4.93 EVILNAT (Cobra 8.5)

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

  1. I updated my CECHK01 from Evilnat 4.91 to 4.92, both were CEX, and now when I mount any ISO game with WebMAN MOD the game name displays in the XMB as a dash (-) and I get an error saying the disc cannot be started
  2. PS2 ISO games say "Unsupported data" and return the error message "This model PS3 is not compatible with PlayStation 2 format software"
  3. Mounting and loading games worked fine before I updated the CFW so it's not an issue with my ISO files or WebMAN MOD itself. Aldos released a new update for webMAN which I did install but the issue persisted
Reboot the PS3 and try again, also check if it works with multiMAN

Happened to many people with various SSD sizes.
SSDs can cause random issues, so I don't recommend using them for this reason. If the disc isn't recognized, try restarting your PS3 completely with [Hard Reboot] in xai

---------
[CFW Fixes updater] updated to version 1.01:
  • nas_plugin.sprx: Fixed error 8002AE32 while installing all PKGs in non QA flagged PS3

Download it from xai_plugin in [Updates > CFW 4.92 Fixes] or manually here: https://t.co/R7f7rZNo7j
 
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Reboot the PS3 and try again, also check if it works with multiMAN


SSDs can cause random issues, so I don't recommend using them for this reason. If the disc isn't recognized, try restarting your PS3 completely with [Hard Reboot] in xai


[CFW Fixes updater] updated to version 1.01:
  • nas_plugin.sprx: Fixed error 8002AE32 while installing all PKGs in non QA flagged PS3

Download it from xai_plugin in [Updates > CFW 4.92 Fixes] or manually here: https://t.co/R7f7rZNo7j
Hi nat,
Could you tell me where DPRINTF messages go? I'd like to take a crack at it (also is external Cobra working again?)
 
Hi nat,
Could you tell me where DPRINTF messages go? I'd like to take a crack at it

socat -u udp-recv:18194 stdout

also is external Cobra working again?
No, due lack of a free space in LV2 memory to fit the kernel payload.
upload_2025-3-24_20-57-46.png

 
Ugh, is there any way to test debug payloads without reflashing the entire firmware each time?

If you're using PEX, you can switch between Cobra debug and normal payloads without reinstall CFW.
There is an option at the bottom of CFW Tools > Cobra menu to do that.

Maybe we need regular CFWs again (i.e. without embedded Cobra)?
You can disable Cobra in the same menu. The CFW will behave as a regular non-Cobra CFW.
If you also disable the CFW Syscalls, the system will behave as a OFW.

Use also can return to Cobra mode without reinstall CFW.
 
Download it from xai_plugin in [Updates > CFW 4.92 Fixes] or manually here: https://t.co/R7f7rZNo7j

I have a couple of suggestions for Updates menu:
1- Move the option to display Xai Version from Basic menu to Updates menu. It is more convenient in that menu to know which version you have installed.
2- Add an option to display the current status of PS2 emulators (normal or modded). The information could be added to 'Xai Version' option if you move it to Update menu. This status would be helpful to know if we already have the modded version or not.

One way to know the status is checking the MD5 or SHA-1 of the files.
 
If you're using PEX, you can switch between Cobra debug and normal payloads without reinstall CFW.
There is an option at the bottom of CFW Tools > Cobra menu to do that.


You can disable Cobra in the same menu. The CFW will behave as a regular non-Cobra CFW.
If you also disable the CFW Syscalls, the system will behave as a OFW.

Use also can return to Cobra mode without reinstall CFW.
Thanks for replying.
I want to add some extra debug prints to Cobra to check what causes backup discs not to be recognized when there's an SSD. Existing debug Cobra will not help since I need to edit and recompile the code. I'd really rather avoid having to reinstall the entire firmware every time I tweak something.
 
Thanks for replying.
I want to add some extra debug prints to Cobra to check what causes backup discs not to be recognized when there's an SSD. Existing debug Cobra will not help since I need to edit and recompile the code. I'd really rather avoid having to reinstall the entire firmware every time I tweak something.
Download my Cobra repository, edit the files you want and compile it for debug output with socat
 
If you have CFW 4.92 you can compile Cobra, simply add your code, compile it and replace it in /dev_flash/sys. Remember to compile it with debug flag to enable socat output
Is there any risk of brick if Cobra doesn't load properly / crashes etc.?
 
Is there any risk of brick if Cobra doesn't load properly / crashes etc.?
There is a feature in stage0 that renames the stage2 payload before start it. If everything is fine, the stage2 is renamed back to the original name to let load it in the next boot. If the payload fails, stage2 will not be loaded.

However with this protection, there is a small chance for brick on NAND consoles.

If your PS3 has NOR flash, the risk is minimum. You just need to format the internal HDD and reinstall the CFW if the stage2 brick protection fails.

If you're intending to implement a new feature in Cobra, I prefer to test the new code in Mamba and load it from XMB through IRISMAN. If the payload fails, you only need to reboot the console, replace the payload and test again.
 
There is a feature in stage0 that renames the stage2 payload before start it. If everything is fine, the stage2 is renamed back to the original name to let load it in the next boot. If the payload fails, stage2 will not be loaded.

However with this protection, there is a small chance for brick on NAND consoles.

If your PS3 has NOR flash, the risk is minimum. You just need to format the internal HDD and reinstall the CFW if the stage2 brick protection fails.

If you're intending to implement a new feature in Cobra, I prefer to test the new code in Mamba and load it from XMB through IRISMAN. If the payload fails, you only need to reboot the console, replace the payload and test again.
/dev_flash/sys is on the HDD?
Also, I'm not trying to implement a new feature. I'm trying to figure out why SSDs cause backup discs to show up as data discs. Need a lot of extra debug prints for that.
 
/dev_flash/sys is on the HDD?
Also, I'm not trying to implement a new feature. I'm trying to figure out why SSDs cause backup discs to show up as data discs. Need a lot of extra debug prints for that.

/dev_flash is stored in a partition of the internal HDD on NOR consoles.
NAND consoles stores /dev_flash in the internal 256MB NAND flash memory. That's why it has more risk.
Unlike the internal HDD, you cannot take it out to format it.

As you're trying to debug Cobra, you have to do it modifying the payload.

Although it isn't a 100% accurate method, you could try the payload on RPCS3 before to try it on PS3.

Or you could try one of the older 4.91.2 betas that support the external Cobra payload. If I remember correct beta 8-10 supported it.
 
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