How to use your PS3 Controller (DS3 / Dual Shock 3) on a Windows 7 x64 PC

For the longest time I've been looking for a way to use my PS3 controller on PC for Castle Crashers so I could get the 4th player in on the action, but most of the time the instructions were to use MotionInJoy (which is a complete piece of steaming shit). (Here's the guide to get a wireless XBox 360 controller working on PC)

Eventually I stumbled upon something by Scarlet.Crush on the PCSX2 forums called "XInput Wrapper for DS3 and Play.com USB Dual DS2 Controller", or better known as "SCP DS3" which lets you do just that.

This post covers the PS3 controller information, but the steps are the same for the PS4 controller (Dual Shock 4)

How it works

Scarlet.Crush wrote drivers for the Dual Shock pads and interfaced them with the XInput API, which allows games or programs to interact with the XBox Controller.

No more arcane hacks to get it working. If anything, this is actually pretty clever.

Hardware Requirement

• PS3 or PS4 controller
• USB cable
• (optional) One USB bluetooth dongle / adapter for up to 4 controllers if you want wireless connectivity

(The dongle I bought also works for Wii remotes)

Software Requirements

• Microsoft .NET 4 to run the packages
• XBox 360 controller drivers for XInput
• SCP DS3 package (v1.2.0.160 at time of writing)

Installation

• Install .NET 4 package (if necessary)
• Install the XBox 360 controller driver package (Windows XP/Vista users should install this AFTER installing the SCP drivers)
• Restart if asked to.
• Important: Connect your bluetooth dongle and let Windows do it's thing.
• Important: Connect your PS3/PS4 controller and let Windows install the default drivers.
• Extract the contents of "ScpServer\bin" from "SCP-DS-Driver-Package-1.2.0.160" to where you want to put it. Personally I put it into "C:\Games\Utils\SCP-DS3\"
• Run "ScpDriver.exe"

 

• Click "Install" to install the SCP driver, bluetooth driver and SCP service (maps controller input to XInput).
• Once it's done, you can exit.

Testing it

• Run "ScpServer.exe" to take a look at how things are running.
• Your controller should automatically pair (check for 1 LED lit up instead of 4 flashing lights)
• Go to "Devices & Printers" in your control panel and you should see a "PLAYSTATION(R)3 Controller" AND an "Xbox 360 Controller for Windows".
• Right click the Xbox controller icon and select "Game Controller Settings" > Properties.
• From there you can try out all the buttons

 

• Unplug it from USB to check if bluetooth is working. It should stay paired with the computer but remove the DS3 controller icon.

If bluetooth is not working

If this happens...

• Unplug everything
• Start up "ScpDriver.exe"
• Click uninstall
• And start again. Except this time, select "Force install" when installing the drivers with "ScpDriver.exe".

This happened because my USB Bluetooth dongle wasn't on the supported list, but forcing the install MAY work for you. <insert usual "your milage may vary" disclaimer here>

Sources

• XInput Wrapper for DS3 and Play.com USB Dual DS2 Controller
• Software Downloads: Xbox 360 Controller for Windows

PS3: Fix "This content can be used if you renew the licence in playstation store" for PSN games

If you ever find yourself in this situation, you can always rely on some pre-made software to fix your problem. However, knowing how the hell to use it is another story!

Preparation

First of all, you'll need the infamous RAP files. Download a program called PSNStuff by LoOzers to find the game you want and save the RAP file.

• Download reactPSN 2.25
• Copy pkg files for reactPSN and your game to USB:/
• Copy the game RAP files into usb:/exdata/
• Make sure you're not connected to PSN (being online is fine though)

The magic

• Plug the USB into the right USB port (it's the 2nd from the left if looking at it horizontally)

• Install the game + any updates
• Install reactPSN
• Create a new user called "aa"
• Switch to "aa"
• With the usb still plugged in, run reactPSN
• It should restart and display the log-in screen
• The "aa" profile should have renamed itself to some status message
• Log into your usual non-aa profile
• Remove usb drive (you're done with it)
• Your game should now work.

