PS3 I have a lot of probably-easy-to-answer newbie questions. Could we make a FAQ?

[Orphie]

Before posting, I would like to thank this community and its many software developers and other supporting people. My experience with modding PS3 has not been great, but I would have given up without not only your guys' advice, but your kindness too. Thanks a whole lot!

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I have a lot of probably-easy-to-answer newbie questions. Some are general, some are about webMAN, and some are about less-common but still good tools (especially webMAN Classics Maker). Could we make a FAQ?

I have modded my PS3 Super Slim with PS3HEN, and it was going okay until it wasn't. It eventually got so bad that I am currently wiping the hard drive, slowing down, and looking for more tutorials and info. Without further introduction, here are some of my questions. All are assumed to be under PS3HEN:

1. What are the best absolute-newbie guides that I can find? When I first did research, Google led me to a lot of vague information, until I discovered Mr. Mario on YouTube and the PS3 Homebrew Discord. But even after all this time of modding, I still feel lost about a lot of basic things. And when you don't know basic things, it's easy to tinker until you break something, but not realize anything was broken until-- in my case-- one or two weeks later. But I digress.

2. I looked up and down the internet and the forums and couldn't spot an answer in a reasonable amount of time: How should I disable PSN? I know *to* do it, but how *should* I do it?

3. Should I avoid downloading my PSN games at all costs? Or is it okay to jump onto the PlayStation Store with HEN disabled, download games, and then re-enable HEN after?

4. I like webMAN and mostly dislike multiMAN, for several reasons. But I don't know how to copy my discs to ISOs without multiMAN; and like many people these days, I don't have a DVD or Blu-ray drive on my PC. Basically my question is: is there a way to create ISOs from my discs in my PS3 *without* something as robust (and sometimes-unstable in my experience) as multiMAN? If not, how can I increase multiMAN stability? And I also heard that sometimes multiMAN and webMAN don't get along.

5. What are the ideal formats for PS1, PS2, PS3, and PSP games? Assuming I am not modding, are ISOs truly better than folders? And are .BIN and .CUE really "ISO" in any meaningful sense?

6. Whenever I changed any setting at all on browser-webMAN, I restarted my PS3, then hit "Refresh" on browser-webMAN, then hit "Refresh XMB & Games" on my PS3 webMAN entry, then restarted PS3 again. I know this is overkill, but I always wanted to decrease my problem variables. What *should* I do instead?

7. In webMAN settings, what is the difference between "MM Covers" and "Online Covers"?

8. I was checking out https://www.psx-place.com/resources/ultimate-toolbox.1140/, but the version names confuse me. Is this guaranteed to work on PS3HEN 4.88? I am especially interested in being able to sort my content alphabetically, as well as hide a bunch of XMB items to reduce clutter.

9. I use FileZilla. Is there a way to make FTP not time out or whatever, forcing me to reconnect very often?​

Some odd/specific issues:

10. My first HEN installation was fine, but my second used a new 1tb internal HDD. I had many issues with my PS3 after this. It ended up getting so bad that I am wiping my drive and starting over. Is there anything I should know this time around to improve stability, that I probably don't know?

Also, I don't remember if it happened *before* HEN, but one of the problems with my second HDD HEN installation was that my PS3 gamepad refused to sync after a cold boot, pretty much every time. I could hit the reset pin button, or I could hit the PS button on my *other* gamepad and then *that* gamepad would work; but syncing never worked fully-properly. TL;DR: what do I do if I can't get DualShock 3 syncing to work properly?

11. Has anyone gotten webMAN Classics Maker to work with PS1 and PS2 games on PS3HEN 4.88? Because I had quite a bad experience with that and never got it working (so far). I got one PS3 game to work with it, and that was great. But after the new HDD, even that PS3 game wouldn't work with it, and nothing else did either. It's the thing that finally pushed me to wipe my drive and redo everything.

12. Does webMAN's auto-play setting affect the execution of the launchers that I made in webMAN Classics Maker?​

I'm sure I have more questions, but that's all I can come up with right now. Thanks a bunch!

 

[atreyu187]

Air everyone of these is documented check out the PSDevWiki & this site. Now let's see if I can answer some of your questions but I will tell you quite a few do not tend to answer common questions already answered 100 times over.

With the nature of console hacking people may also choose to ignore as there have been countless times someone has followed directions "exactly" to fuss up their system and blame those trying to help when 99% of the time it is the enduser not actually doing it 100% correct or skipping steps.

So while reading can be tedious it is the only real way to learn. As over the past ten years any questions I had I was able to find by looking around or the devwiki.

As for downloading off PSN. Seems you are on HEN so just do not activate before going on PSN to grab games. As for the disable syscalls there are quite a few ways to go about this. With HEN I suggest PSNPatch as it is simple and can be set up with a plugin to disable via button combo. Just look into the exact setup but the app has a built in GUI to install plugin. Then enable HEN then mount your game. Finally disable syscalls if going online. You will need to reboot and repeat for the next game.


