TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Firmware
II. PSP Purchase Guide (For "fat" PSP's only)
III. Downgrading
IV. Memory Stick
V. Modified Firmware
VI. DevHook
VII. How To Play Downloaded Games
VIII. Important Links
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I. Firmware
The firmware for the PSP is the most important piece of knowledge you will have to learn, so lets begin there! The PSP's firmware is comparable to your computer's operating system. Updates and security fixes are constantly released. Here is a list of all the firmwares available.
1.0
1.5
1.51
1.52
2.0
2.01
2.50
2.60
2.70
2.71
2.80
2.81
2.82
3.0
3.01
3.02
3.03
3.10
3.11
3.30
3.40
3.50
3.51
3.52
3.70
3.71
3.72
3.73
3.80
3.90
3.93
All games require a certain firmware version or higher to play. That means if you want to play the game "Pursuit Force", you will need 2.50 or higher to play. If you have a lower version, you will have to update. To play homebrew (downloaded games), you will need to have 1.5 on your PSP. Don't worry, all will be explained in the rest of the guide!
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II. PSP Purchase Guide (For "fat" PSP's only)
If you haven't purchased a PSP yet, then read here if you want to make homebrew easy for you. On the side of the PSP box you will see this.
See the circled letter? That letter will tell you what firmware version the PSP is inside. Here is the letter guide for some of the firmwares.
No letter = 1.0 (Japanese Release) OR 1.5 (North-American release)
A = 1.5
B = 1.51
C = 1.52
D = 1.52
E = 1.52
F = 2.0
G = 2.01
H = 2.50
I = 2.60
J = 2.70
K = 2.71
L = 2.81
Unknown = 2.82
Unknown = 3.00
Unknown = 3.01
Unknown = 3.02
Unknown = 3.03
Unknown = 3.10
Unknown = 3.11
Unknown = 3.30
Unknown = 3.40
Unknown = 3.50
Unknown = 3.51
Unknown = 3.52
Unknown = 3.70
Unknown = 3.71
Unknown = 3.72
Unknown = 3.73
Unknown = 3.80
Unknown = 3.90
Unknown = 3.93
If it's possible purchase 1.5 (or at least the lowest possible) , but don't worry if you are unable to. FW 3.50 and lower can all be downgraded to 1.5! Downgrading is slightly risky because it could possibly break (AKA brick) your PSP, but the risk is quite low if you follow the directions exactly.
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III. Downgrading
To play any downloaded games, you will need to have firmware 1.5. To check what you have on your PSP, turn it on and go to "Settings > System Settings > System Information". If you do not have 1.5, you will need to downgrade. Like I have said before, downgrading is slightly risky. Most people that brick their PSP's do so because they didn't follow the directions properly, so read directions thoroughly to avoid becoming a victim! There are many downgraders that exist, so I can't list them all. Here are a few downgraders that most people will need at this point in time.
3.50 Downgrader (Requires unpatched Lumines UMD)
http://dl.qj.net/Hacks-Exploits/pg/12/fid/13978/catid/114
3.03 Downgrader (Requires unpatched GTA:LCS UMD)
http://dl.qj.net/Downgrader-for-v3.03-PSP-PSP/pg/12/fid/12431/catid/114
2.80 Downgrader (TA-082 Motherboard)
http://dl.qj.net/TA-082-Easy-Downgrader-Hacks-Exploits-PSP/pg/12/fid/12267/catid/114
2.80 - 2.71 Downgrader (TA-079 - TA-086 Motherboard)
http://dl.qj.net/Firmware-2.80-to-2.71-downgrader-for-TA-079-TA-086-PSPs-PSP/pg/12/fid/12061/catid/114
If you have a lower version of firmware on your PSP than the downgrader, you will have to update to the downgraders required firmware. If you think you need another downgrader that is not listed, check out this link.
http://www.psp-hacks.com/category/35
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IV. Memory Stick
To play all those great downloaded games, you will need a decent memory card. I recommend atleast 1GB, but if you can afford a bigger card thats better. One thing to watch out for is fake memory cards on Ebay or unreputable sites. Only buy from trusted sources to be safe (Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon, Newegg, etc). Here are some good products and their average price.
