PS3 Problems Caused by Clock Issue, Update Within 24 Hours [Update]

Update: It seems the problem has corrected itself. Kotaku and Engadget are both reporting success. No word from Sony yet though, so we still don’t know what’s caused this mess. Now go get playing!

Well it’s been what seems like an eternity since PS3s around the globe decided to stop working and frankly, the universe is close to collapse. However, Sony has now released a statement on its blog which confirms initial reports suggesting the problem was due to the system’s clock malfunctioning.

Sony has also advised all users of the older, chunky PS3s to ‘œnot use your PS3 system, as doing so may result in errors in some functionality.’ They say a fix is due in the next 24 hours and that they are doing their best to resolve the issue.

Engadget points out a similar problem that afflicted Zunes in late 2008. The devices were bricked due to it being the last day of a leap year, (December 31st 2008) with users told to simply wait it out until the new year. The Gaming Vault is also reporting that some GAME stores in the UK have today stopped taking chunky PS3s for trade-in. However, CVG contacted multiple GAME stores, who were more than happy for users to trade-in the console, so perhaps it’s an isolated group of stores.

We’ll see if there’s any progress over the next few hours. But for all you non-slim PS3 owners out there: stay strong.