PS3 4.88.2 Evilnat Cobra (8.3) Custom FirmWare (CFW-CEX) Released

Coro · Jul 9, 2021

Risu said:
For some reason I don't have the Custom Firmware Tools under Network menu. I first installed the custom firmware on 4.84 with PS3Xploit and did the reinstall. Then installed EvilNat 4.87 over it, twice. Then after EvilNat 4.88 came out, installed that over EvilNat 4.87, twice. Still no Custom Firmware Tools menu.

Rebug Toolbox says Cobra 8.30 is active.

are you installing any mods or toolboxes after you install evilnat?

pinky · Jul 9, 2021

very strange. custom firmware tools has existed for years, so I'm surprised it wasn't even on 4.84 for you. I can't remember if it was on ferrox, but it was on rebug 4.84.

aldostools · Jul 9, 2021

@Evilnat Maybe you could implement this code in Cobra 8.3 for lock Sign In to PSN using @DeViL303's npsignin_plugin.rco when CFW syscalls are enabled. It requires a copy of the modded rco saved in dev_flash as /dev_flash/vsh/resource/npsignin_plugin.lck

The lock is removed when the CFW syscalls are disabled and locked again if the CFW syscalls are restored.

main.c

Code:

void create_syscalls(void)
{
    create_syscall2(8, syscall8);
    create_syscall2(6, sys_cfw_peek);
    create_syscall2(7, sys_cfw_poke);
    create_syscall2(9, sys_cfw_lv1_poke);
    create_syscall2(10, sys_cfw_lv1_call);
    create_syscall2(11, sys_cfw_lv1_peek);
    create_syscall2(15, sys_cfw_lv2_func);

    // Lock Sign In to PSN if DeViL303's rco exists
    CellFsStat stat;
    if(cellFsStat("/dev_flash/vsh/resource/npsignin_plugin.lck", &stat) == SUCCEEDED)
        map_path("/dev_flash/vsh/resource/npsignin_plugin.rco", "/dev_flash/vsh/resource/npsignin_plugin.lck", 0);
}

main.c -> syscall8()

Code:

case SYSCALL8_OPCODE_STEALTH_ACTIVATE: //KW PSNPatch stealth extension compatibility
{
    map_path("/dev_flash/vsh/resource/npsignin_plugin.rco", NULL, 0);
    uint64_t syscall_not_impl = *(uint64_t *)MKA(syscall_table_symbol);
    //*(uint64_t *)MKA(syscall_table_symbol+ 8* 8) = syscall_not_impl;
    ps3mapi_partial_disable_syscall8 = 2; //NzV Edit: Keep PS3M_API Features only.
    *(uint64_t *)MKA(syscall_table_symbol + 8 * 9) = syscall_not_impl;
    *(uint64_t *)MKA(syscall_table_symbol + 8 * 10) = syscall_not_impl;
    *(uint64_t *)MKA(syscall_table_symbol + 8 * 11) = syscall_not_impl;
    *(uint64_t *)MKA(syscall_table_symbol + 8 * 15) = syscall_not_impl;
    *(uint64_t *)MKA(syscall_table_symbol + 8 * 35) = syscall_not_impl;
    *(uint64_t *)MKA(syscall_table_symbol + 8 * 36) = syscall_not_impl;
    *(uint64_t *)MKA(syscall_table_symbol + 8 * 38) = syscall_not_impl;
    *(uint64_t *)MKA(syscall_table_symbol + 8 * 6) = syscall_not_impl;
    *(uint64_t *)MKA(syscall_table_symbol + 8 * 7) = syscall_not_impl;
    return SYSCALL8_STEALTH_OK;
}
break;

EDIT:
I think it would be a good idea to use in create_syscalls() the new map_path feature "/./" to protect the mapping from accidental removal of the mapping by the backup managers.

map_path("/dev_flash/vsh/resource/npsignin_plugin.rco", "/./dev_flash/vsh/resource/npsignin_plugin.lck", 0);

Rochdaleguy · Jul 9, 2021

I've updated to latest version but if I click on Create license: it says Cobra 8.3 required???

aldostools · Jul 9, 2021

Rochdaleguy said:
I've updated to latest version but if I click on Create license: it says Cobra 8.3 required???

Did you remove the CFW syscalls before click that option? Most of these features require syscall 8 enabled.

Many of the error messages in xai_plugin are misleading. Many of them say "Cobra 8.3 required" instead of "CFW syscalls are disabled'. The user may think that there is a problem with the version of Cobra, when the real cause it the status of the syscalls.

