We’re well used to PlayStation 3 firmware updates by now, and they’ve really improved the speed with which they download and install. So, you might just press your way through the options and prompts and get the new firmware installed as swiftly as you can so that you can get into your games. But, we’re hearing troubling reports that might mean it’s best to hold off on the update for a while.
There have been plenty of reports on the US PlayStation support forums (I assume most of Europe is still asleep) of the update bricking PS3s. For clarity: It appears that this update is completely killing some PlayStation 3 consoles. Do not download and install it until we get the all clear.
The update is mostly for stability purposes, although it also allows users to switch off trophy notifications. It’s not like it’s a big loss to wait a couple of days while Sony investigates and fixes this potential problem. Don’t forget that if you’re a PS Plus subscriber, you might have your console set to auto download and install these updates too – it might be worth digging into your settings (Settings > System Settings > Automatic Update > Off) and switching that off.
Update: Looking into this a little deeper, it seems like it’s mostly PS3s with 750GB and 1TB hard drives that are being stricken. So it might be an issue with larger, self-installed drives. Still, better safe than sorry.
Source: US PS Support
TSBonyman
That’s worrying, i have 1Tb hdd and PS+ downloaded the firmware updae but thankfully didn’t install. Interestingly when i turned on my PS3 to check, it still signed into psn so the firmware must not be mandatory.
skibadee
it was mandatory last night wiped my whole 1TB harddrive pissed off.
Wardy-77-
Nasty! lucky i didn’t go offline till the early hours, i may have signed back in seen it and installed it and wiped my 1TB, also luckily my auto update never downloaded it otherwise i may have installed it before seeing it on TSA.
freezebug2
I think that they’ve pulled the new firmware but for anyone that might have installed it and got the brick all is not lost. Wait until Sony bring out a firmware fix (4.46 probs) but don’t try any system restore options until then. Go into Safe Mode on the PS3 and use the ‘system update’ from the options list with the firmware fix that Sony should release.
Safe mode guide:
https://support.us.playstation.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1488/kw/safe%20mode
freezebug2
Ignore, all of this info is in another front page article that appeared as this post was being typed!
Wardy-77-
WHATA MISTAKEA TO MAKEA!
wirralsman
Sony do say that HDDs “up to 500GB” are supported. I know people that use 500GB+ though, with no issue up until now. They mustn’t have a 1TB HDD in any of their test systems they use before they push an update out
cc_star
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Turn off Trophy notifications!
Best FW update EVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa
suck69
I manually downloaded the patch at 5am this morning. It installed as normal and rebooted fine, the new trophy on/off is now in the settings. I have just tried it again now I’m home from work and it started up just fine and loaded up the PSN store perfectly. If it helps I have a 500gb HDD in my PS slim.