Sony pulls PS3 firmware update 2.4

By Robert Purchese Published 3 July, 2008

It broke a "limited number" of consoles.

Sony has decided to recall PS3 firmware update version 2.4 after it broke a "limited number" of consoles.

The platform holder said console owners' concerns are top priority and the patch - which introduces the trophy system and an in-game XMB - will not be re-released until it has been fixed properly.

"As has been reported on many gaming blogs and websites, we have temporarily taken Firmware v2.40 offline," said Sony on the official US PlayStation blog.

"We've received a limited number of calls from consumers experiencing an issue with installing the system software update on their PS3. While our consumer services department has seen a low volume of calls on this topic, we are committed to providing the PS3 community with XMB access features delivered in the v2.40 update.

"We are working diligently to isolate the problem for those few consumers and to identify a solution before we put the firmware back up," the statement concluded.

Eurogamer readers have been airing worries over the firmware fiasco in the forum. Reports suggestion the problem revolves around a hard drive corruption that stops the PS3 finishing its boot-up sequence.

How many of you have had this problem, Eurogamer readers?

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (88) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Kill_Crazy #1 4 years ago

    You could of said that formatting the hdd works. A pain and unwanted but a workaround for those who are screwed.

  • lennon #2 4 years ago

    It worked ok for me. Cant say its especially impressive or been worth the wait but I suppose I should have been grateful that my console still works.

  • KayJay #3 4 years ago

    Opps. I don't think they meant to do that...

    Sometimes its like sticking Needles in your eyes watching Sony do things. :-(

    p.s. My 60gb Launch machine is fine and dandy with 2.4
    Edited by 1 at 03/07/08 @ 08:44

  • Darren #4 4 years ago

    So if this firmware is fixed will people who already have v2.40 and have PS3s that appear to working fine be able to download this "improved" version? I presume the revised one would have to be v2.41 otherwise our PS3s would report that we already have the latest version.

    It's very odd though that it's not the firmware that is actually faulty but somehow the HDD gets corrupted during the install such that some people cannot access their PS3s. How come it worked for some people and not others? Is it related to the size of the HDD? I have a 320 GB HDD installed in mine with some 176 GB free.

    Edit: spelling
    Edited by 1 at 03/07/08 @ 09:52

  • light&shadow #5 4 years ago

    Downloaded 2.4 yesterday evening and got a few trophies in SSDHD. Launch model ps3 working like a charm.

  • mikeck #6 4 years ago

    Downloaded and installed 2.4 yesterday morning at 10.00am and been working like a charm ever since ;)

  • GamerG #7 4 years ago

    My mates did, funny thing was he got it on Sunday while his 360's in the shop as it broke down on the weekend!

    I think he's going to take it back to the shop though rather than try a repair himself.

  • Beano #8 4 years ago

    Oh nooo... this thread will be huge when the Xbots get home from school :)

    (no problems here btw - Launch EU console with 320GB HDD)
    Edited by 2 at 03/07/08 @ 08:58

  • the_dudefather #9 4 years ago

    @Beano
    in case of emergency, break open the 'RROD' comeback box ;)

  • thomas_lawton #10 4 years ago

    I've had this problem, having a new one delivered today

  • rhubarbandcustard #11 4 years ago

    I call Bull on this story.

    Sony have an exemplary record with firmware updates. My PS3 updated without a hitch, as I expected did every one else's. Expect the firmware available to download again anytime soon, once Sony realise it is just malicious internet muck spreading.

  • APHIZM #12 4 years ago

    @Darren - Good point. I hope I don't have to download a 2.41 just because of a few borked machines.

    p.s. My 60gb launch is working great with 2.4 - now if we could just get the Trophy enabled games rolling out.....

  • Beano #13 4 years ago

    @the_dudefather: Well.. there's no excuse for distributing firmwares/updates that bricks consoles - both MS and Nintendo have allready done this, and now Sony apparently... shame :(

    But the Xbots will run with this one for sure... as usual ;)
    Edited by 1 at 03/07/08 @ 09:02

  • Scimarad #14 4 years ago

    "Eurogamer readers have been airing worries over the firmware fiasco in the forum."

