Red screen of death? (PS3)

rp2000

rp2000

rp2000

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Hi,

Just went to turn on the PS3 to play some Joe Danger and I got an error I had never seen (or heard of) before. Googling it shows it is referred to as Red screen of death:
rsod.jpg

The screen displays this just as the PS3 logo is starting to appear on screen.

Still under warranty (It is a slim which came out Sep 2009 iirc). Just wondering what people's experiences with this error are? Googling shows people have had it before, but it must be relatively rare as I have never seen it mentioned on OcUK etc.

I have a 320GB HDD in it, so I am guessing I have lost all my game saves, and if I get Sony to repair/replace it under warranty I would have to stick my 120GB back in anyway. When I stick the 320 into a replacement PS3 I would have to reformat it iirc so would lose all the data.

I don't have too much time to waste faffing around with it so just going to call Sony at some point or wondering if I can take it back to the retailer for a swap out. I guess I am about 3 weeks off the 1 year warranty running out so need to sort it out in a timely fashion.


rp2000
 
your the second person i know this has happened too, the first being my sister, she was told sony would repair it for 150 quid. apparently going through the recovery menu can fix it but if that doesnt work its dead.

if you get a fix please post it as my sister has an 80gb ps3 sitting there gathering dust (now has a 120gb slim)

this screen also exists on the psp apparently
 
Just a shame about the save games. Backed up? I try and do mine reasonably often to a USB stick, but probably not as often as I should.
 
What is Safe Mode and how do I enable it on my PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system?
Answer ID: 1488 Product: PS3™ system-Install & Setup,Hardware

Safe mode is a feature for starting the PS3™ system with the "minimum required functionality" if the system is no longer able to start up normally due to an action was taken (such as turning off the system's MAIN POWER switch while data was being written to the hard disk drive). By starting up the system in safe mode then executing a menu option, you may be able to eliminate the symptom. Please note there is a chance that safe mode options will not fix the problem and you system will require service.

We do not recommend using the options in Safe Mode unless you are experiencing issues with the PlayStation 3. Some of these options could result in loss of data.

If you choose to perform one of the Safe Mode options, please back up your data before attempting to enter safe mode (when possible). Click here to learn how to manually copy data from the PlayStation 3.

Safe Mode is only available to PS3's with system software 2.60 or greater installed. Click here to download the latest PlayStation 3 system software.
When to use Safe Mode

▼ Hide Details

Execute safe mode when the PS3™ is experiencing the following symptoms:

* When the PS3™ system is started up, the XMB™ menu is not displayed (only the wave screen background appears)
* When the PS3™ system is started up, nothing appears on the screen
* When the PS3™ system is started up, a message stating [The hard disk's file system is corrupted and will be restored.] is displayed > [OK] > Restore operation > Restart
Original message is displayed again or the system stops during restoration.
* When the PS3™ system is started up, a message stating [The hard disk's database will be rebuilt.] is displayed > [OK] > Rebuild > Failure > System stops while formatting hard disk drive.
* The system stops while restarting after a PS3™ system update or while updating or rebuilding the database. The situation does not improve even when the system is restarted.

Safe Mode Options

▼ Hide Details

In Safe Mode, you will have the following options:

1. Restart System - Ends safe mode and starts up the PlayStation 3 normally.
2. Restore Default Settings - Performs the same operations as [Restore Default Settings] on the XMB™, and also deletes PlayStation®Network account information from the system.
3. Restore File System - Attempts to repair all areas on the hard disk drive where files can be saved. Corrupted data may be erased if it cannot be recovered.
4. Rebuild Database - Deletes messages, playlists, changes made on [Information] screens, trimming information for pictures in [Photo], video thumbnails, video playback history and video resume information.
This operation may take a long time depending on the type and number of data items.
5. Restore PS3 System - IMPORTANT: All data will be lost by performing this step.
This will reformat the hard drive on the PlayStation 3, deleting all data and restoring it to as if it just came out of the box. This is the same as [Restore PS3 system] on the XMB.
6. System Update - Updates the PS3 system software. This can only be done with an update file already saved on an external storage media.

Activating Safe Mode

▼ Hide Details

Step 1: Turn off the PlayStation 3 by holding the Power button on the front of the unit till the Power light is red.



Step 2:

1. Touch and hold the Power button, you will hear the first beep, meaning the PlayStation 3 is powering on.
2. Continue to hold the Power button and after about 5 seconds, you will hear a second beep, indicating the video reset.
3. Continue to hold the Power button and after about another 5 seconds you will hear a third beep and the system will power off (Power light is red).



