I picked up Batman: Arkham Asylum today and began playing it when I got home. Everything was going fine when I left it after about 30 minutes. When I came back, I saw that my ps3 has switched off. So, I restarted it and I got the "you turned your PS3 off improperly" message. I skipped that and entered the game again. Within 5 seconds of getting in (the gameplay itself, not the load menus etc), it froze. I had to use the switch at the back to turn it off. When I turned it on again, I got the same message, skipped it and immediately everything was slow. The clock wasn't moving at all, and the shining pixel things in the background were barely moving. Before the user selection screen even came up, the PS3 beeped and turned off. The system is still on (the red light is beeping), but it doesn't do anything (it just stays black), so I have to restart it. I just tried again, and it went off during the "improper turn-off" message. Does anyone know what is going on?!?

YOU NEVER TURN IT OFF FROM THE BACK. EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO HOLD THE BUTTON FOR HOURS!!!!!!!!!!!

You could try "reset" it, by holding in the power button untill it beeps a second time when you start the console.
It's worth a shot, as nothing get deleted or anything, just some settings reset. Don't have any other ideas really.

Try do the restore setting.... I dunno.

Ok, I tried disconnecting the cables, didn't help. Anyone have any other suggestions?

sounds like you might've gotten a surge

turn it off

hold down the power button until it beeps twice repetivily

if it doesnt beep twice, turn it off and try again until it does beep twice.

this can take sometimes 3-4 times.

Would that mean it's temporary, or will I have to part with a sizeable lump of cash?

Yeah, try what I wrote in my previous comment :)

Best thing to do is leave it alone for a while... at least for the night.

Start emotionally disconnecting yourself.

Try it tomorrow, and if it doesn't work again, try it in a couple days.

Also, unplug it.

Being emotionally disconnected helps pass the time faster.

Basically a surge is when your outlet fucks up and sends a slight jolt into an appliance. The jolt does weird stuff which may not be permanent.