PS3 Convince me to switch to DEX!

[Coldlm]

I've been thinking about it for a while now, i never had any issues with CEX but i want to try a couple of things that will only work on DEX!

So should i switch?
Why?
Is it easy to switch back to CEX?
Can i connect online on DEX, or do i have to do some steps first?

 

[nCadeRegal]

Now with the progress joonie and team have made it takes only seconds to switch between the two from within rebug toolbox. This is after you have dumped the flash and patched for it. Theres tuts out there just watch following outdated youtube vids

 

[nCadeRegal]

I believe theres a tut on rebug.me. just post here if you have any further questions after reading that.

 

[pinky]

c2d? I was under the impression that that was no longer needed or that there was a much easier way. however, that's the way I still do it.

 

[kozarovv]

So should i switch?

Depend what you want to do.

Why?

Because DEX is not needed in 95% usage scenarios

Is it easy to switch back to CEX?

Yes, 2 "switches" in toolbox, and you are back on CEX

Can i connect online on DEX, or do i have to do some steps first?

For sure you need to know that psnpatch plugin is not fully compatible with DEX. Auto locking psn access on boot is not working.

To convert go to: https://rebug.me/official-rebug-4-81-2-cobra-7-5-toolbox-2-02-12-jan-10th-2017/
Then follow *NEW METHOD SINCE 2.02.02 / 4.65.2* steps.

 

[pinky]

that's what I was thinking - that it could be done from within rebug toolbox. c2d had some issues where it would report errors (hasn't done this to me except for the first time I used it a long time ago), but it would still produce a dex flash. I remember reading @deank 's response to this: it won't create a dex flash dump if there's something wrong. I flashed that dump, and everything was perfectly fine. however, as I said, I no longer get those errors. iirc, c2d is setup to look for a certain file(s) that another app (forgot what it's called) doesn't install to. I think it's for verification purposes, so u can correct this by dumping the files from that app into the folder searched for by c2d (it will tell u which folder it's looking in). I still use it though, and I did for 4.81 NORBIN. good luck, @coldim .

edit: @nCadeRegal . this is in no way a jab at u, my friend. I'm worried that that's what it looks like.

 

[bguerville]

I've been thinking about it for a while now, i never had any issues with CEX but i want to try a couple of things that will only work on DEX!

So should i switch?
Why?
Is it easy to switch back to CEX?
Can i connect online on DEX, or do i have to do some steps first?

As a general rule, there is no reason to use DEX unless you really have to...
DEX is a mode for development & debugging, it is not originally made for end user gaming.

However, if you wanna experiment with it, converting CEX to DEX & DEX to CEX takes a few seconds only.
The old CEX2DEX method is now obsolete & that's a good thing, it was impractical, it required manual patching which was regularly mismanaged by end users.
Luckily, it has been replaced by a noob friendly conversion process completely handled by the Rebug Toolbox, allowing you to swap the mode & the kernel.
The only prior requirement for CEX/DEX conversion is to have dumped the eid_root_key (internal hdd encryption key) which is also done with the Rebug Toolbox.
Once converted into DEX remember to swap the kernel to DEX otherwise the console won't be in full DEX mode. Note also that before connecting to PSN, you MUST also use another Rebug Toolbox feature called "Change ActiveID" to spoof the consoleid as CEX. Don't connect to PSN with a DEX targetid in your idps...
After converting back to CEX, there is no extra step to perform.

No DEX mode support for psnpatch!
You might be able to use SEN Enabler plugin instead however you should note that most DEX users do not use any tools to prepare the CFW for PSN usage.

All the necessary information regarding the CEX/DEX conversion process & much more can be found on the rebug.me website...
Take the time to read it carefully.

