Phantasy Star Online
BSOD (Black Screen of Death) Guide
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Version: 0.6 (2.17.01)
Version History:
0.6 (2.17.01): touch up and adding of own BSOD experience
0.5 (2.16.01): first (horribly horrible) version
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Disclaimer/Warning: The warning part of this is really just that
this is my first FAQ and that I've never been personally hit by the
BSOD (more on that in the intro and body.) The disclaimer part of
this disclaimer (it doesn't get any easier to read this folks...) is
simply that I'm not affiliated with Sega of any country.
Do NOT copy this FAQ or use it on your site without an e-mail from
me saying that it's ok.
So far permission has been granted to:
www.gamefaqs.com
www.videogames.com
For permission to use this FAQ or to provide any unlisted information
contact me at:
[email protected]
To whine about the BSOD hitting you or to tell me that I suck
contact me at:
[email protected]
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Introduction:
The BSOD has been terrorizing the PSO community since the game came out.
We aren't really sure what causes the BSOD yet, we just know that it
really, really, really, sucks. I will cover the known warning signs,
the known methods of surviving one, and the known results of the attack.
Nearly everyone I talk to in #pso and those who I know outside of there
that play the game have been hit by the BSOD. It took me a couple of
weeks, but I finally was hit by the BSOD. This wouldn't be possible if
I didn't waste, err, spend my time on that channel. (That means thank
you to all the BSODed of #pso)
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Known Warning Signs
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So far some people have noticed that they can't pick up items for near
a minute before they get the BSOD. The BSOD is seemingly random, but
most likely comes from a problem with the connection. It may be prone
to happen more often in high action areas since the connection is taxed
more then. It seems to strike even when people are chatting standing
still. Yes, this unfortunately means no one is safe from BSOD at any
time.
If you can't pick up items and you aren't full, BSOD is probably coming.
It would be wise for you to select 'quit' and get the heck out of Dodge...
err...Ragol...whatever...
A new cause for BSOD seem to be the PSO servers crashing. Everyone on
the PSO server gets dumped at once. This causes you to be the only
person moving. It almost seems like lag at first. If you can move
around and fight monsters, but can't talk or pick up items for more than
about 20 seconds, you should probably quit the game to be safe. This
is when I got my BSOD.
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Five rules about preparing for the BSOD
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Do not assume anything with BSOD.
Do not think you are safe from the BSOD.
Do not think your friends are safe from the BSOD.
Do not taunt the BSOD.
Do not hit on the BSOD.
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When the BSOD Strikes
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Do not panic. If you panic you might do something stupid, like unplug
the wrong thing. You might turn off the DC in a state of panic. You
might trip and impale yourself on a fork. You might drop your controller
causing the VMU to pop out and all hope to be lost.
Calmly (yet quickly) get up and walk to the DC. Be sure to rest your
controller gently on a secure surface. Take the phone cord attached to
the DC and savagely (yet gently) rip it out (while being sure not to
break the plastic on the end.) Your DC should eventually disconnect and
save your game. If you don't want to risk losing everything just keep
waiting. It has taken up to 30 minutes for some people to get the save
screen. Many losses to the BSOD are a result of people turning off the
DC. Do not turn off the DC. That is the WORST thing you can do when
dealing with the BSOD.
Go find something to do while you wait for the game to recover.
Patience is a virtue. Clean out a closet. Give your pet a bath.
Read a book. Visit the bathroom. Break out a hand held game system.
Just don't turn off that DC!
Ok, so it's been a day or so and you are starting to wonder if this PSO
game is ever going to recover. I'd say it's about time to turn it off
and inspect the damages. (Your breaking point may vary.)
Interesting Notes: Sometimes even when it saves you lose items.
The Broadband Adapter seems to sense disconnection much faster than the
DC modem.
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Looking For Survivors
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Things that may happen:
Nothing (lucky you!)
Item loss A (loss of all items not currently equipped)
Item loss B (loss of all items not currently equipped or in the bank.)
Character loss (loss of everything you ever knew to be true)
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Coping With Loss
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Remember, in the end all you lost was a string of 0's and 1's. You can
always get the item again. You can always try a different character.
If you have friends in PSO they will most likely help you out the best
they can. (More of a reason to make friends rather than enemies in PSO.)
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Conclusion
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BSOD is bad.
BSOD is harder to fight than anything else in the game. The odd
thing is that the higher level you get to, the harder it is to deal
with. Kind of ironic considering it's always the other way around with
everything else.
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About Me and Thankee's
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SonRomy-Romy Iranpour
[email protected]
FAQ Number: 1
PSO Info:
Name: Ramakuji
Class: HUcast
Level as of 2/17/01 6:00 AM EST: 67
Main Mag: Varaha
Level as of (above date): 175
Section ID: Viridia
Thankees to (in order of BSODing):
Mazoku "Murasaki"
Rivak
Space_Ace
WADE
rcebrnr
