Developer Nathan Martin , also known as Evilnat , recently released the latest update of his Custom Firmware 4.92 on PlayStation 3 consoles , available in several variants such as CEX, PEX and D-PEX, all integrated with the Cobra 8.5 patches.

This custom firmware , based on the porting of the DEX kernel and some modules from the Rebug 4.84 custom firmware , allows access to both LV2 kernels, CEX and DEX , without the need for external tools like the Rebug Toolbox , thanks to the plugin integration xai_plugin.sprx.

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Additionally, it offers full compatibility with the ProDG Target Manager , an essential tool for developers, used for debugging software via the Target Manager API (TMAPI) .

Among the main new features introduced in this new version, there is the possibility of updating the Custom Firmware directly via the Internet on CEX and DEX, with the integration of the software_update_plugin.sprxoriginal plugin of the 4.84 DEX firmware.

Also changed the update screen background and patched the vsh.selfDEX to allow downloads of various PUP files.

Significant optimizations have been made to the LV1 module, allowing for advanced fan speed management during PS2 emulation. The DEX and OC variants of the CFW have been removed, and a new patch allows for bypassing the firmware check when logging into PSN.

On the Cobra side, external module loading has been reintroduced, automatic RSX GPU overclocking on boot has been added, and several obsolete OPCODEs have been removed, now enabled by default, with leaner and more optimized code.

The XAI menu has been completely redesigned by Aldo Vargas and now includes an overclock option. Rounding out the update are two how-to guides on how to adjust the fans in PS2 mode and enable GPU overclocking, aimed at those who want to get the most out of their PS3.

Installation Guide

Get a USB stick of at least 2 GB and format it in FAT32, create a folder inside it and rename it PS3, and inside this folder create another one and give it the name UPDATE, now place the file inside this folder and rename it to PS3UPDAT.PUP.

Let’s extract the USB stick from the PC and connect it to the Playstation 3, in the USB port closest to the player. To install the Custom Firmware there are two ways, via Recovery Mode and from XMB . We have preferred to always install our Custom Firmware from Recovery Mode but everyone can choose the method they prefer. An important consideration to keep in mind is to remove the Blu-ray from the player .

The Playstation 3 from recovery mode could install the Firmware present in the optical drive, a problem if a Blu-ray has a firmware higher than 3.55, don’t forget it.

Once the installation is complete, it would be good practice to perform a file system restore and a database rebuild , two simple operations to perform, just turn it back on in recovery mode .

Recovery Mode

Turn on the console by holding down the power button for about ten seconds, until you hear a few beeps, at the third beep the console will turn off by itself, release the power button and press it again a second time, at the fourth beep you will find yourself in recovery mode (keep the mini USB cable handy to connect the controller).

File system restore allows you to repair, where possible, a damaged system registry after for example the famous and very annoying black screen when starting games.

It allows you to repair all areas of your hard disk drive where files are stored. Corrupted data that cannot be recovered may be erased.

Rebuilding the database instead allows you to do a sort of disk defragmentation, it will delete messages, playlists or changes made to the [Information] screens, deleting information about images in [Photos], video icons, video playback history and video recovery information.

