PlayStation 4 Console Thread

[Alex W.]

Maybe there's a power option that needs to be discovered.

[Not Thread Owner]

The ironic thing about that message is it doesn't actually tell you.

[Rowan Morrison]

I've got mine on the three hour charge setting (it cuts power three hours after going into standby), but my long USB lead is somewhat fickle. Sometimes it works fine, and then occasionally the battery status changes to a question mark, and the only fix is to charge it up with the official one inch log cable. But the question mark appears to be arbitrary - I can go a couple of weeks using the long cable, other times a day or so. Maybe it's to do with the battery dropping to a certain level and then insisting on the short cable, I've no idea. Seems like a common problem - I've seen lots of people asking about it, but no canonical answers. Anyway, to be sure of getting a charge, I just switch to the short cable. If the charge gets low and I want to keep playing, I plug in the long one and usually it's fine but sometimes it isn't.

When I upgraded my hard drive the other week, it asked me to verify my charging preference in the update process after turning it back on. Whether it did that during my initial setup, I can't remember.

[yashiro]

The pad could still be getting power but depending on how 'smart' the charging process is the lack of a data connection could cause issues.

The problem with long USB cables is that reliable data transfer over USB2 is limited to a distance of around 3m (source to device; total). The delivery of power is not. The old spec for USB2 actually says 5m is the limit but this does not seem to apply to 'high speed' connections in the real world.

If the connection is fully USB3 on both devices then something else is at fault, probably a cheapo cable. USB3 generally works ok beyond 3m but it's still recommended keep at this length. The same also applies to USB-C/Thunderbolt3. Buying a higher quality active cable (chipped) will also allow you to exceed the 3m limit.

TLDR - cheapo cables, stay well under 3m; for longer runs splash out on a decent active cable.

[Rowan Morrison]

Ah, could be a 3m cable, I don't recall. I think it's USB3 but, again, I could be wrong. Behaviour fits what you're saying, though, so I'll try another that's been my plan for some time, it's just not debilitating enough to make it a priority). I didn't spend silly money on it, but I avoided the obvious crazy bargains.

I mostly use it when we're watching a film, to avoid the 'controller disconnected' messages that turning off notifications doesn't seem to work on.

[Danster]

Finally got my 2TB External HDD (from the Eurogamer guide) and will be attempting switching out my 500GB drive tonight. Is there anything else I need to do beforehand, other than:

- Check the HDD works before I remove it from the caddy

- make sure all my saves are on the cloud.

??

Do I need to download anything beforehand? Or need a USB stick for firmware or anything like that?

[TehStu]

Yeah, fetch a usb stick and download the latest firmware, putting it in the exact folder it needs. It's linked from the EG guide somewhere.

[Andy XC]

Yeah, fetch a usb stick and download the latest firmware, putting it in the exact folder it needs. It's linked from the EG guide somewhere.

Just to add to this, make sure you download the full/complete firmware, it is about ~900mb and I found it on the Sony US site.

The ~300mb update file on the Sony UK failed to work for me.

HOWEVER I'm sure I was doing something wrong because I couldn't believe SCEE would be so dumb (especially as [i think] the page mentioned replacing the HDD etc..), but then again.

[Pavey]

One is the full system software (that you need) and the other is the latest update data, as Andy mentioned. Go for the larger of the two.

(pretty much what Andy said )

[Rowan Morrison]

The page with those updates on is atrocious, right down to the way the links themselves are presented as stupid little identical button icons. Bah!

[Danster]

Cheers guys, do I need to format my USB to FAT32 or anything like that?

[Not Thread Owner]

I use this HDMI switch from Amazon (was £6.99 when I bought it), and it auto-switches between my PS4, Xbox One and Wii U. It doesn't require a power supply, and has a switch in case it doesn't auto-switch itself or if you have two devices on and want to flip between them. Really impressed with it.

