PS3Break another clone

[The Central Scrutinizer]

NOTE by xiaNaix: The original version of this thread was accidentally deleted. I have attempted to re-create the original first post by el_yemo from Google's cache. Sorry about that.

Thanks to xiaNaix to re-create the thread and giving me the permission to continue updating the thread

This post has the original "news" of the device, but also contains updated information provided by several PSX's members (thank you for sharing)

WARNING: The pink foam package version of PS3Break SEEMS to be not upgradeable at the moment, so if you are looking to upgrade your device keep that in mind before buying it and please READ THIS POST FIRST!. If you want to only run "Backup Manager" feel free to buy the device


Checking my e-mail inbox, I've found an advertisement of this new psjailbreak clone called "PS3Break". I've checked their website ps3break.com and found info about this device:

PS3 Break, revolutionary, the inventory are being sold worldwide now! It is powerful to break through all PS3 barriers, perfectly supports

PS3 Break’s powerful R&D team will provide users with excellent services for software upgrading and technical support.

A list of capabilities of the device:

1、Upgradeable hardware firmware thoroughly!
2、The key “Upgrade” for software upgrading and avoids to be blocked by SONY. Users can also upgrade the updated software through computer.
3、Reading speed will be 2 times faster and it makes users to play more smoothly.
4、Games can be copied and saved to internal or external hard disk, in this way, the expensive blue-ray driver and disc can be abandoned.
5、Plug & play USB port, the installation will be finished in a few seconds.
6、Homebrew software is supported.
7、Simple and clear illustrations will guide you to install step by step.
8、PS3 Break is compatible with all fat and slim model.

They have a youtube video... yes a video! some guy explaining how to use the device, it seems that at some point he doesn't know what to do:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E-OUS9Y96I]YouTube - ps3break[/ame]

They have several distributors listed on their site, while some advertise it some others don't.

Source: PS3,break, PS3break,PS3 dongle, PS3break.com

UPDATES SECTION:

What version do I have?: An image speaks more than thousand words:

Image by member inf1:


basically if you got a:

"white foam" version of PS3break you have a ATMEL chip that can be upgraded with FLIP and without any troubles or any additional soldering work (thank God!).

"pink foam" version of PS3break you have a PIC micro controller with a FAKE upgrade button and it can't be upgraded (yet or not?) as easy as ATMEL's version, probably needs soldering work. Bottom line: you can't update your PIC at the moment, no matter what resellers or manufacturer are saying!

Truth inquiry????: I'm very confused right now, as might be many members reading an update at PS3break.com, please read it here:
"PS3Break truth inquiry"
How can be possible that the manufacturer states that his own first version of the device is a clone?
Judge yourself!

Successful upgrade requested: If someone has tried to re-flash the ps3break (ATMEL and PIC) with PSGroove and succeeded, please post it here and I'll update it.

ATMEL version successfully upgraded: We have the first re-flash made by NQS on PS3break ATMEL version using FLIP software and PSGroove hex file

Originally Posted by NQS
Yes, I used the flip program.

These are the steps I did.

1) Installed Flip
2) Inserted PS3 Break into my computer and pressed the upgrade button.
3) After windows detected the Break I installed the AT90USB162 drivers from Flip program directory.
4) Opened Flip and set up the options(ie which device I was using(AT90USB162))
5) Loaded the .hex file and flashed the PS3 Break

I first tried to flash the break with the AT90USB hex but the stick would not work on the PS3 afterwards, I ended up flashing it with the Teensy 1.0 hex and it worked fine afterwards.

Member gtv3000 has been able to re-flash his PS3break also.

Detailed pictures of both dongle versions:

Picture by NQS:

Picture by atikosh:


Note at the bottom of each board has a text: on Atmel's version says: USB-A3-V2.0 and on PIC's version says: USB-A6-V1.0


USBBreak.com and P3Hub.com: These are "sister" sites of PS3Break.com, they've stated on P3Hub.com that the device was designed by PS3Break team. Note the similarity of USBBreak device and PS3Break, these are clones of their own making (not 3rd party clones).

Using P3hub's "burning programmer" V1.2: It's HIDBootloader, that's right, they didn't make their own program. Don't waste your time downloading it or downloading the V1.1, because V1.1 it's ATMEL's software.

Paypal and resellers: Well, it is frustrating to read that every complain or even asking for support seems to be a dead end. Several members have opened a dispute on paypal with no luck, and others have not any answer from PS3Break or the reseller .

New PS3Break V1.1 and downloads: This is a new device (a PIC dongle for sure) capable of re-flashing and it can use the Hermes' fork of PSGroove hex file. If you buy this new device please let us know to share it with the community!. As for the downloads on PS3B's site, they WILL NOT help you in any way to get your PIC dongle V1.0 upgradeable.


Member fluidmax have posted the info we needed to read, regarding the upgradability of the PS3Break pink version PIC dongle (thank you for the info!):

I finally got an answer from my Chinese supplier regarding upgradability on the PIC version.

the short answer is "NO" we won't be able to upgrade these simply by plugging them into our own PCs. The ps3break team used an early version of PSGrooPIC hex which does not contain bootloader code.

