I hate making people wait when we have news that is so sweet and juicy. So just keep scrolling and get to what you want to see. Which in this case is Evilnat’s readme explaining *everything* about their newest PS3 CFW. Plenty of new stuff in it by the way, so don’t glaze over any of it!
CFW 4.89.3 Evilnat (Cobra 8.3):
CFW created after months of work and tests. There are four base CFW and 4 variants, which are the following:
• CFW PEX (Ported DEX modules and kernel from OFW DEX 4.84, CEX Kernel as default)
• CFW D-PEX (DEX Ported DEX modules and kernel from OFW DEX 4.84, DEX Kernel as default)
• CFW CEX (Default CFW CEX without DEX modules and DEX Kernel)
• CFW DEX (Default CFW DEX with some DEX modules and DEX Kernel)
• Variants (For all CFW base)
> noBD (For PS3 without or damaged BD Drive)
> noBD + noBT (For PS3 without or damaged BD Drive and Bluetooth)
> noBT (For PS3 without or damaged Bluetooth)
> Overclocked (GPU and VRAM overclocked (600MHz / 750MHz))
Features:
• Made out of 4.89 OFW
• Made manually without automatic tools
• PSN/SEN enabled
• Fixed layouts 272/480 from OFW 4.89
• Disabled deletion of unsigned act.dat and .rif files
• Allowed unsigned act.dat and .rif files
• Allowed running of unsigned applications
• Compatibility with FSELF
• C00 demo unlocker
• Disabled LIC.EDAT license check
• Can be installed over 3.55 OFW and +3.56 OFW (bguerville Toolset)
• Can be installed over any CFW CEX
• COBRA 8.3 added and enabled as default
• Full PS2 Games Compatibility
• Possibility of Downgrade from any CFW with active QA Flags
• QA Flags active if previously enabled
• Disabled Epilepsy Message on Boot
• Compatibility with PSX/PSP/PS2 games in ISO and PS3 games in ISO/JB folder format
• Compatibility with ReactPSN
• Display of Temperatures in XMB In-Game on PS2 Games
• RSOD/BSOD Screen Bypass
• PS3_GAME/app_home
• XMB In-Game Screenshot
• Added Package Manager
• CoreOS Hash Check patched to prevent Brick on non-dehashed Downgradate consoles
• Patched to remove LV2 Protection
• Peek and Poke (LV2 and LV1)
• CINAVIA protection disabled
• Option to sort games by name and date
• Allow to use 3rd party controller in Recovery Menu
• Compatibility with OtherOS
• Disabled update from OFW PUP in Recovery Mode
• Dualboot compatible
• Allowed installing of pseudo-retail PKG and retail PKG on DEX
• Enabled [★Unlock], [★Lock], and [★Delete] options in Trophies
• Compatibility with Remote Play
Cobra 8.3:
• Failsafe Cobra stage2 (by bguerville/aldo)
• Restore CFW Syscalls without reboot just entering to ‘Settings > System Update’ on XMB (by aldo)
• Integrated Dynamic Control FAN (to control FAN when webMAN is unloaded) (by aldo/Evilnat)
• Support Photo GUI integration with webMAN MOD (mount games from ‘Photo’ column) (by
aldo/DeViL303)
• Get/Set FAN speed (by aldo)
• Enable/disable features: Photo GUI, Restore Syscalls (by aldo)
• Opcode to create CFW Syscalls (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 35) (by aldo)
• Opcode to create license (RIF) (by Evilnat)
• Updated ps3mapi_load_process_modules to load custom and system modules (by haxxxen)
• Added ps3mapi_get_process_module_info
• Increased from 24 to 32 the max number of map paths (by aldo)
• Added sm_get_temperature patch in kernel (by Evilnat)
• Added sm_get_fan_policy patch in kernel (by Evilnat)
• Added sm_set_fan_policy patch in kernel (by Evilnat)
• Fixed Control FAN payload, avoids loading previous mode (by Evilnat)
• Disable stage2.cex/stage2.dex while Recovery Menu is loaded (by haxxxen)
• Disable plugins while Recovery Menu is loaded (by Evilnat)
• Fixed max FAN speed after shutdown (by Evilnat)
• Improved Habib’s QA flags code imported by aldostools (by Evilnat)
• Fixed black screen in CFW2OFW converted games (by Evilnat)
• Added sm_ring_buzzer with single_beep, double_beep and triple_beep (by Evilnat)
• Skip license creation (rif) if it already exists (by aldo)
• Added cellFsMkdir symbol (by Evilnat)
• Added constant FAN Speed while a PS2 ISO is launched (by Evilnat)
• Creation of act.dat while launching a PSN game (by Evilnat)
• Block Log In on PSN/SEN when CFW syscalls are enabled (by DeViL303)
Credits and Acknowledgments:
Credit to Team Rebug, Team Cobra, mysis, Joonie, Habib, aldostools, Haxxxen, DeViL303, zecoxao, sguerrini97, 3141card, Berion, Kakaroto, KW, naehrwert, flatz, Dean, Rogero, Estwald, sandungas and anyone who has contributed to the PS3 scene.
