Review: PS3Key USB PSGroove Jailbreak ATMEL

PS3Key USB PSGroove Jailbreak ATMEL
Manufacturer: PS3Key (by WiiKey)
Site: Buy from Acekard.ca / Buy from LighTake / Buy from Divineo Spain / Buy from PS3Key Distributors
Validate your PS3Key: Validate Here (Enter Serial Number and Verification String on yellow sticker)
Price: $49.99


Overview : The PS3Key is Team WiiKey's first product in the PS3 market. They decided to release a clone of the PS Jailbreak, a USB Plug and Play solution that installs in seconds without any need to open up the PS3. It will not break your warranty seal and is compatible with all PS3 models, both Fat and Slim. Easy-to-use software for backing up, managing, and playing games from external USB Hard Drive. The PS3Key will supports installing homebrew application on PS3 and external USB media. THIS DOES NOT WORK ON FIRMWARE 3.42 OR ABOVE UNTIL A NEW EXPLOIT/METHOD IS FOUND!

Requirements :

• PS3 Console (fat or slim)
• Console (firmware) version 3.41 only
• Remove all discs from the drive
• Do not connect any devices to the console via USB
• IMPORTANT: The console must be completely switched off before using PS3Key. For fat versions, use the switch at the rear. For slim versions, simply remove the power cable. This is extremely important for the process to work correctly when you start the console.

Features :

• USB Plug and Play solution that installs in seconds without any need to open up the PS3.
• Does not break your warranty seal.
• Compatible with all PS3 models*, both Fat and Slim.
• Supports all regions: USA, JAP, PAL and KOREA.
• Fully updatable via USB on your PC using an encrypted bootloader
• 32KB onboard flash (most competing products only have 16KB flash)
• Disables forced software updates and will never brick your console.
• Supports most games and homebrew applications.
• Easy-to-use software for backing up, managing, and playing games from external USB Hard Drive.
• Playing games from HDD is much more enjoyable, benefiting from greatly enhanced seek and loading times.
• Supports installing homebrew application on PS3 and external USB media.
• Optionally PS3Key can be supplied with an "open" firmware which does not support backup loading. Users would then have to download a firmware update for PS3Key to get full functionality.
  * Currently not compatible with 3.42 firmware and up

Quality/Usability : Also read our AVRKey review.

There has been a lot of confusion between consumers and retailers since retailers are naming it AVR PS3Key or something along those lines. So lets start off by clearing the confusion. AVRKey and PS3Key are made by the same people, both look identical and both use the same hardware but are BOTH different products. The BIG difference between the two is that PS3Key comes shipped with their own proprietary firmware (.upd) file, own software that reads/loads .upd files. AVRKey are shipped blank...as in nothing. With AVRKey, you install your own HEX files (.hex)..the same files as PSGroove.

IMPORTANT : PS3Key comes with YELLOW sticker. AVRKey comes with GREEN sticker. This is how you will know what you received.

Some are probably saying to themselves "Oh great..another clone to hit the PS3 scene". Yes, that is true but this from a team that has a great track record and been in the video game scene. The name PS3Key kind of gives it away. Want to take a guess? Still cant figure it out? The team behind PS3Key is none other than WiiKey...the same people behind the WiiKey modchip and WiiKey Fusion for the Wii. So you know they won't be leaving us gamers high and dry.

The PS3Key comes in an anti-static bag and on this bag is also a yellow sticker. This sticker is your serial number and verification string. This allows you to verify and validate if the PS3Key that you purchased is authentic. For the verification string, it must be typed as shown. Capital letters must be typed with CAPS and lowercase letters must be lowercase. Failure to do so will give an error message. The team is serious about combating PS3Key clones.


The PS3Key is housed in a metal casing that looks exactly like PS Jailbreaks. There is also no writing or logo on the housing to prevent any problems with distribution and measures approximately 1.25" (length) x 0.50" (wide). On the end of the PS3Key is a blue rubber cap. This protects the board from being exposed and prevent dust and other particles from entering as well as softens the brightness of the LED lights. The PS3Key dongle is running on ATMEL MEGA32U2 (ATMEGA32U2) and is upgradeable via USB port. Installation is simple. Since the encrypted bootloader and files are preinstalled, just insert the PS3Key into the USB port of your PS3. The files installed the PS3Key are proprietary. Getting it to run the exploit is the same as all other Jailbreaks and you can remove it after its been loaded successfully.

Operation :
Once the power to your console is completely disconnected:

1. Turn on the console (PS3 Fat with the switch, PS3 Slim connecting the power cable)
2. Insert PS3Key into a USB port on the PS3.
3. Start up the PS3 and press the EJECT button.
4. The LED (which should have been red initially) will change to blue.
5. If the above process worked, there will be a link to “Install Package File” in the game menu.

In order to make sure the PS3Key dongle worked flawlessly, I had to uninstall all my homebrew applications that I had originally installed. To install applications or any homebrew applications, you will need to download and save the .pkg files to a USB drive such as thumbdrive or harddrive. To install, simply insert USB drive to the PS3 and navigate to "INSTALL PACKAGE FILES" on the XMB under GAME. Select the file you want to install by pressing X and it will automatically install the file. All applications installed and loaded without any problems.

There are no other files or programs available to download from www.ps3key.com. But it seems PS3Key is in the process of making their own backup manager known as PS3Key Loader. However, upon loading this, there is nothing except for a message saying "The key has been turned..". Inserting a different Jailbreak device and running this file resulted in a failure. So it seems that PS3Key Loader checks to see if the PS3Key is inserted.