LuanTeles · Jul 9, 2021

@Evilnat

I need to use the DEX explorer_plugin.sprx, but it will break the compatibility with the ps2 games, i never messed with it, but i think i need to calculate your sprx hash, the dex one and replace it yours with mine inside stage2.bin, is it right?

Or can you include it by default?

LuanTeles · Jul 9, 2021

I broke the mention lol

@Evilnat

aldostools · Jul 9, 2021

LuanTeles said:
@Evilnat

I need to use the DEX explorer_plugin.sprx, but it will break the compatibility with the ps2 games, i never messed with it, but i think i need to calculate your sprx hash, the dex one and replace it yours with mine inside stage2.bin, is it right?

Or can you include it by default?

You need to replace the hashes in the following module and compile stage2
https://github.com/Evilnat/Cobra-PS3/blob/master/8.3/4.88/NORMAL/CEX/SRC/stage2/modulespatch.h

It could work hex editing the hashes in stage2.bin, but it is safer to compile the project. It is open source code, use it!

#define EXPLORE_PLUGIN_HASH 0xc50d0000000e0000

bguerville · Jul 9, 2021

aldostools said:
Did you remove the CFW syscalls before click that option? Most of these features require syscall 8 enabled.

Many of the error messages in xai_plugin are misleading. Many of them say "Cobra 8.3 required" instead of "CFW syscalls are disabled'. The user may think that there is a problem with the version of Cobra, when the real cause it the status of the syscalls.

Good point.
I think that's something Nat might want to look into.

LuanTeles · Jul 9, 2021

aldostools said:
You need to replace the hashes in the following module and compile stage2
https://github.com/Evilnat/Cobra-PS3/blob/master/8.3/4.88/NORMAL/CEX/SRC/stage2/modulespatch.h

It could work hex editing the hashes in stage2.bin, but it is safer to compile the project. It is open source code, use it!

#define EXPLORE_PLUGIN_HASH 0xc50d0000000e0000
View attachment 34121

thanks Aldo

Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song · Jul 9, 2021

@bgurville

I have some questions I was wondering if you or other forum members could assist me with...

1. My current CFW modded PS3 is a 60GB model (CECHC03); its one of those PS2 Bw/C models that gets very hot. My original unit became faulty with YLOD many years ago; it lasted about 3-4 years of light usage, unknowingly slowly cooking itself due to $0nY's inadequate OFW stock fan control. The unit I have now only has about 12 days of continuous power-on usage according to the WebManMOD browser screen. One of the reasons I wanted to install Evilnat's CFW was to have better fan control and hopefully reduce the risk of this console reaching the same YLOD fate that my old one did. The debate on what most commonly causes YLOD on Bw/C PS3s and the supposed 'long term fixes' are widely contested on the internet - what is your opinion on the subject?
____

2. With an ambient room temperature of approximately 24*C / 75.2*F this system is idling at the XMB menu at around 41%~ fan speed; a 'dynamic control' target max temperature of 60*C / 140*F is set in WebManMOD; playing a game like Uncharted 3 brings it up to 56%~ fan speed. When balancing fan noise and overheating damage, is a target temperarue of 60*C good-enough to keep this system safe from future YLOD in the long-term? Should I set a lower more aggressive (louder), a or more relaxed higher target (quieter), or keep as it is?
____

3. What fan % speed do you recommend to be set in WebManMOD for PS2 emulation mode where dynamic control is not available?
____

4. When playing a PS2 ISO emulated game, the console does not detect the presence of my DualShock 4 or DualSense controllers and I am only able to play PS2 games with the original DualShock 3; is this a known limitation and is there a workaround?
____

5. After closing a PS2 game, the PS3 seems to turn itself off then back on before returning to the XMB menu; is this a normal hardware behaviour?
____

6. Using Evilnat's CFW, is it possible to restore the 'OtherOS' feaure that was hidden in earlier OFW to allow installing of linux on a different partition?
____

7. After using the Triangle+R2 button combination to 'unlock' PSN access (I think this is a WebManMOD feature?), is it possible to re-lock afterwards and re-enable syscalls/homebrew access after signing-out of PSN negating the need to restart the system?
____

8. Is it possible to convert PS3 ISOs I created from my BD game discs to PSN-style format so they can be launced directly from the XMB without the need to emulate a physical disc?
____

9. For existing account safety I have created a new PSN ID for use with my CFW PS3. Some games I have installed .PKG PSN versions of instead of creating ISOs of my own BD discs as it seems to save space on internal storage. When copying game saves from my OFW 4.86 PS3 Slim to this CFW console, many titles don't seem to acknowledge the existance of my current save files, instead insisting I create new and start from the beginning.

