2.40 bricking caused by 'system administrative data' on hard disk

by Jem Alexander { Jul 8th 2008 at 10:00AM }

In an official statement issued to ThreeSpeech, SCEE explains the problem with firmware 2.40. It seems that there was a problem which "prevented a limited number of PS3s from activating properly after updating to version 2.40, when certain system administrative data were contained on the HDD." This has now been fixed with 2.41, though those who suffer from the problem (which prevents the PS3 from loading up the XMB) will not be able to access the new firmware update.

Instead, those who had problems with 2.40 will need to contact Customer Services and will receive a replacement PS3. 2.41 will prevent this problem happening to anyone else. The statement also reiterates that those who installed 2.40 successfully will not suffer from any issues. Good news all round, really. We're happy those people who were too slow to grab 2.40 will now be able to start earning trophies and enjoying in-game XMB with the rest of us.

Tags: 2.40, 2.41, firmware, scee, threespeech

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

kingofwale @ Jul 8th 2008 10:03AM

what if I have a 60GB? will they replace me with another one? because there's no way in hell I will take a 80GB in replacement

Byron517 @ Jul 8th 2008 10:06AM

That's a good question??? FANBOY WHAT THE ANSWER??

ruibing @ Jul 8th 2008 10:16AM

Just format your HDD.

Popfrogs @ Jul 8th 2008 10:16AM

Yeah, they will, it's their bad. I had the GTA4 freezing problem 2 months ago with a launch 60GB unit, they swapped it in 3 days flat for a brand new 60GB.

Averna @ Jul 8th 2008 10:41AM

My disk drive died only 2 days before the 2.40 came out. It was a 60gb drive and I was told that my system would be replaced with the exact same model and you'd better believe Im putting a PS2 disc in that sucker the second it arrives.

Apparently they replace broken systems with repaired ones. They even told me that it would have a "brand new shell" so it would "look brand new".

In hindsight I wish I had at least TRIED to get a white shell on my 60gb model :P

Averna @ Jul 8th 2008 10:43AM

@popfrogs

I wish mine was that quick. Im getting told that my replacement will take 25-30 days... and that was after they had recieved it! Apparently it has to do with the time of year.. something along the lines of "It normally takes about a week, but this time of year youre looking at about a month" and sure enough I got that sony email stating 25-30 days *climbs walls*

vin1794 @ Jul 8th 2008 10:57AM

Yes they will replace you with ur model and yours only

koehler83 @ Jul 8th 2008 10:03AM

Personally I'd just swap in a dummy HDD to reinstall the update.. I don't think I'd send my PS3 away for weeks for something so trivial.

I know not everyone has access to another HDD though. I still think it would be easier to acquire a new HDD altogether than get your system replaced.

Phantom @ Jul 8th 2008 10:46AM

For weekS?????? OHHHH you must be a 360 owner lol.

It only takes 3-5 days to get a new replacement . Sony customer support isn't very busy , so they get the job done , much quicker than ordering a new HDD . Of course it might take longer since there will be a few PS3's to replace at the moment .

Averna @ Jul 8th 2008 10:46AM

I dont think it has anything to do with the size of the hdd. Its more about the features.

I would be livid if I found out my 60gb had been replaced with a 40gb model.

Vohaul79 @ Jul 8th 2008 10:08AM

Wonder what settings they had that I didn
t to cause it? My 60gb has been working well 2.4.
Nice clean up by Sony IMO.

fanpages @ Jul 8th 2008 10:09AM

The quote to ThreeSpeech.com does not mention replacing consoles, just "please contact Customer Service" [sic].

They may just replace the hard drive, or talk you through reformatting it.

BFN,

fp.
(1upGamers.com Moderator)

wilboss @ Jul 8th 2008 10:25AM

Good call, surely it doesn't make sense to take the whole console back when it's just a HDD problem. Maybe you just take the HDD out and send that back?
I'm in the process of upgrading my HDD at the moment, given the current cheap price of drives I'd recommend that to anyone who had the 2.40 problem.

