PS3 [NEED HELP] DECR-1400A - GLOD, suspected NOR corruption, looking for valid dump.bin

[manuki]

Hi everyone,
I'm looking for help with a very rare PS3 development unit — a DECR-1400A (FAT TOOL).
The console originally had a YLOD. The NEC/TOKIN capacitors were replaced with Panasonic capacitors, which brought the console back to life. However, it now shows a GLOD (Green Light of Death).
Current behavior:

• The console powers on normally
• It seems to reset the video signal
• No output at all via HDMI or AV
• No display, no safe mode, nothing

What has already been done:

• HDD replaced → no change
• RSX replaced with a confirmed working unit by a professional technician → no change
• Further diagnostics point toward a faulty NOR flash

According to the technician working on it, my current dump.bin has around 13 errors and likely needs patching or rebuilding. Another option would be using a valid NOR dump from an identical console.
That's why I'm posting here — I'm looking for:

• A dump.bin from a DECR-1400A, or
• Someone who owns this exact model and could help compare / rebuild the NOR

I'm aware that firmware version may also matter, and I'm ready to coordinate that if needed.
I've already tried reaching out to a few people who might have this unit, but unfortunately no responses so far.
Any help, guidance, or contact with someone who owns a DECR-1400A would be hugely appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

 

[M4j0r]

Hello,

did you have a look at the SB UART, there might be a hint there?

If your NOR dump can be fixed depends on what parts are corrupted, can you share the errors?

 

[manuki]

Hello M4jor,

First of all, sorry for the late reply — I've had quite a lot on my plate recently.

The console is currently with a technician who has extensive experience working on PS3 hardware, but unfortunately we seem to be reaching a dead end and he's starting to run out of ideas.

So far, the following chips have been professionally reballed:

RSX
CELL
Marvell
South Bridge (SB)

Unfortunately, none of these repairs have changed the behavior of the console.

The console still does not pair or connect with a controller, briefly resets the video signal during boot, and behaves as if it is attempting to enter Recovery Mode. However, there is no video output whatsoever through either HDMI or AV, so we have no way of confirming what is actually happening.

Regarding the NOR dump, the errors reported by PyPS3Checker are listed below:

Total number of checks = 155
Number of dangers = 9
Number of warnings = 4

Following check(s) returned a DANGER!
  005.08   EID0 IDPS0
  005.11   EID2 BlockSize/Padding
  005.12   EID3 Static0
  005.14   EID3 Static2
  005.15   EID5 IDPS0
  005.17   EID5 Static
  005.20   eEID Statistics1
  006.11   cISD1 Semistatic 3
  datamatches : per console nonce

Following check(s) returned a WARNING!
  009.02   ROS0 Hash
  009.05   ROS1 Hash
  013.04   CELL_EXTNOR_AREA 0x00 Filled Area 2
  013.07   CELL_EXTNOR_AREA 0x00 Filled Area 5

However, I'm no longer convinced that these errors are actually relevant to the issue.

We have been in contact with another owner of a DECR-1400A and compared dumps from both consoles. What we discovered is that PyPS3Checker does not appear to be fully adapted for these development units. The DECR-1400A differs significantly from a retail PS3, featuring a unique motherboard design and additional memory.

What's particularly interesting is that the NOR dump from his fully functional DECR-1400A reports the same errors and warnings in PyPS3Checker. Because of that, we are beginning to doubt that the NOR dump itself is responsible for the current problem.

At this point, we're honestly running out of ideas.

Have you had any experience with similar behavior on DECR units? Do you think the SB UART logs could provide any useful clues, or is there anything else specific to these development systems that would be worth investigating?

Also, if it would be helpful, I can provide my dump.bin file. Perhaps you have access to better tools for analyzing DECR units, or you might be able to spot something that we have overlooked during our investigation.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to respond and for offering your help.

Best regards

 

[M4j0r]

The console still does not pair or connect with a controller, briefly resets the video signal during boot, and behaves as if it is attempting to enter Recovery Mode. However, there is no video output whatsoever through either HDMI or AV, so we have no way of confirming what is actually happening.

That's where the SB UART log would be helpful.
Did the technician check the Syscon Errlog? (command "errlog" on SC UART)

What's particularly interesting is that the NOR dump from his fully functional DECR-1400A reports the same errors and warnings in PyPS3Checker. Because of that, we are beginning to doubt that the NOR dump itself is responsible for the current problem.

It should be fine then I hope, I could have a look manually but have no better tools.

Have you had any experience with similar behavior on DECR units? Do you think the SB UART logs could provide any useful clues, or is there anything else specific to these development systems that would be worth investigating?

The DECR-1400 is called internally DEX_512 so a DECH unit with more RAM. Other than the extra RAM and the extra Ethernet port there's no difference to a Debug Station. The layout of the board is based on COK-002/SEM-001.

If the technician wants to have a look at the SB UART, he can activate it using the Syscon UART with the command "w 4202 02".
The SB UART is then available at the large test points near the missing resistors in the pictures below (after the 0 Ohm resistor are installed). It's 115200 baud 8N1 (only TX is needed, no input).