This doesn't affect all titles - for example Ridge Racer 7 and Mirror's Edge seem to load previous save data, Split/Second loads the data but at launch always prompts me that my "save file and trophy data do not match, would you like to delete the save file?", whilst other games like InFamous and Tomb Raider: Underworld don't recongise my previous save data at all.

I have tried resigning the save data using the apollo save tool app for the new PSN account, changing the title ID where I am using a PSN version of a game instead of a BD/ISO, but so far I cannot get many games to play-nice with my previous saves. Can you advise how I could try resolve this?

bguerville · Jul 9, 2021

1. I am not the expert on YLOD, I have never had a YLOD issue myself either, I think I would ask @RIP-Felix or the other guys currently contributing to various hardware related threads including the one on Frankenstein 40nm RSX setup on backward compatible PHAT models.
They should be able to tell you what you need to know about YLOD & how to help prevent problems.
From what I understand, causes for YLOD are varied, sometimes a reballing will solve it, other times the tantalum fix will do the trick, etc.. The BGA setup is crap to begin with anyway..
You can use the logged errors from the syscon in order to diagnose the YLOD issue, there is a dedicated thread on this topic in which contributors did a wonderful job.
There is also a fairly recent thread in this forum talking specifically about YLOD & its causes, trying to debunk a number of myths, I would refer to that if I were you.
I won't comment on whether or not other sources of ylod information are confusing & contradictory, I can only say that to my knowledge the info posted on this topic in various threads in this forum can be taken seriously, research is still on going, new data comes out regularly, as we learn new things, drawn conclusions may evolve with time.

2. I always use target temperatures between 68C & 70C, depending on the console's tendency to heat up, in order to keep the fan speed under 50% at all times. Any more than that is way too noisy.
If you already changed the thermal paste & pads and did a good job, there is nothing more you can do without either delidding to change the internal paste that is probably dry (very risky especially if you don't have any experience) or attempting some customisations to improve the cooling (possible but not very easy either).

3. That largely depends on the console's propension to heat up I suppose. You need to establish the minimum fan percentage in order to keep the temps overall under 70C through series of trials.
At my end, I found in tests that my slims handle the emulator pretty well & their fans can generally be kept a bit lower than with PS3 games but I don't play PS2 games on them.
Additionally the ps2 emulator may naturally run at very different temps on your backward compatible PHAT, I cannot provide you with any proper references for comparison purposes.

4. I dunno, I have never tried BUT it's quite likely. The ps2 emulator takes the place of the GameOS kernel therefore it uses its own gamepad support implementation.
It makes sense to find differences in pad handling & I would not be surprised if that meant DS3 support only.

5. Yes it's normal behaviour. At the ps3 software lower level, you have what we call an hypervisor, it's like a virtual machine manager, it can run different OSes. The ps2 emulator is not an app running in GameOS, it is an OS just like GameOS or OtherOS(Linux), so when you start a ps2 game, the hypervisor puts GameOS in some kind of hibernation & launches the ps2 emulator OS. When you exit the ps2 game, the hypervisor closes the ps2 emulator OS & restores GameOS, hence the black screen delay when switching OS.

6. No, you would have to apply some patches either with Mfwbuilder or manually so that the PUP handling system would know to create the necessary partitions during the installation phase. What you might be able to do however is launch OtherOS from an external USB drive. In any case that is what I would suggest you do first before deciding to mess with the internal hdd structure, there is no updated Linux distros to install, Red Ribbon is old & unless you are a dev wanting to research the system or a skilled Linuxer willing to work on an updated distro, it will probably not satisfy your needs. But if you are 100% sure you want to use OtherOS on internal hdd, there is always the solution to downgrade using an available CFW prepatched for OtherOS installation (iirc there are some Rebug & some MLT CFWs with different OtherOS partition sizes), the downgrade CFW installation would take care of the hdd prepping then you could update to a 4.8x CFW, alternatively you could even go back to an older 3.xx OFW & install OtherOS in the official way. It would be quite straightforward if you really wanted to do it. Keep in mind that in order to downgrade you must first enable QA with CFW Settings, it's recommended to keep QA enabled all the time as it unlocks abilities that could potentially save your bacon the day you encounter system software complications, if that ever happens, but it's like keeping a backup of eid_root_key & of the Flash memory, neglecting to do it could mean the loss of your data or the death of the console one day because of a user error & just a bad luck power outage at the wrong time. A console on CFW gives root permissions to the apps you run therefore the user becomes able to damage his own software system.

