PS3 Black screen with sparkles upon quitting to XMB

[thesandalguy]

I know I'm posting a lot for this dying pitiful mess of a PS3 but this might be a unique issue.

I've searched a bit and I haven't really seen any posts of anyone else having this issue:


EDIT: This issue started after updating to HFW 4.91 from the Recovery Menu. This could be correlated to the issue.

Upon quitting an application to the XMB, it will return to a point where it is a black screen with some sparkles. These sparkles move in a pattern just like the sparkles in the XMB background, and sometimes glow in colour (implying it is most likely the XMB's sparkles).

Just today upon leaving an application, it was on this screen before lighting up to show the XMB (which is what I have seen this sparkling screen from before, when I leave applications theres usually this before showing the xmb)

However now, the XMB just won't load. These sparkles will just show, the hard drive activity light will not flash after this point, and no amount of controller input does anything (it is still connected to the system).

Upon pressing the power button, it will beep 3 times with no change and I have to press it down for a LONG time for it to force shut down.

Pretty sure its not a dying GPU because as mentioned above it is related to the XMB and there's no gpu issues or artifacting in the XMB or games otherwise.


Does this indicate an issue with the XMB files? The firmware? or just a plain dying HDD issue

 

[Raidmax]

Sounds like a HDD sayin' its last prayers. I'd try replacing it and see if the same thing happens.

Just curious, but is this a 3000 slim by any chance?

 

[Mitsu™]

I know I'm posting a lot for this dying pitiful mess of a PS3 but this might be a unique issue.

I've searched a bit and I haven't really seen any posts of anyone else having this issue:


EDIT: This issue started after updating to HFW 4.91 from the Recovery Menu. This could be correlated to the issue.

Upon quitting an application to the XMB, it will return to a point where it is a black screen with some sparkles. These sparkles move in a pattern just like the sparkles in the XMB background, and sometimes glow in colour (implying it is most likely the XMB's sparkles).

Just today upon leaving an application, it was on this screen before lighting up to show the XMB (which is what I have seen this sparkling screen from before, when I leave applications theres usually this before showing the xmb)

However now, the XMB just won't load. These sparkles will just show, the hard drive activity light will not flash after this point, and no amount of controller input does anything (it is still connected to the system).

Upon pressing the power button, it will beep 3 times with no change and I have to press it down for a LONG time for it to force shut down.

Pretty sure its not a dying GPU because as mentioned above it is related to the XMB and there's no gpu issues or artifacting in the XMB or games otherwise.


Does this indicate an issue with the XMB files? The firmware? or just a plain dying HDD issue

As Raidmax says, I think that your HDD is dying.
That seems to me the most likely. To be verified.

 

[thesandalguy]

Sounds like a HDD sayin' its last prayers. I'd try replacing it and see if the same thing happens.

Just curious, but is this a 3000 slim by any chance?

I assumed so, the files on it are starting to corrupt and be inaccessible. I just have to pray it didn't get my saves or other important user data.

And no, it's a CECH-2504B

 

[Raidmax]

I assumed so, the files on it are starting to corrupt and be inaccessible. I just have to pray it didn't get my saves or other important user data.

And no, it's a CECH-2504B

Being a 2504B, I assume it showed up as not CFW compatible? If you replace the HDD, it's worth checking if the PS3 you have supports full CFW. If so, I'd go with that.

 

[thesandalguy]

Being a 2504B, I assume it showed up as not CFW compatible? If you replace the HDD, it's worth checking if the PS3 you have supports full CFW. If so, I'd go with that.

I've read that only 2504B date codes before 0D are compatible with CFW, but when I checked the minimum version using Hybrid Firmware Tools in PS3HEN, it says the minimum downgrade is 3.50. Does this make it compatible?

 

[Mitsu™]

I've read that only 2504B date codes before 0D are compatible with CFW, but when I checked the minimum version using Hybrid Firmware Tools in PS3HEN, it says the minimum downgrade is 3.50. Does this make it compatible?

Yes, any PS3 with a minimum firmware of 3.56 or lower are CFW-Compatible.

 

[Raidmax]

I've read that only 2504B date codes before 0D are compatible with CFW, but when I checked the minimum version using Hybrid Firmware Tools in PS3HEN, it says the minimum downgrade is 3.50. Does this make it compatible?

0D and early 1A are compatible.