    Odd, I was just in that thread and the general consensus seems to be the whole thing is rather overblown. Kind of like that comment, in fact...

  • rufus_the_stunt_bum #15 4 years ago

    Patch installed fine, though had a couple of system freezes, one loading a game and another quiting.

  • the_dudefather #16 4 years ago

    @Beano
    agreed, neither console is a saint (and the wii) but any excuse to say PS3SUX HOW ABOUT THAT CELL P0WER FANBOIS LOLOLOLOL

  • mikew1985 #17 4 years ago

    Yeah i noticed this last night when i turned on my PS3 just after midnight and it told me I had the latest firmware with v2.36.

    Was looking forward to seeing what the update did but nontheless would rather a working console and an upgrade later.

  • alimokrane #18 4 years ago

    These things are normal and happen all the time. same issues arise with xbox updates too.

  • bad09 #19 4 years ago

    Like many of you I had no probs at all, but it's def not bull like rhubarbandcustard said, go on the official forum as well as EG and people did have problems it seems.

  • zuljin #20 4 years ago

    @Darren
    If you look on the blog, it says that apparently the only problems are during the install. If you've downloaded 2.4 and its running, then you're fine.

  • Psiloc #21 4 years ago

    Had a freeze on startup yesterday some time after updating, had to turn it off at the back, but after that it worked OK. In-game XMB does seem rather glitchy though and I was expecting a 2.41 sooner rather than later anyway.

  • penhalion #22 4 years ago

    The problem with Sony is that they are releasing firmware on a ridiculously regular basis in order to try to keep up with the joneses (or in this case Gateses). The more firmwares released, the higher the probability that one of them will be lethal to the console.

    I didn't update yesterday as I always wait a few days before doing so to see if the new firmware will finally be the one that goes nova

    edit:can't spell :)
    Edited by 1 at 03/07/08 @ 09:15

  • spookyzombie #23 4 years ago

    What an utter cock up.

    When the new firmware arrives I really hope they include some trophies for exsisting titles.

  • Garulon #24 4 years ago

    Sony are BACK! :)

    Play the clown music, boys!

  • KayJay #25 4 years ago

    bad09 Wrote: "go on the official forum as well as EG and people did have problems it seems."

    Their just Xbot plants pushing their propaganda... ;-)

  • GamesConnoisseur #26 4 years ago

    Mmm? I dont see any Xbots coming in and screaming abuses, only the certain PS3 fans attempting to hetting the crowds up so would likely fall on anyone daring to criticise Sony!

    Its no joke to have bricked console, I have had RROD once on my X360 its aint funny and it is no funnier when it happened to the other console.

    I was quite wrong when I posted yesterday in separate thread that the reports of bricking must be very very rare and everyone should still go ahead and download the firmware. I would not want to be held responsible by anyone.

    From the posts I see, certainly quite few occurrences of the problem, quite enough for Sony to pull it and whilst they should have tested the firmware more throughly, still the hiccups will always happen, and applauding them for acting quickly on reports of problems.

    Will expect to see updates on this problem from Sony and EG.
    Edited by 1 at 03/07/08 @ 09:48

  • bad09 #27 4 years ago

    @ kj66246

    Very true, just like the 3-10 RRODs the PS fanboy plants experience with 360 :)

  • KayJay #28 4 years ago

    @GamesConnoisseur - They are all at Skool.
    :-)

  • stevencole7 #29 4 years ago

    No probs here either. 2.4 working a treat....

  • Gradius #30 4 years ago

    So if I own an out of warranty system and the update borks it, will Sony send me a new system ASAP free of charge with a letter and free gift by way of apology....or not?

  • Beano #31 4 years ago

    @farticusmaximus: Ok?.. I wasn't aiming at you btw... just in case.

    PS. I'm a Xbox 360 owner myself. I'm talking about sad "fanboys" and not "owners".

