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How to Create an Unbricking Stick on PS3

When modifying any type of computer hardware or electronic, you always run the risk of something going wrong. It is no different when you modify the software on a PlayStation 3 (PS3) video gaming console. If a PS3 goes bad during a software modification and becomes unusable, it is referred to as bricking the system. Sometimes it is possible to unbrick the unit, which will require you to create a USB flash drive to boot the system.

Things You'll Need

USB flash drive
Current PS3 system firmware file

Instructions

- 1
  Download the required recovery files from the SmoothBlog: How to Unbrick Your PS3 website.
- 2
  Insert the USB flash drive into your computer and format it to remove any files that may be on it.
- 3
  Extract the file "Lv2Diag.self" from "File 1" of the recovery files onto the USB flash drive. You also must put the file "PS3UPDAT.PUP," which is your system's current firmware version, on the flash drive. Each version will have the same file name, although you must be sure to use your system's current version. You should be able to locate a copy of this file by entering the file name and your firmware version into an Internet search engine.
- 4
  Insert the USB flash drive into the PS3 USB slot and turn the system on. Wait about 10 minutes until the system shuts itself off.
- 5
  Remove the flash drive and format it on the computer. Extract the "Lv2Diag.self" file from "File 2" in the recovery files.
- 6
  Put the flash drive back into the PS3 and wait for it to turn off again. Remove the USB flash drive and restart the system, which should now load properly.

PlayStation 3