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 am a proud member of “The Church of Ps3ology” and Ps3 can do no wrong.
the Lord giveth and he Lord taketh away. Deal with it!
well the sexual inuendo was a lil much. but it is good to learn, we could all discuss our anger in private chat… EH EH EH?
If you try and spread a little truth around here, the mods just delete your post.
I see posts saying if we bought this to be used as a computer, we are idiots. This hack would allow you to take advantage of all hardware on ps3, when in linux. Right now it runs in a sandbox mode where only one of the cores function. It also does not allow you to use the graphics card either. There are probably other bottlenecks as well. Imagine if it were unlocked. Endless possiblities. THIS HACK WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO DO ANYTHING ILLEGAL! No backup loaders. No pirated psn network games. No cheating online. And the hack isnt a hack yet, just speculation.
This is my last time commenting on this topic. Sony is taking away this feature because they don’t want anything to happen to PSN. There has been some reports back then about a few PSN accounts being hacked and this feature is the one to blame. I’m really not hating this feature, it’s cool, but it’s not all that in my opinion. Take a computer for example, you buy an anti-virus protection software and someone gets access to your I.P. Address and you find out that your software is really not helping out the situation and is the cause for it. Sometimes those anti-virus scans and CD software don’t work and gets the cause into more trouble.
All I’m saying is don’t be mad at Sony for taking away this feature, the only person you should be mad at is that Geohot guy and blame him for this cause. I am sorry for the people who are using this feature by which they wouldn’t use anymore, but it is business and to protect the PSN, since Geohot passed specs all over the world with what he cracked, it makes the problem even worse for people to crack anything with the cell and use Sony’s OS in the PS3 to hack or sell to other businesses which is illegal.
@ ibeatyouup
yet. and captian hero pants geohot has stated he is going to make a patch to go around the psn and allow you to connect. so thats a little hmm how do you say it. MALICIOUS. so it can and will be done.
I am a proud member of “The Church of Ps3ology” and Ps3 can do no wrong.
the Lord giveth and he Lord taketh away. Deal with it!
PRIVATE CHAT! hey if i see anyone here in uncharted 2… ill almost kill you, jump around throw a grenade and die. but its all good fun eh. add me private chatters
Howling tracks of Hell track coming, black storm on the rise. They fill out temples with their lies The snakes come slithering, Anarchy. Chaotic hunters rise, Spit in the evil eyes. Stand our ground with hate and fury; fear that comes will die Our enemies have come to life. A clashing comes, the haunting presence controlling all that breaths It’s brought the world down to it knees Now they exalt the fiend,Shotgun. Your nightmare’s not a dream They’ll choke you and your screams Sacrificing sons and daughters, rolls the war machine The tyrant fills his destiny. The hounds of hell are freed, Desolate. And with their bite, disease. His evil never sleeps- high on fire rumors of war
yeah its war dave. sony vs the hacking community round 1 fight
One definition of a troll is someone who posts simply to start a flame war or argument. Inflamatory statements like some of the posters here qualify them as trolls.
@aspect
he bought the launch day 1k bundle. :P
@3277
I have seen your posts and thought about this as well. I am waiting to see what happens before filing any FTC or BBB complaints. In the mean time, however, I am preparing my console for no PSN connection.
I guees we will see in a day or so :/
I can’t wait to see what great features Sony will remove in the next firmware update! I’m so excited!
So anyway, those interested in Linux or homebrew will now hold off on updating their firmware. They will then be unable to buy things from the PSN store or use legally purchased games and movies which require the new firmware. This will obviously destroy their motivation to develop a piracy system for the PS3.
Best idea ever!
@ Twoinches
Okay say he does that. He lets you connect to psn with having otheros installed as well. This is not malicious. It still will not allow the circumvention of any copy protected software. Geohot is an idiot imho. He is a talented hacker though and if he can allow me to keep linux, Im all for it.
@trapper12
Open wifi and browsers can get hacked too, so Sony should remove those too, right?
You don’t throw the baby out with the bath water! You patch your system!
This is an absolute outrage, Sony!!! Quit taking things away from your loyal customers, and figure out how to deal with your problems some other way!!!
As someone with an earlier model ps3 who uses Linux, I am disappointed by this update. The only people you will deter by taking away this feature is those who are using Linux in a legitimate manner, as pirates will find a way to circumvent this security regardless. Saying the update is “optional” is also disingenuous, since in order to log in to the PlayStation network, you need the latest firmware. So I guess it is optional if I don’t want to play games online or watch recent Blu-Rays.
I have to agree with what seems like a majority here… removing the “Install other OS” is a bad move.
Sony after all, is not really known for its embrace of open standards, preferring to create new standards for the gadgets it makes. So, I admit at the time, I was completely blown away by Sony when it offered this option. “Wow, I can install my own OS on a Sony console… I can upgrade with any generic hard-drive?” I was amazed. Now, not so much.
