PS3 Frankenstein PHAT PS3: CECHA with 40nm RSX

Rsx is not involved in ps2 games process.
If you scramble around SB uart port you will see "shutdown" command while ps3 still working and ps2 hardware version will kick in SB log. From there I don't understand it's like ps3 hardware is dead and only ps2 hardware work. This may need voltage inspection in real time. Didn't find by now. I suppose to have one with this problem and is nearly ready to be assembled for testing. We will see if I encounter any problems I'll reply here.
 
it's like ps3 hardware is dead and only ps2 hardware work.
It's been a while since I read up on it so my wording might be all wrong, but on BC consoles during ps2 mode, all the "ps3 side" of the hardware is disabled, syscon "reboots" and hands control over to the ps2 hardware (mechacon, etc). That's why, for example, when you press the home button, you don't see the xmb on the background -- xmb is handled by a different system that is not available to ps2 during ps2 mode. It's also why you have to push the home button to reconnect the controller, the bluetooth controller is restarted and syscon has to re-activate that.

On non-bc consoles, the xmb still loads in the background because ps2 mode is run under software, not hardware, so essentially ps3 is still running in the background, just like any other software.
 
Ok guys this unit is running fine now but I got situation with black screen with ps2 games not working on emulator or via bdrom so I'll swap that EE ic first to see if it sorted and I'll reply more. This board was working initially with 90nm, just no ps2 games. So is not cell set as I have swapped that, is not rsx related as I have 40nm on it now.
Still need further tests, I'll open tomorrow as need time to cure rsx and cell ihs so I can work on EE only.
https://s.go.ro/sxjzglrf
This unit will go on @truemaster, your cell and hdd games are fine now, just need EE ic or something else around ps2 hardware side sorted.
 
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Ok guys this unit is running fine now but I got situation with black screen with ps2 games not working on emulator or via bdrom so I'll swap that EE ic first to see if it sorted and I'll reply more. This board was working initially with 90nm, just no ps2 games. So is not cell set as I have swapped that, is not rsx related as I have 40nm on it now.
Still need further tests, I'll open tomorrow as need time to cure rsx and cell ihs so I can work on EE only.
https://s.go.ro/sxjzglrf
Wow... So you not only replaced RSX, but also CPU, Syscon and Flash...
And now needs replacing EE+GS... (Yes, do it because that can be the solution)

Let me guess, that board also came with replaced Tantalum capacitors...

You did a great job, but I wonder if this board is still the same board any longer...
This sounds familiar too, I'm afraid
 
Well board is in very good condition, this came with nek tokins, I exchanged those as I worked with heat around and didn't want to risk to heat that area after reball (not sure if exchange will make difference), not bended board but previous cell was under 2 ohms and fried one NOS rsx, even if working with 90nm rsx previous, it did not work well with new 40nm, probably was something wrong with cell I assume . Still look good condition, if we desolder with right thermal rework profile.
Imo this board should stand for at least another 3 rsx exchanges if is necessary . As long as board is keeping under 68 Celsius it will work well for at least 3 years. I'll update you all once sorted.
 
ohh thanks victor. yeah ps2 troubleshoot will be good for anyone. i doubt ee is at fault though never see a original ps2 fail and the heat from that chip isnt big, proably something between. also disable upscaling that will tell for sure if ps2 issues happening
 
Ok guys this unit is running fine now but I got situation with black screen with ps2 games not working on emulator or via bdrom so I'll swap that EE ic first to see if it sorted and I'll reply more. This board was working initially with 90nm, just no ps2 games. So is not cell set as I have swapped that, is not rsx related as I have 40nm on it now.
Still need further tests, I'll open tomorrow as need time to cure rsx and cell ihs so I can work on EE only.
https://s.go.ro/sxjzglrf
This unit will go on @truemaster, your cell and hdd games are fine now, just need EE ic or something else around ps2 hardware side sorted.
did you try squeept's method of doing an in-game reset? does the home button do anything when the screen goes black?
 
I'll see guys, by now just did one quick rush test and I have to wait end of week, none would work emulator or bdrom inserted.
First link is this unit blank screen
https://s.go.ro/melv2fqy
As comparasion there is one unit here that needs to come in USA
https://s.go.ro/ndhi08d8
This work straight from bdrom.
Imo all should work straight.
I'll take all your advices in consideration, I don't jump to reball, I'll do first parts inspection probably end of the week if get free.
 
