reactivating games

[sabin1981]

You haven't by any chance done a system reset, have you? All authentication licenses are stored internally on the PS3, not on HDD or any kind of external media, so if you somehow did a factory reset - that would account for the lost activation status. Also older PS3s, apparently, had 256MB of onboard flash -- newer, more recent, machines only have 16MB. Perhaps yours is the new one and thus doesn't save certain information internally?

When you did the HDD backup and restore, did you have to manually include the 3.41 firmware again? I didn't have to, but I've read a lot of people - and guides - specifically stating that they DID. That they had to put the PS3UPDATE.pup onto a flash drive when they replaced the HDD.

[itchyd]

You nailed it the new hard drive had to have me add the firmware from a secondary source (usb stick).

If you have a slim and you upgrade your hard drive you're losing your games if you don't upgrade your firmware as well.

That's really f'ing nice Sony!

[sabin1981]

That's just lame, man I'm really sorry to hear about that and you're right, it's a truly dick move of Sony. They've been doing it with each new PS3 revision, slowly chopping it down - feature by feature - until eventually their ad slogan is simply going to be "It only does: Absolutely nothing" Stands to reason what happened to you is down to the lower flash storage; the newer machines, only having 16MB, store most of the OS data on the HDD -- and, wouldn't you know it, forcing you to reinstall your firmware (overwriting files on flash) during a backup must also wipe authentication keys, necessitating in you having to go back online to authenticate.

Lame. Very lame.

Let's just hope the scene, whether it's legitimate or shadowy, comes up trumps and gives us a way of installing/running PSN PKGs without needing authentication. Some might cry foul about piracy, but come on; look at what Sony's methods have done to legitimate customers! You PAID for those games, so why should you be penalised for refusing to use their online service?

[Xeauron]

You haven't by any chance done a system reset, have you? All authentication licenses are stored internally on the PS3, not on HDD or any kind of external media, so if you somehow did a factory reset - that would account for the lost activation status. Also older PS3s, apparently, had 256MB of onboard flash -- newer, more recent, machines only have 16MB. Perhaps yours is the new one and thus doesn't save certain information internally?

When you did the HDD backup and restore, did you have to manually include the 3.41 firmware again? I didn't have to, but I've read a lot of people - and guides - specifically stating that they DID. That they had to put the PS3UPDATE.pup onto a flash drive when they replaced the HDD.

My bro did his backup and was asked to insert the firmware on a seperate flash drive. He has the stripped out 40GB model upped to 250GB, mine on the other hand is the launch 60GB full fat euro version.

Now I'm not entirely sure if that includes the larger NAND so I'm not sure if it'll ask me for the USB with firmware installed. I'm guessing if it does that I can't upgrade without loosing all my shit.

[itchyd]

I'm just glad we solved this little riddle and I personally bought this ps3 only like 3 months ago and lost only 2 PSN games. I pity the poor guy who unknowingly is going to lose a pile of games with no warning.

[sabin1981]

My bro did his backup and was asked to insert the firmware on a seperate flash drive. He has the stripped out 40GB model upped to 250GB, mine on the other hand is the launch 60GB full fat euro version.

Now I'm not entirely sure if that includes the larger NAND so I'm not sure if it'll ask me for the USB with firmware installed. I'm guessing if it does that I can't upgrade without loosing all my shit.

Basically, from what I found out, ALL the PS3s that support backwards compatibility with PS2 .. either via hardware of software .. have the 256MB NAND. I've also got the 60GB fattie and I wasn't asked to replace the firmware.

[Mr.GoodFrag]

Just as a warning, when I upgraded my HDD years ago, I had some issues.

Despite running the backup utility, and backing everything up to external, after the replace/restore I was prompted to reactivate my titles before playing them.

I don't know why, but that's what happened to me personally. I guess for some people it actually works how it's supposed to, but it didn't for me.

Best of luck

[Xeauron]

Basically, from what I found out, ALL the PS3s that support backwards compatibility with PS2 .. either via hardware of software .. have the 256MB NAND. I've also got the 60GB fattie and I wasn't asked to replace the firmware.

Good to know, I might give this a red hot crack then.

Cheers for the info mate!

Just as a warning, when I upgraded my HDD years ago, I had some issues.

Despite running the backup utility, and backing everything up to external, after the replace/restore I was prompted to reactivate my titles before playing them.

I don't know why, but that's what happened to me personally. I guess for some people it actually works how it's supposed to, but it didn't for me.

Best of luck

What version do you have?

[sabin1981]

Good to know, I might give this a red hot crack then.

Cheers for the info mate!

I truly hope everything goes well for you, bud. I was panicking my ass off when I had to do the upgrade, simply because there's no PSN access now and didn't want to lose my stuff

Good luck!!

What version do you have?

Aye, which PS3 do/did you have? I think we need to get more people in here discussing this, so we can compile a proper list of what PS3s can be HDD-updated without needing to replace the firmware, and what machines can't.

[itchyd]

120 gb slim requires reactivation on a hard drive upgrade...