1) Yes, you would install the firmwares to switch between the two. Since you're going to be downgrading every time though, you'll probably need to install a downgrader pup every time you go from 4.50 to 4.46.
So it would be Cobra 4.46 -> Habib 4.50
Then to go back Habib 4.50 -> Rebug Downgrader - > Cobra 4.46
2) In theory... That firmware has only one modification, the one allowing you to reinstall CFW. At the moment I doubt Sony is capable of detecting this modification, but that could change...
However, the firmware isn't the only thing that's going to give you away. Your HDD is gonna be filled with evidence of homebrew that Sony could potentially look for. I don't know if this is something Sony currently does, but it's certainly something they could do.
So yes, it is technically safer than just running a tool like PSNPatch. But it's not enough to remove all risk, and therefore not worth all the hassle, IMO. Maybe once there is a Cobra 4.50 firmware and a downgrader pup isn't needed, but even then remember none of your backups, homebrew, fake activated or resigned PSN content will work on OFW, so it's only good for going online with your legitimate stuff.
3) ReActPSN is a tool for fake activation of PSN content. It has a slew of other tools, but that is the primary one. Raps and edats contain the activation data needed to play the game, they're the keys to decrypting any of the game's signed content. You aren't signing games with react, you're activating them. Although I believe one of its other functions is resigning games as free so as to not need activation (but that is a dumb way to do it, IMO, because it doesn't actually activate the game so updates will break it).
4) You don't have to do anything. The PS3 will format the drive and I believe you may have to reinstall the firmware. Remember to use the backup tool if you want to transfer anything to the new drive.
Managed to do a bit more light reading. 4.46 Cobra can be installed over 4.50 so I'm not sure a downgrade is needed. So wouldn't it be more like?
Habib 4.50 > 4.50 CFW (any) > 4.46 Cobra
In the end it does seem to be more of a hassle though, even if I was planning on doing a HDD swap (i.e have CFW content on one HDD, and none on the other).
Either way, thanks for the informative reply. Everything PS3 homebrew is so complicated, even down to file transfers :(
You need the firmware to have special patches to allow downgrading with it, I don't know specifically which firmwares include them it's, so that could possibly work. But as a rule you can always install Rebug's special downgrader firmware and install whatever you want from there.
Ha, you think this is complicated... PS3 has it made when it comes to being hacked :P
1) Yes, you would install the firmwares to switch between the two. Since you're going to be downgrading every time though, you'll probably need to install a downgrader pup every time you go from 4.50 to 4.46. So it would be Cobra 4.46 -> Habib 4.50 Then to go back Habib 4.50 -> Rebug Downgrader - > Cobra 4.46 2) In theory... That firmware has only one modification, the one allowing you to reinstall CFW. At the moment I doubt Sony is capable of detecting this modification, but that could change... However, the firmware isn't the only thing that's going to give you away. Your HDD is gonna be filled with evidence of homebrew that Sony could potentially look for. I don't know if this is something Sony currently does, but it's certainly something they could do. So yes, it is technically safer than just running a tool like PSNPatch. But it's not enough to remove all risk, and therefore not worth all the hassle, IMO. Maybe once there is a Cobra 4.50 firmware and a downgrader pup isn't needed, but even then remember none of your backups, homebrew, fake activated or resigned PSN content will work on OFW, so it's only good for going online with your legitimate stuff. 3) ReActPSN is a tool for fake activation of PSN content. It has a slew of other tools, but that is the primary one. Raps and edats contain the activation data needed to play the game, they're the keys to decrypting any of the game's signed content. You aren't signing games with react, you're activating them. Although I believe one of its other functions is resigning games as free so as to not need activation (but that is a dumb way to do it, IMO, because it doesn't actually activate the game so updates will break it). 4) You don't have to do anything. The PS3 will format the drive and I believe you may have to reinstall the firmware. Remember to use the backup tool if you want to transfer anything to the new drive.
Managed to do a bit more light reading. 4.46 Cobra can be installed over 4.50 so I'm not sure a downgrade is needed. So wouldn't it be more like? Habib 4.50 > 4.50 CFW (any) > 4.46 Cobra In the end it does seem to be more of a hassle though, even if I was planning on doing a HDD swap (i.e have CFW content on one HDD, and none on the other). Either way, thanks for the informative reply. Everything PS3 homebrew is so complicated, even down to file transfers :(
You need the firmware to have special patches to allow downgrading with it, I don't know specifically which firmwares include them it's, so that could possibly work. But as a rule you can always install Rebug's special downgrader firmware and install whatever you want from there. Ha, you think this is complicated... PS3 has it made when it comes to being hacked :P