Help getting back into the scene with a slightly busted drive.

Okay, to preface, due to having to leap between jobs recently I haven't had time to mess with my PS3.

Now to let you know why I need some help getting back into things...
I have a PS3 with homebrew enabled at 3.55. I guess you could call it cfw, it's the very first one GH released way back when.
The only problem with the PS3, and why I am trying to get it with the best configuration is that the bluray laser is kaput. It's a launch ps3 and can play ps2 games no problem, but other than that all it can do is look pretty.

What would be the best way and most reliable setup for playing games (that I do own) disc-less?

I'm not a newb in terms of CFW (PSP, Evo 4G, homebrew enabled wii, the works all with custom software or firmware installed on my own) it's just that with this, my attempts months ago had failed.

Any tips on what firmware and launcher to use would be greatly appreciated. I'm sorta stuck with it busted until I either get a replacement drive or system.

with kaput(t) you mean broken or ;)

k, lets start. if your on 3.55cfw from geohot i would recommend switching to KMEAWs 3.55 CFW. and use Irismanager (wich i heard has the best discless option atm for 3.55)
the best way for discless seems to be the 3.41fw/jb in combination with hermes backupmanager, but im not sure if there is a downgrade possible from 3.55 atm or at all, maybe someone with more knowledge bout this could light u up on that. Good luck on your journey back into ps3 ;)

3.41 Hermes CFW

u can downgrade to 3.41 if you like but i personaly would'nt do it iwould go for iris manager with kmeaw cfw

It's a launch ps3 that finally had it's bluray reading abilities give in. It still plays PS2 DVDs and CDs just fine.

Edit: For Kmeaw, do I just go back to 3.55 ofw and install kmeaw?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kamui957

It's a launch ps3 that finally had it's bluray reading abilities give in. It still plays PS2 DVDs and CDs just fine.

Edit: For Kmeaw, do I just go back to 3.55 ofw and install kmeaw?

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Either that or just install over 3.55 Geo

Well, IrisManager has been unable to launch anything.
I've been able to launch 1 game (NIER) via installation as a pkg
And thus far, on Ar Tonelico I keep getting "Failed to Install Game Data" and that's as far as it will go. So far, not so good.
After updating multiman and booting from my external disk I'm able to install game data now.
I also realized that direct boot failure doesn't always mean I can't boot xD I miss BD Emulation so much right now lol.
so far most of my games try to work.

Anyways, thanks everyone for your help!