PS3 Question: OFW HDD - > CFW HDD

[theSlugHerder]

Hi,

I've tried searching for an answer to this question, but only came across a reference to PS3 file system decryption with not much support for detail. Hopefully someone might be able to help, or suggest solutions.

I consider this subject to be non-copyright infringement, as I am only concerned with my own files from my own OFW version HDD PS3, although if any deem it controversial please remove the post. I hope this is OK, though.?

My question is related to post CFW installation on a blank HDD, and copying files/packages/games etc., from my removed OFW HDD.

Previous to any changes to my PS3, I swapped out the 80G HDD for a 320G drive, then installed a firmware patch (after backing up, etc.), installed a CFW 4.88, and installed webMan. All installations being current versions. Although, this seems all fine and working.

The question is of how to, if at all possible, does one access the file system of my old PS3 OFW 80G drive without using a second PS3 to hot copy via PS3 copy/move facility?

I know the OFW file system is there on my OFW drive, because through WIndows/PS3 CFW I can view the OFW drive as being 57G free. However, plugging the OFW drive into a Linux distro (ubuntu) reports the OFW drive as being empty, unformatted, and at 80g capacity without partitions or and filesystem at all.

I can re-insert my OFW drive in the (now patched FW) PS3, and the old PS3 OFW system boots without concern.

If anyone could offer a suggestion, or help/info on how I might copy my old OFW files into a new CFW system without incorporating a second PS3, I would be most grateful.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jcorrea]

The easiest way is using "Data transfer" utility (over ethernet cable): you would put the "original" HDD inside your PS3, copy everything to the second PS3 (with a 3rd HDD, not yours 320G), change your's PS3 HDD to the "target" HDD, and use "Data transfer utility" again.

But I think you can also try to copy your files using Linux. @Berion wrote a very good tutorial about it.

 

[jcorrea]

I found the thread I was looking for:

https://www.psx-place.com/threads/tutorial-hdd-mounting-and-decryption-on-linux.23308/

 

[DeViL303]

The question is of how to, if at all possible, does one access the file system of my old PS3 OFW 80G drive without using a second PS3 to hot copy via PS3 copy/move facility?

You should just put the original 80GB HDD back into the console, then install your CFW PUP again. Then you can dump whatever data you need via FTP (to PC) or dump via a file manager (to external hdd).

Then put back in the 320GB drive and copy the data back onto the console with the same method. Then rebuild the database to make it all appear on the XMB.

NOTE: If you have already initialized the drive on Windows then it will not longer work in the PS3.

 

[Berion]

I hope this is OK, though.?

It is ok. Forbidden is only piracy, not hacking and especially not data retrieving as this is... hacking forum.

My question is related to post CFW installation on a blank HDD, and copying files/packages/games etc., from my removed OFW HDD.

Firmware is not installing on HDD. On models with NOR memory, only some parts are. But anyway, You cannot just install OFW on one HDD and CFW on another because fw is installing on NAND/NOR and HDD is registered by it's serial number etc.

Previous to any changes to my PS3, I swapped out the 80G HDD for a 320G drive, then installed a firmware patch (after backing up, etc.), installed a CFW 4.88, and installed webMan. All installations being current versions. Although, this seems all fine and working.

If You have CFW, then read EID Root Key, IDPS and make NAND/NOR image as basic and very important backup data. After that, You can copy Your files outside PS3 via FTP or pendrive:
https://www.psx-place.com/threads/ultimate-userdata-backup-guide.29037/

The question is of how to, if at all possible, does one access the file system of my old PS3 OFW 80G drive without using a second PS3 to hot copy via PS3 copy/move facility?

If this HDD was in the currently hacked PS3, then only option left to You is reading it on PC (but You must have EID Root Key). On Linux or Windows:
https://www.psx-place.com/threads/tutorial-hdd-mounting-and-decryption-on-linux.23308/

I know the OFW file system is there

OFW means Official Firmware. It is not filesystem. PS3 using partitions with filesystems: FAT16, FAT32, UFS2 and raw data without any fs. Depend of partition.

because through WIndows/PS3 CFW I can view the OFW drive as being 57G free.

While connecting PS3 HDD to Windows, remember to NOT agree for disk initialisation, which will overwrite PS3 partition table. Only this is a way to recover it:
https://www.psx-place.com/threads/tutorial-fixing-windows-disk-initalization.27599/

However, plugging the OFW drive into a Linux distro (ubuntu) reports the OFW drive as being empty, unformatted, and at 80g capacity without partitions or and filesystem at all.

PS3 using custom partition table (let's call it PS3PT; in opposite to i.e popular on PC: GPT or MBR) and all partitions are encrypted by unique keys (EID Root Key is used to calculate those keys; each PS3 unit, have different ERK). Without extra hassle, You will unable to read it's structure.

 

[theSlugHerder]

OFW means Official Firmware. It is not filesystem. PS3 using partitions with filesystems: FAT16, FAT32, UFS2 and raw data without any fs. Depend of partition.