Thanks to DeViL303, Berion, Brandon Stump, jcorrea, nhie07, NSC-Modz, LuanTeles, thejavigames, raidriar, xiaoyang, Zwei, Haxxxen, RetroFan_90, SpyroMancer, patricksouza472, MrYadro, CFW-Us3r, Andrio, KcrPLo, Nur Rakhmadi Rajab, Lwiz, Sheireen, TheWizWiki, A79266251, AimGdt, Kyan_dudl, HackZy01, Paweł and all who helped me testing it. If I forgot someone, I apologize, there are many people in the PS3 scene and you are many people who have helped me to test the CFW.
Translations:
The following friends have translated xai_plugin into the following languages:
• Portuguese: jcorrea and LuanTeles
• Polish: KcrPLo, Agrippa and HackZy01
• Italian: Sheireen
• Spanish: Evilnat
• Chinese Traditional/Simplified: xiaoyang
• Japanese: Kyan_dudl
• Russian: MrYadro
• French: AimGdt
Thank you very much to everyone, I hope I do not forget anyone.
Improvements xai plugin:
These options are in Network tab under [★ Custom Firmware Tools] option:
Power Options
• Turn Off: Turns off the PS3
• Hard Reboot: Reboots the PS3 completely
• Soft Reboot: Reboots the PS3 softly
• Reboot LV2: Reboots LV2
File Manager
• All Active Devices: Manage all active partitions
• Internal Hard Disk Drive 0: Manage PS3 files in /dev_hdd0
• Internal Hard Disk Drive 1: Manage PS3 cached files in /dev_hdd1
• USB Mass Storage Devices: Manage files on your USB devices
• Internal Flash Memory: Manage PS3 internal flash files
• Optical Disc: Manage optical discs
• Memory Cards: Manage memory cards
Basic Tools
• Show Total PS3 Usage: Shows the total days that the PS3 has been on, number of times it has been turned on and off
• FAN Speed: Shows current FAN speed
• PS3 Temperature: Shows current CPU and RSX temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit
• Check GPU/VRAM clock speed: Checks current GPU/VRAM clock speed
• Show IDPS: Shows current IDPS
• Show PSID: Shows current PSID
• Show IP: Show current IP if it exists
• Toggle Coldboot: Toggles between custom/original coldboot.raf
Basic Tools > xRegistry Tools
• Backup xRegistry.sys: Creates a backup of xRegistry.sys to /dev_usb or /dev_hdd0
• Button Assignment: Switches O and X buttons
Basic Tools > Led Tools:
• Off: Turns off the PS3’s power LED
• Red (Static): Sets the PS3’s power LED to static red
• Green (Static): Sets the PS3’s power LED to static green
• Yellow (Static): Sets the PS3’s power LED to static yellow
• Red (Slow blink): Sets the PS3’s power LED to slow blink red
• Green (Slow blink): Sets the PS3’s power LED to slow blink green
• Yellow (Slow blink): Sets the PS3’s power LED to slow blink yellow
• Red (Fast blink): Sets the PS3’s power LED to fast blink red
• Green (Fast blink): Sets the PS3’s power LED to fast blink green
• Yellow (Fast blink): Sets the PS3’s power LED to fast blink yellow
• Yellow + Green (Fast blink): Sets the PS3’s power LED to fast blink yellow + green
• Yellow + Red (Fast blink): Sets the PS3’s power LED to fast blink yellow + red
• Yellow + Green (Slow blink): Sets the PS3’s power LED to slow blink yellow + green
• Yellow + Red (Slow blink): Sets the PS3’s power LED to slow blink yellow + red
• Rainbow Mode: Sets the PS3’s power LED to rainbow mode
• Special Mode 1: Sets the PS3’s power LED to special mode 1
• Special Mode 2: Sets the PS3’s power LED to special mode 2
Basic Tools > Buzzer Tools
