PS3 NOR CEX2DEX - HOWTO - TUTORIAL

What you need:
• Ps3 on Firmware 3.55 or below.
• Usb Keyboard.
• Internet Connection to download debian via Nikitis’s script
• Connect the PS3 directly to the modem via Ethernet cable.
• PDF Version of this Tutorial can be downloaded from HERE (Has all the files available as download links, very handy!.)
• Know how to put PS3 into RECOVERY MODE (HERE is a link if your NOT sure)

Firstly I wouldn’t attempt CEX2DEX conversion if you don’t know Linux! – I take no responsibility for your actions or bricks you may cause by following this tutorial!.


You have to be on 3.55 CFW or less for this method to work!.


Followed the below steps from Gitbrew & devwiki with a little modification.

1. Download and install PS3 Dual Boot GameOS/Linux CFW 3.55 - 3.55 with SS Patches. 1/2 hdd to OtherOS++

2. When installation is finished, reboot in Recovery Mode (not the Backup/Restore in XMB) and choose "Restore PS3 System"

3. Now your GameOS should use only the half of your HDD

4. Install and run setup_flash_for_otheros.pkg from the xmb.

5. Reboot (It's important to shut down and then turn on your PS3)

6. Store dtbImage.ps3.bin on root of USB drive, plug it in, Install and run install_otheros.pkg (Try different USB ports if you don't get any beeps.)

7. Install and run boot_otheros.pkg

8. Install and run reboot.pkg (use the package, not manually reboot!)

9. You should be in petitboot now. 'Exit to shell' with the USB Keboard's down arrows and press enter, (3rd option).

10. Download script create_hdd_region.sh onto root of your USB pen
• Plug USB Pen into PS3.
• Now Type
Code:

mount /dev/sda1 /mnt

Code:

cd /mnt

Code:

chmod 755 create_hdd_region.sh

Code:

./create_hdd_region.sh

**Make sure you have no errors, it will error here if you didn't put the PS3 into recovery mode (Step 2 Above)**

11. Reboot completely, shutdown and restart the PS3, run boot_otheros.pkg from the xmb

12. Run reboot.pkg from the xmb (use the package, not manually reboot!)

Installing Debian Linux Via the Nikitis Script.

13. You should be in petitboot now. 'Exit to shell' with the USB Keboard's down arrows and press enter, (3rd option).
• Now Type.
Code:

git clone git://github.com/nikitis/PS3-Debian-Installer
**wait for the prompt to appear....

• Now Type.
Code:

chmod 755 PS3-Debian-Installer/debian-installer.sh

• Now Type.
Code:

./PS3-Debian-Installer/debian-installer.sh

P.S. I was having a problem connecting to the git here with my router and had to connect the PS3 directly to the modem. (Not sure if its my router but thought I would mention it for troubleshooting issues.

INSTALLATION IN PROGRESS!
The Nikitis script does most of the work for you, couple of steps where you need to add a new user and enter the password for root, configure locales and then configure kernel. <-- keep reading I talk you through all this!. -->
Depending on your Internet connection depends how long the downloads take, I did this on a 50MB connection and took just over 45 Minutes.

I enabled all locales and left the kernel as default. (Probably screwed up with the locales but I thought it was better to be safe than sorry )

INSTALLATION COMPLETE!
Your see it say.. complete... rebooting etc.. but before you reboot remember to remove the usb pen from the ps3.

P.S. The system complains about connected usb devices at boot and hangs causing you to hard restart by pulling the power cable.
The keyboard being connected is ok its just the usb pen.
(my case could be unique? But thought id mention it for troubleshooting)

Linux has finished Installing! - Should be rebooting but if it drops you back to xmb then run boot_otheros.pkg & reboot.pkg.. then select the top option!

PS3 Linux booted;

At the terminal prompt, login with your username and password, the one you created during the install.

I wouldn’t normally do this for security purposes, however for CEX2DEX.
now type;
Code:

su

Enter the roots password you created during install.

1; Insert the usb pen and mount it. (The USB Pen might* get mounted automatically, to check type 'mount' without the prompts and look for the usb pen in the out put)
example of output and what your looking for; <-- Your output will be different - Dont panic -->
Code:

/dev/disk0s2 on / (hfs, local, journaled)
devfs on /dev (devfs, local, nobrowse)
map -hosts on /net (autofs, nosuid, automounted, nobrowse)
map auto_home on /home (autofs, automounted, nobrowse)
/dev/disk1s1 on /Volumes/NO NAME (msdos, local, nodev, nosuid, noowners)
/dev/sda1 on /some_random_mount_point

If you can see the pen in the mount output above
Code:

umount /dev/sda1
**This will un-mount the usb pen, Now mount it again to the mount point below (just follow on from below)**

If you cant see your pen in the above output type the following;
Code:

mount –rw /dev/sda1 /mnt
**This will mount the usb pen onto /mnt**

Code:

cd /mnt
Changes to the /mnt directory - simillar to 'cd' in dos.