Characteristics

Based on OFW 4.92 (CEX).
Kernel and some modules ported from OFW 4.84 (DEX).
Created manually without automatic tools.
PSN/SEN enabled.
Layout 272/480 fixed from OFW 4.92.
Disabled deletion of act.datunsigned files .rif.
Allowed files act.datand .rifunsigned.
Allow unsigned applications to run.
Compatibility with FSELF.
Unlocking C00 demos.
License check LIC.EDATdisabled.
Installable on OFW 3.55.
Installable on OFW 3.56+ (bguerville Toolset).
Installable on any CEX CFW.
Cobra 8.5 added and enabled by default.
Full compatibility with PS2 games.
Ability to downgrade from any CFW with QA Flags enabled.
QA Flags active if previously enabled.
Epilepsy message disabled on startup.
Compatibility with PSX/PSP/PS2 games in ISO format.
Compatibility with PS3 games in ISO/JB folder format.
ReactPSN compatibility.
Displaying temperatures in XMB In-Game on PS2 games.
Bypass RSOD screen.
Bypass BSOD screen.
PS3_GAME/app_home.
In-game screenshot in XMB.
Added Package Manager.
Patched DEX kernel to prevent “ambulance” bricking (DEX kernel loaded with TargetID CEX).
Patched CoreOS hash check to prevent bricking on non-dehashed downgrade consoles.
PS2CLASSICs work on CEX and DEX.
LV2 Protection removed.
Peek & Poke (LV2).
Peek & Poke (LV1).
CINAVIA protection disabled.
Option to sort games by name and date.
Third-party controller support in the recovery menu.
Compatibility with OtherOS.
Disabled update from OFW PUP in recovery mode.
Compatible with Dualboot.
Installing retail PKG on DEX allowed.
Pseudo-retail PKG installation allowed.
[★Unlock], [★Lock] and [★Delete] options enabled in Trophies.
Remote Play compatibility.
Added gameboot_multi.ac3.
Removed gameboot_stereo.ac3and coldboot_stereo.ac3.
Replaced “Unlink” with “Delete Folder” in XMB.
PAL error on BD/DVD movie bypassed.
All error codes on BD/DVD movies bypassed.
Debug menu enabled in PS2 games ( ps2_netemu.self).
CBOMB issue patched.
Target Manager patched to show version 4.9.2.
Patch applied to update Custom Firmware via internet. NEW!!
Patch to LV1 module to allow custom fan speed adjustment during PS2 emulation. NEW!!

Cobra 8.5

Stage2 Emergency Cobra (failsafe) (by bguerville/aldo).
Resetting CFW syscalls without reboot by going to “Settings > System Update” in XMB (by aldo).
Integrated dynamic fan control (to manage the fan when webMAN is unloaded) (by aldo/Evilnat).
Integration with GUI Foto and webMAN MOD (game editing from the “Photo” column) (by aldo/DeViL303).
Functions to get and set the fan speed (by aldo).
Enabling/disabling features: GUI Photo, Syscall Recovery (by aldo).
Opcode to create CFW syscall (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 35) (by aldo).
License Creation Opcode (RIF) (by Evilnat).
ps3mapi_load_process_modules updated to load custom and system modules (by haxxxen).
Added ps3mapi_get_process_module_info function.
Increased maximum number of mapped paths from 24 to 32 (by aldo).
Kernel patch for sm_get_temperature (by Evilnat).
Kernel patch for sm_get_fan_policy (by Evilnat).
Kernel patch for sm_set_fan_policy (by Evilnat).
Support for on-the-fly decryption of REDUMP ISOs (by Evilnat).
Opcode to enable/disable coldboot animation (by Evilnat).
Opcode to enable/disable gameboot animation and sound (by Evilnat).
Opcode to enable/disable display of hidden trophies (by Evilnat).
Fix for Target Manager on DEX (by haxxxen).
Fixed fan control payload, preventing previous mode (by Evilnat) from loading.
Disabling stage2 when loading Recovery menu (by haxxxen).
Fix max fan speed after shutdown (by Evilnat).
Fixed black screen in games converted with CFW2OFW (by Evilnat).
Added cellFsMkdir symbol (by Evilnat).
Added fan management when launching a PS2 ISO (by Evilnat).
Creating a fake act.dat/license when launching a PSN game (by Evilnat).
Creating RIF license using rap.bin (by esc0rtd3w).
PSN/SEN login freeze when CFW syscalls are active (by DeViL303).
Enabling OFW mode on startup (by aldostools and Evilnat).
PSP launcher crashes if no PSPISO is mounted (by aldostools).
Minor optimizations (by aldostools).
Removing “unnecessary” code (from aldostools).
Opcode to enable/disable coldboot and sound (by Evilnat).
Added cellUsb000_mount symbol (by haxxxen).
Added usb_flag flag (by aldostools and Evilnat).
Loading stage2 and external plugins from /dev_usb000 (by aldostools, haxxxen and Evilnat).
Overclocking the RSX GPU at boot time.

xai plugin

These options are found in the Network tab of XMB under the [★ Custom Firmware Tools] option .