*update 30/4/2013* Updated sources and instructions about RAP files.

Sources

• About REACTPSN
• ReActPSN 2.0 Update for PS3 CFW with Patched VSH.Self Arrives
• Tortuga Cove • View topic - Rogero CEX-4.40 v1.03 with ToolBox/StealthMAN and ReactPSN offline Patch
• What to do with a .rap file?
• what do i do with rap files for revoultion blops 2 map
• Tortuga Cove • View topic - About REACTPSN

Stuff I looked at which weren't so helpful.

• This content can be used if you renew... - PS3Hax Network - Playstation 3 Hacks and Mods
• cant renew psn license - PS3Hax Network - Playstation 3 Hacks and Mods
• How to Run PSN Games On Rogero 4.30 ? - PS3Hax Network - Playstation 3 Hacks and Mods
• rap files - Page 2 - PS3Hax Network - Playstation 3 Hacks and Mods
• How to re-activate all of your PSN games (incl.PSOne classic) + NOOB-PROOF TUTORIAL
• Downloadable Content .RAP Files Request Thread (PKG files are welcomed)
• Fixing PSN games with rap files
• reActPSN tutorial for 4.30CFW Rogero v2.03+ (should also work for 4.21.1 Rebug)
• RIF2RAP PS3 Homebrew App, Export RAP Files Without Downgrading - Page 1 - PS3 NEWS - PlayStation 3 News - PS3 Hacks - PS3 CFW
• React psn for 4.30 Rogero CFW
• ReActPSN v2.23 for PS3 with 3.41 to 4.30 CFW Support Arrives - Page 1 - PS3 NEWS - PlayStation 3 News - PS3 Hacks - PS3 CFW
• PSN Games-DLC-PSone-miniS-Demos-Huge Collection Of Links(3544 Raps DLC PS2 Selection)
• Tortuga Cove • View topic - Rogero CEX-4.40 v1.02
  

PS3: Updating from 3.55 KMEAW CFW to 4.40 Rogero CEX CFW (v1.02b)

Alright I'll say it straight, I'm going to assume you're handy with unzipping files, copying and moving stuff around and generally competent with navigating through your computer/ps3. Otherwise, this guide probably isn't for you.

Grab the files from the Rogero CFW thread. You'll need:

• Rogero_CEX4.40_V1.03.PUP
• multiMAN ver 04.30.00 BASE (20130324).zip
• toggle_qa.pkg (from Rebug)

Another early note, you need multiMAN 04.30.00. Older multiMAN versions won't work on CFW4.40 so feel free to update it before you install the 4.40 CFW.

Also, take out any discs in your console! Reason is the PS3 will check the disc for firmware before checking the USB drive. You don't want to accidentally upgrade to official firmware now, do you? ;)

In case you're wondering, this is the CEX firmware (consumer firmware), not the DEX version which has more debugging features.

Copy the files across to:

USB://toggle_qa.pkg
USB://PS3/UPDATE/PS3UPDAT.PUP (renamed Rogero_CEX4.40_V1.03.PUP)

Yep you read that right, it's UPDAT (missing E, not a typo!)

Some optional things to do while downloading/preparing files.

• (optional) Update multiMAN. I did this as a precaution, since I use multiMAN for most things
• (optional) Back up your PS3 data
• (optional) While that's happening, make sure your CFW PUP isn't corrupted. MD5 dat file.
• If you've downgraded to 3.55 from a higher firmware, you should run the QA flag thing.

Enabling QA flags

So QA flag first, just in case. I'm not gonna pretend I know exactly what happens there, but it's more of a safety thing and highly recommended by Rogero in the release thread.

• Using "Install package files", run "toggle_qa.pkg" from your USB drive.
• Once it's done, run Toggle QA from the menu.
• Your PS3 should beep and reboot (if not, try again)
• Go to Network Settings and press L1+L2+L3+R1+R2+Down (all at the same time)
• If Edy Viewer & view/debug settings appear, it worked.

Updating to Rogero 4.40

Just to be safe, disable your network connectivity so the PS3 is completely offline.