When a new update or application is released for the PS3Key, you can download the latest files at http://www.ps3key.com/en/members/downloads/. Here, you will need to log in (if you aren't logged in or registered already). In order to download files, you will need to enter the serial number and verification string to authenticate your PS3Key. Once logged in and the file you want to download is selected, your serial number is displayed. Before the "DOWNLOAD" button turns from un-clickable gray button to a clickable blue button, you will have to ACCEPT their Terms and Conditions...


Just inserting the PS3Key into a USB port of the computer causes it to be recognized but nothing really happens nor does it show up as a removable drive. All you hear are dings. But I inserted and removed it 4 times in a row within 10 seconds and a pop up did show up on my Windows Vista saying that the Generic USB Device has been installed successfully and can be used (wont show up all the time..only when first initiated). Performing this method will put the PS3Key into Update Mode and the both blue and red LED will be lit (purplish look with cap on). This will now allow you to update the PS3Key with any new files the team has released. I know some gamers are wondering if you can flash PSGroove hex files onto the PS3Key. I haven't tried it myself but Team PS3Key has informed me that you can erase the files on the PS3Key and install something else (such as PSGroove), but then you would not be able to put PS3Key code back onto it again. So if you're looking to buy a PS3Key to load your own files, I suggest not doing so. If you don't care about future PS3Key updates and want to install HEX files, you can install HEX files onto PS3Key by erasing the PS3Key bootloader using the ATMEL programming software. Just remember that it's a one-way process and you won't be able to make it into a PS3Key again afterwards! Overwriting PS3Key's proprietary file would be pointless since you lose all future features and updates that PS3Key would release in the future. There are plenty of other USB development boards at a cheaper price if you wanted to load PSGroove files such as AVRKey. AVRKey is also developed by Team PS3Key but the difference between the two is that AVRKey gives you the ability to load your own files where as PS3Key has it preinstalled and both have the same hardware. PS3Key updates are protected with TEA Encryption and not serial number specific. However, its best to download directly from PS3Key's website so you know that the files are not tampered with and you have full support from the PS3Key team, if needed.


Instructions on How to Install Update :

1. Run the PS3KeyUpdater.exe application in Windows*. (REQUIRED for ATMEL based PS3Key)
2. Connect PS3Key to your PC in update mode. To do this, simply insert it and remove it a few (3-4) times in until both of the LEDs (both red and blue...looks purplish) light up at the same time.
3. Choose "File" and "Open" and then select the update file (i.e. ps3key_v2.upd).
4. Click "Update Now" at the top of the screen. This will only be active when the PS3Key is connected to your PC and both the red and blue LEDs are lit.
5. That's it! The progress bar will indicate when the update has been applied.
6. It is now safe to remove PS3Key from your PC and continue to enjoy using it with the new features!

* Since my computer is running Windows Vista, for some reason, it didnt want to install the updated file. The progress bar didnt do anything (like the image above). But I decided to right click and choose "Properties" on the application itself (.exe) and clicked on the "Compatibility" tab and enable "Run this program in compatibility mode for: "with Windows XP (Service Pack 2)". You may also need to go under "Privilege Level" select "Run this program as an administrator". This is when the program would actually load the file. It may not be required but if you can't get it to load the new file, this is an option.

*UPDATE* 10/18/10
There are two versions of PS3Key. There is a ATMEL version and SiliconLabs version. ATMEL-based PS3Key require the use of PS3Key Updater to update the PS3Key. If you have a SiliconLabs-based PS3Key (4th digit of the serial number is a 4 or 5) then you do not need this application as it is possible to drag-and-drop the update directly onto the dongle in Windows. If you have already entered your serial number, you can check YOUR PS3KEYS and it will tell you which version you have. If you have not entered your serial or never got one (you should contact the site you purchased from and get one), the only way to find out is if you remove the board. Unfortunately, I do not know how the SiliconLabs (Silabs) version looks like.

I insert my PS3Key and nothing happens. No lights, nothing! What's wrong?
Unfortunately, a small number of PS3Keys (estimated at less than 1% of the total produced so far) were shipped with a little less insulating tape than they should have been. This is causing the metal contacts on the bottom of the circuit board to short circuit on the metal case. This isn't a fatal short circuit, your PS3Key has not been damaged.

If you're part of the 1%, to remedy this problem, simply remove the PCB and affix extra tape, as shown below: (this has been corrected at manufacturing plant)

1) Remove the blue plastic cap and bend the small metal clamps open:


2) Slide the circuit board out of the metal case:


3) Flip the circuit board over and affix a nice big piece of insulating tape. If your tape is quite thin, use 2 layers just to be sure:


Conclusion : Overall, the PS3Key USB PSGroove Jailbreak ATMEL looks very sleek. With Team WiiKey showing their continued support and products on the Nintendo Wii, we will see the same commitment on the PS3. They have demonstrated the capability to create and compile their own codes and are most than likely able to create a new their own version of the backup manager. Those looking to install their own files, I suggest not purchasing the PS3Key as you lose all features and future updates that PS3Key has to offer. Instead, look into purchasing the AVRKey which is also from the PS3Key team but AVRKey lets you install your own files. If you purchased a PS3Key and it did not have a yellow sticker on the anti-static bag, contact the seller you purchased it from and ask for it. If they can not supply it, you more than likely received a clone/fake (PS3Key do not have logo printed on them and caps are thick blue..not thin teal caps). Also, the image below shows two versions of fakes. These were NOT made by PS3Key nor ever was.


Please note that none of the "upgrade" products listed in this site are endorsed by Nintendo, Sony and/or Microsoft. DCEmu Reviews and DCEmu Network does not condone piracy. The primary functions of a "modchip" and/or "flashcart" are to allow you to play imported games and homebrew software that you legally own or simply just for experimenting with hardware. We in no way endorse piracy, and encourage all users to do the right thing and support the developers/manufacturers that support them. We do not take any responsibilities for any use outside of these parameters or where the use of such a device is illegal.

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