This is Only for the Slim Model PS3
Not For the Super slim model
NEW Minimum Firmware Version Check Guide here PS3 Model Check here
Why downgrade to firmware 3.55
Products Like 3K3Y require your console drive key.
The drive key can currently only be extracted if your running software version 3.55 or lower. If your software is 3.56 or higher you need a downgrade to install and play games from a external USB hard drive
AusGameStore Can Now offer a Downgrade service for the PS3 Slim model console. We can revert your current software/Firmware thats currently on 3.56 or higher, downgrade to Version 3.55. This process requires the game console for a few Hours and will restore version 3.55 Original Sony Firmware, Ready For putting Into Factory Service Mode for Custom Firmware (CFW) to be installed, thus allowing extraction of the DVD drive Key for USB game disc loaders like the 3K3Y device. More information about the 3K3Y here
E3 Flasher display
Not every slim console is compatible with this downgrade you need to do some checks first to see if it will work
The First thing to check is what software Version you are currently running click here......
Second Not every PS3 console can be downgraded
Next check the model number of your PS3 console to see if it can be done here here....
Third Check with your Model Information Here....
The firmware @ release date needs to be 3.55 or lower
Downgrading the Playstation 3 Software is Ideal for those who want to run Linux Operating system
A downgrade is required for PS3 consoles that are running Software higher than 3.55, the many USB loaders and ODE drive emulators currently available on the market require the drive key to function correctly without this key the ODE devices are useless.
Drive key can only be extracted if you are running Software 3.55 or lower, or have CFW installed.
Usually the console needs to be examined by us to be 100% sure it can be done by running a program called minimum version checker
The Models CECHJ02, CECHK02, CECHH02, CECH2002A,CECH2002B, CECH2102A, CECH2102B,
seem to be fine for the Downgrade
These Models may be OK CECH2502A, CECH2502B more info here
Ideally the Flash Memory should be a NOR and the Minimum Firmware release at release date Value should be lower that 3.55 There is more information on the console models here ..
Sounds confusing well we can do all the checking just call and book a day and time you may need to leave the console with us for a day or two, the process is quite complicated and time consuming but the benefits are you can play PS3 games from a USB hard drive.
If you are looking at getting the 3k3y installed, the Software and also the hardware needs to be compatible.
About The E3 Flasher PS3 Downgrade Hardware
The E3 Flasher Downgrade Hardware is a device that's installed to the PS3 console. Once activated can Read dump and re-program the NOR Flash Memory chip inside the console.
The NOR Flash chip stores the consoles vital information.
Every PS3 console has its own Unique data stored in the NOR chip. you cannot copy information from one console and store it on another. The NAND information is signed and keyed when manufactured to its own pS3, this information cannot be cloned then used on another console.
E3 Flasher Hardware installed on a PS3 Slim Model CECH2002A ready for the downgrade process
The E3 Flasher Requires hardware installation to the console to read and write the TSOP Flash Memory NOR Chip
the Memory NOR Flash chip inside the PS3 Slim console.
a View of the Memory NOR chip inside the PS3 this chip is only accessible once the console is dismantled removal of heat-sinks, until the board is completely bare.
System Information and unique console identification is stored in the Flash chip. Every PS3 console is Unique and has specific console information stored. If this memory becomes corrupted the console can be rendered useless.
this chip is only accessible once the console is Fully Dismantled, including removal of heat-sinks, until the board is completely bare.
Motherboard removed from the PS3 Slim ready for downgrading, Orange connector from NOR flash chip to E3 Flasher hardware device
What is required to dump the Flash Memory binary file is a connection to the data and also address lines of the NOR Flash Memory chip inside the console. once this is done the Nor memory can be Read then dumped to a PC for analysis, conversion to lower firmware then re-flashed back to the NOR chip. If one step of the downgrade is missed or wrong the PS3 can be bricked (no longer operational) and recovery can be Sometimes difficult thats why we need the console for a day.
This is a schematic diagram of the TSOP Memory chip inside the PS3 Slim Model console
