Custom firmware is what has turned people's PSP's into nice-looking, functional, and nifty pieces of kit. They range from a custom v1.50 firmware, which adds extra PRX module support and a recovery mode; a v2.71 complete custom firmware that supports custom PRX's, ISO loading from the 'Game' menu, and full homebrew; to a 3.00/2.71 mix!
All the files I link to in this tutorial write to the flash of your PSP. You accept full responsibility for your actions.
The v1.50 custom firmware
Dark_AleX
released a custom firmware POC (Proof of concept) firmware a while ago.
This supported the loading of extra, custom PRX modules, a recovery
mode, the hiding of corrupt homebrew in the XMB, loading of 1.00 PBP's,
and skipping of the intro on boot. It works by replacing the file
"VSHmain.prx", then loading the extra PRX's, carries out operations,
then loads the original PRX.
There is no better guide than the readme, so here we go:
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Custom Firmware - The proof of concept by Dark_AleX
Instructions:
(Note: this thing only works for 1.50)
- Copy the PSP folder to the root of your memstick.
- Execute the program "Custom Firmware - The proof of concept"
It will write to the flash some executable files.
Now you are done.
This program has ben tested on my psp. However, as all programs that write to the flash, there is
always some risk of bricking the psp. Use it at your own risk.
IMPORTANT (to avoid confussion): the program includes a file called vshmain.prx. This file is
NOT of Sony, it comes from me, the source of everything is released.
The features of this custom firmware - proof of concept are:
- Execution of normal pbp's (1.00 ones, no-kxploited)
- Posibility of hiding corrupt icons. (note: by default it's not enabled, look at the file
/PSP/SYSTEM/config.txt to see how to enable it)
- Posibility of skipping the SCE logo at the startup. (and in this way avoid the annoying auto-execution
of the UMD). Like the previous one, this is not enabled by default.
- "Recovery mode:". If you keep R pressed while starting the psp, it will enter in "Recovery mode".
Recovery mode is not more than a simple application that will let you to use the usb, and execute a
program under ms0:/PSP/GAME/UPDATE/EBOOT.PBP, that could be, for example, a sony updater or the
1.50 -> 1.00 downdater.
This would allow to recover potential bricks caused by the writing of bad fonts/videos/sounds... to
the flash.
(Note that this wouldn't allow to recover critical things like the overwriting of critical prx's)
- Autoexecution of a program at the startup. See the configuration file at /PSP/SYSTEM/config.txt
to see how to use it.
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You can configure these options, as well as add PRX's in the 'PSP\system\config.txt' file. To add PRX's, remove the '#' symbol from the line that says '#loadmodule0 = "ms0:/PSPLINK/psplink.prx"', and replace the file path with that of your custom PRX. Make sure to use the 'ms0:/' part, just like you would use 'F:\' on a Windows PC, except using forward slashes rather than backward ones.
You can use this file to uninstall the custom firmware: [LINK].
HarleyG's custom firmware mod
This is like the original POC firmware, only with more features. You can find it here: [LINK].
If you're going to use this, please read the readme first, incase there are some notes or features I've missed.
This mod adds the ability to load a homebrew app on startup. Included is DEVBOOT.PBP, which set by default, and will load the last devhook firmware you used from the memory stick. (There have been reports that this doesn't work with Devhook versions over v0.46, so be aware). To load the homebrew on startup, have the WLAN switch down.
Here's a list of the button commands at startup:
>> Booting with "HOLD" on goes into configuration and recovery mode.
>> Booting with wlan switch down goes into devhook.
>> Booting with wlan switch up goes into XMB.
>> Booting while holding X will launch the autoboot eboot set in config.txt.
Recovery mode is much better, too. It allows you to flash 'index.dat', so you can downgrade more easily.
Please read the README.TXT file for installtion.
Dark_Alex's 2.71 SE custom firmware
This is the only complete custom firmware. It combines the features of firmware v2.71 and v1.50 into an awesome little package. It supports custom PRX loading, 1.0/1.5 homebrew, ISO loading from the 'game>memory stick' menu, intro skipping, corrupt icon hiding, EBOOT autorunning, and all the v2.71 stuff such as newer games, RSS, web browser, AAC video, the works!
