How To Use Your PC To Download PS3 Content.

In a perfect world, the PS3 would have allowed background downloads of game updates. However, the real world harbours slow, PSN-locked downloads. Let's face it; consoles use the cheapest components of questionable durability. It is therefore unwise to waste the limited lifespan of your PS3 downloading updates and digital purchases running into gigabytes. Wouldn't it be great if you could use your cheap, energy-efficient download rig instead? Fortunately, there is a way to do that with PS3.ProxyServer.

Note: We assumes the existence of a basic home network (switch or wireless router) hosting a PS3 and a PC.

Step 1:

Download CF3B5's PS3.ProxyServer from here and install it. This nifty software allows your PC to download PS3 content. You may also need to install Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 and the required service pack. Note that the installer does not create shortcuts on the Desktop or Start menu. Therefore, it has to be accessed from the default installation folder CF3B5 in the Program Files directory.

Step 2:

Press [Windows Key] + [R] to open the Run dialogue box. Type ncpa.cpl and click OK. Right-click the Local Area Connection icon (Wireless Network Connection icon if your PC uses Wi-Fi) and select Status. In Windows XP, clicking the Support tab reveals your PC's IP address, while Windows 7 users will have to click on the Details button and note down the IPv4 Address. Or you can also check your IPv4 Address by command prompt, for that Press [Windows Key] + [R] to open the Run dialogue box. Type cmd and click OK, then type ipconfig and press enter key to check your ip address.

Step 3:

Fire up PS3.ProxyServer. Go to the Proxy Setting tab and tick the PS3 Mode checkbox. Enter the IP Address, leave the Prot [sic] setting at the default 8080, and press Start. That's all you need to configure on the PC side. Let's move on to the PS3, but don't forget to leave your computer switched on.

Step 4:

In the PS3 Settings menu, navigate to Network Settings and select Internet Connection Settings. Select the Custom setting method and keep the default values for subsequent setup screens. Select Use at the Proxy Server screen, which will let you enter the IP address and port number. Enter the values noted in Step 2. You should see the "connection test completed" screen if your setup is successful. Save the settings.

Step 5:

Start any game update or a PSN download. Cancel the download after 5-10 seconds. Don't navigate to any other screen.

Step 6:

Head back to the PC and click on the Logs tab in PS3.ProxyServer. All the web links that the PS3 accessed are displayed here. The download that you want is usually the topmost link. Click on it to download the file to your PC. You're now free to use a download manager to speed up the transfer. More importantly, you can continue using the PS3 as your PC fetches the update.

Step 7:

Once the download completes, it's time to route the update to your PS3. Right-click on the same download link and select Copy Shortcut.

Step 8:

Click on the Replace Files tab and paste the link into the empty text field on the left.

Now, click the button indicated by the mouse pointer and browse to the location of the update on your hard drive. Now, when the PS3 tries to fetch the file from the internet, PS3.ProxyServer will instead redirect it to the file in your PC instead. What's more, by clicking the Add button, you can create as many simultaneous redirections as you like. For instance, if you want to update multiple games, follow the steps above, get the links for each, download the files, and set up the replacement list.

Another great feature of this software is that these links are persistent even if you close the programme and start it again at a later date. Therefore, even if you format your PS3, the persistent links will redirect your PS3 to the files stored in your PC, as long as you have the proxy enabled. This way, you can build a permanent repository of updates in your computer.

Step 9:

Downloading the update to your PS3 is easy. Simply replicate the download process employed in Step 5, and watch in satisfaction as the file is transferred at lightning speeds over your home network. Give yourself a pat on the back, because you've found a way to use your PS3 while downloading critical updates.