Your ISO questions you can either use multiMAN in normal mode to rip your disc. Or use Managunz or IRISMAN (my go to file manager) file managers to rip disc. Even if you had a BD drive in your PC it can't make a proper backup without extra hardware. This is due to disc encryption. And never once have I had any issues using webMAN & multiMAN or any other file manager. There is no app that just rips disc as there are already a ton of ways to do this. Would be redundant as it is very easy to rip a disc. Load up the app, insert disc, press triangle then X to choose were you would like your rip.

Now since you are on HEN you can't play PS2ISO files. You will need to convert to a ISO.BIN.ENC to launch via webMAN and PS2 Classics Launcher. As for PS1 just rip to BIN/CUE but keep in mind some games with CDDA like Mortal Kombat Trilogy the audio doesn't work. But anyhow JB folders for PS3 games work but ISO has a 99.8% support rate. JB is around 85%. Everything not a PS1 game I suggest ISO. You can use ISO for PS1 but ISO isn't support multi track data so if the games has CDDA you won't get any audio.

I disable scanning for new games unless I do it manually as you get faster boot times by a few seconds. It totally up to you how you want to use it. I have been in the PS3 scene since day one it is much easier to deal with then 98% of every other systems hacks.

Ok now here is the important part. Once you start tweaking with you firmware files you run a chance of making a mistake that can make a system on HEN pretty much a paperweight. I would 100% suggest learning the basics before you make a fancy door stop. It's things like these people do not like to help with as there is no sure fire way to make sure you are doing it right. Just enjoy it for what it is for now.

As for covers dunno, don't care I make my own but aldos GitHub has a nice PKG with all the cover pics you need.

For FTP been using filezilla for ten years now never had that issue. If using WiFi this is most likely why as the PS3 WiFi is TRASH. Use a LAN cable and save some heartache.

As for the HDD issues again I have five PS3's none have given me issues. Just make sure you use a clean 2.5" drive and never over 1.5tb it will install just fine so long as you do not have underlying hardware issues. And as for the controller sounds to me like you are using a fake PS3 pad. There are some pretty good fakes in the looks department but all causes issues down the road. I am using a PS4 DS4 with PS3Xpad & BT dongle to use mine. Got tired of the millions of fakes out there.


So hope this helps but the best advice is to read, read again then once more to ensure you wrap your head around it. This just took me 30 minutes to write. No one has written an AIO FAQ due to it will become outdated soon as new methods arise. This is why we never suggest using videos or following some folks blindly. In the end it is your system and your hardware that to need to just dig in and keep reading.

 

[Berion]

Ad2. What do You mean by disable PSN? PSN was already disabled by Sony many years ago, and they renaming it to SEN. To disable SEN, You must disable all Sony servers. Good luck with that.

If You want cut the console from internet, disable internet connection in settings...
If You want only cut the console from SEN, then You must black list it on router level.

Ad3. You should avoid connecting to SEN at all cost.

No it is not ok but I didn't hear about any bans because of HEN if You will not playing games online, using loaders etc. But it doesn't mean, You will not be flagged. Hacked console = no online services or else You risking ban for account and all consoles bind to this account (including PS4 and PS5 even if they are not hacked).

Ad4. If You would want dump disc on PC, You need also decryption key because some parts of disc are encrypted and normally PS3 ODD reading this key from unreadable on PC section to decrypt on the fly sectors from "user range".

multiMAN is stable... What do You mean by "unstable" term anyway? Users throwing this term without any knowledge what it really means. You can use any other backup managers like Managunz or IRISMAN.

Ad5. For PS3 games *.iso only and always because of 100% compatibility.
For PS2, PSX and PSP games You don't have any choice on HEN. :P

And are .BIN and .CUE really "ISO" in any meaningful sense?

I don't understand the question.

Ad9. FTP Servers on PS3 aren't stable. So no mater what FTP Client You will use, You will experience issues.

Ad10. Do not clone threads. You already created thread about this problem.

 

[Orphie]

With the nature of console hacking people may also choose to ignore as there have been countless times someone has followed directions "exactly" to fuss up their system and blame those trying to help when 99% of the time it is the enduser not actually doing it 100% correct or skipping steps.

So while reading can be tedious it is the only real way to learn. As over the past ten years any questions I had I was able to find by looking around or the devwiki

So I discovered yesterday that PSX-PLACE has a less-helpful guide with fewer steps for-- for example-- "everything you need to know about PS3HEN" than Mr. Mario's YouTube guide, which I had found first and used. I don't skip steps, it's just that some guides literally don't say as much. Or sometimes it's hard to find a guide through Google (or this forum, now) at all due to bad search result ordering/relevancy. I do my best, but it's just hard to find info sometimes! This is why I'm asking if there are more complete, comprehensive, and recommended guides. ^^;

As for downloading off PSN. Seems you are on HEN so just do not activate before going on PSN to grab games. As for the disable syscalls there are quite a few ways to go about this. With HEN I suggest PSNPatch as it is simple and can be set up with a plugin to disable via button combo. Just look into the exact setup but the app has a built in GUI to install plugin. Then enable HEN then mount your game. Finally disable syscalls if going online. You will need to reboot and repeat for the next game.

