For a few days, the PS3 Dev Wiki was down due to hosting problems and a lot of information seemed to be lost, but thanks to the hard work of the Wiki’s admin defyboy and a backup from a member called TMAnd, only a couple of days work was lost, you can read about it on this thread.

So thank you defyboy and TMAnd for rescuing all those precious edits

I would like to point out, that the PS3 Dev Wiki is a community effort, without the work and dedication of a lot of developers and PS3 enthusiasts, the wiki would be quite empty, so if you are doing work on the PS3, keep it documented on the Wiki

You can visit the Wiki here:
PS3 Dev Wiki

I would like to give thanks to euss, deroad, defyboy, Lady Anne Blunt, sandungas and the many other editors who keep the Wiki alive.

Most of you think of a Backup manager when the name ‘Rogero’ is mentioned, but the cool PS3 Dev also creates MFW/CFW, which is dedicated for those of you that downgrade, but can be used even if you aren’t a downgrader, here is a quote from the source:

Usage / Compatibility:

• - Can be used for Downgrade directly using a hardware flasher like Progskeet / E3 Flasher / Teensy++, etc…
• - Can be used for normal system update like any other CFW/MFW from XMB or from Recovery Menu.

Internal Structure:
New Features:

• - Built-in system version spoof to 4.11 to prevent accidental system updates (won’t allow going online in any way)
• - NoBD Patch to allow installing it with the Blu-Ray drive disconnected (especially for downgrading purposes)
• - Have other fixes that prevents the Black screen or Payload loading problems encountered on some PS3 systems.

Standard Features:

• - Kmeaw patched Lv2 with necessary patches to allow Peek/Poke support (same games compatibility as Kmeaw CFW)
• - LV1 Checks Disabled to bypass the Syscon hashes for downgraded consoles.
• - Privacy Patch applied to block communications with all Sony servers.
• - Custom Boot Logo.
• - built-in “Heavy Rain” dynamic theme.

This is a better optimized version of the previous MFW released, This one is a Custom firmware
built manually by patching and packing the files and the final PUP package using the well known
“failoverflow” public set of tools and having ”Kmeaw” as the base firmware unlike it’s previous
version which was a Modified firmware built using the famous MFW builder application and using
an OFW3.55 as the base firmware.

History:

After several days and more testing of the first MFW released for downgrading from 3.70–>3.55
I had some users feedback from #progskeet-support that some PS3 machines are having either
the Registry Corrupted/Blue Screen or just a Black Screen after downgrade that required re-installing
the MFW from Recovery Menu or reflashing the NOR in some cases.

Further research about the donwgrade V2 patches and the no_check.PUP with some more testing
showed that a Kmeaw based LV2 seems to have better compatibility with the Downgrade patches
applied to the NOR image then a MFW built with a patched LV2, so I decided to build a new version
manually which is a custom firmware that combines Kmeaw LV2 patches with Dospiedras Lv1 no-check
patches and having the minimal/necessary set of patches to preserve the best overall stability.

Thanks to the all the beta testers especially Blakcat & Marlboro1 

Source/Download/Help/Discussion – Tortuga Cove

The E3 Team, sent us some exciting news regarding their E3 flasher, the new version now does Dual Booting, here is a quote from the team:

2012 new year gift from E3 team.

1:Fast dual boot is now available. There are no brick risk any more! (Cause the operations are done on E3 onboard NOR instead of PS3 NOR flash)
All E3 flasher limited and E3 nor flasher can operate this way, click here to download file.

We’re now producing 1000 more pieces of E3 flasher Limited version for those interested on dual boot.

2: E3 TBJB2CFW CHECKOFF available , the E3 flasher downgraded console can also works with TBJB2, click here to download file and enjoy new game.
Please note you still need the TBJB2 device. You can install this CFW on PS3 with recovery MODE or re-downgrade PS3 with this file, instead of STEP1 PS3UPDAT.PUP file.

3: E3 MOVE SUIT , the first third-party PS3 MOVE controller suite will be released soon, it will be fully compatible with all PS3 fat and slim, there will be many available colors, more comfortable design and more economic price to bring you a better enjoyment. You have a better choice now to add to the original accessories.

