Accessing PS3 Files from OFW via A PS3 Backup.md

Accessing PS3 Files from OFW via A PS3 Backup

Stand: 2023-04-02T18:41:00Z
Succesfully tested FW: OFW 4.86, OFW 4.85, HFW 4.85, OFW 4.84, HFW 4.84 and OFW 4.82.
Succesfully tested consoles: Fat PS3, Slim PS3 (30xx)

Foreword

!!! READ THE WHOLE GUIDE BEFORE DOING ANYTHING !!!
!!! USE AT YOUR OWN RISK !!!
!!! RESULTS MAY VARY !!!

Intention is to show a way to access files without modifying a PS3.
The major part of this guide is to dump necessary data only once from a PS3 console. The IDPS is needed to decrypt the user folders and files inside a normal PS3 backup. The wanted files from that PS3 console are then extracted from that PS3 backup.

bguerville's PlayStation 3 Toolset runs on OFW 4.82-4.86 and retrieves all necessary data without any changes to the PS3.
On the other hand PS3Xploit's dumpers on OFW 4.82 or HFW 4.82-4.86 also provide dumps of users' act.dat files to verify the first PS3 backup extraction, plus dumps of the flash memory and xRegistry. The temporary Hybrid Firmware (HFW) can be reversed completely.
All trails of the dumps are discardable.

Other methods like PS3HEN, Custom Firmware (CFW) and HAN do change and/or do add files to the file system. By the way HAN's file copier is not convenient enough for these tasks. With these other methods getting all information and files could be done by just using their toolboxes, SEN Enabler, PSNpatch or webMAN-MOD plus a file/backup manager.

!!! USE AT YOUR OWN RISK !!!

Table of Contents

• Short Guide for Experts
• Prerequisites
  • PC: Prepare USB Device for PS3 in General
  • PS3: Test USB Device on PS3 in General
  • PC: Place Necessary Files on USB Device
  • PC: Install Necessary Tools
• Dump Necessary Data from the PS3 (only once per console)
  • PS3: Check Date and Time
  • PS3: Check USB Ports
  • PS3: Install Hybrid Firmware (HFW) for Dumps
  • PS3: Prepare Dummy User plus Internet Browser for Dumps
  • PS3: Prepare Real User With Activation plus Internet Browser for Dumps
  • PS3: Dump IDPS and Lowest Possible Firmware Version
  • PS3: Dump Flash Memory
  • PS3: Dump xRegistry
  • PS3: Clean-up Dump Trails for Dummy User
  • PS3: Dump act.dat
  • PS3: Clean-up Dump Trails for Real User
  • PS3: Optionally Revert Firmware
  • PS3: USB Ports
• Extract Files from A PS3 Backup
  • PS3: Activate Titles from PS Store
  • PS3: Create A PS3 Backup
  • PC: Extract Wanted Files from A PS3 Backup
  • PC: Verify Validity of A PS3 Backup
• Troubleshooting
  • Safe Mode
  • Corrupted Backups
  • Activation Errors
• Alternative Ways
  • PC: Get IDPS and Lowest Possible Firmware Version from A PS3 Flash Memory Dump
  • PC: Get Console's OpenPSID from A PS3 Backup (needs idps.bin)
  • PS3: Determine Lowest Possible Firmware Version via Fake Firmware Update

Short Guide for Experts

• Get IDPS of PS3 console via bguerville's PlayStation 3 Toolset on OFW 4.82-4.86 or via PS3Xploit's dumper on OFW 4.82/HFW 4.84-4.86.
• Create a PS3 system backup (1, 2).
• Use PS3Xport with the IDPS binary file to extract wanted files from PS3 backup.

Prerequisites

This guide uses Windows as the operating system (OS) to extract data from the PS3 backup, but this should be easily adoptable to other OSes as long as these can compile PS3Xport source code or have a binary of it available.

