Firmware 2.50 adds hidden recovery menu

by Andrew Yoon { Oct 18th 2008 at 12:50AM }

It appears that firmware 2.50 also added one other feature, meant to help PS3 owners that are trying to troubleshoot their system. A recovery menu (pictured above) gives users access to a variety of restore features. It will even allow users to install a new firmware update, should anything go wrong during the installation process. To access the menu, you must hold down the power button to turn on the PS3 until you hear three beeps. Then the menu will show up.

There are a few reports of systems bricking after firmware updates, so this may be Sony's attempt at creating a fix for future problems. Hopefully, we'll never have to actually use this feature -- but if we do, it may be a quick way of avoiding a trip to the post office to send the PS3 to Sony's support center.

[Thanks, Noshino!]

Tags: 2.50, firmware, recovery, restore

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Vesku @ Oct 18th 2008 12:57AM

This is the one feature I've hoped Sony to copy from Dark_Alex's custom firmwares for the PSP. Glad to know they can recognize a great idea once they see one.

SuperGayParade @ Oct 18th 2008 1:05AM

Awesme! No red light of death

Moffka @ Oct 18th 2008 1:57AM

So which of these options in the same as when you used to hold the power button and it would reset the display setting? For example: I have an HDTV at 1080p, but decide to go to a friends house and I forgot to set the display setting to 480p before heading over so I used to hold down the power button and the display setting would reset and I could see whats being displayed instead of a black screen. Maybe restore default settings would do that?

Nitemare @ Oct 18th 2008 4:55AM

I was thinking the same thing, but I would hate to reset ALL my settings every time I go to my friend's house. Anyone care to test it out? lol

stargateheaven @ Oct 18th 2008 7:44AM

Holding the power down automatically detects your current settings to match your tv. so this menu would appear also. It'll be like that, or this menu is available from the completely off state.. and the match tv settings would be from standby.

Tristan @ Oct 18th 2008 12:35PM

It was hold it until two beeps for it to display on any tv, Ive had to use it on stupid samsung tvs that seem to never recognize any of my HDMI cables.

uh-oh polio @ Oct 18th 2008 2:07AM

you would think that this is something they would have announced in the update instead of letting its users figure it out themselves.

Ashmen @ Oct 18th 2008 3:29AM

They may not want folks messing around with it, like the service menu on a tv. Might still have some bugs that can brick your system.

Big Poppa @ Oct 18th 2008 2:35AM

Anyone notice that the PS3 automatically upscales games to 1080p with the new update? (i.e. before the update 720p games would play at 720p, after the update they are displayed in 1080p)

Extinction @ Oct 18th 2008 3:12AM

Nope. Disabled 720p, popped in Resistance fall of Man. Told me I must enable 720p to get the best image, and set to 480p

Popfrogs @ Oct 18th 2008 9:45AM

Newer games are doing 1080p and scaling now. That's probably what's tricking you.

pliny5678 @ Oct 18th 2008 12:16PM

On Dead Space, I still have to uncheck the other resolutions to get 1080p. MGS4 so far has been one of the few to do it automatically.

devilmaker @ Oct 18th 2008 4:06AM

That is a really well made theme. 'premium' stuff, if you know what I mean. You should really post this up on a forum though. www.vgevo.com is a great forum for all things game related and its even advertised in PS3Fanboy's PSNation Podcast.

Zack @ Oct 18th 2008 4:14AM

Thanks to this update, my 60GB Ps3 is finally able to play PS2 games and DVDs again, which it hasn't since firmware 2.43. Thanks, Sony! Loves yah!

Nic @ Oct 18th 2008 4:32AM

All my DivX stuff is screwed! (Displays in black and white) New menu under system settings with a DivX/VOD registration code and web link for registering your DivX devices!