Code:

ls
**ls <--its like 'dir' in dos**

**To confirm the usb pen has mounted to the correct point (command above) – you should see the files you have on the pen**

Lets dump a couple of flashes and compare, To make sure they’re identical!!.
We are dumping the flashes directly to the usb pen don’t remove the device during the command process, it can take a while.. 6 to 12 Minutes for each dump to complete. but!! you want 2 dumps to make sure you ps3 has no problems reading the flash.
type;
Code:

dd if=/dev/ps3nflasha of=/mnt/flashCEX.bin bs=1024

when the prompt appears again type;
Code:

dd if=/dev/ps3nflasha of=/mnt/flashCEX1.bin bs=1024

**Confirm the files created are 16777216 bytes in size**

Running both commands above will create 2 new dumps of your ps3 flash – on the root of the usb pen, flashCEX.bin & flashCEX1.bin.

(Highly recommended to burn both files to disk.. make a backup make a few, this file is IMPORTANT!!! If you screw up, you can flash this file back via ie..E3 flasher or progskeet)(you also need a way to enter service mode ie..Usb payload dongle)

Un-mount the usb pen;
Code:

umount /dev/sda1

**Leave PS3 Linux on, your need it again shortly**

I loaded both bin files into hex edit (free app) and hit the compare and went to edit compare to confirm both files are identical, but you could md5

If both files are identical continue. If not, ask for help at ps3hax.net

Load flashCEX.bin into CEX2DEX (top option) hit the button and it will pop up save to box – save this file as metldr.

Download the pre-compiled version of metldrpwn from; wiki.gitbrew.org/wikibrew/Metldrpwn
Extract to desktop

Copy the metldr file you just created in CEX2DEX into metldrpwn folder on desktop, now copy the metldrpwn folder over to the root of the usb pen.

Back to PS3 linux mount the usb pen and run metldrpwn
Code:

mount –rw /dev/sda1 /mnt

Code:

cd /mnt/

Code:

sudo chmod -R 755 metldrpwn

Code:

cd metledrpwn

Code:

sudo make

Code:

./run.sh

**when you run ./run.sh your looking for (problem status 089) <--confirms all is good, if you haven’t got problem status 089 then do not continue. Ask for help at ps3hax.net.

If you have problem status 089 continue;
sudo cp /proc/metldrpwn/dump /mnt/dump (<--copies the file named dump back to the usb pen, you need this dump for CEX2DEX)
umount /dev/sda1 (<--unmounts the usb pen)

**Leave the PS3 Linux on, your need it again shortly**

load CEX2DEX on windows
top line goes the original flash again (flashCEX.bin)
bottom line goes the dump file you got from metldrpwn, named ‘dump’
If everything went ok with CEX2DEX it will create a new file, name it flashDEX.bin.
If CEX2DEX doesn’t give you this option scroll down and check the error. (Ask for help)

Copy flashDEX.bin over to the usb pen’s root.

Back to linux mount the usb pen again
Code:

mount –rw /dev/sda1 /mnt

Code:

cd /mnt

At this point your about to flash the NOR chip of your PS3 with the flashDEX.bin file. Before you continue make sure you have followed every step and read ps3devwiki.com/ and know exactly what your doing!!!.


I take no responsibly for your actions and PS3 bricks.


If you screw this next bit up you can still save the ps3 but you need either an E3 or progskeet hardware flasher to flash over the flashCEX.bin to the nor (Beyond the scope of this tutorial.. but HERE is an awesome tut to follow!..P.S. you also need a downgrade dongle like E3 card reader or others.)

Ok so you read the warning and you still wanna do this right???.
**Make sure you run this command from the PS3 and not via SSH (ssh = connected terminal)

Now Type.

Code:

dd if=/mnt/flashDEX.bin of=/dev/ps3nflasha bs=1024
**(BEFORE YOU HIT ENTER MAKE SURE ITS CASE SENSITIVE!!)**

Now the command above^ will kick up some errors, on my Nor PS3 this took about 10/12 minutes to complete, what ever you do, do not switch off the PS3, kill the command or stop the command from completing!, do not interfere, the ps3 will drop you back to the prompt!.

Now Type.

Code:

umount /dev/sda1

Code:

sudo shutdown –h now

ps3 shuts down.

Restart PS3.

Drop the ps3 into RECOVERY MODE, your notice that recovery mode is booting pettiboot,
exit to shell.

Now Type.

Code:

ps3-boot-gameos

The PS3 will now boot into XMB on a CEX unit, shutdown the PS3 and enter RECOVERY MODE

Connect the PS3 Controller via USB to the PS3.

Goto 'system update' make sure you have a DEX PUP on the USB PEN (The usual when you do an update via USB...Go here..
ps3devwiki.com/files/firmware/OFW-DEX/


i take no credit