[playerkp420]

Originally Posted by DEFAULTDNB If minvercheck says 3.50 the you know it's compatible. The 2500's are 50/50 wether they shipped with 3.40-3.60. You are a lucky one

You mean 2500s with datecode 1a are 50/50. Because most 2500s are downgradable.
Datecode 0c, 0d, and about half or more of 1a.

But like everyone said, if min ver. checker says lower than 3.55, you are good.

[dwood18]

It can be downgraded send it to playerkp if you want it downgraded fast and cheap for $45.

[Lynetk]

Thanks everybody.

Great to hear that the console is downgradable.

I was thinking of going with the E3 flasher as my soldering skills are limited. Any tips other than watch the instructional videos carefully?

[james28909]

oh, now i see you already determined you can downgrade.

happy downgrading

[DEFAULTDNB]

@playerkp420 is the master of the E3 flasher, read his tutorials on this site, they will be invaluable

[Lynetk]

I just received my E3 Flasher and was thinking about giving it a try tonight.

Regarding putting the PS3 in service mode my plan was to use my old iPhone 2G, which i also used back when the original 'hack' came out.

But i cant seem to find the PSGrade files needed for the iPhone due to the wiki.psfreedom.com link is down (http://wiki.psfreedom.com/wiki/IPhoneLinux)

I have searched high and low for a mirror for this, but all articles and searches links to that wiki page.

Does anybody in here have those files by chance? Or any other good advice to get the PS3 into service mode ?

Thanks for all the help so far. Great forum!

[DEFAULTDNB]

I dont know if they have it for iPhone but have you tried the PS3Devwiki?: http://www.ps3devwiki.com/files/PSGrade/

EDIT:

Woohoo! found you a link here: http://ps3.gx-mod.com/modules/mydown...it.php?lid=276
(iphone2G-3G-ipodtouch-service_jig.zip)

[Lynetk]

Apparently i havent looked close enough. Thank you very much (y)

[Lynetk]

So that didnt go very well.

I got the ps3 disassembled and mounted the clip, and thought that everything went well.

Got the ps3 turned on, and performed the update of the flasher without problems. When i then tried to make the first dump the blue flashing lights turned on 1-3-5-7 and then 2-4-6-8 and then back to 1-3-5-7 and so on and so on.

I took the sdcard out and read the log file, which said : "fail to initialize PS3 BIOS"

I then decided to take the machine apart again at try to remount the clip. After i did that i coudnt get the PS3 started.
When i plugged in the power, the red light came on, and when i press the power on button, the ps3 powers on for 3 seconds, and then turns off by itself.

I decided to take it apart again to remove the clip to see if i had a working ps3. But a screw in the metal plate attached to the mobo was unfortunately damaged, so i coudnt remove it i really tried everything, and that only made it worse. So i guess i will have to get a metal drill and take it out with that. I know this is only my own fault, and i feel so stupid right now. But lesson learned! My powerscrewdriver was set to too much force.

Has any of you experienced the power on scenario i experience ?

[playerkp420]

@Lynetk
You have to make sure the you put the mobo back together properly. And make sure the the ribbon from the clip is not getting crunched at the same time.
If the GPU and CPU are not seated correctly on the heat sinks, the PS3 will not boot.

As for the stripped screw, try to use a bigger bit, with some pressure to unscrew it.

You should not be using power tools on electronics. You need a set of precision screwdrivers. Never use a power screwdriver!