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)
Didn’t update yet because I was told be Sony that I would lose a feature that it says I am able to use on my packaging.
And that’s the reason for the uproar, isn’t it?
So no…they don’t work at the moment.
@TechieXXDivaX
That’s what I mean — they’re here, but they can’t provide a cogent response other than the repeatedly discounted security argument, or a weak ‘Well, why not?’
@ atlpagan
I’m actually a slim owner and I was just pissed off that I had to frickin’ update, since the ‘other OS’ thing couldn’t be removed off of my system. It was never there to begin with.
Well how about Sony just let’s all the security threats happen, then when it ruins whatever you can all whine about that.
Lawyers love this stuff the publicity they would get from this.
They love going after big name companies. When Sony settles they get all the money and the PS3 owners get nothing but we are used to this as we get nothing from Sony already but they take away from us. So why not have lawyers take some of Sony’s money?
Does it mater if you use the feature or not? No not at all doesn’t give anyone the right to take it away from you. You paid for that feature and you should have it. It had nothing to do with online problems or something that affected it customers.
They got scared and removed it just in case some one could crack Sony’s secret coding.
i have a slim so this did nothing for me but i have never in my life seen an update that took features away… updates are meant to add features and debug problems… lets take something away and not give anything back… I would love BC, a defrag tool, power saving options that lets me turn off the HD after so long, Firefox as a browser, USB ports that charge when its off but has nothing to do with FW update… it seems like the ps3 has only advanced in size and HD size… everything has just been going downhill since the release… i refuse to buy any xbox or any future xboxes so maybe after this quits working i quit gaming… that makes me want to cry but i dont know what else to do… Sorry Its Not A Joke Guys… Really Really Bad April Fools Since This Isnt A Joke
Still playing online with FW 3.15, Modern Warfare 2. I will continue to do so until it kicks me off, then I will catch up with some single player games until Custom Firmware becomes available. Part of me still wants to belive that this is some sick April Fool’s day joke. Perhaps everyone that updated will get a suprise or something. I think it’s bogus that they are taking a feature away, legal or not it is still unethical.
I didn’t pay for the crappy “Install OS” feature. That what PC’s are for. I paid for GAMING. Everyone who originally bought this to substitute for a PC, You are dumbasses.
@Mattimeoo, is there a Mac/Linux solution?
@CheapestGamer
Which is why I used my words carefully when I said “Majority”.
Again all FAT PS3 owners, please send emails and call the 3 main game developers, tell them why you will not be purchasing any more PS3 titles:
Ubisoft
EA
Activistion
lol anyone that thinks pirates are just a scapegoat here are probably pirates themselves. they just want sony to be opened up so they rip games on their spindle of 50 BD-Rs lol pathetic thieves.
I dont really care about the update. My problem is I can’t even get the damn update. It gets stuck at 5%, I wait but it doesn’t go up anymore. I want to get back on playing on PSN and I cant because of this stupid update!
Die Sony!!!
I use YLD on my Ps3…
I’m a Phat Ps3 owner. And i could careless about it. All of you guys are just whining cause you can. Ah the beauty of civil rights.
I read in a forum that 3.21 perfectly allows OtherOS through some kind of agreement. Could anyone with a Phat that doesn’t use OtherOS confirm, maybe in the agreement before downloading, maybe somewhere else, confirmation anyone?
Kirby, Get a better internet..
@IVEDONEYOURMOM: I honestly don’t know right off, but try running it in Wine or something. Or just try to replicate what’s going on (setting up a small, simple proxy server which you are allowed to do and is perfectly within EULA’s, TOS, etc).
—- ACM Code of Ethics broken with this firmware update. —-
1.1 Contribute to society and human well-being.
1.3 Be honest and trustworthy.
2.2 Acquire and maintain professional competence.
2.3 Know and respect existing laws pertaining to professional work.
2.5 Give comprehensive and thorough evaluations of computer systems and their impacts, including analysis of possible risks.
