The Guardian has this recent story...

Sony updates statement on PS3 problems

The company is working on the problem but warns affected users NOT to use their consoles.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has provided an updated statement on the problems currently being experienced by owners of pre-'slim' PS3 consoles. The company has confirmed what many on the web have already predicted - that the issue lies with the machine's internal clock.

Here is the advice in full:

We believe we have identified that this problem is being caused by a bug in the clock functionality incorporated in the system.

Errors include:
* The date of the PS3 system may be re-set to Jan 1, 2000.
* When the user tries to sign-in to the PlayStation Network, the following message appears on the screen; "An error has occurred. You have been signed out of PlayStation Network (8001050F)".
* When the user tries to launch a game, the following error message appears on the screen and the trophy data may disappear; "Failed to install trophies. Please exit your game."
* When the user tries to set the time and date of the system via the Internet, the following message appears on the screen; "The current date and time could not be obtained. (8001050F)"
* Users are not able to playback certain rental video downloaded from the PlayStation Store before the expiration date.

We hope to resolve this problem within the next 24 hours. In the meantime, if you have a model other than the new slim PS3, we advise that you do not use your PS3 system, as doing so may result in errors in some functionality, such as recording obtained trophies, and not being able to restore certain data.

As mentioned above, Please be advised that the new slim PS3 is not affected with this error. We are doing our best to resolve the issue and do apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Although much of this repeats what we know of the problem, it is telling that users are being officially warned NOT to use their PS3 systems, even though an earlier statement suggested that it was alright to use the machines as long as there was no attempt to access the PlayStation Network. Also, there seems to be a tacit acknowledgment that certain data may be irretrievable.

PS3 owners are being asked to check the official blog for further information.

posted: in the response section of The CNN article:

March 1st, 2010 12:40 pm ET

From http://www.ign.com:
Might be old news, but thanks to a certain hardware/software guru, and from various of sources and efnet they are able to at least give the letdown why this problem is happening. Quoted.

Well the gist is that the ARM SYSCON CPU that is used to power up the front panel of the ps3, that is responsible for doing things like sleep mode, eject, RTC etc. Is an old batch that sony picked up from the shelf like other manufacturers that has that calendar year bug regarding feburary 29th on certain periods. Causing the ps3 system clock and the real time clock to desync, messing up security measures like Digital Rights management software and sometimes games that relies on clocks for whatever reason. As well as signing up to the playstation network... This CPU is always on even when your PS3 isn't plugged
This problem is also happening with various of test Ps3 models, particulary the ones that has the emotion engine cpu/gpu for ps2 dev.

This is the one of the same type of CPUs that is powering up mobile devices like zune and blackberries, they have been affected with this bug, so they done some software patches. A syscon update can also fix this problem

The Slims ps3s aren't affected because they use a newer up to date revision on the syscon cpu that fixes this bug.

A quick way to fix this is to remove the RTC battery for at least 5-10 min and plug it back in, you will see the date and time reset, and voila...

BTW all this was quoted from some ps3 hardware gurus and tested by various of peeps on efnet, all thanks to them for the information

One cannot wait to hear Sony's excuse for this one, They might play innocent for using off the shelve parts and blame manufacturers
Date Edited:3/1/2010 4:57:54 AM (2 edits total) edited by: Fishcake21

The Guardian has this recent story...

Sony updates statement on PS3 problems

The company is working on the problem but warns affected users NOT to use their consoles.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has provided an updated statement on the problems currently being experienced by owners of pre-'slim' PS3 consoles. The company has confirmed what many on the web have already predicted - that the issue lies with the machine's internal clock.

Here is the advice in full:

We believe we have identified that this problem is being caused by a bug in the clock functionality incorporated in the system.

Errors include:
* The date of the PS3 system may be re-set to Jan 1, 2000.
* When the user tries to sign-in to the PlayStation Network, the following message appears on the screen; "An error has occurred. You have been signed out of PlayStation Network (8001050F)".
* When the user tries to launch a game, the following error message appears on the screen and the trophy data may disappear; "Failed to install trophies. Please exit your game."
* When the user tries to set the time and date of the system via the Internet, the following message appears on the screen; "The current date and time could not be obtained. (8001050F)"
* Users are not able to playback certain rental video downloaded from the PlayStation Store before the expiration date.

We hope to resolve this problem within the next 24 hours. In the meantime, if you have a model other than the new slim PS3, we advise that you do not use your PS3 system, as doing so may result in errors in some functionality, such as recording obtained trophies, and not being able to restore certain data.

As mentioned above, Please be advised that the new slim PS3 is not affected with this error. We are doing our best to resolve the issue and do apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Although much of this repeats what we know of the problem, it is telling that users are being officially warned NOT to use their PS3 systems, even though an earlier statement suggested that it was alright to use the machines as long as there was no attempt to access the PlayStation Network. Also, there seems to be a tacit acknowledgment that certain data may be irretrievable.

PS3 owners are being asked to check the official blog for further information.

But it is. As i said you can wrap it up and run damage control all you like but the fact is a hardware fault inside the older consoles has meant you can't use it, thus it is a hardware fault.

It is the same as if you have a car and have a warrenty. If your driving along on a busy road that has slightly fallen into dis-repair and you drive your car over a pot hole and get a puncture who's fault is that? Your fault because you should not have been there or the companys fault? Obviously punctures happen all the time, it is your fault. If your listening to your cars built in sat nav and all of a sudden it turns off and the electronics frazzle who is to blame? You for using it or the electronics? That would be covered by the warrenty and would be classified as a hardware fault.

It is the exact samething with this with the PS3. Right now the PS3's have a bug in them which meant they cop out due to a software error in the system. Because it does not work is it your fault for playing it and it has been worn out hence why it has broken? Or is it the companies fault for not testing the machine to see if this would happen which meant a unknown bug remained through production now resulting in you not being able to play your machine?

In a court of law they would say it was the companies fault because through no fault of your own the hardware became disabled/broken by issues relating to the actual hardware itself.

Thus it is a hardware fault

its an irrelevant part of ths story... it didnt even register.

Only a Sony fan woud see that and immediately react as you did.... in the middle of this shit storm

LMFAO

its an irrelevant part of ths story... it didnt even register.

Only a Sony fan woud see that and immediately react as you did.... in the middle of this shit storm

LMFAO