The E3 MOVE SUIT include 4 parts :
E3 Navigation Controller, E3 motion controller, E3 Camera , and E3 camera stand

For more information, check their site:
e3-tech.net

Im sure there are those of you that updated to the new 4.0 OFW that Sony released last week, you needn’t worry as you will be able to downgrade, which has been confirmed by various people/devs including DiGiTaLAnGeL from digitalangel.it, it should be safe to say that all future firmwares will be downgrade able, but its still always better to have confirmation.

Source DiGiTaLAnGeL Via Twitter

BTW, this is the device you should be buying instead of that junk True Blue, with Progskeet, you can downgrade to CFW, for backups and Homebrew, then update to play online and download PSN games, then downgrade back to CFW

Seemed our chinese E3 friends took the news of many bricks (even unrecoverable with their brickguide by soldering a Tristate to SBE wire) with E3 seriously and released a dump checker tool:

That seemed a bit too optimistic, even when it doesn’t claim 100% validity, so I decided to test that program to a bricktest!

Inserted where several known faults in specific regions, that would be invalid for any flash (e.g. resulting in a RLOD or YLOD brick – even unrecoverable because also perconsolespecific data was overwritten!).

The results where posted on the wiki by me :

If you like to give this checker a try, be adviced, it crashed about 50 times when I was testing (about every 2 checks) – not sure if it was my PC only.

Download: http://www.multiupload.com/RV3PN9GVTA

Sources:

• http://www.e3-tech.net/
• http://www.ps3devwiki.com/index.php?…r_dump_checker

Most of you should already know what the E3 flasher is, for those of you who have been living in a cave and don’t know what it is, read this thread.

For those of you thinking of buying it, but unsure of how easy/hard it is to install Chris from ChrisTechTV has released a video tutorial on how to install the E3 Flasher.

At the moment the E3 flasher only supports flashing NOR consoles, so here is a compatibility list:

Finally the Video Tutorial:

Source ChrisTechTV Facebook

Reports are coming in that the E3 flashers are finally shipping and a few people have started to get their hands on them. PS3Hax member stiV, just got his a few hours ago and was nice enough to post a small review and pictures of the chip. Is it worth it? Read his review to find out.

I got my E3 flasher today… After playing around a few hours I am seriously frustrated. I am a noob at PS3 hacking/flashing, but I am not a noob with computers or fuddling around with hardware. I thought I could to it if I had a decent tutorial.

I have a CECH-2004A, the mainboard layout is simply different, than the one in the tutorial. There is one place where I THINK the clip needs to go, but the chip is turned by 90 degrees (or 270, who knows), which *ucks up the whole softboard … I think I did it right (tried both possible ways), but I still can’t get it to work.

The tutorial has a very bad english (to the point where i sometimes don’t get what it ir trying to tell me), other languages (at least german) are even more *ucked up (it’s like they put the document into google translator).

The blue lights (that should give error codes), are just alternatively flashing (1347-2468-etc…)

—————————

I think I just broke my E3 Flasher…

There is another big difference. The HDD case itself is different, and also the form factor where the HDD case fits in is different. As a result, you can not get the e3 flasher softboard into the position you need it to be. It needs to go STRAIGHT to the connector pins on the e3 flasher board, which is impossible. I got it working (ehm, “connected”) two times, but I broke my e3 flasher board the third time:

—————————

The differences in the case are shown in this picture. The original has that hole, which is NEEDED, there is something standing out inside. The E3flasher case gets “bent” (seriously bent) (sorry, I am not native english) when you try to put it in, as a result, the softboard gets jammed… (which can break it too).

—————————

In short: It could work, but for the slim version I have, I definitely need a new HDD case and a new softboard thingy. And a new e3 flasher board, those connector pins look dead to me

Never be an early adopter.
Since i wanted this to be able to use the PS3 as a media center (which would be its primary use), i guess i’m gonna sell it again and stick to pc games and get a simple streaming device.