Now, onto the fun part! Open up:

• Settings
• System update
• Update via storage media
• If you see "Version 4.40-Rog v1.03" then you're in business!
  If not... it's not safe to carry on. Check if you've missed a previous step.
• X/OK to continue
• Right > Accept > Start
• Patience is a virtue so let it do it's thing.
• When it finally starts up, it should have the ROGERO logo on the boot screen.

Viola! You are now on 4.40 CFW with PSN access! To make sure, check via "System Settings > System information" menu to make sure.

Test run

Fire up multiMAN and blast away at your favourite game.

If all is well, you're now on 4.40 and survived!

If you're getting the "Your installation of multiMAN is incomplete! lease install BASE of FULL version!" error after updating, grab a copy of multiMAN from the Rogero 4.40 thread. Make sure to download the BASE version and install the CEX pkg.

Alternatively, this method takes longer but at least it's easier:

• Load multiMAN
• Web
• scroll down to "multiMAN 04.30.00 BASE (or whatever's latest)

Extra reading

Now, this solution works but you'll run into some common errors that others have run into.

• How to fix errors when loading PSN PKG games after upgrading to Rogero CFW 4.40 v1.02

Apparently the way people were using to downgrade games to 3.55 was "wrong". You'll need a package resigner in order to get them to install and run properly on 4.30 and 4.40.

• How to transfer games to your PS3 via FTP (using multiMAN)

The previous guide on KMEAW was finicky and tricky for the average user. This method is far easier so I highly recommend it.

• Proper fix for slow FTP transfer speeds over gigabit ethernet

When the file transfers were going at 140kb/s, I was annoyed to say least. Seriously, I spent some extra time to make sure everything was gigabit ready.

To my delight, it wasn't my fault =)

There are lots of dodgy fixes for this on the internet. Try mine first, it's least likely to break anything on your computer.

Update 15/04/2013:

I've updated the tutorial so it points to 4.40 v1.03 (rather than 1.02b).

Update 5/9/2013:

Updated note about Rogero_CEX4.40_V1.03.PUP being PS3UPDAT.PUP.

Sources

• Everything You Need To Know To Install 4.30 CFW (From 3.55 CFW)
• Toggle QA | Codename: REBUG
• Tortuga Cove - Rogero CEX-4.30 v2.05 with Original "*Install Package Files" and Updated [app_home] IPF -> ToolBox (No more Restart)
• PS3 4.21/4.30/4.xx CFW User Guide - Read Before Attempting Anything And Bookmark - PS3Hax Network - Playstation 3 Hacks and Mods
• Tortuga Cove - Rogero CEX-4.40 v1.02
• [How To] Check MD5 sums - xda-developers
• PlayStation®3 PC System Software Update Method - PlayStation®
• How to Enable QA Flag (Toggle QA) [PS3] - YouTube
  

PS3: How to transfer games to your PS3 via FTP (using multiMAN)

This is pretty simple now, but there are some quirks you have to be aware of.

• multiMAN works best in passive mode (PASV)
• You can only have one connection at a time. Any more than that and multiMAN will either time out or disconnect.

First, go to Settings > Network Settings > Settings and Connection Status List. There you can get your IP address.

On a side note, I prefer to match a MAC address to an IP in my router settings (not covered in this tutorial!)

Now run multiMAN. Check under Settings > FTP Service to see if it's enabled.

On your computer, download and install FileZilla. Go to File > Site manager > New Site. Use the following settings:

• Host: Your PS3's IP address
• Port: 21
• Logon type: Normal
• User: anonymous
• Password: (Clear it out and leave it blank)

On the "Transfer settings" tab:

• Transfer mode: Passive
• Tick "Limit number of simultaneous connections" and set it to 1

Once you connect, you'll see a few folders like this.

Double click on dev_hdd0, it's the internal hard drive.

For extracted game files, put em into "dev_hdd0/GAMEZ". The "game" folder is for games which are already installed.

If you have PKG files which need to be installed on the PS3, place them into "dev_hdd0/packages".

Drag and drop the files to transfer. Once the files are copied over,they can be accessed via multiMAN's user interface.

