Ugh! I'm seeing red. My PS3 is giving me a flashing red light.

I was playing MW2's story mode for no more than 20 minutes then it shut down, disc still inside and flashing red. So of course off to Google I went. It's either a CPU / GPU failure, Blu-ray drive failure, PS2 emulator chip too hot, faulty HDD, or overall overheating. I can't take the disc out either. For some reason I'm more concerned with having multiple PSN region accounts on my HD than having MW2 stuck in there. Good thing it isn't Dragon Age or Uncharted 2. What's even more amusing is most of the reports of this red light issue I read about, the people were playing MW2.

I gave the last two a go. Left it off for... a while. Dunno exactly how long. Same thing. Took the HDD out wondering if I could get anything else but red lights. Nope. I'm going to let it sit overnight and try to get it turned on tomorrow. Just long enough to remove any sensitive password information, backup some gamesaves and get the disc out. Cross your fingers for me!

Really, I don't care what the problem is. I know it's something I can't fix and unlike my PS2, I'm not taking my PS3 apart. I was totally prepared to send it off to Sony for what I'm assuming is a $150 (USD?) fee. I know I 'could' buy a new PS3 slim but considering I love my backwards compatibility + other 60gb features, repair is the route for me.

There's a spark of good luck though. I checked my receipt and I purchased the 3 year "service" warranty. (Unlike my 360, I want the same console back so I lucked out for that as well.) It expires on the 11th. 7 days is cutting it a bit close for my liking. lol. My 360 was fixed under its warranty as well and I'm pleased with the work that was done so here's to hoping for the same for my PS3.

Wow, this year is coming in like a lion so the saying goes. "Out like a lion, in like a lamb."

(Btw, dontcha just love my topic titles? Misleading ftw! )

UPDATE:

Well I ended up having to return it twice.

After about 10 days, I got it back and yeah, it would turn on, no red blinking light and I got my MW2 disc back but I would either have a black screen (with audio) or i would have red and green blotches on the screen. It would then shortly freeze. It was very weird! I can't understand how it passed the inspection.

Anyway, after another 10 days I got it back. The "system board" (motherboard + CPU + GPU) was replaced as well as the blu-ray drive. Then the fans were cleaned so really, (fingers crossed) I have a brand new 60gb PS3. Woot!

Bad news is unlike when I got my PS3 back the first time, this time the HD was totally clean sooo I lost all my PS3 data. I know I got the better end of the deal but it's still bittersweet. Obviously I didn't have it backed up. I tried using gamefaqs for a gamesave but I kept getting a message stating that the user profile is different and any trophies gained will not be unlocked. So for the sake of any future DLC, I'm not going to use them. I guess I have a bunch of brand new PS3 games! *rolls eyes* lol.

Oh, and the system board that was installed is (supposedly) another 60gb model. They didn't try to pull a quick one and give me a... I dunno. 80gb or whatever is out there now. So it was written at least. I haven't tried any PS2 games yet to prove it. Eitherway, I have another 30 days to give it a go before I'm totally SOL and have to pay $150.

Well first of all... Happy New Year!!

...yeah, yeah. I'm only late by... 2 hours.

I have finally grown tired of my 6 year old Vaio desktop PC. RS712 something or another. Anyway. I checked the typical major retailers here (Futureshop & BestBuy). As much as I hate buying corporate, bloatware, premade PC's, I settled and had myself convinced to just bite the bullet. I found one with the closest PC specs I wanted. Intel i7 chip, 1tb HDD, 12gb ram, Windows 7, etc etc. Problem is, it's a Gateway. *shudder* (nVidia 260 too. A wee bit low considering the next PC I buy will last me another 6 years.)

Then out of curiousity I went snooping around for some Gateway hardware dependability & customer service satisfaction. Wow, horror stories galore on both counts! I can put up with some since there's bound to be someone complaining and the unfortunate luck of a "lemon" PC but this was just too much.

Perhaps it's the fact that it's 2am and I'm tired but between the horror stories, wanting the almost specific hardware specs in "my" PC, and longing for the know how for so long now, I think it's the perfect time to make it my New Years resolution. I just wish it wasn't such an expensive "experiment". Very scary. lol.

