CEX to DEX: Extract METLDR From Any NOR/NAND

Published on 07-16-2012 12:49 PM

82 Comments

Another CEX to DEX application has been released to further aid in the process of converting your PlayStation 3 into a debug/test unit. Gunner54 has released "PS3 CEX2DEX Application" which will extract the METLDR from any NAND or NOR flash dump. Please note that this procedure, CEX to DEX, can cause you to brick your system should you make any errors.

About PS3 CEX2DEX Application :

today I have released a CEX2DEX application that will allow you to extract the METLDR from ANY (NOR / NAND) PlayStation 3 flash dump and create a valid DEX (Debug / Test) flash from the given CEX (Retail) flash.

Extract METLDR - This extracts the metldr from your flash dump so you can use this in the metldrpwn exploit and dump your root key. The dump file created by the metldrpwn exploit can then be loaded into the program (METLDR Dump). CEX -> DEX - This creates a modified flash dump to convert your CEX into a DEX, the dump created can then be used to be flashed back to your PS3.

Features:

Can be used to extract the METLDR from ANY (NOR/NAND) flash dump.
Can be used to create a valid DEX flash from any given CEX flash (NOR/NAND).

Download: PS3 CEX2DEX Application
Download: Mirror
Download: Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package (x86)
Download: Required MSVCP100.DLL

News Source: ps3news

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Categories:

_{Tags :

cex2dex,

convert ps3 firmware,

extract metldr,

ps3,

ps3 debug,

ps3 retail to debug,

ps3 test}

82 Comments

BahumatLord - 07-17-2012, 10:29 PM
- Reply
What I'd really like to know is if there's any built in capabilities for decryption. I'm not talking about getting keys or anything like that. I mean like decrypting save games, game bin files, that kind of thing

pink1 - 07-17-2012, 11:56 PM
- Reply
Originally Posted by BahumatLord

I was looking at that. I've been doing a lot of reading on the conversion and everything that's needed to do it. I've got a spare 120 gig hard drive to install Linux to get everything I need and to write back the changed bits. I've also got a spare 160 gig usb that would be perfect for splitting into 4 partitions at roughly 40 gigs a piece.

My only issue is I have 3.74 and 4.00 debug firmware. The 4.20 link on the PS3 Dev Wiki isn't working. It's saying 3.55 here and I'm not really sure which one I would really need.

Here's the guide if anybody can complete it. It kind of reminds me of the partitioning system for the PS2.

I just got Skyrim working with the same guide.

BahumatLord - 07-18-2012, 01:29 AM
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Originally Posted by pink1

I just got Skyrim working with the same guide.

What version of the DEX firmware did you use? 3.55 or 4.20?

pink1 - 07-18-2012, 01:42 AM
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I played it on 4.11 but installed everything on 3.55. Idk if that was necessary I was already on it though.

BahumatLord - 07-18-2012, 01:49 AM
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Originally Posted by pink1

I played it on 4.11 but installed everything on 3.55. Idk if that was necessary I was already on it though.

Are you using a flasher or are you switching between firmwares entirely through software?

pink1 - 07-18-2012, 01:53 AM
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All software it's just like the Q&A flag way.

BahumatLord - 07-18-2012, 02:00 AM
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Originally Posted by pink1

All software it's just like the Q&A flag way.

Cool. I think I've done all the reading that I can do on this. Just gotta take the plunge at some point. Any chance you have Arkham City and the Harley Quinn DLC? I know the guide says it's a no-go for edats, but if I remember right it just used sdats and a rap. I gotta check. That's another thing - is ReActPSN/RAP2RIF working?

pink1 - 07-18-2012, 02:14 AM
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I had forgot to try ReActPSN/RAP2RIF, I had everything already installed. I don't have but was wondering if the new fix to install edats would fix that. I'll see what I can find out about all of this and let everyone know. When you take the plunge I'm no pro but I'll be happy to help if needed.

BahumatLord - 07-18-2012, 02:24 AM
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I don't know about the patched VSH file needed for ReActPSN, but I'm guessing RAP2RIF would work as long as you had a working ACT.DAT from 3.55. I appreciate the offer to help. I might take you up on that. I'm no dumbass (or maybe I am depending on who you ask) but there's just a lot of steps getting linux working, then converting. Just hoping I don't miss something and end up with a brick

pink1 - 07-18-2012, 02:44 AM
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It took me forever to get Linux going but after that you're pretty much done, what I thought would be the hard part seems easy after that.

