-=Jailbreaking=-
In order to gain the ability to run homebrew software (like emulators and games) or play backups of your retail games (either from internal HDD or from an external USB device) then you're going to need to "Jailbreak" the machine. This, at its most basic description, allows the PS3 to manually install package files and run unsigned code. You can do this via several methods, depending on which firmware you're running on your PS3. So let's start there;
<<
Info>>
To open your machine for homebrew which includes emulators, file explorers, homebrew games, FTP clients and most importantly - for a lot of us - backup managers and copied games, then you're going to need a device configured to Jailbreak your machine. A compatible USB device that has been flashed, or is running an approximation of, a specific payload that boots your PS3 in a sort of pseudo debug-mode. This removes the signing requirement on applications and allows specific debug features to operate, such as; BDEmu (Mounting game folders onto a Blu-ray drive emulator) and manual Package Installation (for manually installing homebrew apps/games and retail game updates, if you don't have internet access) There are a number of compatible devices, ranging from super cheap to retardedly expensive -- and even a few non-specific devices like the Dingoo A320, certain iPods (via Rockbox) and even the Texas Instruments TI-84 CALCULATOR.
To be honest though, in order to rule out compatibility issues and eliminate the waiting game of ports to Rockbox/etc, I strongly recommend using a native/dedicated USB dongle .. such as the PS3Key or the Team Xecuter Minimus. These are standard USB devices that you flash the payload to and you're done. No messing around once flashed unless you need to update to the latest payloads. Flash, stick it in the PS3, hit power then eject.. and play. As such I'm only going to list info for USB dongles, if you want to go the Rockbox/Calculator/Dingoo/etc route then I'll link to specific threads dealing with this, as these methods are beyond my experience and I don't want to waste time with extraneous information that only applies to a small percentage of users.
-----
FW 3.15 to FW 3.41 -----
[Dongle Method]
I'm also not going to link to all the different kinds of USB devices out there, simply because there is far too many - most of them low quality knock-off crap. However, here are three that I believe are suitable;
PS3Break. Cheap and upgradeable, just make sure your supplier offers GENUINE devices and not one of the Chinese knock-off clones that don't have the ability to be upgraded.
PS3Key. Just like PS3Break, this is fully upgradeable and very cheap. Also beware of cheap clones that can't be upgraded.
Team Xecuter Minimus AVR. Still cheap, considering what Jailbreaking offers, and extremely reliable. No knock-off clones as far as I know. Easily upgradeable and comes with two versions; 16KB, which is fine for 99% of people, and the updated 32KB version - though nothing requires 32KB at the moment.
Those are just three of many, many programmable USB devices out there. I'm sure everyone has their favourites, but at the end of the day; they're all the same in functionality. Some have built-in SD slots, some have dual-payload ability, etc etc .. but they all accomplish the same thing.
Each device will come with its own set of instructions for how to flash the payload to it so there's no point covering that here, however I will link to payload threads and offer my own, personal, advisement; I
strongly recommend using the payload from Hermes. In all my testing this is the payload that has given me the least issues and offered the greatest compatibility.
<<
Payloads>>
A "payload" is the software installed onto the JB device that triggers an exploit on the PS3 during boot which allows you to run unsigned content. The initial release came from PSJB, but has since been significantly refined in order to fix issues and improve usability/compatibility. It's now possible to update your games, install retail packages, run certain emulators, fix issues with the original PSJB method that resulted in certain games having controller issues. Here are the links to updated payloads, as best as I can find. If you don't see your device here, or if you're looking for a consolidated site/thread with all known payloads, that is updated often, then look no further than these two sites;
PSX-Scene and
PlayStationClub.NL.
Hermes v4B with 3.50 Spoof. Large payload collection for flashing onto popular USB boards. Due to increased compatibility and functionality, I recommend THIS one for general use.
KaKaRoTo PL3 with 3.50 Spoof. Large payload collection for flashing onto popular USB boards.
Just flash your chosen payload onto your Jailbreak device and follow the instructions below. I still recommend Hermes v4B simply because it works perfectly for me with zero issues regarding compatibility or usability. Also, it's the only payload that is guaranteed to run
Gran Turismo 5 properly, all the time. PL3 has issues with the game in regards to license testing and/or loading certain tracks - even PL3-DEV/PL3-NONAUTH are sketchy.