The current version is SE-C, and you can download it here: [LINK].
Please ensure you don't have a TA-082 motherboard!
Please
read the README.TXT, and install all the files to the necessary places.
NOTE: This can only be installed from a v1.50 PSP!
To install, you'll need the v1.50 firmware update, and the v2.71 update. Name them 150.PBP and 271.PBP respectively, and put them in the 'PSP\GAME\seupdmaker' folder. Launch the 2.71 SE-C update maker from the PSP's main menu, and go through all the steps, so that the file 'DATA.DXAR' is created. Move that file into the 'PSP\GAME\271SEflasher\' folder.
The generated DXAR file should have the following hashes:
SHA1 of DXAR: A283CFC4EFA274A1A41C7A11E7EFF8FE1A59473A
MD5 of DXAR: E51EFACDAAF088F0308857FFDA6C18FA
The following steps write to the PSP's NAND flash. Any damage to the PSP is the fault of the user.
Launch the SE-C installer from the Game>Memory stick menu. It will write all the necessary files to the flash. All the procedures apply with this flash; don't turn off, remove the memory stick, or anything else while flashing.
Again, please read the README.TXT to get to know the firmware.
Dark_AleX's 3.02 OE (Open Edition) Custom Firmware
Dark_AleX never ceases to amaze! With the release of all his downgraders, and his 2.71 SE custom firmware, you'd think he couldn't be more respected. Now, I'm not going to scream to the world "Dark_AleX is my hero!!", that would be a lie. What I can say is, he's nice and clever enough to keep thousands of PSP users happy and he does it with a bang.
His latest release is somewhat astonishing, a firmware v3.02 version of his custom firmware, dubbed 'Open edition'. This features all the great features of v3.02, whilst still maintaining the ability to launch any homebrew that will run on firmware v1.50. He's even hacked the offical Playstation 1 emulator (POPS) to run games without a proper license. This however does pave the way to more piracy, as people are now starting to upload PSX images to the web for people to download.
Another feature was added in OE-B, you can convert your normal PSX ISOs into ones you can play on the PSP.
The firmware even bundles a region changer and a feature to make UMDs region-free in the recovery menu. Anyway, without further adu, shall we start?
You will need:
- A v1.50 or v2.71 SE-C firmware PSP
- The OE-A files (Availible from [HERE])
- The v1.50 firmware update [HERE]
- The v3.02 firmware update [HERE]
The method:
- Download all the files, unzip, and read the appropriate text files (especially the README).
- Copy the folders, "302oeflasher", "302oeflasher%", "oeupdmaker", and "oeupdmaker%" to the PSP\GAME directory on your PSP. (Please note that if you're on 2.71 SE, and have the GAME folder set as the 2.71 kernel instead, you'll need to put them in PSP\GAME150.
- Download the v1.50 and the v3.02 firmware updates, place the EBOOTs in the 'oeupdmaker' directory, and name them '150.PBP' and '302.PBP' respectively.
- Run the '3.02 OE-A Update Maker' on the PSP from the XMB menu. (Please don't launch
from another homebrew application, such as iRshell. This caused
problems for me). The program will extract all the necessary files from
the updates and create a DXAR update file. This may take a few minutes.
- When it's done, exit and activate USB from the XMB. Go to the 'oeupdmaker' directory where there should now be a file called 'DATA.DXAR'. Delete the 302 and 150 PBP files, and right click on the DXAR; select cut. Navigate to the '302oeflasher' directory, right click, and click paste; the DXAR should move there.
- Disconnect USB, and run the '3.02 OE-A firmware flasher' from the XMB menu. (Again, not from a 3rd party application). If you have a battery of at least 75%, then the program will start. If you don't, pop in your charger and restart the application while holding [L]+[/\]. (I still recommend that you have at least 40% battery).
- The program will then unpack and validate the DXAR, format Flash0, and write the firmware. As soon as you press [X] at the agreement, DO NOT remove the memory stick, battery, or even put the PSP on hold to ignore button input. (If you put it on hold, when trying to take it off hold you might accidently turn the PSP off.
