PS3 4.93 Evilnat w/ Cobra v8.5 - (CEX/PEX/D-PEX) 4.93

[Rissy]

Hello, I'm hoping this is the place to discuss this. I'm attempting to do a CFW for the first time on a PS3 (no experience of this before today). I've been following Mr Mario2011 guide:

When you get to the point where you unzip the CFW 4.91.2 from the .rar file (CFW 4.91.2 Evilnat Cobra 8.5 [PEX] [BETA 4].rar), MrMario2011 advises about there being a couple of txt files.@22:49. A links.txt file and an important md5.txt file. After downloading the CFW file and extracting it, I don't get these files. I only get the "PS3" folder and the README.txt file.

What do I do in this case? I have no way of doing this md5 checksum against the PS3UPDAT.PUP file....?!

 

[Frosthaxx]

If you downloaded from this page your file is fine. The md5 has not been included in some of these later files. But as long as the size of the file matches you'll be good to go as long as you made sure your PS3 is compatible with cfw and you've done the other steps.

 

[Rissy]

If you downloaded from this page your file is fine. The md5 has not been included in some of these later files. But as long as the size of the file matches you'll be good to go as long as you made sure your PS3 is compatible with cfw and you've done the other steps.

Hello, and thanks for your reply.

I'm sorry, "as long as the size of the file matches..." what file matches what? (Remember i've never done this before) How come MrMario2011 got an md5.txt file? Surely he's using the same content as he's linked, which brings you to this forum.

My PS3UPDAT.PUP file on my memory stick (in theory, ready to go, but not md5 checked yet) is 207,615 KB last modified on 6th April 2024 at 23:20.

Out of interest, as an additional, I was also wanting to try out early CFW versions, but cannot get a hold of EVILNAT CFW for 4.88, 4.89 and 4.90. All the links seems to be dead now. Is there a respository some place I can still get these (I have a good reason for wanting to regress my console. I'm currently on OFW 4.91).

Thanks in advance.

 

[HONEYCOMBFROG]

I have a question. I'm on Evilnat 4.91.2 BETA3 PEX.. What's the difference from D-PEX and PEX files??

 

[NiQ]

Hello, and thanks for your reply.

I'm sorry, "as long as the size of the file matches..." what file matches what? (Remember i've never done this before) How come MrMario2011 got an md5.txt file? Surely he's using the same content as he's linked, which brings you to this forum.

My PS3UPDAT.PUP file on my memory stick (in theory, ready to go, but not md5 checked yet) is 207,615 KB last modified on 6th April 2024 at 23:20.

Out of interest, as an additional, I was also wanting to try out early CFW versions, but cannot get a hold of EVILNAT CFW for 4.88, 4.89 and 4.90. All the links seems to be dead now. Is there a respository some place I can still get these (I have a good reason for wanting to regress my console. I'm currently on OFW 4.91).

Thanks in advance.

If you've downloaded it from the official link in the first post on this topic and the zip extracted successfully without errors then you're good to go.

You can get old CFWs here:
PlayStation Firmware - EVILNAT CFW (midnightchannel.net)

 

[Rissy]

If you've downloaded it from the official link in the first post on this topic and the zip extracted successfully without errors then you're good to go.

If you're sure....? I really don't want to brick my PS3! Does your one match my file size as revealed in my previous post?

You can get old CFWs here:
PlayStation Firmware - EVILNAT CFW (midnightchannel.net)

Excellent thank you!

 

[NiQ]

If you're sure....? I really don't want to brick my PS3! Does your one match my file size as revealed in my previous post?

The fact that it's in a zip archive makes the MD5 check redundant - in case of a bad download the zip would be corrupt and the extraction program (WinRAR, 7zip etc.) would spit an error. If you want to be extra safe both of the above programs also have a test function.

 

[Rissy]

The fact that it's in a zip archive makes the MD5 check redundant - in case of a bad download the zip would be corrupt and the extraction program (WinRAR, 7zip etc.) would spit an error. If you want to be extra safe both of the above programs also have a test function.