—————————-

because it has a completely different layout (the CMOS battery is somewhere else eg.). The other side has no chips, transistors or anything else. It is the correct side of the board – definitely. I’m gonna make some pictures

as you can see, there are multiple differences. The tip with the “big dot” in the corner could help, if the dot would be visible in any one of the pictures in the tutorial pdf, which it isn’t

and again: I already broke my flasher board connector.

You can view his full review spread over various posts at his thread HERE.

Updates to story follow below. So more word from Team E3DIY for the anticipated E3 flasher. They have contacted PS3Hax and have confirmed that they will begin shipping units on the 13th. They also have made available the SLIM install PDF guide which you can download here. More information at their website here.

The biggest change you guys should be aware of that the versions shipping will not feature dual-booting. This is mainly due to the need of manually soldering additional wires. They told us to expect another version with the dual booting ability soon.

To quote:

E3 flasher LIMITED version start to ship on 13th. We are sorry for the delay because CLIP component is very low rate .
We had to ship small quantity like 100-200pcs every day recently , we are working hard to improve those problem.

Now you can get new slim installation manual with clip from official web.

E3 flasher limited version fixed on NOR FLASH FAT console not so good, you can know some from official web ,
sure all NOR FLASH console is NO SOLDER include SLIM AND NOR FLASH FAT .

We are regret that we had to cancel some function like dual boot from E3 FLASHER LIMITED version
becuase NO solder function added(CLIP). We will develop a new flasher to add those function with few wire solder.

We take some picture for E3 FLASHER LIMITED production, you can know production status official web .

UPDATE 1:

Got this email below from Team E3DIY:

We think lots of user mis-understand us, here is some clarification.
1: E3 FLASHER LIMITED still provide 11 accessory, include esata station.
2: we design e3 flasher on solder way at first, this way can get dual boot well. But later we change hardware and software design because of adding clip. so finally it’s difficult to get dual boot function on e3 flasher clip version.
3: You still can get 3.72 and 3.55 switch with 2 HDD, it need more steps than dual boot, maybe we can call it half dual boot. This way no need any solder. We will release this half dual boot way in few days, you just upgrade e3 flasher limited and get it work.
4: We are working hard to allow e3 flasher limited vesion works really dual boot, but we can’t promise now because lots of changes.
5: We upload all neccessory software and manual, you can go here to download and enjoy one key downgrade.
6: New e3 flasher should come out in few month with more fantastic function !

The Progkseet Flasher guys gave updated their Software and it is now also available for Mac OSX (iSkeet) and Linux (YASkeet).

Download at ProgSkeet Homepage

via Twitter

We haven’t heard a lot of progskeet recently. They have just announced progskeet as solderless. On top of that, they have also announced a dual nand setup. Progskeet seems to be getting better over time.

We are happy to introduce you the SOLDERLESS KITS for our ProgSkeet device!

The main word is “BE FLEXIBLE” as ProgSkeet project will be the BEST TOOLKIT for the NAND and NOR flashing!!!
We present today the NAND TOOL KITS, in few days we will be ready also with NOR TOOL KITS!!! Stay Tuned
1 – PROGSKEET is 100% PIN to PIN compatible with the SOCKET tool sold from this site http://www.360-clip.com
Just connect the ProgSkeet 32 pin special flat cable. (please note that this version don’t support programming or reading with out the device is powered on. A new version will be released with the VCC pad to manage NANDS with a self power provided from PROGSKEET) 360-clip.com and also us we will offer this socket in a package together with the 20 cm 32 PIN flat cable.

2 – ADAPTOR PCB: This pcb is an adaptor from 50PIN ZIF PROGSKEET CONNECTOR (necessary for the coming “NOR SOCKET” solderless tools) to 2 x 32 PIN ZIF connector. With this adaptor progskeet is able to manage 2 NANDS on the DEVICE and also extra 2x SECONDARY NANDS (for dual nand feature). The kit include the 50 pin flat cable from PROGSKEET to ADAPTOR PCB.