[Non-Dongle Method]
There's a number of ways of Jailbreaking the PS3 using devices that aren't specifically made to be USB dongles, such as certain iPods/phones/MP3 players/calculators/etc. I couldn't begin to cover all that, but what I will do is link to people infinitely wiser and more knowledgeable, along with download links and instructions for each device. If I've missed anything, please tell me and I'll update this.
PSFreedom for Dingoo A320. "PSFreedom Dingoo" is a port of PSFreedom, created by KaKaRoTo, to the Dingoo A320 console (JZ4740 chipset).
PSGroove for iPods & MP3 Players via Rockbox.
shuffle2 has successfully ported the original PSGroove payload to Rockbox. Rockbox is an Open Source replacement firmware for MP3 players.
PSFreedom for Linux-based devices. PSFreedom is supported on the Nokia N900 and the Motorola Droid, amongst others. Typically your device must be "rooted" to allow you to load PSFreedom. You can find the compatibility link for working devices
HERE.
PL3/Hermes on TI-84 Plus/Plus Silver. PS3JB is a FLASH application for the TI-84 Plus and TI-84 Plus Silver Edition that helps to exploit the Playstation 3 console. By connecting a USB cable between a PS3 and your calculator and running the application, you can trigger the PSGroove exploit or downgrade your PS3 from your graphing calculator. More info can be found
HERE. Port for TI-89 Titanium can be found
HERE.
PL3 Rockbox iPod. Collection for iPods that support Rockbox.
PL3 Rockbox HTC. Collection for HTC mobile phones.
PSFreedom for iPhone 1G/3G, iPod Touch 1G. These are for iPhoneLinux and only compatible on iTouch 1G/iPhone 1G and 3G.
<<
Instructions>>
Regardless of which method you choose, the delivery is invariably the same. Actually using implementing the jailbreak couldn't be simpler and while it may take a few tries to get used to the method, pretty soon it will be second-nature to you;
1.
Insert the USB dongle into a spare USB port. I recommend port ¤1 -- this would be the one furthest from the BR drive, either on the bottom if mounting vertically or on the far left if horizontal. You can leave the dongle in the machine indefinitely, you don't have to keep inserting & removing it.
2.
Power the PS3 off and back on again. Always start from a cold-boot in order to completely clear system state. For PS3-Phat this means simply flicking the switch on and off, but for the Slim you'll have to either use the PS3Key's "power block" or simply pull the cord out and plug it back in.
3.
Press the STANDBY button and then, in quick succession, tap the EJECT button. You should hear a single beep follow by two rapid beeps. Then just sit back and wait for the PS3 to boot. Note: if you have a BR disk in the drive, you won't hear the two rapid beeps - the drive will simply eject instead. This is completely fine.
Once loaded you can check the status of the exploit by going to the GAME category. If successful, you'll see two new items "/app_home/PS3_GAME/" and "Install Package Files" If you do; you're good to go! Now you can start installing/playing some apps and games =)
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FW 3.42 to 3.50 -----
There's nothing to be done on these firmwares. No JB exploits and no way of running unsigned software. Thanks to the released signing tools, it's now possible to run signed apps on 3.42>3.50 - but of course you have to have a way to install them first, which requires you to have installed them in a jailbroken state. Technically you can Jailbreak your 3.41 PS3, install the signed versions of your homebrew apps and emulators, then update to 3.42/3.50 and they'll still work --- but why?? There is quite simply no reason to go this route. You won't have the ability to install new apps, won't have access to PSN, won't have access to Managers. Complete waste of time. Either downgrade to 3.41, if applicable, or upgrade to 3.55 and run the 3.55 Geohot MFW.