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Power Off Options

Soft Restart: Restarts the PS3 (Soft).
Hardware Restart: Restarts the PS3 (Completely).
Restart LV2: Restarts LV2.
Power Off: Turn off the PS3.

File Manager

Internal Hard Disk 0: Manage PS3 files in /dev_hdd0.
Internal Hard Disk 1: Manage PS3 cached files in /dev_hdd1.
USB Mass Storage Devices: Manage files on your USB devices.
Memory Card: Manage memory cards.
Optical Disc: Manage optical discs.
Internal Flash Memory: Manage the PS3’s internal flash files.

Basic Tools

Decrypt 3k3y/Redump ISO (HDD): Decrypts 3k3y/Redump ISOs from dev_hdd0/PS3ISO with the ‘d1/disc’ key file, if available.
Decrypt 3k3y/Redump ISO (USB): Decrypts 3k3y/Redump ISOs from dev_usb/PS3ISO with the ‘d1/disc’ key file, if available.
CBOMB Fix: RTC patch with static (default) value or updated PS3 system date current. Useful for PS3 with low CMOS battery.
Show PS3 Total Usage: Shows the total days the PS3 has been on, the number of times it has been turned on and off.
Fan Speed: Displays the current fan speed.
PS3 Temperature: Shows the current CPU and RSX temperature in Celsius and Fahrenheit
Check GPU/VRAM clock speed: Check the current GPU/VRAM clock speed.
Show IDPS: Show the current IDPS.
Show PSID: Show the current PSID.
Show IP: Show the current IP if it exists.
Enable/Disable DLNA: Allows you to share content between devices via your home WI-FI network.
Toggle Coldboot: Toggle between custom/original coldboot.raf.
Show XAI Version: Show the current version of xai_plugin.

Basic Tools > xRegistry Tools > Region Tools

Default/Disabled: Set the BDVD/DVD/PS3 region to Default in xRegistry (0x00).
Japan: Set BDVD/DVD/PS3 region to Japan in xRegistry (0x83).
USA: Set BDVD/DVD/PS3 region to USA in xRegistry (0x84).
Europe: Set BDVD/DVD/PS3 region to Europe in xRegistry (0x85).
Korea: Set BDVD/DVD/PS3 region to Korea in xRegistry (0x86).
United Kingdom: Set BDVD/DVD/PS3 region to United Kingdom in xRegistry (0x87).
Mexico: Set BDVD/DVD/PS3 region to Mexico in xRegistry (0x88).
Australia: Set BDVD/DVD/PS3 region to Australia in xRegistry (0x89).
Asia: Set BDVD/DVD/PS3 region to Asia in xRegistry (0x8A).
Taiwan: Set BDVD/DVD/PS3 region to Taiwan in xRegistry (0x8B).
Russia: Set BDVD/DVD/PS3 region to Russia in xRegistry (0x8C).
China: Set BDVD/DVD/PS3 region to China in xRegistry (0x8D).
Hong Kong: Set BDVD/DVD/PS3 region to Hong Kong in xRegistry (0x8E).
Brazil: Set BDVD/DVD/PS3 region to Brazil in xRegistry (0x8F).

Basic Tools > Led Tools

Disabled: Turns off the PS3 power LED.
Red (Static): Sets the PS3 power LED to solid red
Green (Static): Sets the PS3 power LED to solid green.
Yellow (Static): Sets the PS3 power LED to solid yellow.
Red (Slow Flash): Sets the PS3 power LED to slowly flash red.
Green (Slow Flash): Sets the PS3 power LED to slowly flash green.
Yellow (Slow Flash): Sets the PS3 power LED to slowly flash amber.
Red (Fast Flash): Sets the PS3 power LED to flash red quickly.
Green (Fast Flash): Sets the PS3 power LED to flash green quickly.
Yellow (Fast Flash): Sets the PS3 power LED to flash amber quickly.
Yellow + Green (Fast Flash): Sets the PS3 power LED to quickly flash yellow + green.
Yellow + Red (Fast Flash): Sets the PS3 power LED to quickly flash yellow + red.
Yellow + Green (Slow Flash): Sets the PS3 power LED to slowly flash yellow + green.
Yellow + Red (Slow Flash): Sets the PS3 power LED to slowly flash yellow + red.
Rainbow Mode: Sets the PS3 power LED to rainbow mode.
Special Mode 1: Set the PS3 power LED to Special Mode 1.
Special Mode 2: Set the PS3 power LED to Special Mode 2.