  • KayJay #32 4 years ago

    Weired that, I have had 4 RROD's and I have never even owned a threefixme ;-)

  • Beano #33 4 years ago

    "When the new firmware arrives I really hope they include some trophies for exsisting titles. "

    Will not happen.

  • systems #34 4 years ago

    It worked ok for me, but the Super Stardust update kept rebooting me. Took about 5 attempts (and reboots) to get the update started.
    Edited by 2 at 03/07/08 @ 09:26

  • prolific8 #35 4 years ago

    ps3lol.

  • rob76 #36 4 years ago

    This gen teaches us that Microsoft is not a hardware company and Sony is not a software company. They should join forces and produce a killer machine.

  • AJUK #37 4 years ago

    Always makes me nervous when installing an update like this. At least if my 360 gets bricked I know I have another year or so left on my free three years replacement. My new PS3 is not covered by anything like that :( It's always nervewracking, that said mine seems to be working fine at the momnt, so i guess I'm one of the lucky ones?

  • CannonAnBall #38 4 years ago

    Everything works fine. I did however have to try 3 times for SSHD to start downloading/install.

    My only gripe is that I wish things were a little quicker.
    Edited by 1 at 03/07/08 @ 09:40

  • JonFE #39 4 years ago

    "I call Bull on this story."

    Apparently Sony doesn't.

  • Madafunkola #40 4 years ago

    On the subject of borked updates, I put PES 06 (X360) in the other day for a bit of a kick around with my buddy, it downloaded an update and now it won't load at all. Anyone else had this?

  • DrDamn #41 4 years ago

    @AJUK
    Unless the update causes a RRoD no you aren't covered for 3 years.

    I think the lack of gloating from the more intelligent 360 fans is probably related to the fact that the last two fall updates for the 360 have had similar issues. As Farticus said, it's not the first and won't be the last issue like this.

  • GamesConnoisseur #42 4 years ago

    Fair comment, should have simply said see no Xbots.....yet!

    Fanboyism is tiring where ever they come from, so if by end of today there is no Xbot rabid spewings and also vice versa in this single thread, that would be certainly a big day in my book!

  • yupyup #43 4 years ago

    This is Living.

  • bioreit #44 4 years ago

    @ rhubarbandcustard

    Nice to see the kneejerk reaction of a true fanboy there. Did you actually read the article? Did you read the link to the OFFICIAL US Playstation blog? I'm guessing no. They have received actual calls to their helpline, so is not just constrained to the Internet.

    This is a genuine problem on a limited scale and Sony are doing the right thing in pulling the update until they get it sorted so that no other users get affected.

    I think you owe Rob and Eurogamer an apology for accusing them of lying. If you don't, it just proves how utterly unreasonable and blinded by faith you and your ilk are.

  • elmerfudd #45 4 years ago

    mine was fine..

    (crosses fingers that it will remain fine)

  • OnlyMe #46 4 years ago

    Looks like I'll be backing up my data before a new system upgrade from now on. Just in case, you know.

  • makeamazing #47 4 years ago

    @ rhubarbandcustard dont talk such rubbish.

    Its not muck spreading, I am a PS3 owner and pro sony... but having a 3 month old machine die because of a firmware update is pretty upsetting. Of course it will be a big issue to anyone its happened to, even if its only a small number. The machine isnt cheap. But to be honest i feel most sorry for anyone whos machine is out of warrenty, I hope they get replacement machines.

    I was lucky I was able to take it back to the shop and get a new replacement machine, but Sony were offering me a reconditioned replacement machine...so i was fortunate i contacted the place i purchased it from. The only downside is that there doesnt seem to be much stock of PS3's anywhere in the area i live.

  • Eighthours #48 4 years ago

    @GamesConnoisseur - They are all at Skool.

    Given that in your previous post you couldn't use the correct form of "they're", I presume you're playing truant.

  • Gradius #49 4 years ago

    I always wait a few days before updating firmware just in case this exact kind of thing happens, so luckily I hadn't gone near 2.4 yet. I'd still like to know what Sony will do for customers with out of warranty systems that their latest update borked though...