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FW 3.55 -----
As of right now (11th January) there is only one functional solution for homebrew gaming/etc on 3.55 firmware - and that's Geohot's solution. A painfully locked down modified firmware solely under his control that grants PSN and homebrew access. Any apps must be signed with his tools, using his keys to be functional on his firmware. I don't recommend installing this, rather you should wait a few days/weeks until a more "open" solution appears, something with the ability to utilise backup managers properly. This current release has NO functionality for mounting backups to BDEmu, so 90% of backups are
currently unplayable, but work is progressing (both public and no doubt behind the scenes) to bring back BM support. Some games have been patched/edited in order to redirect to HDD mounting instead of BD, but this is a poor solution (IMO!) as it negates the possibility of updating the games and introduces the necessity of waiting for others to edit your EBOOTs for you. This still has poor compatibility, roughly that the same as trying to run "Diskless" games under Backup Managers (or Direct Boot under
MultiMAN)
Homebrew emulators/games *do* work, but only if they've been re-signed with Geohot's specific tools so that they appear pseudoretail. Unless they've been signed, none of the current emulators/apps will work on 3.55-GEO. Please, stay on 3.41 if you can and just ride it out. Other solutions ARE coming. Still, if you absolutely positively need to access PSN and don't mind losing your backups and having to wait on developers to re-sign their apps for 3.55, then here's what you need to do.
You need to be on 3.55 OFW first. So update to the latest Sony firmware.
1. Plug a USB stick into your computer
2. Download
PS3UPDAT.PUP file.
3. Create folder
PS3 and then create folder
UPDATE inside that one.
4. Unzip Jailbreak.zip and put
PS3UPDAT.PUP file in
/PS3/UPDATE/ folder of your USB drive.
5. Connect the USB device and select “System Update.”
6. Choose Update via Storage Media
Once the update has finished, your machine will beep 8 times and then shut down. Just power back on and "enjoy" gimped, 3rd-party controlled, "jailbreak" on 3.55. There is one pretty significant benefit to this modified firmware; It doesn't require a Jailbreak device/dongle at all. Once 3.55-GEO is installed, you no longer need to press POWER>EJECT when you turn on your PS3, nor do you need the JB device to run homebrew software/apps as they're pseudoretail signed. Once backup manager support has been crowbar'ed back into the firmware, this will BE the ultimate one to be one; Homebrew support, backup managers, no dongle needed.
-=Downgrading=-
If you're on
3.42 or
3.50 and want to downgrade to 3.41, then follow this tutorial. It's long-winded, so make sure you read it FLAWLESSLY. Every single word. Every single letter. If you brick your machine from this because you didn't follow the guide, it's your OWN damned fault and neither I nor anyone else will take the blame. Three warnings first:
Firstly;
BACKUP YOUR MACHINE. I'm not kidding. Run that shit. Back it ALL up. Secondly; if you've got an older Phat model with the batch codes of
CECHA, CECHB and
CECHC --- you WILL lose Blu-ray movie support. Read
THIS thread for more information and possible fixes. Thirdly; You
CANNOT downgrade from 3.55 at the moment. Not Sony's 3.55 nor Geohot's 3.55. Once there, you're stuck. You'll have to accept reality on 3.55 and either wait for 3.55 piracy or wait for a 3.55 downgrade.
With that out of the way, here is the tutorial and download links for the downgrade process.
 Spoiler: |
| TeamGT wrote: |
I pasted It here but i have enclosed a doc file color coded to help people confused on how to downgrade, its is hard to follow in plain text i recommend using the attached document
ALSO BEWARE: BACKUP FIRST. DATA LOSS CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED
BLURAY MOVIE SUPPORT LOSS IN SOME CASES HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTED
FOR PS3USBJAILBREAK:
1. INSERT PS3USBJailbreak to PC
2. RUN PS3USBJAILBREAK.EXE
3. Select Downgrade from the dropdown box
4. CLICK START.
5. This will now be referred to as the DOWNGRADE JIG
FOR BLACKCAT USB:
