[Pockets69]

Update 10-03-2010 (WIP THIS WILL BE UPDATED WITH INFORMATION FROM THE PSGROOVE TOO)

I'm sure a lot of you have been following the initial news post regarding the PS Jailbreak dongle, and like me, you're probably getting sick of people asking the same questions over and over. Behold: the unofficial JAILBREAK my PS3. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this info, it is all copied from other sources at this point and I don't have one of these units yet for testing. But over time I'm sure we can all work together to make this a very informative and accurate post. Please help by posting your questions and answers below and I will update this post with new info as it becomes available.


What is PS Jailbreak?
A USB dongle that allows you to backup your PS3 games to either the PS3's internal hard drive or an external usb hard drive and then play them from the hard drive without the disc.

Is there any alternative to PS Jailbreak UPDATED 09/09
Yes there is as of now there are some clones being made and sold cheaper than PS Jailbreak, and there is already a scene ("free" version) called PS Groove, and various ports of it called PS Freedom to mobile devices handheld gaming machines toasters your tv your car and your mom.


Will it void my PS3 warranty?
It is a plug and play solution that can be installed without opening your console, keeping your valid warranty seal intact. That said, if Sony found out you were using it they would probably not be too happy about it. If you have a PSN account check the playing online section below for more info.


Which PS3 models is it compatible with?
All production models, FAT and SLIM. All regions: USA, JAP, PAL AND KOREA.


Which firmware versions is it compatible with?
3.41. Using it with a firmware lower than 3.41 boots to a black screen.


Can Sony block the use of it with a PS3 firmware update? UPDATED 09/09
Yes they can and they have already done that on 09/07 they have issued a new firmware update (3.42) that blocks the use of any jailbreaking solution, PSJailbreak team has already stated that their dongle will continue to work with future updates, we are yet to see that.


Can you play backups online?
If the backup can't be updated, or there is no update available for that game, then yes. See section on game updates below for more info.


Will I be banned from PSN for playing backups?
As far as we know, no one has been banned for this as yet. However, no one knows if/when Sony can detect it and ban your account/ip/console from PSN. Only time will tell. Currently your online status will say "Playing: Backup Manager" Title ID: LAUN12345. So in it's current form, it is definitely detectable online. What Sony will actually do about it is yet to be seen.

Please note also that just because you play your backup online today without consequence, it doesn't mean you won't get banned tomorrow or next week or next month. Microsoft logs users with modified DVD-ROM firmware for months and then bans all those consoles in one fell swoop, once or twice a year. Until the first person is banned from PSN we won't know Sony's policy on this.


Do I have to open my console or solder anything?
No.


Does it modify any software on the PS3?
You must install the Backup Manger on your PS3 to use it. You can just delete when you want to make your machine look legit but it leaves logs behind that could be detected by Sony (of course if you go online).


Does this have anyting to do with Geohot or Jailbreak for iPhone? UPDATED 09/09
People have been specultaing that geohot's work on the ps3 may have helped the discover of this hack, we are yet to have any proof on this.


Does this allow me to play games from BD-R
No, it can launch games from original discs and hard drive only.


How does playing a game from hard drive compare to playing a retail disc?
In theory load times should be faster. No solid tests as yet. Apparently in-game cut scenes cannot be skipped (No idea why, more info please).


Does this allow you to launch unsigned code or homebrew? UPDATED 09/09
yes it does. The problem with PS3 "homebrew" at present is all current tools are based on Sony's SDK, so they are illegal to distribute. Hopefully PSJB can be of use to further the development of "real" homebrew apps, independent of Sony's SDK, wich has already happend, and ooPo has released a toolchain yesteday (09/08).


Is the PSJB firmware updateable? UPDATED 09/09
Hackers have said that the jailbreak stick can't be updated by connecting it to pc, I don't know what will be done, if a new version released to users will be different from the PSjailbreak
given to testers, then they might be updated with a pc, but we don't know yet.


