Typical of Sony to deny anything. I'm a bit scared to update as I mostly use my PS3 for Blu-ray movies and thats exactly what this update can destroy... reading Blu-ray movies.

Atleast with Microsoft, I've always had success in getting them to own up and fix any problems I've had. And I remember that Nintendo did the same thing earlier when an update bricked a few consoles. But Sony plays a dangerous game when Blu-ray worked perfectly for people and after the update it doesn't.

"The Wii update was apparently designed to disable consoles that had been modded by pirates"

It wasn't designed to "disable" modded consoles, but to delete the modifications. Big difference in that the consoles were still suppose to be usable after the update whether they were modded or not.

My ps3 is a brick now... because my son deposited 26 cents into the bluray player and we didn't know. When we started up a game afterwards, we got the red blink of death.

$400 down the toilet. Great! I wish I could fix it... the slim is looking attractive right about now.

Ah, yes. I avoided this problem by not updating. I'm not inclined to update willy-nilly since my Wii was purchased in China pre-modded (because you won't find any shop in China that sells virgin Wiis, mind out of the gutter please). I would have gotten one shipped from America or Japan if the Chinese postal service didn't have a penchant for taking things they like... oh, not to mention the duty I'd have to pay at Customs.

As cool as the new features of consoles are, it really sucks that you're at the whims of not just hardware failure, but arbitrary decisions by the manufacturer as to whether or not you can use what you bought.

I'm going to go ahead and admit that despite having owned our PS3 for two years now, we haven't done an update since maybe the third month we've owned it, and we haven't purchased a new game since maybe the first month after we bought the console.

I have to chalk that up to a big win in the "attention span" category - we've been playing the same game (GTA) for a very, very long time.

I noticed on my beatles rockband that the notes wouldn't show up on my Wii when playing online co-op. I assumed the update addressed this. On a semi related note I was thinking about buying that chip that allows you to play DVD's on it. Does any savvy consumerist have an opinion about whether or not a chip that as far as I know could be taken out before installing any updates (it's a flash card similar to the one that is used for extra memory) could result it a bricked Wii?

@milrtime83: I was wondering about that... removing the mods, I can understand. But sending updates to brick systems that were modded seems REALLY shady/slightly illegal.

@JimBoSlobish: If you're up for a bit of DIY, open that drive and see if you can remove the change and fix it. If that doesn't work, you can always get another drive for about $140 (check Google Shopping). Sucks, but sure beats $400!

@JimBoSlobish: There's gotta be a way to fix that. I bet you can open it up and figure it out, or get some cheap parts on ebay and do it. I've fixed several similar electronic devices going those routes, without any real experience.

Do Wii/PS3 owners HAVE to take the updates or is it optional? With my 360, it's required to do the update if you ever want to sign into xbox live, which pretty much makes it a required thing

I no longer update my PS3 or Wii until a couple weeks after the firmware has hit. Every PS3 update in the last few months has come with a flood of "It bricked my system" posts from users. The last 3 Wii updates have had the same issue.

Ive had a couple Xbox 360's RROD on me but never has an update screwed the system up, and at least when the system RROD's Microsoft will admit fault fix it for free.

@downwithmonstercable: Ack, wait. I have to halfway retract my previous post in this thread. We have done updates, when we bought Rock Band or one of the Guitar Hero versions. But this was before they could turn your console into a potential door prop. I think you're actually required to install the update if the game requires it to run, but we haven't gotten any prompts to install any new ones whenever we put in an older game, like GTA.

OKAY CONSUMERIST... here is the deal. I am about to go out and grab lunch. I need you to promise me that you will not post the open thread within the next 30 minutes. Kthxbai.

@wrekxx: Chip? DVD-X + MPlayer is all you need, no hardware required. I've never heard of such a thing ever, in fact. If you install the updated versions of everything it will still be there when you install 4.2 (because it updates the bootloader to the new hacked version that won't be overwritten by this update).

@downwithmonstercable: Wii requires updates for shop channel unless you can figure out how to separately update the shop channel (not impossible at all).

@pecan 3.14159265: The Wii has sets of drivers that give the games access to peripherals, known as IOS. The benefit to this is that the drivers to use things are embedded in silos of IOSes so bad behavior of one wouldn't influence the other, and that titles that use peripherals in a common way can share the component. Also, if a game REQUIRES a particular bug to be in place, pointing to the bugged IOS is supposed to be regressive in that the bad behavior still exists, even though a different, fixed IOS may exist.

