Help - 2501a with BD issues

[Felipe Raymundo]

I have a slim 2501a with a defective bd drive (it struggles to read discs, when it reads).

Is it safe to install hfw 4.86 on it? If not, there are any hfw version with the noBD bypass?

 

[bguerville]

I have a slim 2501a with a defective bd drive (it struggles to read discs, when it reads).

Is it safe to install hfw 4.86 on it? If not, there are any hfw version with the noBD bypass?

HFW 4.86 = OFW 4.86 with only one sprx file from OFW 4.82.
Patched files are not supported in HFW because the entire point of HFW is to be able to install the firmware on a console without jailbreak! All files inside the PUP package must be official versions (OFW).

To sum up patching HFW for noBD is basically pointless:
If your console is CFW compatible you are better off installing a CFW patched for noBD.
And if your console is not CFW compatible, there is nothing you can do as you cannot install a patched firmware, at least not with currently available tools.

If I were you, I would try to repair the BD drive anyway.
Try reading both a CD/DVD & a BD disc, if the CD reads OK but the BD doesn't, the issue is most likely caused by a defective lens. Those are not very expensive & not too hard to replace. You can buy them from some websites & places like ebay. Another option is to buy a dead console (same model of course) for 10 bucks or so & extract the lens from the BD drive, keep the rest of the dead console for parts you may need later at some point.

Use psdevwiki.com for hardware info.
https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/BD-460
https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/KES-460A

 

[Felipe Raymundo]

HFW 4.86 = OFW 4.86 with only one sprx file from OFW 4.82.
Patched files are not supported in HFW because the entire point of HFW is to be able to install the firmware on a console without jailbreak! All files inside the PUP package must be official versions (OFW).

To sum up patching HFW for noBD is basically pointless:
If your console is CFW compatible you are better off installing a CFW patched for noBD.
And if your console is not CFW compatible, there is nothing you can do as you cannot install a patched firmware, at least not with currently available tools.

If I were you, I would try to repair the BD drive anyway.
Try reading both a CD/DVD & a BD disc, if the CD reads OK but the BD doesn't, the issue is most likely caused by a defective lens. Those are not very expensive & not too hard to replace. You can buy them from some websites & places like ebay. Another option is to buy a dead console (same model of course) for 10 bucks or so & extract the lens from the BD drive, keep the rest of the dead console for parts you may need later at some point.

Use psdevwiki.com for hardware info.
https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/BD-460
https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/KES-460A

Ok, but my question is: can I install the firmware, even with the drive not reading BD Discs?. Example: the drive read a music cd, but not a game, can I install the hfw on it? Because I want to install HEN on it.

Sent from my Redmi Note 7 using Tapatalk

 

[Felipe Raymundo]

New info: I tested the BD drive.

With PS1 Games: Works normally
With PS2 Games: As stated by the model 2501a, the recognizes the PS2 disc, but shows incompatible software
With PS3 Games: Strugles a lot to read, some times boots the game, some times it even show the game.

PS3 was on 4.85 firmware. Is it safe to update do 4.86 OFW and try bgtools or HFW and HEN?

 

[Coro]

New info: I tested the BD drive.

With PS1 Games: Works normally
With PS2 Games: As stated by the model 2501a, the recognizes the PS2 disc, but shows incompatible software
With PS3 Games: Strugles a lot to read, some times boots the game, some times it even show the game.

PS3 was on 4.85 firmware. Is it safe to update do 4.86 OFW and try bgtools or HFW and HEN?

that model may be able to run cfw. bgtoolset will tell you for sure. if you can use cfw, i would use it.

also if your drive is reading anything then it will not need nobd cfw. usually nobd is only required if the drive is totally broken. it may not read but still "work" as far as the ps3 knows. if fact your model will work without a drive (i have one like that running full rebug and no disc drive in it at all). if you change the drive with one from same model, it should not require "remarrying" either on this model.

 

[jcorrea]

New info: I tested the BD drive.

With PS1 Games: Works normally
With PS2 Games: As stated by the model 2501a, the recognizes the PS2 disc, but shows incompatible software
With PS3 Games: Strugles a lot to read, some times boots the game, some times it even show the game.

PS3 was on 4.85 firmware. Is it safe to update do 4.86 OFW and try bgtools or HFW and HEN?

It's safe to update to OFW/HFW. Your bd drive will not be a problem.

 

[Felipe Raymundo]

Thank you @bguerville , @Coro and @jcorrea for all info. The PS3 system updates normally to 4.86, and on bgtoolset, it says that is compatible with CFW.

Now I'll try to change my friends mind to put CFW and not HEN on this console.

Thank you all again for helping me.

 

[bguerville]

Thank you @bguerville , @Coro and @jcorrea for all info. The PS3 system updates normally to 4.86, and on bgtoolset, it says that is compatible with CFW.

Now I'll try to change my friends mind to put CFW and not HEN on this console.

Thank you all again for helping me.

There is really no debate to be had over this. Using HEN (half a jailbreak) would be a mistake when you can have CFW (full jailbreak) instead.
Use the PS3 Toolset's Flash Memory Manager (FMM) to apply the no-fsm patch.
Use the load patch via https method then apply the patch, reboot the console & install Rebug Lite 4.86 (downloadable from rebug.me).
Do not turn off FMM "strict mode".
Heed the FMM warnings, every step should be successful, it's unlikely BUT if there is any error at all, don't reboot the console & seek our help.

Regarding the BD, from what you describe, I would say the problem comes from the lens as expected, consequently PUP installation should not be a problem. I still recommend to repair the BD drive though.