Sony Quietly Re-Releases Update 3.41 For PlayStation 3
See Full ImageThis sort of flew in under the radar and most PlayStation 3 owners will probably never know it happened.
Even so, it's good to have the info. Some PS3 owners complained of problems associated with the latest firmware update, even though Sony was insistent in their claims that update 3.41 didn't have any impact on the main issue (swapping in a new HDD). And officially, Sony hasn't said the update caused any problems...so how come we have a new version of firmware 3.41? According to a post made at the PS3News forum, there's a distinct technical difference between the "new" 3.41 and the "old" 3.41; there's even a pic of the code comparison. We're no good at interpreting that kind of thing, but the consensus appears to be positive: whatever Sony did, it fixed the HDD issues. Perhaps they didn't want to acknowledge that 3.41 really was flawed in some way, or maybe they just weren't convinced the problem was widespread enough to make it public. But hey, a fix is a fix is a fix. Why look a gift horse in the mouth?
So if you haven't downloaded firmware update 3.41 for your PS3 yet, when you go to do it, you'll receive the "new" version. Shouldn't pose any problems.
Tags: ps3 firmware, playstation 3 update, firmware update
8/2/2010 8:57:40 PM John Shepard
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Comments (58 posts)
frylock25
Monday, August 02, 2010 @ 9:54:49 PM
Reply
3 up, 0 down
NightHawk17
Monday, August 02, 2010 @ 10:10:01 PM
1 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, August 02, 2010 @ 10:26:03 PM
2 up, 2 down
gangan19
Monday, August 02, 2010 @ 10:23:54 PM
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1 up, 0 down
packersfan66
Monday, August 02, 2010 @ 10:37:21 PM
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3 up, 1 down
BikerSaint
Monday, August 02, 2010 @ 10:43:01 PM
Reply
It's been discovered that hidden within the firmware is a new incremental download patch, which allows the PS3 to download patches that are smaller than their traditionally large updates.
The update supposedly allows the PS3 to only download the additional information it needs to bring the existing firmware up to date.
Previously the PS3 console would re-download the new firmware entirely, which most of
the time was largely comprised of old data. This update could make both downloading and installation a far less painful experience.
The update's sure to enhance the "auto-download" feature in PlayStation Plus too.
5 up, 0 down
fluffer nutter
Monday, August 02, 2010 @ 11:00:25 PM
3 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, August 02, 2010 @ 11:13:01 PM
2 up, 0 down
fluffer nutter
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 1:29:22 AM
0 up, 0 down
shadowscorpio
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 1:35:29 PM
When I upgraded to a 500gb HD in my slim, all I did was did was go to playstation.com and downloaded the most current update to my external harddrive from my PC. After that I USB'd it to my ps3 and it automatically recognized it. Before I did that my PS3 would not boot up because the latest update was not on my ext. HD will all my backups. I don't think you actually need firmware updates 'saved' on your computer. You can just download it to flash or usb ext. HD.
0 up, 0 down
fluffer nutter
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 9:51:53 PM
As for firmware updates, anyone that is PC-minded knows that you keep backups of the firmware files, should anything go awry.
0 up, 0 down
shadowscorpio
Wednesday, August 04, 2010 @ 1:04:55 PM
I stand corrected. Sorry about that. Actually didn't conceive what you posted correctly.
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, August 02, 2010 @ 10:57:23 PM
Reply
Sony (as BikerSaint pointed out) released this firmware update as an *incremental* update. Which mean that the download could be faster because it only included the components of 3.41 that were different from 3.40.
No, the reason this is a problem is that if you are upgrading your HDD, when you put the new drive into your system, there is no firmware except the part in the flash ROM. The system has to ask for a firmware to install. People were downloading 3.41 to a USB stick and attempting to use that. But because it is an *incremental* update it's not a complete firmware. You have to have a previous firmware in place already for it to work.
The solution for most was simply to download a copy of 3.40 and use that one to perform the HDD upgrade and then allow the PS3 to finish the job of going to 3.41 in the normal manner.
This has nothing to do with adding hidden security features or other nefarious things. Someone simply didn't anticipate and test the situation where a user used the 3.41 incremental update as the firmware when upgrading an HDD in a PS3.
