Thought I'd post my experience with getting my Vita repaired for anyone that may have to deal with it in the future.
The problem: The Vita was freezing up about once a day during random tasks - it could be starting a game, waking from sleep, going in to the settings or ps store, whatever. Required a hard reset to get it back.
Initial contact: Started by just emailing PS support from their standard support page (
here). Someone responded to me within about 6 hours with a list of stuff to do.
Stuff tried: Rebuilding the database, reset to factory defaults. I didn't go so far as to format the memory card (that was the last mandated step prior to repair authorization). Let it sit for a few days after trying each thing to make sure it still froze up (it did).
Repair procedure: They took my address and I had a well protected box with a preprinted FedEx label on my doorstep in a couple days. I was required to include a receipt from the purchase of the Vita (printed out from Amazon) to be allowed to have warranty service. Dropped it off at a FedEx/Kinkos store and got a receipt with the tracking number.
And it's back: Got it back today - I haven't had a chance to check the serial number yet but it appears that I may have gotten a different unit back. Included in the package was the original AT&T SIM card that came with my first unit and the Vita with the stock / sale firmware on it. Required that I update the firmware before I could do anything and it errored the first time I did it (apparently due to the memory card expecting a different firmware version). Second time it updated fine and everything was back in action.
I'll update if anything interesting comes of this. As a side note, it actually took me less time to get my Vita repaired and sent back to me than it took me to get my PS Play $3 promotional credit (just got it today too).
Happy to answer any questions if anyone has them.
icon to pop-up a window with pricing information.
10-09-2012, 04:23 PM
