BTW did you try to rebuild database or\and restore file system from the recovery menu?
Yes, this i've also done multiple times, but with no success.
I've already considered formatting the HDD and completely reinstalling the CFW.
But then there's the issue of my purchased PSN content. When the PS3 was released, I didn't give much thought to the PSN account and the email address stored there. So I bought a lot of content (mostly PS1 games) with my PSN account at the time. The problem today? That old email address is no longer valid (it was discontinued by the provider), so I can no longer log in with my old PSN account to reload it.
The only way I can still play this content is to transfer all the data from my old FAT to the SLIM PS3 using the official PS3 data transfer utility, and then activate the system at the SLIM via CFW. The problem with this is that this data transfer via Ethernet cable takes two weeks (no joke!).
To be honest, I don't want to go through this absolutely tedious procedure again. But somehow, I don't seem to have any other choice...
I'll probably make a copy of the Apollo Save Tool folder on the FAT PS3 and then uninstall the tool and the folder. This is the only way I can ensure that no Apollo data is copied with the PS3 data transfer utility and that I can then reinstall Apollo on the SLIM and try to copy the Apollo folder back.
Of course, with the CFW i could download the PS1 ISO's of my purchased games from the internet, same i could do with the other PS3 Games, but not sure if i could also save and restore my game save files somehow.
Anyway, i'm still frustrated that a obviously corrupt folder could cause so much trouble...