2.6 Honor contracts, agreements, and assigned responsibilities.
2.7 Improve public understanding of computing and its consequences.
3.5 Articulate and support policies that protect the dignity of users and others affected by a computing system.
If you were part of the ACM Sony, you aren’t anymore. Best of luck.
When you get stung by a bee, you swat the bee. You don’t go and knock down the beehive. Why? Because you might have a swarm of bees chase you down and sting you in a million different places, thousands of times.
Wonder what a swarm of hackers will do to your console system now?
Phillips: Hello, I’m here, in your home, to take that compact fluorescent light bulb.
Homeowner: Why?
Phillips: Because some people are using the gas inside the bulb for their own purposes. We are not going to allow that. (bulb breaks) Now only 20 million tresspassing violations to go.
AutoManufacturer: Hello, I’m here to take your car.
Owner: Why?
AutoManufacturer: Because people are using them to race them on the city streets. We are not going to allow this any more. Only 50 million more Grand Theft Autos to do.
@ N_8 nice epic fail there. They informed us like 4 days in advance of this update, then it told us what it did before we installed it. They were honest about it, and honored everything in the agreement we all signed. The ones in violation are the users who are complaining, they are violating the TOS they signed.
@Xeltos, you know you can only keep those rights if you defend them.
At random posters above who thinks no one uses this feature. I do actually use the feature. It’s cheaper than buying an additional PC.
Wow, I can’t believe they actually did it. Other OS was something I wanted to use someday. Alas, it did not come with the Slims, so I’ve never been able to use it. I really would’ve liked to have it though.
It is still April Fools day though……The possibility that this is in fact some super elaborate April Fools day prank still exists.
@EpicNotion: TOS means nothing when they specifically advertised for the other OS before. Customer protection agencies will probably be after their sorry ass soon, like the Rootkit incident.
I am going to keep warning people until I get sleepy. Do not use the lg5tool…you are violating your warranty if you use it. If you are ok with that then by all means…but then you will really be up the creek without a paddle when it bricks your system.
@ Team Cro
3.5 years without a legit hack and counting. I find it rather odd that some are cheering for Hotz, the very same person that actually caused Sony to take this preemptive strike.
The media fed his ego at age 17 (and for the record, none of his was done alone), and keep doing it now.
—- ACM Code of Noobs started with this firmware update. —-
1.1 Whine about a useless feature when they could just use a PC or MAC.
1.3 Be Like Prepubescent Boys and Girls and cry a river in the blog for attention .
2.2 Acquire and maintain the status of trend follower by dissing Sony.
2.3 Know and hate the company who made the Console in the first place.
2.5 Give comprehensive and thorough evaluations of how Ignorant and Stupid some people really are in the world.
2.6 Dis Honor Companies, Security, and assigned ToS.
2.7 Improve public understanding of Noobs and their Stupidity.
3.5 Articulate and support the downfall of security that protects people from having a unique and fun GAMING/Media experience.
Mattimeoo: Good to see someone else doing the bypass the easy way :P
Also, EpicNotion is making me laugh hard. This bypass will DEFINITELY brick the PS3… because using a PROXY, something that is blatantly usable on a PS3, is dangerous… oh, wait.
I am going to keep telling people until I get sleepy. Do use the lg5tool…you are not violating your warranty if you use it. If you are ok with that then by all means…
I’m not buying games for a video game system anymore because they took away a feature that has absolutely nothing to do with video games
And I’m going to buy an xbox now that has no Linux support because the ps3 no longer supports a feature that didn’t involve video games when a cheap PC/laptop costs about the same
Ok, who is in charge and where/what do I need to submit to join a class action lawsuit??
Congratulations Sony on effectively banning legitimate users from accessing all the features our systems are supposed to have. And thanks for lying to back when the slim came out about your commitment to continuing the OtherOS feature. You must think it is an incredible master-stoke against piracy, that anyone who chooses to keep Linux is no longer able to purchase PSN software from you. I also want to congratulate you on stifling the interest of independent developers in your system, by removing the only reasonable entry point for learning to program such a misbegotten beast as your system. Great job. Enjoy having a few fewer customers, and the interest you will have spurred in modding and customer firmware.
