PS3 Flash Goodies - Part 1
Note that it is different than that on a PSP, however, contains similarities as well. We have received a few questions as to "why" we want to examine the files... it's for a few reasons. First off- We are all curious! Secondly, the RCO files, in support with other files, enable/disable "links" to PS3 XMB options.
In related news, we have now accessed the PS3 Flash's FileSystem, and among other things (to be posted in Part 2 or 3 of this article) it contains a folder called "ps1emu".
What is it for? We found out! Inside the ps1emu folder, upon the insertion of a PS2 disc, a file is copied there by the name of "ps1_rom.bin". Oddly enough, it is actually the custom made PS2's BIOS for the PS3! Why it's in the PS1 folder is unknown to us just yet, however, we can confirm it is the PS2 BIOS. An excerpt from ps1_rom.bin is attached below in the screenshot.
Finally, in regards to our PS3 Flash work thus far: Successful changes have been made to some areas, however, they are not useful just yet. Before we can change large areas of code we need to recalculate the PS3 Flash's ECC. Work is ongoing on that, with more to come, including more goodies from the flash!
Comments
Hopefully we will see Part 2 later this week, and I also heard of something else very cool the devs were able to do (LOL @ $ony bans!) while tinkering with the ECC... spill it already! JK, we can wait :P
Well, the PS2 is capable of emulating PS1 Games.
Maybe PS1 Games are emulated over PS2-Bios over PS3.
But that would mean that also the 40gig PS3s were capable of emulating PS2 games without the emotion chip. So did you test that on a 40gig or a 60gig?
I guess you used a 60gig.
Maybe you should have a look inside the same folder in a 40gig. If it uses the same bios - maybe you could make it emulate PS2 games.
Just because the PS2 bios is present, doesn't mean u can make it do emulation. The 60 gig PS3s contained the emotion engine for a reason - Sony couldn't be bothered to make a software emulator :)
The devs would have to write their own (or port some1 elses)
I would tend to disagree. Have a look here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playstation_3#Retail_configurations
The 60GB PAL versions previously sold in Europe do the PS2 compatibility purely through emulation - I have such one :-)
question for ps3news :D
cjpc says they have accessed the ps3's file system, so to read this file system you have beaten the encryption? so when you see this ps1emu stuff you can tamper with it?
btw sony's software emulator sucks hard. this machine is drm filled and its great that people like the devs a ps3news is trying hard to give it back to the people!!! please update news! :D
yeah, it seems like a ps2 bios, at least that bit...
but if its on the ps1 part it means that for the ps2 they need a cross emulation, with a ps2 version for the ps3 to avoid ps2 flaws?
maybe someone with the swapmagic method on their ps3, could load a ps1 game, hang it up with the heretic, switch it to a ps2 game and see what happens...
I repeat, in a supposition
Well, it was on a 60GB Dev unit, with all the PS2 Hardware intact. Its quite possible that it is being emulated, but not in the way we think.
Basically its working nearly 100% like an emulator, with the exception that any low level calls get directed to the actual hardware, vs the target CPU (CELL). That explains how the system (PS3) is still in control over the PS2's system, but how it still can also use the hardware with PS2 games.
Any games using low level calls directly (vs through the PS2 BIOS) would have a possibility of not working, which would explain those PS2 games that just do not work on the system.
More good news. finding holes in this section wouldnt be completely usefull though, what about the 40gb units where they do not have a ps2 emulator ?
if the basis of cracking the ps3 is to be built on this section of the ps3, then only 60gb ps3'd will be cracked....
I always thought that the 20 and 60gig PS3s used the software emulator to upscale PS2 games that support it. This seems to confirm that theory.