Simple, no ill-motive, and no big news really.
This is why I said, on the day it was released, that you don't generally do incremental firmware updates.
Last edited by Highlander on 8/2/2010 10:58:40 PM
6 up, 1 down
NonProphet
Monday, August 02, 2010 @ 11:22:27 PM
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0 up, 0 down
kraygen
Monday, August 02, 2010 @ 11:27:14 PM
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I appreciate that kind of loyalty to their customers.
0 up, 0 down
NeoHumpty
Monday, August 02, 2010 @ 11:27:33 PM
Reply
2 up, 1 down
Highlander
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 12:15:54 AM
3 up, 0 down
NeoHumpty
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 7:24:38 AM
1 up, 1 down
RebelJD
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 1:15:12 AM
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0 up, 0 down
booze925
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 2:02:32 AM
Reply
get to it!
0 up, 3 down
shadowscorpio
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 1:41:23 PM
Last edited by shadowscorpio on 8/3/2010 1:41:34 PM
2 up, 0 down
Highlander
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 2:03:48 PM
2 up, 1 down
Fane1024
Thursday, August 05, 2010 @ 5:13:01 PM
0 up, 0 down
___________
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 4:05:30 AM
Reply
that is what i hate about companies these days, there so gutless!
sony, M$, apple.
they cant admit they made a mistake, screwed up and own up too it.
no its always the customers fault!
its your fault your ps3 YLOD, its your fault your 360 scratches the hell out of disks, its your fault your iphone looses reception every time you pick it up!
god, is it so hard to say yeah we stuffed up were sorry were fixing it?
how hard is that!?
2 up, 9 down
Qubex
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 4:18:22 AM
I am more sensitive to this now, especially after the Linux debacle, but that is just me.
I still think, and I am sure all agree, the PS3 presents very good value for money for gamers generally.
Great exclusives, and a well built product, but sometime Sony does make life interesting...
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
Last edited by Qubex on 8/3/2010 4:18:50 AM
0 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 8:27:15 AM
The same thing happens to laptops and computers. Put a blanket over it and it will warp the mother board eventually.
See, so many of these issues are preventable because people don't know about their property. They come with instruction manuals and instructions. Most people never read them. So they don't leave systems in a ventilated area. And they don't have the know-how to understand the difference between a 3.40, 3.41, and 3.50 firmware update. Most people have no idea why they would jump from 3.30 to 3.40 without any numbers in the middle.
What's funny, is that if you had read any of the comments, it would have been made clear to you that it is indeed people's fault for trying to manually download a partial firmware update instead of a full one. Because people didn't know. What's funnier still?
Highlander called it.
4 up, 2 down
___________
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 8:44:37 AM
sony are just like M$, they knew certain things were going to cause problems but did they do anything to prevent it?
nope, they just wait for it to happen than run around like headless chooks trying to fix it!
sony knew about the date bug, they knew it was going to happen, the same thing happened to windows mobile phones if memory serves me.
but did they fix it?
not, until it happened!
as the saying goes PREVENTION is better than CURE!
1 up, 6 down
Highlander
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 10:06:49 AM
Ideally in this case, the technical folks would have gone through their trouble shooting and fix process and at the same time a spokes-critter should have been updating as soon as Sony identified the flaw and fixed it. I personally haven't seen a press release, they may be hoping that since it affected only a small proportion of all PS3 users, and was not a terminal problem, that simply fixing it first is a better way to calm things down.
As for the YLOD, electronics fail. Anything with moving parts fails more often than solid state. The fans, BluRay drive and HDDs move, and consequently can fail. The HSF is attached with a thermal compound that - like all thermal compounds - has a certain life expectancy. At some point in the life of some PS3s the fan might start to perform less efficiently reducing the cooling efficiency, or the BluRay drive might fall below specs, or the HDD might simply flake out. Slightly worse would be failing performance of the thermal compound. But let's be brutally honest here, after nearly 4 years some units will begin to fail due to what might be termed wear and tear issues like these, that is to be expected. A small proportion of all new units of any CE device are shipped with components that pass tests but have minor flaws that over time turn into failures. This is unavoidable.
