SONY have once again infuriated PS3 owners around the world today.
They have released a new firmware update that adds zero new features, but only removes the Other OS feature from Phat Model PS3 units.
Why release a update that has less features you ask?
Apparently SONY was concerned about the security of their console after famed hacker Geo Hot found and released an exploit for Other OS.
Hotz posted this on his blog:
Quote:First off, I want to apologize to all the people who use Linux on their PS3. Before releasing, I weighed the pros and cons, and considered the possibility of an impact on OtherOS support. My logic was this. OtherOS support had already been removed from the Slim(not for technical reasons; I believe it only existed in the first place to promote the Cell for IBM) The builders had apparently no intention of including it in future products. So for the purposes of openness why not release? Not like anything else has(or probably will be) done on the PS3.
Now you go and remove a feature that people expected to be included with the expensive device they purchased, citing "security concerns". What security concerns? It's not like the exploit can be run even close to without the users knowledge. You have to open the fudgeing thing up. How could this harm users? Your blog post doesn't list positive reasons for upgrading like I think most users expect. Instead it lists things you will lose if you don't upgrade. Seriously?
The PlayStation 3 is the only product I know that loses features throughout it's life cycle. Software PS2 emulation, SACD playback, and OtherOS support are all just software switches you can flip. It's unbelievable you would go and flip one, not just on new boxes you are shipping, but on tens of millions already in the field.
Again I'm sorry users. Sony, I expected more from you.
OK, so firmware 3.21 is live. Here is how to update without losing Other OS support:
- On your PS3, sign out of PSN
- Download and install PS3.ProxyServer.GUI here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?ywnmy1wykzi
- It doesn't create shortcuts so navigate to C:\Program Files\CF3B5\PS3.ProxyServer and run PS3.ProxyServer.GUI.exe
- Type your current LOCAL IP ADDRESS (probably 192.168.*.*), you can leave the port as 8080, check PS3 Mode
- Whatever port you use must be open on your router, so if 8080 is blocked, open it now
- Go to the Replace Files tab and click Add
- In the left box, paste this address:
http://fus01.ps3.update.playstation.net/...st/us/ps3- updatelist.txt
- In the right box, click browse and find your LOCAL COPY of the 3.15 ps3-updatelist.txt file, download from here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?dyjldy24yod
- Back to the Proxy Settings tab, click Start
- From your PS3's XMB, go to Settings, Network Settings, then Internet Connection Settings
- Keep everything the way you have it configured now except for the Proxy Server option, make sure you click Use
- Type the IP address and port number to your local computer (from step 4 above)
- Finish configuring, test connection, make sure it connects
- That's it. If the connection test works, you can now sign into PSN with 3.15 and bypass the 3.21 firmware check
- Note that you must keep PS3.ProxyServer.GUI running when you want to use your PS3 until wee get CFW
So there it is. A lot of people didn't believe that SONY would remove the Other OS feature.
But unfortunately, it turns out that this is no April Fool's joke people. So if you want to keep other OS, you will need to update using the above method...