Post: Mathieulh: QA Flagged Ps3 - Enable Hidden Firmware Option ( Means CFW On Steroids)
05-14-2011, 02:14 AM #1
Stack0verfl0w
Computer engineer
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); member a few weeks ago Mathieulh released a video of the QA flagged PS3? To refresh your memories; the QA flag is the internal console flag used by Sony, it enables hidden options and removes restrictions for both retail and debug consoles alike. It is used for QA centers and the R&Awesome face Department (there are 2 levels of QA flags, Minimum and Advanced). In short it could lead to a complete open PS3…and yes all the CFW, homebrew and backup manager your little heart desires.

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Well the method of how to “QA flag” your PS3 was never posted/revealed but since then plenty of hints have been given in attempts for the “scene”, and one of the first steps was to figure out the secret button combo. Well after weeks of people trying and moaning, the man behind the emulators – squarepusher 2 has released/posted information on exactly what that button combo was. Noobs do not try this – the guide below is still a work in progress and QA flag button combo is the icing on the cake.
How to QA Flag your PS3, the button combo:

1. Be on 3.55 OFW (no rebug): You must login or register to view this content.
2.Move the PS3 cursor/select “Network Setting“
3.Punch the following button combo with your PS3 controller: L2 + L1 + R1 + R2 + L3 + D-pad Dow
4. Thats it, the “Edy Viewer”, “Debug Settings”, “Install Package” Menu will now appear.
Notes and disclaimers:

Install Package is useless and can’t install homebrew at the moment – only signed PKGs (and the first one in root of USB only).
This is not all that is needed to QA flag your PS3, but its a big start for the community – we still need all the pieces to fully QA flag the PS3 and its the scenes job to “figure out the rest”.

Thanks to munky875821417 for news tip.

enjoy source ps3hax.com
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05-14-2011, 04:05 AM #20
Stack0verfl0w
Computer engineer
Originally posted by Nitrowolf2 View Post
Because QA flagging doesn't require you to hack your PS3 if i am correct.
"Yes, the sequence itself doesn't do anything though, you need your console to be QA flagged first."
thats what he said and he also said it requires certain software. He isn't using a CFW, just the software he used allowed him to flag the console.


he choice is understandable and i respect it. He doesn't want to get in trouble with Sony nor does he want people abusing this by using warez and such.


i suggest anyone looking into this to look more at internal files on the PS3.


how could he lose be honest it only does offline
05-14-2011, 04:09 AM #21
Originally posted by i
how could he lose be honest it only does offline



?????
this is just stupid
same exact reason why Sony went after Geo and that was for releasing keys and hacks and enabling potential piracy.
Math knows this and everyone else should know that if he releases this then he is at risk. I don't even think the other known hackers would release it after what happened with Geo.
Doesn't even matter if it's offline, its the fact that he would be distributing it.
he flagged his console, only Sony themselves are able to do that. He won't get in trouble if he doesn't release it.
05-14-2011, 04:11 AM #22
is this thread just to annoy/tease us?

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05-14-2011, 04:17 AM #23
St3ven
Can’t trickshot me!
Originally posted by i
While the PS3 scene is slow now a days and some of you are dreading for the return of PSN, Mathieulh has posted some interesting discoveries on his Twitter. Mathieulh has managed to QA Flag his PS3 and show the hidden options available for it. Before I go on, most of you are probably wondering what in the world does QA Flagged mean?

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To quote:

QA flag is the internal console flag used by Sony, it enables hidden options and removes restrictions for both retail and debug consoles alike. It is used for QA centers and the R&Awesome face Department, there are 2 levels of QA flags, Minimum and Advanced, this console has been set to the Advanced one.

Now Mathieulh has come out and said that he will not be telling us how he did this, but nonetheless very cool and it will be interesting to see where this will lead to.



To quote video description:

I just QA flagged my Metal Gear Solid 4 Limited Edition console and I thought I’d show you the hidden options for the sake of it. (and because I was bored)

I am sorry for the unstable camera, I only have two hands and the options are hidden and require (along with the actual flag) a crazy button combo to pop up. (I kid you not)

Sorry I am not telling you how to do this, please do not ask.

Yes, this video is real

Here are some interesting Tweets made regarding this:


Mathieulh Mathieulh:
@dantezteam It’s an UNMODIFIED RETAIL FIRMWARE.

@KaKaRoToKS For various reasons, one of them being that you can warez with this, and the flag stays even after updating.

@KaKaRoToKS The QA flag happens to remove a bunch of restrictions that have the side effect of preventing you to warez.

@dantezteam The console is QA flagged, The firmware checks for this flag and will enable special features when it finds it.

@dantezteam Basically it’s what Sony themselves use to allow special debugging on their consoles and loosen restrictions.