The way you describe it, it's some kind of design issue that you think Sony should be aware of and should fix free-gratis. That'd be fine except of course that it's not a design flaw, it's simple reality.
2 up, 1 down
Underdog15
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 10:27:44 AM
2 up, 0 down
shadowscorpio
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 1:43:58 PM
@ "-------------"
Do you have any facts to back up that rant of yours? If you do then fine but unless you know for FACT the ins and outs of 'why' someone did what they did, you shouldn't make hasty generalizations or assume things.
Last edited by shadowscorpio on 8/3/2010 1:45:02 PM
1 up, 0 down
fluffer nutter
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 9:54:45 PM
"...you shouldn't make hasty generalizations or assume things."
That's all this kid does. Read more of his posts and you'll see more proof.
1 up, 0 down
shadowscorpio
Wednesday, August 04, 2010 @ 1:12:11 PM
But like a cockroach, he keeps coming back with his fallacy driven rants.
0 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Wednesday, August 04, 2010 @ 3:33:53 PM
If he did, he'd know the difference between "than" and "then" by now. A couple of us tell him all the time... Still not fixed.
Also, "there", "their", and "they're".
Last edited by Underdog15 on 8/4/2010 3:34:53 PM
1 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Thursday, August 05, 2010 @ 5:21:13 PM
The YLOD occurs because there are weaknesses in the PS3's design/manufacture. There is not enough margin of error with regards to overheating, so it is FAR too easy for the PS3 to overheat and for the sub-par soldering (?) to flow out of its proper position. The Blu-ray drive and power supply are also too likely to fail.
None of this is surprising given how bleeding edge the tech was in 2006, nor are the problems as bad as with the 360, but they are design flaws.
You are more likely to have the YLOD if you abuse/neglect your PS3, but it can happen regardless. Just because it hasn't happened to you yet doesn't meant it won't.
Edit: Highlander's points are also valid, but the PS3's failure rate is well above industry average, so I would still maintain it's due to less-than-ideal design.
Last edited by Fane1024 on 8/5/2010 5:26:19 PM
0 up, 0 down
Qubex
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 4:06:55 AM
Reply
I feel it is a useless update though. Sony could be doing quite a bit more in making the PS3 do everything. I can't remember where I read it now, in the past couple of days, but a user made a very detailed list of what the PS3 actually doesn't do, including how poor the browser is, even with websites that are Sony based...
I just feel that some of the features are still half implemented and that it doesn't cover everything. The Flash player is always a version or 2 behind. Streaming music over the internet and the like can be difficult. Basically the system works as long as you stick to websites and services Sony want you to use; moving away from those can cause problems.
Anyway, I use my PS3 the best way I can. it hasn't given too many problems... but I still feel the system is restricted to some extent...
I am just not blinded by the Sony hype anymore. If it does what I want it to do I am happy. The games are good and I get tons of fun out of it... but it still doesn't encompass everything I want from a multi-media setup...
I am still hurting that I had to lose my Linux functionality, that really helped a lot. Very disappointed Sony took this feature away when I decided to get the machine because it permitted me to use it for generally "low-power" computing tasks. I could browse the web on Fire Fox and write documents using Open Office... now I just play games on it, but it defeated the purposes of me getting it in the first place.
I was fortunate that work scrapped an old laptop. I put Linux on it and it works a treat, so now I have the laptop in my room and not the PS3...
The PS3 is in the lounge, and only use it when I want to play a game... before I would use it for everything... To play movies I use VLC player on my laptop for the better quality MKV file types, something users have been asking Sony to implement in the PS3... but alas we wait...
Just remember one thing also... being in Singapore, and having all these restrictive net stupidities in place... I can't even enjoy all the actual services Sony offer... that is more the point here... I can't enjoy Hulu or Netflix, I can't watch music videos online like the British can... all in all my PS3 is hobbled, and now, without Linux... well I am truly hobbled and rely on my Linux laptop. I access those restricted sites using a PROXY server... which is ok I guess...
Now that I think about it, I could probably set up a proxy for the PS3 to use and tunnel through to the US and UK sites, but it is such a damn hassle...