I'll see guys, by now just did one quick rush test and I have to wait end of week, none would work emulator or bdrom inserted.
First link is this unit blank screen
https://s.go.ro/melv2fqy
As comparasion there is one unit here that needs to come in USA
https://s.go.ro/ndhi08d8
This work straight from bdrom.
Imo all should work straight.
I'll take all your advices in consideration, I don't jump to reball, I'll do first parts inspection probably end of the week if get free.
Very Easy? Come on, I thought you'd be Extreme European kind of guy... Nice Virtuous Mission anyway haha.

Good, now to test ps2_netemu if you are using Webman, you need to hold R1 when mounting the disc.
I think it should work even if there were issue with EE+GS
 
It's been a while since I read up on it so my wording might be all wrong, but on BC consoles during ps2 mode, all the "ps3 side" of the hardware is disabled, syscon "reboots" and hands control over to the ps2 hardware (mechacon, etc). That's why, for example, when you press the home button, you don't see the xmb on the background -- xmb is handled by a different system that is not available to ps2 during ps2 mode. It's also why you have to push the home button to reconnect the controller, the bluetooth controller is restarted and syscon has to re-activate that.

On non-bc consoles, the xmb still loads in the background because ps2 mode is run under software, not hardware, so essentially ps3 is still running in the background, just like any other software.
More or less, but not really.
In non-bc consoles (ps2_netemu only), the PS3 XMB and all other PS3 background functions are still shutdown completely when the system reboots into PS2 subsystem, just like in the BC models (ps2_emu.self or ps2_gxemu.self)

Thats why webman cannot stay running and control the fan speeds for example, and you still have to reconnect the controllers.
PS1 and PSP is different story though...
 
also when using ps2netemu (emulation) ps2 title will work only in iso format. they will always black screen if run from bdrom. thats the case for all revisions of ps3. for bc consoles the emulation must be forced through webman. but make sure the emulator is compatible with your game
 
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More or less, but not really.
In non-bc consoles (ps2_netemu only), the PS3 XMB and all other PS3 background functions are still shutdown completely when the system reboots into PS2 subsystem, just like in the BC models (ps2_emu.self or ps2_gxemu.self)

Thats why webman cannot stay running and control the fan speeds for example, and you still have to reconnect the controllers.
PS1 and PSP is different story though...
So of course now I had to go test it. sure enough, the XMB is not loaded... but I do remember loading it before, so I need to go figure out how I did that.

EDIT: went back and tested ps2 in classics mode -- same, the console reboots on ps2 mode, and no xmb is present. I tested PS1 also, and while the ps3 didn't "reboot" into ps1 mode (no screen reset, no controller disconnected), XMB was unloaded still. I don't have any psp games, but I do have a "minis" game, and that one does keep the xmb loaded.
 
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@RIP-Felix do you still have the frankenstein that went black screen on PS2 games laying around? I need you to perform the dumbest experiment in the world if you haven't tried this already. I just had one that did the same thing, and I apparently "fixed" it, but I don't know if I'm comfortable selling it without a confirmation from someone else or an explanation of what the hell happened....

Anyway, tried a bunch of stuff, new drive, new cables, swapped out some chips and various components. Nothing. I was about to give up and blame the RSX like I normally do, so I was just dicking around. Since I could still access the PS3 menu from the black screen, I hit the "reset game" option and it fired right up. Now, that was unusual enough by itself....but now it works perfectly every time. Removed disc, shut down, unplugged, waited 15 minutes, fired back up and put the disc in.....still working perfectly. It now boots every single time.

I am.... uncomfortable.... with not knowing why it works now.
Work, sorry.

No the reset doesn't work in may case. I did find that if I kept resetting it however, that maybe one out of every 10 resets it would YLOD with error 1701.
Code:
>$
[SERV DEVPM] CONTROL_PCI_BUS_POWER_STATE CMD
[SERV NVS] READ CMD
[SERV NVS] READ CMD
[SERV DEVPM] CONTROL_PCI_BUS_POWER_STATE CMD
[SSM] Attention BE : Detected !
[SSM] BE Attention signal is detected !!
[SSM] state: 0400 -> 0700
[POWSEQ] AV Backend Letup
[SSM] ssmCb_AfterBeOn() called.
[SSM] Shutdown mode : syspm_stat=00000000/00000000
Wait WmMcCom_DeadEvent timeout
[ERROR]: 0xa0801701
[POWSEQ] PowerSeq_Letup called.
[SSM] state: 0700 -> 0600
(PowerOff State) (Fatal)

[mullion]$
>$


...I don't jump to reball...
That made me laugh!
 
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