This is much easier than the previous method where games had to be copied onto an external drive then copied into the PS3 via a horrible user interface.

No more jumping through hoops!

PS3: How to fix errors when loading PSN PKG games after upgrading to Rogero CFW 4.40 v1.02

After a lot of digging around, eventually I learned that the reason for this whole mess is because people were replacing eboot files to make games compatible with 3.55.

That made sense at the time, but when the newer firmwares started checking the eboot signatures, stuff started breaking.

So to resign the packages so they work with the newer firmwares, you'll need a special suite of programs.

At first I tried aldos tools, which seemed like a pretty good all-in-one bundle. To be honest, all I could really do was unpack some archives and check the ID of stuff. The installer didn't integrate with my Windows properly.

Then I tried RazorX's CFW Eboot & PKG Resigner. Looks noob friendly enough, but I had no idea what NPDRM meant. Couldn't find anybody that could explain it either.

As much as I wanted to use RazorX's utility, I could only get as far as resigning the eboot. For some reason, it just wouldn't repackage the PKG!

I was almost tempted to just search for the pre-fixed eboots until I noticed a reference to PS3 CFW 4.XX+ F.A.R. (Full Auto Resigner) Script. Just drag the PKG file to the script and it resigns the whole thing for you. Wow, this can't get any easier!

How to use it?

Download CFW_4.xx__F.A.R._Script_v0.5b .rar and extract it somewhere. Leave the folder open.

Find your PKG file and drag it over the file called "CFW 4.xx+F.A.R. Script (Drag Here).bat".

Wait for it to do it's thing. It's a little difficult to read the dark blue writing against a black console window, but wait for the terminal to disappear and you should have yourself a new PKG file (most likely with a different filename).

Copy the new PKG to the PS3 or USB and it should work fine.

So, repeat the process with any packages which don't work.

Time to get busy!

Sources

• CFW 3.55 Games can be play on CFW 4.30 v2?
• PS3 Tools by Aldo Vargas
• [UPDATE 10] CFW Eboot & PKG Resigner v1.20
• 109.PSN.Game.Fixes.Compatable.For.All.CFW.341.355.421.430.ZMK
• PS3 How To Resign PKG Files & PSN Games To CFW 4.21- 4.30 - YouTube
• Tortuga Cove - PS3 CFW 4.XX+ F.A.R. (Full Auto Resigner) Script v0.5b is Released
• CFW_4.xx__F.A.R._Script_v0.5b .rar
  
• PlayStation 2 DataCenter - NTSC-U List (wasn't referenced in this tutorial, but useful for checking the game IDs between regions)

PS3: Proper fix for slow FTP transfer speeds over gigabit ethernet

The PS3 does indeed support full duplex gigabit ethernet, but it doesn't seem to automatically select it all the time. I had slow transfer speeds most of the time, but once in a while after a reboot it'd be fast.

 
Copying stuff and feeling like it's going nowhere? Yeah, I get ya.

But man, when it comes to the internet people sure do come up with some weird solutions.

A popular one floating around is to modify your (working) Windows settings and set up a special IP/subnet mask/gateway. Just do yourself a favour, spare yourself the pain and don't even try this method.

"Get a faster HDD". LOL harddrive write speeds are a limiting factor, but it wouldn't cause the speeds of 70Mb/s to drop down to 140kb/s.

There are suggestions of changing the FTP server on the PS3 or the FTP client on the PC. That's fine and dandy, but they're not really responsible for the huge drop in speeds.

Side note: I use FileZilla and MultiMan v4.30 for FTP.

Well Twig, do you have a better solution?

Of course! And here are some starting points. Make sure that...

• You have an ethernet port that supports gigabit connectivity
• You have at least a Cat5e (not Cat5) or Cat6 ethernet cable (read the writing on the wire). Cat5 does not support gigabit.
• Your router is gigabit ready
• Your PS3 isn't on the wireless network (This can happen if you ripped out the wired connection and the PS3 knows your wireless settings)
• The FTP client you're using isn't limiting transfer speeds

If all those check out, then you might be victim of the PS3's buggy network speed detection. So I manually set the network configuration by going through...