:: Rant ::
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
Last edited by Qubex on 8/3/2010 4:15:58 AM
0 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 8:36:33 AM
As for the otherOS feature, it sucks that some nard-tard had to get a huge ego and ruin it for everybody. I understand why Sony removed it, and I support that action. However, I wish they could have done something to make up for the removed service. A better web browser would have been a great start.
4 up, 0 down
Highlander
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 10:08:28 AM
Qubex, excluding the discussion of OtherOS - which I recognize is a major issue for a specific group of users - you seem to be complaining primarily about the Web Browser and related features like Flash compatibility and audio streaming off the Net. These are tertiary functions of the PS3. The core function of the PS3 is that it is a gaming device. The secondary functions are media features such as BluRay and DVD playback, local music playback either CD or MP3 and so forth. The tertiary features relate to non gaming tasks that might be carried out on a PC by many people. The Browser sits fair and square in this category, and is therefore not high on the priority list for Sony.
Many of the capabilities like Hulu in the US or the British market's music video delivery are services that are external to the PS3 and are *local* to their markets. That's not Sony's fault, that's just a commercial reality. Much of your complain seems to stem from the number of services not available to you in your region, rather than things that Sony has hobbled the PS3 with.
As far as much or video streaming from the Net is concerned. I have a 5 year old PC running a compatible - and free - media server application and it streams to My PS3 just fine. It's actually better because my Internet connection isn't fast enough for real time video streaming (it sucks) and so the PC downloads certain video from Hulu and like places letting me view on the PS3 without issues.
As for the browser, I have said since before Day 1 that Sony could/should work with Mozilla on a PS3 specific build of the main version of Firefox. Flash compatibility is an issue that Sony faces because of the inability of their browser to keep up. That said, Flash is a pig of a protocol, bandwidth intensive and comes with it's own DRM. The regular updates to Flash change it's DRM each time. I'd guess that Sony would need to get adobe to provide a Flash plug-in for the PS3 with each update to Flash. I don't know, but I suspect that Adobe would charge Sony for that privilege, which makes it less likely that Sony will do it.
Still, great rant. I love a good rant, it gets the blood moving and provokes response and thought.
Last edited by Highlander on 8/3/2010 10:21:14 AM
2 up, 0 down
shadowscorpio
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 1:50:03 PM
1 up, 0 down
whooka
Wednesday, August 04, 2010 @ 1:54:56 PM
As for Hulu, Google TV, Netflix, etc, I love to watch them and companies like Sony try to integrate this stuff and keep it DRM heavy so you never own it. Results and quality always suck and those of us who can will just keep leeching 720p/1080p mkv files and use little wd media players ($80 or less) and usb hard drives ($80 for 500GB) for video playback and the media corporations will get absolutely nothing from us at all. They all need to wake up and realize that now distribution is a privilege, not a right. They don't own nothing anymore esp when it comes to media. Just about every single album, tv show, movie, comic book, etc, has already been digitized, often in a much higher quality format then what they want to charge you for the DRM version, and is floating around in cyberspace, all originally put there by folks who had no intention of making money from it.
I now only use my PS3 for games and that's it, and there's not even been that many good ones out lately. Unfortunately Sony and the developers can't blame piracy for their bad sales, hehe.
0 up, 1 down
Underdog15
Wednesday, August 04, 2010 @ 3:19:36 PM
huh?
I've never heard of a good number of things there. Interesting...
But who here said something about wanting Facebook integration?
But again, to most of your comment...
huh??! Corporate conspiracies?
By the way, not all firmware updates are mandatory. And you never have to install them. You are given the option. So you have no excuse to research the updates before installing them. I have never had an issue with updates, ever. Aside from that, the only bellyaching you're doing is directed at the Other OS feature. While I do believe in some corporations having minimal conspiracies, I do not believe this is one. However, I do sympathize to a degree. I do think they need to make some sort of amends for removing the Other OS feature. On the other hand, the PS3 has never been a legitimate replacement for a desktop or laptop computer.