    I've read on other forums (and in fact the forum here on EG) that if you're out of warranty you have to pay to get it fixed even though the problem is directly caused by Sony's firmware? If that's true, it can't be right, can it?

  • Darren #50 4 years ago

    @penhalion - I'm absolutely sure that Sony promised last year that the PS3 would get less regular firmware updates but with more features but so far this year we seem to have the usual one update at least per month! As you said, the more firmware updates you do the more likely it is that something will go wrong during the process, I suspect that's why Microsoft decided to restrict the 360's to just two per year or less (as in the case of this year). I really wish Sony would do the same because most of these updates only contain minor features and in the case of this v2.40 update it's clear that the ingame XMB is unfinished/incomplete. On the one hand I can understand this approach, adding fewer features means they're easier to test, but it is annoying and worrying for PS3 owners when these firmware updates are so bloody frequent.

  • agparrot #51 4 years ago

    Seems to me that this is a pretty open and honest way of Sony going about fiixing the problem - some of the confusion and silence surrounding issues of 360 'bricking' always seemed particularly frustrating. I hope those fellows who were in the forum with these problems yesterday get theirs sorted out alright.

  • tonynibbles #52 4 years ago

    Like a charm for me on my launch day unit.

  • Darren #53 4 years ago

    @rhubarbandcustard - I'm sorry but ALL firmware updates carry with them a small element of risk because of what they are (i.e. hardware updates) and how they're installed, whether they're on the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii or PC (graphics cards, BIOS, etc.). All it takes is a power surge or some minor corruption during the install and that's it, your console/PC may not even boot up anymore.

    There's absolutely no way in hell that any manufacturer can guarantee that they'll install flawlessly and maintain a 100% track record. All they can do is ensure that any potential risks are kept to an absolutely minimum, e.g. Microsoft keep their firmware updates down to a maximum of two per year plus they're incremental I believe to keep them small and quick. Same for the Wii.

    The PS3 is a bit different since each firmware update is over 100 MB in size, not incremental and thus are presumably a complete rewrite so obviously that means there is a far greater risk that something will go wrong during the update. Kudos to them that problems so far have been limited but don't kid yourself that everyone was able to update to v2.40 without any problems. I'm sure that isn't the case at all.

  • Kengro #54 4 years ago

    Mine's dead, and i'm pissed... MS used 3 weeks to fix my 360, i do assume that Sony, with a lot less broken consoles will get it done in approx the same time. If they can't do that someone will get theyr ears full on the phone, this is pure bullshit and should never have happened

  • Darren #55 4 years ago

    @banfoi - Unless you update the firmware you cannot sign in to the PSN so in that respect the PS3 is no different from the Xbox 360 because you cannot sign into and use Xbox LIVE without updating either. You can, of course, cancel the update and still play games offline on both systems.

  • septimus #56 4 years ago

    Running fine here. It has happened before though, a 360 (one of six) died through a firmware update.

    Shit happens, just usually very uncommon.

  • DrDamn #57 4 years ago

    @Darren
    Yes MS do restrict main feature updates to 2 a year but there have been updates between these which have been little more than stability patches. Sony have had a few too many of these recently and a PS3 firmware update is a hell of a lot more hassle than a 360 one.

  • escapedape #58 4 years ago

    The last 360 fall update RROD'd my machine, so I totally sympathise with any owner of any console who experiences this. To have such an expensive piece of kit become totally useless due to circumstances beyond your control is incredibly frustrating.

    That said, I have no sympathy for anyone leaving deliberately loaded comments about 'xbots' or substituting an S with a $ (see M$ or $ony) or those who choose not to believe there are issues on both sides of the fence. Using 'xbot' or whatever the Sony variant is makes you just as bad as the so-called fanboys.

    And if someone is upset enough to have been saddled with a now useless machine -ANY of the consoles, i'm not just talking the PS3 - that shouldn't be someone else's cue to suddenly declare a personal victory for their console of choice, or to just point and laugh.

