My PS3 was working perfectly. I even beat GTA IV without any crashing in the single player. After replaying the game to try out the alternative ending, my PS3 crashed with blinking red lights.

I started it up again, to retry the game and it crashed yet again, this time without even loading the intro. Now, the PS3 shutsdown (blinking red lights) randomly.

I have the 60 GB PS3 which is known to have this problem. I just find it strange that everything has worked out okay until now. I haven't done anything provocative to my PS3 (last thing i installed was Qore and Battlefield).

Be careful guys, especially for GTA, its hazardous to the system. I thought it couldn't happen to me, but oh well.

I'll try and reinstall and see if it still happens. Hopefully its just a save game corrupt file.

This post has been edited by OmniAtlas: Jun 10 2008, 08:27 PM

okay guys, it wasn't a heat issue, b/c i was blasting the a/c and it would still crash.

I got it working again. I simply deleted the installed files (game data), reinstalled and its okay now. so somehow gta iv must have screwed up those essential files. strange huh.

hopefully nothing else happens.

I give GTA IV a 9/10 ; it could have been so much more. I really wish they worked on the interiors -- the streets were great, but if they had more enterable buildings it would really build upon the illusion that this was a living breathing city.

Don't know whats up with every magazine out there giving it a 10/10; rockstar must have bribed them seriously.

GTA IV still crashes my PS3 btw, but this time only in multiplayer, lol.

PS3 just crashed again in single player mode. This was AFTER installing the patch. It was okay before the patch....wth is going on!!

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Added on June 8, 2008, 4:24 pmmy PS3 is now officially fu*ked. it doesn't even turn on now. I'm going to call bernard. this is ridiculous.

This post has been edited by OmniAtlas: Jun 8 2008, 04:24 PM

Just called him, he suspects its the LAN port and it was the lightning that struck it so he recommends that everyone use WIFI.

I don't think it was that problem -- i think it was GTA IV because I had NO problem running other things before and it would only crash like this while playing GTA IV.

now my ps3 is gone and it will not turn on. It goes RED -> YELLOW then back to -> red light.

He suggests I take it back to singapore to fix. anyone have any idea how this process goes? ninja? anyone have any clue? i am in dire need...argh.

I have family that go down to singapore quite frequently and have cousins there working as well so that is not a problem.

i talked to bernard and he said it is better to go to singapore because you can get a replacement within one week. Some of those that send in locally haven't even got their PS3 back after 8 months!

i'm not too sure if my ps3 is the singapore or hong kong version though. It came with a warrenty card labelled with "Sony Computer Entertainment Hong Kong Limited" ; yet in the PS3 the RSS connects to the Singapore feed.

Does anyone know how to check for sure? Serial number? I'm not too sure if singapore will accept a Hong Kong PS3.

This post has been edited by OmniAtlas: Jun 8 2008, 05:17 PM

Okay, I just called Sony Singapore and they said they can repair it. They said it will be done in about 1 week, so I just need to bring it into their service repair center. Hopefully they will fix it and all be good.

Stupid GTA IV disc is stuck in the machine though.

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Added on June 8, 2008, 6:25 pmHeres a video of my failing PS3:

Still trying to figure out how to embed youtubes, but heres the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efHALkyDH64



This post has been edited by OmniAtlas: Jun 8 2008, 06:37 PM

The problem is its been known to have occurred on the 60 gb launch PS3's (i.e. the system I have) -- so you guys that have later versions, or the 40 gb *might* be safe.

The crashing also only happened while playing GTA IV -- i was having fun in battlefield and COD4 before that without any problems.

I think sony also came out with a statement a few weeks ago that there *is* a hardware compatibility problem and will be fixing it by replacing those ps3s.

I'll be careful vorchiel (I don't know how except by not playing gta iv as often) because mine was freezing for the last few days (see my previous posts above), which i was able to fix by reinstalling. And today within 5 minutes of being in game it just froze my system and I wasn't able to restart. 10 minutes ago I was in call of duty and battlefield fragging people; it doesn't make any sense how software can break a system. And yes I had the latest version of the firmware and yes I patched GTA to 1.01.

Strange...

Heres some more info if any of you run into the problem. I will be giving them a call through skype later in the week.

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Update: 5/9/08, 0949 hours.

I just got off the phone with Sandra #47020 with Sony Computer Entertainment of America regarding the continuing lockup/freeze issues being experienced across consoles. She actually had a few interesting things to say, which I will relate here. I will be addressing specifically the PS3 version of GTA 4.

Sandra told me first off that Sony, Rockstar and Take-Two are all fully aware of the existence of the problem. She also confirmed that indeed, there is nothing wrong with my console (60 GB Release model), as a few quick questions regarding its functionality revealed that the problem is not with the hardware. This is confirmed, per Sandra #47020 of SCEA.

Are you with me so far? Great. There's more.

Sandra also indicated matter-of-factly that although they are acutely aware there is a problem, because almost NOBODY is calling SCEA (Sony) to report it, they still haven't definitively identified the source of the problem. Everyone is calling Rockstar and Take-Two screaming for blood when they need to be calling Sony and giving them the details. She indicated the quicker more console owners start opening trouble tickets, the quicker Sony will be able to narrow the problem down to the source. You can quote her on that too. She indicated that they understand our frustration, but that until it's properly reported to the right people, speculation will continue to run amuk and it will just take them longer to identify the problem and put out a fix.

