PS3 Get rid of any doubts about installing CFW in CECH-25xx consoles

[Nator]

Hi. I find the information regarding the compatibility of the CECH-25xx versions misleading. The problem only starts with versions that have a datecode of 1A and 1B. In some places i read that the console must have a minimum version of 3.56 or lower, in other places that it must be 3.50 because if it is 3.56 you have to use hardware flashes. I leave the links to the tables and discussion they report.

date code	Quarter / Year	Down- gradeable to 3.55	Hackable	ODE	Firmware Releases in that time period	Firmware Installed from factory
0D	October, November, December / 2010	Yes	Yes	Yes	3.55	3.40 or 3.50
1A	January, February, March / 2011	Sometimes	Yes	Yes	3.56, 3.60	3.50 or 3.56
1B	April, May, June / 2011	No	Sometimes	Yes	3.61, 3.65, 3.66	3.56 or 3.60
1C	July, August, September / 2011	No	No	Yes	3.70, 3.72	3.72

IDPS/Product Code	SKU - Datecode / Manufacturing date	metldr offset	bootldr	Notes	lowest known firmware
0x2F077 (NOR) 0x80877 (NAND)	0x81E (NOR) 0x4081E (NAND)	0x842 (NOR) 0x40842 (NAND)	size	0xFC0002 (NOR) 0x02 (NAND)	0xFC0012 (NOR) 0x12 (NAND)
0B 0B	CECH-25xx (JSD-001) with 3.56 from factory - datecode 0D CECH-25xx (JTP-001) with 3.56 from factory - datecode 1A	E9 60	0E 92	2F570	2F 53	2F 53	Patch + FSM = OK	3.50 3.50
0B 0B 0B	CECH-25xx (JTP-001) with 3.56 from factory - datecode 1A (rare) CECH-25xx (JSD-001) with 3.56 from factory - datecode 1B (common) CECH-25xx (JTP-001) with 3.56 from factory - datecode 1B (common)	E9 60	0E 92	2F5F0	2F 5B	2F 5B	(RLOD+)poweroff @ downgrade 355 (3.56+ + spkg fix + signed 3.55 priv : should work) Patch + noFSM = OK	3.56 3.56 3.56
0B 0B 0C	CECH-25xx (JSD-001) with 3.60 from factory - datecode 1B CECH-25xx (JTP-001) with 3.60 from factory - datecode [N.A.] CECH-30xx (KTE-001) with 3.65 from factory - datecode [N.A.]	F9 20	0F 8E	2FFF0	2F FB	2F FB	"metldr.2" (RLOD+)poweroff @ downgrade 3.55 (RLOD+)poweroff @ Patch + noFSM	3.60 3.60 3.60

Model	Type	Board	Flash	HDD	HDMI CEC	Other OS	PS2 mode	SA- CD	WiFi 802.11 b/g	CELL BE	RSX	W/Max/Cum	USB Ports	Flash Readers	SKU Release date	FW @ Release date	downgradeable Min. praxis
CECH-25xxB	0x0B	JTP-001 or JSD-001[1]	1x 16MB NOR	250GB or 320GB	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	45nm	40nm	80/190/196	2	No	9/2010	3.50	3.40 or 3.50
CECH-25xxA	0x0B	JTP-001 or JSD-001[1]	1x 16MB NOR	160GB	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	45nm	40nm	80/190/196	2	No	1/2011	3.56	3.50[2]
CECH-25xxB	0x0B	JTP-001 or JSD-001[1]	1x 16MB NOR	320GB	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	45nm	40nm	80/190/196	2	No	1/2011	3.56	3.50[2]
CECH-25xxA	0x0B	JTP-001 or JSD-001[1]	1x 16MB NOR	160GB	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	45nm	40nm	80/190/196	2	No	1/2011	3.56	3.56[2]
CECH-25xxB	0x0B	JTP-001 or JSD-001[1]	1x 16MB NOR	320GB	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	45nm	40nm	80/190/196	2	No	1/2011	3.56	3.56[2]
CECH-25xxA	0x0B	JTP-001 or JSD-001[1]	1x 16MB NOR	160GB	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	45nm	40nm	80/190/196	2	No	4/2011	3.56	3.56[3]
CECH-25xxB	0x0B	JTP-001 or JSD-001[1]	1x 16MB NOR	320GB	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	45nm	40nm	80/190/196	2	No	4/2011	3.56	3.56[3]
CECH-25xxA	0x0B	JTP-001 or JSD-001[1]	1x 16MB NOR	160GB	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	45nm	40nm	80/190/196	2	No	4/2011	3.60	3.60[3]
CECH-25xxB	0x0B	JTP-001 or JSD-001[1]	1x 16MB NOR	320GB	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	45nm	40nm	80/190/196	2	No	4/2011	3.60	3.60[3]

