PS3 How to know if a ps3 slim is hardmodded?

[Abomination]

(Without taking it apart!)
When I bought this ps3, I was told it was hard modded.
The system-info said it was version 4.81.2
As far as I could tell it was on REBUG 4.81.2 Cobra 7.50 REX
Yesterday I had to replace the hard disk.
And I thought, since it was hard modded, I just had to replace
the hdd, reset and let the system re-format and such ...
Nope.
After trying a few of the save mode functions in vane,
I attempted to update to CFW: REBUG 4.81.2 Cobra 7.50 REX..
Nope. (corrupted data?)
A few newer CFWs also didn't work.
I finally managed to install OFW 4.8.2!
And now what? If it was soft modded, I can now try to install a
CFW; but what to do, if it instead really is hard modded?
Any insight or advice will really be appreciated...

 

[Berion]

If You installed OFW v4.82, You no longer can install CFW from USB without patching flash memory first via web exploiting or dump made by hardware flasher.

If You have back then option in menu to install packages, then it was some CFW. Why You couldn't install another CFW is different story, yet anyway, for now it doesn't matter.

Also You using very misleading terminology. Hardmod means more like modchip, softmod means all software methods of hacking console. And PS3 don't have any modchips and never have (only flashers but that's different story).

 

[Abomination]

If You installed OFW v4.82, You no longer can install CFW from USB without patching flash memory first via web exploiting or dump made by hardware flasher.

Yes! But is that proof of being hard modded or not??

misleading terminology

I agree. That term was used by the seller. No idea what he meant...
I forgot to mention that I tried to flash the memory following this tutorial:

That is why it's on 3.8.2.
I had to attempt several times, because the ps3 could not 'see' miniweb.
As it finally did, the ps3 freezed during the flashing process.
I had to do a hard reset to power down.
After that, it booted up with some error message? repaired somethings? and booted up; still on 3.8.2.
There is no option in menu to install packages.
Not sure what to do now...

 

[Abomination]

Following the awesome tutorial from the awesome mrMario:

I was able to convert my 2 other P3s from hen to CFW.
So I thought: "F-it!". And also did the same for this 'hard modded" one.
It succeeded without any trouble. So: happy me!
Still no idea why it was called hard modded; but who cares.
As far as I'm concerned this topic is solved.

Thanks Berion for your input...