Is it legal? UPDATED 09/09
Depends on how it works. the code itself has been confirmed not to be sony code (the devs of the jailbreak confirmed this of course we can't take that for granted) which makes the dongle legal, the problem is the way you use it, if you are using to homebrew application well its kind of illegal (its on gray area i might say)

As for playing game backups, it depends on your state and/or country's stance on making backups of your games. Most countries do not allow it, and I don't think there are any countries that allow you to make or obtain copies of games you do not own.


Where can I get one?
Check the official site http://www.psjailbreak.com for a list of official resellers.


Storage
You can backup to your PS3's internal drive or an external usb drive. At present there are some games that can be copied to the internal drive only and not an external usb drive. (See compatibility list below).

The issue is that the only file system presently supported by Backup Manager for external usb drives is FAT32. FAT32 does not allow a single file larger than 4gb. The games listed above include 1 or more files larger than 4gb. The solution at this time is to back these games up to the PS3's internal drive which is formatted with Sony's own proprietary file system, which has no such file size limits.

It has been stated on the official PS Jailbreak site that support for NTFS formatted external usb drives will be added to the Backup Manager at a later time. NTFS supports files larger than 4gb.


How big are the games and how long do they take to backup?
Backing up to the internal drive is much faster than going to an external USB drive. Here are some test results posted at http://www.elotrolado.net/hilo_revie...lbreak_1473364

God of War III:
File Size: 40.10GB
Internal Backup Time: 90 mins
External Backup Time: 280 mins

Red Dead Redemption:
File Size: 4.83GB
Internal Backup Time: 15 mins
External Backup Time: 40 mins*
* Fails (file over 4 GB)

Condemned 2:
File Size: 6.43GB
Internal Backup Time: 15 mins
External Backup Time: 40 mins

Resistance: Fall of Man:
File Size: 15.40GB
Internal Backup Time: 35 mins
External Backup Time: 100 mins*
* Fails (file over 4 GB)

FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010:
File Size: 7.36GB
Internal Backup Time: 15 mins
External Backup Time: 40 mins
Can it be used to backup and play PS1 or PS2 games?
No.

Which games are compatible?
There is a compatibility list here: http://www.ps3hax.net/showthread.php?t=12859


Does a game disc have to be inserted to play backups?
Yes. Any retail disc inserted in the drive will aid compatibility when launching backups from a hard drive.


Does dumping games increase the wear on my PS3's laser?
Probably. But playing games from the hard drive will lessen the wear on your laser so it kind of evens out.


Can I backup games with my PC blu-ray drive then launch them with the PSJB? Can I download a game and launch it with PSJB? UPDATE 09/09
No you cannot, the backup manager only plays games backed up by the machine (meaning by a backup manager)


Do tools like SN Systems Target Manger work while this mod is being used?
No Target Manager does not connect, it tries but fails.


Does a debug settings menu appear like on PS3 Test units?
No this does not appear when using the dongle.


Can the USB Dongle be dumped? UPDATED 09/09
Yes it can, in fact it was days ago, creating the first "free" solution called PSGroove, the psjailbreak dongle was dumped by Mathieulh (and his team), and released for free to the scene
(Thank you mathieulh)


Does the dongle only need to be used once to convert my PS3 to a debug unit?
No, you must use it every time you want to play a backup. Removing the dongle crashes the system.


Can you exit back to the PS3 menu cleanly without rebooting when you want to switch games?
Yes.


Can I take my hard drive and dongle to my friend's place and use them on his PS3?
Yes. Backups created on one console run on any other console with Backup Manager.


Do game updates work?
Game updates already installed must be uninstalled or the backup fails to load. We are as yet unsure if you can install an update when running from a backup. When loading a backup PSJB gives you the option to bypass the update, though this will automatically disconnect you from PSN.


Does DLC (Downloadable Content) with backups?
Not sure about DLC at this time, someone please provide more info.


Will this allow me to load a modified game such as the custom Guitar Hero games for PS2 and Wii?
In theory it would be possible as the developers claim it can run unsigned code. More details when available.


Can I use it to restore my bricked console or load custom firmware?
Maybe. Time will tell.


Does it matter which USB port is used for the dongle?
No it doesn't.