7. You will need to ask @aldostools about this as personally I use the PSNPatch plugin to deal with that. Generally speaking, the reboot has been necessary for a simple reason, once syscalls are disabled & in some setups, plugins like wMM or PSNPatch have been unloaded, you can no longer reload the custom plugins or re-enable the syscalls.
Having said that, at some point, code was added to perform some semi disabling of syscalls ie all syscalls disabled except one to give you opportunity to re-enable all syscalls. I don't really know how Aldo may have made use of that possibility in the wMM features you are asking about.

8. The only tools that can do something like that are CFW2OFW tools that will transform a disc game into a NP game as long as at least one pkg update exists for that game, games without updates cannot be converted.
That is what the old HAN exploit was relying on to bring game backups to OFW users, you can still use HAN signed CFW2OFW converted games on CFW if you really wish but it's an obsolete exploit & it does not make much sense tbph.
I would never use this on CFW myself though, for a number of reasons I much prefer ISO & keeping all original files but you are free to bother converting all your games.
Imho the best setup is iso games located on a ntfs external USB disk, I happened to have a spare SSD so that's what I use for this, it's flexible, files can be managed just as easily & quickly on PC or on PS3, no need for ftp transfers & the likes, it doesn't clog up your internal hdd & the game perfs are as good as you can get on a PS3, I find games running better than with the BD but also better than iso or JB folder games stored on internal hdd.

9. You need to ask @bucanero (Apollo Save Tool dev) or @aldostools (Bruteforce Save Data dev) about this, you can reuse your previous saves in most cases as long as they are properly resigned with the correct ids, there might still be a few problematic games, the devs should be able to tell you which ones & propose workarounds if any exist.

Generally speaking, you may also find some answers to your questions in the wiki, it's a mine of information & more is added all the time.
https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3

Zwei · Jul 9, 2021

Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song said:
@bgurville

I have some questions I was wondering if you or other forum members could assist me with...

1. My current CFW modded PS3 is a 60GB model (CECHC03); its one of those PS2 Bw/C models that gets very hot. My original unit became faulty with YLOD many years ago; it lasted about 3-4 years of light usage, unknowingly slowly cooking itself due to $0nY's inadequate OFW stock fan control. The unit I have now only has about 12 days of continuous power-on usage according to the WebManMOD browser screen. One of the reasons I wanted to install Evilnat's CFW was to have better fan control and hopefully reduce the risk of this console reaching the same YLOD fate that my old one did. The debate on what most commonly causes YLOD on Bw/C PS3s and the supposed 'long term fixes' are widely contested on the internet - what is your opinion on the subject?
____

2. With an ambient room temperature of approximately 24*C / 75.2*F this system is idling at the XMB menu at around 41%~ fan speed; a 'dynamic control' target max temperature of 60*C / 140*F is set in WebManMOD; playing a game like Uncharted 3 brings it up to 56%~ fan speed. When balancing fan noise and overheating damage, is a target temperarue of 60*C good-enough to keep this system safe from future YLOD in the long-term? Should I set a lower more aggressive (louder), a or more relaxed higher target (quieter), or keep as it is?
____

3. What fan % speed do you recommend to be set in WebManMOD for PS2 emulation mode where dynamic control is not available?
____

4. When playing a PS2 ISO emulated game, the console does not detect the presence of my DualShock 4 or DualSense controllers and I am only able to play PS2 games with the original DualShock 3; is this a known limitation and is there a workaround?
____

5. After closing a PS2 game, the PS3 seems to turn itself off then back on before returning to the XMB menu; is this a normal hardware behaviour?
____

6. Using Evilnat's CFW, is it possible to restore the 'OtherOS' feaure that was hidden in earlier OFW to allow installing of linux on a different partition?
____

7. After using the Triangle+R2 button combination to 'unlock' PSN access (I think this is a WebManMOD feature?), is it possible to re-lock afterwards and re-enable syscalls/homebrew access after signing-out of PSN negating the need to restart the system?
____

8. Is it possible to convert PS3 ISOs I created from my BD game discs to PSN-style format so they can be launced directly from the XMB without the need to emulate a physical disc?
____

9. For existing account safety I have created a new PSN ID for use with my CFW PS3. Some games I have installed .PKG PSN versions of instead of creating ISOs of my own BD discs as it seems to save space on internal storage. When copying game saves from my OFW 4.86 PS3 Slim to this CFW console, many titles don't seem to acknowledge the existance of my current save files, instead insisting I create new and start from the beginning.

This doesn't affect all titles - for example Ridge Racer 7 and Mirror's Edge seem to load previous save data, Split/Second loads the data but at launch always prompts me that my "save file and trophy data do not match, would you like to delete the save file?", whilst other games like InFamous and Tomb Raider: Underworld don't recongise my previous save data at all.