• Settings
• Network settings
• Internet connection settings
• Custom
• Wired connection
• Manual settings
• Speed and Duplex: 1000BASE-T Full-Duplex (or whatever else if you know exactly what you're doing)
• IP Address setting: Automatic
• DHCP: Do not set
• DNS: Automatic
• MTU: Automatic
• Proxy: Do not use
• UPnP: Enable
• X to save
• Now then test your connection.

If it doesn't work, you'll have to change the speed and duplex mode.

Otherwise, here comes fast copy-pasta!

Sources

• Slow FTP transfer to PS3 using wired connection?!?!?
• Slow FTP transfer?

PS3: Install kmeaw CFW 3.55 with MultiMan for homebrew and backup loader support

---
There is a newer firmware and guide to install CFW 4.40 Rogero CEX CFW (v1.02b). It's much easier to copy and load games, so there's no point to continue reading this out-dated tutorial.
---

Homebrew support for the PS3 has become amazingly easy to install over the last couple of months. Now that Sony has finally put their foot down about it, the hacking progress has slowed.

Downloads

To install homebrew, you'll need the following ingredients:

• Official PS3 firmware 3.55
• PS3 kmeaw 3.55 Custom Firmware
• multiMAN
• BDEMU-355KM.pkg

*update 29/05/2011* You can use multiMAN for copying games.

Optionally, you can "Awesome File Manager" for copying files over to the PS3. I prefer this over the FTP function in multiMAN because all my stuff is connected via wireless which is a bit slow.

Note: A lot of older tutorials will also say you require LV2 patcher. This is no longer required as multiMAN includes it.

Note: If you do not want to download a pre-patched firmware package, then you can follow the steps on the first link under the Sources section.

Installation

Now the slightly worrying part. It's ok, this firmware has a very slim bricking rate compared to Waninkoko's first attempt. Currently runs fine on my fat PS3.

The following steps will require you to know how to update your PS3 firmware via USB. Do not download or install any firmware newer than 3.55! They are not hackable!

First, you HAVE to upgrade to 3.55 OFW (official firmware). Do not skip this part as you will risk bricking. When ready, proceed to installing kmaew's CFW.

• Extract "PS3UPDAT.PUP" from "PS3_355_KMEAW_CFW.RAR" and place it on your USB in the "usb://PS3\UPDATE" folder.
• While you're at it, extract multiMAN and BDEMU-355.pkg to "usb://".

Your structure should now look like this.

• Now you're ready to install CFW!
• Install kmeaw the same way you install OFW. It doesn't need to be in recovery mode for this to work.
• After the PS3 reboots, go to your "Game" menu.
• You'll see a new option called "* Install Package Files"
• Install multiMAN.
• Install BDEMU-355.pkg.
• Install Awesome File Manager.

Installing Games

Now you're ready to install games homebrew! Woohoo!

*update 29/05/2011* Mad noob, I didn't fully read the instructions for multiMAN.

* Proper structure:
/dev_***/GAMES/***GAME_NAME***/PS3_GAME/USRDIR/EBOOT.BIN

So copy the games onto your USB into a folder called "GAMES".

Once it's done, plug it in and start up multiMAN. The game should appear on the list of games. Press O to copy it over to your hard drive. It'll take a while.

Make sure that games go into "/dev_hdd0/GAMES", not "/dev_hdd0/game".

Now there are two ways of doing this.

multiMAN offers an FTP feature where you can connect to your PS3 and upload directly to the GAMES folder via FTP. If this works for you, enjoy!

I find it faster and easier to copy via USB. Whatever game you've downloaded, throw it anywhere onto the USB drive and use Awesome File Manager to copy things across.

*update 29/05/2011* Now optional, since I figured out how to copy via multiMAN. Skip to the "Running games" section.

(optional) It is a little tricky to use at first though, but here's the general instructions for Awesome File Manager.

On the left you will have the source file/folders, while on the right you have the destination folder.

