NEED INSTRUCTION~MORE INFO TO CONVERT PS3 demo unit to Retail unit~ Not for backups or hacked mods

[orroromonroe]

O.K. all I want to do is Convert my PS3 demo unit to make it a permanent retail unit.
I dont want to make it so it plays backup games.
My unit is a a CECHG01 had a 40gb drive in it. I upgraded the drive with a 120gb.
The firmware version is 3.01. I want to be able to convert it from demo to retail with the ability to
upgrade the firmware later with regular official firmware.

I have done alot of searching and most of the post talk about using usb boards with special usb readers that all
look like a regular usb drives or doggles that have been dressed up with logos.
If these are just usb drives then why cant I just download the software I need onto a reglar usb drive or multiple drives and do it that way instead of buying a drive from someone else that has stuff already on it. And why do I need to buy a usb board when my computer already has usb ports for me to plug in a usb drive or dongle?
My search also came across people doing the conversion , but also upgrading or downgrading the firmware to 3.41 or 3.50, and putting a backup manager for playing bootleg games and other hacks...I am not looking to upgrade or downgrade firmware or replace it with hacked or modified firmware. I only want to later upgrade the firmware with legal , official firmware.

Remember , I dont want to hack my demo unit so it can play backups or change anything on it other than just convert it from a demo unit to a retail unit, Permanently...and without losing my Bluray or retail gameplay functions either...
I want to be able to log on to PSN and download stuff if i need too, so if I just convert the unit with no other hacks or modifications then I should be able to go onto PSN, right?
After reading what I am looking for, is there a way to convert my unit with 3.01 firmware to a fully functioning retail unit that can play games and bluray movies and also go onto PSN with no problems from sony or worring about getting bricked?. And if so, then please tell me what to do and what i need to have or use in order to accomplish this .... Thanks

[steveo1978]

It only took me 5mins to find a way to do what you want and since this is your first post I will just say search a little more.

[Thorn]

your post just went in circles if i remember correctly you can gointo retail mode through the recovery menu

[orroromonroe]

I have searched, and like i said what i find would have me use a device i have to purchase, and then either upgrade or downgrade firmware, and put backup manager or some other program on the ps3. I have not found a clear cut article or instruction on just converting to retail permanently without messing with firmware, or using some program to alter the ps3 so it can play backup games or do other things outside of just making it a retail unit. I only want to convert to retail permanently and nothing else...If decide to later upgrade the firmware then I want to be able to do that with a retail firmware, not an altered or hacked one.

[pip313]

you can do it with a regular usb flash drive. first make sure it plays a bluray, then you need to download the demo to retail conversion custom firmware or use mfw builder to make your own cfw and make sure to check the convert demo to retail box then after you install it your ps3 will be fully retail use multiman to copy the contents of your drl files which are located in dev flash 2 to your memory card and then install 3.55 ofw from the recovery mode. once you did that play a bluray if it plays you can update to the latest ofw without any problems, if the bluray doesn't play stop at that point and let us know before doing anything else.

[orroromonroe]

you can do it with a regular usb flash drive. first make sure it plays a bluray, then you need to download the demo to retail conversion custom firmware or use mfw builder to make your own cfw and make sure to check the convert demo to retail box then after you install it your ps3 will be fully retail use multiman to copy the contents of your drl files which are located in dev flash 2 to your memory card and then install 3.55 ofw from the recovery mode. once you did that play a bluray if it plays you can update to the latest ofw without any problems, if the bluray doesn't play stop at that point and let us know before doing anything else.

Thanks for your help. I ended up getting a downloaded file from another site. PSnews, in the thread titled ,, PS3MFW - kiosk2retail without downgrading for 3.55 and below.
However after looking over it further, it could be just a modified firmware, and I am not sure if it will let me install the 3.55 official firmware, or update to newer retail firmware versions.
I am inclined to use your method instead.
Where can I find the Demo to retail converison custom firmware you referenced?
I wonder if it is the same as the one on the PS3 news link above?.. Where you kiind of lost me was when you stated ,, use multiman to copy the contents of your drl files located in the dev flash2 on your memory card.
Do you mean the usb stick I used to do the custom firmware conversion? After the conversion, it rights information from the PS3 to the usb stick. Where does the 3.55 Official firmware come from.
Guess I am not understanding what takes place. Do I have to find an unaltered 3.55 ofw and use that after the conversion?
I am sorry to bother you but really appreciate your help. If you can give step by step or refer me to a link that has it, that would be great. Just a not, there was a person at the link I provided that used the files in the link and they said they did not go into recovery mode. They just booted up the ps3 then used the code to change it from demo mode, then they installed the files and everything worked. If you could look over the post on that link and give me some insite I would be very greatful. Thanks for your help..

[steveo1978]

See I knew you could find it if you tried. From what I have read you can just use the code to unlock the PS3 and then just use the patched firmware to fully convert the PS3 to retail then you should be able to update as normal.

[orroromonroe]

Thanks for taking the time to reply..I did do alot of searching for hours and days, and as usual came across all the standard info, but they all seemed to include the use of jailbreaking the console, not just standard conversion so a person could then update the firmware with official newer firmware versions. but the link on psnews seems to be what I was looking for, especially since someone there has the same CECHG01 unit with the same 3.01 demo firmware and they said it worked. I became confused with other threads on psx scene and others when they were telling people to stay away from different firmwares, but what I think was happening is that some of them were speaking in reference to the slim models being downgraded or altered, and they really should specify that because the Fat older models and the slim newer models i am sure have to be handled differently and I would assume the slim models require more detailed workarounds and modifications.

Do you know if after I get my PS3 converted to retail, and then update to other versions of retail firmware, will i have any problems if I log onto the PSN to download some demos? or do I need to change something else on the unit before doing that.. Wont be doing any online playing and dont plan to purchase any items, just download free demos.

[steveo1978]

I have never converted one but you should be fine. Just install the modified firmware then update with 3.70 official firmware and that should be all you need