I have tried resigning the save data using the apollo save tool app for the new PSN account, changing the title ID where I am using a PSN version of a game instead of a BD/ISO, but so far I cannot get many games to play-nice with my previous saves. Can you advise how I could try resolve this?

6. Using Evilnat's CFW, is it possible to restore the 'OtherOS' feaure that was hidden in earlier OFW to allow installing of linux on a different partition?

Interesting this question
I remember that this function was present in OFW 3.15

aldostools · Jul 9, 2021

Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song said:
9. For existing account safety I have created a new PSN ID for use with my CFW PS3. Some games I have installed .PKG PSN versions of instead of creating ISOs of my own BD discs as it seems to save space on internal storage. When copying game saves from my OFW 4.86 PS3 Slim to this CFW console, many titles don't seem to acknowledge the existance of my current save files, instead insisting I create new and start from the beginning.

This doesn't affect all titles - for example Ridge Racer 7 and Mirror's Edge seem to load previous save data, Split/Second loads the data but at launch always prompts me that my "save file and trophy data do not match, would you like to delete the save file?", whilst other games like InFamous and Tomb Raider: Underworld don't recongise my previous save data at all.

I have tried resigning the save data using the apollo save tool app for the new PSN account, changing the title ID where I am using a PSN version of a game instead of a BD/ISO, but so far I cannot get many games to play-nice with my previous saves. Can you advise how I could try resolve this?

Saves are tied to several ids (Game ID, PSN Account ID, console id, user account id, etc.). If you changed one or more of them, the save will not work.

If you changed from ISO to PKG the game ID could have changed from retail (BL*S/BC*S) to (NP*A/NP*B). Or you could have changed the region of the game. The EBOOT supports specific game ids and not always support all the regions.

If you transferred the data using the data transfer tool found in Settings column, the system will make the conversion automatically. If you copied the saves manually, you will need to resign all your saves using Apollo Save Tool (on the PS3) or Bruteforce Save Data (on the PC).

If you are using a different PSN account, the saves must be resigned with your new account id. If you use Bruteforce Save Data you must provide the PARAM.SFO of one of your saves as template for your new account id. Also you need to configure the Global Settings with the user id in /dev_hdd0/home assigned to that account. Apollo Save Tool normally is easier to use because the tool gets all the required ids directly from the PS3.

Joskovic · Jul 10, 2021

nCadeRegal said:
Joskovic, use the ps store. No help will be given here for freestores or the likes. It's against our rules.

Thx for the heads up nCadeRegal. I'm sorry if I broke the rules here. Apologize for the newbie mistake.

TheRealRain · Jul 10, 2021

Hello I recently acquired a BC Ps3 Cecha00 and installed CFW 4.88 and wanted to ask if running PS2 ISO's with Webman will run them with hardware mode or software emulation.

Zwei · Jul 10, 2021

TheRealRain said:
Hello I recently acquired a BC Ps3 Cecha00 and installed CFW 4.88 and wanted to ask if running PS2 ISO's with Webman will run them with hardware mode or software emulation.

Does your PS3 have 4 USB ports? yes it works natively

Coro · Jul 10, 2021

TheRealRain said:
Hello I recently acquired a BC Ps3 Cecha00 and installed CFW 4.88 and wanted to ask if running PS2 ISO's with Webman will run them with hardware mode or software emulation.

it should. place the iso under PS2ISO folder in ps3 hdd and webman should do the rest.

Kleon1876 · Jul 10, 2021

Dumb question by what is BD and BT? Which one is blue Ray drive? I'm
Missing one.

bguerville · Jul 10, 2021

Kleon1876 said:
Dumb question by what is BD and BT? Which one is blue Ray drive? I'm
Missing one.

BD is Bluray Drive & BT is Bluetooth.
Both the BD drive + BD controller & the BT/WIFI subsystem must be functional for the system software to work properly and for PUP installations to succeed.
NoBD & NoBT patches will get a PUP installation to succeed even if the BD or BT are not functional on the console however the parts of the system software that specifically rely on BD or BT will still malfunction until the hardware is fixed.

PS3 4.88.2 Evilnat Cobra (8.3) Custom FirmWare (CFW-CEX) Released

Coro

pinky

aldostools

Rochdaleguy

aldostools

LuanTeles

LuanTeles

aldostools

bguerville

LuanTeles

Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song

bguerville

Zwei

aldostools

Joskovic

TheRealRain

Zwei

Coro

Kleon1876

bguerville

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