3 – NAND PCB: This “optional” pcb has a 1Gbit NAND flash on board. Progkseet is able to use it like a backup nand or switch this nand and use it instead the NAND on the board of the device. The feature called “DUAL NAND” allow to support different NANDs ONLINE and test firmwares in a easy fast way. The software will be ready soon to support this feature, user can also attach a switch to progskeet to allow a fast selection of the NANDs without using the PC tool.
Progskeet support max 2 x NAND PCB on each ADAPTOR PCB, the kit include a 32 PIN 3CM flat cable (from NAND PCB to NAND SOCKET)

You can see a FULL PROGSKEET KIT SAMPLE where is clear how is the complete kit with 2x NANDS PCB and 2x NANDS SOCKETS (on the picture miss one socket sorry J ) but I think the concept is clear.

The big advantage of PROGSKEET is that can work on ANY CONSOLE / DEVICE, is study to be MODULAR and so is MUCH CHEAPER then any other solution that is specific addressed to a device.

The nice special FLAT CABLES are also easy to be fitted inside the device without bit problems, and also the KIT is removable in few minutes and is not PERMANENT.

We remember that PROGSKEET is an OPEN PROJECT study to be used in many kind of devices CONSOLES, SATELLITE, IPHONES, PENDRIVERS etc etc. “PROGSKEET NOTHING MORE THAN A GOOD NAND / NOR PROGRAMMER”.

We will send tomorrow more infos and pictures regarding PROGSKEET V1.1 “CRYSTAL BLUE LIMITED EDITION” in production in these days and available in the market soon!

Nice news also about the PROGSKEET software, that now support new nice features.

BYE FOR NOW

Visit the official Website here

[VIA PS3Crunch]

E3DIY Team has contacted PS3Hax today to let us know that their downgrader still works with 3.72 and provide video proof below:

BIG NEWS FROM E3 TEAM

E3 FLASHER , downgrade 3.72 to 3.55 successfully ! dual boot 3.72 and 3.55 successfully !
with E3 FLASHER, all is so easy, just switch and works !

here is dual boot video link : http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzA1ODIzNjA4.html

And another BIG news is E3 will provide NOR FLASH CLIP free in 3K limited version !
so all slim and parts of fat console no need solder for downgrading .

NAND FLASH CLIP also fininshed, will be available in coming new E3 FLASHER NAND version.

E3 flasher shipping date will little delay because of adding extra clip.
we will inform shipping date in next few days ,sorry bring inconvenience for E3 user.

EDIT:

Forgot to attach images, can be seen here.

For those of you that have Progskeet, AnGeL DiGiTaLAnGeL.iT has released a patchfile.txt needed for proskeet “patcher”, here is a quote from the source:

|————————————————————————–|
| ProgSkeet Patcher’s PS3 NOR Downgrade v2 patchfile |
| by |
| AnGeL |
| WwW.DiGiTaLAnGeL.iT |
|————————————————————————–|
|========================================================|
|============================= HOW TO USE IT ================|
|-Just extract the folder “downgrade v2 ProgSkeet” anywhere on your PC. |
|-Open WinSkeet40000/LinuxKeet/iSkeet on your computer. |
|-Create a dump of your 3.70 OFW if you haven’t already done it. |
|-Call it “OFW370.bin” -IT MUST BE A BYTESWAPPED DUMP!- |
|-Open the “Patcher” tab and select “OFW370.bin” as the input file. |
|-Select the progskeet_patch.txt as the patch file. |
|-Go for it Now you have a fully working downgrade.bin to flash ! |
|============================================================|
|============================================================|
|==============================================================|
|This release is based on the patchset of the downgrade v2 released by |
|dospiedra, and you should check BYTESWAP while reading NOR and when you |
|flash your downgrade.bin file back! |
|===========================================================
|-uf6667. |
|-Ago. |
|-bmx. |
|-and dospiedra for his work Kudos to him for the downgrade patches! |
|=======================================================

Source And Download

Remember Rogero? The man behind Rogero Backup manager? Well he has released some information about the downgrade from 3.70 by Dospiedras and states that any MFW that does not have LV1.self file patched to Disable all checks will result in a brick.Now he has released his own MFW that fixes this trophy error.

