Introduction to Modifying Your PSP for Noobs

[High Roller]

I’ve wrote this guide as an introduction for people who have no idea what custom firmware is, and what possible benefits it could have to them.
Within my Tutorial is further links from the forum containing more detailed instruction on downgrading to CFW and also Making your own Pandora Battery. Have fun

So lets start with the basics!





There are two types of firmware. This is the software Operating system that runs on the PSP. This software allows you to browse the menus, run games etc.

1. Official SONY Firmware - Full security is enabled making running homebrew software impossible. Playing UMD Games is fine.
2. Custom Firmware (M33)- This is firmware that has been hacked (in a nice way) to remove security and enable new features that were not on the PSP before, such as recovery menu's, the ability to run homebrew from the Memory Stick etc. (see below for details) Playing UMDs is still fine

This security on official firmware is put into place by SONY to prevent people from running unsigned code and do other naughty things on the PSP, some of which are just basically home made programs. All console manufacturers do it and its basically to help combat Piracy. But it stops people from utilising the full capability of the PSP too, even if all your intentions are legal, which is unfair!
So this CFW gives the abililty to access the internal memory on the PSP (flash memory). and removing the lock on Unsigned code, which means you can run anything on the PSP! Including applications, home made games and crazy original new themes for example.


It must be understood that Custom firmware is as safe as regular Official firmware is. CFW is esentially Official firmware with a small patch (around 400kb) that removes the security and adds some cool handy extra features.


Kev’s Forum Tutorial on downgrading and upgrading to CFW: This is a guide of how to get CFW. It covers many different methods for all versions of OFW available

Downgrading - Upgrading - Unbricking - TUTORIAL

But 1st ur gonna need a a special piece of equipment, the piece of kit that makes all homebrew, unbricking & downgrading possible:

PANDORA BATTERY.

All it is, is a regular battery that has been altered and will cause the PSP go into "service mode" and run files from the memory stick when put into a PSPs battery slot. This is the only way to commence a custom firmware upgrade on most recent official firmwares. This makes all homebrew possible and unlocks the true potential of the PSP. Its a must have!

Pandora battery is required to do anything with your PSP regarding firmware and is a very handy tool to have in case anything goes wrong and you do ever brick your PSP. Considering one costs about as much or less than a new PSP game, it is well worth buying one.

So basically, Pandora battery can be used on Bricked PSP's to make them work again and also on regular Working PSP's, used to convert the PSP to Custom Firmware(CFW)

So... How do I get one?

There are 3 ways to get this Pandora battery (aka. Service/Tool/Jigkick Battery)

1. You can convert a battery if you have access to another CFW PSP and the Pandora software installed.
2. You can make a pandora battery (which can damage your battery, but is free) OR
3. You can buy a pandora battery from online like amazon





In more detail:

• Soft mod: A second PSP with custom firmware is needed to modify a regular psp battery. It also must have Pandora Battery Software installed.
  The serial number of the battery is first Backed up on the CFW PSP then it is changed to a service serial number. This essentially creates a pandora battery. the process can be reversed and the sony battery can be returned to normal afterwards. The cost: Free. Chance of breakage: Very minimal to none. Just be sure to save the EEPROM serial number of the battery.

• Hard Mod: The battery is broken apart, it must be a certain model of official sony battery or it wont work. Then a pin is lifted and this creates a service mode. The pin is soldered back on to return the battery to normal mode. some strong glue a scalpel and a soldering iron is advisable. The Cost: Free - A new Battery... Chance of breakage: High if you don’t know what you’re doing or are clumsy... Click the link here- http://www.psp-forum.com/psp-homebre...andora+battery

• Buy a service battery: Widely available from Ebay and Online Stores. Look around for a good deal. Don’t pay more than £20 or $40 as they are not useable for anything other than pandora but often contain an average quality battery inside as the custom firmware upgrades require between 60-90% power to commence.
  Cost: Above ... Chance of breakage: None whatsoever. the update will be trouble free... providing you install the software on the memory stick correctly.

Here is an example: BATTERY TOOL *SLIM* FOR PSP SLIM

MAGIC MEMORY STICK
The pandora Battery cannot work to enable CFW on its own. A piece of kit dubbed as the "Magic Memory Stick" is required too. Together, the pandora battery and the magic memory stick enable you to convert/downgrade to custom firmware. The downloaded CFW files are put on the Memory stick. This creates the so called magic memory stick. the MS is loaded into the PSP's memory slot and the Pandora Battery is inserted. the service battery will initiate the update from the memory stick automatically.

The files are available on Kev's Tutorial, whose link is available near the beginning of this message. It is misconceived that these are not possible to make and somehow have been modified in some other way to make them 'magic'. this is not the case and just contain a special set of files... these can be downloaded. you can also buy one if you have absolutely no idea what youre doing.

THE PROCESS
The magic memory stick has the files on it needed to overwrite the official firmware on the PSPs internal memory. The Tool battery bypasses the startup sequence and forces the PSP to run the files on the memory stick rather than flash. The files are created in such a way, so that an update commences and then writes the new firmware to the internal flash memory. When the update is complete, you remove the battery, replace your normal one, and CFW is installed.

