Old PS3s locked out of PlayStation Network
Sony seeks solution as slimline consoles continue to connect
Sony has confirmed that many if not all of its old-style chunky PlayStation 3 consoles will no longer connect to the PlayStation Network.
The glitch, which began to strike users worldwide yesterday, does not affect the new, slimline version of the console.
The machines are "connecting normally", Sony said on its official Twitter page.
"We're aware that many of you are having problems connecting to PSN, and yes, we're looking into it," it said, but later adding: "We're narrowing down the issue and continue to work to restore service to all. Updates as soon as we have them."
The issue clearly affects games played on PSN, but it's also hitting game played offline but which connect to the PSN to gather league table data and suchlike.
There's plenty of speculation as to why the glitch might have emerged at this point in time, from some kind of bug in the old console's timekeeping software that resets the date beyond the range PSN accepts at login to a recent redesign of the PlayStation website.
Cynics might even suggest that it comes as a result of back-end work on PSN carried out by Sony as a precursor to the introduction of access fees. However, there is no evidence to suggest this at this time. ®
COMMENTS
AFAIK
There is no such thing as a 'chipped' PS3. The encryption technology they use has yet to be properly broken*. This doesn't necessarily make it 'stronger' than that in the Xbox, although I suspect it is.
*Before anyone says it, making hardware modifications in order to be able to peek at the memory behind the hypervisor when running Linux doesn't really count as breaking the encryption.
Damn what to do
well thats shafted my evening of annoying americans on MW2 ah well...
i actually thought there would have been pages of flaming on here but its not as bad as i thought, all the same its a tad annoying that we cant play games offline even, i feel blocked from doing what i could do.
and also warning people not to turn the console on? seriously not everyone checks the interwebz all day for PSN news so what if you got home turned it on, then checked the error code? oh shazbot!
if its all the same ill wait till the panic calms down but i reckon a new firmware update will be required but i also think sony should allow us to download one free game.
PS3 MK1 owners only though you slim ones can go shaft yourselves
/sour grapes
Latest Update - IMPORTANT
Sony has finally spoken up about the game-crashing issues currently plaguing non-Slim PS3 models. A post on PlayStation Blog has confirmed that the problems are "being caused by a bug in the clock functionality incorporated in the system." The statement puts a loose timeframe on a fix for the issues, saying, "we hope to resolve this problem within the next 24 hours."
Additionally, the PlayStation Blog post includes a word of warning to PS3 Phat owners: "if you have a model other than the new slim PS3, we advise that you do not use your PS3 system, as doing so may result in errors in some functionality, such as recording obtained Trophies, and not being able to restore certain data." (Read Sony's full statement after the break.)
We know you're curious to see what the console apocalypse looks like, but trust us -- it's just not worth it. We'll let you know when it's safe to turn your system back on.
Official statement from Sony:
"As you may be aware, some customers have been unable to connect to the PlayStation Network today. This problem affects the models other than the new slim PS3.
"We believe we have identified that this problem is being caused by a bug in the clock functionality incorporated in the system.
"Errors include:
* The date of the PS3 system may be re-set to Jan 1, 2000.When the user tries to sign in to the PlayStation Network, the following message appears on the screen; "An error has occurred. You have been signed out of PlayStation Network (8001050F)".
* When the user tries to launch a game, the following error message appears on the screen and the trophy data may disappear; "Failed to install trophies. Please exit your game."
* When the user tries to set the time and date of the system via the Internet, the following message appears on the screen; "The current date and time could not be obtained. (8001050F)"
* Users are not able to play back certain rental video downloaded from the PlayStation Store before the expiration date.
"We hope to resolve this problem within the next 24 hours. In the meantime, if you have a model other than the new slim PS3, we advise that you do not use your PS3 system, as doing so may result in errors in some functionality, such as recording obtained trophies, and not being able to restore certain data.
"As mentioned above, please be advised that the new slim PS3 is not affected with this error. We are doing our best to resolve the issue and do apologize for any inconvenience caused."
some news
just heard from a ps3 dev pal of mine and apparently this effected even the ps3 test units (phat)
and to quote..
START QUOTE
he removed the RTC battery for about 10 minutes as I suggested earlier, stuck it back in and he is now back up and running, on PSN and everything!
So, if you guys want to give it a try and your box has been opened / out of warranty - it should work!
I'd just, for now, set it to today / tomorrow's (3/1/2010) date, to be safe!
END QUOTE
Oh no, world stops spinning
Hoards of spotty teenagers forced to enter into conversation with real people - what a shocker.