What to use: bguerville's PlayStation 3 Toolset or PS3Xploit's dumper?

bguerville's PlayStation 3 Toolset is normally sufficient as it already provides the IDPS data on a completely unmodified PS3 with OFW 4.82-4.86. No USB HDD or USB stick is needed. Therefore the guide will always describe the use of bguerville's PlayStation 3 Toolset first.
The PS3Xploit's dumpers allow to extract more information, but need a correctly prepared USB HDD or USB stick plus installation of a slightly modified Hybrid Firmware (HFW).
If a step is only necessary for one of these tools, then this is explicitly mentioned.

PC: Prepare USB Device for PS3 in General

• Note: This step is only necessary when using PS3Xploit's dumpers. But it is also a general guide for using USB storage devices with the PS3.
• Prepare a USB HDD or a USB stick formatted with FAT32 (PS3 doesn't support exFAT, NTFS or ext2/3/4).
  • USB 3.0 devices work on PS3 in general, but only in USB 2.0 mode and therefore with USB 2.0 speed.
  • Recommended device size is the HDD size from the PS3 plus 2-4 GiB extra to carry firmware files and additional files.
    • Minimum is the currently used space on the PS3 plus 2-4 GiB for the extras. Check the PS3's storage usage via System > System Settings > System Information.
    • Be generous, not miserly.
  • Sticks must be a either a typical Superdisk (unpartitioned) or partitioned with MBR (PS3 doesn't support GPT).
  • HDDs must be partitioned with MBR (PS3 doesn't support GPT).
  • Recommended is a cluster/allocation size of 64 KiB. Higher values like 128 KiB will increase the time of PS3 backup creation tremendously.
  • Windows: Use Ridgecrop's Fat32Format - fat32format.exe -c128 X:
    • Note that -c128 is correct due to a sector size of 0.5 KiB.
  • Linux: mkfs.vfat -F 32 -s 128 /dev/...
    • Note that -s 128 is correct due to a sector size of 0.5 KiB.
• Create the following folder structure on it:
  • \DCIM
  • \MUSIC
  • \PHOTO
  • \PICTURE
  • \PS3
  • \PS3\BACKUP
  • \PS3\EXPORT
  • \PS3\EXPORT\BACKUP (for PS3 system backups (1, 2))
  • \PS3\GAME
  • \PS3\SAVEDATA
  • \PS3\THEME
  • \PS3\UPDATE (for firmware updates (1, 2))
  • \VIDEO
• Check that there is enough free space remaining for the tasks to do.

PS3: Test USB Device on PS3 in General

• Note: This step is only necessary when using PS3Xploit's dumpers.
• Remove any USB extensions (hubs, etc.) from the PS3 as the original USB ports must be used for dumps. Typically the right (most inner) USB port of the PS3 is used (/dev_usb000).
• Connect USB HDD/stick to the PS3.
• Check that the USB HDD/stick is detected by the PS3 under Photo, Music and/or Video.
  • PS3 has problems with some USB sticks which use an uncommon internal structure. Only solution is to use another USB stick model.

