Recently got a second hand PS3 slim, AFAIK it was working fine other than a BD wouldn't eject or accept discs. Finally got around to buying a controller and now this update loop problem.
Ive tried 3 seperate HD's, The original 120gb, 80gb and a 320gb all toshiba all fully working, one was even brand new out of the antistatic. Problem occurs with all three.
It gets to the final stage of installing the actual update post formating and gives error code at around 40%, then theres the 60 sec countdown and the PS3 restarts and attempts the install over again, failing at the same point.
Pulling the HD allows the update to continue past 40%, If I reinsert the HD after 40% it then freezes again at around 70%. If I pull the HD and leave it out, the update gets to 99% then freezes.
One question I have is, if the update gets to 99% with the HDD pulled, then it must be not needed to complete the actual update. But if I leave the HD in during the update, the activity light is quite busy throughout. What is being passed between the HD and console during this process?
Ive tried all the fixes. HD format, pulling the HD, alternative firmware files, removing the battery, recovery menu, reseating BD cable.
Nothing seems to work. I can get out of the update loop by formatting the HD, but then I'm back at step one with the PS3 requesting firmware update all over again.
I can access the recovery menu normally (2 beeps when holding power) but when its stuck in the update loop I cant access the recovery menu. I was hoping I could use one of the recovery menu options to fix the HD as the firmware/os is obviously being partially installed and then failing at some point.
One thing I am now suspecting is the Bluray drive itself. I tampered about with it trying to fix the eject problem that was before I got the controller. Not only does the drive not eject, but there is no sound from the drive at all when I hit eject, and the Blue led in the corner of the P/E board never even flickers.
I'm going to try pulling the blu ray drive and seeing how far the update gets for comparison
thanks any suggestions at all appreciated, Console was free and warranty is void