    There is clearly an issue here, otherwise Sony wouldn't have pulled it. And a small number of consoles affected still means that some poor gamers are without a console for the time being. Not good.

  • johnnybrn #59 4 years ago

    Might be a good time to go out and enjoy the summer?

  • KayJay #60 4 years ago

    @ Eighthours - Gamma attacks there the worst... *

    *sorry about the speiling mistakes and my grammar.

    /runs to English class

  • escapedape #61 4 years ago

    @johnnybrn

    You don't think that people can enjoy the summer AND play games?

    Thanks for the valuable input.

    PS Torrential rain here right now!

  • Rodster #62 4 years ago

    I live in the US, installed the 2.4 update on my launch day 60GB PS3 and have had no issues whatsoever. I think for the most part bricked consoles are somewhat limited to a few. Better to be safe than sorry if your Sony so I can understand them pulling the update.

  • Prime #63 4 years ago

    How embarrassing

  • muscleblade #64 4 years ago

    "Unlike the 360, the PS3 does not force you to update as soon as you turn it on, so at least peple had a choice to hold off. "

    WRONG again! This works the exact same way on both consoles. You can choose to update later on any 360 update if you want but you have to stay offline with the game or the console the update is for.
    Edited by 1 at 03/07/08 @ 12:04

  • BobsUncle #65 4 years ago

    Jesus, PS3 lovers sure are touchy. The first page of posts pretty much says "Oh my god, something has gone wrong with the PS3, I'd better start slagging off the Xbots".

    @banfoi
    I would point out your error about 360 dashboard updates but Muscleblade already did that, I suggest if you want to slag something off you get the correct facts first.

    And before you start pointing your 'Xbot' finger, I own both consoles, and I believe Muscleblade does too.

  • BobsUncle #66 4 years ago

    "All it takes is one retard to sent a complaint to sony and they have to pull it for precaution."

    Er.. No. It takes a bit more than that, you do realise how much it cost's to pull a product?

  • hammerstein07 #67 4 years ago

    "It's a free firmware update, BobsUncle. It costs nothing to pull it for a few days to check it. "

    It costs a whole heck of a lot, they have to retask development effort back to fixing something that the developers had moved on from. This thing would most likely have been completed a week or two ago and gone to QA for testing. They are highly unlikely to pull it for a single complaint, but once they start thinking "Oh, this isn't user error" then they are going to pull it even if it was 10 people complaining. This might be a simple, "Oh, we forgot to take out the KILL_HDD switch", or it could be, "Oh, when this happens at the same time as this, why does this happen".. so, they now have developers frantically trying to figure out what went wrong. Paid developers.

  • agparrot #68 4 years ago

    "
    And I STILL can't find anyone who has had a problem with this firmware O.o     "

    You don't have to look far.

    I think it is fairly unlikely Sony would pull the firmware upgrade unless they thought it was necessary. They may not know exactly what the cause is, but I think it is admirable that they haven't just stuck their heads in the sand and ignored it.

  • BobsUncle #69 4 years ago

    Thank you hammerstein. You obviously realise even a mere software update is made by human programmers who don't work for free.

    @Evilfoxhound
    Maybe I'll try that at work, when I get a bug to fix I'll just leave it for a few days then come back to it and it'll be fixed.

  • dom6918 #70 4 years ago

    we might be at skool...but you guys are all at home on the doll ;)

    i have a PS3 too...2.4 worked fine..still prefer my xbox..that might change when i get MGS4 and the DS3 tomorrow :)

  • captain_Ketch #71 4 years ago

    Okay, here's my 10p worth..............

    ......On MONDAY (two days before the install was released!), my PS3 died a horrible death.

    It wouldn't start up properly. It would get to the XMB and after a couple of seconds it would freeze completely. Once restarted (buy holding down standby button) I would get the exact same problem over and over again.

    I phoned Sony and they immediately arranged for a replacement unit to be sent out to me (expected tomorrow).

    So, unless its a complete co-incidence that my 60Gb launch model would pack up two days BEFORE the patch was released, I would suggest that this might not be the fault of the 2.4 firware update.

