Mysterious Data Caused PS3 Bricking Problem with Firmware 2.40

According to Three Speech, Sony have come out saying that the problems caused by its Playstation 3 firmware update 2.40, which rendered many systems inoperable, was caused by "system administration" data on some hard drives. Apparently this data prevents the updated systems from loading into the XMB on boot, making them unusable. The updated firmware 2.41, released last night, supposedly fixes this problem, which is little consolation for those with the bricked units. Sony offer them the option to either remove and reformat the hard drive on their own or to contact Sony customer service, which will presumably be sending out replacement systems. Either way, it seems that any saved data will be lost in the process.

Given the reported difficulty in getting replacement 60GB PS3s I feel increasingly lucky to have dodged a bullet on this one. Condolences go out to those who were less fortunate.

[Three Speech via PS3 Fanboy]