BwE Product Guide 2025 & Intro To SFlash (NOR) & UART On PS4/PS5

Last Updated 3rd Jan 2025

PS5 Software


BwE PS5 NOR Tool (NOR Based)

BwE PS5 Code Reader Pro (NOR Based)

BwE PS5 UART Code Reader (UART Based)

The PS5 software comes in two forms, one using UART (USB Serial) and one using SFlash Reading/Writing (The PS5's NOR Chip)

The BwE PS5 NOR Tool is designed for reading the PS5's NOR and diagnosing it for software issues as well as allowing various patches such as Disc/Digital flags. The core feature that I designed is the regneration process. The design of the PS5 NOR allows for large areas to simply be overwritten with valid data so rather than replacing your NOR data with one from another console, which is not ideal or suggested, you can overwrite corrupt data with valid data. This also applies to the NVS (Non-Volatile Storage) area of the PS5 which stores console specific data, my tool is able to sift through what is needed and whats not and repair corruption in this area also. My tool also allows for the patching and changing of the Southbridge firmware. More information on the features of the app will be written in a manual soon.

The BwE PS5 UART Code Reader is designed for reading error codes from the PS5 via its UART points. My software inteprets the error codes and gives them accurate descriptions pursuant to official Sony documentation and through reverse engineering the Southbridge chip itself as well as at the cost of countless torn apart consoles. My work in this field as the first of its kind for the PS5 and in the time since its release I have amassed more than 30,000 error code descriptions. These errors dictate what part of the console is faulty and is originally designed for use at Sony Service Centers.

The BwE UART Code Reader Pro is the same as the above except it reads the codes from the PS5's SFlash (NOR) and provides more details by utilizing all of the information available rather than just the error codes themselves. This allows for 3 sets of error descriptions to be parsed as well as information relating to power states, upcauses, temperature, falt statistics and more. This program will continue to be upgraded to have NOR patching functionality and more in the future.

PS4 Software


BwE PS4 NOR Validator & Syscon Patcher (NOR + Syscon Based)

BwE UART Syscon Writer (Syscon Based)

BwE PS4 Syscon Rebuilder/Tool (Syscon Based)

BwE PS4 FW Revert Tool (NOR + Syscon Based)

The PS4 software comes in two forms, one using the PS4's Syscon Chip and one using SFlash Reading/Writing (The PS4's NOR Chip)

The BwE PS4 NOR Validator & Syscon Rebuilder is designed for reading the PS4's NOR and diagnosing it for software issues as well as allowing various patches. The core function of this program is the diagnosis and repair of the entire SFlash (NOR) and there are a dozen or so patches that solve various problems that can occur in software. The validation function to determine the errors is robust and checks the entire 32mb of the NOR. This program also allows you to patch the NOR and Syscon of the PS4 to allow for downgrading and CoreOS repair.

The BwE PS4 UART Syscon Writer this replaces my Custom PCB and is designed to read and write the PS4's syscon. It has a robust anti-bricking design and illustrates to the user the glitching process and its success rate, this ensures the user that their chip is safe from any corruption or damage. This tool is used for downgrading, patching and repairing the PS4's syscon chip. It requires your own CH340G or CH340B device and a sound knowledge of microsoldering. Instructions for its use are available here.

The BwE PS4 Syscon Rebuilder/Tool was designed by myself and my colleague DarkNESMonk and is a revolutionary product that allows the complete rebuild of a PS4s syscon. This allows the wiping and restructuring of data as well as allowing for the changing of boot modes and the patching of normally unpatchable syscon chips for the downgrading process.

The BwE FW Revert Tool this is a budget app designed to pair with the affordable BwE PS4 UART Syscon Writer. It is the core downgrading and patching functionality from the BwE PS4 NOR Validator & Syscon Patcher put in a smaller package. So if you are not needing to do any other repairs on the PS4 and are only interested in downgrading or repairing the CoreOS then this is for you!

Required Tools


You need at minimum a CH341A (as pictured) and the SOP8 (PS4/PS5) or SOP16 (PS4) clip that often comes bundled with it.
However, if you're planning on using a clip you must convert (at least for the PS4) the voltage coming out of the CH341a to 2.5-2.8v or so otherwise it will not work and you will need to remove the chip and solder it onto a breakout board (SOP16->DIP8 Board as pictured).


Required Software For Reading Chips/UART

BwE has provided a UART & Programmer Collection pack which will aid in this project. It contains all of the following:

  • CH341A Programming Software
  • AsProgrammer 2.03a
  • SkyGz CH341A Mini Programmer Black Edition 1.18
  • NeoProgrammer 2.2.0.8
  • Modified SkyGz CH341 Programmer v1.1.1.25 by Kovzhun Mikkhail Alexandrovich (English/Russian)
  • CH341A Drivers
  • Logic Analyzer Software
  • Pulseview
  • Zadig (USB Driver)
  • PuTTY
  • USB TTL Drivers
  • FT232
  • PL2303
Depending on the USB TTL device you have you need to install the drivers for it. If you are not using the above pack, download the appropriate driver below. Note that for USB Serial/TTL the PL2303 is not recommended.