Whether or not I use it, it was a feature that came with the PS/3 that I paid $600 for. If I wanted a stripped down slim model, I would of waited and bought one. This seems unconscionable. And making it optional is great, except for the fact that I apparently will no longer be able to use some of the other “included” features… like the PlayStation network or BlueRay player updates, etc.
It’s admirable that you want to protect and ensure the security of your loyal followers. But I (we) should have the option (without any contrived penalty) to decide if we want that protection.
Way to show your colors Sony.
@TechieXXDivaX
Of course they can get hacked, but in this case the PS3 wasn’t hacked, it was cracked by code. The cracked code didn’t do nothing, but it can cause a lot of mayhem for Sony. Just look at the PSP, it’s a pirate’s dream to hack that handheld which they have done a lot. 3rd party support is slowly decreasing from that platform and the reason that Sony and 3rd parties are releasing their games via digital distribution is because of piracy which is based on PSN which is protected. If Sony were to patch it, it still wouldn’t help because the crackers/hackers can find a way to work around it and still continue to unleash the code to everyone.
I will be hacking my PS3 in protest of this and I implore others to do the same.
@ Off topic Marc
Private chat is a not needed feature. Not all who own a PS3 would not use it. They are not going to implement it to keep the cheating off PSN.
@AOL
You forgot to mention that they had brandy snifters and were smoking cigars.
Of course, when piracy became possible and widespread on the PS1, PS2, Xbox/360 and Wii shortly after they launched, everybody stopped buying games and the consoles failed miserably…(?) …But, even despite this fact, it may be worth considering whether REMOVING THE ABILITY TO PAY FOR GAMES is the most sensible response to pirates/hackers?
I blame canada for all this with their private chats and video store demands you brought this on! you should be ashamed of yourselves always wanting things. you make me sick.(throws arms up to sky dramatically) curse you curse all of you and your flappy heads! (drops to knees sobbing) -scene
I still love you canada
For full disclosure. I’m not sure what I will do. I won’t update right away, but I never do to make sure it’s not bug ridden. Once the bugs are known/not known I might upgrade, but I might not.
I’m tempted to get a slim once the RSX goes 45nm, the 60gb is a ticking timebomb as far as I’m concerned. SO that is my reason to upgrade more then anything else.
I’m going to let the dust and anger settle before I read up on what others are doing.
Well this is an unusual thing to do, since that people have bought the PS3 for many reasons that you were promoting in the launch. This contributed to a successful launch still seen today, but an update promoting security is one thing that endangers the loss of a feature that makes the PS3 a powerfull computer. I don’t think that there should this kind of measure. At least add other features that include headset management, more extensions to files, library organization, ……
@Sven_Viking
and then you look at PSP and how piracy have completely destroyed it until there are hardly any good game released in years
What are the next features Sony Corporation wants to remove ?
Disable the “Install Other OS”, then what ?
Disable your 3rd party controller ?
Disable Blueray Disk ?
What a way to show how, as a company you care about your customers.
Shame on you Sony !
@ trapper12
So what? That’s what patch firmware is for, not removing features legit consumers are using. Even if they have to do it more than once.
Apple releases firmware against jailbroken phones all the time without removing features(as far as I know). AND even the jailbroken phone still works with what came with it if people don’t upgrade! Apple doesn’t disable the phones for general use(at least not yet anyway). Plus what Sony is doing is punishing people who didn’t even “jailbreak” since Linux was supported! Explain this Sony: http://www.playstation.com/ps3-openplatform/index.html
And the PS3 could still possibly get hacked through those other methods. Will Sony disable everything connected to wifi, networking or the internet then? How about someone installing hacks through a USB device? Who knows what someone will come up with, and it looks like Sony will make the LEGIT CONSUMER suffer for it.
@AspectOfLight
Dude? are u getting paid by Sony or something? cause u sure sounds exited for naught…
The EFF points out that, for those who choose not to update: “New Blu-ray discs could even disable the Blu-ray drive entirely if they contain an AACS Host Revocation List that affects the old firmware version.”
http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/03/sony-steals-feature-from-your-playstation-3
concerning other sony [DELETED]
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) made no comment on whether it would take any criminal action against Sony. However Sony did receive a public admonishment from Stewart Baker of the Department of Homeland Security, who in a speech at a Chamber of Commerce event made the statement, “it’s your intellectual property — it’s not your computer”.
i feel as consumers we need to stand together and tell them no, enough is enough.
should the old ps3 owners gather up and file a class action for bait and switch ?
PS3 IT ONLY DOES EVERYTHING…MINUS “OTHER OS”
Hmm…
PS/3 original with all the trimmings…. $600
PS/3 original after it’s been “secured” $300
and made safe for me
PS/3 slim with none of the trimmings $300
I think someone owes me $300.
