Global PlayStation Network Outage - 2nd Update

As reported on various websites, there are some serious problems suddenly occuring with the PlayStation Network and/or the console itself.

Consoles are unable to connect to the PlayStation Network, citing a seemingly meaningless (to us) 8001050F error code. Worse still, even when trying to launch games offline, such as Heavy Rain or Modern Warfare 2 (and these are ones just tested by us), a Trophy-related error pops up and kicks you back to the XMB.

Sony have posted on twitter that the problems only seem to be attached to non-Slim consoles.

Sony have acknowledged the issue, and are currently looking into it. We're not yet sure if it's PSN related, Trophy, or even non-leap, leap-year nonsense. We'd recommend leaving your PS3s off until the whole thing blows over, just to be ultra cautious of data corruption or trophy losses.

As soon as we have any futher details, we'll let you know. In the meantime, there are still a few hours of daylight to play outside while Sony work on a fix.

Thanks everyone that sent this in!

Update 1#: Sony have posted the following on their official blog:

"We believe we have identified that this problem is being caused by a bug in the clock functionality incorporated in the system."

"We hope to resolve this problem within the next 24 hours. In the meantime, if you have a model other than the new slim PS3, we advise that you do not use your PS3 system, as doing so may result in errors in some functionality, such as recording obtained trophies, and not being able to restore certain data."

Hopefully this doesn't mean that those experiencing missing trophies and save data have indeed lost that forever.

Update 2#:

We've got an official response from Sony NZ -

Dear Customer;

As you may be aware, some customers have been unable to connect to the PlayStation Network today. This problem affects the models other than the new slim PS3.

We believe we have identified that this problem is being caused by a bug in the clock functionality incorporated in the system.

Errors include:

* The date of the PS3 system may be re-set to Jan 1, 2000.
* When the user tries to sign-in to the PlayStation Network, the following message appears on the screen; "An error has occurred. You have been signed out of PlayStation Network (8001050F)".
* When the user tries to launch a game, the following error message appears on the screen and the trophy data may disappear; “Failed to install trophies. Please exit your game.”
* When the user tries to set the time and date of the system via the Internet, the following message appears on the screen; “The current date and time could not be obtained. (8001050F)”
* Users are not able to playback certain rental video downloaded from the PlayStation Store before the expiration date.

We hope to resolve this problem within the next 24 hours. In the meantime, if you have a model other than the new slim PS3, we advise that you do not use your PS3 system, as doing so may result in errors in some functionality, such as recording obtained trophies, and not being able to restore certain data.

As mentioned above, Please be advised that the new slim PS3 is not affected with this error. We are doing our best to resolve the issue and do apologise for any inconvenience caused.

For the latest status on this situation please check either the PlayStation blog (http://blog.eu.playstation.com/) or PlayStation.co.nz