I also find it written:

1. Datecode 1A: If minverchk is 3.50, it is downgradable to 3.55. If minverchk is 3.56, it has metldr and fails downgrade to 3.55... but it is hackable because you can install 4.xx MFWs (requires Hardware Flashers)
2. Datecode 1B : Not downgradable to 3.55 but might be hackable. If minverchk is 3.56 fails downgrade to 3.55 but it is hackable because you can install 4.xx MFWs (requires Hardware Flashers). If minverchk is 3.60, it fails downgrade to 3.55 with blackscreen and shutdowns in 8sec without blinking LEDs/beeps and is not hackable

So, using MinVerChk (Minimum Version Checker), what should actually be the version shown on the screen that allows you to install a 100% CFW without problems?


Links:
https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/Datecode
https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/Template:Metbootldr
https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/SKU_Models

 

[Louay]

Its 2023 no need for hardware flasher just update console to 4.90 go to browser in Network column ,navigate to www.ps3toolset.com -> System Manager it will tell if you its CFW Compatible if not install HEN from www.ps3xploit.me ->PS3HEN ,HEN offers most of normal user functionnality that CFW offers

 

[Nator]

Its 2023 no need for hardware flasher just update console to 4.90 go to browser in Network column ,navigate to www.ps3toolset.com -> System Manager it will tell if you its CFW Compatible if not install HEN from www.ps3xploit.me ->PS3HEN ,HEN offers most of normal user functionnality that CFW offers

This question was intended as a check before purchasing, therefore without having the console in your hands.
However, by installing FW 4.90 do you mean the original one?

 

[Louay]

This question was intended as a check before purchasing, therefore without having the console in your hands.
However, by installing FW 4.90 do you mean the original one?

I thought the case for used console yeah i mean OFW 4.90 as it is the lastest

 

[Nator]

I thought the case for used console yeah i mean OFW 4.90 as it is the lastest

I asked because i'm talking to the seller, so should i tell him to just navigate to www.ps3toolset.com -> System Manager? What kind of screen should appear because i don't have a PS3 to test with either.

 

[Louay]

I asked because i'm talking to the seller, so should i tell him to just navigate to www.ps3toolset.com -> System Manager? What kind of screen should appear because i don't have a PS3 to test with either.

See where it tells CFW Compatible PS3:

 

[Nator]

See where it tells CFW Compatible PS3:
View attachment 41475

The flash memory manager window is different from system manager though, i hope the seller will find it soon.

 

[Louay]

Take a look again that was an old version of toolset

 

[Nator]

Take a look again that was an old version of toolset

ok thank you

 

[Louay]

No thanks

 

[GuilloteTesla]

Not all consoles that have the 1B datecode can be jailbreaked for CFW because the latter models (manufactured in May and June) started to get FW 3.60 from factory, meaning that the new metldr.2 was fully implemented.

To add more difficulty to the problem, consoles with FW 3.56 from factory are a hit or miss to jailbreak. I think maybe some have metldr.2 and some don't as those were manufactured during the transition.

