(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); I'm not sure if there are other threads out there but I have a few questions:
I'm aware you can't jailbreak above 3.55 so, is the only way to get said firmware to buy a new ps3?
Does it have to be a fat ps3?
How do you "trick" your ps3 into not updating? Bypass somehow?
How do you play online with outdated firmware?

If you can answer any of these questions it would be appreciated!

1. You can buy other ps3 whats on 3.55 firmware and put cfw on it or u can downgrade ur original ps3 to 3.55.
2. Ps3 doesnt need to be fat.
3.You mean 3.55 ps3? You can stay on 3.55 without problem even if ur 3.55 is connected to internet. It only update if u want (Going to system update and update with internet)
4.You cant play online with outplayed firmware, if u want "hacks" on online (like mw2 CL's etc.) you need to have other ps3 with latest firmware. You data trasfer "hacks" to latest firmware ps3 from 3.55 where u can install file manager and stuff.
Hope this helped you !

So say I download the ofw 3.55 (I know where to download it) onto, say a usb stick. I can just transfer it to the ps3 and jailbreak from there?
But two ps3's are mandatory to play online? What are the chances of YLOD or bricking?

No, you need to have other ps3 whats firmware is 3.55 or under. Then you can install CFW on it and install hacks etc. Then u can transfer files to your other ps3. YLOD risk is quite small.

> So how do you get a ps3 with 3.55? Downgrade? Buy new?

New one or Downgrade. Your choose but i think buying is better if u have money enought but if not Downgrade what is harder to do but cheaper.

Alright I'll keep this in mind but seeing as you need two ps3's regardless and I only have one it doesn't matter. (Also I don't have a lot of money right now ) Who know's maybe someday... When you buy a new ps3 (slim) do you know what firmware it's on?

If you are going to buy a new one, make sure it was made before 2011 and you should be good. However, i recommend getting one from ebay

One that's already jailbroken or what do you mean?

I'm aware you can't jailbreak above 3.55 so, is the only way to get said firmware to buy a new ps3?

No, another way is to purchase and install a downgrade chip eg E3 Flasher, Progskeet or Teensy++ the easiest to install would be E3 Flasher due to it being solderless on for Nor consoles but still poses a certain degree of confidence for those who have never opened a PS3 console before.

Does it have to be a fat ps3?

No it doesnt have to be Fat but understand that every series of consoles come with the current update of when it was made. If you walk and buy a brand new PS3 itll come ready equipped with 4.00 or higher. In situations like that your best bet would be to search ebay or local stores that sell old or second hand stock.

How do you "trick" your ps3 into not updating? Bypass somehow?

Tricking ? i think your getting yourself mixed up with spoofing. When your on 3.55 the whole idea is NEVER to update due to the benefits only currently available on 3.55 and lower. Sony try to contain and update CFW by having mandatory update installations on most new game discs (to play this game update to this firmware etc) by securing certificate checks at PSN sign in (without the correct certificate on 3.55 we will never be able to bypass and play online) and the always present "The latest firmware has been found" when you click on update or sign in. Spoofing however say to 9.99 means we will never get that message as your system will always think its up to date and current so your not at fear of doing anything accidental. When you spoof your only faking the firmware number and not the firmware itself (your still 3.55)

How do you play online with outdated firmware?

You cannot play online with CFW and this is why people usually have 2 PS3s. The benefits of having 2 can be.....

Backing up games onto internal/external HDD, installing homebrew applications (3rd party development programs for the PS3) via install pkg function and installing and modding files using peek and poke function (allows you to access the files inside your system) the downside is you cannot play online. This is where having a 2nd online PS3 comes in handy, every PS3 allows you to data transfer from one console to another provided the PS3 your data transferring to is on the same or higher firmware (this is another reason why we spoof our consoles) almost all files on the HDD are data transferrable but not all are accessible. This is how people get modified lobbys "Online".