Posted May 26, 2007 at 11:59AM by Jerico G. Listed in: PSP Tags: Sony, PS1, Dark AleX, homebrew community, Zeus
Ó

Dark Alex logo - Image 1


(Developers Corner will serve as a tribute to the pillars of the PSP homebrew community. Basically, we'll be running a series of posts highlighting the achievements of a particular hero of homebrew. It'll be rundown of their major contributions to the PSP homebrew scene, think of it as our online hall of fame for the guys that make PSP a true multi-media device.)

Since this is the very first Developer's Corner post we might as well greet the PSP scene with a bang, and nobody gives a louder bang than hero of homebrew Dark AleX. If I'm to liken DaX to a popular video game character, it has to be God of War's Kratos. Granted he's no Zeus (that's got to be Sony, they made the PlayStation Portable after all), but Kratos has no qualms smiting the mighty God of Gods when he feels like it. That's exactly what Dark Alex is to the homebrew community, the lone force that occasionally kicks Sony between the legs with his PSP firmware hacks. Yes he's a badass, but he's our badass.

So just who Dark AleX really is? He's the guy that sired golden custom firmwares, the very same dude that rescued us from the dark days of various official firmwares, and the man responsible for playable PS1 backups in our PSPs. And yes, he's also the cool guy that's got a marijuana leaf url icon (can't get any more badass than that) plastered in his website.

The Chronicles of Dark Alex

Period I: Downgraders

He bursts into the PSP a year ago carrying the flaming torch of 2.60 downgrader, and since then there's been no looking back. The links below should lead us to posts made during those sweet days (downloads included, I figured taking a peek at them would be fun, at least for the sentimental among us).

June, 2006
Downgrader Test for 2.50/2.60 - There and Back Again
Download: 2.60 Downgrade Test v0.4 - Source Code

July, 2006
2.5/2.6 Downgrader FINAL Released!
Download: 2.5/2.6 Downdater (Downgrader) Auto Final

1.50 -> 1.0 Downgrader in Progress + Forum Announcement + Released

Download: 1.50 to 1.00 Downgrader "Downdater 1.00"

October, 2006
Dark AleX's Generic Downgrader- Now Downgrade to any PSP firmware from 2.71!
Download:2.71 Generic Downgrader

December, 2006
2.71 TA-082 Firmware PSP's Now Able to Downgrade!
Download:TA-082 Downgrader for 2.71 Firmware

Period II: Homebrew Enablers

Back to Kratos reference: Just like how Kratos defeated Ares minus his Blades of Chaos, Dark Alex was resilient enough to find the proper alternative to homebrew-less, then-uncrackable firmwares. Thus homebrew enablers were as valuable to us then as the Blades of the Gods was to Kratos, so these series of useful PSP applications should definitely make our to-look-back list.

September, 2006
Dark Alex's 2.71 XMB Homebrew Launcher! Homebrew from the Game Menu!
Download:Dark Alex's 2.71 XMB Homebrew Launcher Proof-of-Concept (Revision A)

Homebrew Enabler for 2.71 (Revision B) Starts PSP Utopia

Download:Homebrew Enabler for 2.71 (Revision B)

Dark AleX's Homebrew Enabler updated to Rev.C! Now load all your user-mode homebrew in 2.71!
Download:Dark AleX's Homebrew Enabler for FW 2.71 (Revision C)

Dark AleX's Homebrew Enabler for 2.71 - RevD (HEN D)

Download:Homebrew Enabler for 2.71 - Revision D

Period III: Custom Firmware

Custom Firmware is Dark Alex's masterpiece. This is his Blade of Olympus, a weapon even Zeus (in this case, Sony) fears. With CFWs installed in our PSPs, we can enjoy full features of the latest official Sony firmware, along with the ability to load homebrew and PS1 backups directly from the PSP's xmb. This achievement cemented Dark Alex's legacy.

October, 2006
2.71 Custom Firmware SE-A released by Dark_AleX!
Download: 2.71 Custom Firmware SE-A

December, 2006
Custom Firmware 3.02 OE-A released by Dark AleX!
Download: 3.02 OE-A by Dark AleX

Dark AleX's 3.02 OE-B released!
Download:3.02 OE-B by Dark AleX

January, 2007
Dark AleX's 3.03 OE-A' released
Download:Dark AleX's 3.03 OE-A

3.03 OE-B Released - Movie Madness!
Download: 3.03 Open Edition Revision B

February, 2007
3.10 OE-A custom firmware out and about
Download:Dark Alex's 3.10 OE-A custom firmware

April, 2007
Dark AleX releases 3.30 Open Edition Revision A
Download: Dark_AleX's 3.30 Open Edition Revision A

Dark AleX update of the week: 3.40 OE-A and 3.30 OE-A'
Download: 3.40 OE-A by Dark_AleX

If you still have any qualms on just how big Dark Alex is, I suggest you go over the links above. The Kratos comparison isn't a stretch, actually Kratos would do well to take some "class" pointers from DaX. Anyway, be sure to give our PSP homebrew God of War some love, and watch out for the next outing of Dev's corner.