PC: Place Necessary Files on USB Device

• Note: This step is only necessary when using PS3Xploit's dumpers.
• PS3 firmware files are valid for all regions.
• The needed full PS3 firmware files are called PS3UPDAT.PUP. The smaller patch files called PS3PATCH.PUP cannot be used for this guide.
• If the PS3 console is on Original Firmware (OFW) 4.82, then there is no need to mess with the firmware. Just skip all OFW/HFW firmware related steps.
• Otherwise the Hybrid Firmware (HFW) 4.86/4.85/4.84 re-implements a web browser exploit from the Original Firmware (OFW) 4.82.
• Connect USB HDD/stick to the PC.
• Create a folder with the actual PS3 serial number on it, to put all console related files into: \03-nnnnnnnn-nnnnnnn-CExxxxxxx
  • Create an empty text file inside that folder with the name: information.txt
  • Write all the information from the case into that information text file, e.g. serial number, model number, date code, etc.
  • Determine the flash memory type of the PS3 by checking its console type (Fat/Slim/SuperSlim) and model number against the PS Dev Wiki.
  • Write the flash memory type into the information text file too.
  • Additionally create sub-folders for each user on the PS3, e.g. by using their PSN name or account or just the PS3 user name. These folders will be used to backup the activation file (act.dat) of each user.
• Add Original Firmware (OFW) 4.86/4.85/4.84 to the USB HDD/stick.
  • Create the following folder on it: \PS3\UPDATE\UPDATE_OFW485 and/or \PS3\UPDATE\UPDATE_OFW484
  • Download the full OFW 4.86/4.85/4.84 from the PS3 Firmware archives.
  • Check its MD5 sum.
  • Put the PS3UPDAT.PUP into the corresponding folder \PS3\UPDATE\UPDATE_OFW48x.
• Add Hybrid Firmware (HFW) 4.86/4.85/4.84 to the USB HDD/stick.
  • Create the following folder on it: \PS3\UPDATE\UPDATE_HFW485 and/or \PS3\UPDATE\UPDATE_HFW484
  • Download HFW 4.86/4.85/4.84.
  • Check its MD5 sum.
  • Extract its PS3UPDAT.PUP into the corresponding folder \PS3\UPDATE\UPDATE_HFW48x.
• Check that there is enough free space remaining for the tasks to do (backup plus a buffer of at least 1 GiB).

PC: Install Necessary Tools

• Install PS3Xport onto the PC by extracting its archive file.
  • Copy the batch file ExtractIndexes.cmd into PS3Xport's main folder.
• Use either FileFormat.info's Online Service to view binary file content as hex or HexEd.it Online Hex-Editor to edit binary files, or have a tool available, e.g. HxD, Notepad++, etc.
• Note: A hex editor is needed when using bguerville's PlayStation 3 Toolset.
  • Have a hex editor available to enter the IDPS information from the toolset into a binary file, e.g. HexEd.it Online Hex-Editor, HxD, Notepad++, etc.

Dump Necessary Data from the PS3 (only once per console)

!!! USE AT YOUR OWN RISK !!!

PS3: Check Date and Time

• Check that the PS3's date and time are accurate via Settings > Date and Time Settings.

PS3: Check USB Ports

• Note: This step is only necessary when using PS3Xploit's dumpers.
• Remove any USB extensions (hubs, etc.) from the PS3 as the original USB ports must be used for dumps. Typically the right (most inner) USB port of the PS3 is used (/dev_usb000).

PS3: Install Hybrid Firmware (HFW) for Dumps

• Note: This step is only necessary when using PS3Xploit's dumpers.
• Skip these steps if the PS3 console is on OFW 4.82.
• Note: A downgrade is not possible with these steps.
• Connect USB HDD/stick to the PC.
• On the PC copy HFW 4.86/4.85/4.84 to the USB HDD/stick folder \PS3\UPDATE.
• Connect USB HDD/stick to the PS3.
• Log into the PS3 with the dummy user.
• On the PS3 "update" (1, 2) to HFW via System > System Update > Update via Storage Media.
  • Always flash twice, so that both flash banks are getting flashed anew.

PS3: Prepare Dummy User plus Internet Browser for Dumps

• Create a dummy user without any PSN connection. Use that dummy user for anything related to "hacking".
  • There's one exception: get the act.dat of a real user with activation to verify the backups later.
• Log into the PS3 with the dummy user.
• Prepare the browser for IDPS, flash memory (either NAND/eMMc or NOR) and xRegistry dump.
  • Start Network > Internet Browser.
  • Define a blank "Home"/Start page via Triangle > Tools > Home Page > Use Blank Page. Necessary to make sure that later no JavaScript is executed before a exploit.
  • Reload "Home"/Start page via Triangle > Home.
  • Note: This step is only necessary when using bguerville's PlayStation 3 Toolset.
    • Go to https://www.ps3xploit.me/ via Start, the page will redirect to https://www.ps3toolset.com/bgtoolset/, then add a bookmark for it via Select.
  • Note: These steps are only necessary when using PS3Xploit's dumpers.
    • Go to https://www.ps3xploit.me/ via Start, then add a bookmark for it via Select.
    • Prepare IDPS, OpenPSID and Minimal Possible Firmware dump.
      • From the home page menu select v3 HAN Tools > Extra Tools > IDPS/PSID/Minver Dump > Run This Tool Now, then add a bookmark for it via Select.
      • Go back to its main page via L2 or through its bookmark via Select.
    • Prepare flash memory dump.
      • From the home page menu select Flash Dumper > Dump Flash To USB/HDD > <flash memory type of the PS3>, then add a bookmark for it via Select.
      • Go back to its main page via L2 or through its bookmark via Select.
    • Prepare xRegistry dump.
      • From the home page menu select v3 HAN Tools > *Extra Tools* > xRegistry Tools > xRegistry Dumper > Run this tool now, then add a bookmark for it via Select.
      • Go back to its main page via L2 or through its bookmark via Select.
    • Exit Browser via Triangle > Exit > Yes.

