I'm sure a lot of you have been following the initial news post regarding the PS Jailbreak dongle, and like me, you're probably getting sick of people asking the same questions over and over. Behold: the unofficial PS Jailbreak FAQ. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this info, it is all copied from other sources at this point and I don't have one of these units for testing. But over time I'm sure we can all work together to make this a very informative and accurate post. Please help by posting your questions and answers below and I will update this post with new info as it becomes available.
Last update: 13 September 2010
What is PS Jailbreak?
A USB dongle that allows you to backup your PS3 games to either the PS3's internal hard drive or an external usb hard drive and then play them from the hard drive without the disc.
Where can I see it in action?
World's first reseller uploaded video showing game loading from hard drive:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jOEbZEkp9A"]YouTube - OzModChips.com tests Worlds First Ps3 Modchip (PS jailbreak)[/ame]
Reseller review showing installation, game dumping and loading to/from hard drive:
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofkW5VCJ2ic[/ame]
Video showing loading and gameplay:
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwiupGxCQGI[/ame]
Will it void my PS3 warranty?
It is a plug and play solution that can be installed without opening your console, keeping your valid warranty seal in tact. That said, if Sony found out you were using it they would probably not be too happy about it. If you have a PSN account check the playing online section below for more info.
Which PS3 models is it compatible with?
All production models, FAT and SLIM. All regions: USA, JAP, PAL AND KOREA.
Which firmware versions is it compatible with?
3.41. Using it with a firmware lower than 3.41 boots to a black screen. The latest firmware as of this moment, 3.42 will block the use of PSJB. For now, do not update if you wish to use PSJB.
Can Sony block the use of it with a PS3 firmware update?
Yes. As stated above, the current firmware version 3.42 has blocked the use of PSJB. Stay on 3.41 for now. Hopefully the PSJB developers will update the PSJB or Backup Manager to make it function with newer firmware versions.
Can you play backups online?
If the backup can be updated, or there is no update available for that game, then yes. See section on game updates below for more info.
Will I be banned from PSN for playing backups?
As far as we know, no one has been banned for this as yet. However, no one knows if/when Sony can detect it and ban your account/ip/console from PSN. Only time will tell. Currently your online status will say "Playing: Backup Manager" Title ID: LAUN12345. So in it's current form, it is definitely detectable online. What Sony will actually do about it is yet to be seen.
Please note also that just because you play your backup online today without consequence, it doesn't mean you won't get banned tomorrow or next week or next month. Microsoft logs users with modified DVD-ROM firmware for months and then bans all those consoles in one fell swoop, once or twice a year. Until the first person is banned from PSN we won't know Sony's policy on this.
Do I have to open my console or solder anything?
No.
Does it modify any software on the PS3?
You must install the Backup Manger on your PS3 to use it. Not sure yet if you can just delete it from the XMB or if it leaves anything behind that could be detected by Sony.
Does this have anyting to do with Geohot or Jailbreak for iPhone?
No.
Does this allow me to play games from BD-R
No, it can launch games from original discs and hard drive only.
How does playing a game from hard drive compare to playing a retail disc?
In theory load times should be faster. No solid tests as yet. Apparently in-game cut scenes cannot be skipped (No idea why, more info please).
Does this allow you to launch unsigned code or homebrew?
Apparently it does. The problem with PS3 "homebrew" at present is all current tools are based on Sony's SDK, so they are illegal to distribute. Hopefully PSJB can be of use to further the development of "real" homebrew apps, independent of Sony's SDK.
Is the PSJB firmware updateable?
Apparently it will be updated by connecting to your computer's USB port.
Is it legal?
Depends on how it works. There are rumours that it is based on technology leaked directly form sony. In that case I would say it would be illegal to even own one, let alone sell or use one. Currently the device has been banned from sale in Australia and court cases are popping up in other regions.
As for playing game backups, it depends on your state and/or country's stance on making backups of your games. Most countries do not allow it, and I don't think there are any countries that allow you to make or obtain copies of games you do not own.
Where can I get one?
Check the official site http://www.psjailbreak.com for a list of official resellers. Beware of scam sites trying to make a quick buck. Post 15 of this thread shows prices for official resellers (check that post's edit date to ensure the prices are current).