 

[pinky]

at the very least, I'd suggest u make a CEX flash backup (export flash file) in case something were to ever happen to the system. the eid root key is also important. both can be dumped with rebug toolbox. I've backed up mine for that reason. that's when I used c2d way back when 4.81 was new. lol

 

[self_slaughter]

Yeah, Still take extreme caution with the cex/dex swap using the rebug toolbox. Backup on cex and and again on dex after the conversion to be safe. On rare occasions it hasn't fully converted properly and left me with (what I'm assuming is) a mis-matched brick, just beeping a bunch of times and shutting down - requiring a hardware reflash of whatever I was on previously to get up and running again. (usually happens going from dex back to cex for me, requiring a dex backup to be flashed)

As for PSN another option is to use webmanmod or psnpatch to change your target id on boot or upon combo etc. to allow PSN access.

 

[bguerville]

When did you have these brick problems after conversion? Recently?

Personally I have not experienced a single bad cex/dex conversion in the past year & I must have used the feature hundreds of times due to code debugging & testing...
I can't remember any complaints from users either tbh... I think that if the conversion failed on occasion we would have regular postings about it given the fair number of people using the feature...
Conversion failure is probably linked to messing with /dev_flash or whatever, with a clean system, there is no reason for the process to fail.

In any case, every single CFW user out there should safely keep a minimum backup of :
1. a nand or nor flash memory dump depending on the console model.
2. eid_root_key
3. license files + act.dat
4. game saves if required

 

[self_slaughter]

Was a few months ago now I think - Pretty sure it was on 4.81 cfw. Only happened a couple of times out of countless conversions... but enough to be wary of.

CECHLxx console - so always rather quirky and a bit random when it comes to certain things.
Certain bugs that just don't seem to be reproducible on other consoles I've tried.

I just learned to deal with it and work around it's quirks.

Still, better to be safe than sorry!

 

[pinky]

I've only done the conversion once with c2d as well as the conversion on 3.55 when dex was thought to be a one-way street. converting to and back again - I encountered no issues. though, the latter was via the xmb and the recovery menu, not rebug toolbox. maybe a glitch @self_slaughter ?

I'm actually backing up all of my systems' important files right now - flash dumps, sd cards, memory sticks, hdds, etc. they're already on one hard drive, but I'm backing them up to a second hdd in case the first one fails. I do have my licenses in there as well saves from several systems.

 

[Coldlm]

I have a general knowledge on how to switch!
Correct me if im wrong!

Disk off the drive
Cobra, Webman... etc disabled
Making sure qa is toggled on

Exporting Flash to files if not done already
Dumping the Eid key if not done already!

Rewrite target ID in flash
Swap LV2 karnel

Going back from CEX to DEX, IS the opposite for the last two optiona!

also, it seems that people have issues going back to CEX, as far as i can gather! also from what i saw from random posts online it's not that worth it, at least to me!

And, i can't seem to tind a full dummy proof tutorial on swithing here! @pinky thats your fault if there iisn't:p

Thanks for the feedback guys.
Cheers

 

[bguerville]

@Coldlm

I never disable Cobra or webman when I convert & as to QA, on CFW it should always be toggled on from day 1...
Don't forget to use "CHANGE ACTIVE PS3ID" once converted to DEX if you go online.
Set the menu types in the Selector to appropriate Debug options if required as well.
No dummy proof tutorial but there is no need for one really. If one uses "Rewrite TargetID" & the requirements (eid_root_key/flash dump) are not ok, the Toolbox app will tell the user, it won't start the conversion until it has all the required data...

And DEX is for devs & game modders mostly, those guys usually don't need a tutorial...
People who don't feel comfortable converting CEX/DEX should probably not use the feature in the first place!

 

[Coldlm]

@Coldlm
People who don't feel comfortable converting CEX/DEX should probably not use the feature in the first place!

That's me

 

[pinky]

going from cex to dex is so easy now that a tutorial isn't really needed. don't worry @Coldlm .

 

[bguerville]

That's me

You now know all the steps & the requirements so, as long as you follow them, the CEX/DEX conversion is not riskier than making changes to /dev_flash manually to install some mods or update Cobra...