PS3 Fat CECHC04 - can I downgrade from 4.87?

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PhantomR

Member
Hi guys,

I was stupid enough to update to update to OFW 4.87 before reading about these Custom Firmwares.. now, I read somewhere on the internet that Fat models can be downgraded from any version.. is this also true for mine? (Fat CECHC04)?

As far as I read on this forum, it is not doable (yet?), but I want to be sure it's true even for my older model.
 
PhantomR said:
Hi guys,

I was stupid enough to update to update to OFW 4.87 before reading about these Custom Firmwares.. now, I read somewhere on the internet that Fat models can be downgraded from any version.. is this also true for mine? (Fat CECHC04)?

As far as I read on this forum, it is not doable (yet?), but I want to be sure it's true even for my older model.
Click to expand...
Yes your console can be downgraded (only after jailbreak though) but there is no need to downgrade unless you wish to install a specific earlier CFW for personal reasons.
At this point, what you need is to jailbreak the console & install a 4.87 CFW like Evilnat's 4.87.2 Cobra CFW.
To jailbreak a compatible console on OFW, you can use hardware or software methods, the former requires a Teensy board & a clip to overwrite the NAND Flash memory chip & the latter is based on ps3xploit tools.
In your case, the easiest & fastest way will be to use the PS3 Toolset v1.1 on ** www.** ** www.ps3xploit.net > D... (NEW URL = http://ps3toolset.com)/bgtoolset whenever that update gets rolled out (planned in the next 24h).
In the meantime I suggest you read the dedicated PS3 Toolset thread in this forum & watch the MrMario YouTube video to get familiar with the procedure.
 
It is an honor for me that you amswered. Thank YOU, I just watched MrMario's guide and it is awesome. Also, thank you for the other very useful advice and for the tools you and the team develop!

I, however, would like to install Rebug as he suggested, but it is only available for 4.86. Would it be possibile to revert to 4.86 using your new exploit (also, many thanks for mentioning the 24h ETA)? I'd love to try Evinat's as well provided it allows me to see temperatures, but I saw it is not a debug version, so I am not sure.
 
PhantomR said:
It is an honor for me that you amswered. Thank YOU, I just watched MrMario's guide and it is awesome. Also, thank you for the other very useful advice and for the tools you and the team develop!

I, however, would like to install Rebug as he suggested, but it is only available for 4.86. Would it be possibile to revert to 4.86 using your new exploit (also, many thanks for mentioning the 24h ETA)? I'd love to try Evinat's as well provided it allows me to see temperatures, but I saw it is not a debug version, so I am not sure.
Click to expand...
I assume that the video has not been updated since 4.86 which would explain the Rebug 4.86 recommendation.
If you really wish to use Rebug for its debugging features you need to use Rebug REX 4.84, Rebug 4.86 is a lite version, pretty similar to Evilnat 4.87 CFW.
You may need DEX (debugging features) if you are a developer or if you use modded games requiring a DEX kernel to run, otherwise DEX is not really recommended for standard gaming.

Anyway to downgrade, you first need to do the jailbreak, install Evilnat's 4.87 CFW then install a homebrew like the Rebug Toolbox or any QA toggler (available from store.brewology.com) to enable a feature called QA. Once QA is enabled, you can upgrade/downgrade at will.

If you need specific help at any point, don't hesitate to ask, there are plenty of people here who can answer your questions about jailbreak, homebrews & CFWs.
 
Definitely, the video is from ~8 months ago, when 4.87 had not been released yet. I only want to monitor the temperatures and such (and maybe edit fan curve, heard that's possible). Would that be doable with a non-debug custom firmware?

I think I am going off-topic here, but if I may spam you (or anyone else willing to answer) with another question, if I use the 4.87.1 HFW for now, can I just use the PS3 Toolset v1.1 to go to a 4.87 CFW with no additional hassle involved?

EDIT: Also, saw the PS3Xploit site is down.. is this in preparation for the new update? I am very impatient :).

Many thanks, once again!
 
PhantomR said:
Definitely, the video is from ~8 months ago, when 4.87 had not been released yet. I only want to monitor the temperatures and such (and maybe edit fan curve, heard that's possible). Would that be doable with a non-debug custom firmware?
Click to expand...
Yes, you are going to be able to use all the tools related with fan control, there is not a requirement for debug stuff
Some of the patches applyed in HEN and CFW enables some debug features btw

PhantomR said:
I think I am going off-topic here, but if I may spam you (or anyone else willing to answer) with another question, if I use the 4.87.1 HFW for now, can I just use the PS3 Toolset v1.1 to go to a 4.87 CFW with no additional hassle involved?

EDIT: Also, saw the PS3Xploit site is down.. is this in preparation for the new update? I am very impatient :).

Many thanks, once again!
Click to expand...
Think i it this way, your PS3 fat is compatible with a patch that allows to install CFW
The patch needs to be applyed to the flash (a chip soldered into the motherboard), and there are 2 ways to do it, by hardware or by software

To do it by hardware is required to buy a hardware flasher, and either solder a bunch of wires to very tricky points of the motherboard... or buy a "clip" that is attached on top of the flash chip
But in your motherboard model is more challenging because it have 2 flash chips of NAND type... so you would need to repeat the process 2 times
This requires money, time, reading a lot to learn from tutorials and the experience of other users, etc...

