[PS3] firmware update bricked PS3

[Shadow_Zero]

Got my 60gb US PS3 yesterday (with EE chip) and after trying the firmware update I got the error:
"An error occured during the update operation. Contact technical support for assistance> (8002F1C1)."

Called Sony NL and the only tip they could give was to try to format the hdd in another system. Hooked the hdd in my PC, formatted it but it had no effect (be it fat32, ntfs or unallocated) and now my PS3 doesn't even output audio/video and goes into standby again after a few secs. Later I realised since the error occured during flashing, so this was a friggin' useless suggestion of Sony NL. Of course they don't give support on import systems, so now I'm on my own.

Found a suggestion on the Sony PS3 forum: http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=psnetwork&message.id=252645#M252645

Today i´ve tryied to update my system from FW 1.80 to FW 2.30. My wireless connection wasn´t working well, it gives me a message that wasn´t finding any wireless network on the area. So my controler wasn´t connecting by bluetooth, only via USB. I thoght my wireless board was fried, so i didn´t care about it and continued to do the update.

Firstly i downloaded the UPDATE on the internet in my PC and copied it on a memory stick using my PSP. Then i have put the memory in the PS3 and started to update the system. in the middle of the process, on 70%, it gave me the 8002f1c1 error message...

The system tryied and re-tryied it 3 times. then i got the error message... i turned off the system and turned back on.. the system automaticaly re-started to try to update it.

It always stoped at 70% and gave the error message.

I decided to take the PS3 apart because i live in Brazil and here Sony doesn´t distribute oficialy the PS3 so, there is no oficial service.

I unmounted all the system, and saw that the FLAT CABLE from the wireless board was released. I decided to take the motherboard Batery off, i thought that maybe the system will erase it´s memory and start everything from the beggining.

Then i have mounted it back and made sure that the FLAT CABLE from wireless board was firmly locked.

I turned the system on and it completed the update work 100% :smileyvery-happy: now i have my PS3 back.

i think that this 8002f1c1 error message shows you that therre is some part of the system (hardware) failature diruing the update process.

thanks for everybody,

i hope that i helped you guys.

Here's a nice tutorial for disassembling the PS3: http://www.llamma.com/PS3/repair/PS3_disassembly_tutorial.htm
I opened it up a bit, but not sure if I dare to venture further on my own 

http://forum.beyond3d.com/showthread.php?t=45069 has some pics of various PS3 motherboards, but I'm not sure at the moment where to find the battery on the 60gb US PS3.
This might be a shot of the 60gb mb, but not 100% (it has the EE chip in any case):
http://pocketnews.cocolog-nifty.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2007/11/11/071111_20.jpg

Anyone here that can help me out?

[Shadow_Zero]

Found the battery: http://techrepublic.com.com/2346-10877_11-41891-61.html
Will give it a shot, together with another hdd, just in case.
*prays to the Gods*

EDIT:
Tried it, but didn't work for me unfortunately 

[l_oliveira]

You have to send it to Sony for unbricking. They have a special hard disk image with a recovery program which can restore the PS3 without even need to open it.

The only catch is...  Since you opened it they will charge you US $150 for service fees.

[Shadow_Zero]

The other catch is, that I have to have an US address where they can send it to (since they don't ship it internationally).
The downside of importing