• Single Beep: Generates a single beep with the internal buzzer
• Double Beep: Generates a double beep with the internal buzzer
• Triple Beep: Generates a triple beep with the internal buzzer
• Continuous Beep: Generates a continuous beep with the internal buzzer
FAN Tools:
• Control FAN Mode: DISABLED: Disables Cobra’s Control FAN
• Control FAN Mode: SYSCON: Allows the PS3’s SYSCON to control FAN speed
• Control FAN Mode: MAX: Set Cobra FAN speed to 0xFF
FAN Tools > Dynamic FAN Control
• Maximum temperature: 60°C: Sets the FAN speed dynamically to keep the system at a maximum temperature of 60°C
• Maximum Temperature: 65°C: Sets the FAN speed dynamically to keep the system at a maximum temperature of 65°C
• Maximum Temperature: 70°C: Sets the FAN speed dynamically to keep the system at a maximum temperature of 70°C
• Maximum Temperature: 75°C: Sets the FAN speed dynamically to keep the system at a maximum temperature of 75°C
WARNING: Some PS3 cannot reach/stay some option temperatures, use with caution
FAN Tools > Manual Speed
• Manual Speed: 40%: Sets the FAN speed statically at 40% (0x67)
• Manual Speed: 45%: Sets the FAN speed statically at 45% (0x75)
• Manual Speed: 50%: Sets the FAN speed statically at 50% (0x80)
• Manual Speed: 55%: Sets the FAN speed statically at 55% (0x8E)
• Manual Speed: 60%: Sets the FAN speed statically at 60% (0x9B)
• Manual Speed: 65%: Sets the FAN speed statically at 65% (0xA8)
• Manual Speed: 70%: Sets the FAN speed statically at 70% (0xB5)
• Manual Speed: 75%: Sets the FAN speed statically at 75% (0xC0)
• Manual Speed: 80%: Sets the FAN speed statically at 80% (0xCE)
• Manual Speed: 85%: Sets the FAN speed statically at 85% (0xDA)
• Manual Speed: 90%: Sets the FAN speed statically at 90% (0xE7)
• Manual Speed: 95%: Sets the FAN speed statically at 90% (0xF4)
WARNING: The chosen speed will be static, it will not be changed at any time automatically
FAN Tools > PS2 FAN
• PS2 Fan Mode: DISABLED: Disables Control FAN on PS2 game
• PS2 Fan Mode: SYSCON: Allows the PS3’s SYSCON to control FAN speed on PS2 game
• PS2 Fan Mode: 40%: Sets FAN speed to 0x66 on PS2 game
• PS2 Fan Mode: 50%: Sets FAN speed to 0x80 on PS2 game
• PS2 Fan Mode: 60%: Sets FAN speed to 0x9A on PS2 game
• PS2 Fan Mode: 70%: Sets FAN speed to 0xB4 on PS2 game
• PS2 Fan Mode: 80%: Sets FAN speed to 0xCE on PS2 game
• PS2 Fan Mode: 90%: Sets FAN speed to 0xE8 on PS2 game
WARNING: There is no Control FAN in a PS2 game, select with caution
QA Tools:
• Check QA Flags: Check if QA flags are enabled or disabled
• Enable QA Flags: Enables QA Flags
• Disable QA Flags: Disables QA Flags
Cobra Tools
• Cobra Information: Shows current Cobra information
• Check Syscall 8: Checks Cobra’s Syscall 8 status
• Create Syscalls: Create syscalls 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15 and 35
• Enable PSN Protection: Blocks PSN login when syscalls are enabled
• Disable PSN Protection: Enables PSN login when syscalls are enabled
• Enable FTP: Enables FTP connection in port 21
• Disable FTP: Disables FTP connection
• Allow Restore Syscalls: Allows restoring syscalls through “System Update”
• Skip license creation: Skips overwriting license file (RIF) if it already exists
• Create license: Creates RIF licenses from RAP files from “x:\exdata”