FAT32 does not allow files bigger than 4gb. How can a PS3 game be stored on FAT32 as they are all over 4gb in size?
Games are made up of more than one file. For more on file size limitations see below.
Storage
You can backup to your PS3's internal drive or an external usb drive. At present there are some games that can be copied to the internal drive only and not an external usb drive. (See compatibility list below).
The issue is that the only file system presently supported by Backup Manager for external usb drives is FAT32. FAT32 does not allow a single file larger than 4gb. The games listed above include 1 or more files larger than 4gb. The solution at this time is to back these games up to the PS3's internal drive which is formatted with Sony's own proprietary file system, which has no such file size limits.
It is rumored that support for NTFS formatted external usb drives will be added to the Backup Manager at a later time. NTFS supports files larger than 4gb.
How big are the games and how long do they take to backup?
Backing up to the internal drive is much faster than going to an external USB drive. Here are some test results posted at http://www.elotrolado.net/hilo_revie...lbreak_1473364
God of War III:
File Size: 40.10GB
Internal Backup Time: 90 mins
External Backup Time: 280 mins
Red Dead Redemption:
File Size: 4.83GB
Internal Backup Time: 15 mins
External Backup Time: 40 mins*
* Fails (file over 4 GB)
Condemned 2:
File Size: 6.43GB
Internal Backup Time: 15 mins
External Backup Time: 40 mins
Resistance: Fall of Man:
File Size: 15.40GB
Internal Backup Time: 35 mins
External Backup Time: 100 mins*
* Fails (file over 4 GB)
FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010:
File Size: 7.36GB
Internal Backup Time: 15 mins
External Backup Time: 40 mins
Which games are compatible?
There is a compatibility list here: https://spreadsheets.google.com/lv?k...hsHl_KH0KiEC3w
Can it be used to backup and play PS1 or PS2 games?
No.
Does a game disc have to be inserted to play backups?
Yes. Any retail disc inserted in the drive will aid compatibility when launching backups from a hard drive. The Netflix disc does not work.
Does dumping games increase the wear on my PS3's laser?
Probably. But playing games from the hard drive will lessen the wear on your laser so it kind of evens out.
Can I backup games with my PC blu-ray drive then launch them with the PSJB?
No. Games can only be properly decrypted with GAMEOS on a PS3.
Do tools like SN Systems Target Manger work while this mod is being used?
No Target Manager does not connect, it tries but fails.
Does a debug settings menu appear like on PS3 Test units?
No this does not appear when using the dongle.
Is it a normal USB stick with some files on it?
No, it requires specific hardware. There are now several clones available as well as emulation software that can be run from a variety of portable devices to allow you to launch Backup Manager.
Does the dongle only need to be used once to convert my PS3 to a debug unit?
No, you must use it every time you want to play a backup. Removing the dongle crashes the system.
Can you exit back to the PS3 menu cleanly without rebooting when you want to switch games?
Yes.
Can I take my hard drive and dongle to my friend's place and use them on his PS3?
Yes. Backups created on one console run on any other console with Backup Manager and the PSJB dongle.
Do game updates work?
The information in this section was taken from tests done here http://www.elotrolado.net/hilo_revie...lbreak_1473364 out of the four games tested, updating only worked on two.
For some games, game updates already installed must be uninstalled or the backup will fail to load. If you are connected to PSN and load a backup which requires an update, the PS3 will inform you as normal. You can download the update, but may receive an error on trying to install it.
When loading a backup that requires an update, Backup Manager will give you the option to bypass the update. This will allow you to play the game, but will automatically disconnect you from PSN. Therefore at the moment some games are not updateable and you will not be able to play them online from a backup.
Does DLC (Downloadable Content) with backups?
Not sure about DLC at this time, someone please provide more info.
Will this allow me to load a modified game such as the custom Guitar Hero games for PS2 and Wii?
In theory it would be possible as the developers claim it can run unsigned code. More details when available.
Do you need to unplug/plug your PS3 every time you turn it on?
The fat model has a switch on the back that you can just flick on and off. Slim models will have to disconnect and then reconnect the power cable (or switch on/off at the wall) every time you want to use the PS Jailbreak. For both models you have to quickly press eject after powering on to activate the PSJB.
Will my old save games still work?
Yes.
As stated above please post errors or additions below and I will update the list. Thanks