Brodie-san @ Jul 8th 2008 10:31AM

I noticed that as well. I'm thinking they'll send each person a free new HDD. What's the cheapest HDD you can buy?

Sony could send out a new (probably tiny) HDD to anyone who has been affected with instructions on how to switch them (not that it's hard.)

Format FTW and you're back in business. Albeit, you're missing your old data.

I still think Sony needs to compensate these users. Let's wait and see over the next few days as I'm sure some of the "affected" will chime in with what Sony actually says when they contact them.

I wouldn't be surprised if Sony did an MS and give something away for free on the PSN. Remember when Live went down for a while over Christmas and they gave away that (crap apparently) free game?

Of course, there would have to be a Sony twist. Something like:

"We're very sorry for any inconvenience caused. As a sign of goodwill we are now offering the SSHD upgrade pack for free to those that have already purchased this AWESOME game. More trophy goodness for you!"

Cue people buying the full game just to then get something for free.
:)

shelbygt @ Jul 8th 2008 1:15PM

Actually, they are taking the entire unit back for me. They don't tell you to send back just the HDD.

Just FYI.

tonyt3rry @ Jul 8th 2008 10:15AM

Now use the F**cking stardust update

JerJerBinks (PSN:jedson328) @ Jul 8th 2008 10:18AM

WTB more games with trophies! I think I am about at the limit of what I can do with SSHD, and I am ready to earn some full-game trophies. Get on it developers!

JerJerBinks @ Jul 8th 2008 10:19AM

@ruibing

Firmware does not reside on the HDD, therefore this will not fix the corrupted firmware issue.

Skippy @ Jul 8th 2008 12:09PM

People already confirmed last week that formatting the drive fixes the problem.

Mo @ Jul 8th 2008 12:45PM

the firmware isnt corrupted. The "admin data" that is preventing the XMB from loading properly is on the HDD

therefore

swapping your HDD or formatting it WILL repair your ps3.

Therefore, peoples playstations NOT bricked. There is no physical damage, and it is easily corrected through software

from wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brick_(electronics)

"When used in reference to electronics, "brick" describes a device that cannot function in any capacity... bricking must imply that the device is completely unrecoverable without some hardware replacement. If the device can be repaired through software or firmware changes, it's not a brick."

*sigh*

this is a epic failure of journalism, senseless xbots propaganda

Adam @ Jul 8th 2008 10:26AM

That's great. Too bad in-game music isn't working, for any of the eleven games I've tested. I have four or five more, but it seems irrelevant to try. I care more about listening to music than messaging the people on my friends' list.

trueheart78 @ Jul 8th 2008 10:31AM

That's because in-game music is a developer feature - not a "it works in every game" feature.

Mo @ Jul 8th 2008 11:32AM

me too, but what can you do. They have to build the games to support it as a feature. and, i cant complain.. sony did their part.

Yuel @ Jul 8th 2008 11:19PM

i want in-game music in every game too, i can't believe that i can do it on my psp and i can't on my PS3

maxpontiac @ Jul 8th 2008 10:23AM

Nice for all those who didn't get 2.40.

fanpages @ Jul 8th 2008 10:23AM

@10 [JerJerBinks]:

If the hard drive is replaced/reformatted then the 'system administrative data' will be removed & the update will progress without issue.

BFN,

fp.

Dwag @ Jul 8th 2008 10:39AM

Well I'm kinda disappointed that now the upate that is most likely to come next is 2.45 next month and it probably won't add much.

ELAV8 @ Jul 8th 2008 11:31AM

"We're happy those people who were too slow to grab 2.40 will now be able to start earning trophies and enjoying in-game XMB with the rest of us."

Sorry I was too slow and failed to get on the PS3 while getting ready for, going to, and being at work all day when it initially released and just so happened to be offline by the time i got home.