PS3: Prepare Real User With Activation plus Internet Browser for Dumps

• Note: This step is only necessary when using PS3Xploit's dumpers.
• Log into the PS3 with the real user.
• Prepare the browser for act.dat dump.
  • Start Network > Internet Browser.
  • Define a blank "Home"/Start page via Triangle > Tools > Home Page > Use Blank Page. Necessary to make sure that later no JavaScript is executed before a exploit.
  • Reload "Home"/Start page via Triangle > Home.
  • Go to https://www.ps3xploit.me/ via Start, then add a bookmark for it via Select.
  • Prepare act.dat dump.
    • From the home page menu select v3 HAN Tools > ACT/IDPS Dumper, then add a bookmark for it via Select.
    • Go back to its main page via L2 or through its bookmark via Select.
  • Exit Browser via Triangle > Exit > Yes.

PS3: Dump IDPS and Lowest Possible Firmware Version

• Note: The IDPS will never change for a console, even when restoring ("formatting") the PS3. Therefore it can also be used for any older backup of that console.
• Log into the PS3 with the dummy user.
• Dump IDPS with Internet Browser.
  • Start Network > Internet Browser.
• Note: These steps are for bguerville's PlayStation 3 Toolset.
  • Tested successfully: PS3 Toolset v1.0.22/Flash Memory Manager v1.2.2 with OFW 4.86
  • Inside Internet Browser:
    • Go to PS3 Toolset through its bookmark via Select.
    • Wait for exploit initialization (beeps).
    • Go to button Flash Memory Manager.
    • Write the IDPS and minimum firmware version information into a text file for the related console, e.g. \03-nnnnnnnn-nnnnnnn-CExxxxxxx\information.txt.
    • Exit Browser via Triangle > Exit > Yes.
    • Open the hex editor and enter the IDPS data into a new file, save the binary file as idps.bin, e.g. \03-nnnnnnnn-nnnnnnn-CExxxxxxx\idps.bin.
• Note: These steps are for PS3Xploit's dumpers.
  • Tested successfully: dumper 3.02 with HFW 4.85 and 4.84, dumper 3.01 with HFW 4.84
  • Connect USB HDD/stick to the PS3.
  • Make sure USB HDD/stick is connected to the right (most inner) USB port of the PS3 (/dev_usb000).
  • Inside Internet Browser:
    • Go to v3 HAN Tools > Extra Tools > IDPS/PSID/Minver Dump > Run This Tool Now through its bookmark via Select.
    • Press button Initialize MemDump and wait for the exploit to be applied. If it fails, then close browser and start again.
    • Press button Trigger MemDump.
    • Exit Browser via Triangle > Exit > Yes.
  • Connect USB HDD/stick to the PC.
  • On the PC move the files idps.bin, psid.bin and minver.bin into the folder with the PS3 serial number.
    • Note: The IDPS will never change for a console, even when restoring ("formatting") the PS3. Therefore it can also be used for any older backup of that console.
  • Display minver.bin as hex. The bytes state the lowest possible firmware version for that PS3 console in BCD.
    • Example: 00 02 00 57 means version 2.57
    • Write the lowest possible firmware version into the information text file for the related console, e.g. \03-nnnnnnnn-nnnnnnn-CExxxxxxx\information.txt.