Do you need to unplug/plug your PS3 every time you turn it on?
The fat model has a switch on the back that you can just flick on and off. Slim models will have to disconnect and then reconnect the power cable (or switch on/off at the wall) every time you want to use the PS Jailbreak. For both models you have to quickly press eject after powering on to activate the PSJB. At this stage it looks like you can't have any other usb devices plugged in until PSJB is lit green and ready to go.


Will my old save games still work?
Yes.

NEW PSGroove/PSFreedom Faq

NOTE: most rules from the psjailbreak faq applies to this part since the psgroove/psfreedom is like a clone


What is PSGroove
The PSGroove jailbreaking method is an alternative to the psjailbreak, ps stinger, ps3key, x3jailbreak and ps3break (these are the current comercial jailbreaking clones)
The PSGroove was released by mathieulh (known psp hacker) to be a free scene solution to those comercial versions, PSGroove is not a clone, and some features were added and removed from the initial release.


What features did mathieulh added and removed to ps3groove
Removed the ability to play backups from hdd
Added the ability to remove the board after the exploit is launched.


So can I can't play backups with it?
Yes you can a patch has been issued to allow the launching of backups just like the comercial jailbreaking solutions.


So what do i need?
You need a board with one of these chipsets:
* AT90USB162
* AT90USB646
* AT90USB647
* AT90USB1286
* AT90USB1287
* ATMEGA32U4
A playstation 3 with firmware 3.41
and the PSGroove package to compile your own version.

What if i don't have any of those boards to install psgroove
You can still try PSFreedom (port of PSgroove to mobile devices), if you own a device that is compatible with PSfreedom, just follow the instructions to get it working on your device.
Here is the list of working devices with PSFreedom: http://psfreedom.com/wiki/Device_compatibility_list

Ok my device is compatible what do i do now
Follow a tutorial here on Ps3hax, or on the wiki.

Will i be able to play online using this
No you will not, to play online it will require you to update (as of the time of this writing it requires 3.50), if you update you will lose your jailbreak ability, so you can't have both worlds.

This was copied from psx-scene website i give all credit Reakt for making this awesome FAQ
The Groove faq is written by me, and is yet far from finished, there will be a freedom part as well.
There is not much that i can do, i think all the important questions are answered here, although i will still label this as incomplete, in case I come up with something.

I will try to update it and correct it if needed.

[GregoryRasputin]

Thanks for taking the time to post/copy&paste this FAQ thread
It would be cool to have our own version too *hint*

[SniperSnake]

were can i order one from to ship to the usa and how long till we dont need a disc in the drive?

[Pockets69]

With this method is impossible to not use a disk maybe if a new method surfaces we might not need a disk.
************* [ - Post Merged - ] *************

Originally Posted by GregoryRasputin Thanks for taking the time to post/copy&paste this FAQ thread It would be cool to have our own version too *hint*

Easy to say! XD
it was hard for the original author, and if i would try one, it wouldn't be as complete as this one.

anyway thanks Greg for fixing the text format etc

[psik]

Thank you for this faq psx-scene and for pasting it here. I already downloaded v3.41 manually from hXXp://us.playstation.com/support/systemupdates/ps3/pc_update/index.htm
as my firmware is 3.15 and I want to have 3.41 available just when I buy this stick in the future!
Thanks again!

[b33eazy]

When will they start to ship these things to the consumers?

[GregoryRasputin]

Originally Posted by b33eazy When will they start to ship these things to the consumers?

27th as far as i know

[b33eazy]

Originally Posted by GregoryRasputin 27th as far as i know

Are there alternative sites for American consumers? Can I order my one from a foreign site and have them ship it to the us? It's one of the official sellers, but the company in the US is sold out.

[GregoryRasputin]

Originally Posted by b33eazy Are there alternative sites for American consumers? Can I order my one from a foreign site and have them ship it to the us? It's one of the official sellers, but the company in the US is sold out.

Check here:
http://www.ps3hax.net/showthread.php?t=12592

[xenno]

Does it modify any software on the PS3? You must install the Backup Manger on your PS3 to use it. Not sure yet if you can just delete it from the XMB or if it leaves anything behind that could be detected by Sony.

I'm pretty sure you can remove the backup manager if you format your ps3 :-)