PSN Maintenance Kicks Off All CFW Users for Now

Today, there was "sporadic PSN maintenance" which already has caused problems for all CFW users. It is claimed that Sony is finally enacting their hidden 3.60 PSN authentication system which has been discovered in the new 3.60 firmware released last week. The authentication system clearly will stop CFW from logging into the PSN, but I think that developers will make a bypass method before the week is over. The same thing happened with 3.56 firmware and the developers worked around it so I have hopes for a 3.60 bypass.

The message that appeared today stated that there would be sporadic PSN maintenance from approximately 9am to 3pm Pacific Standard Time. As the message states the maintenance is not yet over, but as of now many users are reporting they can not connect including myself. So if you can't live without PSN for a little OFW is your only choice. I am alright without PSN access so I will just wait it out.

3.60 + PSN Spoofer + No Video Response Fix

I have been a break for around a week and during this time quite a lot happened. The new firmware totally revamped the security of the PS3 so I would not be expecting a new CFW anytime soon so if you are still at 3.55 I would stay with it (plus 3.60 really doesn't have much improvements that directly effect you), and don't worry because along with the update many may think that PSN access is lost but on the same day that the update came out a useful version spoofer came out.
Team Rebug who has steadily been releasing homebrew for the PS3 devolved a version 3.60 spoofer which allows PSN access and extremely easy access as well. If you though fuckPSN was easy compared to the old methods then you will be shocked by the simplicity of this. All you need to do is install the pkg and run it and hit the X button to install the spoofer. It does take a while to install the spoofer and there is no sign at all when it is done so definitely wait a while so you know its done. When its done just exit the spoofer and sign in that easy.
3.60 version spoofer found here - http://rebug.me/?p=412

If you messed up the spoof install and your PS3 stops sending video input to your TV (this happened to me) you have to start your PS3 in recovery mode and your TV will receive input. Next you will have to reflash your PS3 to OFW 3.55 and then back to your preffered CFW. If you do this all your account info will be lost and saved files. If you want to avoid a loss in saved files you need a spare 2.5 inch SATA hard drive. Reflash your PS3 with the spare HD then after you are done put your old HD back in and your files will still be there, but your PSN account info will not but you can just enter that again.

New Games Requiring 3.56 Firmware

Two new games that have been leaked early both require Sony's latest 3.56 firmware. The first title is Dragon Age II which is a much anticipated game for many including me.Dragon Age II has been leaked onto the internet even though the release date is March 8th, which allowed hackers to figure out ways to run the game on 3.55 firmware. Apparently simple modifications to the PARAM.SFO and a repackaged EBOOT.BIN made the game compatible with 3.55. There is a fix available but to avoid encouraging piracy I won't lead to the download link.
The second game is MLB 11 The Show which also is scheduled to be released March 8th but was leaked online. MLB 11 obviously has not been looked at as much as Dragon Age II which is probably due to the popularity differences in the two games. I am pretty confident though that MLB 11 will be able to run on 3.55 with time though as amazing things can happen with time.

Agreeing again to Sony's Terms of Service for PSN

Just today when i went to sign into PSN a message popped up saying I must re-agree to the Terms of Service to access the PSN. The Terms of Service were recently updated adding specific parts about tampering with your connection certificates and other stuff which makes it appear to be a direct response to the recently ability for PS3 owners with 3.55 to get back onto PSN. I think that the agreeing again is directly related to the official statement Sony released this week which was basically saying that if you keep using CFW and anything related to it you will receive a ban from the PSN. I am not to worried and if I am banned will just purchase a new PS3 to play online with and enjoy my CFW offline.