Talk:Validating flash dumps

UserTool

User:Bluemimmosa This application will check the nor dump for the correct size and also will check the magical header for repetations. If it finds repetation then it will calculate the difference and also tell you which address line is not connected or BAD. This program will also extract the files such as raw ROS0 raw ROS1, metldr, bootldr, cISD, cCSD, cvtrm, eEID, trvk_prg0, trvk_prg1, trvk_pkg0, trvk_pkg1, cell extnor area correctly, and will also check the metldr if the console is downgradable or not. CREATED: 2011 dec 25.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/e4ophg

Check metldr+bootldr sizes - Usertool

User:Bluemimmosa Based on the metldr and bootldr table i have coded an app that checks the byte at 0xFC0003 and test it weather its 5B or FB and decides if the console is downgradable or not. i think it may help some people.. This program also scans the file if it is of correct size or not. http://www.sendspace.com/file/8liow8

Basic stepes to verify if your bios dump is correct:

What you need:
Your ps3 Bios Backup, extracted via e3 flasher (bkps3.bin)
e3 nor dump checker v1.0 (should be used only as a complement, as it gives false positives)
Flowrebuilder v4.2.2.0
HxD - Hex Editor

Now if you follow this basic stepes, and if everything matches your ps3dump is OK, if anything fails to macth use another dump, the one you're cheking may lead you to a permanent brick

0 - open e3 nor dump checker, and check if it gives any errors.

WARNING: Don't trust only in dump checker, as it's known for it's false positives.

1 - Statistics analysis

1.1 - Open your bkps3.bin in HxD
1.2 - select analysis > statistics > select your file
1.3 - mouse over the blue bars and check if:

00's , between 18.71% - 29.01%
FF's , between 10.42% - 10.48%
rest , between 10.42% - 10.48%

2 - Make Visual inspection

2.1 - Open Flowrebuilder
2.2 - select "byte reverse and EXTRACT a NOR dump File"
2.3 - select the desired bkps3.bi , and then execute operation
2.3.1 - the Dump extraction should've been done without any errors, otherwise it may lead you to a permanent brick.
2.3.2 - after extracting you should have the following output: bkps3.swap.ps3 and bkps3.swap
2.3.3 - inside the folder bkps3.swap you should have the following items:

asecure_loader (folder)
ros0 (folder)
ros1 (folder)
bootloader_0 (.bin)
cCSD (.bin)
cISD (.bin)
cvtrm (.bin)
eEID (.bin)
trvk_pkg0 (.bin)
trvk_pkg1 (.bin)
trvk_prg0 (.bin)
trvk_prg1 (.bin)

(if you don't have them, please don't proceed! try to extract the dump again, or use an diferent dump, the one you're using will probably lead you to a permanent brick)

2.4 - open the file ...\asecure_loader\metdlr in HxD, then ctrl + a
2.4.1 - look for your s/n in the following table:
http://www.ps3devwiki.com/wiki/Validating_flash_dumps#Check_metldr.2Bbootldr_sizes , and check if your lenght field in HxD matches with Size field in the table.

2.5 - repeat the process with Bootloader_0.bin File

2.6 - now open your bkps3.swap.bin with HxD and chek if the next fields matches.

2.6.1 - header (0FACE0FF DEADBEEF), it should match with the follwing:
http://www.ps3devwiki.com/wiki/Flash#Header_-_0FACE0FF_DEADBEEF

2.6.2 - From offset 00000400 to 00000600 (search for offset in HxD do ctrl + g) you should have the following:
http://www.ps3devwiki.com/images/3/3e/HxD.png

2.6.3 - Search now for the following Hex code: 617365637572655F6C6F616465720000
2.7.3.1 - for it in Hxd, do ctrl+f change the datatype field for HEX, Copy and paste the code, it should be found and looks like the following:
http://www.ps3devwiki.com/wiki/Flash#example_3

2.6.4 verify the entry table trv_prg0
2.6.4.1 - search for SCE in text mode, and it should looks like:
http://www.ps3devwiki.com/wiki/Flash#example_28

2.6.5 - press f3 and several SCE data should be found, and the last one should be SCEI (check: http://www.ps3devwiki.com/wiki/Flash#example_39 (cvtrm))

2.6.6 - verify the HDD info
2.7.6.1 - search for your HDD brand ( ctrl+f and in text mode type the disk brand) or else ctrl + g and it sould be in the 00f20200 offset

2.6.7 - search for your Serial: (http://www.ps3devwiki.com/wiki/Flash#example_20)

2.6.7.1 - it should be in offset 003f090 , you can also look for the 2nd part of your serial number (ex: xx-12345678-xxxxxx)

these are the basic stepes to check your dump file, howerver if you wish to go further and check your dump more in dept, please check:
http://www.ps3devwiki.com/wiki/E3
http://www.ps3devwiki.com/wiki/Flash

After Cheking all those fields, if everything checks, so your dump is OK and you're good to proceed with your flashing process. always make more than 1 backup of your bios.

all the credits for this tutorial goes to the @p users of irc channel #ps3downgrade at Ef.net specially to alex07 and eussNL who thoughtme and helped me with the basic how to for cheking the dumps. all i just did was to compile all the info they gave-me and wrote everithing down for further use. after writing everything donw i thought it could be useful for every1. hope it helps.

Feel free to correct any bad english or any mistaken info in this how to.

best regards cfcolaco