Sony’s troubles with PSN just will not go away. Earlier today, reports surfaced that a PSN password reset exploit had been identified, once again throwing the security of the service into question. Now, word is beginning to spread that the PlayStation 3 hardware itself is in some cases being affected by the ongoing PSN debacle.
As previously reported, PlayStation 3 systems must first be updated with firmware 3.61 before going back on the PlayStation Network. However, the update may be causing as many problems as it is solving, at least for owners of older PS3s.
Though many players no doubt greeted the long awaited release of Rockstar’s LA Noire this week with open arms, some PlayStation 3 owners may find the title hard to play. Why? Because their systems are shutting down mid-game, and the Rockstar Games support page suggests that firmware 3.61 may be to blame.
The original post appears to have been removed from the Rockstar Support website, but the text has been preserved by Eurogamer.
“We have received some reports of PS3s overheating while playing L.A. Noire or beeping three times before shutting down/turning themselves off, mostly on older 60GB and 80GB fat models.”
“Primary reports seem to be that updating to firmware 3.61 will cause PlayStations to overheat. There have been various reports of this on a few different games now, all reporting their PS3s turning off or ‘Red Lighting’ after having installed 3.61.”
“This can range from games randomly freezing to PS3s turning off anywhere between 30 mins use to two hours. We have confirmed locally that multiple games (Rockstar and non-Rockstar) overheat or freeze only when 3.61 is installed.”
“At this time we are recommending contacting Sony directly to report the overheating issue. However, this is not the end of our support; we are continuing to test L.A. Noire on all firmware versions and hardware models to isolate the issues and see what can be done. As always, we will update this article as soon as we have updates.”
The reason for removing the original post from the Rockstar Support forums is unclear, though Rockstar does not appear to be shying away from the assertion that firmware 3.61 is causing problems for players. A post under the topic “What to do if you are Crashing or Freezing in LA Noire” reads:
“The issues of PS3s overheating appears to be due to the latest Sony firmware update. We recommend contacting Sony if your console is shutting off during play.”
LA Noire fans should take heart, though. The Support rep goes on to state that the first LA Noire patch is on the way, and that it “addresses a large variety of general game stability issues as well as specific problems.” Still, if Rockstar is right and firmware 3.61 is responsible for overheating problems on older PS3 models, LA Noire may only be the first of several games affected.
Have any of you experienced overheating problems since updating to firmware 3.61? Have you encountered any troubles playing LA Noire on PlayStation 3? Let us know in the comments below.
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Source: Eurogamer, Rockstar Support
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I recently like so many others out there excitedly hurryed to my PS3 60 gig Fat and updated to the latest Firm ware 3.61 in the hopes that Sony finally got a handle on the issues with the PSN!
WRONG!!!!!
After installing it changing my password, EST., I once again began playing COD Black Ops online! I’d say 30 to 45 minutes into playing it, my PS3 over heated blinked red and shut down on its own! I am over 40yo…yes 40yo, and have had this PS3 since Day 1! Never had a problem with it, I take care of it just like I do all my electronics, and now after about 30 to 45 minutes of online play time it will shut itself off! I am and have always been a loyal Playstation customer, but I have to say Sony you’re really pushing it! I feel betrayed, and i realize the PSN outage isn’t All they’re fault, however i paid alot for this PS3 because its backwards compatable and I trusted Sony with my investment as well as my personel information. Honestly I’m tired of exzcuses, and Ive been patient enough, as have millions of other people around the world!
I not only expect, but I demand Sony address this new issue with the older PS3′s overheating due to the 3.61 FW update, and its not a coiensadence, that hundreds, or thousands of people are having this same issue, as soon as they insatlled the update! I have way to much time and money invested into my Sony products for them to just dismiss this as a coiensadence, and if and when its proven that this FW is causing this issue I want a NEW PS3 from Sont to replace my now damaged one due to their mandatory update.
While I’m at it I would like to also say that I realize you can’t make everyone happy when choosing free games to welcome us all back to the PSN. So why choose for us, just give everyone a descent PSN credit into our accounts and let us choose! Again being an loyal PS customer, I’ve already owned Infamous, little Big planet, and wipeout, for Years! i mean really!???
Enough is Enough! Fix these issues, and compensate us all or you will loose the next generation ystem battles, this is your oppertunity to show me and the world that there really was a reason to believe in the name…..Sony!