• An alternative Pandora-MMS-Archive is available here: RapidShare: Easy Filehosting

Custom Firmware

You will have a choice of 3.90 M33 firmware, the newer 4.00/4.01 M33 or 3.95 GEN custom firmware. M33 custom firmware has long been the standard and was created by Dark~AleX from the underground community. Dark~AleX is the most respected member of the PSP underground. GEN CFW isnt very popular but only because Dark~Alex was here first and his CFW rocks!

Homebrew

Once you have completed the upgrade you may want to install some quality Homebrew on your system

• Console Emulators#

Play old console games on your PSP!

• NES (not compatible with the PSP Slim)
• SNES
• Gameboy
• Gameboy Advance
• Megadrive/Genesis
• Master System
• Gamegear
• MAME and Many Classic Game system such as the ZX81 and Commodore64

All the above Emulators run almost 99% Perfectly. The game images (Called ROMS) are widely available from the internet free of charge

QJ.net is the best place to find the most up to date emulators.

QuickJump Downloads- -


PLAYSTATION ONE GAMES
The system can also run Playstation 1 Games that you have ripped from disks. Meaning that the vast collection can now be played portably! Dig out your old PS1 games and give it a go.
Please note that the forum cannot discuss this process with you, a Google search will yield the information you require.

With the help of some software, the images ripped from disks can be booted on the PSP Article Detail - PlayStation Portable News - PSP Updates*

*.prx firmware module files are required to run PSX games on PSP. These are copyrighted SONY material and either must be decrypted from official firmware releases using a utility called Psardumper or obtained from an illegal source. PSP-Forum.com nor its members will not provide links to these files. Also Popsloader may be required which is available from QJ.





In addition to this, as you will probably already know, the PSP plays Music, Movies and can Show picture slideshows as standard.

• Ebooks

Homebrew PSPs can also view .Pdf Ebooks, .Txt files and comics with the appropriate software installed (Bookr). Available here: File Details-Bookr-v0.7.1-with-CFW-3.xx-and-1.50-support-PSP-Homebrew-Applications -





There are also many other categories of homebrew, that include utilities for wireless, portals of windows XP and Vista that run in your browser and most notably iRshell and PSPtube

• Irshell

iR Shell is a multi-tasking shell for the PSP which allows you to launch applications (UMD games, legally owned Backups, PS1 games and Sony demos or homebrews) via a menu driven interface. In addition to the standard shell functionalities, it includes a plethora of advanced features (to see all advanced features see below). Most features can be called upon either via the icon based menu system or a shortcut combo key for fast access.





Why iR Shell? Click for more details

• PSPTube

The PSP cannot play flash video through its browser, however, if you have a custom firmware enabled PSP browsing IS possible. PSPTube is a program that allows users to view FLV on the PlayStation Portable. Such files are associated with streaming media websites like YouTube!
Click below for details & download




Article Detail - PlayStation Portable News - PSP Updates

• PSP Radio

PSP Radio allows a homebrewee to connect to shoutcast and listen to the radio stations on offer. The program is no longer updated, but its pretty much perfect in operation with a nice interface. The internet connection must direct (no LANs or internal IP addresses) But works flawlessly otherwise. Especially great if you have a stereo system and wireless.

INSTALLATION OF HOMEBREW SOFTWARE
Most of the homebrew here needs to go into x:/PSP/GAME to run properly (where x:/ is the drive of your PSP) After you have copied the files with the homebrew software in over to the memory stick, come out of USB mode and scroll across the XMB to GAME. Then navigate down to "memory stick" at the bottom of the list and press X. Here you will find all the homebrew you have just installed.

Video/Movie conversion for your psp

With the aid of some PC video conversion software, for example - PSPvideo9 or PSP Video Express - video files can easily be converted to the .MP4 format used on the PSP. A 700mb movie file can be compressed to as little as 150mb without any noticeable loss of quality on the psp’s screen, with the use of the H.263 codec


Modifying your faceplate/accessorising

Its now possible to change the appearance of you PSP without spending loads of money. Accessories and replacement parts are cheap to buy.

There are a few sites on the net here is an example : PSP - ConsoleShop.com


Hope you enjoy your Fully utilised PSP!

[Monkey Business]

*Cough* Copy & Paste *Cough*

Lol jke.

Nice one HR.

STICKIED!

[psplayer]

Nice. Shame i cant be bothere reading it

Will do some time though

[The Juggler]

Good job..... many thanks for this.... really helpful and informative.


Cheers


Des

[High Roller]

Thanks for the appreciation guys. If theres anything i've missed or need to change let me know and ill add it

[lisa]

thank you very much for such information, HR good work and congratulations for helping those who are still confuse on some details. All the info would be great help to all newbie like me. Your effort was greatly appreciated.
Keep it up.


Lisa

[mim2134]

this is a fantastic piece of writing. well done High Roller.

it is very informative and great for newbies.

thank you

[Kernel Kev]

I think its sh*t

LOL jks, nice one mate.



Kev

[lisa]

I had tried to open all the site which were given as guide in installing memory stick, but I did not suceed. In the 14749-Total newsbie Installer, it stops at 98%, in the megaload site I can see only girls I am not sure how to donload the item, in PSP hacks rar. also not able to download it. Sorry for being so confused on so many topics.
Thank you again for your time.

Lisa

[High Roller]

RapidShare: Easy Filehosting

Thats another version of the Pandora TOTAL NOOB installer. If youre using a ready made pandora battery ignore the instructions to convert the battery and make the memory stick anyway