Yes, I understand. I was simply using OFW drive, and CFW drive to identify the two drives. I could have used HDDa and HDDb in hindsight but, heh. Sorry for the confusion.

I was wanting to not mess about with the original HDD, but seems it'll have to happen.

PS3 using custom partition table (let's call it PS3PT; in opposite to i.e popular on PC: GPT or MBR) and all partitions are encrypted by unique keys (EID Root Key is used to calculate those keys; each PS3 unit, have different ERK). Without extra hassle, You will unable to read it's structure.

Keys are the bane of my exisitence
Is there any foresight into being able to simply read keys and plug in and read a PS HDD in the future? Mind you, I suppose this whole thread answers itself in that I've hacked the PS3, so there's no point in not hacking the original drive too.

I think I was really asking myself should I mod my PS3, which I did anyway. meh.

Well, thanks everyone for their advice, councilling and support, (lol) your answers are appreciated.

 

[Berion]

If both HDD came from the same console, it means they are encrypted by the same keys. In such case, You can keeps "OFW HDD" untouched (TBH I don't see any reason behind that ;p) and still have access to it on PC (it doesn't matter if HDD comes from hacked PS3 or not hacked; hacking console is mandatory only to retrieve keys; i.e I know peoples who put CFW just to get all needed data, then go back to OFW which is now open for them (reading HDD and resiging on demand user content)). Encryption is not per media, but per console. I hope now is clear. ^^

 

[DeViL303]

I was wanting to not mess about with the original HDD, but seems it'll have to happen.

Installing CFW does not affect the dev_hdd0 partition at all. Some console models (NOR) have a vflash partition on the HDD for some firmware files. But regardless, having OFW or CFW files on a HDD vflash will not affect any of the data you care about. The dev_hdd0 partition that contains all you games, save data, media files etc, is completely untouched when you change firmware.

 

[theSlugHerder]

Installing CFW does not affect the dev_hdd0 partition at all.

Thanks.
I'm just trying to FTP copy over games and saves, etc., as suggested earlier, from 80g to 320g (just more space), but having issues stalling on Singstar file transfers, and generally transfers stalling when PS Controller powers off.

Thanks for help and suggestions and advice.

 

[Aoi]

It is ok. Forbidden is only piracy, not hacking and especially not data retrieving as this is... hacking forum.

I agree with you Berion but there is no other way to save all our legal content and make it safe. Sony is no more for the players since they fiddle with later versions of PS3. Lack of backward compatibility with older PlayStation consoles (except PS4) in PS5 is a really bad joke:/

If both HDD came from the same console, it means they are encrypted by the same keys. In such case, You can keeps "OFW HDD" untouched (TBH I don't see any reason behind that ;p) and still have access to it on PC (it doesn't matter if HDD comes from hacked PS3 or not hacked; hacking console is mandatory only to retrieve keys; i.e I know peoples who put CFW just to get all needed data, then go back to OFW which is now open for them (reading HDD and resiging on demand user content)). Encryption is not per media, but per console. I hope now is clear. ^^

Installing CFW does not affect the dev_hdd0 partition at all. Some console models (NOR) have a vflash partition on the HDD for some firmware files. But regardless, having OFW or CFW files on a HDD vflash will not affect any of the data you care about. The dev_hdd0 partition that contains all you games, save data, media files etc, is completely untouched when you change firmware.

I must read Berion's instructions from the link added by jcorrea but correct me if I am wrong about the process please:

1. My PS3 have OFW 4.88.
2. I must use bguerville's site before I install CFW. As I understand it is a necessary step and I must also dump all the needed key files.
3. I read about other ways to retrieve the keys but as I remember it works only for PSID.
   
4. With those files I can use ps3export tool (I wonder if it still fully compatible but without PSID I succesfully extract not protected files from backup) or install CFW.
5. Let's say I choose to install latest CFW (I think about new Evilnat Cobra).
6. If I decided to install CFW with a clean disk in my PS3 and after the whole process change to the previous disk (with all content I have) it will be accessible at hand (no need to format it etc.). I just don't want to risk and download all the content again. I remember few games haven't been backed up at all and with CFW I do not want to risk a ban, so PS3 will be offline after the process is finished.
   
7. I have another one PS3, so I can still buy the games and other content legally.

It's all about true hard and oldschool backup of everything and possibility to use it in future with emulator like with the PSX or PS2 games so another option is to use PS3 HDD Reader and retrieve data without any modification excluding retrieve the keys to encrypt the PS3 hard disk.

If I don't understand this I will be glad for corrections. I will then read more and then come back.

Thank you very much in advance.

 

[Berion]

If Your model is compatible with CFW. Which means all Fats and all Slims up to CECH-2504 (but some CECH-2504 aren't, depend of factory firmware), and all newer aren't. For those which are not compatible, You can use HEN, but on HEN You cannot retrieve ERK (the rest You can, but not this one little bastard).