@KaKaRoToKS By the way, Advanced QA flag enables downgrading, just my 2 cents… xD

ps: if this is ever figured out it would mean a regular ps3 that if you push like up up left... x10 just saying not actual sequence you would be able to have a regular ps3 no cfw or dongle nothing just a regular ps3 retail on steroids it like a super cfw with out no mod just a button sequence to activate it one time only if it was release it would be the end of sony


This is highly useful if you figured this it time for sony to retire lol




Wow a button combo, seriously?
and btw here is the QA Flagged downgrade video, by the way do we have this downgrade option on rebug?

05-14-2011, 04:17 AM #24
vuno
Banned
Originally posted by Nitrowolf2 View Post
I bet the sequence is hidden in the PS3 files, i don't see how he could just find out. There must be something inside the PS3 that holds this data telling you what buttons and such.


Your close.

Windows has something called hex values for key codes (google them). I'm 100% certain that the PS3 have some just like this. If he didn't figure this out, he probably decrypt a file that holds all the keys. I'll give you a hint. Look for a file that deals with hotkeys/buttons and/or the menu. It should be somewhere in there. In code, this is how it probably is:

Originally posted by another user
if ( GetButtonCombo ( SQUARE, R3, R3, R2, R1, CIRCLE, TRIANGLE, UP, DOWN, DOWN ) == 0 )
{
ShowDevConsole( );
}


If you find it, good work.
05-14-2011, 04:18 AM #25
St3ven
Can’t trickshot me!
Mathuiel stated that its not just the button combo, the console needs to be QA flagged first then the button combo
05-14-2011, 04:40 AM #26
Originally posted by vuno View Post
Your close.

Windows has something called hex values for key codes (google them). I'm 100% certain that the PS3 have some just like this. If he didn't figure this out, he probably decrypt a file that holds all the keys. I'll give you a hint. Look for a file that deals with hotkeys/buttons and/or the menu. It should be somewhere in there. In code, this is how it probably is:



If you find it, good work.


thanks. I know what to look for already i'm just not gonna bother doing it. Pretty sure its in there though, unless the console needs to be flagged first for them to be added. Which in other words the code will be useless until we get flag software.
05-14-2011, 04:47 AM #27
Pillar2365
I use to give free rep :/
Originally posted by i
While the PS3 scene is slow now a days and some of you are dreading for the return of PSN, Mathieulh has posted some interesting discoveries on his Twitter. Mathieulh has managed to QA Flag his PS3 and show the hidden options available for it. Before I go on, most of you are probably wondering what in the world does QA Flagged mean?

You must login or register to view this content.

To quote:

QA flag is the internal console flag used by Sony, it enables hidden options and removes restrictions for both retail and debug consoles alike. It is used for QA centers and the R&Awesome face Department, there are 2 levels of QA flags, Minimum and Advanced, this console has been set to the Advanced one.

Now Mathieulh has come out and said that he will not be telling us how he did this, but nonetheless very cool and it will be interesting to see where this will lead to.



2nd video makes you HATE HIM

To quote video description:

I just QA flagged my Metal Gear Solid 4 Limited Edition console and I thought I’d show you the hidden options for the sake of it. (and because I was bored)

I am sorry for the unstable camera, I only have two hands and the options are hidden and require (along with the actual flag) a crazy button combo to pop up. (I kid you not)

Sorry I am not telling you how to do this, please do not ask.

Yes, this video is real

Here are some interesting Tweets made regarding this:


Mathieulh Mathieulh:
@dantezteam It’s an UNMODIFIED RETAIL FIRMWARE.

@KaKaRoToKS For various reasons, one of them being that you can warez with this, and the flag stays even after updating.

@KaKaRoToKS The QA flag happens to remove a bunch of restrictions that have the side effect of preventing you to warez.

@dantezteam The console is QA flagged, The firmware checks for this flag and will enable special features when it finds it.

@dantezteam Basically it’s what Sony themselves use to allow special debugging on their consoles and loosen restrictions.

@KaKaRoToKS By the way, Advanced QA flag enables downgrading, just my 2 cents… xD

ps: if this is ever figured out it would mean a regular ps3 that if you push like up up left... x10 just saying not actual sequence you would be able to have a regular ps3 no cfw or dongle nothing just a regular ps3 retail on steroids it like a super cfw with out no mod just a button sequence to activate it one time only if it was release it would be the end of sony


This is highly useful if you figured this it time for sony to retire lol


Just to let you know, the " This is what makes you HATE HIM" is kinda the reason why he isn't releasing any information.

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05-14-2011, 04:47 AM #28
luis67
Save Point
I think Mathieulh uses "Geoffrey Levand" dual boot cfw which Enabled QA mode in Update Manager

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