Boy do I have a long list of things to do already this year -- and now PC building homework.

What about you guys? Any New Years resolutions?

Ugh, I feel dirty. I gave in to the filty, rotten *censored* at Activision and Infinity Ward and bought Modern Warfare 2. It was $20 less (49.99 instead of 69.99) and figured I could see how the single player mode played out and if all else fails, use it whenever I have a multiplayer shooter itch.

Mini review? (Spoiler free)

It's definitely not worth it. For the SP or MP.

Single player, (er... story mode? Not the spec ops mode) is much shorter and much easier. I played through the veteran difficulty in about 8-10 hours. I know some may think for a game like this it's the average amount. It's not considering how long it took me to beat MW1. Remember, I'm talking about difficulty, not necessarily the story length.

It had interesting little perk moments but still disappointing.

As for the MP, it's the same ol thing with just some alterations. (ie: Perks & Maps) Just enough has changed to lure in us suc-- uhm.. "fans".

Spec Ops is just like a challenge arena. Either with timed events, spawning enemies, etc. It's like it's Activision and IW's way of giving a tacked on watered down option to play with a friend without a real co-op experience. That energy would have been better suited to a longer SP story mode.

Unless you are some absolute, utter die hard Modern Warfare fan that has exhausted every ounce from your MW1 copy and your primary interest is some hardcore MP, either rent or pass it up.

I'm a collector and even I'm tempted to trade this game.

Alright, I'm a patient person and I'm not really mad either. (The cursing just helps add emphasis and attention to the blog entry. ) However, I will never order an item from Amazon.ca. I can't say Amazon in general since many times Canadian services such as Amazon are merely watered down versions of their American companions.

Yeah I know, "Wtf??". I'll explain.

Alright, in July I preordered Uncharted 2 and figured I'd take advantage of their free shipping offer. Win win situation right? Not really.

Considering the price is the same as the other retail stores here, (not like there's a 10% discount) with the same expected tax, there isn't a huge benefit to ordering from them. Possibly a couple days early and a preorder bonus. You'd also think those who preordered would receive the product almost on a first come first serve basis in case it was indeed sold out.

Big flipping hoo.

That's not the issue. The issue is the fact that Amazon.ca does not value my order with as much importance as someone who paid for shipping. My copy of Uncharted 2 is schedule for release on Friday the 16th. Actually getting the item well into the following week.

If you're thinking, "3 days isn't a big deal. You're just impatient. It's only a game." That isn't my point if it wasn't obvious enough. It's the fact that they're purposely waiting until the end of the week, to ship in bulk everyone who used their free shipping method whereas everyone else may already have their copy from them. Simply because they're more important.

Telling me, "well that's business, that's how they do things. Money comes first." Albeit that may be true, it shouldn't be included in this case. It is not like when I placed the order they told me that they were going to purposely delay shipping my preordered item so they can reserve what copies they have for customers who pay for their shipping. They didn't tell me in July and they didn't tell me yesterday. I had to call. I did receive an email stating that it was "delayed". No reason given and no updates made on their site. (ie: a worldwide delay) It was just for me. If that doesn't say "f*** you" then I don't know what would.

I hope that $6 or so was worth the loss of my business to them.

I'm not merely speculating this either. I called Amazon asking them about the 16th release date and that is what they told me more or less.

That totally defeats the purpose of preordering while just downright disrespecting their customers. I may as well go to my local store and buy a copy.

In the meanwhile, I hope you all enjoy your Uncharted 2 copies. I know it will be well beat by the time I take the seal off of mine.

UPDATE:

Well as it turns out, after I called Amazon, they shipped my order out the following day. (Received it the day after that) Keep in mind that I never insisted that they send my order out and surely this isn't "coincidental". They must have taken my inquiry as some sort of a complaint. So I got the item, was notified of a $10 price reduction and was emailed my preorder code.

Something happened that's for sure but the damage is done. Anyway, Uncharted 2 is a lot of fun. I'm very glad I'm able to play it.