FAQ/Information to get you started hacking your PS3

[ERIFNOMI]

Don't ask questions without reading the rules and all the other posts in this section. This is a big one.

I'm serious. Read this.

We cannot tell you if you will be banned or not. Only Sony knows! Ask them, not us. Stop asking this.

There is no PSN for any PS3 on Firmware less than what if current. This means if you're using a dongle or CFW, NO PSN!

Just because the PS3 looks like PSP, doesn't mean you can do the same things on them.

Quit posting for help in forums other than help. This includes TUTORIALS! Tutorial section is for tutorials, not asking for someone to write one.

FAQ for Custom Firmware (CFW)! Read this before asking questions about CFW! Then read the rest of the forum too!
Q."Can I install CFW from OFW 3.56+?"
A. No

Q."Does this mean I can run {backup_manager} without my jailbreak dongle?" UPDATED 1/19/2011
A. Yes.

Q."How do I install CFW?"
A. Look here or HERE

Q."I can't get CFW to install!"
A. You may need to install it from the recovery menu. NOT SERVICE MODE!. Each CFW seems to have it's own steps though. Hopefully they'll all be the same someday, and stupid simple so you won't even need this FAQ.

Q."How do I get into the recovery menu?"
A. Guess I have to hold your hand...Make sure you have your update on your USB drive and do this.
1. Power down PS3
2. Hold power button until your PS3 starts up and shuts down again.
3. Release and press and hold again. You should hear 1 beep then 2 beeps. Release.

Q."Can I go on PSN with this CFW?"
A. NO!


General FAQ
Q."I'm on FW 3.56 (or higher). Can I downgrade to 3.55?"
A. If you're in this FAQ, probably not. But, if you have a fat PS3 with 256MB NAND, an infectus modchip, some soldering skill, and the balls to do it, you can. Go to infectus for that.

Q."Is there CFW for 3.56 (or higher)?"
A. No, and don't ask when there will be. We don't know. Maybe never.

Q."Where can I download x game"
A. It's in the rules. Don't ask.

Q."Will x game work? Can I backup x game? Is it compatible?"
A. A PS3 game compatibility list. Unfortunately, as of right now, it's been taken down and who knows when/if it'll be back. If you notice it's online, send me a PM please.

Q."How do I host modded CoD lobbies?"
A. We don't help cheaters. Don't tell me it's to just have fun with friends because I won't believe you and I don't care.

Q."When I start a game, it says there is an update. Will this update my console? Should I do it?"
A. Game updates are not system updates! To do it or not is up to you, but they sometimes break compatibility. UPDATE: Game updates are starting to come out with eboots signed with 3.60 keys which we don't have. Probably best not to update.

Q."Ok, I don't want to do the game update, but they keep popping up.."
A. Why do you have your internet connected to your PS3 which can't go online? Disconnect the internet.

Q."Can I disconnect my PS3 from the internet without disconnecting from my network? -or- I want to stream movies to my PS3 but I don't want internet because I'm in fear of these updates/ getting banned."
A. You can enter a fake DNS in your network settings. This will screw up the internet connection but leave your network connected. Enter something like 1.2.3.4. You can also block internet access to your PS3 (via IP or MAC address) in your router's settings. Read your router's documentation.

Q."My PS3 came from the store, new, with 3.50. Can I downgrade?"
A. No. New PS3s that come with 3.50 cannot go below 3.50

Q."How do I get external HDDs to work with my PS3?"
A. They need to be formated to FAT32. Either the whole drive, or the first partition. I recommend GPARTED for all your partitioning needs. Easy to use GUI on a Live CD (or USB).



FAQ for Jailbreaking.-This is less useful than CFW, but some people are still on it. If you're just starting out, stick to CFW which is found above this.

Q."How do I play games that require FW 3.50+?"
A. Easiest way would be to update to CFW 3.55. Assuming you don't want to since you're already here, you need to modify the eboot. Google will be of more help because those files cannot be linked to or hosted here.

Q."But I spoofed my FW.."
A. It doesn't mater. Spoofing your FW is for those who are paranoid and who internet connected to their PS3 and think that they might accidentally update the FW after they've gone through the trouble of jailbreaking in the first place. Spoofing FW does nothing.

Q."How do I root/hack/jailbreak my android phone?"
A.Check out this site for rooting android phones.

NOTE:This is a copy of the thread I had over at PS3-hacks which I think got lost in the merge. I'm working on fixing links and updating it as it's been a few months. It's all pretty relevant still.

This is a work in progress. Keeping checking back, especially before you ask a question. I'll update this whenever I think of something else and I have time. If you have something that you think should be added, don't post it in the forums. Wait a few days. I have a life away from my computer. If it's taking me forever to update, maybe PM me.