KaKaRoTo Creates First PS3 Custom Firmware

Published on 01-04-2011 09:09 PM

298 Comments

The day everyone has been waiting for, is finally upon us. KaKaRoTo, famous for his work on the PL3 payload, has released a tool that converts a standard Sony retail firmware files, into a custom firmware. The custom firmware allows the installation of homebrew files (via package install), without the need for a jailbreak.

Please note, this does not appear to have the necessary patches in place, that are necessary for playing backups. However, that is a very trivial matter, considering the grand spectrum of what KaKaRoTo has achieved. Stay tuned to this post, as it will be updated as more info becomes available.

DOES NOT CURRENTLY ALLOW BACKUPS OR MANAGERS

Custom Firmware PUPs for both 3.55 and 3.41 have been updated, and now use KaKaRoTo's latest script, which fixes several issues users were having. 01-05-11 22:35 EST STD

Download Custom Firmware 3.55 PUP: http://www.mediafire.com/?ja555fhgbe1hkvf

Download Custom Firmware 3.41 PUP: http://www.multiupload.com/8JUHKTOYA4

KaKaRoTo's Git: https://github.com/kakaroto/ps3utils

Download: http://www.multiupload.com/CVYJFWAK91

We can confirm, if you have legitimate v3.55 installed already, that custom firmware WILL still install!

Attachment 595

Here is the update screen when trying to install 3.55CFW while on 3.55 official. Its a bit hard to read but it says:

Update data of the same version as the current system software was found. Do you want to install the same version?

Version 3.55-KaKaRoTo
Location USB Device

via KaKaRoTo's Twitter

First CFW working. Grab http://bit.ly/hszcH3, then "./create_cfw.sh PS3UPDAT.355.PUP CFW.PUP". Permanently adds "install pkg files" menu. 38 minutes ago via web

@josuaarzensek custom firmware is what you want it to be, you run the script on 3.55 OFW and you get 3.55 CFW

Latest script should restore game save data, etc.. also with PS1/PS2 support for BC machines (unlike the jailbreak). IT'S DONE!

Expect new updated CFW soon, using the latest scripts, tweeted about above

Videos of it in action:

This video shows proof you can install 3.55CFW while on 3.55OFW, it also shows the installation of a retail PKG using the custom install package option. Special thanks to to daManptyltd for the video.

Here is what KaKaRoTo had to say about the feat on his blog:

PS3: First ‘Custom Firmware’ now working!

Great news!

Thanks to the tools made by the fail0verflow team (and thanks to sven in particular for his work on the pkg/unpkg tools), the first “Custom Firmware” is now available for the PS3!

I see a lot of questions coming up really fast on my Twitter account, so here are the basic things you need to know :

Because of legal/copyright issues, I will not provide the custom firmware to anyone, however, I’ve made available all the tools necessary to transform an Official firmware update, into a custom one, just grab my ps3utils repository from github, compile, then run :

./create_cfw.sh PS3UPDATE.PUP CFW.PUP
This will take the official firmware, unpack it, modify it, then repack it correctly (requires you to install ps3tools).

This requires Linux of course, but I’m sure others will do it for the masses and illegally release those files somewhere.

The advantage here is that you can do it for any firmware, if you want to keep version 3.41, then give it the 3.41 update, if you are on 3.55 already and can’t downgrade, then run the script on the official 3.55 firmware and it will create a modified 3.55 firmware.

You can put the file in a USB drive under the filename “PS3/UPDATE/PS3UPDAT.PUP” and then go to system update in the XMB, and it will allow you to install the update (even if you’re already on 3.55).

People are asking what are the features of this firmware, it’s simple, all it does is to add those “Install Package Files” options to the Game section of the XMB. It doesn’t do anything else!

This firmware will not allow you to run the currently available homebrew application. Once the homebrew developers re-package their files in a ‘retail’ .pkg format with signed executable, then it will work (this should be coming soon thanks to the work of the fail0verflow team).

Since the kernel is left unmodified, this means that this custom firmware is really meant for future homebrew installation, and it will not allow piracy. I plan on keeping it that way.

