Newbie... Help needed in jailbreaking PS3

[Cedr1ck]

OK so here's the deal I am going to buy a ps3 slim 320GB with the move bundle and I am probably buying it with wanting to installing a cfw and having these features:

BR/DVD Region free
Game backups directly onto hdd
Play 3.6+ games on my ps3
And maybe linux installed later on (when ps4 is out).

Now I thought that since buying it now it should have some firmware greater than 3.55 and I think I will have to downgrade for installing kmeaw 3.55 so please show an easy guide to downgrading (can it also be done with a dongle?) because I am a big noob and I easily get confused and please explain the whole downgrade thing. Now for playing 3.6+ games is it necessary to purchase a dongle or can I install patches directly to the cfw? And is there a region patch or something? And what other advantages does a dongle offer or does it just not necessary? And finally will I be able to downgrade using cobra? Or must I buy an E3 flasher?

Thank you

[badboyz80]

you will have to check the date code on it as if its brand new and comes pre installed with firmware higher than 3.55 you cannot downgrade it but if its been upgraded from 3.55 of lower to a higher fw then you are fine.