OMG!OMG!OMG -|- IT WORKS NOW -|- OMG!OMG!OMG
I was sssO-freaking-out about it! I did what many other claimed 'failed for them'. I deleted the "Game Data" for BF3!!! But I kept the "Save Data"! AND IT WORKED! HA!
Assuming potential corruption from playing in a VERY-hacked lobby on MW2 before this freezing started, I deleted *everything* Modern Warfare 2 off my ps3, also. Not sure if that had anything to do with BF3 locking-up, but Battlefield 3 now-works on my Playstation 3! omg-omg-omg!
In my previous rant about the problem, I hadn't tested Campaign OR CO-OP, but Campaign would freeze 2-seconds-in, ALSO!
After I deleted the 9289MB from the "Game Data Utility" (while my internet was disconnected), I fired-up the game disk and it did a semi-quick install on my HDD. Then, I tried Campaign. I clicked "continue Campaign" and it started to fire up, surprizingly, where I left off. I suppose that is where the "Saved Data Utility" comes in. Not sure yet. But, then IT wanted Internet, for some reason and would NOT do Campaign from where I left off. I did not want to start a new one. So, I avoided that. I plugged in the ethernet cable to my Comcast connection and clicked multiplayer. It *instantly* wanted to download a 1924MB update. So, I gave it permission. It took over 2-HOURS to complete that 1st mandatory DLC!!! FUUUHHH!!! But, I did it anyway! When it was done, wham-bamm! IT WORKED!!! HAAA!!! There was even a spot to click "re-download multiplayer online pass". (thank Gawd!!!) I'M A KILLING MACHINE AGAIN!!! HAAA!!!
Now, I cannot say what would have happened if I deleted the Saved Data Utility, cos I did NOT. I don't think that was required for this fix.
I had doubted that deleting the "Game Data" would solve the problem, but it surely did work! For those that have this problem in the future, I apologize for my thread being sssO long, but I figure detail is important. And if you have read about all the ppl that have NOT had success with deleting the game-save in the "Game Data Utility", that is only because you haven't read the "success stories" (like mine) b/c those people got what they wanted were too lazy to report back, like I am doing now! The ppl who didn't have success from deleting the Game Data, must have had other issues, too!
Good luck, Soldiers and "See you on the Battlefield"!
~Col. Thrasher
PS. Now, where's my XP? HA! j/k