This is just the first attempt at custom firmware, and it only contains a minor modification to allow you to install pkg files directly, eventually we’ll get some more options added to it in the future. This is just starting to get interesting!
Enjoy!

KaKaRoTo

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Custom Firmware

298 Comments

gehx-PSG - 01-05-2011, 02:56 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by David Matthew Weber

Sorry, I shoulda been a little more clear. Press X, afterwards you'll be presented with a screen that says "press the START and SELECT buttons at the same time" once you have inserted a USB with the firmware update

figured as much but just wanted to make sure...thx

coltsfan4life-PSG - 01-05-2011, 02:59 AM
- Reply
Ok few questions:

1) Will your saves be safe when doing the upgrade. And if you have backups on the internal hdd, will they still be on the system or will they be deleted/overwritten?

2) If I'm on fw 3.41, then my best bet is to wait a few hrs/days to see if an updated version gets released to run backups; am i correct?

3) Is there any word on modifying game updates so you can update your backups on jb consoles and not get a black screen?

4) Is it confirmed that psn does work and game updates install/run fine?

I've been following the scene since the beginning, so im not a noob; just confused lol. But thanks KaKaRoTo, fail0verflow, and Geohot for making this scene possible and the fast developments.

Arminies - 01-05-2011, 03:03 AM
- Reply
new to this whole hacking thing i got a few questions

if i use this and put this firmware on my PS3 can i rip my Discs to my HD and play them?

or can i use PS3 games i download from the internet and run those from a external HD or copy them the ps3 hd?

8BITTS - 01-05-2011, 03:07 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by coltsfan4life

Ok few questions:

1) Will your saves be safe when doing the upgrade. And if you have backups on the internal hdd, will they still be on the system or will they be deleted/overwritten?

2) If I'm on fw 3.41, then my best bet is to wait a few hrs/days to see if an updated version gets released to run backups; am i correct?

3) Is there any word on modifying game updates so you can update your backups on jb consoles and not get a black screen?

4) Is it confirmed that psn does work and game updates install/run fine?

I've been following the scene since the beginning, so im not a noob; just confused lol. But thanks KaKaRoTo, fail0verflow, and Geohot for making this scene possible and the fast developments.

Your saves and trophies will still be there but you won't be able to look at them or back em up till they release a patch for them to show again

David Matthew Weber - 01-05-2011, 03:08 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by coltsfan4life

Ok few questions:

This update is completely safe, it only modifies one thing and it looks completely legit because of the leaked keys.

Since you are on 3.41, don't move from it yet. Here's a CFW for 3.41 http://www.ps3-hacks.com/downloads/P...KAROTO_CFW.RAR

They are working on being able to easily and safely patch your backups.

PSN only works for 3.55 as of now. However, do not let temptation get the best of you. Stay on 3.41 until further development (Sadly, my brother updated from 3.41 to 3.5, and from there I thought it was a lost cause and unknowingly updated to 3.55, before I knew you could downgrade)

David Matthew Weber - 01-05-2011, 03:10 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by Arminies

new to this whole hacking thing i got a few questions

if i use this and put this firmware on my PS3 can i rip my Discs to my HD and play them?

or can i use PS3 games i download from the internet and run those from a external HD or copy them the ps3 hd?

This firmware is new development, so nothing is available currently. In time, you should be able to do whatever your heart desires, because the master keys for the PS3 have been leaked, meaning anyone can do anything to the PS3, as long as the hardware supports it.

djdavedoc - 01-05-2011, 03:23 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by David Matthew Weber

This firmware is new development, so nothing is available currently. In time, you should be able to do whatever your heart desires, because the master keys for the PS3 have been leaked, meaning anyone can do anything to the PS3, as long as the hardware supports it.

I wont be installing this until more functionality is available from it.

Im not a dirty rotten pirate (like some arrrrrggghhh) but I will wait until a Custom Firmware is released that supports Backup Managers as well as homebrew. Even so nice job K.

joekaraki - 01-05-2011, 03:38 AM
- Reply
s3up:if there is someone who can create a backup manager with singed code?
i think this wil work............

