E3 Flasher advice from 4.31 OFW to 3.55 CFW
 

Hello all. I have been a reader and lurker for some time now. I've tried to do my research on E3 Flasher and what a downgrade for my system would entail. I am in the market to purchase ONLY IF I can get some clear and concise directions for the blasted thing! I come to you with open ears and understanding that this is probably the best place to receive help for my particular downgrade.

Now, I have read Bailey's Guide, Playerkp420's guide, watched Khelkedon's Nor Guide, ChrisTechTV's Guide, and TOGxFTW's Guide. To some concern some of these guides have conflicting information, old download links, made early 2012, or hard to understand.

My Breakdown:
-I know I own a NOR SLIM and can be downgraded because I have a CECH-2101A (saw the chart)
-Current OFW is 4.31
-Downgrade Device of choice is E3 Flasher(I'm not great with soldering) with E3 card reader for Dev Mode(I have one on loan)
-CFW of choice is Rogero 3.55 (for future upgrade to 4.xx CFW)
-I have experience breaking down and putting back together the SLIM (replaced my optical drive laser)

My Goal:
-To have working and EXACT instructions + ALL Current Files for all the process (E3 Update/Files for downgrade + E3 Card Reader for Dev Mode Update/Files + 3.55 OFW/CFW) before purchase from 4.31 OFW to 3.55 CFW.
-To have working and EXACT instructions for backing up and restoring a possible brick (Dumps and Restore details).
-To of course Downgrade my NOR SLIM to Rogero 3.55 CFW from 4.31 OFW.

Other Concerns:
-I heard "Don't trust Youtube Videos"
-Bailey's Guide has a disclaimer at the beginning of it stating issues with the E3 section!
-Khelkedon's knowledge of the English language is good for being Turkish, but I think there are a few things "Lost in Translation"
-I just can't seem to get up to date files for everything.
-Do I need to reapply Thermal Paste on the CPUs?
-How do I keep the damned thing from upgrading thus ruining everything I worked for and doing the process again causing stress on the BIOS.

I hope you will see past my "Stupid Questions" and will help me gather all I need to make a successful downgrade. Thank you in advance!

Okay. Since my post I have done some more extensive searching.

I have decided to go with the definitive (screw what the wiki says) Bailey's Downgrade guide.

I have found some of the information from the wiki to be educational, but Bailey puts in in easy to understand terms. It seems he has updated the info and is constantly answering questions in his thread. Sorry I ever doubted you Baileys.

Just yesterday I found out that YES it is the same files to downgrade from 4.31.

Sorry for the noob long wall. I guess I just needed some reaffirmation that this is very possible and my goal can be achieved with Baileys Guide.

I'll be on my way now. Thanks anyway.

To answer a few questions...
-Stay away from YouTube, unless you want to watch a music video.
-Khalkedons guide will show you what to do, but almost every person who watches it, ends up semi bricking on the reflashing step. I find it to be a completely ridiculous step, because you are trying to reflash the console to confirm you have a good bios back up. If you don't, you semi brick and now have to go through unbricking. Watch it for a general idea, but find a good tut instead.
- @baileyscream offers and awesome tut and is a great guy. Very helpful. @playerkp420 does aswell, for a little cross referencing.
-to prevent yourself from updating, install a spoofer once it is Jailbroke.
- it is always a good idea to remove all old thermal paste and replace it once you "break" the seal it has with the heatsinks and chips. You don't need to do this until after you have completed the downgrade and are closing the console up for good.
-let me now if I can help in any way. I can upload files if you need.

Thanks for the info bigbones. I think I am fairly confident with Bailey's tut and have got all info and the files ready for when I receive my Flasher. Unless you have an up-to-date E3 Card Reader file that will get it into service mode (the file I found is e3.downgrade 12.03 - created on 12/4/2010)

Baileys doesn't really go into the install of the clip so much. I've seen people install with the hdd still attached and the flasher just chilling without using the esata docking device(Wiki). Is there a reason for this? Can you use the e3 flasher and take it off after you have downgraded and not use the esata dock or face in the drive slot? I have a second PS3 that I plan to use for PSN so dual booting isn't necessary for this one.

Any suggestions on spoofers for Rogero 4.30?

Really appreciate the response.