PS3: Dump Flash Memory

• Note: This step is only possible when using PS3Xploit's dumpers.
• Tested successfully: dumper 2.02 with HFW 4.85 and 4.84, dumper 2.01 with HFW 4.84
• Connect USB HDD/stick to the PS3.
• Make sure USB HDD/stick is connected to the right (most inner) USB port of the PS3 (/dev_usb000).
• Log into the PS3 with the dummy user.
• Dump flash memory with Internet Browser.
  • Start Network > Internet Browser.
  • Go to Flash Dumper > Dump Flash To USB/HDD > <flash memory type> through its bookmark via Select.
  • Press button Initialize exploitation and wait for the exploit to be applied. If it fails, then close browser and start again.
  • Press button Dump <flash memory type>.
  • Exit Browser via Triangle > Exit > Yes.
• Connect USB HDD/stick to the PC.
• On the PC move the file dump.hex into the folder with the PS3 serial number.

PS3: Dump xRegistry

• Note: This step is only possible when using PS3Xploit's dumpers.
• Tested successfully: dumper 3.02 with HFW 4.85 and 4.84, dumper 3.01 with HFW 4.84
• Connect USB HDD/stick to the PS3.
• Make sure USB HDD/stick is connected to the right (most inner) USB port of the PS3 (/dev_usb000).
• Log into the PS3 with the dummy user.
• Dump xRegistry with Internet Browser.
  • Start Network > Internet Browser.
  • Go to v3 HAN Tools > *Extra Tools* > xRegistry Tools > xRegistry Dumper > Run this tool now through its bookmark via Select.
  • Press button Initialize xRegistry Dumper and wait for the exploit to be applied. If it fails, then close browser and start again.
  • Press button Dump File From Flash.
  • Exit Browser via Triangle > Exit > Yes.
• Connect USB HDD/stick to the PC.
• On the PC move the file xRegistry.sys into the folder with the PS3 serial number.

PS3: Clean-up Dump Trails for Dummy User

• Log into the PS3 with the dummy user.
• Delete trails in Internet Browser.
  • Start Network > Internet Browser.
  • Delete bookmarks of the PS3 Toolset or PS3Xploit via Select.
    • Either for each bookmark via Triangle > Delete > Yes, or Triangle > Delete All if only PS3Xploit bookmarks are present.
    • Press Circle to go back.
  • Delete cookies, search history and cache via Triangle > Tools > Delete ... > Yes.
  • Delete visit history via Triangle > History > Triangle > Delete All > Yes.
  • Exit Browser via Triangle > Exit > Yes.
• Delete dictionaries via Settings > System Settings > Delete Predictive Text Dictionary.
• Optionally delete dummy user.

PS3: Dump act.dat

• Note: This step is only possible when using PS3Xploit's dumpers.
• Note: Normally use the dummy user for anything related to "hacking" except for this single dump.
• The act.dat will be needed later to verify the backups.
• Tested successfully: tools 3.02 with HFW 4.85
• Connect USB HDD/stick to the PS3.
• Make sure USB HDD/stick is connected to the right (most inner) USB port of the PS3 (/dev_usb000).
• Log into the PS3 with the real user.
• Dump act.dat with Internet Browser.
  • Start Network > Internet Browser.
  • Go to v3 HAN Tools > ACT/IDPS Dumper through its bookmark via Select.
  • Press button Initialize ACT/IDPS Dumper and wait for the exploit to be applied. If it fails, then close browser and start again.
  • Press button Dump ACT.DAT & IDPS.
  • Exit Browser via Triangle > Exit > Yes.
• Connect USB HDD/stick to the PC.
• On the PC move the file act.dat into the related user sub-folder on the USB HDD/stick.
  
  • Note: The act.dat will change with each new activation of that console for that user. So remember to re-dump whenever a new activation was done, otherwise validation will report false-false result.