PS: My supplier also mentioned there might be some kind of external programmer for those PIC versions coming out from the ps3break team in the near future.

sep-28-2010: Another update by member fluidmax regarding the "upgrade" function of the PS3Break pink foam version (PIC dongle) has uncover the REAL and UGLY TRUTH, PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY:

After pressing my Chinese supplier about the reason behind the "we are solving this issue (PIC v1.0) right now" emails from the ps3break team. I was finally told the truth reason behind this denial by the ps3break team. The denial is solely for "Change back/Paypal dispute" purposes. For as long as the team is saying they are "Still Working On It" and it "Will be Upgradable" most people will not attempt to file charge back/Paypal dispute. the team are helping their resellers to ride out the 30-45 days charge back/Paypal dispute period. Once that period is over and the old PIC V1.0 version are depleted they will stop telling people they are still working on it and by then the people who bought the PIC v1.0 version will have to leverage against the resellers.

If you want an upgradeable V1.0 PIC dongle, forget about it, this post it's very clear about PS3Break dark intentions to not refund or replace any device. We have a couple of ideas regarding this matter (paypal dispute/claim) by member PeteAce:

I asked them to at least refund half of what I paid or I'd escalate to a claim. I urge all to file PayPal dispute as soon as possible (before 45 days), you can always close it amicably if they offer refund or replacement. If they get too many unresolved PayPal disputes in their account, they maybe suspended or at least seriously hurt their PayPal reputation. This way we can press their distributors to work with PSBreak.com to fix the upgrade issue.

I don't suggest sending the dongle back. You don't want to wait another month to see if you get the refund or replacement, maybe. I asked for a partial refund or a working replacement, I think there is a better chance that way. If the seller is not willing to resolve it, escalate it to a claim and to hell with the seller. You can then sell the dongle for about the cost or lower locally on craigslist. Be sure to let them know that it's not upgradeable!

PS3Break V1.0 PIC version dongle (pink version) Upgraded: Finally member Stigmata have made his PS3break V1.0 PIC dongle UPGRADEABLE, but as he stated it's not easy to do, and he only says it is a "proof of concept" what he did:

tbh its not worth the time it takes,yeah it looks like a ps3break but basically all i ended up making is a homemade pic groove board using components from the ps3break.imo just use it as it is untill you really need to upgrade and just get a dev board
i used these schematics http://psx-scene.com/forums/f6/ps3br...56&postcount=3 (PS3Break another clone) along with an icsp programmer, had to cut the stock LED trace(pin22) and rewire it to pin 25,add a 10k res and signal diode for the bootloader mclr(pin1),removed the cap near the switch,grounded one side of the switch.then linked the switched side of the switch to pin1 via the diode and resistor to vcc,flashed it with fly leads directly soldered to the chips legs to icsp header,while flashing it the software it moaned like hell,but i ignored the verify errors.once done unsolder the fly leads hot glue the wires down to prevent shorting ,its not worth the hassle.

Image by Stigmata


Now it is up to you, members, to: place a claim/dispute on paypal, stay with the device, sell it, try to make it upgradeable (good luck with that) or throw it away (if you're mad you can ).

As I've always said: there's good chinese manufacturers and bad chinese manufacturers... you be the judge

[oldmanhouse]

I was in the middle of reading through the old thread but didn't get to the end.

Has it been confirmed whether the PIC version has a bootloader installed or not?

[57413]

....

[grecomafioso]

xiANaix

im waiting for your answer....you said something about the p3free updateable thread.

[amp2006]

well i think the ones they are on ps3breakstore site are based on ATEML am i right ?

[m0nk3hjam]

Hi there, been loitering in the shadows but just thought i would post on this.

I have a ps3break, ordered probably on the same day as release and it has a PIC inside. Sunsky distributer.

It works well jailbreaking, sad to hear its not upgradeable tho.

Hopefully some one will be able to hax the dongle for upgrade.

Anyways just thought I would let you know.

[dualdeath]

Hi there, been loitering in the shadows but just thought i would post on this.

I have a ps3break, ordered probably on the same day as release and it has a PIC inside. Sunsky distributer.

It works well jailbreaking, sad to hear its not upgradeable tho.

Hopefully some one will be able to hax the dongle for upgrade.

Anyways just thought I would let you know.

it's really upgradeable but not through USB.. you need extra hardware to flash firmware in there.. which s*cks..

[m0nk3hjam]

ah thanks for the comment, I dont mind butchering things to make them work, not too worried until its actually needed anyway.



might request a refund tho anyways heh!

[oldmanhouse]

it's really upgradeable but not through USB.. you need extra hardware to flash firmware in there.. which s*cks..

So it's been confirmed that the PIC doesn't have a bootloader installed?

[tex2chi]

i almost bought one today, but then i thought about it and decided to wait. i dont feel like risking it and gettin a non upgradeable one