Hacking CECHB stuck in update loop. Wat do?

[codezer0]

Okay, here's the skinny...

Got this CECHB (20gb) model ps3 here that I rescued from YLOD before. Seeing the tut for how to update to 4.30 CFW, I didn't want to chance it yet on my CECHA, especially since as I understand, I'd have to downgrade to 3.55 before I could update to another 4.* CFW, so I instead opted to guinea pig with the console that I hadn't been using at all.

The system was on 3.50 OFW... so my first step would naturally be to go to 3.55, right?

Well, that's the issue. As it currently is, it stopped around 60-some % of the way, but it won't proceed any further. It throws up the error code 8002F14E on me and then resets.

Looking up online, I'd been hearing that this is a problem with the BD drive.. which doesn't make much sense, since I could load discs on it fine before I went to go update. I'd seen suggestions about pulling the hard drive partway through the update procedure. This would then let the progress bar get to 99%, but then it would just stop right there.

To date, I've been reading conflicting reports about whether to simply format the hard drive to get it out of this cycle or not... granted, the hard drive in it was simply one I used as a loaner just to help make sure that the console was working. But this situation's put me in a bit of a quandary.

At this point, what can I do to get this PS3 to 'snap out of it' at least, if not to actually finish the update proper?

 

[trumpet-205]

Did you try update via recovery mode? You are going from 3.50 OFW to 3.55 OFW right? There is also no disc inside your drive while updating right?

 

[codezer0]

No disc in the console. When I tried booting into Recovery mode, it juts seemed to get stuck and wasn't accessing the flash drive that had the update.pup file... so I had to try it from the XMB.

Since I updated my CECHA from 3.41 OFW to 3.55 Kmeaw, that's where I was going with this one as well.

Now the problem is that the CECHB won't go into recovery mode and keeps trying to reapply the update.

If I leave the hard disk in the whole time, it gets to about 65% before throwing up the 8002F14E code.

If I take it out before it reaches ~60%, it will continue on apparently... up until 99%, where it just stays stuck. At least from what I have read, these NAND-based PS3's don't actually flash the NAND until 100%. The console is connected to a spare UPS as well.

I've read conflicting reports suggesting to simply reformat the hard disk... or somehow shorting the CMOS battery on the system to "snap out of" this system update mode loop. It is true that the system hasn't been used in a while... Hmm... I was hoping to get this one working before I tried updating to 4.30 CFW on my CECHA. But now I gotta deal with this... augh

 

[trumpet-205]

Try go to 3.55 OFW first (after that 3.55 CFW > QA Toggle > 4.x CFW). You are starting from 3.50, not 3.41.

If still doesn't work, then you may need to take PS3 apart to check every connections.

 

[codezer0]

Okay, but what should I do now? As I said, it's still trying to reapply the update, and it's not letting me do anything else. I do know from reading around that it hasn't actually applied the new firmware to the nand...

Should I go ahead and attempt reformatting the hard disk then? Should I look for the CMOS battery and yank it?

 

[trumpet-205]

Well, try to take apart the PS3. Replace CMOS battery and check to make sure every connection sits tightly. Some people only seem to suggest leaving CMOS battery out for couple minutes to reset PS3.

If it is a Bluray problem like you said, then you may need to buy a replacement drive, put older drive PCB on new drive and install it.

 

[codezer0]

Would you suggest I reformat the hard disk I slapped in there at this time?

Long as it doesn't cause a brick, that won't be a problem for me.

Seems this thing's ribbon cable has always been loose. I tried using two applications of tape to hold it in place on the mainboard side. At least the retaining clip on the bd drive still works.

On an aside... if I do have to, where would I find another bd drive for this thing? it's not like Sony would just let me buy the part, after all.

 

[codezer0]

Okay, some good news indeed. Reformatting the hard disk at least allows me to boot into recovery mode, so for the moment it appears I got it to "snap out" of that update loop.

On the other, as stated before, even though I have since put 3.55 OFW on the flash drive, hitting the system update option on the ps3's recovery menu doesn't seem to detect it. Or at least it seems to spend an eternity at the "checking... please wait" screen. Suggestions?