Download Rogero’s MFW – Fixes Trophy Error

VIA

Tortuga-Cove

Now whilst others try and stall the scene, by leaking information and other important stuff that should be kept secret, there are decent people hard at work, trying to keep the scene alive, like the cool guys at Digital Angel, who have released this important application, which works in conjunction with Progskeet, here is a quote from the source:

Hi Guys!
Today i would like to introduce you the new step in the Progskeet evolution: the “QT” Flasher…

The actual public version is a bit “buggy” and difficult to use, and it works well only on Windows XP, as Windows 7 and other OS have compatibility problems with it (some are just crappy things that you can fix with some tricks, while other makes the Flasher crash).
During the last times, the Flasher developer which constantly works on it to improve the stability and the features, has gave a big push to the Flasher, making the choice of using a powerful and multi-platform framework such as QT!
QT is a framework which can allow the developer to write a program and make it work the same way on the 3 main platforms : Windows,Linux and Mac OS X without worrying about write tons of lines to make it work on the currently running platform: QT will do the dirty work for you.
Because of this, @uf6667, helped by two other good coders named Ago and bmx, started to port the original Flasher to QT… and as always we (DiGiTaLAnGeL) and some others have the privilege to beta-test this new and awesome version of the Flasher.
Let’s start with some hightlights: at the moment, the version we have is the Windows one, which then will be called WinSkeet40000,followed by Linuxkeet (Linux) and iSkeet(MAC OS X).

The interface is full of new things… and for now we can use these features:

The “evil” progskeet.log is gone, and the event log is now embedded in the flasher itself, in realtime!
You can manually read,write and now erase too.
You can use presets and create new ones, matching your NOR/NAND flash -now there are some presets for the PS3 flashes and XBOX360 NAND-.
You can change the write method, between buffered write (the default one) or use the “single word” or “double word” mode (you can use it when something goes wrong or your tasks fails).
Now the flasher is splitted in tabs: “Common”,”NOR”,”NAND” and “Patcher” making it more easier and faster to use.
The byteswap function is still here, working flawlessly on both writing and reading.
You can use the “patcher” tab:useful to apply patch to your dump on the fly.
There is an option to change to refresh-cycle of the flash (for slower/faster flashes).
Progskeet Flasher is being translated! For now there are english,french and german languages -italian and all the others are coming-
The “verify” task is now done at the end of the read->erase->write process.

Source And Download

More news for Team E3DIY, on the E3 Flasher. Today they have sent me installation videos on PS3 slim, and have clarified on the “premium” version price which was reported $88.

To quote:

And we also upload universal screwer picture and E3 linker in the picture.
Please note E3 linker is only for FAT console , come with E3 FLASHER LIMITED suit.

We noticed some player complain E3 FLASHER LIMITED SUIT price, I think people are forgetting that:

1. E3 FLASHER LIMITED SUIT come with 8 accessory, the cost is about 6times than similar flasher.
2. The eSata station unit cost is $34
3. Universal screwdriver, $3 on Amazon
4. E3 Flasher Gift Box (few dollars)
5. Power switch, (few dollars)

Ok, so at least you can get USD88-USD34-USD3-??= about USD50 only !
This means you get downgrade and dual boot function with similar price as other brand flasher ! And don’t foget E3 FLASHER include 4 BIG COST BOARD !

So this is what E3 do, 6times cost but similar price for all user !

I would imagine many of you already have some of these components, and won’t need this premium version and could expect a stripped down version of just the board for $50 which is not too bad, and still cheaper than a second PS3.

They also have released a PDF of them installing the E3 Flasher on a Slim PS3, you can see it below:
[Download install PS3 Slim PDF here]

Stay tuned for more exclusive updates right here @PS3Hax.

More details form the E3DIY team about their E3Flasher. Today they have posted on their site official pictures,  and pricing. We can expect the product to start shipping around September 12th, at a retail price of $88.

To quote email:

E3 Flasher = The world’s first Dual-Boot, with simple 1 key operation = Surprising Arrival!

