Hacking Looking to buy a PS3

[vincecartercrazy]

Hey guys, I'm looking to buy a PS3 and hack it, but I'm really confused about what model I should be looking at and what would be the best method of modding it. I have never owned a playstation before, so backwards compatibility is not important; however, I would like to be able to play PSX, PS2, and PS3 backups. I do have some experience hacking (PSP, Wii), but I would like to avoid doing any type of soldering.

 

[G-STAR01]

Depends greatly on which route you want to take.
1. CFW
2. ODE

Look these links:
http://www.ps3devwiki.com/ps3/SKU_Models
http://www.ps3devwiki.com/ps3/Datecode

CFW offers a lot more but the online is easy to detect.
Now CFW is only supported on 1k and 2k models that are downgradeable to 3.56.
If you go down the CFW route, you'll be looking for one of two things.
1. PS3 that is already on 3.55 fw or below, or already on CFW.
2. PS3 that that is on 3.56 or downgradeable to 3.56 or below - Datecodes up to 1A.

If you choose number two, you'll need to downgrade it using a hardware flasher or install a 4.xx cfw directly using a hardware flasher.
Flashers such as the E3 don't require soldering but it can be pretty expensive (same for ode ofc).
So it's usually a better option to find some one fairly local that is willing to do it for a reasonable fee.
Make sure you get that person to clean the dust inside and re-apply good quality thermal paste.
I remember when I offered my services I would include that with the service, make sure you get them to do the same.


Now I haven't been keeping up to date with all the new ODE news but at least from what I last heard was that it is safer to use online than CFW.
But they did have issues with some of the latest firmwares, I'm not sure what's up with 3k3y, they seem to be dead but Cobra require either a swap disc or extra addons, which is something you can look into if ur interested.
And if you're looking at some of the latest models, you ideally want to re-check if cobra supports them or not.
ODE has less to offer and is expensive, it is only an optical drive emulator (hardware) but it's useful for those that have 'unhackable' PS3 models.
Whether or not these require soldering, I'm not sure, I think it depends on the model.
You can play PS1, PS2 and PS3 games on both.

So choose ur path & I'll try help where I can.