1. On the BLACKCAT USB ENTER DFU MODE by PUSHING BOTH DFU SWITCHES TO THE RIGHT.
2. INSERT THE BLACKCAT USB to PC and PRESS RESET.
3. RUN BLACKCATUSB.EXE
4. Select the PSGrade Jig hex for the BLACKCAT USB and click program.
5. On the BLACKCAT USB EXIT DFU MODE by PUSHING BOTH DFU SWITCHES TO THE LEFT.
6. This will now be referred to as the DOWNGRADE JIG
FOR OTHER USB DONGLES:
1. LOAD the PSGrade Payload just like you would any PSGroove Payload. If you don’t know how ask.
2. This will now be referred to as the DOWNGRADE JIG
PREPARING USB FLASH DRIVES
2 USB FLASH DRIVES:
1. INSERT a BLANK FAT32 USB Flash Drive and copy 2 files to the ROOT DIRECTORY:
a. Modified 3.41 PUP
b. Lv2Diag.self (File 1)
2. This will now be referred to as the USB DRIVE WITH 3.41 DOWNGRADE
3. INSERT the second BLANK FAT32 USB Flash Drive and copy 1 file to the ROOT DIRECTORY:
a. Lv2Diag.self (File 2)
4. This will now be referred to as the SERVICE MODE OFF USB DRIVE
1 USB FLASH DRIVE:
1. INSERT a BLANK FAT32 USB Flash Drive and copy 2 files to the ROOT DIRECTORY:
a. Modified 3.41 PUP
b. Lv2Diag.self (File 1)
2. This will now be referred to as the USB DRIVE WITH 3.41 DOWNGRADE
3. AFTER STEP 11. On the DOWNGRADING YOUR PS3 Section.
4. INSERT the USB DRIVE WITH 3.41 DOWNGRADE And DELETE BOTH FILES on the drive.
5. The drive should now be BLANK copy 1 file to the ROOT DIRECTORY:
a. Lv2Diag.self (File 2)
6. This will now be referred to as the SERVICE MODE OFF USB DRIVE
DOWNGRADING YOUR PS3 BEFORE DOWNGRADING BACKUP YOUR PS3
1. INSERT the DOWNGRADE JIG into the LAST USB PORT TO THE RIGHT closest the Blu-Ray drive.
2. POWER OFF COMPLETELY either UNPLUG IT (FOR THE SLIM) or TURN OFF THE POWER SUPPLY SWITCH IN BACK (FOR THE FAT) Wait a second then TURN THE POWER SUPPLY SWITCH BACK ON OR PLUG IT BACK IN.
3. Turn on the console using the JAILBREAK BOOT METHOD: PRESS POWER, THEN IMMEDIATELY PRESS EJECT. Your console will TURN ON.
4. SHUT DOWN using the ”SYSTEM MENU” NOT THE POWER BUTTON.
5. REMOVE the DOWNGRADE JIG and turn on console to make sure you are in “FACTORY/SERVICE MODE”. You will see a huge red box on the screen saying “FACTORY/SERVICE MODE”.
6. SHUT DOWN using the ”SYSTEM MENU” NOT THE POWER BUTTON.
7. INSERT the USB DRIVE WITH 3.41 DOWNGRADE into the LAST USB PORT TO THE RIGHT closest the Blu-Ray drive.
8. TURN ON the PS3 and you will see black screen but the PS3 HDD light will flash. (Might not flash on some early models of the fat ps3).
9. The process takes 3-4 minutes for the system to install the old firmware. Towards the end, the power light on the console will start flashing green and then the PS3 will POWER OFF AUTOMATICLY.
10. REMOVE the USB DRIVE WITH 3.41 DOWNGRADE
11. TURN ON the PS3, you will still be in “FACTORY/SERVICE MODE”, Please verify you have downgraded successfully to version 3.41 by going to "SYSTEM INFORMATION".
a. (OPTIONAL) -- If you only have 1 flash drive go to the 1 USB FLASH DRIVE section under number 3. And follow the instructions.
b. (OPTIONAL) – If you wish to downgrade down again to any older firmware you can use any regular firmware PUP. (You do not need to use modified custom firmware now that you are on 3.41).
12. SHUT DOWN using the ”SYSTEM MENU” NOT THE POWER BUTTON.
13. INSERT the SERVICE MODE OFF USB DRIVE into the LAST USB PORT TO THE RIGHT closest the Blu-Ray drive.
14. TURN ON the PS3. After 10 seconds the PS3 will POWER OFF AUTOMATICLY.
15. REMOVE The SERVICE MODE OFF USB DRIVE. You will be out of “FACTORY/SERVICE MODE” and back in “RETAIL MODE” with your chosen firmware version installed. You will need to go through setting up settings configuration.