In the end, we'll never fully agree. I do not believe everyone is entitled to free this and free that. Anything beyond human need is a luxury. I believe there are good organizations the contribute to addressing those who cannot support their own needs, and I support and hope others support them financially and with action as well. However, for luxury, like tv shows, movies, music, etc. those are afforded, digital or not, by those that have the means to pay for them. It is, afterall, often originally distributed by those who hope to meet their own needs and luxury through it's production.
No one is entitled to free theft without consequence. It's unfortunate not everyone can afford luxury, but it is a necessary fact of life. What is truly strange, however, is that someone might consider the notion of paying for a luxury some sort of conspiracy theory. A business seeks out monopolization of whatever it distributes. That's a fact of business and a fact of life.
Last edited by Underdog15 on 8/4/2010 3:31:58 PM
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Wednesday, August 04, 2010 @ 4:21:50 PM
But I will address one thing that you said (and only one because I just can't even grasp the illogic of some of your rant).
You said "As for Hulu, Google TV, Netflix, etc, I love to watch them and companies like Sony try to integrate this stuff and keep it DRM heavy so you never own it."
Just let's be clear here shall we. The DRM that protects the content supplied through Hulu, Google TV, and Netflix is there to protect that content against theft by people who take it and redistribute it to others. That DRM has nothing, let me say that again - nothing, to do with Sony. These services are third party services that you access through the Internet. The reasons for DRM and the necessity of it are sad, and really a shame, but one of the aspects of the internet is that ease of access allows an infinitesimal number of bad apples to spoil the entire crop.
You know, your life would be easier if you didn't construct far reaching theories on how one corporation or another conspires with itself to hurt you.
By the way, for a secure device, you need look no further than your PS3. The PS3 on the other hand will be 4 years old in three months time and has yet to be successfully hacked. Perhaps it's time will come, but for now it remains secure because of Sony's design and ongoing efforts to keep it secure.
0 up, 0 down
mehrab2603
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 5:58:22 AM
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0 up, 0 down
JackC8
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 7:17:09 AM
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And now everybody has to download another update to fix the previous update. There really needs to be a personnel shakeup in that department at Sony. This crap has been going on for far too long.
1 up, 2 down
Underdog15
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 8:31:27 AM
2 up, 0 down
fluffer nutter
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 10:44:41 AM
0 up, 0 down
JackC8
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 1:11:27 PM
I just installed a new HD a month ago - I guess I'm pretty lucky I didn't wait until more recently to do it. When you install a new HD you have to load the latest firmware update before you can do anything with your PS3. But in this case Sony produced an update that wouldn't work in that circumstance. I really don't see how that's the consumers fault. Was there another update that people were given the option of downloading if they had just installed a new drive? Obviously no one knew of this problem in advance, so there wasn't anything a person could have done to avoid it.
1 up, 1 down
Underdog15
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 1:53:18 PM
0 up, 0 down
fluffer nutter
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 9:57:00 PM
0 up, 0 down
JPBooch
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 8:32:32 AM
Reply
Last edited by JPBooch on 8/3/2010 8:33:34 AM
2 up, 0 down
Highlander
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 10:22:14 AM
Not only that but even for those affected it was non-fatal to their PS3. Making a big media splash would be counter productive at this point.
2 up, 0 down
fluffer nutter
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 10:50:20 AM
0 up, 0 down
Russell Burrows
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 8:52:57 PM
Reply
html5 is kicking flash to the curb.
@Qubex
Ubuntu 10 on a laptop and for kicks virtualbox to run win 7, xp and vista on a linux laptop with no dualboot.
www.virtualbox.org
its free and its cool to run virtual systems.
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Tuesday, August 03, 2010 @ 9:40:48 PM
0 up, 0 down
Russell Burrows
Wednesday, August 04, 2010 @ 5:19:12 PM
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Today?
Nah.
Tomorrow the future belongs to H264 and html5.
A much needed PS3 browser overhaul is needed but I strongly suspect that html5 and H264 browser support will be left until PS4.
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Wednesday, August 04, 2010 @ 9:02:31 PM
0 up, 0 down
Snaaaake
Reply
Monday, August 02, 2010 @ 9:45:23 PM
Right on time indeed.