Last night I turned on my ps3 to play some GTAIV and ran into a problem. Once the XMB loaded my controller started to freak out. It was acting like I'm holding the left analog stick up, it keeps cycling through the options non stop. It doesn't respond to button presses other than X and O as well as the PS button. When I hit the PS button however the system stops responding to any controller input(though the options are still pulsing, so the system hasn't frozen). At this point I have to shut the system off manually. If I start the system up without turning the controller on it acts normally, but as soon as I turn the controller on it starts to freak out again. I've attempted using the reset button on the controller, and this will turn the controller off and stop the spazzing, but once I turn the sixaxis back on the problems continue.

I don't have another controller to test this with, so I can't be sure if it's the controller or the system. I attempted contacting sony customer service, but once I attempt to speak to an operator it informs me that due to the high interest in the ps3 they can't talk to me. :mad:

Does anyone have any experience with this controller issue, or have any advice on reaching sony customer service(my system is still under warranty)?

Let me guess, you have a 20 or 60GB PS3? It's a known random radio problem in the system, experienced by many people. It is fixed by getting a new Dual Shock 3 controller. Enjoy!

Also, this problem is fixed in the 40/80GB units as well. The DS3 is the cheaper solution, and you want one anyway!

Yes, it's a 60gb unit. It's good to hear that it's likely just the controller, now I just need to find a way to scrounge up some cash for a new one, haha. I'm going to keep trying to get in touch with sony and see if I can get my current one replaced under warranty in the mean time.

^^^Definitely contact Sony, if your still under warranty you can at the very least get a replacement.

Also, FWIW, I've got a 60GB as well (with 4 sixaxis controllers) and only once have I experienced what your describing, but it never got to the point where I had to manually restart my system. Is your PS3 a launch machine, how many hours (estimated) have you logged on the controller in question?...just curious.

I don't believe it's a launch machine, I purchased it about a year after launch, I'll have to look up the manufacturing date. I've probably logged over 100 hours in the controller but thats about as close as I could estimate it.

I'm definitely going to keep calling sony, I just can't believe that they're saying there is too much interest in the ps3 for them to take customer service calls.

Edit: Got a hold of sony and they're sending me a box to ship back my controller. They say 7-10 days from when they receive it so hopefully I'll have a new controller in a couple weeks.