[samich]

So I've gone through about 4 semi-bricks, encountered almost all of the errors, and have opened my PS3 up about
5-8 times because of the E3 flasher. I feel like I know just about everything I could from trying to get this thing to work.

If anyone wants any help on how to manage the problems they're getting, just post and I'll give you a few pointers
in the right direction that helped solve my problem when I encountered possibly that same error.

However, I am just one step from passing the E3 flasher and moving onto service mode.

So here's where I stand right now with my E3:
Proper BIOS backup of 3.73 OFW,
TF card contains e3_downgrade bin and bkp file as necessary to start downgrading process.

When you need to flash the downgrade bin, my successfully flashes. And as directions say, once you do that,
you shut down the console then turn it back on to see the "connect controller" message as if it is in the recovery menu.

However, my problem is that after flashing the downgrade bin, and turn off my console, then turn it back on,
I get no message. It just boots normally. Which doesn't make sense to me, because if it managed to flash the
downgrade bin, then shouldn't it go to the recovery menu, where then you turn off your console and plug in your service mode dongle?

I have a CECH-2501A model (160GB), with a spansion NOR chip.
From what I've read, it starts at 3.41 OFW so I should be able to downgrade.

[dszuecs]

I've got a CECH-2501A too but with 120 GB, i was able to do step 1 and 2, but couldn't downgrade (error 11001000), means that my PS3 model is not supported atm.

So i wrote an email to E3 tech, wich told me to upload my backed up BIOS file, they than will analyse it and tell me why i got trouble with it.

So its kinda funny that you could flash de Downgrade.bin i couldn't..

I still think that they got some probs with some kind of Slim mainboards.

[samich]

Hmm.. I think I got that error one time as well. I also had the not correct PS3, and just as well, Metldr not supported. (Scared the crap out of me when I heard that after I had recovered from a brick.)

After I fastened the clip down more, the errors that dealt with any 'PS3 not supported' issues seemed to go away.

I've been talking with the E3 team extensively and they have actually been responding. However, they seem to only respond within the hours of 2am EST and 6am EST time.

They told me to send in my BIOS as well, but they said nothing was wrong, and the fact I've recovered from so many bricks using the e3 flasher proves my BIOS is proper.

They said it was strange too, that I could flash the downgrade bin but not get into recovery mode. They told me to send them a picture of my Flash IC. So that's what I'm waiting on right now.

[robh]

So you used your flasher on more than 1 console?? I just got mine in the mail but havn't decided whether to use it or not because I wanted it to fix 2 or 3 consoles that are semi bricked by downgrading the firmware. But e3 team said only good for 1 console. Can you clarify? Thanks.

[samich]

no no no, I got the "wrong ps3 error" but it was still the same PS3. The E3 chip sort of mimes your NOR once you backed it up through it, which I figure is why it can only be used on one consoles. I dunno. It's strange.

But I've only got 1 ps3, and don't really plan on buying a new one, unless I trade this one in for something else. Which I probably will... if I can't downgrade with this thing. I'm hopeful but not for much longer.

[dszuecs]

Originally Posted by robh So you used your flasher on more than 1 console?? I just got mine in the mail but havn't decided whether to use it or not because I wanted it to fix 2 or 3 consoles that are semi bricked by downgrading the firmware. But e3 team said only good for 1 console. Can you clarify? Thanks.

What i can say is: i used 1 E3 Flasher on 2 consoles BUT the first console bricked after reflashing the BIOS backup, so idk if it still works after successfully downgrade a PS3..

I didn't find any information about my brick:

- ps3 turns on without an error beep
- LED is green
- screen remains black, no error at all
- HDD doesnt seem to read anything, it starts but doesn't do anything

[robh]

Well I'm hoping that someone figures out a way to return the flasher to virgin state so can use on more than 1 console. E3 team should of thought of this but I suppose the solderless clip probably wouldn't hold up anyways moving it from console to console. Still not sure whether to keep this thing or sell it...

[samich]

Originally Posted by dszuecs I didn't find any information about my brick: - ps3 turns on without an error beep - LED is green - screen remains black, no error at all - HDD doesnt seem to read anything, it starts but doesn't do anything

What position are your switches in (1-6) when you start the bricked console with the e3 flasher installed?

[dszuecs]

Originally Posted by samich What position are your switches in (1-6) when you start the bricked console with the e3 flasher installed?

they are al down like: 0 0 0 0 0 0

[samich]

I did some videos about my problem:

Pt1: shows the flashing start:
E3 Flasher Problem pt1 - YouTube

Pt2: shows the flashing end, and how it doesn't go into recovery menu:
E3 Flasher - Flashing downgrade bin - YouTube