Disappointed
webou812
mine just fryed yesterday, i have fat 80gb and it was running like a charm till yesterday, so i called playstation and they want to charge me 185$ to service it and they also claim that the new firmware cannot make your ps3 overheat, bull. Because of their unprotected network my indentity can be stolen and my credit cause i had my credit card number on psn, they are laughing at us. I’m done, I will never give another penny to sony.
No my friend,you don’t understand.This whole psn downtime cost Sony a load of money.
Letting our poor consumers PS’3 overheat,and charging us with the repairs is just one smart way of getting some of there money back.
This happened to mine as well, but running a game as big as LA noir can easily fry your ps3. Just look at red dead.
my copy of LA Noire arrived this morning in the mail having pre-ordered it. Have been playing it now for 5-6 hours and only stopped to have my dinner and check my emails. My original 60GB Backwards compatible fat PS3 is working like a dream and i havent had any issues since update 3.61.
i mean AS IF a FIRMWARE/software update could actually PHYSICALLY make your PS3 overheat (!!!) its just ridiculous. its probably LA Noire. The thing is on 3 (!!!) disks on the shoebox so it just shows you how big the game is and therefore how taxing it probably is to the console.
like i said my original fat 60gb (upgraded to 500gb hdd) PS3 is working absolutely fine. give your PS3s some ventilation and maybe point a fan at it if your playing for long periods people.
This is a troll, right? Since the game itself is software? I mean, trolling, right?
Please?
Anyway, 3.61 appears to have killed my optical drive in an instant, so I’m a download-only game now… Oh, the irony.
Your ps3s optical drive was going to fail at that point anyway, because its right after you updated your firmware your naturally going to assume its because of the update. Its not. I totally understand peoples frustrations but its just NOT POSSIBLE that the firmware/software could physically DISABLE your console. I NEVER said that LA Noire was to blame, I know thats software i just said its a big game GB wise so long periods could make your console work hard so keep it ventilated.
Your PS3 was going to fail with or without the update/LA Noire. It sucks i know but trust me, i know what im talking about, the game OR 3.61 is not capable of breaking any components in your console.
Its just not possible. Its like saying putting out of date bread in your toaster will break your toaster – it couldnt/wouldnt. I know, rubbish comparison but you get the picture right?
most of the people claiming their ps3 died cant spell or form proper sentences.
“most of the people claiming their ps3 died cant spell or form proper sentences.”
Most of the people claiming their PS3 died can’t spell or form proper sentences.
i think huge games are comming soon in 2012 and PS3 will be like PS2 i just wonder WHY the hELL they don’t release IT for PC , RDR also
this sums up what PSN users are thinking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yhQcDgMon8
Known for its aesthetic value as well as its unique creativity, LA Noire offers a backdrop that is a “meticulously re-created city of Los Angeles.” http://bit.ly/m0JKRI
My ps3 freeze too, and its a 320 or was it a 260gb slim…. it gets constantly overheated while playing black ops or browsing the web, and this all happend after installing the 3.61 firmware, plus this freaking update even ”crashed” my fifa 11 save game making it absolutely eunplayable unless you enjoy 20 seconds of hardcore bidding on players
it. is . not. possible. for. a. firmware. update. to. physically. break. your. hardware. ESPECIALLY as now a ps3 SLIM owner has come forward with the complaint/MYTH. Its just NOT possible for software to do that. your PS3 slim was going to start overheating/malfunctioning whether you updated your firmware or not. so naturally you blame the update. But again, its just NOT possible.
Its not the update or the game disc, its the console. Why would it act up now?
Had a ps3 fat and couldn’t enjoy FF13, it was unplayable 90% of the time. Some other games worked fine and I can’t be certain for other players but before the update there were probably no signs of impending failure (am I right?).
Saying the update is not responsible is also understandable: in the article the support rep did state that a patch was on its way.
Simply put, it could very well be due to several factors- the brand (failure rate), the individual console itself (wear and tear), the update, and the game (requires patches).
The consumer has some control over the console’s treatment and can wait for the patches, but the brand and the update belong to Sony and there’s no helping that.
Been playing other ps3 games fine , when i came to La Noire the fan sounds like its from a hover craft. Im scared to continue playing incase it frys my ps3.
after the update, my phat 80gig PS3 ONLY freezes when I’m logged onto PSN.. why??!!
i can play games perfectly fine if I’m logged off.
Once I logon, NOTHING works.. i can’t even LOAD a game..
Sony is starting to really piss me off.