Special note for XGECU users:


XGECU will fail to read the NOR chip if you do not unselect Pin Detect and Check ID.

Reading/Writing NOR (Removing Chip)

Desolder your NOR chip from the board. I recommend 350c from your hot air station (not heatgun). I also recommend masking the surrounding area, especially the southbridge and its crystal.

Next you solder the chip to a breakout board (comes for free with CH341A) if its a slim/pro NOR you will need to mask the ground pad (as pictured).

Plug it into your CH341A and you're good to go! Read using AsProgrammer or any other software you like.

Use the software to dump the NOR at least twice and compare the MD5 of each dump. Validate your NOR for corruption or errors using the BwE PS4 NOR Validator or BwE PS5 NOR Tool. You can also try using the WebTools if you're not doing this as a business.


Desoldered PS5 NOR (SOP8)

PS5 NOR (SOP8) Soldered To Breakout PCB For Reading

Desoldered PS4 Slim NOR (WSON8)
Masked to avoid ground shorting on reader

Placing PS4 Slim NOR On Breakout Board

PS4 Slim NOR Being Read From Breakout Board

Reading/Writing NOR (Chip On-Board)

  • Dump the NOR using SPIWay (illustrated below) or through a modified CH341A or something faster like the XGECU (illustrated below).
  • You can either solder directly to the pins or their resistors/pads and dump/flash on-board (@ ~3.0v Only)
  • Note: You do NOT need to modify any voltages if dumping with something proper like the XGECU as it will adjust itself.
  • Note: This method is NOT recommended for beginners and in general it is recommended to wire to the chip rather than using any clips or probes as to avoid corruption and damage.

    Wiring Diagram


    8 Pin WSON8 - Pro & Slim - 8 Pin SOP8 PS5

    16 Pin SOP16 - PS4 Fat


    2.8v CH341A on PS4 Pro

    XGECU On PS4 Pro

    Hardwiring Example On PS4 Pro

    Non-Invasive Method On PS4 Pro

    Using The Clip on PS5

    Required Mod For Reading PS4 On-Board With CH341A


    Wiring Diagram For CH341A Mod

    2.8v CH341A Mod

    UART

    Patching (And Validating)

    For PS4:

    Note that the UART will produce empty characters unless patched. You can either use my WebTools and upload for PS4 NOR for $3USD which will let you validate and patch or you can manually patch your NOR on offsets 0x1C931F and 0x1CC31F by changing both to 01.

    For PS5:

    Note that the UART1 (EAP) will display blank characters unless patched. You can however read the EMC UART but you have to manually enter commands to read any error codes.

    For Both:

    I still recommend VALIDATING your NOR for any corruption before writing it back to the console or if the reason for you doing this was from a BLOD or other potential software issue.

    Soldering UART Pins For PS4's

    The only 2 pins you will need to solder is Ground, and TX.

    BwE PS4 UART Pinout & UART Offset Guide

    Soldering UART Pins For PS5's


    EDM-010/020

    EDM-010/020 Alternative Points

    EDM-03X

    EDM-031/033 Again

    EDM-041

    Reading the UART

    For PS4:

    All you need is my BwE UART Reader to read the UART output, which you can Download here

    When Reading the PS4's UART output, what it stops at is likely the issue, however it can be a bit more in depth than that, so contact me with your log if you're struggling to understand it. My software can fix most if not all errors appearing in the UART log.

    You are also welcome to use any TTY software like PuTTY or RealTerm to do the same thing, but I like mine better of course.

    For PS5:

    You will need my BwE PS5 UART Code Reader software in order to interpret the meaning of the error codes. Without it you're left with meaningless numbers. I have numbered the RAM in the above image for whenever you get the RAM block errors.

    Common Errors In The PS4

    • ERROR:DCT[0/1] is disabled: The first ram block has a failure.
    • ERROR: main(####) loadBios -8: Your syscon is not decrypting the CoreOS.
    • SAMU Enter/Leave: SAMU is responsible for managing keys and decryption. APU is likely the cause.
    • IDPS Error: Console is a brick, unfixable.
    • Panic EAP Key Not Available: Fixable with BwE PS4 NOR Validator.
    RAM blocks as shown on a PS4 Slim. Also applies to 12xxx fat model.
    RAM blocks as shown on a PS4 Slim. Also applies to 12xxx fat model.

    Example Outputs

    Reading/Writing PS4 Syscon

    That requires an entirely different guide, which you can find here: https://betterwayelectronics.com.au/sce_syscon.html