Can your PS3 be hacked? Answer this: Are you running PS3 firmware 3.01, 3.10, 3.15, or 3.41? Then yes. Yes it can. Can you downgrade a later firmware version to a hackable one? No. No you cannot.
How do you hack your PS3? You must find a compatible AVR USB development board (see PSGroove), have a compatible mobile or other portable device (see PSFreedom), or for a quick ‘n dirty solution, buy a clone (see PS JailBreak).
PSGroove:
The original open source implementation of PS JailBreak. Reverse engineered from dongle to code and released on github. PSGroove is programmable for many USB AVR microcontroller boards. i.e.) Teensy, Teensy++, Minimus, Maximus, Blackcat, OpenKubus… Just make sure your chipset is supported: AT90USB162, AT90USB646, AT90USB647, AT90USB1286, AT90USB1287, ATMEGA32U4, ATMEGA16U4, and likely others. PSGroove is also compatible with TI-84+ calculators!
PSFreedom:
Another open source solution for hacking your PS3. Similar to PSGroove, PSFreedom (on github) has been ported to many mobile and other portable devices — a wide selection of HTC phones, iPhones and iPods, Dingoos, and probably others. There’s a lot. Use the search above to find yours.
PS JailBreak:
The first commercial device to hack your PS3. Sony targeted these guys hard and took many distributors out before the device even made it to your front door. Since then PS JailBreak has been cloned over and over and over again. You may recognize some names: PS3Key, X3JailBreak, PS Hub, PS3 Break, PS3YES and many more. It’s essentially PSGroove (or some proprietary deal) pre-flashed on a device with updates from the company. Buy here.
Payload:
The “payload” is a chunk of data sent via the exploit (read: PSGroove / PSFreedom) that puts the PS3 in “development mode”, which in turn lets you run unsigned code. The payload may differ which can fix (or break) certain things. You’ll commonly find different payloads that enable or disable Blu-ray emulation. Recent payloads are now available that add support for PS3 firmware 3.01, 3.10, and 3.15. Hermes’ payload fixes controller issues found in some games like Super Street Fighter IV and F1 2010. It also enables Blu-ray emulation without the need for a disc in the drive.
JailBreak Steps:
1. Disconnect main PS3 power (Fat: Switch on back; Slim: Unplug from wall)
2. Connect the PSGroove (or PSFreedom or clone) enabled USB device
3. Reconnect main power source
4. Press the power button immediately followed by the eject button
5. Your PS3 is now hacked.
6. Install PS3 homebrew (pkg files) using a separate USB mass storage device.
source - credit goes to ps3-hacks.com.
