SCEA ,Sony Sony Computer Entertainment of America Sony PS3 firmware update 3.01 crashes systems. New York, New York

I updated my PS3's system firmware to 3.01 upon getting a sytem prompt to do so.  After updating the firmware, I was watching a movie, system turned itself off after approximately 5 minutes.  I had to hit the master power switch on the back, then the primary on the front to get system back on, ejected my DVD and let my system sit for a couple minutes, and it turned off again.  Turned the system on again using master switch on back, but now when I hit the primary on the front the system turns right back off.  I called Sony Customer Support, and they said it sounds like customer neglect, but would be happy to fix it for $150.  Upon doing research on the internet and talking to other PS3 users, it appears there are thousands of people having the same/similar problems since updating to firmware v3.01.