Basic Tools > Buzzer Tools

Single Beep: Generates a single beep with the internal buzzer.
Double Beep: Generates a double beep with the internal buzzer.
Triple Beep: Generates a triple beep with the internal buzzer.
Continuous Beep: Generates a continuous beep with the internal buzzer.

Fan Tools

Fan Control Mode: OFF: Disables Cobra’s Control FAN.
Fan Control Mode: SYSCON: Allows the PS3 SYSCONs to control the fan speed.
Fan Control Mode: MAX: Sets Cobra FAN speed to 0xFF.

Fan Tools > Dynamic Fan Control

Max Temperature: 60°C: Dynamically sets the fan speed to keep the system at a maximum temperature of 60°C.
Max Temperature: 65°C: Sets the fan speed dynamically to keep the system at a maximum temperature of 65°C.
Max Temperature: 70°C: Sets the fan speed dynamically to keep the system at a maximum temperature of 70°C.
Max Temperature: 75°C: Sets the fan speed dynamically to keep the system at a maximum temperature of 75°C.

WARNING: Some PS3s cannot reach/maintain certain optional temperatures, please use with caution.

Fan Tools > Manual Fan Control

Manual Speed: 40%: Sets the fan speed statically to 40% (0x67).
Manual Speed: 45%: Sets the fan speed statically to 45% (0x75).
Manual Speed: 50%: Sets the fan speed statically to 50% (0x80).
Manual Speed: 55%: Sets the fan speed statically to 55% (0x8E).
Manual Speed: 60%: Sets the fan speed statically to 60% (0x9B).
Manual Speed: 65%: Sets the fan speed statically to 65% (0xA8).
Manual Speed: 70%: Sets the fan speed statically to 70% (0xB5).
Manual Speed: 75%: Sets the fan speed statically to 75% (0xC0).
Manual Speed: 80%: Sets the fan speed statically to 80% (0xCE).
Manual Speed: 85%: Sets the fan speed statically to 85% (0xDA).
Manual Speed: 90%: Sets the fan speed statically to 90% (0xE7).
Manual Speed: 95%: Sets the fan speed statically to 95% (0xF4).

ATTENTION: The speed chosen will be static, it will not be changed automatically at any time.

Fan Tools > PS2 Fan

PS2 Fan Mode: OFF: Disables fan control on PS2 games.
PS2 Fan Mode: SYSCON: Allows PS3 SYSCONs to control fan speed on PS2 games.
PS2 Fan Mode: 40%: Sets the fan speed to 0x66 on PS2 games.
PS2 Fan Mode: 50%: Sets the fan speed to 0x80 on PS2 games.
PS2 Fan Mode: 60%: Sets the fan speed to 0x9A on PS2 games.
PS2 Fan Mode: 70%: Sets the fan speed to 0xB4 on PS2 games.
PS2 Fan Mode: 80%: Sets the fan speed to 0xCE on PS2 games.
PS2 Fan Mode: 90%: Sets the fan speed to 0xE8 on PS2 games.

WARNING: There is no Control FAN in a PS2 game, select with caution.

QA Tools

Check QA Flags: Check whether QA flags are enabled or disabled.
Enable QA Flags: Enable QA flags.
Disable QA Flags: Disable QA flags.