SanDisk 512MB Memory Stick PRO Duo -> $25.00
SanDisk 1.0GB Memory Stick PRO Duo -> $39.00
SanDisk 2.0GB Memory Stick PRO Duo -> $70.00
SanDisk 4.0GB Ultra II Memory Stick PRO Duo -> $90.00 - $135.00
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V. Modified Firmware
Personally I recommend Modified firmware to play homebrew, but some might dislike it because it requires you to flash your PSP. Once installed, modified firmware is extremely easy to use, unlike DevHook which is your other option. One of the upsides is that you can play PS1 games without the need of a PS3!
3.71 M33 easy installer (For 3.52 M33-3 or 3.52 M33-4 ONLY)
http://rapidshare.com/files/202321599/M33_3.71_Installation_Noob_Proof.rar
Instructions for installing 3.71 M33 using the easy installer:
- Double click the installer, Choose your PSP drive letter and then press "extract" to memorystick. This will install all needed files to your memorystick, needed for the upgrade.
- Run the flasher named ("PSP Update ver 3.71") under GAME/Memory Stick of the XMB. If your battery is less than 75% when the program starts, the program will show an error saying the battery is to low and it will return to the XMB. If you have idstorage corrupted due to a downgrader, the program will ask you to correct it automatically so the update can continue.
- If you have enough battery and your idstorage is fine, the program will continue and will show an agreement. Press X to accept it and the Sony Updater will begin follow the on-screen instructions, (it looks like your updating officially). Do not turn PSP off or take memorystick out while flashing is in progress.
- After finishing flashing,the updater will ask you to reboot (pressing X or O). DO IT. Do not skip this step shutting down the psp by yourself, or you'll end with a brick.
- Your PSP should now be using 3.71m33!
3.52 M33 easy installer (For 1.50 users)
http://rapidshare.com/files/202318627/M33_3.52_Installation_Noob_Proof_installing_from_1.50.rar
3.52 M33-4 update easy installer
http://rapidshare.com/files/202321690/CFW3.52-M33-Update-4.rar
NOTE: This is only an update, use AFTER you install 3.52 M33
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VI. DevHook
For people who are either nervous about flashing there PSP with modified firmware or just want to keep there PSP at 1.50, the answer is DevHook! There is little to no risk of bricking your PSP while installing DevHook, so this might be the best choice for newer PSP users. The other wonderful part about using DevHook is that it comes with an automatic installer (easy for beginners)! The downside to using DevHook is that you will be unable to play PS1 games, only the "OE" and "M33" firmwares can play them.
Devhook.52.0100 installer
http://rapidshare.com/files/202316181/Devhook_.52.01_Installation_Noob_Proof_1.5.rar
Instructions for Installation
1. Extract "Devhook.52.01 Installation Noob Proof.exe" to Memorystick.
2. Launch " DH FW Installer".
3. Press X when prompted and wait till its finished it will autoexit.
4. Launch "Devhook 0.52 Launcher".
5. Remove any Devhook files previously flashed using Devhook launcher.
6. Select your game,select 3.11 as fw and press start, now you should be emulating
3.11.
After the installation you can delete the following from your memorystick...
ms0:\psp\game/150\%__SCE__302_dh_fw_installer
ms0:\psp\game/150\__SCE__302_dh_fw_installer
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VII. How To Play Downloaded Games
Hopefully you now have the modified firmware running on your PSP, so I bet you can't wait to play games, right? The great thing is that you can play both PSP and PS1 games. To play your downloaded games, load the ISO or CSO of your game into the "ISO" folder on your PSP. If you would like to play a PS1 game, you will find many PSP-ready PS1 games in Warez-bb's console games section. Just place the PS1 eboot into the "GAME" folder on your PSP.
To play your games, turn on your PSP and go to "Game > Memory Stick > YOUR GAMES LISTED HERE".
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VIII. Important Links
Misc PSP news/downloads
http://pspupdates.qj.net/
http://www.psp-hacks.com/
http://www.dark-alex.org/
http://www.pspx.ru/
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I know that this guide can be filled with more information, and I will update it as often as possible. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to say them in a comment. I just want to give a shout out, so I wrote this guide to give a little back to the community!!