SoSoDef @ Oct 18th 2008 5:19AM

After installing this "great" update my ps3 crashed...
It won't start up anymore, so I can't get to the recovery menu. Nice update Sony!
After contacting Sony Holland, they told me only returning my ps3 will cost me 199 euro and they will not send me back the disc that got stuck in the system.
Now I have to wait a minimum of 6 weeks untill I maybe recieve a new ps3.

lil rich @ Oct 18th 2008 6:53AM

yeah me too man send give back to retail store and my fifa 09 is also inside my 60gig ps3
since ps3 automatically switch its self off when switch on its start blinkn northin work send it to them

Mark @ Oct 18th 2008 5:34AM

I think Personally this is why they have moved the firmware from rom to hard drive so that the main rom stays intact when the firmware is updated, very clever indeed and was actually introduced in 2.42 i Believe. and my 80gb has always had the firmware on the harddrive, due to the design differences. anyways.

ChodalBerryWagon @ Oct 18th 2008 5:47AM

What does the 'rebuild database' thing mean?

It did that to my ps3 just after I installed 2.5...

stargateheaven @ Oct 18th 2008 7:44AM

It installs some things on the hard drive so things load faster. Most noticibaly are the trophies.

Mentality @ Oct 18th 2008 6:33AM

I could have done with the database rebuild about a month ago when my HDD messed up for some reason, I had to format it and lost all my saves, the error told me it was due to a missing database.

Rumours are this recovery menu will lead to a break through in hacking the PS3 system, I don't think we are actually sposed to know about it, which is probably why Sony never announced it.

stargateheaven @ Oct 18th 2008 7:44AM

This menu is probably something sony support would mention upon the customer be in trouble.

Cameron @ Oct 18th 2008 7:50AM

I was so saved by this new feature. Installing 2.50 yesterday initially bricked my PS3 (just stuck on the XMB with no game icons loading).

The Sony customer support didn't mention this hidden menu, and actually arranged a refurb unit swap, but I found how to get to it on the internet and the "Restore Filesystem" option fixed it! :D I just need to cancel my refurb now..

Mentality @ Oct 18th 2008 10:04AM

The lack of communication at Sony might mean that even customer support didn't know about it, or as I mentioned above that we probably shouldnt know about it, but then doubting my initial option and going with what stargateheaven said, maybe it's not going to be such a secret on account of it not being very well hidden and so easily accessable.

themizarkshow @ Oct 18th 2008 8:40AM

nice. i'm glad to see they are making it easier on people that get screwed over by updates or faulty downloads, etc. with a HDD in every system, they should have thought of this from the get go.

Milereb @ Oct 18th 2008 8:45AM

To bad it doesn't fix a stuck disc drive. I mean it ate my disks, it sees that something is in it. (in other words the little loading circle appears in the top right corner) But it simple never pops up, I tried everything. Called Sony NL and he wanted to tell me to try different disks and otherwise a system restore. I had already done both cause not so long ago, my little brother's bricked like this as well.
It was a very funny conversation with the dude from costumers support, he went all like maybe you should come work here. Anyways luckily it was within the last 12 days of warranty :D
But even this secret menu wouldn't have saved my faulty disk reader and if it did, then it's just a countdown until it breaks again, but then outside of the warranty.. Which would cost 150$/199€

Kspraydad @ Oct 18th 2008 9:10AM

Weired that 2 of the 3 people that have had issues with this update, in this thread, are both from the Netherlands.

Milereb @ Oct 18th 2008 9:17AM

Yes I thought it was suspicious too, that's why I had to post :p

My PS3 was bought October 2007 60GB backwards compatible. It was one of the very last in my area. From what I understood the other Dutch person also had a 60gb, probably a launch model. I understood from the Sony support centre that mine actually comes from a faulty second batch and that it was bound to happen sooner or later..

p.flynn2 @ Oct 19th 2008 6:42PM

if sony knows that there is a faulty batch, shouldnt they contact the people that purchased those units or provide an extended warranty period for that batch? it seems pretty shadey of them to not tell people they have a faulty system, especially when its so expensive to get these fixed when they are out of warranty.

Popfrogs @ Oct 18th 2008 9:44AM

A nice attempt, but do you realize there's going to be white text overlaid on that busy background?

Brotherdeath @ Oct 18th 2008 10:46AM

Well I hope this isn't the reason my PS3 stopped working.I was in the middle of downloading the update and got the dreaded Beep and red light.My PS3 is only 3 months old and I've only played MGS4 and 2 other games for about a total of 15 hours of gameplay and now it's dead.Anybody else have this problem,my system is in a well ventilated spot and has full power not a outlet strip with 500 plugs sticking out of it............