Disk-carried updates typically only add the IOS if it finds that the Wii doesn't have it. System updates (like the last one) can add IOS drivers. For homebrew, they take over a few of the high-numbered IOS (227 and 252, IIRC) so they can install their own drivers that enable neat stuff. This last update put dummy IOS drivers in those magic positions in the hopes that homebrew installers could get it wrong and kill the machine (so Nintendo could play "told ya so"), or they do the responsible thing and present lots of scary messages that migth scare people off.

Worth noting that before the latest announcement that N will fix bricked systems for free is that they were demanding $85, since the only way to fix a borked boot2 is to replace the motherboard. (Cue The Price is Right triple-horn fail sound.)

I updated my console with the latest update and it did not brick my Wii. Apparently its bricking Wii's that are not modded and Wii's that are. It has something to do with the crappy Wii update system, if your wireless internet or power goes out while updating then you are screwed.

At least on the PSP you download the update THEN install it, so you are not installing while connected to the internet. If the download is not completed there should be no problem. The only way you could brick is if your battery goes out during the update and it won't install unless the battery is above 75% anyways. Plugging it in to an outlet is recommended but if a power outage occurs while updating I think you can brick. However that scenario is highly unlikely.

@MostlyHarmless: Request denied.

@Ratty: I bought a PS3 a few weeks ago...the first console I've had since the original Playstation. I naively didn't realize the same sort of infrastructure is in place with today's consoles that exists with PC games, namely connecting to game and update servers and downloading patches, updates, etc.

I guess I can see some benefits to the consumer, but between DRM and this sort of thing, I think the whole industry (for PC and console gaming) sucks now. It's too big, too corporate, too formal. I feel like I'm in some dystopian scifi thriller.

It's time to find a new hobby.

I personally have a problem with a manufacturer deliberately disabling modifications to a unit I purchased. I bought it, it's mine. If they want to void the warranty, fine, but don't intentionally break the machine (I would consider an update deliberately removing my preferences/mods as 'breaking' it).

@Outrun1986: Not quite. What this update does that other updates didn't is that it's rewriting bootloader code. Other updates never did that. And their bootloader update code is buggy, resulting in failed writes. They're dumb enough to rely on a buggy process to update the bootloader, but not even they are dumb enough to update the bootloader as the code is downloading from the internet. Previous updates that brick can be fixed without sending the console to Nintendo because the bootloader was never touched (and if you have the hacked bootloader you can even recover it yourself; why can't Nintendo include that?).

@JimBoSlobish:

I've already dismantled the ps3 and got the change out, but I don't have the tools to open the bluray player, as it takes these really tiny screws.

I'll try google shopping, because I know I can replace the drive farily easily. I've actually looked around for a drive, but couldn't find it. Hmmm... I heard Sony will repair units too, is this true? I'd honestly rather pay Sony to fix it knowing that they should know what they're doing, and so I don't really screw anything up.

@downwithmonstercable: It would be the electronic equivalent of them breaking into your house and smashing your console with a hammer. Even if you're doing something illegal, that's vigilantism.

"It's a good week for Microsoft and its fanboys, because both Playstation 3 and Wii gamers are reporting recent system updates are rendering their consoles nothing more than bricks."

The Xbox 360 does not need a firmware update to brick it...the console will do that on its own, just turn on, wait, and in a few months you will probably receive a Red Ring of Death. Convenient brickage with no software to download!

@wrekxx: my b/f downloaded homebrew onto an sd card for my wii, and it plays dvd's now, using a free program downloaded through homebrew. the wii's are already capable of playing them, nintendo just didn't want you to. and you can use any sd 'memory' card, not just the ones nintendo sells.

couldn't give you specifics, but there is a homebrew wiki page and videos how to do everything (unless you've updated this latest update.) homebrew also lets you know if it's safe to update each time nintendo releases one, so this brick thing doesn't happen.

@JimBoSlobish: Make sure to send it me, for proper disposal.

@pecan 3.14159265: Heh... sounds like me. I can play the same game for 3+ years without getting bored pretty easily. But I am picky about which games I play.