Ah right, yes, i see that. Just tested using 7-zip and no errors. Excellent, thank you.

I've put out a question related to CFW on another post, can you advise me of the answers to the questions there please?

Link: https://www.psx-place.com/threads/ive-paid-for-it-so-i-want-to-keep-it.43502/

Basically I'm trying to understand if it's ok to go on to my PSN account and retrieve purchases etc, while on CFW, WITHOUT being banned (console or account). I'm wishing to go on to CFW 4.91, get my stuff off the PSN, and then regress my console to an earlier CFW version to see where I can have PlayTV working without instability or crashing as it does on OFW 4.91. I can't remember what verion OFW works ok with it, but i think it's somewhere between 4.88 and 4.89.

 

[Sighfur]

Ah right, yes, i see that. Just tested using 7-zip and no errors. Excellent, thank you.

I've put out a question related to CFW on another post, can you advise me of the answers to the questions there please?

Link: https://www.psx-place.com/threads/ive-paid-for-it-so-i-want-to-keep-it.43502/

Basically I'm trying to understand if it's ok to go on to my PSN account and retrieve purchases etc, while on CFW, WITHOUT being banned (console or account). I'm wishing to go on to CFW 4.91, get my stuff off the PSN, and then regress my console to an earlier CFW version to see where I can have PlayTV working without instability or crashing as it does on OFW 4.91. I can't remember what verion OFW works ok with it, but i think it's somewhere between 4.88 and 4.89.

I would be interested in your findings regarding play tv, very interesting, and welcome to the forum! To your question regarding going online to get DLC from PSN, I urge you to tread with caution.

Spoiler

DISCLAIMER: There is no guarantee 100% that a ban won't take place by any methods listed herein, go online at your own risk. If you would like to proceed at your own discretion, there are a few things that are recommended.

1. Always create a new user account to perform your CFW goings, don't use main account when doing so.
2. Ensure you have disabled Syscalls and deleted history before attempting to go online. This can be achieved via Cobra custom firmware tools menu on Evilnat firmware or via Webman Mod shortcuts.
3. Disable auto-login on all accounts
4. Spoofing can help add additional layers of security, however, as mentioned above, there is no definitive assurance or guarantee that PSN will not detect your CFW, always perform at your own risk. I've included a link regarding manual spoofing below and a video that goes into depth on disabling syscalls and recovering DLC content from PSN whilst on CFW for more detail. Spoofing can also be achieved via PSN Patch app.

I hope this helps and wish you all the best!

https://www.psx-place.com/threads/how-to-properly-spoof-console-id.10195/

 

[NiQ]

Ah right, yes, i see that. Just tested using 7-zip and no errors. Excellent, thank you.

I've put out a question related to CFW on another post, can you advise me of the answers to the questions there please?

Link: https://www.psx-place.com/threads/ive-paid-for-it-so-i-want-to-keep-it.43502/

Basically I'm trying to understand if it's ok to go on to my PSN account and retrieve purchases etc, while on CFW, WITHOUT being banned (console or account). I'm wishing to go on to CFW 4.91, get my stuff off the PSN, and then regress my console to an earlier CFW version to see where I can have PlayTV working without instability or crashing as it does on OFW 4.91. I can't remember what verion OFW works ok with it, but i think it's somewhere between 4.88 and 4.89.

Just make sure you disable syscalls and you should be fine. I haven't heard of a case of someone getting banned just for using the PS3 store on a modded system. 99% of the people who get banned are banned for using game mods (i.e. cheating) online or synching fake trophies.
P.S. If you've done a fake activation using CFW or Apollo, make sure to delete the activation data before connecting to PSN, then activate it properly before using the store.

 

[Inali]

Well, when you mount a PS2 ISO there should be a small message on the upper right side of the screen saying which emulator is being loaded -
ps2_emu.self - Full hardware (CECHA / CECHB only)
ps2_gxemu.self - Part hardware (CECHC / CECHE only)
ps2_netemu.self - Software emulator

Is there a way to get it to actually show this information instead of just the game and file name being shown there? Is this a webman mod problem?

