Video summary

How to Jailbreak Your PS3 on Firmware 4.93 or Lower with Flash Writer!

Main summary

Key takeaways

Technology

Tech/Guide Summary (PS3 Jailbreak via Flash Writer/Flash Rider, Firmware 4.91 or Lower)

What the video teaches

  • How to install Hybrid Firmware (HFW) and then use the Flash Rider exploit/tool to patch the PS3 flash and install custom firmware (CFW).
  • Emphasizes this method as an alternative when browser-based methods are no longer available, and when PS3 Tool Set / BG Tool Set can’t be reached on the user’s system.
  • The Flash Rider used here is described as an unofficial but trusted/modified version, iterated for firmware 4.91.

Compatibility notes

  • This guide is not universal for all PS3 models:
    • Fat models: generally compatible.
    • Super Slim models: not compatible (the video instructs users to stop if they encounter an error indicating incompatibility).
    • Slim models: may or may not work depending on specific model identifiers.
  • The Flash Rider requires selecting whether the console uses NOR vs NAND, determined by model stickers on the PS3.

Major prerequisites (hardware/software)

You must have:

  • A PS3 that is working and connected to the internet
  • Original PS3 controller
  • Mini USB cable (for safe mode / reboot workflows)
  • A USB drive (for file transfers)
  • A PC for downloads, formatting, checksum verification, and preparation

Tools/software mentioned:

  • Rufus (recommended) to format the USB with the correct partition/file system settings
  • 7zip / szip for extracting archives
  • MD5 checker to validate downloaded files and reduce corruption risk

Step A: Prepare USB for HFW

  1. Download HFW in .pup format.
  2. Format the USB with Rufus:
    • Partition scheme: MBR
    • File system: FAT32 (or the “large fat 32” / exFAT alternative mentioned)
  3. Create USB folder structure with uppercase, one-word names:
    • PS3/UPDATE/
  4. Rename the HFW file to:
    • PS3UPDAT.PUP
  5. Verify integrity using MD5 hashes:
    • Compare the hash from the download page vs the MD5 computed locally.

Step B: Install HFW on PS3 (often twice)

  1. Install HFW via:
    • XMB → System Update → Update via Storage Media
  2. The video recommends doing two successful HFW installations:
    • Likely to ensure consistency between flash components/versions
    • To avoid mismatch issues later
  3. If XMB refuses to reinstall (same-version message), use Safe Mode:
    • Enter Safe Mode by holding the power button until two quick beeps
    • Then run System Update from USB

Step C: Configure PS3 before Flash Rider

  • Disable Automatic Update
  • Disable “What’s New”-style prompts (to reduce unwanted changes)
  • Clean browser state:
    • Close browser sessions
    • Set homepage to blank
    • Delete cookies, search history, cache, and authentication info
  • Open browser and navigate to the hosted Flash Rider site:
    • https://ald0.tools.github.io/flash-rider (as spelled in subtitles)

Step D: Run Flash Rider to dump + patch memory

  1. Plug USB into the correct port:
    • Preferably the furthest right port labeled DEV USB 000 (or 001/002/003 depending on the model)
  2. Select NOR vs NAND based on the model.
  3. Flash Rider performs checks, then you:
    • Download/verify patch variables
    • For NOR/NAND, run dump flash memory (dumping to USB)
  4. Critical emphasis:
    • Do not close the browser or power off during critical steps

Incompatibility / abort condition

  • If an error/“air” appears (subtitles indicate it means an incompatible model such as Slim/Super Slim), the guide says you can’t proceed with custom firmware using this method.
  • Suggests using a separate “PS3 HEN tutorial” as an alternative.

Step E: Validate the dump (critical safety check)

  1. Copy the dumped flash file to your PC.
  2. Run PS3 Checker (PI PS3 Checker Standalone):
    • Target: 0 dangers, 0 warnings
  3. If mismatches occur (explained as a reason to reinstall HFW twice—e.g., consistency such as “R0/R1”):
    • Repeat the HFW install
    • Re-run Flash Rider dump
    • Re-check until results are clean

Step F: Install CFW via patched flash

  1. On PC, prepare USB for CFW:
    • Extract the selected CFW package (from EVONET → “Firmware Visions”, referenced)
    • Replace PS3UPDAT.PUP with the CFW version (rename correctly)
    • Copy any Homebrew packages to the USB root
  2. Verify CFW integrity using MD5 against provided hashes.
  3. On PS3:
    • Use Flash Rider patch operation
      • NOR: “minutes”
      • NAND: “seconds” (per subtitles)
    • Power down fully
    • Boot and install CFW:
      • Settings → System Update → Update via Storage Media
      • Wait through reboot; interrupting may brick the PS3

Result / What to expect after jailbreaking

  • After successful installation:
    • The PS3 UI shows indicators like a PS3 folder and a package manager
    • If running EVOL / specific CFW flavors, CFW tools appear in the network section
  • Homebrew installation via package manager:
    • Install Package Files → Standard
    • MultiMAN is recommended as the first app to install

Homebrew notes (MultiMAN)

  • After launching MultiMAN, the video recommends:
    • Disabling music/background audio within MultiMAN to reduce annoyance and potentially improve performance (noted in the context of FTP transfers).

Key risk-management emphasis

The video repeatedly stresses:

  • Never interrupt critical dumps/patches/installs
  • Verify MD5 for all files
  • Take and keep a console-specific flash dump backup
    • Described as a restore safety net if something goes wrong

If you see incompatibility errors during Flash Rider, the guide’s approach is to stop and use an alternative (such as a PS3 HEN tutorial).

Main speakers/sources

  • Mr Mario (primary speaker)
  • Credits/hosts mentioned:
    • Aldo Vargas (“Aldo’s tools”) — hosted Flash Rider on GitHub
    • Jun (and “Jun 886” in subtitles) — beta testing, provided required p3t file(s)
    • evat, little ballop, element 7, coaster S1 (contributors mentioned)
    • PS3 XO team — referenced for initial releases/support

Original video