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The PlayStation 3 (or commonly known as the PS3) is the third home computer entertainment system produced by Sony Computer Entertainment, and the successor to the PlayStation 2. It was released November 11, 2006

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Can I permanently remove Demo mode from a Demo PS3?

1st, don't demonize me as I have seen others demonized in other forums.

I bought a Demo PS3 from Circuit City in Collierville, TN a few years back when they went out of business. I have the unlock codes to take it out of demonstration mode. However, the system is never truly out of demo mode. Several features are unavailable on this PS3. I can not access features like Netflix and other online resources.

I can play DVDs/BRDs PS1,2&3 games, access the internet, and other basic functions. I tried swapping out the HDD with no change in performance. This leads me to believe that the demo mode is hardware deep. Has anyone successfully unlocked one of these demo PS3s?

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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If I remember right it is a firmware issue. How did you unlock the demo mode? What is your firmware version?

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I am using the current firmware 4.11 I believe. To unlock the PS3 from Demo mode I goto the security icon on the XMB press L1, R1, Select, Start, and the four shape buttons at the same time. This bings up a propmt for a 4 digit code. I put that in and it is "unlocked". The demonstration mode icon goes away, but like I said, I am still locked out of certain features.

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Joey,

Well, you answered my question. I guess I should have been more detailed. Can you explain how to fix my issue?

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If you are still having this problem I can sell you the link for the PS3UPDAT.PUP that reverts it back to normal PS3 4.76 email me at joshua@ericendsley.com

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i have this problem too but my ps3 software is 4.80 .it was normal before i install software update make my ps3 demo mode

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6 Answers

Chosen Solution

You can

Update

You patch a retail firmware for shop. You add promo_flags.txt with a value of 0 and change Update_flags.txt to 0300 on the root of the firmware after unpacked then repack it. Get PS3 MFW builder, then go get 4.11 Retail firmware off sonys website. open up the program target the original firmware to 4.11 retail and the modified to your flash drive with the folders lined up like this PS3/UPDATE/PS3UPDAT.PUP if you do not comprehend what this means Ps3 is a folder on root of usb. so is Update. then inside update folder drop the update file. in the mfw builder go to patch firmware for installing shop/promo unit at the bottom of the list. then remove the string flag that says promotion-to-retail make it blank keep patch promo flag and update flag checked. then buuld the firmware. after its done properally eject your usb from your pc. Put in the ps3 and go to system update and check via storage media. then proceed. farily simple. Firmware is not hardware deep. is basically converting to work. Shop consoles are the same as retail console just different firmware.

Update

And mllc97 i'll just provide you with my already patched firmware so you and everyone else on Demo firmware doesn't have to do the technical work to create it. I'll provide link at the end of this post, One thing to think about, Updating through the XMB(System menu main screen) Does work but in this case it may not detect the firmware, If the XMB system update does not recognize it turn off the system and do the following to put the system into Recovery mode to update.

Step 1: Power off system as i said

Step 2: Hold down the power button untill the system turns off again and the light is red

Step 3: Hold down the power button again but this time the system will beep once, then shortly after it will beep 3 times fast when it does this release your finger off the power button, Look on the screen it will say Hook the controller up with USB, do this then you will have a men of options, this is the recovery menu this is used alot by people who are techical with the system and to fix problems also Firmware updates. Now click System Update and make sure your flash drive is plugged into the ps3, now click start and select at the same time, it will check for the firmware. Now just wait and follow the steps once it in down preparing and boots into system Updater, after it says installing and not to turn off the system you're pretty much set, when its down it will reboot and boot into your new Retail firmware. the firmware file name is already named for you, put in folder structure like this, The PS3UPDAT.PUP is the firmware file "PS3/UPDATE/PS3UPDAT.PUP" Link for pre patch 4.11 retail firmware constructed by me: http://www.mediafire.com/?l251ny7lju4qfg...

Update

Also another thing to be aware of is you can unlock demo firmware, Go to settings menu scroll down to security settings and hover over it do not click it, Now hold down these 4 buttons all at the same time on your controller. L1 R1 Select Square. Now it will ask for security code. put in 2464. Now features are unlocked. It says you cannot use playstation store, to bypass this to go saved data under game meny and click psn Plus saved data thing. this will take you tot he psn store go to game ans there you go. Playstation home bypass, get a friend to invite you to home accept invite fixed.

Update

mllc97, Yes the HDD can be used in another system, as long as the hard disk it's self is not broken. when you stick a new or different HDD into another ps3 it will ask you to install the firmware on it so it can Marry it to the system. Marry means attach the hardware so it works. get the firmware version your on put it on a flash drive like everything else and do as it says on the screen. it will work. all data should still be there unless it asks to format. I have not done so before but my assumption of everything i know i conclude data should still be there. i have only got a new HDD and upgraded. so it may ask for formatting. And the one in demo mode download my firmware to make it retail.