PS3: Clean-up Dump Trails for Real User

• Note: This step is only necessary when using PS3Xploit's dumpers.
• Log into the PS3 with the real user.
• Delete trails in Internet Browser.
  • Start Network > Internet Browser.
  • Delete bookmarks of PS3Xploit via Select.
    • Either for each bookmark via Triangle > Delete > Yes, or Triangle > Delete All if only PS3Xploit bookmarks are present.
    • Press Circle to go back.
  • Delete cookies, search history and cache via Triangle > Tools > Delete ... > Yes.
  • Delete visit history via Triangle > History > Triangle > Delete All > Yes.
  • Exit Browser via Triangle > Exit > Yes.
• Delete dictionaries via Settings > System Settings > Delete Predictive Text Dictionary.

PS3: Optionally Revert Firmware

• Note: This step is only necessary when using PS3Xploit's dumpers.
• The PS3 console can now be reverted to OFW 4.86/4.85/4.84 if wanted.
  • Skip these steps if the PS3 console is on OFW 4.82.
  • Note: A downgrade is not possible with these steps.
  • Connect USB HDD/stick to the PC.
  • On the PC copy OFW 4.86/4.85/4.84 to the USB HDD/stick folder \PS3\UPDATE.
  • Connect USB HDD/stick to the PS3.
  • On the PS3 "update" (1, 2) to OFW via System > System Update > Update via Storage Media.
    • Always flash twice, so that both flash banks are getting flashed anew.

PS3: USB Ports

• Note: This step is only necessary when using PS3Xploit's dumpers.
• Any USB extensions (hubs, etc.) can be reconnected to the PS3 again.

Extract Files from A PS3 Backup

PS3: Activate Titles from PS Store

• ATTENTION! ACTIVATION LIMIT! To avoid getting a temporary(!) activation block (error 80029780, see also this blog) only do ~32 titles per 24 hours. The limit seems to be ~256 activations per 7 days.
• Log into the PS3 with the user whose titles shall be activated.
• Download the titles via PlayStation Network > PlayStation Store > View Downloads.
• For each title the "Activating" phase at the beginning must be completed to get the license files inside the home folder of the PS3 user.
• The following "Download" phase can be cancelled, no need to wait for multiple GiBs to be downloaded.
• After ~32 titles the error 80710003 "Memory allocation error" will always occur.
  • Activating sometimes work even after that error, but that seems to be accidentally.
  • Just note down the current title and its purchase date.
  • Restart the PS3.
  • Continue with the next title.
  • Keep the activation limit in mind.
• When all titles have been activated but not downloaded, then the occupied storage space on the PS3 got only slightly increased as a license file consumes only some KiB.

PS3: Create A PS3 Backup

• Connect USB HDD/stick to the PS3.
• Log into the PS3 with any user.
• Create a PS3 system backup (1, 2) on the USB HDD/stick via Settings > System Settings > Backup Utility > Back Up.

PC: Extract Wanted Files from A PS3 Backup

• Connect the device which contains the PS3 backup to the PC, e.g. USB HDD/stick.
• Make sure to copy idps.bin of the related PS3 console into PS3Xport's main folder.
• Drag the PS3 backup folder on the batch file ExtractIndexes.cmd inside PS3Xport's main folder. This will create a text file inside PS3Xport's main folder with the name of the PS3 backup folder, that contains the complete index of the PS3 backup.
• Determine all wanted file entries in the archive index.
  • For example to separately backup the activation files (act.dat) and license files (*.rif, *.edat) use the following patterns: /dev_hdd0/home/nnnnnnnn/exdata/act.dat
• Run PS3Xport Tool.
• Enable IDPS mode to also work on the encrypted part of the PS3 backup.
• Extract all determined folders and/or files.
  • For the example above that would be the folders: /dev_hdd0/home/nnnnnnnn/exdata
• To better recognize the PS3 user additionally extract the following file from each related user folder: /dev_hdd0/home/nnnnnnnn/localusername
• Note: This step is only possible when using PS3Xploit's dumpers.
  • It's recommended to verify the extraction.
• Note: This step is only valid for bguerville's PlayStation 3 Toolset.
  • If other tools fail to work with the extracted files, then please re-check that the IDPS information was correctly transformed into the binary file idps.bin.
• Backup all activation files and licenses (exdata folders) plus localusername files to their related user sub-folders on the USB HDD/stick.
• It's recommended to backup the folder with the PS3 serial number of the USB HDD/stick in an additional place.
• Optionally when the user numbers are known, then the batch file ExtractBackup.cmd can be used to extract all their files in single run.
  • Copy the batch file ExtractBackup.cmd and users.txt into PS3Xport's main folder.
  • Maintain the user numbers in users.txt.
  • Drag the PS3 backup folder on the batch file ExtractBackup.cmd inside PS3Xport's main folder.