@henrygates: Don't you know that altering the firmware of a computing device that you own can lead to terrorism threats? That is what Apple says!
[www.wired.com]

I haven't fired up my Wii in a while, though I probably should just to see if mine bricks or not.

@JimBoSlobish: I think you mean $400.26 down the drain.

@Rachacha: But as least Microsoft takes their brick back and sends you a new console with no hassle.

I haven't heard the same success stories from any Sony customers (can't vouch for Nintendo, don't know anyone who's Wii has died).

@rpm773: For what it's worth, the Wii is pretty poor in terms of online, so it doesn't support any patching of the games themselves. Crappy online FTW? :D

@henrygates: I happen to agree with you. This would be like buying a car and then being told that you can't put any after-market or even home-made parts in it, and if the manufacturer finds out that you did, they somehow permanently disable your vehicle. If you have paid for and OWN the console, you can turn it into a planter for all you care - no company should be able to dictate what you can or can't do after making the purchase.

@downwithmonstercable: Not even slightly illegal. Definitely illegal. It would be like someone breaking into your house and smashing your refrigerator because you used an unauthorized magnet on it.

It's your console. What you do with it after you buy it is none of their business. If they don't like software or firmware mods, they can disallow connections to their network. What they can't do is hack in and brick it.

@Applekid: Many Wii games come with updates and force you to update before the game will run; however, it is possible to block these updates, and I find nearly all games will play without the requested update. (GH5 and Beatles did require the update, though, presumably for the drivers as Applekid mentioned above.)

@Rachacha: That sounds really convenient! Thanks, Microsoft! :D

@Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?: I think it would be more like installing an aftermarket radio in your car, and then when you get your oil changed you come to find they've taken our your radio and put the factory one back in.

Updated both my Wii and PS3 with no problems, including my Wii which has homebrew on it. Homebrew is still there so the update didn't remove it.

@LJKelley: Yeah, this is typical Sony. They did the same thing with the PSX and PS2 - the optical drives were big failure points, but they just completely ignored it. And yes, I know most PSX/PS2 ran years and years without a problem, but there was a fairly high failure rate - at least before the X360 reset the bar on what 'high failure rate means.' But MS replaced the X360 for free, so I feel better treated there.

@jaya9581:

That's not always the case. I think that E74 errors are not covered by the extended warranty, even though it's generally caused by a GPU that has been damaged by overheating.

@backbroken:

touche

@LJKelley: I seem to remember a certain 'red ring of death' issue that Microsoft denied existing for quite some time before owning up to the issue.

@ganzhimself: Actually, the new E74 errors are indeed covered by the RROD warranty. I had mine repaired for free upon advising them of this defect.

@henrygates: No, it would be more like adding an aftermarket computer to your car...and then being told the car no longer meets specificed and tested safety specs. Or an after maret exaust, and then failing a smog test.

Oh...that does happen.

You are modding the systems software (or hardware) both of which are copywirte and/or trademarked which means its a no-no. Especially when done for profit.

@fjordtjie:

It's not that Nintendo "didn't want you to" play DVD's. To enable DVD play back, Nintendo would have had to pay a licensing fee, which would have increased the price of the Wii.

Ever since the embedded audio-CD rootkit fiasco of a couple of years or so ago, I've assiduously avoided Sony products if at all possible... a bit problematic now, as Sony owns Columbia Records, and I've been trying to replace my old Dylan LPs on compact disc.

Fargin' bastidges.

@wrekxx: I can't answer your question, but I agree with the other replies; you just need DVDX.
If you haven't updated to 4.2 yet, go to [www.mikeandheth.com] and just do steps 1 and 2 to get the Homebrew Channel, DVDX, and BootMii installed. Start up the Homebrew Channel and it'll update itself and you'll be prompted to update everything which will avoid any and all problems caused by updating to 4.2.
If you've already updated, go to [hackmii.com] for more info on how to install the big 3.

@Difdi: How so illegal? It's Nintendo's software running on the console. If you modded their software in some way, they have no obligation to support that software because you have changed it. Modders should know better than to update their systems. Apple does the same thing with their iPhone, but neither company has to spend the time and money figuring out how their updates perform on warranty-voiding modifications.

People are free to do what they want with their system, but that doesn't mean Nintendo is responsible for any faults after any modifications.