- When it's done, it'll tell you to restart manually, so do so. When you get to the XMB, you should be in a v3.02 menu. Restore default settings, and configure everything.
Well done! Read the Readme.txt from the actual OE-A download to learn how to use features and the firmware itself.
Now, you'll want to update your installation to OE-B. Download [THESE] files. Extract the "OEB_UPDATE" folder from the archive into the game folder that works under the v1.50 firmware kernel. This is PSP\GAME150, or if you've configured the PSP\GAME folder to use the v1.50 kernel, in there. (Note that even then you can use the GAME150 folder and it will still work 100%).
OE-B has the ability to load PSX ISO's that have come straight from the disks, so you can use any ISO you can get your hands on and convert it for use with OE. To do that, I suggest you use a GUI version, unless you're comfortable with command line. You can find a GUI [HERE], but if you don't mind the command line, there's a folder in the OE-B download called 'POPSTATION'. Read the readme, and use it to convert your ISOs.
Note
that you'll need the 'hot shots golf' PSX image that's been converted
officially by Sony for both methods. It's availible from the
playstation store. You can also find it on torrents, but I can't give
you a link. Place the KEYS.BIN and EBOOT.PBP files in the same
directory as the executable, renaming the EBOOT to BASE.PBP.
"3.01SE Custom Firmware" by 'team FWi' [UNSUPPORTED]
This
is an interesting one. It's not really a custom firmware, but it's a
sweet hack. I don't support it, though; it's quite rough and unstable.
This is really just Dark_AleX's 2.71 SE-C with hacked firmware files
from firmware v3.01. At PSPG, we think you're better off with 2.71 SE,
or even better, 3.02 OE, but we can't tell you what to do.
Before you start, make sure you have a v2.71 SE-C PSP.
You can find the files here: [LINK]. Please go HERE before installing.
First, you'll need a decrypted 3.01 firmware dump. Yep, that means cracking open PSAR dumper again. You can find it here: [LINK].
Now, download the 3.01 firmware update from http://dl.qj.net (search for it), and extract all the files to an accessible place using PBP unpacker, found at http://www.pdc.me.uk/pbpunpacker.php.
Put the DATA.PSAR file which came from the firmware update into the root of your memory stick. Launch PSAR Dumper from the PSP's Game menu. When you get the options, press the SQUARE button. Once the files are saved and decrypted, the program will exit.
Do a fresh SE-C install!!! Delete the files 'SEplugins\vsh.txt' and 'game.txt' from the memory stick.
Go into USB mode.
In USB mode, you should find a new folder called 'F0'. Open that folder. You should see a load of folders, one of which being 'PSARDUMPER'. Highlight all the files, except PSARDUMPER (ctrl-a, and then ctrl-click on PSARDUMPER), right click on a highlighted file, and press 'Cut'. Now, if you're in Windows 2000+, all the selected files should fade slightly. Now, go back to the root of your memory stick.
You should've installed the 3.00SE files already, so there's a folder called '301' in the root of the PSP's drive. Open that, and right click and press 'Paste'. The Flash0 files should now be moved here. The file structure should look like this:
MS0: > 301 > Font, VSH, data, dic, kd, 'IMPORTANT.txt.
If so, good.
The
next few steps involve flashing to your PSP's NAND flash. This could
damage the system. A bad dump, installation, or SE-C install could have
you with an expensive paperweight for a PSP. Ensure you did the last
steps correctly, then continue.
Now, open the 3.01SE installer from the Game>Memory Stick menu on the PSP. Wait 15 seconds until the prompt appears, then, if you're sure, press the [O] button to flash. It will flash all the necessary files.
When (IF) the program exits, and reboots correctly, then you should see the XMB of a 3.01 PSP. You will notice that some features (namely RSS, web browser, etc) do not work. This was to save space on the NAND.
I, amongst a few people, have found that ISO loading doesn't work properly. If you find this, try enabling plain modules from the recovery menu. If it still doesn't, perhaps you should downgrade back to 2.71 SE-C. I did, I was having problems. I think I'll wait to see if there's a new version before I try again.