| The Playstation Portable is a jack of all trades. It | | | | short for Homebrew ENabler. Developers could |
| plays music, videos, browses the Internet, and plays | | | | create software for the familiar 1.50 firmware, or the |
| games. However, for an increasing number of people, | | | | newer 3.XX series this way. |
| this still isn't enough. With its powerful dual-processor | | | | Dark Alex has continued refining his custom |
| configuration and Memory Stick Pro Duo slot, the PSP | | | | firmwares, and has managed to keep up with every |
| is a pocket powerhouse, capable of much more than | | | | major release from Sony. His latest stable firmware, |
| just gaming and multimedia. | | | | M33 3.80, is the most advanced version yet. It |
| This is where the homebrew community comes in. | | | | boasts tons of new features including a custom |
| With some modifications to its system software, the | | | | devkit, support for a 1.50 kernel plugin, and most |
| PSP can run 3rd party software, just like an ordinary | | | | importantly, a hacked network update system. In the |
| computer. A massive community has sprung up online | | | | past, running network update would upgrade to the |
| that is dedicated to these modifications. | | | | vanilla Sony firmware, removing home brew |
| When Sony first released the PSP, it had no | | | | functionality. However, in M33 3.80, it because |
| restrictions. It was possible to write 3rd party | | | | possible to update to newer custom firmwares with |
| software and install it to a memory stick. The | | | | Sony's own tool. |
| PS2dev community created a homebrew | | | | So what are the new features of this custom |
| development kit for the new system, and the | | | | firmware? This new custom firmware has all the |
| community of developers began to grow. | | | | features the 4.01 official firmware has plus a few |
| After a while, Sony started to realize this was a | | | | extras. Many people are asking me if it's worth |
| problem. Although 3rd party utilities and games were | | | | installing it and my answer is a YES. I have 4.01 |
| harmless, they realized it was possible to run | | | | M33-2 custom firmware installed already on my phat |
| commercial games from the memory stick as well, | | | | PSP and I haven't encountered any bugs yet. But |
| using homebrew ISO loaders. Sony knew that this | | | | don't take my word for it. Try it yourself. You can |
| could hurt their game sales, so they issued firmware | | | | always revert back to your old 3.90 M33-3 if you |
| version 2.0, which removed this functionality. In this | | | | want. |
| version of the firmware, and every subsequent | | | | So much for the rambling. Here are the instructions |
| release, it is impossible to run anything but UMD disks | | | | on how to install the new custom firmware on your |
| and official game demos from Sony. While this makes | | | | PSP. |
| piracy impossible, it also dealt a serious blow to the | | | | Requirements |
| burgeoning homebrew community. | | | | As always, please do check that you pass all the |
| In late 2005, Homebrew developer Fanjita discovered | | | | requirements before you can do the installation. |
| a tantalizing hole in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City | | | | * A Fat PSP or Slim PSP already installed with a |
| Stories. By copying a special hacked game save to | | | | custom firmware. At least 3.52 M33-4 custom |
| the memory stick and loading it in GTA, it was | | | | firmware must be installed on your Fat PSP and 3.60 |
| possible to purposely crash the PSP, and load custom | | | | M33 for the slim. |
| code! For the first time since the release of firmware | | | | * A fully charged battery. I know it will run on 70% |
| 2.00, it was possible to run homebrew code again. At | | | | battery but 100% battery with the AC adapter |
| the time, PSPs with firmware 1.50 were in high | | | | plugged is the safest setup. |
| demand, and supplies were dwindling. Using this | | | | * A USB cable to transfer files from your computer |
| software exploit, Fanjita and the Noobz team were | | | | to your PSP. |
| able to create a "downgrader" for the current | | | | * The 4.01 M33-2 installer pack that I created for |
| firmware, version 3.40. It became possible to | | | | easy install. Download the 4.01 M33-2 installer pack |
| downgrade any PSP, as long as it had nothing higher | | | | and unzip on your computer. |
| than 3.40, to the older 1.50 firmware, and thus use it | | | | The Steps |
| for homebrew once again. | | | | The steps are divided into 3. Please follow the |
| Sony was none too happy about this exploit. They | | | | directions carefully. I will not be held responsible for |
| issued a recall on GTA:LCS, and sent new, patched | | | | any bricks. Do this at your own risk! But I'm 100% |
| copies to stores. They also began releasing firmware | | | | sure you won't brick your precious PSP if you follow |
| updates in the game disks themselves. Newer games | | | | the instructions carefully. |
