I got a PS3(80GB) that I bought before Christmas. It was never used
and I just took it out of the box today.

The software version showed v.1.55 and obviously I wanted to update it.
I downloaded v2.10 and copied it to a USB drive. (created "PS3" folder
and then "UPADTE" folder inside it... the PS3UPDAT.PUP was then placed
inside the "UPDATE" folder)

I plugged the USB drive in and started the update process. It went fine
for about a minute or so and then the power in my house went dead.
(in fact, the whole neighborhood lost power)

Unfortunately, the PS3 was not yet plugged into a UPS. My other two
80GB PS3s are connected to UPS... I haven't bout a third UPS for this
PS3 yet.... :(

The power just cam back on about an hour ago. When I tried to start
the PS3, it would not start... it plays the wave and the usual start-up
melody and then just hangs there.... I tried unplugging the power for
a few minutes and start again... still hangs at the wave graphics and
melody... :(

What should I do now? I do have a 2-year BestBuy replacement plan
for this unit... but is there something easy that I can do besides getting
a replacement?

Thanks for your help! :)

you have just described my worst nightmare...

Edit: Just checked the Knowledge base and saw nothing to help. Try this:

http://playstation.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/playstation.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php?p_sid=YWEPiGXi&p_accessibility=0&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ 9NDQmcF9wcm9kcz00JnBfY2F0cz0mcF9wdj0xLjQmcF9jdj0mcF9zZWFyY2h fdHlwZT1hbnN3ZXJzLnNlYXJjaF9ubCZwX3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh 0PWZvcm1hdA**&p_srch=1

D*E*A*D

Should be under warranty but I'd just return it to the store for easy exchange. The store will deal with Sony so you don't have to wait.

Power loss during a firmware update will almost always brick a PS3. It's why Sony tells you not to power the PS3 off during a firmware update.

"If an update is cancelled before completion, the system software may become damaged, and the system may need to be sent in for service."

I went back to BestBuy tonight and exchanged it...

The good thing about the BestBuy replacement plan is that they don't
want the accessories. I only brought the PS3 by itself. No controller,
no cables, nothing else...(they don't even want the Motorstorm game
that came with it!)

I did take the power cord. Plugged it in at the Geeksquad counter.
Sure enough the "geek" saw that it wasn't booting up and told me
to get one from the video game area. I walked out of the store with
a new PS3 in sealed box. :) All took less than 6 minutes. :)

The new PS3 booted up and I updated to v2.10 without any problems. :)

Happy ending to a freak accident. Enjoy!

Happy ending to a freak accident. Enjoy!

my area is considered "rural" by the power company... but in reality, it's
a huge suburb of a major city.... :(

sometimes I feel like suing the power company because of all the power
outages... their lines are old, the service crew severely understaffed,
customer service medicore at best... we have power outages even when
the weather is perfectly sunny for a week.... then BAM... no power for
two days....

Get a UPS. One that can handle at least 300W, probably more (whatever the back of your PS3 has listed in its power specs plus some overhead for insurance). Especially since you have frequent power outages or brownouts. UPSes are incredibly useful at keeping your equipment healthy. Plus, you don't have to worry about losing your saves, let alone bricking your console. The peace of mind is worth it.

Get a UPS.

+1

It will save you from this happening again if you are updating the firmware and you lose power!