PS3 - Resources, Technical Issues, Troubleshooting, FAQs

CyberWaste wrote: »

Say if I was to buy a USA region game for the PS3, and wanted to get DLC for it, would I have to get it off the USA network store, or will the irish one do?

acidburn51737 wrote: »

Umm i dont think mobile broadbands are wireless so you cant connect wirelessly through that. Dun know if its possible to connect the ps3 using mobile broadband though

ravydavygravy wrote: »

NAT Issues

If you go into the PS3 Network Settings and perform a connection test, it will tell you what NAT level you are currently on. The three levels are NAT1, NAT2 & NAT3:

• NAT1 - Direct connection to the internet - no NAT required
• NAT2 - Connected via router, but all necessary ports NAT-ed (aka port forwarded)
• NAT3 - connected via router, some ports not NAT-ed yet.

When you first connect your PS3 to the internet through a normal DSL router, you will usually be on NAT3 - you probably want to get this up to NAT2 or NAT1 to ensure you can sucessfully do all the online gaming stuff you want to do (chat, host games, join games...)

There are two main ways of doing this - you only need to do one or the other.


Method 1 - Port-Forwarding to get NAT2

In this method, you are trying to open certain ports in your router to allow other users to connect to them - this is necessary for the complete operation of PSN functionality. The idea is that you set up rules on your router to forward traffic on certain ports to your PS3, which lives on your internal network. When all the ports are done, you will be at NAT2.

To get specific instructions for your router, go to portforward.com - pick your router (look on the router for a sticker with a model number if you don't know it), and then select "Playstation Network" as the application to configure. Follow these instructions carefully.

You may also need to open these ports on your routers firewall - refer to to user manual of your router for further info, or ask on the Comms forum. Also, some games use special ports - you can get instructions for them on portforward.com as well.


Method 2 - Using PPPoE to get NAT1

PPPoE is the protocol your router uses to connect to your ISP, but your PS3 is able to do it as well - it's explained clearly on this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JugGe7CCuNU

As Mick mentioned, you'll need your internet login details - if you don't have them, ring your ISP and ask fior them (or google it). Also, bear in mind this will only work for ISPs that use PPPoE (regular DSL providers) - I'm not sure if it will work for cable modems, radio internet, satellite internet etc... (people like Irish Broadband, UPC) - maybe someone else can confirm/deny this.

The net effect of following the video is that your PS3 gets a public IP address on the internet (like your router has) and is outside your firewall (so all the necessary ports are open by default) - do the connection test, and you'll be at NAT1


So which one do I do??

It doesn't matter, both will work, and conversly, people have had trouble getting either method to work. In general, method 2 is simpler and involves no router knowledge, so a lot of people go for it. On the other hand, method 1 exposes less of your PS3 to the internet (just the ports you open), so its argueably a better option from a security point of view. Also, if you use media servers to stream to the PS3, method 2 will also probably stop this working - it can be made work, but thats another story....

If you are still in doubt, or you have a funny network setup, try asking on the Net & Comms forum for advice. Alternativly, search this forum for old threads on NAT issues - there are loads of them, so its possible someone had the exact same problem as you and found a solution already...

Hey there.

I dunno if you've got it to work yet. I had the same problem, and have the same usb modem. I managed to get mine to work without a router, and just an ethernet cable. It's quite simple, and here's how:

1- If you're on XP, navigate to your "Connect To" panel where you can see your usb modem connection, e.g "Vodafone Mobile Connect". And if you're on vista, go to network and Sharing.

2- If on XP, right-click on your internet connection and select properties. On properties, click on 'Advanced' and tick the box that says 'Allow other users to Connect through this computers internet connection'

3- You will get a little message that comes up that says that you must redial your internet connection.

4- No head over to your PS3. Make sure you've got the ethernet plugged in properly, and scroll to the 'Network settings' tab, under 'Settings'. Select "Internet Connection Settings", and click X. From here it will ask for either an easy or Custom connection. Select the easy setting, and from there it should detect your IP Address, and Clarify an internet connection from your pc to your ps3. Save these settings, and you are ready to go.

Hope this helped. If not, leave your query, and I will be glad to help more.

Goodluck

Hurricane-Dean wrote: »

Did you connect the USB from the PS3 to the joypad? You have to do that to initially pair the joypad with the PS3

Hurricane-Dean wrote: »

hmmmm heres a few things you can try as well:

1-Press the tiny reset button on the back of the controller

2-Plug in the USB Connection wire

3-Restart Console

4-When loaded, Press the PS Button

5-Disconnect the USB wire

6-Reset the PS3, to do this you hold the power button (while the PS3 is in stand by) until you hear three beeps, the PS3 will turn on and then go off, do this again until you hear two beeps. This will bring up the reset menu, here you can do everything from changing the smallest settings to formatting the PS3.

Hope this works for you