PlayStation 3

Determining if your system is hackable
If your system is on version 3.55 or below, it is hackable.

If not, see below.

PS3 Phat/Original PS3:
All of these PS3s can be downgraded.

PS3 Slim:
You need to check the model number to see if your PS3 Slim can be downgraded

If it is CECH-20XXX or CECH-21XXX: Your PS3 Slim can be downgraded

If it is CECH-25XXX ...: If for some reason you cannot check your datecode, use the method for Datecode 1A.
 * ... and has a Datecode of 0C or 0D: Your PS3 Slim can be downgraded
 * ... and has a Datecode of 1A: Follow this, if it reports 3.50, your system can be downgraded. If not, it cannot be downgraded
 * ... and has a Datecode of 1B: Your PS3 Slim cannot be downgraded

The Datecode can be found on the same sticker that the model number is printed on.

If it is CECH-3XXXX: Your PS3 Slim cannot be downgraded

PS3 Super Slim:
These PS3s cannot be downgraded.

Installing CFW
Installing a CFW is similar to installing official updates offline.

First, you need to pick a CFW from the many available. The most popular choice seems to be Rebug. You can find downloads at http://rebug.me/downloads

Installing:
Once finished, your system will restart into the CFW. For Rebug, it is recommended to install Rebug Toolbox by going to Game > Package Manager > Install Package Files > PS3 System Storage > REBUG_TOOLBOX.pkg
 * 1) Download the right CFW for your system. If it has never been hacked before, it is a CEX (retail) unit. If it is running DEX (debug) firmware, download the DEX version. As for version number, get the latest available.
 * 2) Prepare a FAT32-formatted USB storage device. The update file will be around 200MB, you want at least a 512MB device.
 * 3) Create a folder at the root named "PS3", inside that folder, create another named "UPDATE" (full path: /PS3/UPDATE/)
 * 4) Copy the downloaded file to /PS3/UPDATE/ on the USB device. Rename it to "PS3UPDAT.PUP" (If Windows hide your extension, rename it "PS3UPDAT")
 * 5) Remove any disc in your PS3
 * 6) Insert the USB device in your PS3
 * 7) Navigate to Settings > System Update > Update via Storage Media
 * 8) Update will start, follow on-screen instructions.

Avoiding PSN bans
Sony will check your system whenever it connects to PSN. If a CFW is detected, your PS3 and/or your PSN account will be banned. These bans cannot be circumvented without using a certain unique ID from another PS3.

To lessen the chance of getting banned, use PSNPatch.

'''It is not possible to completely avoid bans. '''There is always a chance. Some games, like CoD, even has their own CFW checking mechanism.

Download and install PSNPatch. Everytime you want to access PSN, start it and press triangle (or cross if you need to spoof your IDPS). If you hear a beep, it's ready and you can access PSN

It is recommended to also install the plugin. The plugin blocks PSN access until PSNPatch is activated, by pressing L3+R3+R2. To install, press Select in the PSNPatch menu.

Installing .pkg
Homebrews often come in .pkg. To install these, copy them on a USB device, then use your CFW's package installer to install, or use a file manager like Multiman.

PSN content
PSN content can come in .pkg as well, however they need to be activated before they can be used. Activation requires a .rap file or a .edat file. You can use reActPSN or PSNPatch to activate them. Note that PSNPatch requires you to sign into PSN at least once to activate.

Playing PS3 backups
PS3 backups often come in one of the two formats: ISO and folder. The ISO format is a single file while the folder format is a folder containing all the game's data.

Mounting backups:
You will need to do this every time you want to play a backup.
 * 1) First, copy the backup to your PS3. For folder format, copy the folder to /dev_hdd0/GAMES/ (name the folder anything you wish). For ISO format, copy to /dev_hdd0/PS3ISO/. You can also use an external drive (connected though USB) to store backups. You can also stream game over network with ps3netsrv.
 * 2) Open your file manager of choice (webMAN/multiman/IRISMAN/...). Find the game you've just copied and select it (if it's not displayed, find an option to scan or refresh the game list). You will be returned to the XMB.
 * 3) You should see a BD disc icon. Select it to start your game.