Features:

• Dual Boot 3.7OFW and 3.55CFW on same PS3
• Downgrade 3.7 to 3.55 in 5min
• 16M NOR FLASH ON board
• 3 save MODE, can save data in TF, NOR FLASH on board and PC HD
• 1 KEY operation, simple is best
• Upgradable from TF card or PC USB
• Compatiable all device like PS3/WII/XBOX360/MP3/DVD/BD/MP4/Table PC which has NAND or NOR flash memory.
• Integrated lots of interface, perfectly extension, will have more function with future new E3 accessory.
• E3 flasher Limited version includes 8 accessory, suggested retail price $88 USD, total production run only 3000 units!

Note: Their site is currently down, Greg has pics of what it looks like here.

UPDATE 1:

Team E3DIY is working on restoring their site, but in mean time have sent me more pictures for you guys to see, comes with everything pictured below:

To avoid spamming front page, click the read more link to see the rest of the pictures. (more…)

Team E3DIY has contacted PS3Hax today, bringing another proof of concept video this time demonstrating PSN support. Ofcourse this is OFW 3.70 so you won’t be able to play online with your backed up games (as  of now anyways) – but some PSN is better than no PSN.

To quote email:

Clear up doubt ，E3 FLASHER dual boot, 3.7 play PSN and 3.55 play HD game

After we release dual boot video, most player love it and also with some doubt.
We understand, so today release a new video, and do some clarification .

1: E3 FLASHER not only a flasher, but with perfectly extension because integrated lots of interface, we will release
more useful function later, all will be free just like we release golden finger function on E3 card reader.

2: E3 FLASHER can be upgrade from PC USB or TF card, very simple.

3: E3 FLASHER dual boot need 2 harddisk, one for 3.7 , another for 3.55. if you use only one HD, it will be required format everytime.
we will release a kit include ESATA station for you switch harddisk. (support 2.5 and 3.5′ DISK)

4: At present, on nand flash console, it need solder wire. And no dual boot function because no 256M NAND FLASH ON E3 FLASHER.
on nor flash fat console, it need solder wire , and include dual boot function.
on slim console, it no need solder wire but need solder some point.it is easy can be done in 3min. (don’t misunderstand no solder wire means no solder)

5: we will release 2 new version E3 FLASHER at the end of this month.
One is 256M nand flash on board and with CLIP, to get dual boot and no solder function.
Another is same as present E3 FLASHER but with CLIP, so all nor flash console no need any solder at that time. (sure cost will higher)

6: If all go well, we will release official picture and retail price on this wensday !

We also have more insight on the price which is expected to be around ~$100 USD so for those interested in purchasing one this is the price range to aim for.

There also is a review sample coming in for us that I will review and be giving away to one of our members for free

Stay tuned for more exciting n’ exclusive updates @ PS3Hax.

Team EDIY is creating some hot news lately and this one might just drop the bomb on those who already have a jailbroken 3.55 console. For those of you that don’t know the E3 flasher is a chip, similar to Progkeet, that is releasing a SOLDERLESS solution and allows you to downgrade (click here for more info).

Today team EDIY contacted us bringing another video showing dual booting form 3.70 to 3.55, in one simple click and in seconds! Reminds me of the good devhook days on the PSP, looks promising and you can bet this is the best solution your going to get with PSN with CFW without dishing out for a second PS3!

The video below shows the quick switching of the firmwares, notice that the MAC ID for the PS3 consoles is the same throughout the video:

Here is the email I received this morning:

E3DIY team success dual boot with E3 FLASHER, you can switch 3.7 and 3.55 in few only a few seconds!

- Easy with 1 key operation.

- E3 company will release all details like picture, installation, operation and price next week.

-Team E3DIY get another great progress for PS3 with E3 FLASHER, it will release at the same time next week.

- PS: 4times switch showes same MAC address, to prove it is the same console.

With bringing a solderless solution this flasher seems very interesting now and opens up the market to many people, answer the poll below and let us know what YOU would do.

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Team E3DIY is in contact with us, so stay tuned for more exclusive news @ PS3Hax