That's not a splitter - it's a switch. If you want a splitter they're generally quite a bit more expensive (and do the reverse job!)

[Danster]

Finally got my 2TB External HDD (from the Eurogamer guide) and will be attempting switching out my 500GB drive tonight. Is there anything else I need to do beforehand, other than:

- Check the HDD works before I remove it from the caddy

- make sure all my saves are on the cloud.

??

Do I need to download anything beforehand? Or need a USB stick for firmware or anything like that?

FFS....

Got the wrong bloody drive....

3.5 inch one....

[TehStu]

It's like being at work.

[Broker]

PSN down?

[PaB]

Finally got my 2TB External HDD (from the Eurogamer guide) and will be attempting switching out my 500GB drive tonight. Is there anything else I need to do beforehand, other than:

- Check the HDD works before I remove it from the caddy

- make sure all my saves are on the cloud.

??

Do I need to download anything beforehand? Or need a USB stick for firmware or anything like that?

If you have spare 500GB external drive lying about you can back up the entire PS4 and not have to worry about downloading shit. (aside from the firmware). Otherwise you will have to redownload any non disc based games and patches. Sync your trophies too.

[Pob]

Just to add to this, make sure you download the full/complete firmware, it is about ~900mb and I found it on the Sony US site.

The ~300mb update file on the Sony UK failed to work for me.

HOWEVER I'm sure I was doing something wrong because I couldn't believe SCEE would be so dumb (especially as [i think] the page mentioned replacing the HDD etc..), but then again.

I got pretty much every single instruction wrong when trying to install the firmware. Downloaded the wrong file, put it in the wrong folder, called it the wrong thing, did things in the wrong order. I was constantly plugging and unplugging the drive and fixing one thing at a time. You have to get everything exactly right. I'm used to machines being a bit more lenient these days.

[Pavey]

I'm sure you are a lovely person Pob but it's pretty hard to get it wrong, in my opinion. You only have to create one folder from memory, put something in it and plug it in.

What's the opinion on PSTV for streaming PS4 games within the house? I'd be using power line adapters for it.

I'd like to know this too.

[Guest]

I'm sure you are a lovely person Pob but it's pretty hard to get it wrong, in my opinion.

I'm sure you're a lovely person Pob but you're the ultimate cunt and deserve to die a painful death.

[TehStu]

Actually, the instructions I followed (linked from EG, I believe) were poor. They said create a folder, then another folder, then put the firmware in the second one. What wasn't clear is that the second folder was supposed to be in the first.

[Simmy]

I've no idea the accuracy of this video, but if you're struggling with written instructions then maybe it's worthwhile following a video instead?

[womble9]

That video looks pretty much spot on to me.

From memory the thing that caught a good few people out was the naming of the files / folder. Make sure you follow it exactly as said ie using capitals and (and this is where I went wrong) if for some reason you download the download more than once it will when you do so number and name the update accordingly and that "1" (that it's added to the files name) will screw things up.

[rafaqat]

What's the opinion on PSTV for streaming PS4 games within the house? I'd be using power line adapters for it.

I'd like to know this too.

I run mine over powerline adapters.

It's good. Well worth the new lower price they dropped down to a while back (£45?).

Only thing that I miss is party chat while streaming from the ps4. Even if you use a ds4 and plug a headset in that doesn't work. I think the proper way to do it is pair a Bluetooth headset with the pstv and join the chat on the pstv and then stream from ps4. I've not got that working and just decided I'd stick to single player games when streaming from ps4.

There is sometimes just the tiniest hint of input lag but it's not enough to really bother me. I'd probably notice it more if I was any good at online fps.

The party chat thing is the only thing I would love to get working as at that point my kids could have pstv's in their bedrooms and play with mates on ps4.

[villenium]

What's the opinion on PSTV for streaming PS4 games within the house? I'd be using power line adapters for it.

It works really well and is really easy to use. I've only ever used it for single player stuff. I'd imagine online multiplayer that's twitchy wouldn't work great but I've never tried it.