Wiizer @ Oct 18th 2008 11:27AM

@ devilmaker

Thank you very much! I will take your advice and post it up there, as well!

@ Popfrogs

That's why there's a black bar next to Senorita Sackgirl! See... One step ahead of ya! ;D

Jerses @ Oct 18th 2008 11:30AM

Nice theme!! but i have to agree with popfrogs... and not just youre theme but every theme with background it has to be one solid almost black color to really apreciate the icons and the text :S its like the home theme you have to take use the base background to really enjoy it. But its a nice theme to have. I bet there will be a LBP theme but it will be premium :S can you add sound to youre theme?

Wiizer @ Oct 18th 2008 11:35AM

@ Jerses

Dude, have you even installed it yet? Try it out first. Yes, there are sounds in it already, sheesh. And you can see text on it.

Eric @ Oct 18th 2008 12:00PM

Could this possibaly allow custom firmware to be installed >.>

Andrew @ Oct 18th 2008 12:23PM

I wish Sony would have put something like this in the PSP long ago. Then maybe I wouldn't have had to shell out $90 to get mine fixed. Bah.

Kiel @ Oct 18th 2008 12:31PM

so.. does the restore filesystem thing delete your files? i'm curious if it will get rid of the "Corrupted Data" file i have sitting in my games directory

Milereb @ Oct 18th 2008 12:37PM

You can try, though just to be on the save side , try putting your save data on an USB stick. Just in case anything goes wrong..

Mike @ Dec 4th 2008 10:16AM

I had to do it last night and it fixed my corrupt data. I had the "wave of death" on my PS3. All of my data, settings, etc. were unchanged. It worked great.

Kiel @ Oct 18th 2008 12:59PM

well.. it looked like it was formatting, but it did not.. once the system came back up i was able to delete the corrupted data file off of my system.. WOOT!!!

this feature rules

Topher08 @ Oct 18th 2008 1:13PM

Firmware 2.50 breaks media streaming, Sony does it once again! Now my videos will play, the sound will stop for a few seconds, then the video stops, the sound starts, and the video will start once the sound catches up. I am tired of Sony adding a couple of new features only to break old ones. Happens on all kinds of videos I have that worked perfectly pre 2.5, guess I have to wait for a few new revisions before I can enjoy media streaming again.

Psst, Sony, try running a little quality control before you release a firmware, you know, check if old features still work instead of focusing only on new ones.

Draco @ Oct 18th 2008 2:08PM

I don't know my TVersity is working 100% right now.

its a shame you cant do a playlist off the network though only on installed videos.

seanb124911 @ Oct 18th 2008 1:47PM

hmm matbe there working ont the psp recovery menu

ahsayuninew @ Oct 18th 2008 2:02PM

ah! I tried to download it with my ps3, but sadly I find out its zipped...

Wiizer @ Oct 18th 2008 2:08PM

@ ahsayuninew

I uploaded the P3T file; see if you can install it now.

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=29fb9769b2aecdf6d2db6fb9a8902bda

lorddshadow @ Oct 18th 2008 2:30PM

has anyone had issues where the ps3 freezes for about 30 seconds specifically during in-game xmb usage in multiplayer? i've been playing cod4 and warhawk and when i go to the xmb to send a message, it freezes for a while and then it comes back to normal. it's been doing this since 2.40. does anyone else have it?

MiguelChang @ Oct 18th 2008 2:51PM

This feature saved my PS3.

During the firmware update my PS3 bricked. I could not start it up or get the OS to load at all. Turned out this happened to a small handful of people as well.

I called up Sony and they told me to send it in for repair. I politely declined.

While messing around on my own, I stumbled upon this menu. Sony had told me to me earlier to try holding down the power sensor for 2 beeps. I tried holding it down longer, and got this menu. I went all over the place online trying to get answers to what each option did, and I got nothing. Finally somebody on the playstation.com forum said that they used option #3 to fix their system. So I selected, "Restore File System". And what do you know, it worked. And I didn't lose any of my files or data. It just told me that there were some corrupt files that needed to be replaced. Pretty sweet. To think that I would've needed to send my PS3 into Sony and pay for my non-warrantied system. This feature is a god send.