Zpack

[xiaNaix]

Word out of Korea is that there is a USB dongle that will allow booting of backups. Supposedly this system was created for PlayStation cafe's to load games off hard drive and has been exploited for more nefarious purposes. Time will tell if it is legit or another cruel hoax.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U83hOhQn89w[/ame]

There are other videos posted on YouTube as well.

[amp2006]

i think its fake .

[xiaNaix]

There's been some discussion in various places and people seem to be split. Some call it an obvious hoax and others insist it's real. I'd certain lean toward the former but who knows.

[garyopa]

My thoughts are up and down, on this being real or not, since it appear a few days ago.

But the talk about it seems to be that is uses the "usb service mode" that I have see some official service places using to repair bricked PS3, the dongle is wired in such a way to tell the ps3 to enter in service mode, much like the pandora battery on the psp.

[noetikos]

the Zpack disc case looks like an xbox 360 game case to me. plus, why didn't the guy specify where he got the zpack kit and for how much. he didn't even show his external hdd or even the usb dongle. the lights where turned off the entire time and he could of used another PES game disc for all we know. this fruitcake could of edited the video himself to make zpack GUI appear as if was integrated to the XMB.

it's a hoax

[JNABK]

Seems a bit 'fishy' to me too, i found out the website its supposed to be from, but so far it only says this:

Fehler:

Traffic Limit Erschöpft

http://zpack.brainchip.biz/

I'll definitly wait until someone reputable has confirmed its realistic and not a distasteful hoax.

Edit:

After looking thru the source files of that website, all i found was a bunch of links to free domain sites and some text just saying "Zpack Playstation 3 Backup System for PS3" and the end pointing to the page you see with only what i quoted above. Fishy...very fishy!

[garyopa]

Seems a bit 'fishy' to me too, i found out the website its supposed to be from, but so far it only says this:


http://zpack.brainchip.biz/

I'll definitly wait until someone reputable has confirmed its realistic and not a distasteful hoax.

Yep, since the news hit on major sites like "haxnetwork", the site got hammered with all these people looking for more info, so that message means "bandwidth overloaded".

In other possible fake or possible real news regarding PS3, is talk about using a old FAT PS3 with linux installed, and then installing a virtual windows xp, and then installing the old CloneCD and latest AnydvdHD and then making a image read of your original PS3 blu-ray game treating it as PC protected game, and then transfering that 1:1 image to your PC and burning it on your blu-ray burner, and then using a SaveFile that causes Motorstorm to crash back to the XMB dashboard, you then eject the original Motorstorm and insert your 1:1 image you make and it boots and plays, so far reports are that it works many of the older games like PES2008.

The trick being two-fold, one using a SaveFile with Motorstorm that causes the dashboard to crash, and two using the PS3 inself to make the blu-ray backup, as it seems the drive in the PS3 can read areas not readable on normal PC burners, as comparing the two images one from the virtual CloneCD running on the PS3 to one make before on a PC or one (cough) d/l'ed from the 'net brings up alot of small differences.

More work needs to be done, that is for sure on this backup/swap way, but I am sure Sony is reading this and "haxnetwork" and SKFU blogs and as already patched this in a new upcoming firmware, and maybe also one of the reasons that removed "Linux" from the current machines.

Here is the only info I have on this possible hack, contained in the following .zip it includes the "save file" that causes the "crash", but I currently need to go install linux, etc. to test this feature:

[JNABK]

I found this FAQ posted on another forum, i guess before the news hit the net and flooded that site with traffic overloads:

Zpack comes to you with a USB Dongle and a DISK with the Zpack Software, which you only need the first time for installation. The USB dongle have to be connected to your PS3 all the time. When you run a Playstation Café with 8 Playstation Terminals, you will need 8 Zpacks for each PS3 Terminal to run the games from the external drives. Please pay Attention for our Zpack bundles.



FAQ

Can I use more than one external hard disk for backups on one PS3?

Yes, you can have e.g. one ex.hd for your games and another for your HD movies.



After Installing Zpack my PS3 is freezing, I can backup and play games without problems but the PS3 clock is showing sometimes the wrong time/wrong date and things like that?

Yes, while installing and using Zpack the PS3 OS is "slowed down" (Asymmetric Scheduling is changing) The Zpack USB Dongle is taking Control of scheduling and of the resources. We noticed the problem with the PS3 clock and controller assignment. But when you mount your games everything will be working. Tip: after installation - while turning on your PS3 with Zpack disconnect your ext. hard disk.



Can I play online when I start the games from my external hard disk?

Yes, all PS3 games on your external hard disk can be played online.



Can I edit/upload Data from the Zpack disk or from the USB Dongle?

No, please don't upload anything regarding the Zpack Backup System. We just want to stay in the background and give our customers the service they need. Use it for your PS3 cafe or personal but don't share anything about Zpack.



How many PS3 game Backups can I make on a 1 Terabyte external hard disk?

It depends on the games you choose. Approximately 45-55 Games or Blue rays (film).



After installing Zpack using my external hard disk all data were erased on the ext. hard disk?