 

[Nator]

Its 2023 no need for hardware flasher just update console to 4.90 go to browser in Network column ,navigate to www.ps3toolset.com -> System Manager it will tell if you its CFW Compatible if not install HEN from www.ps3xploit.me ->PS3HEN ,HEN offers most of normal user functionnality that CFW offers

Not all consoles that have the 1B datecode can be jailbreaked for CFW because the latter models (manufactured in May and June) started to get FW 3.60 from factory, meaning that the new metldr.2 was fully implemented.

To add more difficulty to the problem, consoles with FW 3.56 from factory are a hit or miss to jailbreak. I think maybe some have metldr.2 and some don't as those were manufactured during the transition.

Then it must be clearly stated in the guides because it is not clearly stated. It is written that it is not enough to be 1B, when instead it seems possible, others say that the fw must be equal to or less than 3.56 when it must be 3.50.

 

[GuilloteTesla]

Then it must be clearly stated in the guides because it is not clearly stated. It is written that it is not enough to be 1B, when instead it seems possible, others say that the fw must be equal to or less than 3.56 when it must be 3.50.

Factory FW MUST BE LESS OR EQUAL THAN 3.56, that was always known and specified in any proper guide out there (and I'm not talking about those crapy ones made for a quick buck).

What is not known with certainty is if the manufacture batch with date 1B has all the consoles with FW 3.56 or 3.60. That's why the wiki specifies the value "Sometimes" in theHackable column.

"Possible" is not the same as "enough".

 

[Nator]

Factory FW MUST BE LESS OR EQUAL THAN 3.56, that was always known and specified in any proper guide out there (and I'm not talking about those crapy ones made for a quick buck).

What is not known with certainty is if the manufacture batch with date 1B has all the consoles with FW 3.56 or 3.60. That's why the wiki specifies the value "Sometimes" in theHackable column.

"Possible" is not the same as "enough".

Equal or less than 3.56 with minverchk?

 

[GuilloteTesla]

Equal or less than 3.56 with minverchk?

Yes, that's right. Minverchk is the only way to be 100% sure if the console if CFW capable or not.

 

[bguerville]

Technically speaking I would say that a more reliable way is to identify the metldr version in the flash memory as minverchk can return the wrong minver when certain tweaks have previously been applied to the system.

 

[Nator]

Technically speaking I would say that a more reliable way is to identify the metldr version in the flash memory as minverchk can return the wrong minver when certain tweaks have previously been applied to the system.

How identify the metldr? Can the www.ps3toolset.com method also cause this problem?

 

[Nator]

Not all consoles that have the 1B datecode can be jailbreaked for CFW because the latter models (manufactured in May and June) started to get FW 3.60 from factory, meaning that the new metldr.2 was fully implemented.

To add more difficulty to the problem, consoles with FW 3.56 from factory are a hit or miss to jailbreak. I think maybe some have metldr.2 and some don't as those were manufactured during the transition.

"Datecode 1A: ....If minverchk is 3.56, it has metldr and fails....
https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/SKU_Models

 

[bguerville]

How identify the metldr? Can the www.ps3toolset.com method also cause this problem?

Look at this Flash Memory region, the used metldr file name is written there in plain text, either metldr or metldr.2.
https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/Flash:asecure_loader

My Toolset checks it to decide whether or not the console is CFW compatible, no risk of error..

 

[GuilloteTesla]

"Datecode 1A: ....If minverchk is 3.56, it has metldr and fails....
https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/SKU_Models

Read again.

Datecode 1A: Use get_applicable_version.pkg to receive lower/upper UDP broadcasts or use fake lowverchk PUP to get it onscreen. If minverchk is 3.50, it is downgradable to 3.55. If minverchk is 3.56, it has metldr and fails downgrade to 3.55 with blackscreen and shutdowns in 1-2sec without blinking LEDs/beeps but it is hackable because you can install 4.xx MFWs by using 4.30 checkoff, which allows you to install without downgrading (requires Hardware Flashers)

This simple means that you can not downgrade to FW 3.55, but you still can exploit the console ir order to install CFW.