I have heard various and seemingly-contradicting info about this too. Some people say "just don't enable HEN before going online", and others say "never, ever go online ever".

Also, your phrasing confuses me, no offense. ^^; Do I use PSNPatch to disable syscalls, but after that I also have to manually disable syscalls before going online?

Your ISO questions you can either use multiMAN in normal mode to rip your disc. Or use Managunz or IRISMAN (my go to file manager) file managers to rip disc.

Why do you prefer IRISMAN? Knowing more about IRISMAN couldn't hurt. ^^

Now since you are on HEN you can't play PS2ISO files. You will need to convert to a ISO.BIN.ENC to launch via webMAN and PS2 Classics Launcher.

I didn't like PS2 Classics Launcher's look in my XMB, so I got rid of it and used Mr. Mario's YouTube guide to turn the PS2 games into packages. Before and after doing this, my ISO.BIN.ENC files worked great! ^^

As for PS1 just rip to BIN/CUE but keep in mind some games with CDDA like Mortal Kombat Trilogy the audio doesn't work.

So Mega Man Legends 1 & 2 have a second track. I looked it up before, and people seem to not know for sure what they're for, but that they apparently contain no working audio. I have tested my MML1 ISO backup on my PS3, and the music in the first area plays fine. I did not test further. I'm just not sure what the other track is for. ^^

Ok now here is the important part. Once you start tweaking with you firmware files you run a chance of making a mistake that can make a system on HEN pretty much a paperweight. I would 100% suggest learning the basics before you make a fancy door stop. It's things like these people do not like to help with as there is no sure fire way to make sure you are doing it right. Just enjoy it for what it is for now.

I've tried my best to follow Mr. Mario's and other guides exactly.

However, with the DualShock 3 cold-boot PS-button syncing issue, I have been messing around in PS3's Safe Mode, which may not be so safe. I've been dual-installing OFW 4.88 (through XMB and through Safe Mode), formatting, resetting, redoing file systems, etc.. It *appears* to me that every time I check the file system, that it says "it is corrupt and will now restore it".

At this point, I imagine my PS3's internals are fine/mostly fine. I mean, for the gamepad issue (that I super want to solve), there could be something wrong with the Bluetooth; but my gamepads work fine at all times otherwise-- it just won't auto-wireless-sync like it should when I use the gamepad button to cold-boot.

As for covers dunno, don't care I make my own but aldos GitHub has a nice PKG with all the cover pics you need.

Yeah, I've been installing the multiMAN covers; but all downloaded or uploaded covers that I use (including said multiMAN ones) are stretched in webMAN, and they are being forced into a smaller icon space than what the PS3 games' title icons use by default or on unmodded PS3s.

For FTP been using filezilla for ten years now never had that issue. If using WiFi this is most likely why as the PS3 WiFi is TRASH. Use a LAN cable and save some heartache.

My PS3 has been etherneted into my router since early in my modding pursuits. The FTP client still disconnects within a small amount of time of inactivity. So it must be something else, I think? ^^

And as for the controller sounds to me like you are using a fake PS3 pad. There are some pretty good fakes in the looks department but all causes issues down the road.

Both gamepads have my syncing problem. One was packaged with the PS3 Super Slim, which I bought at Target. Whether the other one's fake now is irrelevant, because the problem is with both gamepads.

I am using a PS4 DS4 with PS3Xpad & BT dongle to use mine. Got tired of the millions of fakes out there.

I would LOVE to use my DualShock 4s with my PS3! Is it difficult? Inconvenient? Are there any downsides? ^^

This is why we never suggest using videos or following some folks blindly. In the end it is your system and your hardware that to need to just dig in and keep reading.

As I said before, Mr. Mario's YouTube video gave more info-- and seemingly more safety tips, though he doesn't always explain why-- than the "everything you need to know about PS3HEN" section or whatever it's called that I found here in PSX-PLACE. I kinda want someone to talk to me about what Mr. Mario says, and why it is or isn't valid. He's just an example though about how inconsistent the tutorial quality I have been getting is. ^^

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30 minutes for your posting, that sounds about right. Takes around the same for me to post my big posts. Either way, thank you so much for your time and info! <3

 

[Orphie]

Ad10. Do not clone threads. You already created thread about this problem.

I made that thread *after* this one. It contains more information and new discoveries/things I tested. Though I did discover two new things even after that, after these forums wouldn't let me edit the post again. (It seems to think it could be spam if I edit a post more than like, once, possibly due to my new-ness on the forums).

More info is always good, which is why I made a dedicated thread. Please don't be mean. And if it's against the rules, please just tell me so.

Otherwise, thanks for your advice! ^^

 

[Berion]

I often editing posts several times (actually for this is preview option but I seldom using "More Options..." feature). Maybe it is kind of limits for new users (like i.e not allowing them to posts links until at least 10 posts). Which means can be lifted. Or maybe some bug, as e.g I cannot creating threads in dev sub forums other than private beta tests. ^^

It is not against rules (and I'm not a moderator), it is just against logic.

Please don't be mean.

Am I? I'm definitely not, I have autism. ;p