Hey Sony, in case you haven’t figured it out yet, I am not happy about this.
This is happening because GeoHot hacked the system.
@DarkAzureXIII
Oh, how naive you are…
This is a sad day. I am know i might be in the minority but i actually use linux on my PS3 because is has a much more robust browser and the PS3 browsers no longer can view HULU content. Frankly I am very upset. This is another example of companies hurting many just to stop a few. People will always hack devices its something you have to put up with but you should never treat customers who paid good money for features to only take it from them. This will not prevent hackers from hacking a PS3 it will only make them find another way. I will do my best to not update so I guess no online for me. I am a IT guy and I use my PS3 to learn about linux mainly because its so geeky and cool at the same time. From all the honest users who make use of this feature same on you Sony. I have you ever hear of security updates or patches. DAMN YOU SONY!!YOU HAD ME AT HELLO!!!
it’s like I said in my other post it’s a catch twenty two either way you (the consumer) lose. update and lose other os function don’t and you lose future titles,psn,and future blu ray films. sony just being nice by asking which limb to cut.
it’s not a choice it’s an ultimatum plan accordingly.
http://boardsus.playstation.com/t5/PlayStation-3-Updates/FW-3-21-and-Consumer-Right-s-Law-No-Conjecture-Just-Facts/td-p/45454241
Best post in the world on the matter. We have rights apparently and it’s time to consider a class action lawsuit.
wow 3000 comments.. When I first looked at the post count I thought this was Capcom post. Their blogs get a lot of comments. I will install this new update when it becames available and and don’t have any problem with it since I no use for other Operating system in my ps3. Plus my hard drive is not that big too and wouldn’t know how to install it. Well guess good luck to those who are or will be trying to fight this. You crazy people are gonna need it!!
At Sandyph: Yeah, on the PSP — the only console so far where pirates are blocked from buying downloadable games or playing legal game discs — piracy has been a real problem. Strange.
the problem with the psp is that it’s the psp my cousin had like 3 of them and traded every last one cause they suck as a gaming system
What going to be interesting is this
People are already talking about:
This could violate consumer protection laws
Violate and EU directive
People are clamming about class action lawsuit.
Are these legit? I don’t know but I have no doubt your about to find out if they hold legal weight or not.
UNFRIGGING-BELIEVABLE!!! So what’s next you’re gonna disable the emotion engine so I can no longer play PS2 games like the newer models can’t?!?!?
Why, oh why are you removing the feature? This was a major factor in me buying the device, that along with the fact it was the best Blu-Ray player at the time. Now you have taken away a feature that I paid for. Are you guys going to give me half my money back since that was one of the two major factors in me buying the device?!?!?!?! Or better yet, how about a refund of the ENTIRE purchase price? Actually, I think I smell a nice class-action lawsuit coming on. Anybody interested? My brother’s an attorney!
That’s like buying a hi-definition plasma display and then the manufacturer releases an update that only lets you have hi-def in movies their studio or partner releases and nothing else.
If this is how you play Sony then rest assured I will not be upgrading to a PS4, if/when it comes.
I am very sorely disappointed and I want my money back!!!
As I said before …be mad at Cyber Terrorists like that Geohot.
And nobody will get a dime from Sony for this, The $12 an hour lawyer you hire is inferior to the legal counsel that Sony has. Just suck it up and face facts, this feature is gone. Move on with your lives instead of letting it raise your blood pressure.
Install other OS is NOT REQUIRED to play blurays, games or music. So you aren’t losing anything.
I am spreading the word around on this. I hate having a feature taken away from me, especially one that I use. I mean, I bought the console for the ability to play PS1, PS2, PS3 games, as well as to work. Sony owns me a computer as powerful as the PS3 if this patch does come through. I expect it to be something like $1000 dollars.
Oh, I forgot to mention that I am spreading the word around with MSN and facebook so that everyone knows about this and think twice before buying a Sony product.
I sent an email to sony telling them they were idiots for removing other os and they tried to justify it in their reply. WHAT IDIOTS…. They actually think they can justify something unjustifiable.
Also I full support the boycott of ALL sony products FOREVER after this : even if they decided not too remove otheros.
their stupidity to even consider doing such a thing makes it illogical to think they have any chance of ever producing a good product again.
So since you SOB’s are taking a feature out are we going to get one to replace it free of charge? say Cross Game chat? Or are you going to charge us and still take away a feature and screw over all the early supporters?
Oh noes, a few [DELETED] on here are boycotting all Sony products! Sony will be upset that they lost .001% of all of their profit margin. Get over yourselves, you aren’t important and you do not matter.
As I proved earlier this update will effect LESS THAN 1% of PS3 owners. Less than 1%…wow.