Slow is me I guess....

I am sure I am not alone here...Having a day job and responsibilities does not mean we are too slow. We didn't cause Sony to have to pull it early.

Hopefully this update will be online for more than 16 hours....

Mo @ Jul 8th 2008 11:33AM

doesnt matter how long they keep it up.. you can find the .pup on line

ELAV8 @ Jul 8th 2008 11:43AM

I didn't want to last time around due to the issues that had been reported. I certainly didn't want to risk harm to my system by downloading the file from a 3rd party server...This time around I might have to if they pull it again before I can download. Hopefully that will not be an issue though. :)

fanpages @ Jul 8th 2008 4:31PM

For anybody who is interested, firmware revision 2.4 can (currently) be found on Mininova, File Front, or by simply searching for "PS3UPDAT.PUP" in your web search engine of choice.

BFN,

fp.

ELAV8 @ Jul 8th 2008 11:32AM

Pardon my double post... :)

Gonzo @ Jul 11th 2008 10:55AM

I hope Sony isn't too offended if I wait a few days to download this one. Y'know, see how it goes first.

I'm not in any sort of hurry to win achievement trophies. I would've been pissed if my ps3 got bricked for something I didn't really want anyway.

This is why you should often back up your data.

Devin @ Jul 8th 2008 11:44AM

is this guy serious? He posted the same thing on the last 2.41 article...

Tim Parsons @ Jul 8th 2008 11:46AM

cool glad i never had this problem, nice to see it's been fixed though

Jerses @ Jul 8th 2008 11:47AM

ok...they fix the problem but theres a mayor problem... there is no support for trophies... where is my 70% of the games supporting it?

CJLopez @ Jul 8th 2008 12:11PM

Funny how the PS3 got his own deeck hats now.

I was about to update to firmware 2.4 just when I started reading about the bricks.

'll update today to 2.41, but i'm not expecting much from, except for the XMB, xD

Uniq24Tecknique @ Jul 8th 2008 12:58PM

YEAH THEY REALLY SHOULD GET DAT FIXED THEY SAID THAT THE MUSIC ON IN GAME XMB WOULD WORK ON ANY GAME AND IT'S NOT

Mo @ Jul 8th 2008 12:49PM

chalk him up as an xbot... lawl

Mark @ Jul 8th 2008 1:25PM

In the unlikely event you suffered this, there is another solution, which keeps your game saves intact...

1/ beg/borrow/steal a 2.5in SATA drive.
2/ Swap it with the one in your PS3.
3/ When prompted, format the drive in your PS3.
4/ Update firmware to 2.41
5/ Insert your original HDD with all your gamesaves on.

You might want to consider buying a big 250GB HDD, as this would be a great way to fix the problem AND upgrade to serious storage..

Mark @ Jul 8th 2008 1:26PM

Mark @ Jul 8th 2008 1:28PM

dave @ Jul 8th 2008 10:53PM

That won't work unfortunately, because of the following two reasons:

* The PS3 system drive is encrypted.
* When you format a new drive, all encryption keys are regenerated.

Thus, when you create a new system drive, you lose the keys to the old drive. Unless you can break the encryption on the old drive, you're pretty well hosed.

Mark @ Jul 9th 2008 2:40AM

Sorry, you are wrong, it does work. You are not changing anything, you are using the new drive to get it to boot, update the firmware, then the original drive will boot just fine.

snoozy @ Jul 9th 2008 7:55PM

Have to say, I can confirm this method as working. Did it last night, all save games and DLC is there and working

dave @ Jul 10th 2008 2:25AM

Wow, it's hard to believe it actually works. I've read many stories of people formatting a new drive, then trying to access saved games on an old drive, but being locked out because the PS3 doesn't recognise the old drive any more. I guess Sony have changed the behaviour in newer firmware. I hope they did, because it'd save a lot of people from losing data.