[thanoulas]

Hi everyone, my name is Thanos and
this is my first post here, I'm a total noob regarding ps3 hacks, I just bough a ps3 console and got rid of my xbox360.

I've done a lot of reading before purchasing anything, so here's what I got:
PS3 Slim CECH-2003A on 3.66
E3 Flasher
PS3 break dongle
500GB Samsung 2.5" hard disk

The ps3 has an issue with the blu ray drive, it won't pull the disks in, but I guess I could fix this, or replace the drive or whatever's broken in there, I'll get a better idea after I open it. I'm good at fixing things, it's not my first time inside a console, I've been repairing xbox360's for a couple of years, soldering coolrunners, doing reflows etc. It will be my first time inside a ps3, though.

I've read the tutorials, in great detail, too, so I know what has to be done.

What I'd appreciate is a suggestion as to where to go from 3.55 after I downgrade from 3.66
I've read a few people saying that it's best to stay on 3.55 and spoof and patch, others saying that rogero's cfw's are way better. I know I could brick the ps3 by going to a cfw, would I be able to recover from that with what I've got?

Anything else I might be missing?

Thanks everyone, keep up the good work!

[zeeks]

i LOVE the fact that you've done your research before even posting to say hello!! Good start.

You have everything you need to go forward and back through firmwares as you please. Once you have your NOR dump you cna recover from bricks easily. I'd suggest going straight to Rbug's 4.21 REX firmware, but you might want to try out DEX too.

The world is your oyster. Enjoy and welcome to ps3hax.net

[thanoulas]

Heh, wow, a like in my first post! I feel a little proud of myself! LOL

Thanks a lot zeeks for the welcome, I've been around this forum for about a month, reading, before I even thought of buying anything, or posting on the forum.

What I haven't read about yet is what the difference is between a CEX and a DEX firmware. And I just realised from your post that there's a REX, too. I'll have to to a search on that, thanks for the suggestion.

Another question I have, is if the 2003 model is prone to YLOD's? The console I've bought is used, but it was still sealed. Should I put a high grade paste on the cpu and gpu, since I'm going to open the ps3? I do remember I have some high quality gold based paste lying around somewhere.

Edit: Ok, I got what CEX and DEX is, REX appears to be Rebug's CFW's correct?

[itskamel]

Rex is the best available at the moment!

[HulkWogan]

Originally Posted by thanoulas Heh, wow, a like in my first post! I feel a little proud of myself! LOL Thanks a lot zeeks for the welcome, I've been around this forum for about a month, reading, before I even thought of buying anything, or posting on the forum. What I haven't read about yet is what the difference is between a CEX and a DEX firmware. And I just realised from your post that there's a REX, too. I'll have to to a search on that, thanks for the suggestion. Another question I have, is if the 2003 model is prone to YLOD's? The console I've bought is used, but it was still sealed. Should I put a high grade paste on the cpu and gpu, since I'm going to open the ps3? I do remember I have some high quality gold based paste lying around somewhere. Edit: Ok, I got what CEX and DEX is, REX appears to be Rebug's CFW's correct?

First things first, welcome and its good to see you not coming in asking for handouts and did the hard work yourself, Rex is Rebugs latest cfw and appears to be the current favourite choice, although I'm on Rogero 4.30 which xmb bugs aside runs most games great, old models are prone to YLoD but I'm on a day one 60gb and never had a problem as yet so applying paste is up to you, btw 2003 sounds far to early

I'm positive you will be up and running in no time because you have the flasher and have spent time researching, it's also a great time to be involved with the scene.

[Mr.Dutch]

Originally Posted by thanoulas The ps3 has an issue with the blu ray drive, it won't pull the disks in,

i have this issue with a phat s3, turn out that it's a damaged wire on the drive's ribbon cable (motherboard/drive), i rotated the cable so the damaged wire would be on the opposite side, disc would go in, but did not show up on xmb , switched the ribbon cable back and it showed up on the xmb...lol

but.....you probably get it, it won't eject.

[thanoulas]

Originally Posted by Mr.Dutch i have this issue with a phat s3, turn out that it's a damaged wire on the drive's ribbon cable (motherboard/drive), i rotated the cable so the damaged wire would be on the opposite side, disc would go in, but did not show up on xmb , switched the ribbon cable back and it showed up on the xmb...lol but.....you probably get it, it won't eject.

I've actually fixed it! It was the worm motor that moves the laser head, it was somehow dislodged from its end (there is a small plastic socket it goes into)

Works like a charm! I got a perfectly fine, downgradeable PS3 for a £50

Thanks everyone for your warm welcome and advise! I've decided to go with REX, and we'll see from there on

Originally Posted by HulkWogan btw 2003 sounds far to early

Heh, I meant the CECH-2003A model, it was just a lazy way to write it, I didn't mean the year