PC: Verify Validity of A PS3 Backup

• Note: This step is only possible when using PS3Xploit's dumpers.
• Compare the just extracted act.dat from the real user with the earlier dumped act.dat. Use a proper PC tool for this.
• If they differ it is very likely that the backup is corrupted.
  • Note: The act.dat will change with each new activation of that console for that user. So remember to re-dump whenever a new activation was done, otherwise validation will report false-false result.

Troubleshooting

Safe Mode

The PS3 has a Safe Mode which allows to restore the default settings (1, 2), restore the file system, rebuild the database, restore the PS3 system (1) or do an system update (1, 2), when the PS3 does not start normally anymore.

Corrupted Backups

On a Slim PS3 (30xx) after the update to HFW 4.85 the backups became corrupted. The reason is unknown. Solution was to restore ("format") the PS3 completely as everything else did not fix it - like repair file system, database or restore default settings.

Activation Errors

Errors may occur when activating a lot of titles in a short time, see Activate Titles from PS Store.

Alternative Ways

PC: Get IDPS and Lowest Possible Firmware Version from A PS3 Flash Memory Dump

• Install PS3 NOR/NAND Statistic (aka dumpstatistic) onto the PC by extracting its archive file.
• Start PS3 NOR/NAND Statistic.
• Drag the PS3 flash memory dump onto its window.
• Save the IDPS. Rename the file from IDPS to idps.bin. Move idps.bin into the folder with the PS3 serial number on the USB HDD/stick.
• Write the lowest possible firmware version (field "min. Firmware") into the information text file for the related console, e.g. \03-nnnnnnnn-nnnnnnn-CExxxxxxx\information.txt.
  • Example: 257.000 means version 2.57

PC: Get Console's OpenPSID from A PS3 Backup (needs idps.bin)

• Copy the batch file ExtractPSID.cmd into PS3Xport's main folder.
• Connect the device with the PS3 backup to the PC.
• Make sure to copy idps.bin of the related PS3 console into PS3Xport's main folder.
• Drag the PS3 backup folder on the batch file ExtractPSID.cmd inside PS3Xport's main folder.
• Move the created psid.bin into the folder with the PS3 serial number on the USB HDD/stick.

PS3: Determine Lowest Possible Firmware Version via Fake Firmware Update

• Connect USB HDD/stick to the PC.
• Add Fake Firmware "Minimal Possible Firmware Check" to the USB HDD/stick.
  • Create the following folder on it: \PS3\UPDATE\UPDATE_MinVerChk
  • Download MinVer PUP from PS3Xploit via home page menu Flash Writer > Download MinVer PUP.
  • Extract its PS3UPDAT.PUP into \PS3\UPDATE\UPDATE_MinVerChk.
• On the PC copy Fake Firmware "Mininmal Possible Firmware Check" to the USB HDD/stick folder \PS3\UPDATE.
• Connect USB HDD/stick to the PS3.
• Log into the PS3 with any user.
• On the PS3 "update" to the Fake Firmware via System > System Update > Update via Storage Media.
• There won't be any update, but it displays the minimal firmware version possible for that PS3 console.
• Note down the version.
• Connect USB HDD/stick to the PC.
• Write the version into the information text file for the related console, e.g. \03-nnnnnnnn-nnnnnnn-CExxxxxxx\information.txt.