16. INSERT the JAILBREAK USB DEVICE Of your Choice into the LAST USB PORT TO THE RIGHT closest the Blu-Ray drive.
17. POWER OFF COMPLETELY either UNPLUG IT (FOR THE SLIM) or TURN OFF THE POWER SUPPLY SWITCH IN BACK (FOR THE FAT) Wait a second then TURN THE POWER SUPPLY SWITCH BACK ON OR PLUG IT BACK IN.
18. Turn on the console using the JAILBREAK BOOT METHOD: PRESS POWER, THEN IMMEDIATELY PRESS EJECT. Your console will TURN ON. (THE PS3 IS NOW JAILBROKEN!!!)
Modified 3.41 PUP + LV2Diag.self.. Password for file is iloveE3
Colour-coded DOC. Downloadable .DOC guide with easier-to-read coding.
PSGrade Payloads. Collection of PSGrade payloads for various devices/boards.
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|
-=Homebrew=-
Woo! So now your machine is running and ready to start running homebrew apps, what next? Well now the fun starts! Now you can start running emulators and other miscellaneous software, with more coming out all the time, not to mention the crux of it all; backups! (if you're on 3.41 or lower) I'm going to break this section down into categories, to help make it easier to find the stuff you want. I don't know how easy this is going to be kept updated, since new versions of software is released daily and I'm sorry, but I don't want to be living in this damned thread updating each and every piece of software to the latest versions.... that would be.... egh. A nightmare basically.
The following items are (mostly...) PKG files, the PS3's version of compressed archives/installers, and to run them you simply need to place the .PKG on the root of a USB storage device. This can be your mega HDD you'll be using to store your games, or it could be something as small as a thumbstick. Once there simply navigate to the Install Packages option on your XMB, under GAME, and press X. You'll be presented with a list of PKG files you have and can select which one you wish to install. When you've installed them your apps/etc will appear in the GAME menu, ready for playing. This same procedure is also used for installing PSN games you acquire outside of PSN.
----- Backup Managers -----
Note: None of these are currently 100% functional on 3.55. Some load, but NONE of them mount games.
MultiMAN
Open Manager 1.17
Gaia Manager
Rogero Manager
Open Manager 2.1 (Elotrolados)
----- Emulators -----
SNES9x. Super Nintendo emulator. Info and Help here.
FBANext. PS3 port of the popular Final Burn Alpha, multi-arcade emulator. CPS-1, CPS-2, CPS-3, Neo (+ others)
Mednafen. Multi-console emulator. NES, GB, GBC, GBA, SMS, GG, PCE, GEN.
PS3SX. Port of PCSX, the PlayStation 1 emulator.
Visual Boy Advance. Enhanced Gameboy Advance emulator.
FCEU. Dedicated NES emulator.
GenesisPlus GX. Dedicated Genesis/Megadrive emulator.
NullDC. Port of NullDC, the Dreamcast emulator. Heavily WIP.
NDS3. Nintendo DS emulator. Heavily WIP.
SCUMM VM. Port of SCUMM-VM to the PS3.
VICE. Commodore 64 and Vic20 emulator.
----- Utilities -----
Decrypted EBOOTS. 3.50 EBOOTS for games, decrypted to work on 3.41. Including GT5
Comgenie's Awesome File Manager V0.06 release of the awesome File Manager app for PS3.
Blackb0x 1.2. FTP Server.
PS3FTP. Another FTP Server.
NZHawk's Awesome Update Finder. Search/Download game updates based on GameID (PC-APP)
NZHawk's PeekPoker. Dumps live PS3 LV2 memory.
XBSLink. LAN gaming over internet
SuiteApp. Multiformat document reader
PS3LoadX. Application Manger & SELF Loader
LUA Player Beta. Allows homebrew creation via the LUA programming language.
PS3Win. PS3 game catalogue (PC-APP)
PSGUI Toolbox. Multifunction tool for editing/managing PS3 files (PC-APP)
----- Other links -----
News article detailing homebrew signed for use on 3.55-GEO
More 3.55-GEO signed homebrew
<<<<<<<<<<more to come>>>>>>>>>
Just click the links... 
