACKUP, ALL DATA INCLUDING THE PS DATA AND THE LINUX DATA WILL BE ERASED PERMANENTLY!
tell you what. If sony didnt want people using Linux on their system to develop homebrew, then they should never have offered it in the least bit to begin with.
from Geohotz blog.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Don’t Update
A note to people interested in the exploit and retaining OtherOS support, DO NOT UPDATE. When 3.21 comes out, I will look into a safe way of updating to retain OtherOS support, perhaps something like Hellcat’s Recovery Flasher. I never intended to touch CFW, but if that’s how you want to play…
This is total crap. I actually use my PS3 as my only home desktop computer regularly. Sony you’re essentially stealing my computer…jerks.
This adress is for the headquarters where President Jack Treton is located:
919 East Hillsdale Boulevard
Foster City, CA 94404-4249
(650) 655-8000
The previous addresses were for the studios, they will direct you to this address!
Repost:
This is for REAL!!! CONFIRMED WITH SONY!!!! THE UPDATE WILL WIPE THE ENTIRE HDD IF LINUX IS INSTALLED.
Everyone who is pissed off at this update should call SONY and complain. In fact, let one guy know how mad you are. I got to level four tech support, his name was Mike #7904009. Request him and tell him how mad you are. I was his only complaint all day. EVERYONE CALL HIM! 1-800345-7669 ask for Mike #7904009
Really? How about an Update that benefits the user you know the people buying games, consoles, accessories??? Where’s cross game chat? Wheres changes to the XMB that gives access to Netflix without wearing out the system? Where’s auto syncing for trophies? PS3 should be the console leader unfortunately in many areas we still take a back seat to XBox.
What is sony going to do when a modchip gets released?
FIRMWARE 4.0
Removes all support for everything due to unspecified security concerns.
Enjoy your brick.
Thanks for buying brickstation 3
It only does door stops.
and now that i see, sony hasn’t even offered a godam apology but Geohotz has!
FNCK YOU SONY.
Slap in the face to non-slim user, and linux users.
Though we all know right now, and you are a lier if you deny:
If they gave us a better browser, Party Chat, other better crap, no one would be complaining right now. Though if they did do this, it would make up for taking away peoples features big time. In this update.
LMAO!!!! Best April fools joke by playstation. We waited over 3 months for this crappy update? LOL Great April fools joke.
It only Does Humor
@1349
Good to hear. I hope he manages to do it. I’ll wait until further news before upgrading.
I would be happy if they took out the Other O/S option and gave out a full on Dev Kit option for the homebrew community in its place that gave full use of the GPU and Cell processor.
to the idiots getting their panties and pocket protectors in a bunch over this…how many of you ACTUALLY HAVE ANOTHER OS on your PS3? seriously? who flippin cares?
Sony…thanks for telling us. it’s not a big deal. i doubt even 1% of the people who own PS3s installed another OS…if not less.
people will cry and complain about anything because they feel they’re losing something. get the eff over yourselves already and get a life. if this ruins your days that much then your lives must suck.
I simply cannot understand what SONY is doing. Is there any other way to show more lack of respect to all the users?
When I bought my PS3 the ability to install another OS was a built-in feature.
Of course we don’t need to do the update, but PS3 will barely be usable!
At least SONY should allow anyone who didn’t wish to lose the OtherOS feature (thereby making the user vulnerable to “such” security flaws, but with its acceptance) to continue to do all other future updates.
I am just disappointed with the way Sony is handling PS3.
As well to add that I thought Playstation 3 “It Only Does Everything”.
@SDkngsht
so the airforce using Other O/S on the PS3 isn’t a big deal?
If it’s real, the people at Sony who decided to do this have to die.
f-ck that!
Let’s sue George Hotz! He ruined everything!!!
I love the internet. These comments got me through my Monday.
how did he ruin it?
Did his hack enable piracy?
No
Did his hack ruin PS3 sales?
No
Plus you can tell it’s a joke when Lempel doesn’t post it. He’s posted every single one to date I don’t see why he would magically stop.
Unfortunately, I think this is real (see links):
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/01/27/playstation_exploit_released/
http://www.gofanboy.com/go-fanboy-news/2257-sony-plans-to-remove-ps3-functionality-in-next-firmware-update
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Hotz
(see Hacking the PlayStation 3)
George Hotz is a [DELETED]! Sony should sue him.
@1368 This is for REAL!!! CONFIRMED WITH SONY!!!! THIS WILL ERASE YOUR HDD IF YOU HAVE OTHEROS INSTALLED.
Everyone who is pissed off at this update should call SONY and complain. In fact, let one guy know how mad you are. I got to level four tech support, his name was Mike #7904009. Request him and tell him how mad you are. I was his only complaint all day. EVERYONE CALL HIM! 1-800345-7669 ask for Mike #7904009
Bad joke!
That’s NOT fun!
Why didn’t i bought the slim?
Backwards compatibility and Other OS…