The only issue I had, and this might have been down to my own stupidity, is that I had to sync my pad to the PSTV by plugging it in and then back to the PS4 when I'd finished. Bit of a pain in the arse because I only had one cable and I can't think how it wouldn't be necessary. Ended up getting a 2nd pad to use on the PSTV.

[dreamylittledream]

What's the opinion on PSTV for streaming PS4 games within the house? I'd be using power line adapters for it.

Its remarkably good. I actually run mine over wifi as there are two routers in the house - the PS4 is wired into the downstairs fibre connection and the PSTV is connected by wifi to my wife's ADSL work connection which is virtually next to it in our bedroom. My only set of power line adaptors are already tied up so was only option.

There is a little input lag, but for most games its perfectly acceptable - I've played a large amount of Assassins Creed Syndicate and Far Cry 4 on it with no real issues.

I would imagine using power adaptors it would be pretty flawless

[Rowan Morrison]

I got pretty much every single instruction wrong when trying to install the firmware. Downloaded the wrong file, put it in the wrong folder, called it the wrong thing, did things in the wrong order. I was constantly plugging and unplugging the drive and fixing one thing at a time. You have to get everything exactly right. I'm used to machines being a bit more lenient these days.

I also did this, but it was my own fault for not paying attention. But also a little bit Sony's fault for having a stupid web page built to confuse people who've just been through a wearing ordeal trying to deal with their backup system and opening a hard drive case that was designed to stay sealed forever.

But yeah, I got the wrong file and I didn't put in in a PS4 folder, and then - amazingly - I downloaded the wrong file again and didn't put it in a PS4 folder. Then I downloaded the right file and didn't put it in a PS4 folder. Then I put in a PS4 folder and it worked. It could all have been avoided by planning ahead, but you could say that about all manner of human endeavours.

So you are not alone. But we are not bright.

[Pob]

I also did this, but it was my own fault for not paying attention. But also a little bit Sony's fault for having a stupid web page built to confuse people who've just been through a wearing ordeal trying to deal with their backup system and opening a hard drive case that was designed to stay sealed forever.

But yeah, I got the wrong file and I didn't put in in a PS4 folder, and then - amazingly - I downloaded the wrong file again and didn't put it in a PS4 folder. Then I downloaded the right file and didn't put it in a PS4 folder. Then I put in a PS4 folder and it worked. It could all have been avoided by planning ahead, but you could say that about all manner of human endeavours.

So you are not alone. But we are not bright.

It could be made easier for average human beings by doing the following:

• making it clear on the web page the difference between the full firmware download and the update, and for what reason you might want to download them
• have the PS4 scan the mounted drive for the file it needs
• not stipulating that the user has to do things in an arbitrary order (plug the drive in before you boot the PS4, or something).
• tell the user the possible reasons why the file might not be suitable or not found.

Of course, there are undoubtedly technical reasons why the second and third point are hard to achieve, but we're used to computers at least attempting to help out these days. Then again, this is a process only nerds will go through so maybe they just don't care. And the layman can just buy a whole new PS4 with a 2TB drive already installed, right?

[SeanR]

wait, are you guys arguing over the 300MB update/900MB fresh install versions of the PUP file to stick in the /ps4/update folder?

Yeah, that got me when I did the 2TB upgrade too.

[Rowan Morrison]

Yeah, I agree, it could be made a lot clearer and easier in a variety of ways. But the bottom line is that I was rushing it because I was so close to the end, and if I'd sat down and read the instructions fully, like I've been told on several occasions throughout my life, it would have worked fine. I'd still have complained, obviously, but I'd have the moral high ground that I currently lack as a result of my haste.

[SeanR]

see now, THIS PAGE

https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/system-updates/ps4/

says

however, the layout on that page for the update:

and the fresh install:

are only different where they refer to the file size.

Confusion reigns