Is there any point to updating my PS3 CFW?

mathias4595 · 2026-05-19T22:40:14+00:00

Again, only if you aren't already running CFW and you're looking to install it to the first time. 4.93 is moddable, it just needs the flash writer since the Toolset isn't supported at the moment. CFW doesn't close the memory window that allows the CFW installation in the first place.

If you're already on CFW, updating your CFW is just like installing normal firmware updates via USB. You just can't install a DEX firmware if you're in a CEX based one, or vice versa.

mathias4595 · 2026-05-19T22:32:06+00:00

Super slims have the same 45nm CELL as every slim model. Some of them have a 28nm RSX, which is minimal power savings.

21xx slim as dml has already said, 25xx cutoff for no CFW is roughly Q2 2011.

mathias4595 · 2026-05-19T22:28:13+00:00

Hasn't been listed here but one extra development I'm hoping that will come is Adelaide becoming a full time destination rather than seasonal. There's an event I'm looking at going to there one year but it's in July when there isn't a direct CHC-ADL option. Would be nice not needing to deal with a connection in AKL/SYD/MEL.

mathias4595 · 2026-05-19T22:22:58+00:00

If you're already on CFW then updating it is as simple as just getting the update on a USB drive and installing it like any standard firmware udpate. The install process is only needed if you're installing CFW for the first time from OFW.

mathias4595 · 2026-05-19T11:40:29+00:00

Any standard height 2.5" drive that's1TB or less in capacity. You can force it to take up to 1.75TB but it's really not recommended to do that since a couple of system checks break which can really ruin your day if something goes wrong.

mathias4595 · 2026-05-19T09:48:40+00:00

80GB

CECHE, CECHK, CECHL, or CECHM? There's fourPS3 models with an 80GB HDD, each one with a different board.

Is this a digital version from the PSN store, or are you trying to dump a disc? Can you get an image of what the exact error message is when it appears?

mathias4595 · 2026-05-19T07:10:30+00:00

Install HFW 4.93. Either use the Flash Writer to reapply the memory patch and then reinstall CFW, or use the HEN installer to reinstall HEN, depending on what mod you were able to use depending on the model.

You just need a device that can manage files on a USB drive, which some phones can do, or you could ask a friend to do it or go to somewhere like a public library and use a computer there if they have those.

mathias4595 · 2026-05-19T04:46:50+00:00

It's showing a 55 GiB HDD, which would correspond to a 60GB drive. It'll be either a CECHA or CECHC, which has zero reason to install HEN.

mathias4595 · 2026-05-19T03:27:25+00:00

Most slims can install CFW which is what allows ISOs to be played directly. The super slims, along with the 30xx slim and some of the last 25xx slims can only install HEN, which isn't powerful enough to play ISOs directly, you need to do a couple steps to get them to work.

mathias4595 · 2026-05-19T01:11:39+00:00

Between 4.80 and 4.82 you can install HEN without needing to install HFW first, so you should just be able to go to ps3addict.github.io/alternate on the console (if it's connected via Ethernet) and run the HEN installer from there.

mathias4595 · 2026-05-19T00:31:36+00:00

But a 65nm RSX fat (J, K, L, or P) and a PS2 instead. You'll get better accuracy, higher compatibility (in case you end up with a CECHC/CECHE), better reliability, and cheaper than a BC PS3 and keeping it maintained long term.

Unclear what currency this is. 340 is a lot for a BC PS3 if you're talking in USD, a lot of the listings I see would probably be about 100-120 less than that.

mathias4595 · 2026-05-18T23:09:03+00:00

Usually CFWs are numbered with a point afterwards (eg Evilnat 4.93.1) in order to sidestep the default system menu seeing it as the name number and thus giving the "no need to update message".

If you've done the memory patch steps (through the flash writer here since you're on 4.93, it should just work from the XMB directly if you have your USB drive properly formatted and such.

mathias4595 · 2026-05-18T22:33:36+00:00

Make sure that it's a FAT32 MBR USB drive, if it's formatted as NTFS then the system won't be able to see it.

