PS3 Toolset

To minimize the chance of bricking, do NOT skip any of the following sections. This process will use a recently released software hack to allow the installation of custom firmware. Check to make sure that your console is CFW compatible.

With any newly released exploit of this caliber, there is always a chance that you can brick your console. Follow all sections of this guide exactly as how they are written.

Materials Needed

A USB storage device, formatted as FAT32 with an MBR partition table.
PyPS3Checker.
- Windows users can download the 'PyPS3checker-standalone-package' and utilize the .bat script; all other operating systems must install Python and run the .py script.
A CFW-capable PS3.

Checking Current Firmware Version

If your CFW-compatible console is currently on OFW/HFW, you can check if the current firmware is compatible with a web browser exploit.

Scroll to the Settings column in the XMB.
Scroll down until you see "System Settings" and click it.
Scroll down until you see "System Information" and click it.
You will now see the current firmware version listed next to "System Software".
- If your console is currently on firmware 3.55 or lower, you can skip this tutorial and do a direct update to CEX CFW without exploiting the system.
- If your console is currently a firmware newer than 3.55 but older than 4.75, you will need to install an HFW or OFW update to make it compatible with web browser patchers. Use one of these methods to update it.
- If your console is currently on firmware 4.75 to 4.92, you can proceed to either use the PS3 Toolset method (recommended) or the Flash Writer method.
- If your console is currently on firmware 4.93, you can use the Flash Writer method.
- If your console is currently on a firmware newer than what the methods listed on Installing CFW are, you will either need to wait until web browser patchers are updated or use a hardware flasher.

Using PS3 Toolset (4.75 - 4.92 OFW/HFW)

Make sure to check if the PS3 Toolset website is working on a computer before deciding to update your console. If PS3 Toolset is down, please use the alternative flash writer instead.

A video guide for using this tool set can be found here.

Ensure the date and time of the PS3 are correctly set by navigating to the Settings column of the XMB and selecting "Date and Time Settings" → "Date and Time" and either manually setting the date and time or using "Set via internet".

Using the Site

Plug a USB drive into the right-most USB port, ensuring your USB is formatted as FAT32 MBR and that it is recognized by the PS3 by checking that it shows up on the XMB under the Photos column.
Navigate to the Network column of the XMB and select "Internet Browser".
Press , select Tools → Delete Cookies.
Press , select Tools → Delete Search History.
Press , select Tools → Delete Cache.
Press , select Tools → Delete Authentication Information.
Press to close the browser, then open it again.
Press and enter `http://ps3toolset.com/bgtoolset`. If prompted to run a plugin, select "Yes". Press the "OK" button on the maintenance costs popup.
Press , select Tools → Home Page. Select "Use Current" and press Cross. Scroll down to "OK" and press to exit this menu.
Select "System Manager" and ensure there is a green tick next to "CFW Compatible PS3".
- If there is a red X symbol, you will need to use PS3HEN instead.

Dumping NAND/NOR flash

Scroll over the "Flash Memory" folder and press Cross, then Cross again on "Save Flash Memory Backup".
Select "/dev_usb" (followed by three numbers) as the save destination, and press Cross on the "Save" button.
- After the dumping process completes, a green tick should appear, indicating the dump was successful.
Press Cross on the "Close" button, hold Circle to exit out of the PS3 browser, and unplug the USB drive from the PS3.

Verifying NAND/NOR flash dump

Plug the USB drive into a computer, then copy the flash dump file (dump.bin) from the root of the USB to your desktop.
Download PyPS3checker. For Windows, click on "PyPS3checker-standalone-package", followed by the "Download" button. For Linux/Mac, use the green <> Code button to download the repository.
Extract the files. On Windows, drag dump.bin onto the drag&drop_your_dump_here.bat file. On Linux/Mac, open a terminal in the "PyPS3checker" directory, then run python3 checker_py3.py dump.bin. You may need to use chmod to make the file executable first.
Wait for the check to complete, and ensure there are no "Dangers" or "Warnings".
- If either are encountered, reinstall the PS3's firmware and try again.
  - If an error is shown only for SKUIdentityData, the PS3 is likely refurbished, and it is okay to proceed.
  - If an error is shown only for the hash of either ROS0 or ROS1, it is okay to proceed, but reinstalling your current firmware and creating a new flash dump should fix this warning. This just means that the current firmware slot & backup firmware slot are mismatched.
Back up the dump.bin file to a safe location. Should the PS3 become bricked, this file will be used along with a hardware flasher to restore the console to a working state.

Patching the flash

Navigate back to the Network column of the XMB and open the Internet Browser. Load the plugin if prompted, and close the Maintenance Costs popup.
Press Cross on "System Manager", then scroll over the "Flash Memory Patch" folder and press Cross, then Cross again on "Load Patch via HTTP". Once complete, press Cross on the "Close" button.
Scroll over the "Flash Memory Patch" folder and press Cross, then scroll over "Apply loaded Patch" and press Cross.
- Read and understand the warning message; if the PS3 loses power or is otherwise interrupted during the patching process, it may result in a brick.
Press Cross on the "Yes" button, and wait for the process to complete.
- Once complete, a message should pop up alerting you to reboot the console.
Press Cross on the "Close" button, hold Circle to exit out of the web browser, then reboot the PS3.
- Note if the PS3 takes longer than usual to reboot, do not be immediately alarmed, and wait for a few minutes.
Proceed to Installing a CFW of equal or higher version.

Installing a CFW

Once the flash patching process is complete, visit Updating your Firmware to see the process of installing a CFW update.

(Optional) Visit this page of the wiki to learn about the basic things you can do with your newly hacked PS3 and explore the rest of the PS3 Mods Wiki.

Bad Flash Recovery

If something goes wrong while flashing your NAND and your console is not working properly (or "bricked"), you may be able to recover it by updating the firmware normally through the XMB, ensuring you haven't shut down your console. Otherwise, you can possibly boot into recovery mode and reinstall your current firmware from there. If this does not work, you will need to use a hardware flasher to reflash. Please see the Bad Flash Recovery section of the E3 Flasher, Teensy or ProgSkeet guides.

Troubleshooting

Unable to access PS3Xploit:

Check PSX-Place for any news regarding service changes.

Flash drive not appearing to dump flash:

Check that the flash drive is formatted as a FAT32 MBR drive.
- To check if the PS3 detects the drive, plug it into the PS3 and see if it appears under the 'Music' category of the XMB.