    For those of you that may question the facts of this statement, feel free to check out my posting on the official PS3 forum (Thread title - PS3 freezing at start up) which was posted on Monday (30/06/08).

  • Zander #72 4 years ago

    @BobsUncle

    Your code is usually riddled with bugs anyway. Making any sort of change would most likely fix at least one error by total chance (an introduce another 3) :-)

  • Darren #73 4 years ago

    @dom6918 - "we might be at skool...but you guys are all at home on the doll" ;)

    Oh the irony... you mean dole not doll, yeah, and it's school not skool. Clearly, someone's been skipping English lessons! LOL

    P.S. Many of us are at work and post during our breaks, including our extended lunch ones! :p

  • chanderzz #74 4 years ago

    glad i was at work all day, i missed updating mine. Not a good day for sony! Apparently they cant get anything right this generation!

    Better luck next gen!

  • BobsUncle #75 4 years ago

    @Zander

    Sheep3D kicks Asteroids3D arse.

  • Zee-Zed-Zipster #76 4 years ago

    updated last night... bricked.

  • DrDamn #77 4 years ago

    @captain_Ketch
    If people are getting a lock up directly after the patch then this is no coincidence. Here there is a clear link to installing the patch and an issue straight away, if you installed and didn't have a problem then you are fine (for this particular issue).

  • Zander #78 4 years ago

    "Sheep3D kicks Asteroids3D arse."

    Oh.... :-(

  • johnnybrn #79 4 years ago

    @ dom6918,

    A lot of us are at work supposedly working ;)

    Stay in skool my friend, work sux!
    Edited by 1 at 03/07/08 @ 14:28

  • captain_Ketch #80 4 years ago

    DrDamn,

    I'm not saying that there is definitely no connection between the 2.4 update and my problem. Just that its a bit of a coincidence and that the problem MIGHT not be directly connected to the 2.40 update!

    I was just stating that my error (which is remarkably similiar to the descriptions on the this thread of other people's issues) happened to my machine 2 days BEFORE the patch was released.

    The fact that a number of people are having this problem directly after the update leads to me to a number of possible hypothesis:
    1) The update (or least some component of it) is flawed and is affecting the base code of the console, or
    2) A pre-update release of software (think of it as a update 'primer') was released a couple of days before and automtically applied to my PS3 without my knowledge.............. which would go some way to explaining my issue.

    Both are valid possiblities, but as I'm not a Sony engineer or party to their software release management process......... I can only guess.

  • DrDamn #81 4 years ago

    @Captain_Ketch
    There is no connection between your problem and this. First off 2) is no way even a possibility. Secondly from your own description "It would get to the XMB and after a couple of seconds it would freeze completely." - that's not what is happening here. It never gets to the XMB from my understanding (and the vid on youtube) it just sits there with waveness in the background.

  • TONYgr #82 4 years ago

    nothing odd here.sony fraks up yet another time in this gen.thank god mine works fine!
    Edited by 1 at 03/07/08 @ 15:45

  • 3william56 #83 4 years ago

    No problems here - early 60 gigger.
    But did remind me to back up the HDD for the first time in 6 months.

  • jaedeeh #84 4 years ago

    Is this specific to any ps3 i have 40g and mine works fine

  • Necanthrope #85 4 years ago

    Installed without incident on my 60gig. I've not seen an issues yet either.

  • bonker #86 4 years ago

    Smacks of a bit of desperation this - bricking your own consoles with your own(???) s/w ...

  • aidey6 #87 4 years ago

    downloaded yesterday morning, played Lego SW with my daughter earlier this evening no hassles with it.

  • elementality #88 3 years ago

    My PS3 suddenly stopped reading disks one day. I tried to watch a video online showing how to fix it yourself and became confused in 2 seconds. I figured it would be best to let professionals fix it instead of myself. While searching the web I found http://www.videogame911. com . I saw that they were part of the better business bureau so I knew they were legit. They fixed my PS3 quickly and had it back to me within the week. If your going to send your system to anyone, I would say send it to them.