• Toggle Plugins: Enables/disables Cobra plugins from /dev_hdd0/boot_plugins.txt
• Toggle Cobra Version: Toggles between release and debug versions (reboot is required)
• Toggle Cobra: Enables or disables Cobra (reboot is required)
PSN Tools
• Disable Syscalls: Disables syscalls and remove history files
• Spoof TargetID: Spoofs current TargetID in LV2 with EID5’s TargetID
• Spoof IDPS: Spoofs IDPS in LV2 with a valid IDPS from “/dev_usb/IDPS.txt”
• Spoof PSID: Spoofs PSID in LV2 with a valid PSID from “/dev_usb/PSID.txt”
• Show accountID: Shows current user’s accountID
• Create accountID: Creates a fake accountID for current user’s in xRegistry
• Overwrite accountID: Overwrites current user’s accountID with a fake one in xRegistry
• Activate account: Creates act.dat file in the current local account
• Create license: Creates RIF licenses from RAP files from “x:\exdata”
• Backup activation file: Creates a backup of act.dat to /dev_usb or /dev_hdd0
• Disable account: Deletes current user’s activation file act.dat permanently
• Convert savedata: Converts savedata from “/dev_usbXXX/PS3/SAVEDATA” to your own savedata
Dump Tools:
• View Log: http://localhost/dev_hdd0/tmp/cfw_settings.log (webMAN MOD is required)
• Clean Log File: Resets /dev_hdd0/tmp/cfw_settings.log file
• Dump IDPS: Saves IDPS to log file
• Dump PSID: Saves PSID to log file
• Dump LV2: Dumps LV2 to /dev_usb or /dev_hdd0/tmp
• Dump LV1: Dumps LV1 to /dev_usb or /dev_hdd0/tmp
• Dump Flash: Dumps NOR/NAND Flash to dev_hdd0/tmp or /dev_usb
• Dump RAM: Dumps RAM to /dev_usb or /dev_hdd0/tmp
• Dump SYSROM: Dumps SYSROM to /dev_usb or /dev_hdd0/tmp
• Dump EEPROM: Dumps 256 bytes of EEPROM data from some 6 offsets
• Dump ERK: Dumps eid_root_key to /dev_usb or /dev_hdd0/tmp
• Dump SYSCON Error Log: Dumps current SYSCON error log in /dev_usb or /dev_hdd0/tmp
• Dump Token Seed: Dumps current token seed in /dev_usb or /dev_hdd0/tmp
• Log KLicense usage: Saves filename and klicensee to log file
• Log Secure File ID usage: Writes save data name and file ID key to log file
• Dump Disc Hash Key: Retrieves disc hash key from an ORIGINAL game disc
OtherOS Tools:
• Resize VFLASH/NAND Regions: Resizes VFLASH/NAND Regions 5 to allow OtherOS
• Install Petitboot: Installs Petitboot to VFLASH/NAND Regions 5 from USB device
• Set OtherOS Boot Flag: Reboots the PS3 and boot OtherOS
• Set GameOS Boot Flag: Fixes issues loading PS2 games when OtherOS boot flag is set
CEX2DEX Tools:
• Convert to CEX: Converts PS3 to CEX/RETAIL with eid_root_key from /dev_usb or /dev_hdd0
• Convert to DEX: Converts PS3 to DEX/DEBUG with eid_root_key from /dev_usb or /dev_hdd0
• Swap Kernel: Swaps between CEX and DEX Kernels
• Check TargetID: Checks current TargetID from EID0 and EID5
• Toggle Host Information on XMB: Enables/disables host information on XMB
• Toggle XMB Mode: Switch between CEX and DEX XMB
• Toggle Debug Settings: Switch between CEX and DEX Debug settings
• Show Information: Shows current Firmware, Kernel, TargetID, VSH, XMB Host and Debug Settings
Service Tools:
• Display Applicable Version: Displays minimum downgrade version
• Check File System: Reboots and allows you to check and repair filesystem
• Rebuild Database: Reboots with Database rebuilding flag set
• Toggle Recovery Mode: Reboot to Recovery Mode (Not supported on NAND models!)
