GeoHot: Don't Update to 3.21, Promises PS3 Custom Firmware


To quote: "A note to people interested in the exploit and retaining OtherOS support, DO NOT UPDATE. When 3.21 comes out, I will look into a safe way of updating to retain OtherOS support, perhaps something like Hellcat's Recovery Flasher. I never intended to touch CFW, but if that's how you want to play...



First off, I want to apologize to all the people who use Linux on their PS3. Before releasing, I weighed the pros and cons, and considered the possibility of an impact on OtherOS support.

My logic was this. OtherOS support had already been removed from the Slim (not for technical reasons; I believe it only existed in the first place to promote the Cell for IBM) The builders had apparently no intention of including it in future products. So for the purposes of openness why not release? Not like anything else has (or probably will be) done on the PS3.

Now you go and remove a feature that people expected to be included with the expensive device they purchased, citing "security concerns". What security concerns? It's not like the exploit can be run even close to without the users knowledge.

You have to open the thing up. How could this harm users? Your blog post doesn't list positive reasons for upgrading like I think most users expect. Instead it lists things you will lose if you don't upgrade. Seriously?

The PlayStation 3 is the only product I know that loses features throughout it's life cycle. Software PS2 emulation, SACD playback, and OtherOS support are all just software switches you can flip. It's unbelievable you would go and flip one, not just on new boxes you are shipping, but on tens of millions already in the field."

Here is to hoping GeoHot releases a PlayStation 3 solution in a timely manner, as unfortunately the entire PS3 (and Linux) scene is left waiting on him at the moment.


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tonyqc's Avatar
#82 - tonyqc - 206w ago
If he find a way to preserve OtherOS. He will probably work on a software exploit...

Neo Cyrus's Avatar
#81 - Neo Cyrus - 206w ago
I'm all in for it to preserve OtherOS, so hopefully a custom firmware of sorts will appear... not to promote/endorse piracy for PS3 that is, buy your games! Support the industry.
Screw the industry if they're never going to release proper demos. I always download games to try before buying whenever possible.

Not to mention in Canada we get screwed over on prices, the standard price tag per game is $80, hurray for overpricing and taxes despite the dollars being almost equal.

Pcsx2006's Avatar
#80 - Pcsx2006 - 206w ago
I'm sure he'll make a patched fw or cfw to retain otheros feature just like xbox360 patched dashboard update which prevent efuses to be blown to retain jtag hack.

livpool's Avatar
#79 - livpool - 206w ago
well when you think about it, George is known for his easy to use hacks: blackra1n for example. its literally plug in your iphone and click one button and your iphone is jailbroken in under 20 seconds. no one expected that so lets see what he can do here. i have confidence.

PS3 News's Avatar
#78 - PS3 News - 206w ago
If he manages to do anything related to CFW, then I would expect that it requires the current glitch hardware/exploit to gain control over the HV.
Correct, a likely scenario (assuming another hole isn't found) will be something along the lines of those with OtherOS on 3.20 will update to a "GeoHot 3.21" via the previously released glitch exploit to mount dev_flash etc and replace the data with a modded 3.21... which can be obtained by decrypting 3.21 via ldr's.

However, once this is done Sony will end up changing the ldr's and keys, although it may be possible to load in and use new ldr's unless checks against the Hypervisor version are added and so on... basically a cat and mouse game like with the PSP.

Needless to say, similar to the PS3 glitch exploit itself, unless a more user-friendly exploit surfaces this process isn't likely to benefit those who can't (or don't have the materials/patience) to perform/trigger the initial exploit so they won't be able to make use of a modded 3.21 Custom Firmware with OtherOS intact.
