Something's Fishy: I don't trust Sony Support...

[DaytonaUSA]

As many of you know, I have a Test PS2. My model, the H30001 doesn't connect to a HDD or DVD movies (though it does work with the network adaptor) unless it's firmware has been updated, which can only be done by Sony.

 

I'm not a developer, never have. I honestly, in Sony's eyes, shouldn't even have this system. However, I went ahead and tried my luck and called Sony Support. I explained to the lady I had an H30001 system, and she kept telling me the ps2 was displaying it wrong.. it should be SFH30001 (the first PS2 to roll out retail). I explained to her my PS2 was a TEST system, said it on the side. She put me on hold.

 

I told her how the HDD wouldnt connect and that I needed a firmware update. She put me on hold again.. much longer.

 

She came back and said that they could fix it, that this special system doesn't need to go through another support phone number. She said there would be a charge to "fix" it however. I said I wanted to talk to a manager, to make sure they knew what type of system I had and that it originally came from a developer.

 

She comes back after 5 minutes or so on hold. The manager told her to "wave the cost of repair to the test system as a kind gesture".

 

I asked her if I would be receiving the SAME system back, fearful that they would swap it for a retail ps2 instead and call it a day. She reassured me they would not replace the system when "repairing" it.

 

I'm now on hold again, because upon entering my model number into the system, her desktop went blue LOL. Now I'm waiting until they fix her computer. I have no idea what's going on, she won't let me talk to the manager, and this just seems... odd. I'm concerned they don't like that I have a TEST system on my hands, and I don't know if I can trust Sony. This just seems odd that they'd wave all the repair money like that for no reason either.

 

Your opinions?

[MCHufnagel]

I don't see why they would care if it was a development system or not. Didn't Sony recently open up the PS2 to open source development? I would think that more than a few of those units would be changing hands now.

[DaytonaUSA]

I don't see why they would care if it was a development system or not. Didn't Sony recently open up the PS2 to open source development? I would think that more than a few of those units would be changing hands now.

 

 

I'm talking to the manager now. He's refusing me the phone number of the support line for developers. He's saying I need to contact the dev I got it from (???) and then call the number they give me, that even if I have a TEST ps2, they won't give me the support number.

 

It's a BIG secret I guess >_>. I asked to talk to his Supervisor. On hold again...

[cimerians]

I don't see why they would care if it was a development system or not. Didn't Sony recently open up the PS2 to open source development? I would think that more than a few of those units would be changing hands now.

 

 

I'm talking to the manager now. He's refusing me the phone number of the support line for developers. He's saying I need to contact the dev I got it from (???) and then call the number they give me, that even if I have a TEST ps2, they won't give me the support number.

 

It's a BIG secret I guess >_>. I asked to talk to his Supervisor. On hold again...

 

 

I received a new system but the same model (60GB)

They did NOT repair mine.

 

It seems they have a supply of every model.

[DaytonaUSA]

I got off the phone now with 3 managers, sigh.

 

It seems they do NOT fix test ps2s, unlike said earlier, and that they have no idea what the phone number is for that department as it was not given to anyone there (yea right).

 

I have no idea who to contact. I don't know what's more annoying right now, the fact I can't contact the right people, or the fact I KNOW it can be done with a simple firmware patch.

 

UGHHHHHH.

 

I'm in contact with some developers and a repair company atm. Maybe they can help >_>

Edited March 13, 2009 by DaytonaUSA

[moycon]

If you value the system as is, I wouldn't send it to them.

Seems to me there was a post on here awhile ago where someone sent in a unit after being told he would get the same one back and naturally...did not.Can't remember the details, but the gist was don't send in machines you want to keep!!

[DaytonaUSA]

If you value the system as is, I wouldn't send it to them.

Seems to me there was a post on here awhile ago where someone sent in a unit after being told he would get the same one back and naturally...did not.Can't remember the details, but the gist was don't send in machines you want to keep!!

 

Yea I've decided against this route, and just went and put the game/hdd up for sale. Someone has already called it, so at least it will find a good home. I'd love to play it, but I can't seem to make myself spend 60 bucks on a used ps2 just to play one game.

[Video]

I dont know abut anybody else, but if I got a prototype, developer, or test system, I would absolutely NOT send it in for reapair (or try to upgrade firmware or anything like that) A lot of it's value is that is what it is, otherwise, just get a standard release system and not worry about it.

[shadow460]

Does the test system play games? If it does, then score! I would have kept it, too, and scoured the net for that firmware update.

[DaytonaUSA]

Does the test system play games? If it does, then score! I would have kept it, too, and scoured the net for that firmware update.

 

Yea guys, I didn't send it in...no way!

 

I was just curious if I could get a firmware update on it, but that doesn't seem possible unless I'm a developer. The only theory I've found on the net is to put the firmware from a stock ps2 on a sony hdd, and transfer it to the Test PS2, but I don't think anyone has tried it.. and it sure won't be me doing it first.

 

 

The system plays games, and most importantly (like my debug PS1) plays imports. This is already starting to come very handy with the game reviews I'm doing. I now have 5 systems (used to have 6, the import DC broke) that can play import games, so that really does open a lot of doors in game collecting.

 

 

So anywho, both the Test PS2 and Debug PS1 are safe and sound, and staying with me. I didn't much like how Sony treated me on the phone, but then again.. I never have. Thank god they make interesting systems is all I have to say...

Edited March 18, 2009 by DaytonaUSA

[shadow460]

Changing the firmware with the HDD shouldn't be a problem as long as you dump the firmware that's installed first. If you don't ike the new f/w, reflash it with the f/w you just dumped. Simple.

[DaytonaUSA]

Changing the firmware with the HDD shouldn't be a problem as long as you dump the firmware that's installed first. If you don't ike the new f/w, reflash it with the f/w you just dumped. Simple.

 

Simple? If you know how you'd go about doing that (like.. in detail) I'd be curious to hear your theory. I'm not very savvy when it comes down to this sort of stuff, so any insight would be interesting to hear.

[shadow460]

It's simple in theory, that is. I don't have the stuff to do it on a PS2, though. Most programs that allow you to update a firmware also include a program that will dump what's in the chip. I do not know the specifics of the PS2, and I'm not sure that the flashing/dumping programs for, say, my 30001 PS2 are the same as what you test unit would need.

[DaytonaUSA]

It's simple in theory, that is. I don't have the stuff to do it on a PS2, though. Most programs that allow you to update a firmware also include a program that will dump what's in the chip. I do not know the specifics of the PS2, and I'm not sure that the flashing/dumping programs for, say, my 30001 PS2 are the same as what you test unit would need.

 

And unfortunately I think that's pretty much where everyone stops in the process to upgrade the firmware... with a theory :-/. Ah well, i love my PS2 as it is. Though I really do need a DVD player >_>. Sadly enough, I have all these systems and none play DVDs haha. I have my mac, and the one in the family room. But the family room one isn't doing hot and who likes watching movies on the computer?

Edited March 20, 2009 by DaytonaUSA

[JamesD]

Trust a company that had their audio CDs install root kits on people's computers? Not a chance!