You can
You patch a retail firmware for shop. You add promo_flags.txt with a value of 0 and change Update_flags.txt to 0300 on the root of the firmware after unpacked then repack it. Get PS3 MFW builder, then go get 4.11 Retail firmware off sonys website. open up the program target the original firmware to 4.11 retail and the modified to your flash drive with the folders lined up like this PS3/UPDATE/PS3UPDAT.PUP if you do not comprehend what this means Ps3 is a folder on root of usb. so is Update. then inside update folder drop the update file. in the mfw builder go to patch firmware for installing shop/promo unit at the bottom of the list. then remove the string flag that says promotion-to-retail make it blank keep patch promo flag and update flag checked. then buuld the firmware. after its done properally eject your usb from your pc. Put in the ps3 and go to system update and check via storage media. then proceed. farily simple. Firmware is not hardware deep. is basically converting to work. Shop consoles are the same as retail console just different firmware.
And mllc97 i'll just provide you with my already patched firmware so you and everyone else on Demo firmware doesn't have to do the technical work to create it. I'll provide link at the end of this post, One thing to think about, Updating through the XMB(System menu main screen) Does work but in this case it may not detect the firmware, If the XMB system update does not recognize it turn off the system and do the following to put the system into Recovery mode to update.
Step 1: Power off system as i said
Step 2: Hold down the power button untill the system turns off again and the light is red
Step 3: Hold down the power button again but this time the system will beep once, then shortly after it will beep 3 times fast when it does this release your finger off the power button, Look on the screen it will say Hook the controller up with USB, do this then you will have a men of options, this is the recovery menu this is used alot by people who are techical with the system and to fix problems also Firmware updates. Now click System Update and make sure your flash drive is plugged into the ps3, now click start and select at the same time, it will check for the firmware. Now just wait and follow the steps once it in down preparing and boots into system Updater, after it says installing and not to turn off the system you're pretty much set, when its down it will reboot and boot into your new Retail firmware. the firmware file name is already named for you, put in folder structure like this, The PS3UPDAT.PUP is the firmware file "PS3/UPDATE/PS3UPDAT.PUP" Link for pre patch 4.11 retail firmware constructed by me: http://www.mediafire.com/?l251ny7lju4qfg...
Also another thing to be aware of is you can unlock demo firmware, Go to settings menu scroll down to security settings and hover over it do not click it, Now hold down these 4 buttons all at the same time on your controller. L1 R1 Select Square. Now it will ask for security code. put in 2464. Now features are unlocked. It says you cannot use playstation store, to bypass this to go saved data under game meny and click psn Plus saved data thing. this will take you tot he psn store go to game ans there you go. Playstation home bypass, get a friend to invite you to home accept invite fixed.
mllc97, Yes the HDD can be used in another system, as long as the hard disk it's self is not broken. when you stick a new or different HDD into another ps3 it will ask you to install the firmware on it so it can Marry it to the system. Marry means attach the hardware so it works. get the firmware version your on put it on a flash drive like everything else and do as it says on the screen. it will work. all data should still be there unless it asks to format. I have not done so before but my assumption of everything i know i conclude data should still be there. i have only got a new HDD and upgraded. so it may ask for formatting. And the one in demo mode download my firmware to make it retail.