Service Tools > Advanced Service Tools
• RSOD fix: Re-initialize VTRM-Region to attempt to fix RSOD
• Toggle Factory Service Mode: Enter/Exit Factory Service Mode (DON’T INSTALL CFW ON FSM)
• Remarry Bluray Drive: Requires: Enter to FSM and copy “eid_root_key” to /dev_usb
• Toggle HDD Space: Unlocks/restores 8% extra total space on the PS3 internal HDD
• Show ROS Bank: Shows active ROS bank
• Check 8th SPE: Checks if 8th SPE is currently enabled or disabled
• Toggle 8th SPE: Enables/disables 8th SPE
• Enable VSH Debugging: Enables debugging vsh.self
• Load LV2 kernel: Loads lv2_kernel.self file from /dev_usb000 or /dev_flash
• Update xai_plugin: Updates xai_plugin downloading and installing a PKG from Evilnat’s xai_plugin
repository
Savegames conversion tutorial:
WARNING: This option will overwrite your current savedata in dev_usbXXX, use it with caution
• Download someone else’s savegame for your game of your choice
• Put the savedata in your pendrive in “X:\PS3\SAVEDATA” (pendrive must be in FAT32)
• Put in the pendrive in the PS3
• Select Network Tab > [★ Custom Firmware Tools] > PSN Tools > Convert Savedata
• Wait until the conversion finishes
• Once finished, copy your converted savedata throught XMB “Saved Data Utility (PS3)”
• Launch your game and load your new savedata
Creation of act.dat tutorial
WARNING: The accountID is linked to savedata and trophies, so, if your current user already have a valid accountID and you overwrite it, you will be unable to use your trophies and savedata on that account until you restore the original accountID in xRegistry.sys.
I recommend to use an empty account without trophies and savedata or an account without accountID.
To create a fake act.dat, Cobra 8.3 must be enabled, and your PS3 must have at least one account with a valid accountID and launch a game that requires a RIF/RAP license file.
Cobra will search a valid accountID in all existing accounts and create act.dat while the game is launched through the XMB. If no accountID is found, act.dat will not be created.
You can create a fake accountID manually if you want (like reactPSN), to do this go to Network > ★ Custom Firmware Tools > PSN Tools and choose between “Create accountID” or “Overwrite accountID” (Be careful about the last option because if you already have a fake/real accountID it will be overwritten). It is recommended to use these options in an account that does not have an ID. The PS3 will restart if everything went well.
The tutorial would be the following:
• Download your purchased PSN game from PS Store
• Put game RAP file in “X:\exdata” or “/dev_hdd0/exdata”
• Launch your purchased PSN game
• Cobra will check if any of your PS3 accounts have accountID • Faked act.dat will be created while the game is launching
If none of your accounts have a valid accountID you will need to create it. To do this log into the local PS3 account where you want to create the accountID. You can see if your current local account has an accountID choosing Network Tab > [★ Custom Firmware Tools] > PSN Tools > Show accountID.
To create a faked act.dat do the following:
• Make sure Cobra 8.3 is enabled
• Select Network Tab > [★ Custom Firmware Tools] > PSN Tools > Create accountID
• Select Network Tab > [★ Custom Firmware Tools] > PSN Tools > Activate account
• Launch your purchased PSN game
• Faked act.dat will be created while the game is launching
Now you have a faked act.dat and your local account is activated. The act.dat file works for every local account, you only need one file for all accounts.
Block PSN log in
This method is developed by DeViL303, it will only work with Cobra enabled, Cobra will block log in on PSN/SEN while the CFW syscalls are enabled, to enable it again you need to disable CFW syscalls completely (you can do it with webMAN MOD, psnpatch, SEN Enabler, etc…).