Cobra Tools

Cobra Info: Displays current information about Cobra.
Check Syscall 8: Check Cobra Syscall 8 status.
Create System Calls: Create system calls 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, and 35.
Enable PSN Protection: Block PSN access when system calls are enabled.
Disable PSN Protection: Enable PSN access when system calls are enabled.
Enable FTP: Enable FTP connection on port 21.
Disable FTP: Disables the FTP connection.
Enable TrophyUnlocker: Enable the INGAME TrophyUnlocker plugin.
Disable TrophyUnlocker: Disables the TrophyUnlocker INGAME plugin.
Allow system call reset: Allows system calls to be reset via “System Update”.
Skip license creation: Skip overwriting the license file (RIF) if it already exists.
Create License: Create RIF licenses from RAP files from “x:\exdata”.
Enable/Disable Plugins: Enable/Disable Cobra plugins from /dev_hdd0/boot_plugins.txt.
Enable/Disable OFW Mode on Boot: Toggles between CFW system calls on boot: enabled, disabled, and partial.
Toggle PS2 Disc Icon: Toggles between the default and the blue PS2 disc icon in the XMB.
Enable/Disable Game Launch: Enable or disable the launch of the original PLAYSTATION 3 game when a game or application is started.
Toggle Hidden Trophy Info: Toggles the hidden trophy title, details and icon in XMB/INGAME.
Enable/Disable Cold Boot Animation: Enable or disable the cold boot animation and sound on startup.
Enable/Disable Epilepsy Warning: Enable or disable the epilepsy warning on startup.
Enable/Disable External Cobra: Enable/disable loading of external Cobra payloads and plugins from /dev_usb000.
Toggle Cobra Version: Toggle between release and debug version (requires reboot).
Toggle Cobra: Toggle Cobra on or off (requires reboot).

PSN Tools

Disable Syscalls: Disables system calls and removes history files.
Target ID Spoofing: Spoofs the current TargetID in LV2 with the TargetID of EID5.
IDPS Spoofing: Spoof IDPS in LV2 with a valid IDPS from “/dev_usb/IDPS.txt”.
Forged PSID: Forge PSID in LV2 with a valid PSID from “/dev_usb/PSID.txt”.
Show accountID: Show the account ID of the current user.
Create accountID: Creates a fake accountID for the current user in xRegistry.
Overwrite accountID: Overwrites the current user’s account ID with a fake one in xRegistry.
Remove accountID: Removes the user’s accountID in xRegistry.
Account Activation: Creates the act.dat file in the current local account.
Backup activation file: Create a backup of act.dat to /dev_usb or /dev_hdd0.
Account Deactivation: Permanently deletes the current user’s act.dat activation file.
Convert Saves: Converts saved data from “/dev_usbXXX/PS3/SAVEDATA” to your saved data.

Dump Tools

View Log: http://localhost/dev_hdd0/tmp/cfw_settings.log (webMAN MOD is required for this feature).
Clear Log File: Reset the /dev_hdd0/tmp/cfw_settings.log file.
Save IDPS Dump: Save IDPS to log file.
Save PSID Dump: Save PSID to log file.
Dump LV2: Dump LV2 to /dev_usb or /dev_hdd0/tmp.
Dump LV1: Dump LV1 to /dev_usb or /dev_hdd0/tmp.
Download Flash: Download NOR/NAND Flash to dev_hdd0/tmp or /dev_usb.
RAM Dump: Dump RAM to /dev_usb or /dev_hdd0/tmp.
Download SYSROM: Download SYSROM to /dev_usb or /dev_hdd0/tmp.
Download EEPROM: Download 256 bytes of EEPROM data from offsets 0x2F00, 0x3000, 0x48000, 0x48800, 0x48C00, and 0x48D00 to /dev_usb or /dev_hdd0/tmp.
ERK Dump: Dump the eid_root_key to /dev_usb or /dev_hdd0/tmp.
Dump SYSCON error log: Dumps the current SYSCON error log to /dev_usb or /dev_hdd0/tmp.
Download token seed: Downloads the current token seed to /dev_usb or /dev_hdd0/tmp.
Log KLicense Usage: Save the file name and klicensee to the log file.
Log Secure File ID usage: Writes the save data name and file ID key to the log file.
Save Dump Disk Hash Key (Hash Key): Recover the disk hash key from an ORIGINAL game disc.

