PS3 firmware update 2.01 (causes) fixes problems with 2.0

PS3 owners are starting to feel like the proverbial unwanted red-headed stepchild. Last night's new firmware update for the PS3, version 2.01, seems to be the latest slap in the face. If you haven't already downloaded it, don't be in a big hurry. The ".01" just denotes a few bug fixes for those who said they've been experiencing game freezing errors with 2.00. However, it turns out there is a trojan horse in them there updates.

Unfortunately, it appears as if the patch may have created problems for Call of Duty 4 players, who took to the official forums (registration required) in force to complain of critical errors while trying to play the game online following the update. Many also report getting the same error: "DW update file error 102 - 'BD_EXCEPTION_IN_DB' " when trying to start a new character. Neither Sony nor Activision have responded to the issue. We also don't know if this extends to any other games. Are any of you having similar problems with the update?

PS3 firmware 2.0 causing hardware problems?

Even though Sony still hasn't managed to incorporate any in-game XMB functionality, I've been otherwise pleased with the PlayStation 3's most recent firmware update. Although I don't use the Remote Play functions, I love the added user customization options. Unfortunately, according to an Official PlayStation Forums thread, quite a few people are having problems with the new firmware version. The reported problems range from disc-read errors (remember the PS2's disc read problems?) to lagging performance and even problems booting the console at all.

These reports are a bit disconcerting, especially considering Sony's recent denial of reported high hardware failure rates among the new 40GB PS3's.

Of course it's impossible to know what percentage of PS3 owners are experiencing these problems. Personally, I applied the update the first day it was available and since then I've watched Ratatouille on Blu-Ray (which looks great btw) and played a lot of Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction with no problems...knock on wood! Now that firmware upgrades seem to be a standard part of console maintenance, problems like this are likely to arise, at least once in a while.

PS3 Firmware 2.0 Available Tomorrow

It's not officially official, but you can bet the latest update for the PS3's firmware (version 2.00) will be available tomorrow. Following is a list of the additions/changes coming in version 2.00.

The PlayStation 3 system software version 2.0 update includes the following:

* Users
o You can now password-protect user accounts.

* Settings
o [Dynamic Normalizer] has been added as an option under [Sound Settings].
o [Energy Saver] has been added as an option.
o [Equalizer] has been added as a feature under [Music Settings].
o [Full] has been added as an option for [DVD Wide Display] under [BD / DVD Settings].
o [Photo Settings] has been added as an option.
o [PS / PS2 Settings] has been added as an option.
o [RSS Channel Settings] has been added as an option.
o [Sample Rate] has been added to [Audio CD Import] under [Music Settings].
o [Screen Saver] has been expanded under [Display Settings].
o The method of selecting an output resolution has been changed in [Video Output Settings] under [Display Settings].
o [Theme Settings] has been added as an option.
o [Zero Unused Disk Space] has been added as an option under [System Settings] > [Format Utility].

* Photo
o Additional slideshow effects have been added.
o [Photo Effects] have been added as a feature.
o Wallpaper feature has been added.
o [Zoom] has been added as a feature.

* Music
o Additional visualization effects have been added.
o CD information can now be entered.
o Three-speed fast forward and fast reverse has been added as a feature.

* Video
o Files can now be played sequentially.
o Three-speed fast forward and fast reverse has been added as a feature.
o You can now select [Zoom] under [Screen Mode] when playing video files saved on the hard disk or storage media.*.
*An appropriate USB adapter (not included) is required to use storage media with some models.

* Game
o Support for PLAYSTATION®3 format software titles has been expanded.
o XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) is now accessible during gameplay.

* Network
o [RSS Channel] has been added as a feature.

* Friends
o You can now have multiple chat sessions.
o You can now select an image to use as your Avatar from [Photo].

* Other
o Date and Time is now shown when the PS button is pressed.
o File sorting has been changed.
o [Help] has been added as a feature.
o Playability status with the PS3™ system has changed for some PlayStation® and PlayStation®2 format titles.
To check on the latest status, visit the search site for compatible titles.
o [Secure Delete] has been added as an option.
o Some PLAYSTATION®Network features have been revised.