 

[aldostools]

I have a question. I'm on Evilnat 4.91.2 BETA3 PEX.. What's the difference from D-PEX and PEX files??

D-PEX and PEX are hybrid PS3 custom firmwares with 4.91 CEX and 4.84 DEX ported to 4.91.
They are similar to Rebug 4.84.2 REX and D-REX but with extended features.

PEX = CEX with Ported DEX. It's intended to be installed on retail consoles (CEX, REX, PEX).
D-PEX = DEX with CEX and Ported DEX is intended to be installed on debug consoles (DEX, D-REX, D-PEX and CEX consoles converted to DEX).

 

[HONEYCOMBFROG]

D-PEX and PEX are hybrid PS3 custom firmwares with 4.91 CEX and 4.84 DEX ported to 4.91.
They are similar to Rebug 4.84.2 REX and D-REX but with extended features.

PEX = CEX with Ported DEX. It's intended to be installed on retail consoles (CEX, REX, PEX).
D-PEX = DEX with CEX and Ported DEX is intended to be installed on debug consoles (DEX, D-REX, D-PEX and CEX consoles converted to DEX).

I see, thank you! Mine is a CECHA01 regular fat. So I should just install the new PEX I assume. Right now I'm in DEX mode, (PEX)

 

[Frosthaxx]

Ah right, yes, i see that. Just tested using 7-zip and no errors. Excellent, thank you.

I've put out a question related to CFW on another post, can you advise me of the answers to the questions there please?

Link: https://www.psx-place.com/threads/ive-paid-for-it-so-i-want-to-keep-it.43502/

Basically I'm trying to understand if it's ok to go on to my PSN account and retrieve purchases etc, while on CFW, WITHOUT being banned (console or account). I'm wishing to go on to CFW 4.91, get my stuff off the PSN, and then regress my console to an earlier CFW version to see where I can have PlayTV working without instability or crashing as it does on OFW 4.91. I can't remember what verion OFW works ok with it, but i think it's somewhere between 4.88 and 4.89.

There is a good possibility no matter what you do play tv might be limited or no functionality. Seems this was depreciated by Sony in 2019. That claimed it'll still be usable but also that they were starting to turn off the online servers that app runs on. It could be out of its extended service. A lot of tv apps on the PS3 have suffered this same fate as well as some games.
I don't think reverting is going to fix this, but that's just based off my limited findings and understanding of the app as I've never used it

 

[Sighfur]

There is a good possibility no matter what you do play tv might be limited or no functionality. Seems this was depreciated by Sony in 2019. That claimed it'll still be usable but also that they were starting to turn off the online servers that app runs on. It could be out of its extended service. A lot of tv apps on the PS3 have suffered this same fate as well as some games.
I don't think reverting is going to fix this, but that's just based off my limited findings and understanding of the app as I've never used it

Sadly, it does seem to be the case, a bit of a dying breed in some areas... Would Movian potentially be a comparable alternative? I have not had the pleasure of testing it myself, but I do hear that it is very similar to Kodi and other media servers, just with it's own plugins.

 

[Rissy]

I would be interested in your findings regarding play tv, very interesting, and welcome to the forum! To your question regarding going online to get DLC from PSN, I urge you to tread with caution.

Spoiler

DISCLAIMER: There is no guarantee 100% that a ban won't take place by any methods listed herein, go online at your own risk. If you would like to proceed at your own discretion, there are a few things that are recommended.

1. Always create a new user account to perform your CFW goings, don't use main account when doing so.
2. Ensure you have disabled Syscalls and deleted history before attempting to go online. This can be achieved via Cobra custom firmware tools menu on Evilnat firmware or via Webman Mod shortcuts.
3. Disable auto-login on all accounts
4. Spoofing can help add additional layers of security, however, as mentioned above, there is no definitive assurance or guarantee that PSN will not detect your CFW, always perform at your own risk. I've included a link regarding manual spoofing below and a video that goes into depth on disabling syscalls and recovering DLC content from PSN whilst on CFW for more detail. Spoofing can also be achieved via PSN Patch app.

