Sorry to read about your problem.

You can try downloading a particular firmware revision to an external USB hard drive, or a flash memory stick, and installing from this source, rather than from the Internet:

[ http://uk.playstation.com/help-support/ps3/system-software/ ]

However, I would contact Sony’s Customer Support in the first instance as they may be able to assist to a greater degree than my guesswork.

There is a very comprehensive Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) section online, or you can try telephoning directly.

From the “Contact Us” section…
—
For UK customers only:

If you have attempted all troubleshooting and are still unable to resolve your query, you may have a non functional system. To reach us, please call the PlayStation Careline on 08705 99 88 77 (National Rate) and a member of our team will be happy to help you.

Postal Contact:

Consumer Services
Sony Computer Entertainment UK
PO BOX 2047
London
W1A 5HY

Email:

You can contact us by email at - help@uk.playstation.com.

Network Gaming Contact:

Should you need to contact us regarding anything to do with Network Gaming and you have been unable to find an answer to your query in the Knowledgebase, please call 08702 422 299.

Note:

Please do not write to, or email us if you believe your PlayStation product is in need of service. We are unable to arrange any service requirement other than through the PlayStation Careline number above.

Continuous Play

Protect your PlayStation with Continuous Play. Sign up for as little as £2.49 a month and we’ll replace your PlayStation system within two working days if it develops a fault after your manufacturer’s warranty expires or if it becomes damaged by accident.

Get complete peace of mind for you and your PlayStation system - visit http://www.continuousplay.co.uk to find out more and sign-up.
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BFN,

fp.

Sounds like you’ll be back online soon.

Of course anybody in the same position could just take out the “Continuous Play” warranty when their console dies & then ring up a day later.
(Much like you would do if your car refused to go & you rang up a vehicle breakdown recovery agency to get a temporary cover reference minutes before reporting your incident).

PS.
[ http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/10/18/firmware-2-50-adds-hidden-recovery-menu/ ]
—
Firmware 2.50 adds hidden recovery menu

Posted Oct 18th 2008 12:50AM by Andrew Yoon

It appears that firmware 2.50 also added one other feature, meant to help PS3 owners that are trying to troubleshoot their system. A recovery menu [image at the above URL] gives users access to a variety of restore features. It will even allow users to install a new firmware update, should anything go wrong during the installation process. To access the menu, you must hold down the power button to turn on the PS3 until you hear three beeps. Then the menu will show up.

There are a few reports of systems bricking after firmware updates, so this may be Sony’s attempt at creating a fix for future problems. Hopefully, we’ll never have to actually use this feature — but if we do, it may be a quick way of avoiding a trip to the post office to send the PS3 to Sony’s support center.
—

BFN,

fp.