Ian Terry - 01-05-2011, 03:50 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by joekaraki

s3up:if there is someone who can create a backup manager with singed code?
i think this wil work............

lol omg how many time does this have to be said IT WONT WORK EVEN IF IT IS SINGED LV2 NEEDS TO BE PATCHED.

medi01-PSG - 01-05-2011, 03:53 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by coltsfan4life

Ok few questions:

1) Will your saves be safe when doing the upgrade. And if you have backups on the internal hdd, will they still be on the system or will they be deleted/overwritten?

2) If I'm on fw 3.41, then my best bet is to wait a few hrs/days to see if an updated version gets released to run backups; am i correct?

3) Is there any word on modifying game updates so you can update your backups on jb consoles and not get a black screen?

4) Is it confirmed that psn does work and game updates install/run fine?

I've been following the scene since the beginning, so im not a noob; just confused lol. But thanks KaKaRoTo, fail0verflow, and Geohot for making this scene possible and the fast developments.

5) Does it fry eggs?

FFS CFW isn't even in alpha state, this is "preview" version at best, hardly functional, screws up thophies and god knows what else, the only "previewed" option is installing signed pkg-es.

PhYzIcX-PSG - 01-05-2011, 03:56 AM
- Reply
Kakaroto updated it to fix the trophy problem anyone have a newer 3.55 pup?

Ian Terry - 01-05-2011, 03:56 AM
- Reply
Taken from KaKaRoToKS Twitter: "Latest script should restore game save data, etc.. also with PS1/PS2 support for BC machines (unlike the jailbreak). IT'S DONE! "

Arminies - 01-05-2011, 04:12 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by David Matthew Weber

This firmware is new development, so nothing is available currently. In time, you should be able to do whatever your heart desires, because the master keys for the PS3 have been leaked, meaning anyone can do anything to the PS3, as long as the hardware supports it.

0_0

wow. looks like might be time to think about a 2nd PS3 for myself to get things rolling on it

zhaoyun123-PSG - 01-05-2011, 04:12 AM
- Reply
does this work on OFW 3.42??? cause i update mine when i play naruto shippunden: Ultimate ninja storm 2..... s3up:

8BITTS - 01-05-2011, 04:12 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by Ian Terry

Taken from KaKaRoToKS Twitter: "Latest script should restore game save data, etc.. also with PS1/PS2 support for BC machines (unlike the jailbreak). IT'S DONE! "

Where can i begt the update sorry if its out im new to this

PhYzIcX-PSG - 01-05-2011, 04:21 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by zhaoyun123

does this work on OFW 3.42??? cause i update mine when i play naruto shippunden: Ultimate ninja storm 2..... s3up:

it works for all current firmwares you just need to take the ofw file and run the script to make your own as there are not many people left on 3.42. Or you can update to the 3.55 cfw. It won't be long until fully featured cfw comes along.

Blunts-LLA-PSG - 01-05-2011, 04:25 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by 8BITTS

Where can i beget the update sorry if its out im new to this

In what do you need help on

zhaoyun123-PSG - 01-05-2011, 04:25 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by PhYzIcX

it works for all current firmwares you just need to take the ofw file and run the script to make your own as there are not many people left on 3.42. Or you can update to the 3.55 cfw. It won't be long until fully featured cfw comes along.

but for now.... is it safe to update for 3.55 or not?? or do i have to update for 3.50 to be sure..... where to download the system update of 3.50 so that i can download that instead of 3.55.....

damanptyltd - 01-05-2011, 04:26 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by zhaoyun123

but for now.... is it safe to update for 3.55 or not?? or do i have to update for 3.50 to be sure..... where to download the system update of 3.50 so that i can download that instead of 3.55.....

well anything between 3.42 and 3.55 have the same risk factor int he sense of jailbrekaing

iDoiStuff - 01-05-2011, 04:28 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by Blunts-LLA

In what do you need help on

I think what he means is where can we download the newest update that fixes the trophies, ect. that are missing from the XMB? We are lazy/dumb and need an already compiled one