I hope this helps and wish you all the best!

https://www.psx-place.com/threads/how-to-properly-spoof-console-id.10195/

I was sure there were other people out there interested in this experiment, it's just that NOBODY was saying anything, or showing any interest until you did. Thank you!

OMG! Right, so I just had a brown trousers incident! I've cleaned up and have calmed down in order to come here and report. I successfully changed out my OFW 4.91 to CFW 4.91.2. You now have the option to deselect the QA flag from within this (although I didn't realise this until I'd installed this: https://store.brewology.com/ahomebrew.php?brewid=313#google_vignette and also tried the impossible button combination to trigger the check under network settings).

I've gone straight to collect 4.88.2 from there (on good advice earlier): https://archive.midnightchannel.net/SonyPS/Firmware/?cat=evilnat#google_vignette

I checked this (on the memory stick) with the md5 tool, and the checksum was all good.

However, when i went to install it at the now CFW machine, it started doing the firmware (downgrade) and then stopped saying "The data is corrupted. (8002F169)"!!!

Luckily, it seems to have survived it, and once I intervened, I was able to get the console back to the XMB!!! Thank God!

I'm still on 4.91.2 CFW.

So what went wrong? Am i missing something?

 

[NiQ]

I have a question. I'm on Evilnat 4.91.2 BETA3 PEX.. What's the difference from D-PEX and PEX files??

To clarify a bit what aldostools said - PEX and D-PEX are identical. The only difference is that PEX would only install on consoles that are in CEX mode and D-PEX would only install on consoles that are in DEX mode. In other words, D-PEX just saves you the need of switching to CEX, installing PEX then switching to DEX.

OMG! Right, so I just had a brown trousers incident! I've cleaned up and have calmed down in order to come here and report. I successfully changed out my OFW 4.91 to CFW 4.91.2. You now have the option to deselect the QA flag from within this (although I didn't realise this until I'd installed this: https://store.brewology.com/ahomebrew.php?brewid=313#google_vignette and also tried the impossible button combination to trigger the check under network settings).

I've gone straight to collect 4.88.2 from there (on good advice earlier): https://archive.midnightchannel.net/SonyPS/Firmware/?cat=evilnat#google_vignette

I checked this (on the memory stick) with the md5 tool, and the checksum was all good.

However, when i went to install it at the now CFW machine, it started doing the firmware (downgrade) and then stopped saying "The data is corrupted. (8002F169)"!!!

Luckily, it seems to have survived it, and once I intervened, I was able to get the console back to the XMB!!! Thank God!

I'm still on 4.91.2 CFW.

So what went wrong? Am i missing something?

Evilnat CFW has the QA flag toggled on by default iirc, so you might have turned it off by mistake, though if the debug settings combo works then it has to be on.
You can try downgrading from recovery mode, see if it works for you.

 

[RandomGuy2024]

Just make sure you disable syscalls and you should be fine. I haven't heard of a case of someone getting banned just for using the PS3 store on a modded system. 99% of the people who get banned are banned for using game mods (i.e. cheating) online or synching fake trophies.
P.S. If you've done a fake activation using CFW or Apollo, make sure to delete the activation data before connecting to PSN, then activate it properly before using the store.

Can Evilnat CFW fake activate like Apollo so that it's not needed to access PSN to do it? Can both of them sync trophies or is it still needed to access the PSN to sync them?

 

[NiQ]

Can Evilnat CFW fake activate like Apollo so that it's not needed to access PSN to do it? Can both of them sync trophies or is it still needed to access the PSN to sync them?

Fake activation is only to be able to sideload digital games (pkg files). If you need PSN access then you have to activate legit.

 

[RandomGuy2024]

Fake activation is only to be able to sideload digital games (pkg files). If you need PSN access then you have to activate legit.

So, is there no way to sync trophies, download bought content or buy new one without accessing the PSN?