easiest way to check if the account is banned is by signing in to playstation.com on the computer. don't even need the ps3 to check it. if it's banned, it will mention that you've been suspended and you won't be able to sign in. I checked it after I got banned. sony typically bans both system and account if caught using cfw or something. in extreme cases, they may only ban the system, but it's not likely. the account only could be banned for cheating as well.