Recovery Tools

Peek/Poke LV1 Support: Patch for unused LV1 syscalls 182 and 183.
LV2 Memory Protection: Patch crash when LV2 changes.
HTAB mapping with write protection: Enable or disable protected HTAB mapping.
Access to all INDI Info Manager services: Enable or disable INDI access.
Patch Manager EEPROM Write Access: Patch Manager access to the EEPROM.
Dispatch Manager Access: Patch Dispatch Manager access to all services.
Allow ENCDEC IOCTL command 0x85: Enables the IOCTL command 0x85.
GameOS System Manager Skill Mask: Allows access to all system management services.
Extract all PKG types: Allows Update Manager to extract all PKG types.
Full access for repository nodes in any LPAR: Allows creation, modification and deletion for repository nodes.
LV1 Full Access to SPE Register MFC_SR1: Allows access to all bits in the register.
LV1 access to set data breakpoints: Enable LV1 access with lv1_set_dabr().
LV1 access to GPU GART memory: Allows LV1 to use 4KB IO page size.
Storage Manager ENCDEC Key Access: Allows Storage Manager to clear ENCDEC keys.
Ignore all ACL checks: Allows you to ignore ACL checks for all storage devices.
Initial GuestOS Loader: Enable GuestOS 1 mode for GameOS.

OtherOS Tools

Resize VFLASH/NAND regions: Resize VFLASH/NAND regions 5 to allow OtherOS.
Install Petitboot: Install Petitboot to VFLASH/NAND region 5 from USB device.
Set OtherOS boot flag: Restart your PS3 and boot OtherOS.
Set GameOS boot flag: Fixes PS2 game loading issues when OtherOS boot flag is set.

CEX2DEX Tools

Convert to CEX: Convert PS3 to CEX/RETAIL with eid_root_key from /dev_usb or /dev_hdd0.
Convert to DEX: Convert PS3 to DEX/DEBUG with eid_root_key from /dev_usb or /dev_hdd0.
Swap Kernel: Swap between CEX and DEX kernels.
Check TargetID: Check the current TargetID from EID0 and EID5.
Toggle host information on XMB: Enable/disable host information on XMB.
Toggle XMB mode: Switch between CEX and DEX XMB.
Toggle Debug Settings: Switch between CEX and DEX debug settings.
Show PS3 Info: Shows current firmware, kernel, TargetID, VSH, XMB host and debug settings.

Service tools

View Native Firmware: View the minimum downgrade version.
File System Check: Restarts and allows you to check and repair the file system.
Rebuild Database: Restarts with the rebuild database flag set.
Recovery Mode: Reboot into recovery mode (not supported on NAND models!).

Service Tools > Advanced Service Tools

Fix RSOD: Re-initialize VTRM-Region to attempt to fix RSOD.
Enable Factory Service Mode: Enter/Exit Factory Service Mode (DO NOT INSTALL CFW ON FSM).
Bluray Drive Remarry: Requires: Log into FSM and copy the “eid_root_key” to /dev_usb.
Alternate Hard Drive Space: Unlock/Restore 8% more total space on your PS3’s internal HDD.
Show ROS Bank: Show the active ROS bank.
Check 8th SPE: Check whether the 8th SPE is currently enabled or disabled.
Enable/Disable 8th SPE: Enable/disable the 8th SPE.
Enable VSH debugging: Enable debugging of vsh.self.
Load LV2 kernel: Load the lv2_kernel.self file from /dev_usb000 or /dev_flash.
Update xai_plugin: Update xai_plugin by downloading and installing a PKG from Evilnat’s xai_plugin repository.

Tutorial for converting saves

WARNING: This option will overwrite existing save data in dev_usbXXX, use with caution.