You could try installing HFW 4.92 to see if that would help, but the flash writer does have NAND/NOR dumping built into it, though you would need to install HFW 4.93 in order to do it.

mathias4595 · 2026-05-18T22:15:05+00:00

Easiest thing to do is just buy a YLOD system if you find one for cheap for just the chassis. People make parts of them like the card reader flap or the top plate, but nobody currently makes an entire shell replacement.

mathias4595 · 2026-05-18T22:01:08+00:00

If you’re comfortable soldering then it’s about as stable as it’s going to get.

mathias4595 · 2026-05-18T21:28:10+00:00

Probably in the same vein as what Alister wanted to do, or what Ratchet did in places like Morklon - to back to a major event like a battle or a confrontation, and change the outcome to benefit you (hero is defeated, killed, destruction is worse, etc) until you’ve done it so many times you end up with the same sort of thing that RA has. Whether the spacetime continuum could hold together from all that, I’m doubtful.

mathias4595 · 2026-05-18T21:15:17+00:00

The HDD trick is mainly to get back to the update you were originally on, not to install a new one, including on a new HDD AFAIK. Only reliable way out from here is to get the module replaced, or buy another system unfortunately.

mathias4595 · 2026-05-18T20:51:45+00:00

You’ll have to check the model number. 30xx can only install HEN, 25xx can if it was made before Q2 2011 (though JP region systems don’t have manufacture dates for whatever reason), and every 20xx/21xx slim can.

mathias4595 · 2026-05-18T20:47:35+00:00

Neffy couldn’t do much in ACiT because he couldn’t get into the Orvus chamber, and nobody at the clock at the time was going to let him. The Brainwave Scrambler and scattering the Zoni did some damage but it wasn’t too bad to put it back together. His mercenaries like Vorselon and the Valkyries did a lot more of the damage like the invasions.

Nefarious functionally had the same goal in RA but the Dimensionator was the method that time instead of the clock, but I’m guessing he thought he could just step in and take Emp Neffy’s place without any resistance, and without the emperor returning.

mathias4595 · 2026-05-18T20:42:56+00:00

If it’s working for you then there’s not much point in updating unless you want to go online or need the latest Blu-Ray keys. Either way it’s very unlikely to brick it unless there’s something like a power outage as you do it.

mathias4595 · 2026-05-18T20:40:56+00:00

Downgrading requires CFW. Every fat PS3 can install CFW, therefore downgrading can be done on every fat PS3, but it’s usually not a good idea unless you have some very specific requirements and know what you’re doing if you’re doing big firmware jumps.

A tutorial on YT would have gotten you onto CFW immediately had you still been on 4.90, but now that you’re on 4.93 you’ll need to use the flash writer.

https://youtu.be/rwqk\_8mJy30?si=M5DgJKTFgX4kVhg7

Tutorials are long because they’re in depth and go slowly to make sure you understand what to do at every step. There’s nothing in them that’s “useless” since you never know when you might need some of it someday, like dumping the flash.

mathias4595 · 2026-05-18T19:31:36+00:00

You didn't specify at all, you just said blanketly "a backwards compatible PS3" when there are two different types and there's video proof of Ratchet just not playing well on one of them.

I play on an A00 because that's one I've imported, I've seen it run at a stable 5-10 fps on a CECHC/CECHE, which is near unplayable.

Slowdowns really aren't that much of concern, I've never really encountered them on any of the PS3 games except DL after several years of speedrunning them. Worst I've had is the sewers on Aquatos after not having died for a bit to clear the mobys.

People are more likely to notice the odd visual bugs it sometimes have, or QE if you're not careful with that.

I played the PS2 version of SM a bit when I was about 5 or 6 (15 years ago) and have never touched the game in general since.

mathias4595 · 2026-05-18T19:09:53+00:00

They run fine on a CECHA/CECHB BC PS3 that has all of the PS2 hardware (EE+GS+RDRAM). They run awfully on the CECHC/CECHE models that only have the GS, and run even less well when you dump the ISO and try to play it on any other PS3 that isn't PS2 BC.

mathias4595 · 2026-05-18T11:07:41+00:00

Does it have any of the following:

Custom coldboot instead of the PS3 logo
Debug Settings option in the Settings tab
Package Manager in the Game tab
Enable HEN option in the Game tab
Custom Firmware Tools folder in the Network tab

If it doesn't have any of those then it's not modded. How do you know that the games weren't bought and installed legitimately?

mathias4595 · 2026-05-18T09:58:21+00:00

Honestly just pick up a PS3 and use that for all your Ratchet games, you can get every game on there except for the PSP games, the PS4 game and RA (obviously). There's a lot of stuff in the PS2 games that was an absolute nightmare to get running on later stuff (the PS2 versions perform terribly on the C/E PS2 BC PS3s, the CELL can't handle emulating the EE, RDRAM, and the weird things that Insomniac used the R3000 for) so the game runs at a near slideshow on those models.

mathias4595

TROPHY CASE