PS3 - A Serious Error Has Occurred

sushiboy

I got the "A Serious Error Has Occurred" message a few weeks ago. I restored the file system, and all was well. Now a few days ago it started doing it again and none of the recovery options do anything to help. "Restore File System" tells me that the hard drive is corrupted and needs to fix it, but it keeps coming up with the red screen. I restored the file system several times and every time it told me the hd is corrupted. I bought a new hd for it and went through the process of installing it. Ran the 3.15 update from an external drive like it wanted me to, then oh crap its the serious error red screen again. Restore File System tells me that the hd is corrupted even though it is brand new. What gives? How can I tell if this thing is under warranty? (I think it is over 6 months old) What is an average Sony charges for PS3 repairs?

themightypuck

I don't mean to sound like a douchebag, but isn't there a number you can call?

Chance

Could be wrong, but I believe the Sony warranty is one year.

After that, it's $150 for them to repair it in the US, $180 in Canada.

Flapke

If the hard-drive is busted, you could just replace it yourself. Saves you $100.

themightypuck

Flapke wrote: »

If the hard-drive is busted, you could just replace it yourself. Saves you $100.

But

sushiboy wrote: »

I bought a new hd for it and went through the process of installing it. Ran the 3.15 update from an external drive like it wanted me to, then oh crap its the serious error red screen again. Restore File System tells me that the hd is corrupted even though it is brand new.

Flapke

Yeah ok, but it's easier to check with another drive than it is to send the whole thing back to Sony.

PeregrineFalcon

Now, when you did the "File System Restore" - was this off the XMB, or did you do a total system restore via the Recovery Menu?

PS3 Recovery Menu

MagicPrime

My HDD crashed a few months back. Lost all my old saves from the year+ i've had the system.

Broke my heart. But the conditions around the mishap was obvious. My wife had a space-heater and a hair drier plugged in to a socket that was on the same breaker as the socket where the TV/PS3 is plugged in and was watching a blue-ray.

Needless to say the breaker popped while the HDD was being written to and the dice rolled up a corrupted HDD. Had to format the thing.

Its working fine now.

sushiboy

Now, when you did the "File System Restore" - was this off the XMB, or did you do a total system restore via the Recovery Menu?

I cant even get into the XMB. I did it through the Safe Mode or Recovery Mode or whatever it is called.

If the hard-drive is busted, you could just replace it yourself. Saves you $100.

I did. Got a hell of a deal on one from Newegg, but the PS3 says that is corrupted too. Formatted it, and went through the recovery options all multiple times.

it's $150 for them to repair it in the US

Fuck.

isn't there a number you can call?

Its out of warranty, so I would like to fix it myself if I can. I haven't found a solution yet though. Maybe I can convince them to fix it for free since I am pretty sure 3.15 busted it. I didnt have any problems until I put 3.15 on. I have been reading about other peope with the exact same problem ever since they upgraded to 3.15.

Descendant X

If it's only 6 months old, it's not out of warranty. Call Sony.

phekno

Maybe you should have updated the firmware from the PSN instead of a file on an external hard drive. It could be that the file you're updating from on your external drive is hosed. Just a thought.

sushiboy

I cant update the firmware from PSN. The only option at this point is from an external drive. Originally when I first got 3.15 it was rom PSN.

sushiboy

Well, looks like I will be getting warranty repair on this thing. Sony didnt want to honor the warranty, as I didnt have the POP. I went to Best Buy (where I got it) (yes I know, Best Buy sux, but they were having a $50 off PS3 sale) and they not only hooked me up with the POP, but also ALMOST gave me a brand new PS3 Slim! The cheerleader at the customer service counter told me to just go grab another system. I was so hyped up that a) I was getting another system and b) I didnt need to wait for Sony to fix my busted one. Then I came back to the counter and got disapointed big time. She showed me a message that came up on the screen when she was processing the exchange. Aparently Best Buy wont exchange em any more unless you buy the extended warranty or whatever. Yea, I realize that is procedure, but she said that is the first time she got that message and has exchanged a ton of PS3s and 360s without the extended warranty. Oh well, at least I got the POP and the prepaid shipping box should be at my houe tonight when I get home so I can send it out.

pgiorlando

Hey. Just wanted to say that I know it's way after the fact but in case anyone looks at this thread in the future. The fix to the PS3 equivalent of XBoxs red ring of death is only to send it in I'm afraid. I went through the process of buying a new HDD and all and it still had the same error.

Here are some links that back this up:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091231084002AAfwolS
http://community.us.playstation.com/t5/Support-General/RED-SCREEN-THAT-SAYS-A-SERIOUS-ERROR-HAS-OCCURRED-CONTACT/td-p/36942028