Worried: Black screen while updating PS3.. Normal?

Hunders · 7 Jun 2008 at 14:11

I just set up my new PS3 and went to make a PSN account and it said I need to update the console. Ok fine, so I went to settings and began the update and noticed the % bar was quite slow so I decided to make a cuppa while it was doing its thing. Upon coming back the TV is showing a black screen and nothing appears to be happening... Is this normal? :confused:

I'm scared.

msmalls74 · 7 Jun 2008 at 14:21

First of all have a look at tv make sure it hasnt gone into standby or something stupid like that, next look at the PS3 status lights then HDD one should be flashing as should the wifi one (if you are using that).
So you are downloading the update and not actually updating? If it was in the process of updating then you should not ever turn your PS3 off, just call Sony they'll tell you what to do. Again wait for others to reply but if its just downloading the update and PSN dropped or something it should be safe to reset the PS3, try getting the update via PC and using a USB stick to install the update, make sure controller is charged or plugged in via USB. The update needs to be in a particular directory on the USB stick the info should be on the site the PS3 FAQs link to.
Hope it helps

Hunders · 7 Jun 2008 at 14:24

The download was on about 15% when I went downstairs for about 10 minutes then when I came back it was black screening like it still is now. There is no HDD or wireless activity.

msmalls74 · 7 Jun 2008 at 14:26

Hunders said:
The download was on about 15% when I went downstairs for about 10 minutes then when I came back it was black screening like it still is now. There is no HDD or wireless activity.

Right im sure you have to accept the details before it updates so it sounds like you have lost connection while downloading, are you using wireless by the way?

atpbx · 7 Jun 2008 at 14:31

The updating is slow, and its the only thing that annoys me.
Check the settings to see you have not set it to turn itself off after periods of inactivity.

Hunders · 7 Jun 2008 at 14:33

I am using wireless, yes. I can't check settings because the screen is black.

McManicMan · 7 Jun 2008 at 14:38

sometimes on mine when i quit a game it goes to black screen, at 1st i thought it was a PS3 problem untill i cycled through the channels one day back to HDMI and then picture appeared, seems its a tv problem for me, doesn't happen often but at least i know what it is

msmalls74 · 7 Jun 2008 at 14:39

Hunders said:
I am using wireless, yes. I can't check settings because the screen is black.

Ok it does sound a bit like you have lost your connection, are connected via HDMI? May need to switch TV off and On again or disconnect the HDMI lead and plug it back in again. As for the PS3 the Green light is on I assume? Im pretty sure that you wont have an issue resetting machine while downloading the update, but give sony a bell there is a local number to use in the FAQs but im pretty sure they will tell you to do a hard reset, ie press reset button to switch off, then hold reset button for 5-8 seconds on boot up to reset video/audio settings.

Hunders · 7 Jun 2008 at 14:42

I am using a HD component cable as my TV doesn't have any HDMI slots. The green light on the console is on, yes. It says in the manual that during an update the power button on the console and the PS button on the controller are disabled and this is the case with mine, they are unresponsive.

I will try phone Sony up in a little while.

msmalls74 · 7 Jun 2008 at 14:47

Hunders said:
I am using a HD component cable as my TV doesn't have any HDMI slots. The green light on the console is on, yes. It says in the manual that during an update the power button on the console and the PS button on the controller are disabled and this is the case with mine, they are unresponsive.

I will try phone Sony up in a little while.

Yeah best thing to do mate, i dont think its a problem as such, but if you do what they say then its in there hands. May tell you to use the power switch on the back, i had a problem like this with a game update so not quite as scary!

Kreeeee · 7 Jun 2008 at 15:02

Mine went black before and I had to hard reset. It turned out fine.

Hunders · 7 Jun 2008 at 15:39

Well its all sorted now. I phoned Sony and spoke to some guy that sounded a little dumb and said to me that I could try turning off then on again at the back. I said to him could this break my machine and he said "I dunno... It might but you can just swap it". So I closed my eyes and turned it off then on again and when it booted back up it asked me to continue with the update.

wannabedamned · 7 Jun 2008 at 15:51

Hunders said:
Well its all sorted now. I phoned Sony and spoke to some guy that sounded a little dumb and said to me that I could try turning off then on again at the back. I said to him could this break my machine and he said "I dunno... It might but you can just swap it". So I closed my eyes and turned it off then on again and when it booted back up it asked me to continue with the update.

hahahaha, Customer service can be hilarious at times.