PS3 Downgrading - Just The Basics

[tthousand]

Basics

ok just to help round things up.

there is no cfw above 3.55

the only way to get back on 3.55 from a higher firmware is to use hardware

some 2500 model's cannot be downgraded at all

no 3000 model's can be downgraded

the hardware options are :- ProgSkeet / TEENSY++ / E3 FLASHER

all 3 can be soldered directly to the mainboard or called motherboard etc

all 3 can use a clip to attach directly to the NAND or NOR chip(s)

the ps3 slims are NOR type

early PHAT ps3's are NAND type. later PHAT model's are NOR.

the ProgSkeet will read / write both NAND & NOR chips

the TEENSY++ will read / write to NOR only

the E3 FLASHER will read / write & fast duel boot NOR only (the E3 website states NAND aswell but currently it isnt possible)

you also need:-

Progskeet: a DEV board for service mode if solderless:- NAND = 360clip (nand) & "Y" board or NOR = 360clip (nor) (but this needs a pin removing and it isnt easy)

TEENSY++: no DEV board needed as it is a DEV board & if solderless:- 360clip (nor) & a set of jumper cables

E3 FLASHER: a DEV board for service mode & a micro sd card (it comes with a NOR clip)

Quote Source: baileyscream@PSX-Scene

Downgrade/Factory-Service-Mode Tools:

E3 Flasher (FSM Tool not included)
or
ProgSkeet (FSM Tool not included)
and
Teensy ++ USB - For NOR model downgrading. Also for entering FSM. Or use one of these...

Other (Clones like PS3Break, Teensy ++ USB, x3max, Max AVR, iPod, TI-84+, Etc, Etc, Etc. (FSM Tool Only)

Guides/Information/Files:

For a guide, see baileyscream's The Ultimate Fool Proof Guide - PS3 Hardware Downgrading

PS3devwiki links to splitted guide sections needed for downgrade:

Infopage about downgradeability of consoles:
- SKU Models - PS3 Development Wiki

Hooking up flasher and making dumps:
- Hardware flashing - PS3 Development Wiki
- Progskeet - PS3 Development Wiki

Validating:
- Validating flash dumps - PS3 Development Wiki

Patching and Downgrading:
- Downgrading with Hardware flasher - PS3 Development Wiki

Beyond downgrading: dual/multiboot:
- Dual Firmware - PS3 Development Wiki

Files links:
- PSGrade: Index of /files/PSGrade
- Firmwares: Index of /files/firmware
- Flash: Index of /files/flash
- Servicemode lv2diags: Index of /files/lv2diag

IRC channel (ef.net): #ps3downgrade

Quote Source: euss@PS3Hax

 

[LightTenshimaru]

Very nice.
I will read and lern someday, maybe can be necessary know this.

 

[buetiansaumik]

here said there is no firmware above 3.55...bt i have seen in this forum firmware for 3.76...are these fakes??my firmware is 3.76...i can use this cfw without downgrading to 3.55??please help me....... i am begging for help.

 

[kapa]

here said there is no firmware above 3.55...bt i have seen in this forum firmware for 3.76...are these fakes??my firmware is 3.76...i can use this cfw without downgrading to 3.55??please help me....... i am begging for help.

he said that is not posible INSTALL cfw above ofw 3.55, if you have a ps3 with 3.76 you have to downgrade to 3.55 ofw and then install the cfw that you want...

 

[buetiansaumik]

he said that is not posible INSTALL cfw above ofw 3.55, if you have a ps3 with 3.76 you have to downgrade to 3.55 ofw and then install the cfw that you want...

can i downgrade my ps3 myself?any video link step b step process reference can you give me??i am very begineer....plz help me.
can i do it with software only??what hardwares do i need??

 

[pinkfloydviste]

can i downgrade my ps3 myself?any video link step b step process reference can you give me??i am very begineer....plz help me.
can i do it with software only??what hardwares do i need??

First of all, this guide is a bit outdated because there are CFW above 3.55 now. However, in order to install these CFW, you need to be on 3.55 or have a hardware flasher. So no, you cannot downgrade a ps3 with just software. As the guide says, depending on what type of ps3 you have, you need to have either a e3 or teensy for nor models and and progskeet for nand. As for step by step instructions, the OP has already linked a very extensive guide for downgrading. Just know that if you mess up in the downgrading process, there is a good chance you permanently brick your console.

 

[atreyu187]

Well there is ony tiny thing this doesn't mention. 3.56 base firmware models can have CFW installed but they can be downgraded. It must be a direct install of CFW using the noFSM method. And might be good to list software for flashing the chips. I am learning how to use NORWay for my 2501A and NANDWay for my CECHB-01 as I had a buddy solder teensy++ boards to my system to finally ditch my E3 and clip set as they are a pain. Now I only have to insert a mini USB cable to flash my firmwares as I opted out of dual boot since I don't go online. Man has things gotten a lot easier