PS3 Slim 160GB, no mods or anything.
After playing for >20 hours, Skyrim crashed. After crashing, the game will lock up the ps3 upon attempting to start the game. For a while, the game would load correctly if the autosave was deleted - as if the save file were corrupted. Now, after having this crash happen for the third? time, the game still won't load even after all save files have been deleted or playing on a new ps3 user (both of which worked previously.) Also, we've tried re-installing the patches (manually deleted patches, backed up save files and deleted those from the PS3 too.) No luck.

This has happened to other people as well.

The PS3 is not "broken", it will play other games. Only Skyrim will not load.

Deleted Game data again, turned off Internet so it wouldn't download Game Update. It loaded to Start screen at last! But I couldn't load the old save data without the Game Update. (what's the point in starting a new game if it crashes again?)

Enabled Internet access, downloaded Game Update yet again.. and now back to original problem of not being able to load Start screen at all.

Also checked to see if Time on the PS3 clock was correct, which it was.

Have you tried running the safe mods options? Re-building the database, etc... You might just need to reset your system through there to make Skyrim load properly again.

While going through and deleting stuff, did you clear the Game Data Utility? Clearing saves alone will not prompt a re-install of the game, which it sounds like you need. Re-installing patches alone rarely fixes anything.

Sorry I wasn't very detailed, edited my previous post about how I deleted all the Game Data.

I think I 'll look into safe-mode like you suggest next..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZLiX4j2M3o

Choose option 4, see if that helps.

You can't load characters from different versions in the same way you cannot load characters with different mods. The changes made to the database cause conflicts, to the ability is disabled.

Before you go and reset your PS3 system I would try a full re-install of the game 1 more time, only this time do not load the game before patching. If that does not work, then the only other thing would be to backup your system and go the rebuild route.

Okay, I had to install the Game Data and Game Update under a new username for it to install properly, THEN it officially let me load my game saves again.

Today I upgraded to the new patch 1.02 and it seems to still be working properly... success!