Download saves from another console or account for your favorite game.
Load the save data to a USB device X:\PS3\SAVEDATA(the device must be formatted to FAT32).
Connect the device to the USB port on the PS3 console.
Select Network tab > [★ Custom Firmware Tools] > PSN Tools > Convert Savedata.
Please wait until the conversion is complete.
Once finished, copy the converted save data via XMB “Save Data Utility (PS3)”.
Start the game and load the new save data.

Tutorial for creating the act.dat file

WARNING: The account ID is linked to your save data and trophies, so if the current user already has a valid account ID and you overwrite it, you will not be able to use the trophies and save data on that account until the original account ID is restored in xRegistry.sys. It is recommended to use a blank account with no trophies and save data or an account with no account ID.

To create a fake act.dat, you need to enable Cobra 8.3 patches while the console must have at least one account with a valid accountID and start a game that requires a RIF/RAP license file.

Cobra will search for a valid accountID in all existing accounts and create the file act.datwhile the game is launched via XMB. If no accountID is found, the file act.datwill not be created.

If you want you can manually create a fake accountID (like reactPSN), to do this go to Network > ★ Custom Firmware Tools > PSN Tools and choose between “Create accountID” or “Overwrite accountID” (be careful with the last option because if you already have a fake/real accountID, it will be overwritten).

It is recommended to use these options on an account that does not have an ID. The PS3 will restart if everything went well.

The tutorial would be as follows:

Download the PSN game you purchased from the PS Store.
Insert the game RAP file into X:\exdataor /dev_hdd0/exdata.
Launch your purchased PSN game.
Cobra will check if any of your PS3 accounts have an accountID.
The fake file act.datwill be created when you launch the game.

Now you have a fake act.datand your local account is activated. The file act.datworks for every local account, you only need one file for all accounts.

Block access to PSN

This method was developed by DeViL303, it will only work with Cobra enabled, Cobra will block access on PSN/SEN while CFW syscalls are enabled, to enable it again you need to completely disable CFW syscalls (you can do this with webMAN MOD, psnpatch, SEN Enabler, etc…).

If you want to disable this feature, simply use the Cobra Tools > Disable PSN Protection option and you will be able to log in with system calls enabled. To enable it again use the Cobra Tools > Enable PSN Protection option.

Warnings

AccountID is directly linked to your save data and trophy data. If you have any trophies or save data on your current local account THEY WILL BE CORRUPT after setting a FAKE accountID. To fix this, copy your save data to the root of a USB device, convert it, and copy it back via XMB to the “Game” tab. To fix the corruption in trophies you will need to delete them. It is highly recommended to do this on a local account without trophies/save data.
FAN speed is constant in a PS2 game, BE CAREFUL when selecting modes because it will not change after the PS2 game is loaded, it is also static when you choose a mode in the “Manual Speed” option. All current speeds in xai_plugin must maintain correct temperature in CPU and RSX.
Do not manually rename the file vsh.selfand ALWAYS use the option for it in xai_plugin, it can cause the PS3 to not load the XMB menu when you have the full version of webMAN MOD, DEX Kernel and CEX vsh.self. The CFW has a protection to avoid this.
The Target Manager will show SDK 4.8.4 while the PS3 is in DEX, this is normal and is because I ported the modules from OFW 4.84 DEX to 4.89, I fixed them to work on 4.89 but not to show version 4.8.9.
If you want to install OtherOS on your PS3’s internal HDD, you need to go to the recovery menu first and select [Restore PS3 System], this will format the HDD and create a partition for OtherOS. Remember to backup all your data first.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SWAP THE KERNEL WHEN LOADING AN EXTERNAL KERNEL FROM USB/FLASH!! This may cause crashes and a hardware flasher may be needed to fix the PS3.
If you want you can always download Cobra/plugin if you have problems with their use, for this just go to the recovery menu and then restart the PS3, this will disable both.
It is recommended to ALWAYS enable the QA Flags, it is very important, it allows you to install CFW from previous versions to the one installed and also avoids problems.
If you are unable to download or create a game disc ISO in multiMAN, go to the mmCM tab and select [Switch to multiMAN mode], this will restart multiMAN and you will be able to download/create a disc ISO.
OtherOS on PS3 with NAND is very dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing (for example using the wrong image to install petitboot), it can cause bricking and the only way to fix it is with a hardware flasher. PLEASE USE WITH CAUTION!
Make sure you install the correct image for OtherOS. xai_plugin also tells you which image needs to be installed. For NAND you need it dtbImage.ps3.bin.minimaland for NOR dtbImage.ps3.bin. If the wrong image is installed it can get stuck on NAND, requiring a hardware flasher to fix it, on NOR you can fix it by formatting the hard drive.
If your PS3 console has a noBD CFW (in any of its variants) and the latest version of webMAN MOD (1.47.42 at the time of writing), it is possible that the PS3 may not be able to read an external device ( /dev_usb000, /dev_usb001, …) for the next couple of minutes. To fix this, go to the WebMAN Setup page , click on webMAN MOD Setup and check for the noBD patch and restart the PS3, it may now read external devices.
Enable FTP and Disable FTP can fail randomly, if you want to use one wait a few seconds before using it again. This also happens with the Check GPU/VRAM clock speed option , these values are stored in LV1 and sometimes the PS3 does not store them and can fail. If this happens, restart the PS3 until these values are present in LV1.
In the PEX and D-PEX version some of the debug options by pressing the triangle are missing because one/some files have not been ported yet (requires a lot of searching with XMB layouts, I fixed some but not others, for example, trophy entries are messed up), these options are (maybe more):
- ★ Check.
- ★ Owner Information.
- ★ Cancel Purchase.
- ★ Performance Bar.
- ★ No Memory Limit.
The CFW is meticulously tested and no bugs have been found, but that doesn’t mean it’s bug-free. If that happens, please contact me as soon as possible so I can fix it.

