The Meaning of the Red Screen for PS3 Users

Colors such as red, black and blue for computer users and PS3 users generally mean trouble. We have all heard of the red or blue screens of death when dealing with our PC’s. The same holds true for PS3 uses. The PS3 RSOD or PS3 Red Screen of Death is frustrating and confusing for many users. Just because you become a victim of the PS3 RSOD does not mean that you are not taking care of your electronics, sometimes it just happens without warning!

The best scenario when you encounter the PS3RSOD is that your unit is still under warranty and you can bring it right back to the place you purchased it and get either your money back or have it repaired. A less attractive and more costly solution is to bring it to a technician and pay for a repair that may take well over a week. Most of us are just not that lucky to have the red screen of death occur while the machine is still under warranty.

There are a few ways to cure the PS3RSOD by yourself. These methods have proven successful and won’t cost you anything but a little bit of time.

Reasons for the PS3 RSOD and a Few Easy Fixes

• Overheating is the most common cause for the red screen. Many users either have the console flat on the wall or the floor preventing air from circulating. Shut your system down and move it to allow some air to flow. This may require a permanent readjustment of where you have your console located.
• Dust accumulation is another common cause for the red screen. Just as overheating occurs because of the way the console is positioned, dust also accumulates and builds up. Dust the areas around your gaming device, this includes the fan area.
• Unplug the PS3 console and let it stand for at least 30 minutes. This is a good time to let it cool and check for dust and dirt particles. Give the console some time to cool down while you are giving it a good dust down.
• Plug your system back in after waiting at least 30 minutes. Check all of the cords and power supplies to ensure that they are secured and plugged in properly. It is quite possible that these simple steps will get rid of the red screen of death.

After trying these solutions, if you are still med with the PS3 RSOD it is possible that you may have a bad hard drive. You can borrow a hard drive and hook it to your console just see if the red screen still appears with a different hard drive. If the red screen is still present it is likely that there is significant damage done to either your motherboard or your hard drive. In this case you should consult with a technician to get the system repaired.

PlayStation 3 Error 80028EA5 – The Unknown Error

PlayStation 3 users are no strangers to technical difficulties when it comes to the issues with connecting to the online gaming community. An error stating “You have been signed out of PlayStation 3 network (80028EA5)” lets users know that there is a problem on the online gaming front. This problem is typically a connection issue that will not allow the gamer to sign in.

The interesting thing about this error is that it usually occurs when a gamer has been playing, logs off, and then, when the time comes to reconnect, the error code just appears. According to most users who receive this error message, they have done nothing different that would prevent reconnection to the server. Trying frantically to fix this annoying little error will serve no useful purpose. In most cases, the technical problems are more often that not a result of a problem on the server end of things.

Knowing what you are trying to fix is far better than trying to fix something blindly. Unfortunately, error code 80028EA5 stands for unknown error. This is a catch all error that is applied when something goes wrong, but it cannot be specifically identified. It is just a way of letting the user know that something has gone wrong.

When you encounter an unknown error, the fix can be anyone’s best guess. Most likely, it is the result of something unrelated to the user or the system, but rather a bigger issue that involves the entire network. For those that are unlucky enough to get the unknown error, there can be an array of very general reasons why this may occur. Based on the history of this type of error, one of the following may be a cause for the 80028EA5 error:

• Technical problems with the actual server that causes connection issues.
• A heavy usage time causing an overload to the network.
• Upgrades to the system as a whole, unrelated to individual connections or systems.

The best advice when you receive a PlayStation 3 error code that is unknown or one that reads 80028EA5 is to wait it out. Try occasionally to reconnect and see if the issue resolves itself. If possible contact other gamers to see if they too are experiencing the same type of issues. If they are, it is more than likely a network issue that you will not be able to resolve by troubleshooting your system.

If the problem persists for more than a day, contact SONY support to get a better idea of the cause of the error and how long you will be expected to be inconvenienced by it. The good thing about this error is that it is not your fault and it is not a serious issue that will affect your system. The bad thing is that you do not have the power to fix it and you will be out of commission until the powers that be resolve this unknown error.

PS3 Bug Causes a Day of Worry in the Gaming Community

The PlayStation 3 gaming community fell victim to a firmware bug that created issues for gamers across the globe in the early part of 2010. The only console that appeared to not be affected was the new version the PS3 Slim. The good news is that this bug has since been fixed with only a short disruption to play and no longstanding effects on the PS3 consoles or gaming saves.

Firmware is the software that is installed to control how the hardware performs. Just like any other software, it is prone to problems, known as bugs, which may result in error codes. To fix a bug, either upgrades to the firmware or internal changes that will eliminate the issue causing the bug are required to start the hardware to once again work properly.

Error 8001050F was the cause of much disruption and panic before it was identified and corrected for PS3 gamers. The error would read: Registration of the trophy information could not be completed. The game will quit. This was followed by the error code, 8001050F. Those looking for a quiet evening of gaming were quickly disappointed when met with error 8001050F on their PS3. Twitter feeds and blogs kept the gaming community and Sony up to date on the frequency of the error and the status of the fix.

The error was reported to have caused systems to be paralyzed for well more than 24 hours for some users. Not only did it prevent users from connecting to the PlayStation Network, but playing offline games was not a possibility either. Efforts were made by Sony to resolve the issue from a variety of different angles while users patiently waiting to be reconnected with their gaming devices. The centralized support, internal clock and calendar were among the original culprits for the bug.

During the time that the error was being resolved, Sony communicated to users through social medial sites providing information on the updates on the PS3. Sony officials advised users not to use PS3 systems because of the threat of irreversible damage to the functionality of the console. Using the console before the error could be fixed could potentially result in loss of data and problems with recording.

Luckily for players, and Sony, the internal bug did not result in any major damage and game saves were not corrupted, according to user feedback. The error was identified as being caused by a bug in the internal clock in the PS3 console. Once this was identified, it was immediately fixed and PS3 users could once again breathe a sign of relief and go back to enjoying their game without further worry.