And the other way to do it is by software... the exploit hosted in the bgtoolset web initiates a process that writes the patch to your flash chip/s
The exploit is compatible with OFW, HFW (and not sure if CFW too) of the latest versions, since 4.84 or so... and soon compatible with 4.87 too


One way or the other (by hardware or by software) after the patch has been applyed you can install a CFW 4.87
 
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PhantomR said:
Definitely, the video is from ~8 months ago, when 4.87 had not been released yet. I only want to monitor the temperatures and such (and maybe edit fan curve, heard that's possible). Would that be doable with a non-debug custom firmware?
Click to expand...
Any CFW can do monitoring.
PhantomR said:
I think I am going off-topic here, but if I may spam you (or anyone else willing to answer) with another question, if I use the 4.87.1 HFW for now, can I just use the PS3 Toolset v1.1 to go to a 4.87 CFW with no additional hassle involved?
Click to expand...
Yes
PhantomR said:
EDIT: Also, saw the PS3Xploit site is down.. is this in preparation for the new update?
Click to expand...
Yes, an humble Xmas gift..
 
@sandungas Thank you very much for your explanation! :) That's some very good insight into the process. I am somehow familiar with soldering, but I guess my brother would be better suited to help me at that since he's an Electronics student. However, I think I'll just stick to the software way now that you and @bguerville helped me understand it is doable.
 
PhantomR said:
@sandungas Thank you very much for your explanation! :) That's some very good insight into the process. I am somehow familiar with soldering, but I guess my brother would be better suited to help me at that since he's an Electronics student. However, I think I'll just stick to the software way now that you and @bguerville helped me understand it is doable.
Click to expand...
Good decission, the software method is very relliable
The hardware method only makes sense for 2 reasons nowadays, incase you corrupt some critical data inside the flash chip up to a point where the PS3 doesnt allows you to install a new firmware from USB at boot time, this is called a "brick", so you would need to install the hardware flasher to "unbrick" by restoring valid data inside the flash chip, but luckly this is not going to happen :)
The other reason is because that hardware flashers can be installed permanently, this is like some kind of "amtibrick" because it doesnt matters if you corrupt the contents of the flash completly, only takes some minutes to restore the flash contents with the "onboard" flasher, this kind of setup is very handy because it gives lot of freedom in the amount of experiments you can do with the firmware (it could be a "must have" for some developers)
 
I hope I won't ever have to unbrick as it seems the hardware kits cost more than I paid for the console (around ~25 a few years ago, got if from a fair). Thank you for your help! EDIT: The permanent 'antibrick' doesn't sound like a bad thing to have, but I'd rather just do it if I need it.

I'd like to try HEN as it seems the toolset update is still not online :(, but I wonder if I can do HFW+HEN if I don't have an original PS3 controller and only a dongle-based third-party..
 
Is it safe to try? Can I just exit safe mode by turning off the console (using the power button) and restarting it if the controller is unresponsive in safe mode?
 
PhantomR said:
I'd like to try HEN as it seems the toolset update is still not online :(, but I wonder if I can do HFW+HEN if I don't have an original PS3 controller and only a dongle-based third-party..
Click to expand...

HFW + HEN is a great choice, and adds loads of functionality to your system. Also, down the line if you decide CFW is the better option for you, it's pretty easy to make the switch.

And just in case you need it, here's the HEN AiO guide:

https://www.psx-place.com/threads/tutorial-ps3hen-the-great-ps3-hen-all-in-one-guide.24369/

I still pull this up as a reference everytime I do a new HEN install. Excellent guide, but if you have any problems, let us know and we'll steer you right. ;)
 
IMG_20201226_111910534~2.jpg
PhantomR said:
Thanks guys! Sadly, my controller does not work in safe mode :(..
Click to expand...

That is a bummer... All my old DS3s are in various stages of disrepair.

I have been using these for about 3 months now:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K1DMLS1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_BJ45FbX51GS1F?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

They're not perfect, but affordable and I've personally had ZERO problems with gameplay. Only issues are that it sometimes "forgets" how to pair with the system until I plug it in with USB again, controllers automatically power off after 5min regardless of system setting, and when shutting down the system with a controller plugged into the system USB, the plugged in controller turns the system back on after about 10 seconds or so.

Minor quirks, but these are the best low-cost 3rd party controllers I've tried yet. Got 2 for me & 2 for my kids.

I THINK these ones work in safe mode (pretty sure I used them to crack 2 of my 3 systems) I'll give it a try later today and make sure...
 
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PS3PIR8 said:
Minor quirks, but these are the best low-cost 3rd party controllers I've tried yet. Got 2 for me & 2 for my kids.
Click to expand...

I thank you for the recommendation. Good to know they work. I, sadly, would have issues getting them as I live in Romania. I have found second-hand seemingly original controllers for about $20, but it is sad I did not know I need one and now would have to wait for it.

Is safe mode needed to install Ps3 Toolset+CFW as well? EDIT: Actually, if I activate my memory, I do not remember any mention of an original controller or safe mode in MrMario's jailbreaking video. Could someone, please, confirm?

pinky said:
I don't think fakes or clones work in safemode unfortunately, so you're going to have to find a legit controller. that's most likely the problem.
Click to expand...

Really sad to hear. Thank you.
 
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Dont you have any old sisaxis or dualshock3 ?.. it doesnt matters if the sticks are damaged or the trigger buttons broken etc... the only thing you need from it is to have a working "PS" button
Is mostly to enter recovery menu, reset video modes, and manteinance tasks, that special boot modes have an annoying screen that request to connect a legit controller and press "PS" button, but after that screen you can disconnect it and connet a "clone" controller

Btw, as mentioned above... there are some clone controllers that are able to pass that screen, not sure what is the difference, but it looks some clone manufacturers found how to "spoof" the clone controller like a legit one
 
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