BahumatLord - 07-18-2012, 02:58 AM
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I've used Linux before on PC. It was a chore on what it was designed for. I know it's going to be a pain in the ass on PS3. When I first bought my PS3 I installed it just because I could on official firmware. I couldn't see really using it on my PS3. Just seemed like more of a hassle than it was worth

BahumatLord - 07-18-2012, 08:09 PM
- Reply
Originally Posted by pink1

It took me forever to get Linux going but after that you're pretty much done, what I thought would be the hard part seems easy after that.

Does that offer still stand? Started working on it today. Trying to install Linux but for some reason I'm stuck on something stupid. Following this guide from gitbrew. I'm stuck at step 10. I have the script on my USB drive at the root and when I type in the command there it says the script isn't found. No such file or directory. Any help would be appreciated

1. Install my latest CFW 2. When installation is finished, go to recovery menu and choose "Restore PS3 System" 3. Now your GameOS should use only the half of your HDD (Currently working on a better approach) 4. Run setup_flash_for_otheros.pkg (for all PS3 models) 5. Reboot 6. Store dtbImage.ps3.bin on USB drive, plug it in and run install_otheros.pkg (NAND owners should use dtbImage.ps3.bin.minimal, rename it to dtbImage.ps3.bin). Try different USB ports if you don't get any beeps. 7. Run boot_otheros.pkg 8. Run reboot.pkg 9. You should be in petitboot now. Exit from CUI to shell or switch to another virtual console. 10. Run script create_hdd_region.sh (Store it e.g. in / and make executable with chmod 755 create_hdd_region.sh) 11. Reboot and boot petitboot again 12. You should see now new HDD device on petitboot, /dev/ps3dd. That's your OtherOS HDD region. Don't touch any other HDD regions if you don't know what you are doing. Use only ps3dd device for your Linux installation. Use parted to partition it and create GPT partition table on ps3dd. GPT is supported by both, Linux and FreeBSD.

pink1 - 07-18-2012, 09:02 PM
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Try using wget to the download, that's how I did it that way you know you are at the right place.

PS. Don't forget to CHMOD 755 the file.

BahumatLord - 07-18-2012, 09:12 PM
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yeah, I got past that part. Still grinding through the install process. This just reminded me of how much I hated Linux to start with. The GUI's aren't bad, but these commands seem odd to an old DOS user

pink1 - 07-18-2012, 10:18 PM
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I used the auto Debian-Installer on gitbrew but still had to have debian on a dvd to get it to run right.

BahumatLord - 07-18-2012, 10:32 PM
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I'm getting there. Straightening out a F*** up I did with the partitioning. Any ideas why my wireless network adapter doesn't work after booting into petitboot? Gonna be a pain in the ass to move it by my router

pink1 - 07-18-2012, 10:40 PM
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They have some info about that on the other os++ devwiki page Idk about on petitboot though.

BahumatLord - 07-18-2012, 11:12 PM
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Got Ubuntu downloading now. Had to move my tv and ps3 near my router. I'm just glad I had an old 13 inch and didn't have to move my 1st gen 1080i tv. That thing's a beast. Also glad I had a spare hard drive to try this on.

This is easy in a way because all the info is on the Wiki, but some of the lingo is confusing for people not familiar with Linux. I've only got limited experience with it so I know some of what it's talking about. The rest I just have to have faith that the info is right. Definitely not for noobs but I think the payoff would be worth it

Edit: getting it all configured right and moving right along. Thanks for taking some time to lend me a hand

pink1 - 07-18-2012, 11:43 PM
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The extra hdd is really nice when you're done you just swap, update with your modded dex.pup, install the old MultiMAN and fix and you're back to about the same as 3.55cfw with all your stuff still.

I thought that maybe I had got in over my head a few times during the linux install , I spent so many hours on the wiki and gitbrew but it definitely pays off in the end and keeps getting better.

BahumatLord - 07-18-2012, 11:55 PM
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I'll know in a little while. Down to the last part installing the kernel. I had planned on reformatting this drive after I got what I needed, but I'm gonna have to leave it on there after seeing how much went into it. Might be good for some emulators. IDK have to check that out.

I've already got psgens set up and gave it a good once over. Shouldn't be hard at all to set up. It's a lot like the old PS2 PHAT internal hd loader where the games went onto different partitions.

I thought I was in over my head too a couple times. Took a lot of patience and reading to do it right. You were right that this was the hard part. Thanks again