I can get to the recovery menu now. However, just trying to boot the system straight causes it to sit there for a while, spin its fan... but then shut down.

 

[trumpet-205]

Try another flash drive.

 

[codezer0]

This is strange, especially considering that one of the many flash drives I am trying is my lexar mini drive, which has never had a problem being recognized in a PS3 before.

Tried two others with just the 3.55OFW file. All I keep getting is the screen that says
"Checking... Please Wait."

And that little icon on the top right, but nothing seems to be happening activity-wise.

 

[codezer0]

PS3 Error 8002f281 now.

Looking up online, signs point to people saying "file system borked. Reformat and try again."

Uh, didn't I just do that?

Reformatted the hard drive again... PS3 still just doing the same thing of sitting there at the "checking..." screen, instead of actually updating to 3.55. Wishing I could make it hurry up already...

**EDIT** FIIIIIIIINALLLLY...

Disk formatted... attempting to install 3.55 OFW as I type this.

** Update again **

65% and it stops with 8002F14E ... AGAIN! Damn it, Damn it, damn it!

 

[Oshae93]

PS3 Error 8002f281 now.

Looking up online, signs point to people saying "file system borked. Reformat and try again."

Uh, didn't I just do that?

Reformatted the hard drive again... PS3 still just doing the same thing of sitting there at the "checking..." screen, instead of actually updating to 3.55. Wishing I could make it hurry up already...

**EDIT** FIIIIIIIINALLLLY...

Disk formatted... attempting to install 3.55 OFW as I type this.

** Update again **

65% and it stops with 8002F14E ... AGAIN! Damn it, Damn it, damn it!

Did you ever fix this? If not what did you do?

 

[trumpet-205]

Apparently the only way around this problem is to replace the Bluray drive (or at least the daughter board). Replace the drive, update to 3.55. Remarry the drive, then update beyond 3.55.

 

[Oshae93]

Apparently the only way around this problem is to replace the Bluray drive (or at least the daughter board). Replace the drive, update to 3.55. Remarry the drive, then update beyond 3.55.

o sorry forgot to post my fix i did. I just switched the ribbon cable ends and it got me through the update. I plan to switch them back bc i heard some games wont work of the ends are switched for some reason. Also looks like i cant background download now. I'll see what i can do in the morning

 

[codezer0]

o sorry forgot to post my fix i did. I just switched the ribbon cable ends and it got me through the update. I plan to switch them back bc i heard some games wont work of the ends are switched for some reason. Also looks like i cant background download now. I'll see what i can do in the morning

Yea, I just know right now I'm kinda stuck due to lack of funds... and being between jobs. Haven't been able to do anything with the CECHB as a result.

 

[trumpet-205]

o sorry forgot to post my fix i did. I just switched the ribbon cable ends and it got me through the update. I plan to switch them back bc i heard some games wont work of the ends are switched for some reason. Also looks like i cant background download now. I'll see what i can do in the morning

Most of the time that error code refers to the ribbon, but in this case since OP was sure ribbon is not a problem then drive itself goes bad.

Unfortunately you can't just swap the drive in early PS3, you have to go through a process called "remarrying".

 

[Oshae93]

Yea, I just know right now I'm kinda stuck due to lack of funds... and being between jobs. Haven't been able to do anything with the CECHB as a result.

Ik trumpet said you were sure it wasant ribbon, but did you try reversing the ends on the ribbon. Just asking to be sure

 

[codezer0]

Ik trumpet said you were sure it wasant ribbon, but did you try reversing the ends on the ribbon. Just asking to be sure

It won't fit the other way around.

 

[tbgtbg]

Seeing the tut for how to update to 4.30 CFW, I didn't want to chance it yet on my CECHA, especially since as I understand, I'd have to downgrade to 3.55 before I could update to another 4.* CFW,

For what it's worth, and I realize you made this statement ages ago and might have already figured this out, I don't believe this is correct, at least not with the CFW I use (rebug). I just install the latest CFW over the existing one.

 

[trumpet-205]

Ik trumpet said you were sure it wasant ribbon, but did you try reversing the ends on the ribbon. Just asking to be sure

You can't reverse the ribbon, contact point is only on one side, not both side.