Step 3:

1. Touch and hold the Power button, you will hear the first beep, again for the PlayStation 3 to power on.
2. Continue to hold the Power button and after about 5 seconds, you will hear a second beep for video reset.
3. Continue to hold the Power button and after about another 5 seconds you will hear a quick double beep. At that point release the Power button. If you succeeded in activating Safe Mode, you will see a message on the screen saying, "Connect the controller using a USB cable and then press the PS button."
► Show Screenshot
Movie icon
4. Connect a USB cable to the controller and the PlayStation 3 and press the PS button to enter Safe Mode.
5. Then you will see the Safe Mode menu.
► Show Screenshot
Movie icon



Step 4: We recommending performing the safe mode options in the following order until one of the options works for you. If one of the options work, do not continue onto the other options.

1. Restore Default Settings
2. Restore File System
3. Rebuild Database
4. Restore PS3 System


Step 3 worked for me when mine went kaput
 
mcwildcard said:
Any luck rp?
Click to expand...
Tried "Rebuild database" and "Reinstall System Update". Still had the error after rebooting. Any other options I pick would lose all my data, so I am wondering whether I should just try to get it swapped at the place I bought it or get Sony to replace it?

Even if Sony tried to repair it I would lose my data, I guess as it is on my own 320gb hdd which I would have to remove when I send it off, and when I reinsert it in the repaired machine it will zap all my data.

Annoying, as it just means I will ditch games that I have spent hours on and can't be bothered to regain all my levels etc.


rp2000
 
I'e had something similar happen to mine just a couple of days ago but instead of a red screen I get.... nothing! :confused: It's an original 60GB from Hong Kong so no chance getting it replaced by Sony.

I've tried the video reset and the method above and still nothing. Sigh :(
 
anticonscience said:
Strange you both had this when you were using 320Gb HDD's.

:eek:
Click to expand...
Think thats coincidence - no doubt we have the same model too - a WD 320Gb 5400rpm Blue, but they were the drives to get at the time for quite a while before higher capacity HDDs turned up...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
ps3ud0 said:
Think thats coincidence - no doubt we have the same model too - a WD 320Gb 5400rpm Blue, but they were the drives to get at the time for quite a while before higher capacity HDDs turned up...

ps3ud0 :cool:
Click to expand...

I think that is the exact model I bought :)

I may put in my "old" 120Gb hdd (which I would have to do before any sort of return/replacement) and see if anything changes.


rp2000
 
Update: I swapped the 120Gb hard drive back in and after doing a 3.41 upgrade I got the same problem :(

As the unit is just within 12 months warranty, the retailer have said they will swap it for a new replacement. Sony will give me a refurb with 3months warranty iirc.

Which option would people advise?

Sadly I will probably sell a load of my disc based games as without the save games I cba to play through some of them again to unlock stuff or do selected levels/sections again.

Edit: And how will I get my licenses back? I think my current PS3 is using the 5th license for my UK and USA accounts and I have no way to deactivate the machine.


rp2000
 
Last edited:
rp2000 said:
Edit: And how will I get my licenses back? I think my current PS3 is using the 5th license for my UK and USA accounts and I have no way to deactivate the machine.
Click to expand...

For the UK one you could try calling customer support and they may deactivate it for you. As for the US one you could probably try the same but I imagine it'll not be as straight forward - if you've shared the account its probably easier to get the person you've shared with to deactivate their console. I don't think there is currently any other way for you to deactivate apart from on the console itself.

If you do a swap for it in the store make sure you've restored it all back to defaults from the recovery menu.
 
Update:

Took it back to the shops and they gave me a new one, only catch is warranty runs out on Tuesday this week :)

USA account is knackered as all my activations are used, trying to get one of the sharers to deactivate it on their machine.
UK account is fine.

Sadly got rid of most of the games as without any game saves I cba to play them again. Got Mafia 2 to keep me busy.

From now on I will be backing up game saves to a USB drive regularly.

Forgot to restore the console back to defaults :( But I doubt that matters much as you cannot get to the main menu.


rp2000
 
i would ignore what shops tell you is the warranty tbh. This stuff should be lasting for around 5 years + any less and fight the retailer for a replacement. Good advice re backing up saves regularly...except how do you backup protected saves? (i'm sure when i tried the system backup option it mentioned saves wouldnt be backed up..maybe i misread it)
 
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