To start off there is no more need for one of the usb chips. Right now you can't boot all back up games some u can some u can't. I will keep this thread most uptodate as I can.
First of you don't have 3.55 u will need to update it from updateing on psn or by usb.
Make the following files on the root of the USB.
PS3/UPDATE/PS3UPDAT.PUP
(Sonys 3.55 update)
Then install this to help let backup managers to load back ups. This give u the peek and poke for developers: peek is syscall 6, poke is syscall 7 (same as PL3 dev payload)
(v3.55 CFW UPDATE WITH PEEK/POKE)
This is Geohot custom firm ware that lets you install apps and stuff.
(Gehots CFW 3.55).
Apps to install you can get from (here)
Feel free to ask anything and contribute info. There is no ps3bins so its hard to keep up all that is going on.
Info from http://psx-scene.com, http://www.ps3hax.net/index.php and http://www.ps3-hacks.com/