• While the left side is selected, press Up/Down to navigate around and X to dig into a folder.
• Go into /dev_usb***, which will be your USB drive.
• Find your game folder and keep the selection there.
• Then press Right to highlight the destination folder. It should turn yellow.
• Go to /dev_hdd0/GAMES

Now by default, normal mode will only let you copy from /dev_usb to /dev__hdd0/game.

• Press SELECT to change it to Advanced Mode. The screen will turn red.
• Press O to copy the folder over.
• Press START to confirm (or Triangle to cancel if it was accidental)
• Once done, exit via the PS button menu.

Running Games

The fun bit now that all the setup is out of the way.

Every time you start your PS3 you'll have to do this.

• Make sure you have a legit game disc in the PS3. This is required.
• Start multiMAN.
• Select the game and load it.
• The PS3 menu will appear again, but with one difference. Instead of the official disc you have in the PS3, it'll show as the game you loaded in multiMAN instead!
• Now just start it as you usually would with a normal disc.
• Enjoy!

It's party time!

Problem: "multiMAN cannot enable BD-ROM emulator. Functionality may be restricted."

I got this error because I did not have BDEMU-355KM installed. As of multiMAN 1.16, deank removed those files from his releases.

Just make sure you install "BDEMU-355KM.pkg" and you'll be fine.

Note: If you're searching the web for that file, make sure it has the "KM" at the end!

We're using kmeaw (KM) CFW and not Wutangrza (WT) CFW. If you install the wrong one, things can only end badly.

Sources

• 3.55 CFW KMEAW INSTALL TUTORIAL
• How to play and install Backups with Kmeaw CFW+PSN without risk of brick
• "Multiman Cannot enable BD-ROM emulator. Functionality may be restricted"
• Comgenie Awesome Filemanager
• multiMAN 1.16.06 Released
  Info regarding BDEMU.PKG and it being needed since MultiMAN v1.16.XX
• *multiMAN ver 1.16.08* 3.60 Spoof Support BASE
  Thanks to superchargedpsp for supplying a link to DBEMU-355KM.pkg

*update 29/05/2011* Updated instructions on how to copy via multiMAN.

PS3: How to update firmware via USB

PS3 updates are quite large and may take a while to download.

To speed up the process a bit, you can optionally install them via USB.

• Make sure your USB is in FAT32 format.
• In the USB drive, create a folder called "PS3".
• In that new PS3 folder, create another called "UPDATE".
• Copy the system update "PS3UPDAT.PUP" file to the UPDATE folder.

The structure should now look like this.

• Insert the USB into your PS3.
• In the XMB, go across to the left and find "Settings".
• Near the top, select "System Update"
• Select "Install via storage media"
• Follow the prompts through.

If you want to make sure if it worked properly, go to "Settings" > "System Settings" > "System Information".

PS3 protection finally hacked!

For those interested in running backup games on your PlayStation 3, a clever chap called George Hotz has (apparently) managed to slip a crowbar into a wall of the chunky black fortress.

He posted his success on Australia Day (Jan 26th) 2010 on his blog post. The post also includes a link to the source code he used to compile the exploit, allowing full memory space access.

He's posted a link to how it works (for the less tech savvy) and a more detailed technical post here for those interested in using the exploit.

Logitech Driving Force Wireless: PS button on steering wheel doesn't work

The wireless steering wheel I've got for my PS3 is bloody fantastic! I love it!

But one small quirk is that the damn PS button doesn't work. Logitech is blaming the game since it may not of been designed to work with the faux PS button.

Shouldn't they all work with the PS button? Especially since the controller that comes with the PS3 has a little PS button on it. I would of expected it to at least work with Gran Turismo 5 Prologue =(

Guess the question has been asked alot of times.

[ Source ]

PS3 Ghostbusters keeps losing save game

A frustrating bug in the game, most likely due to poor multi-platform development or inadequate testing.

Quite frequently, after selecting "Career" mode, the game would not allow me to resume from where I last left off. Other symptoms include missing artefacts and scanned ghosts.

To fix this, simply quit the game and start it up again. It seems that you have to make sure that your Playstation profile has finished signing in before starting the game.

[ Source ]