Only two weeks ago, Sony made PlayStation 3 firmware versuon 3.0 available, and it seems like things have been falling apart for people ever since. And while they have managed to fix Uncharted's issues with a new 3.01 version, for others, it may already be too late.

The firmware download, which in some instances can take 30 minutes or more to download, is a requirement to play the recently-released The Beatles: Rock Band. However, for Consumerist reader Agent Xray, "the download was a regular Yoko Ono." His system now seems to be bricked, meaning that with or without the download, he still can't get the old band back together again.

He summarizes how his attempts to get help from Sony Customer Service went:

Me:
While this information is good to know, I think the phrase "The following Knowledge Center article may help resolve your problem" is not really accurate. The article is an announcement that acknowledges the issue but in no way resolves it. I remain rather upset that I've been "bricked" by this firmware upgrade.
Looking forward to an actual resolution to this mess.

Them:
We sympathize with your situation you are having with your PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system. Again, SCEA is aware of reports that PS3 owners are experiencing isolated issues with their PS3 system since installing the most recent system software update (v3.00). Rest assured that we are looking into the matter. I apologize for any inconvenience, please check Playstation.com for future updates.

He certainly won't be checking it from the PS3's browser, by the sounds of it.

Nor is Agent Xray alone in experiencing difficulties with the upgrade, though Consumerist says "his case is the most extreme we've heard."

"Hopefully Sony will replace his PS3, even if it's out of warranty," they add.

Is it just me, or does it seem like troubles occur more often than not when these updates come around? Frankly, I'm always a little edgy about them, and am not particularly fond of the firmware requiring updating in order to play a new game.