Q1. Is all that right and assuming it makes sense..... Now do I need to start with the CEX version instead of DEX as per STEP 2 ?... - I have no need for DEX Debugging at the moment.
Yes all that is correct, i should've stated the whole QA Flagging thing when using the HFW, especially if downgrading afterwards.. my bad but i'm glad you figured that out
And if you have no need for DEX, download both the original package i have linked as well as the one for CEX users and use the "REX" .pup update file instead of the one that says "D-REX".
Q2. Do I need COBRA enabled and what other settings should I set apart from enabling QA Flag to be able to downgrade properly?
Cobra is not needed in order to successfully downgrade, all that is is a payload to enable backwards compatibility for games for the PS2, PSP, PSX, etc. on consoles that didn't orignally natively support it, as well as other features. Other than that, QA Flagging should work just fine.
Q3. Also, I still want to do the Dualboot but am I right that it can only be used with OFW 4.84 PS3 unless you downgrade from 4.85 with an E3 Flasher?.. - I can add DB on my main 4.84 system later after finishing and testing RR Linux. Thanks again for the info and link!
The dualboot firmware is esentially "OFW", you wouldn't need to install OFW of any sort, all that is different from OFW and Dualboot firmware is that "
Patched isoldr and spu_pkg_rvk_verifier to disable ecdsa protections allowing to install CFW 4.84 and above over it.", meaning you can reinstall CFW over it and it'll work fine without needing a flasher of any kind. As for online using the dualboot firmware, it might be possible but considering 4.85 is out, you might have to wait for a 4.85 version of a dualboot firmware to come out or else the system will just tell you to update when attempting to connect to PSN.
Q4. I had assumed that to fully test a new PS3(2nd hand) I would have to update to go on PSN and login etc. to see if everything worked ok..... However, if I didn't update how would I best be able to test for problems or a ban and then use 4.84 Dualboot and a CFW and still be able to login and install PSN apps and games properly and easily without an update message or an easy quick ban?..
As far as i know, there's no other way to find out if the system's CID is banned or not, assuming the previous owner never installed CFW of any kind and got it detected by doing something stupid, it should be fine.
Q5. Do you have any advice or best recommendations on the best way to set this up or where to find more detailed information of the best different options for logging in to PSN / Installing apps / downloads / Online gaming and all without getting an easy ban? -I'm a bit clueless with CFW and online gaming / PSN access etc. :P
This is where my knowledge is decent, from a personal view, my own system runs 4.84.2 DEX Rebug all the time even when i go online to play games, i've had the console almost 3 years now running Rebug and going online with it and not once have i gotten system banned (yet), now i'm not saying that going online with CFW is 100% safe, it isn't, but if you're smart about it, $ony won't even notice your running it.
What i use to go online is PSNPatch, this tool masks your system and disables CFW Syscalls to hide the fact your running CFW and makes it seem that its all legit OFW, and even prevents you from going online without pressing a certain button combo
OR running homebrew when online
AFTER the button combo has been pressed. Once the system is turned off or reset though, the CFW Syscalls are re-enabled so you can use it fully again with online re-disabled until the button combo is pressed again.
The choice is up to you, but if you cannot be bothered to have to switch all the time between firmwares just to go online, that's the way to go. As i said, there's always a risk, but if you're smart and use PSNPatch, they can't really tell.
EDIT:
I appreciate your help so I hope this is not too many questions..?
Thanks again in advance... ;J
No problem, i'm happy to help anyone with questions, it's what i'm here for
EDIT 2: Link to
PSNPatch
EDIT 3: I should've noted as well, if you do plan to use the CEX version of Rebug and also want to go online, you will have to use the Lite 4.85.1 thats out, because if you decide to stick with 4.84, it wont let you go online. This is one of the main reasons why i use DEX, you don't need to be on the latest version to go online with it. You could use SEN Enabler to spoof your firmware version, but most people advise against that method.