So here it is folks, everyone needs to call SCEA (Sony) at 1-866-345-7669 and report the problem to the Technical Support Department immediately, if you haven't already. They are anxiously awaiting our calls, and after learning all of this, I completely understand their frustration as well. They want to help, but they need us to REPORT THE PROBLEM DIRECTLY TO SONY so they can get a fix out quicker. I want to experience this game just the same as everyone else.

To the XBox360 owners who are also experiencing problems, I'm sorry I can't address your particular issues, but I would strongly urge you to call Microsoft and report it, as I suspect that they are probably experiencing the same problem.

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Added on June 9, 2008, 3:11 am--

FIX NEWS:

5.3.08 - according to engles08 the problem has been found, he says:

"Just got off the phone with T2 support. The issue that is causing the freezing is actually two separate issues. One is the network problem that the newer PS3's are encountering however the older model, launche units are experiencing an entirely different problem. The launch version of PS3's used a different chip that could run PS2 and PS1 games without emulation. This chip is conflicting with the game code and cause GTA4 to freeze. The T2 representative told me that the fix will indeed not be exclusively in the form of a patch. There will probably be a patch for the issues relating to the network and things that the newer PS3's are facing however.. the older launch 60GB versions and possibly the 20gb, i didnt ask, will require a firmware upgrade that will allow GTA4 to run on the older chip. This firmware upgrade, he said, could be available anytime between tomorrow morning and "as soon as possible" as he put it. The issue is deffinately being adressed and it seems as though they have found what the problem is. So guys lets hope this works and spread this around because this came directly from my 25 minute conversation with T2 support that I just got finished with."


This post has been edited by OmniAtlas: Jun 9 2008, 03:11 AM

Okay, so I managed to talk to Sony Singapore.

The way it goes is you take it into their service center, they check what the problem is, and they'll give you a new system because they'll have to ship it back to Hong Kong. So there isn't really a 'service' center in Singapore, everything is done back in Hong Kong. The good part is, the guy I talked to said they'll be able to do everything wiithin one day, and they'll replace it for free.

So if you're ever having a problem, just go to the singapore service center and they'll fix it for you.

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Added on June 9, 2008, 7:22 pmI told the Sony guy my problem and he said it wasn't a hard drive problem, but a power (?) problem.

This post has been edited by OmniAtlas: Jun 9 2008, 07:22 PM

I would like to backup my hard drive though, anyone know where I can get this service done? I don't mine sending my system in because I'll be getting a new PS3 in the end, but my data will be missing of course.

Its a rockstar problem. They sent me an e-mail confirming it.

We have carried out a thorough investigation to the causes of the problems you have been experiencing with GTA IV in association with Sony. In order to resolve the issue we would recommend that you contact Sony's local support team directly who have additional information that will resolve your problems.

For Sony's North American support team:

SCEA Consumer Services
1-800-345-SONY (7669) - Careline hours of business - Monday - Saturday 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM PST and Sunday 7:00 - AM 6:30 PM PST

Or contact customer support online using the form at: http://www.us.playstation.com/corporate/ConsumerServices

For Sony's UK support team:

SCEE Consumer Services
Telephone us on 08705 99 88 77 (calls charged at standard BT National Rate) Careline hours of business - 8am to 10pm weekdays and 10am to 6pm weekends and public holidays.

Email customer support at - help@uk.playstation.com


Thank you for your patience and continued support.

Yeah, i guess all my data is gone. I'll have to also redownload every freaking program I bought on the PSN.

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Added on June 10, 2008, 7:20 pmTo answer your question -- PROBABLY, yes. GTA IV crashes and kills the PS3. Happened to me, and its happening to a lot more people out there.

What verson PS3 does he have? The 60 GB or 40 GB version? Sony's policy now is to swap out all 'defective' units, so he should go to Singapore and get it swapped out. This is ridiculous -- I hope someone sues Rockstar for bringing out faulty software.


This post has been edited by OmniAtlas: Jun 10 2008, 07:20 PM

Bernard assumed it was the lighting strike. The crashing only happened when I was playing GTA IV, not before, and not even while I'm playing another game.

The deal is, it does happen -- theres a thread on the official playstation forums with 263 pages: http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstatio...413808&page=263


If your haven't noticed any problems then count yourself lucky -- most of those affected are the 60 GB PS3. Sony America has also recognized this problem as they are not charging for a replacement -- before it costs 150 USD to get it in to fix but they are now doing it for free on their 'good will'.

BTW, have you beaten the game? My problems only started after finishing the single player.

People with problems are also joining these two groups:

GTA IV Freezers (Facebook): http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=16122525758
FIXGTANOW: http://www.youtube.com/user/fixgta4now

Call the Sony Singapore service department (you can find the number on asia.playstation.com ; go to the support section); they are pretty straight forward and should be able to answer any of your questions.

Well, I'll be sending my PS3 in tomorrow; they said they'll be able to fix and replace it in one day. Lets hope when I get it back again I can still play GTA without it screwing up the system.