PS3:Convert to CEX or DEX

Early in the PS3 scene, specific mods and tweaks were only possible on DEX firmware. Nowadays, DEX features are often possible on CEX firmwares and DEX custom firmwares are becoming a thing of the past. The following instructions will show you how to convert your PS3 to either CEX or DEX.

Video demonstrations of converting your retail console to DEX with Rebug REX or Evilnat PEX can be found on MrMario2011's channel.

Note that if you plan on going online, you will need to change some options in Debug Settings to enable online. You can find how to do this here.

Swapping Between CEX/DEX (Rebug REX)

1. Install the latest Rebug REX firmware if not already installed. A tutorial to do this can be found on the Updating Firmware page. Choose REX firmware if you are currently on CEX, and D-REX firmware if you are currently on DEX.
2. Once you're at the XMB, install Rebug Toolbox and open it. You can find it under Install Packages → System.
3. Go to the Utilities column (far right) and select Toggle QA Flag. Select Enable. Your console should beep and return to the XMB.
4. From the XMB, go back into Rebug Toolbox and navigate to Utilities column (far right) and select Dump eid_root_key.
   • (It is recommended to keep a backup of the eid_root_key in case you need to revert back to CEX or retrieve hard drive data.)
5. On this screen select "Yes". The screen will go blank and after 10 seconds you will hear 3 beeps and the system will re-boot.
6. Go back into Rebug Toolbox and go to the DEX & CEX column (second from the right) and select Rewrite target ID in flash and select "Yes". Your console with either reboot or show turn black momentarily. If your console did not reboot, browse up one setting and select Swap LV2 Kernel and select "Yes". Your console will reboot.
7. Verify the system type you are on by entering Rebug Toolbox, browsing to the far left, and selecting System Information. You are now free to install any other CFW or stay on Rebug.

If your system freezes a bit after rebooting, make sure to turn the What's New? option off under Settings → System Settings → Display [What's New] → Off, and reboot.

Swapping Between CEX/DEX (Evilnat PEX)

1. Install the latest Evilnat PEX firmware if not already installed. A tutorial to do this can be found on the Updating Firmware page. Choose PEX firmware if you are currently on CEX, and D-PEX firmware if you are currently on DEX.
2. Once you're at the XMB, go to the network coloumn and select ★ Custom Firmware Tools.
3. Scroll down to Dump Tools.
4. Select Dump ERK. Once it's finished dumping, you will hear a single beep from the console with a notification message.
   • (It is recommended to keep a backup of the eid_root_key in case you need to revert back to CEX or retrieve hard drive data.)
5. Exit out of Dump Tools and scroll down to CEX2DEX Tools.
6. Select Convert to DEX
7. Once done, the console should reboot with more DEX settings enabled.
8. Go back to CEX2DEX Tools in the ★ Custom Firmware Tools and select Swap Kernel. The console should reboot after this.
9. Verify the system type you are on by entering CEX2DEX Tools once more, and select Show Information. Everything should show as being in DEX mode. You are now free to install any other CFW or stay on Evilnat.

If your system freezes a bit after rebooting, make sure to turn the What's New? option off under Settings → System Settings → Display [What's New] → Off, and reboot.