If you want to disable this feature, simply use the option Cobra Tools > Disable PSN Protection and you will be able to log in with syscalls enabled. To enable it again use the option Cobra Tools > Ensable PSN Protection
Warnings:
• The accountID is directly linked to savedatas and trophies data. If you have trophies or savedatas in your current local account, THEY WILL BE CORRUPTED after setting FAKE accountID. To fix this, copy the savedata to the root of a USB, convert it and then copy it back through XMB in ‘Game’ tab. To fix corruption in trophies you need to delete it/them. Is highly recommended to do this on a local account without trophies/savedatas
• The FAN speed is constant when in a PS2 game, BE CAREFUL while selecting modes because it will not change after the PS2 game is loaded. It is also static when choosing a mode in the “Manual Speed” option. All current speeds in xai_plugin must keeping a correct temperature in CPU and RSX
• Do not rename vsh.self manually and ALWAYS use the option for it in xai_plugin, it can cause that the PS3 can’t load the XMB when you have full version of webMAN MOD, DEX Kernel and CEX vsh.self. The CFW has a protection to avoid this
• Target Manager will show SDK 4.8.4 while the PS3 is DEX, this is normal and it is because I ported modules from OFW 4.84 DEX to 4.89, I patched them to work on 4.89 but not to show version 4.8.9
• If you want to install OtherOS on PS3’s internal HDD you first need to go to Recovery Menu and select [Restore PS3 System], this will format the HDD and create a partition for OtherOS. Remember to make a backup of all your data before
• DON’T TRY TO SWAP KERNEL WHEN YOU HAVE LOADED AN EXTERNAL KERNEL FROM USB/FLASH!! This can cause brick and you may need a hardware flasher to repair the PS3
• You can unload Cobra/plugins if you have any problem with them, for this you need to go to Recovery Menu and then reboot the PS3, this will disable both
• It is recommended to ALWAYS activate the QA Flags, it is very important, it allows you to install CFW from versions prior to the one installed and also avoids issues
• If you can’t dump or make an ISO of your game disc in multiMAN, go to mmCM tab and select [Switch to multiMAN mode], this will reboot multiMAN and now you will be able to dump/make an ISO of your disc
• OtherOS on PS3 with NAND is very dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing (for example using the wrong image to install petitboot), it can cause brick and the only way to repair it is with a hardware flasher. PLEASE USE IT WITH CAUTION!
• Make sure you are installing the correct image for OtherOS. xai_plugin tells you what image need to be installed too. For NAND you need dtbImage.ps3.bin.minimal and for NOR dtbImage.ps3.bin. If the wrong image is installed, it can brick on NAND, needing a HW flasher to repair it, in NOR you can fix it formatting the HDD
• If your PS3 has a CFW noBD (in any of its variants) and latest version of webMAN MOD (1.47.42 at the time of writing this guide), there are chances that the PS3 can’t read an external devices (/dev_usb000, /dev_usb001, …) in the next two minutes. To fix this, go to webMAN Setup page, click on webMAN MOD Setup and check noBD patch and reboot the PS3, now it may read external devices
• Enable FTP and Disable FTP can fail randomly, if you want to use any of them wait a few seconds before using any again. It also happens with the option Check GPU/VRAM clock speed, those values are stored in LV1 and sometimes the PS3 doesn’t stores it and can fail. If this happen, reboot the PS3 until those values are present in LV1
• In PEX and D-PEX versión some of the debug options pressing triangle are missing because a/some file/s hasn’t been ported yet (needs a lot of research with XMB layouts, I have patched some of them but others not, for example, trophies entries are messed up), those options are (maybe more):
• ★ Check
• ★ Owner Information
• ★ Cancel Purchase
• ★ Performance Bar
• ★ No Memory Limit
• The CFW is meticulously tested and no bugs have been found, but does not mean that it is free of errors. If that happens, contact me as soon as possible so that I can solve it
Final words:
I hope that the CFW is working fine and without issues for everyone, but if you see any issue, please let me know in my twitter and I will try to fix it as soon as possible: @xXEvilnatXx
Cobra 8.3 and xai_plugin source code can be found in my Github repository:
• Cobra 8.3: https://github.com/Evilnat/Cobra-PS3/tree/master/8.3
• xai_plugin: https://github.com/Evilnat/xai_plugin
Happy CFW moments! 01/01/2023 00:00 Evilnat