The source code for the Cobra 8.3 patches and the xai_plugin module can be found in the Github repositories:

Cobra 8.5: https://github.com/Evilnat/Cobra-PS3/tree/master/8.5
xai_plugin: https://github.com/Evilnat/xai_plugin

Basically there are 4 different Custom Firmware along with 4 variants

CFW PEX (porting DEX modules and kernel from OFW DEX 4.84, CEX kernel by default).
CFW D-PEX (porting DEX modules and kernel from OFW DEX 4.84, DEX kernel by default).
CFW CEX (default CFW CEX without DEX and DEX Kernel modules).
CFW DEX (default CFW DEX with some DEX modules and DEX Kernel).

Variants (for all CFW bases)

noBD (for PS3 without or with damaged BD Drive).
noBD + noBT (for PS3 without or with BD Drive and Bluetooth).
noBT (for PS3 without or with damaged Bluetooth).
Overclocking (GPU and VRAM overclocked to 600 MHz/750 MHz).

Changelog

[CFW] Patch applied and enabled to update Custom Firmware via internet on CEX/DEX (based on file vsh.self).
[CFW] Plugin patch software_update_plugin.sprxextracted from original 4.84 DEX firmware.
[CFW] Custom background image in update mode.
[CFW] Patch DEX certificates vsh.selfto allow downloads.
[CFW] Patch to LV1 module to allow custom fan speed adjustment in PS2 emulation (thanks to @kozarovv and @mrjaredbeta).
[CFW] Removed DEX and OC (overclock) variants of Custom Firmware.
[CFW] Patch to bypass firmware check during PSN login (avoids error when updating CFW via internet).
[COBRA] Reintroduced external loading of the Cobra module.
[COBRA] Added RSX GPU overclock when booting via USB or internal HDD.
[COBRA] Removed epilepsy OPCODE (now enabled by default).
[COBRA] Removed OPCODE for syscall recovery (now enabled by default).
[COBRA] Removed OPCODE that skips existing RIF files.
[COBRA] Removed OPCODE for colored PS2 disc.
[COBRA] Improved and streamlined code.
[XAI] Added overclocking menu.
[XAI] Redesigned menu (by @aldostools).
[GUIDE] Fan adjustment in PS2 mode.
[GUIDE] Overclock RSX.