| required newer firmwares, and so homebrew users | | | | Step A - Installing the 4.01 M33 custom firmware |
| had to choose between a fully functional PSP, or a | | | | 1. Connect your PSP to your computer using the USB |
| crippled system that was compatible with newer | | | | cable. Open the Step A folder and copy the UPDATE |
| games. As always, the scene found workarounds, | | | | folder to ms0:/PSP/GAME/. After copying, disconnect |
| specifically a program called Devhook, but it was | | | | the PSP from your computer. |
| confusing and complicated to set up. | | | | 2. On the XMB menu on your computer, navigate to |
| Custom Firmware | | | | GAME > Memory Stick and run the 4.01 M33 |
| Custom firmware replaces your PSPs official firmware | | | | update. When you run the update, the screen turns |
| but it is not a permanent upgrade. You can easily | | | | black. Follow the text instructions. It will take you to |
| uninstall the custom firmware and to back to official | | | | the Official Sony Update screen. That is normal. |
| firmware if you don't like or don't want to use | | | | Continue with the process following the instructions. |
| custom firmware anymore. | | | | 3. The Sony Updater will run. Don't turn off your PSP |
| Custom Firmware has all the features of the official | | | | or interrupt the update. After the Update, you will be |
| Sony firmware, but also adds the ability to load | | | | asked to press a certain button to restart your PSP. |
| homebrew PSP ISOs and PSX EBOOTs directly from | | | | Do so. |
| the game menu in the XMB. so you can still play your | | | | 4. Congratulations, your PSP is installed with 4.01 M33 |
| original UMD discs, Music and Videos using custom | | | | custom firmware now. On to Step B. |
| firmware. | | | | Step B - Installation of the 4.01 M33 update |
| Custom Firmware also has an option to use 'No-UMD | | | | 1. You can only do this if you are successful with |
| Mode' so you can run your PSP ISOs without a UMD | | | | Step A. Connect your PSP to your computer. On |
| inserted. The 'Sony NP9660' No-UMD mode has the | | | | your memory stick, navigate to PSP/GAME and |
| highest compatibility rate and almost all ISO games | | | | delete the UPDATE folder. |
| work with it. | | | | 2. Now open STEP 2 folder to your computer and |
| If you have any PSP ISOs in 'DAX' format, you need | | | | copy the UPDATE folder to ms0:/PSP/GAME/. |
| to convert them to ISO or CSO files using UMDGEN, | | | | Disconnect your PSP from the computer once you |
| Custom Firmware doesn't support the DAX format. | | | | are done. |
| Your PSPs UMD Drive should be empty while | | | | 3. On the XMB menu, scroll to GAME > Memory |
| upgrading / downgrading your PSP. (except when | | | | Stick and run the 4.01 M33-2 update. Just follow the |
| downgrading from 3.03 & 3.50 you will need a | | | | on screen instructions and you'll be safe. |
| UMD inserted to start the downgrader) It is | | | | 4. After the installation, you will be returned to the |
| recommended to remove the UMD Disc from your | | | | XMB screen. |
| PSP before you do anything in this guide. | | | | 5. Congratulations on your 4.01 M33-2 PSP. |
| If you don't have a USB cable but you have a | | | | Step C - 1.50 Kernel Add-on Installation Guide |
| memory card reader, you can use that instead. when | | | | 1. This last set of steps is optional. You may do this |
| you see 'connect your PSP to your computer and | | | | or not. The next set of steps will be instructions on |
| make a USB connection', Turn off your PSP, take the | | | | how to install the 1.50 Kernel Add on for the Fat PSP. |
| memory stick out of your PSP and insert it into your | | | | Sorry slim owners. |
| memory card reader. When you see 'close the USB | | | | 2. Connect your PSP to your computer. Open Step C |
| connection and disconnect your PSP from your | | | | folder and then copy 150.PBP file from your |
| computer' Take the memory stick out of your | | | | computer to the root directory of your memory |
| computer and insert it into your PSP and turn your | | | | stick. And then copy 4XX folder from your computer |
| PSP on. | | | | to ms0:/PSP/. |
| A hacker known as Dark Alex developed a | | | | 3. Exit the USB mode and on your XMB, navigate to |
| compelling solution. He designed a software package | | | | GAME > Memory Stick and then run the 1.50 |
| which, when installed on a PSP running the 1.50 | | | | Kernel Add-on program. Follow the on screen |
| firmware, allowed the user to install a hybrid firmware | | | | instructions. |
| of his own design. In other words, a PSP with Dark | | | | 4. After the installation is successful, you will be taken |
| Alex's custom firmware has all the features and | | | | back to the XMB. |
| functionality of the standard Sony firmware, in | | | | 5. Congratulations. Your PSP is now the same as |
| addition to support for firmware 1.50 based software. | | | | mine, a full battle gear handheld. Place your 1.50 home |
| The firmware also came with something called "HEN", | | | | brews on the PSP/GAME150 folder. |