Don't use ext. Hard disks with important data for PS3 Backups. As we also mentioned in the Installing guide coming to you with your Zpack we recommend using a completely empty external hard disk because it will be formatted. Use a recovery tool to rescue data when your data is deleted.



Which payment methods do you accept?

We accept Paypal, Moneybookers and Paysafe Card.



Can I make backup of games which I don`t own ?

NO, we don`t want our Zpack to be misused and will report any misuse immediately. This system was designed for Playstation Cafes to prevent the original disks from damages and scratches.



Is it Illegal to use Zpack?

Zpack in use with the games you have bought is not illegal (depending to your country). You should not tell everybody about your Zpack System. Don’t misuse the Zpack system and backup games you don’t have bought.



Can I start a copy (blue ray Disk) of a PS3 game with Zpack ?

Yes, just choose the option “MOUNT MEDIA” to run your copies.



Can I install the software on two different PS3?

Yes you can install it on different systems but only the system with the USB dongle will be able to mount the game images from your external hard disk.



Do I need Linux for Installation?

No, if you have Linux on you PS3 Zpack will not work. You need to reinstall the original firmware. The Installation Process of Zpack is easy just follow the steps and Zpack will work properly.



Which Firmware do I need on my PS3 to Install Zpack?

Zpack is working with all original PS3 Firmware’s. (tested up to firmware 3.15)



Is Zpack working on the PS3 Slim?

Yes, order the Zpack for PS3 slim.



Do I need Internet for Zpack Installation?

No, you don’t need Internet for installation.



You are using XP Installer for installation. Can I install other windwos apps?

No, the look of the installer is just a grafik we used to confuse some guys which tried to get behind the Zpack System. You'll see that the buttons on the right corner have no function. we are working on new apps, which were specially designed for Zpack. Don't try to install anything.



Can I Make a Copy of the USB Dongle?

No, please don’t connect the USB Dongle to a USB port of a PC or MAC. The USB Dongle will be destroyed, especially when you have Anti Virus and Firewall running. Please handle the USB Dongle with care. In cases where we can proof that the Dongle was connected to a PC or MAC, we will not make an exchange in order of damage.



Why do you have so long shipping times?

First of all we have a lot of orders and we are working really hard to send all orders as soon as possible. We are not shipping from USA. According to your country the shipping can last 6-9 days.



Can I sell Zpack in the country I am living?

Yes, in order for those running a business and want to earn money with Zpack we have Zpack reseller packages.



We want to thank all our friends and partners supporting us all the time. Thanks to our friends from "the company" supporting our project directly from the source.Another big "thank you" to our RTS division, you are great guys, without you Zpack would never be such easy and user friendly. Keep up the good work.

Thanks to NEO who is designing THE NEW ZPACK ONLINE SHOP (online February 2010) with intern board and customer management system (upgrades and order tracking system)

We would like to thank all our customers for so much positive feedback and for your patience (I know I know our shipping times J but 2010 we will be better)

We wish all of you a happy new year and a lot of fun in 2010 with your Zpacks.

Z.P.A.C.K.

Sounds like a nice "marketing scam", well worth the time taken to write that up if its going to make them money.......but still doesnt mean its real.

Can I Make a Copy of the USB Dongle?

No, please don’t connect the USB Dongle to a USB port of a PC or MAC. The USB Dongle will be destroyed, especially when you have Anti Virus and Firewall running. Please handle the USB Dongle with care. In cases where we can proof that the Dongle was connected to a PC or MAC, we will not make an exchange in order of damage.

Hmm...do they think we are that stupid nobody would try making a copy and how could antivirus or a firewall have an effect on a USB devices contents by just plugging it in and attemtping to make a copy?

"in cases we can prove..." sounds like a contradiction that they wouldnt know if it was in fact connected to a PC or not......a cheap scare tactic perhaps?.

lolz....this is a good laugh:

Q: Is it Illegal to use Zpack?

A: Zpack in use with the games you have bought is not illegal (depending to your country). You should not tell everybody about your Zpack System. Don’t misuse the Zpack system and backup games you don’t have bought.

I guess what they mean here is, please dont tell anyone you were scammed, let us make more money on other gullible people first.

[Peppers]

The gullible side of me thinks that is real and could not possible be fake. maybe I'll go out and buy me a PS3.

[JNABK]

Ive been looking at the various youtube videos that this guy has made, using a few different account names, but is the same guy, same TV, same setup, same PS3 placement on the table.

In one of the videos, the time shown when he is "ZPacking", 20mins goes by, although he says 50 mins elapsed....... 15/12 14:57 to 15/12 15:17

On a different video showing the exact same thing, its only 13 mins......29/12 1:43 to 29/12 1:57
And another showing only 17 mins 30/12 1:20 to 30/12 1:37
Its hard to believe this app could rip those games in that short a time, while any other updating takes a while for less than a 1GB file. The Killzone 2 game i have took around 5-7 mins to update 800MB.

At one point he shows a disc and turns it around where a "mirror image" of whats off camera seems to be other equipment running, its too 'blurry' to make out if its a console, a PC or a stero system though.
Its just too fake for me to believe this.