Whoever decided this is an idiot. You break something because you THINK somebody’s gonna hack it??? Just freakin patch it, don’t remove it….. Gaahhhhhhhhh //still pissed off//
SO what is the curent method of bypass?
@ Mattimeoo
So you basically can hack to get online. LOL, that’s rich!! ROTFLMAO at what Sony encouraged by this downgrade. See that’s what happens when people get locked out, Sony.
LG5TOOL WILL NOT brick your system. It doesn’t even go on your system, it operates on your computers. It is a simple proxy server that is absolutely harmless and legal. It in now way violates any rules, you have the option right on your PS3 Network settings to utilize a proxy server, and that’s all you’re doing.
So yeah, by using lg5tool, you’re completely within reason and law.
Use the guide I posted previously and you’ll be online with Firmware 3.15 in a matter of minutes.
SONY YOU JUST LOST A CUSTOMER, THIS IS WHY MICROSOFT IS STILL ON TOP, FACE IT THE MORE YOU TAKE AWAY THE MORE YOU LOSE PEOPLE, IM MOVING TO XBOX AND YES YOU JUST READ XBOX, IM SELLING THIS CRAP SYSTEM TOMORO WITH ALL GAMES AND ACCESORIES
do the icons seem bigger? or maybe im just confused
you disappointed me on this one Sony
WTF?!?!!?
I just updated my PS3 to the new firmware and my PS3 froze and died! It won’t turn back on..
I can’t believe after i stuck up for Sony for so long tonight, and now the firmware update bricked my Ps3!!!
i guess everyone was right about me, i am a [DELETED]..
The Update is now acting son sony say a loud and big
“I give a [DELETED] about all of you”
Epic,
I never attacked or nor did I ever have any intention of attacking you. Almost all of your comments have been way out of line and I have reported you.
As far as Modern Warfare 2, I am playing with some friends. I also play Battlefield BC2, God of War, and Uncharted. So am I attracted to “overrated bad products”…perhaps but let me remind you that almost all of those games are rated in the ninties on MetaCritic.
In the past official firmwares have bricked people’s PS3s. Using custom firmware is an understood risk.
SSJ is a group I used to belong to, having nothing to do with Dragon Ball Z, that was a coincidence.
And dispite the fact that you picked 3 things out of my post to flame you negliected to touch on the most important one.
“legal or not it is still unethical.”
Yeah, a tool that runs ON YOUR COMPUTER will brick your PS3. And the PS3 is NOT hacked so it will not and CANNOT run any custom code.
Thank you for proving the utter failure of the American public education system.
I need to stop feeding the trolls. I’ll leave with a quote from the FTC (I won’t link it and get modded)– “No practice should be pursued by an advertiser, in the event of sale of the advertised product, of “unselling” with the intent and purpose of selling other merchandise in its stead. ”
So if Sony starts saying “buy a Slim” that’s another broken law.
@lilcsr20 lol if you sell your system and games you just transfer your ownership to someone else, possibly creating a new loyal sony customer. i suggest you just burn your collection :)
It’s the only way raging noobs would understand.
“3.5 years without a legit hack and counting. I find it rather odd that some are cheering for Hotz, the very same person that actually caused Sony to take this preemptive strike.”
Hotz is just a lame excuse. It’s Sony that is downgrading my system. Sony is to blame.
…. so many bad design choices, ect., and now this.. still lame.
And im also not going to update my ps3 and lose my psn account which has like idk 600 dollars worth of video games on it because they removed something that has nothing to do with the games i got
Whatever is causing them to take security measures is to blame. Not Sony. Seriously kids, Don’t do drugs.
You guys just blew your [removed]ing hardcore market.
I’ve got over 15 of my friends to buy a PS3; I show them all it can do and they’re amazed.
HOWEVER. This PISSES ME OFF. I don’t use Linux on my ps3 QUITE as much as I used to; but 10GB of my HDD space is dedicated to it and releasing an update to REMOVE A FEATURE that was a MARKETED SELLING POINT is absolutely ridiculous!
If this is not fixed; Actions will be taken. I am not Happy.