I don't know what You have read but IDPS can be read (currently) only on hacked PS3. NP Account ID and PSID are on every PARAM.SFO (meta file of i.e savedata) in plain text or on PS4 exported saves are in dir named by NPAID. Flash dump can be made on hacked console (IDPS can be read also from flash dump). The same with retrieving xRegistry.sys file. Nothing more You need in keys matter.

It will not. PS3 will want format it.

You don't need connect to SEN on hacked console. All data You can copy to PC and restore it on any hacked PS3 without Sony servers blessing, included licenses.

- - -
I think You lost a little. ^^

To extract data from system backup, You need IDPS (unique per console) for protected archives and OpenPSID for unprotected (common id). However, this is most annoying and time consuming way of backup data. Strongly not recommending if You have choice (>>CFW).

If You want read HDD directly, You must install CFW to read EID Root Key. And while You have hacked console (CFW or HEN), dump also NAND/NOR and copy xRegistry.sys. After that, You can go back to OFW if You wish. But... cleaning console from any traces of CFW is not easy task.

 

[Aoi]

It will not. PS3 will want format it.

As I understand this is an answer for point no. 6:

Spoiler: 6th point from previous post

If I decided to install CFW with a clean disk in my PS3 and after the whole process change to the previous disk (with all content I have) it will be accessible at hand (no need to format it etc.). I just don't want to risk and download all the content again. I remember few games haven't been backed up at all and with CFW I do not want to risk a ban, so PS3 will be offline after the process is finished.

So I should update firmware to CFW without change main disk and everything should be fine related to this:

Installing CFW does not affect the dev_hdd0 partition at all. Some console models (NOR) have a vflash partition on the HDD for some firmware files. But regardless, having OFW or CFW files on a HDD vflash will not affect any of the data you care about. The dev_hdd0 partition that contains all you games, save data, media files etc, is completely untouched when you change firmware.

Old HDD can't be replaced but data from it can be transfered (as both HDDs are from the same console).

If both HDD came from the same console, it means they are encrypted by the same keys. In such case, You can keeps "OFW HDD" untouched (TBH I don't see any reason behind that ;p) and still have access to it on PC (it doesn't matter if HDD comes from hacked PS3 or not hacked; hacking console is mandatory only to retrieve keys; i.e I know peoples who put CFW just to get all needed data, then go back to OFW which is now open for them (reading HDD and resiging on demand user content)). Encryption is not per media, but per console. I hope now is clear. ^^

When I think about it, there is no sense to replace HDD before operation if my PS3 met all conditions to be hacked.

Thank you very much. I must learn about it much more.

 

[Berion]

On my CECHL04 I was unable to put old disk after new disk was assigned. So I'm not sure what the patterns is here (because some peoples claims that they can switching between HDD without consequences (on the same console of course)). So it is safe to assume that it will be not recognize (however, I just realize that it wasn't question, but statement, so... could You tell me what is Your model? Maybe on NOR it doesn't work? I remember that I talk about this here in some thread).

If You afraid only about Your data while installing CFW, then You have nothing to fear. Installing fw doesn't wiping out user data on HDD or NAND.

 

[Aoi]

could You tell me what is Your model? Maybe on NOR it doesn't work? I remember that I talk about this here in some thread

I have:

• CECHAxx - YLOD issue (not used anymore)
• 20xxA
  
• 20xxB - new in family (I bought it yesterday for testing purposes with Cobra Ferrox on board - I checked it for a moment and now I know why people love CFW and how much work it costs a developers. You are amazing guys!). I never used any modifications before to any of my consoles.
  
• 30xxB

The best thing will be to reverse 20xxB to OFW as I can easily obtain all the needed keys etc. at the moment, but as you mentioned it could be difficult to clean it completely I don't have CFW *.PUP files of this Cobra Ferrox as well I want to use Evilnat Cobra version.

 

[Berion]

You don't need the same CFW. You can install any CFW on any CFW (from pendrive or HDD), including different versions (if You set QA flag). So install Rebug 4.84.2 Rex or 4.86.1 Lite and dump all what You need.

If You want super safe method to CFW>>OFW (but You will not restore all contents, even from SEN, details at the end):

1. make this ugly system backup (and before that, sync trophies if You collecting them because sysbup doesn't restoring them and/or storing them in archives)
2. then take HDD off to PC and format it (quick is enough, pt and fs doesn't matter, PS3 using her own)
3. put HDD back to PS3 and *twice* in a row, install OFW *from recovery* (on clean HDD recovery is forced but on second, You must boot to it manually)
   
4. restore sysbup, connect to SEN to brings back all licenses, and sync trophies

However, You will miss:

• licenses for some games (deleted from store trials, promo versions and public beta versions of games)
• some patches which doesn't use Sony servers (i.e patches for Motorstorm series)
• some DLC for the same reasons as above (i.e Singstar DLC, even paid content)
• HOME if You still have it installed (it was officially removed few years ago)

The hard way, but also safe way is complicated and I don't have time for that now. But I will remember about it and publish separated thread for it, in which I use mention forum mechanism if You will.