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39 Comments:

Joey,

Thank you for the info. I have another question. If I mess this up somehow, will it brick (make unsuable) my PS3?

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Joey,

While i do appreciate the info,i am not tech savvy....more a dummy....so if you could give me a more simplified explanation i would greatly appreciate it....unfortunately like many others i too bought a device in demo mode and have been frustrated with the demo setting ever since....luckily for me you have been able to answer this question.

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No, there is no way to Brick the system, by doing this or literally at all. The system software of 4.11 Has alot of security checks and will make sure that the firmware will wk before it lets you install it. If it detects it will not work or unstable files inside it will give Data corrupt error. This is perfectly safe. And i already have made the firmware if you want to download it. its a promise you won't be bricked.

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Joey,

Thank you so much for the file. I upgraded my PS3 yesterday from the XMB. No problems. Super easy. Have you ever considered creating a guide for this? We could team up on it if you didn't want to do anything except making the firmware. I could cover the rest. Let me know.

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Joey,

Is it possible 2 remove a hard drive from a broken ps3 and install it in another ps3 without any problems or much change....and if there r changes 2 b made can u help.

I have 3 ps3's.

1 broken

1 in demo mode

1 relatively ok.....4 now.

The broken 1 is 2 badly damaged 2 b repaired according 2 a tech service, anyway i was wondering if the hard drive can b used in another unit.

ty 4 ur great help...joey

my name is Mike

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Caroline and everyone else,

I do not believe it matters what firmware you currently have. Follow the directions posted by Joey Johnson. They work. After you have the good firmware installed you can then do a system update to the current firmware (if you want to). I did what Joesy suggested back when he posted it and I have had no problems using my PS3 normally. I can use all features and update firmware like it was any other PS3 you buy in the store. Here is what Joey posted back in May 2012. (However, I did just notice that his link is dead. You can try this link instead. I don't know if the firmware in this link will work, but the link is good as of today. http://www.mediafire.com/?kd1q9j9ic1zwc5... )

"...i'll just provide you with my already patched firmware so you and everyone else on Demo firmware doesn't have to do the technical work to create it. I'll provide link at the end of this post, One thing to think about, Updating through the XMB(System menu main screen) Does work but in this case it may not detect the firmware, If the XMB system update does not recognize it turn off the system and do the following to put the system into Recovery mode to update.

Step 1: Power off system as i said

Step 2: Hold down the power button untill the system turns off again and the light is red

Step 3: Hold down the power button again but this time the system will beep once, then shortly after it will beep 3 times fast when it does this release your finger off the power button, Look on the screen it will say Hook the controller up with USB, do this then you will have a men of options, this is the recovery menu this is used alot by people who are techical with the system and to fix problems also Firmware updates. Now click System Update and make sure your flash drive is plugged into the ps3, now click start and select at the same time, it will check for the firmware. Now just wait and follow the steps once it in down preparing and boots into system Updater, after it says installing and not to turn off the system you're pretty much set, when its down it will reboot and boot into your new Retail firmware. the firmware file name is already named for you, put in folder structure like this, The PS3UPDAT.PUP is the firmware file "PS3/UPDATE/PS3UPDAT.PUP""

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I followed all the instructions here exactly but I'm getting a "No applicable update found" error. I used the PSUPDAT.PUP file from the link in Brendan's comment. The folder setup on my USB drive is correct. My PS3 is on 4.31 Demo firmware. Not sure what to do next. I tried updating from both the XMB and Recovery menu.

All I really want to do is get on the PSN and be able to download stuff or play games with my friends. I don't even care if it stays in Demo mode otherwise. I tried the workaround to get on PSN (via Saved Game Data) and it tells me that I have to download something for the shop to continue. I get through the download and get the dreaded 80029564 error every time, right at the beginning of the installation. Tried all sorts of things to get around that--plugging PS3 in via ethernet, disabling router firewall, changing lots of different connection settings, etc. but none of that worked. I suspect that the error is occurring because of the fact that it's in Demo mode to start with. Maybe that's something Sony "fixed" in one of the more recent FW updates.

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verison 4.66 is permanently. You can't unlock it or use a unlock code.

PS3 have a security now. They blocking all devices with jailbreak or those who have tried to jailbreak.

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my ps3 domo mod 4.81 how to off halp me

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I already update my PlayStation 3 to 4.8 one and it still on demonstration mode I need to get it off completely it's already updated but it's still on completion mode how do I get to it

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Looking for a patch for 4.84 demo mode on ps3 help

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Brendan Atkinson will be eternally grateful.
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