PS3:PS3Xploit

To minimize the chance of bricking, do NOT skip any of the following sections. This process will use a recently released software hack to 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 32kb allocation size.
 * PyPS3Checker.
 * Windows users can download the 'PyPS3checker-standalone-package' and utilise the .bat script, all other operating systems must install python and run the .py script.
 * A CFW capable PS3.

Running PS3Xploit
Choose one of the methods below to follow. The Exploit-Loading Site requires internet connection, while the Self-Host option does not but requires slightly more work and has a larger risk of user error.

PS3Xploit's Flash Writer for 4.90
Please refer to either this video guide or this text guide

PS3Xploit's Flash Writer for 4.85
Visit the PS3Xploit (NAND) or PS3Xploit (NOR) page for instructions on how to do this. If you are not sure whether your PS3 is a NAND or NOR console, visit either page and use the chart to find out.

(Method 2) Using an Exploit-Loading Site
To be advised.

Installing a CFW

 * 1) Remove the USB Drive from your PS3 and plug it into your PC.
 * 2) Create a folder on the root of the drive titled "PS3", and inside of that folder, create a new folder called "UPDATE".
 * 3) Download your desired CFW of equal or higher version, or a CFW spoofed to the latest version. The most recent firmwares can be found on this page. Regardless of which firmware you choose, verify the MD5 hash of the .PUP file to ensure that the file is not corrupt.
 * 4) *In order to go to a lower version CFW, you must install a CFW of equal or higher version and then install the Habib QA Toggle PKG, run it, and reboot before you can install the desired CFW.
 * 5) Rename the CFW .PUP to "PS3UPDAT.PUP".
 * 6) Move the PUP to the UPDATE folder on the USB drive.
 * 7) Remove the USB drive from your PC and plug it into a USB port on your PS3. **Make sure to remove any disc inside your console**.
 * 8) On your PS3, navigate to Settings → System Update, then Update from Removable Media.
 * 9) Go through all the necessary prompts to install the firmware onto your system. If all goes well, you should now be on CFW.
 * 10) *If you get a error saying "The data is corrupted" and you had verified the MD5 hash, then the PS3xploit patch most likely failed and you should try the exploit again.
 * 11) * If you receive error 8002F1F9, check that your disc drive and Bluetooth are working. If they are not, you need to use a No-BD firmware.
 * 12) (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
In the event that 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 a hardware flasher to reflash. Please see Bad Flash Recovery section of the E3 Flasher, Teensy or ProgSkeet guides.

Troubleshooting
Unable to access ps3xploit: Flash drive not appearing to dump flash:
 * Check psx-place for any news regarding service changes.
 * 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.