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95 Comments


Sort by:
   by Nice (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » Love it

Great article.

FIRSTER *****ES

*Cue arguemnts*


   Re: lukk here (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » .....

http://warez.mukingdom-network.com/

   Re: W. Jones (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » You're amazing....

You're amazing Dark AleX! We all, as a homebrew and PSP community, appreciate your great work. Thanks for all you've done so far and what may come in the future!

   Re: addition to the guy above me (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » ....

there is a nice tutorial on easy online money...withh proof of check under ebookz + tutorialz....ppl must check it out....seems alright..

   Re: elad (Unregistered) - 2007-05-27
 » Keep Up Good Work DarkAlex

Keep Up Good Work DarkAlex

   Re: chepu (Unregistered) - 2007-05-27
 » where is fanjita?

i remember lots of ppl kissing his balls and saying he was gad etc etc....

anyways un español se chingo a todos ustedes culeros jajajaja!!

   Re: HACK RUNESCAPE!! (Unregistered) - 2007-05-27
 » GO HERE!!!

this website is soo dam sikk
http://krazyhacks.bravehost.com/ go there now an u can get anytin in RS!!

   Re: trueBELIEVER (Unregistered) - 2007-05-27
 » LOAD OF BULL!!

crap, this is some sort of Satan prayers. There's no merit on having to decrypt crappy $ony crapware.

The true measure of a GOD is to put Linux on the PSP, until then everything is an exercise of futility. PSP community should stop being infatuated with XMB icons moddification OMFGBBQ!!! Cut it out with decrypting firmware, OMFGBBQ!!!111one

Guys be a real MAN, (programmer) and put linux on this puppy!!!

Any effort put on $ony shyet is a waste of energy and time.

by suxers...

   Re: Advertising -


   Re: emorhalp - 2007-06-03
 » plzzz help me!!! im a very nooBz

how can i install the homebrew enabler+3.40 OE-A?? and other appication in my PSP??
plzz can anyone help me?? i really really need a help.. i really want to upgrade my PSP but i dont know how..im sOrry if i im a nOob..Pls help me..
   by ???? (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » wtf....

what happend to the 2.71 SE series???


   Re: seven (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » ...

Umm.. it was replaced with the better 3.xx OE series... Why stay on an old custom firmware when theirs more supported and more feature-full ones available?

   Re: ... (Unregistered) - 2007-05-29
 » ...

Man, you ARE behind...
   by Sonny (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » DaX Rocks!

Dark Alex is a GENIUS!


   Re: zeromatrix (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » ....

Aren't you guys idolizing this guy a little too much? Sure this guys cool and all but GET OFF HIS NUTZ already!!!

   Re: ujay (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » ***** u

id like to see u figure out a way to play homebrew w/o killing ur mem stick with devhook
   by moneytoo (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » No Special Edition?

What about 2.71 Special Edition? :-)

   by Captain Planet Summoner (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » Let's Summon Captain Planet!

EARTH!


   Re: Advertising -


   Re: milo22 (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » Go Planet!

FIRE!

   Re: Ranmaru (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » Go Planet Go!

WIND!

   Re: paulrules (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » Go Planet Go!

WATER!

   Re: James (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » Go Planet!

HEART!

   Re: milo22 (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » yes!!

GO PLANET!!

   Re: random (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » Go Planet!

With your powers combined I am Captain Planet.

   Re: Phil Collins (Unregistered) - 2007-05-27
 » Go Planet!

Captain Planet, he's our hero,
Gonna take pollution down to zero,
He's our powers magnified,
And he's fighting on the planet side
   by Scarface (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » Nice

Great

All you tell is true He is a god !

   by GmDude66 (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » lol

SE sucked :P

OE is the future.


   Re: mohaas05 (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » but

SE was a major milestone. For the first time people could have the homebrew capabilities of 1.5 with the features of 2.71. It definently deserves a spot on the list.

   Re: Advertising -


   Re: Naroon Kasui - 2007-05-26
 » No...

OE isn't the future...OE is NOW, and OE is GOOD. :)
   by McPirate! (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » ARRR!

Way to deepthroat an internet personality...


   Re: Busty Brown (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » *slurp*

Thank you

   Re: Sr_Moska - 2007-05-27
 » avast!p éanuts!

I remember the days I had 2.71 SE-B'' I was so scared when I installed it lolz I had the files in my computer for a week XD
   by ssjnaruto (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » Sony - Zeus

ROFL. I'm still laughing.

   by me (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » my 2 cents

quote
December, 2007
Custom Firmware 3.02 OE-A released by Dark AleX!
Download: 3.02 OE-A by Dark AleX
/quote

it should be December 2006
and not December 2007

and the 2.71 SE series rocked so why is it missing?

   by Bored (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » You forgot something...

If Sony is Zeus, and Dark_AleX is Kratos, then who is, like Gaia, USING Kratos for their own agenda, against Zeus?

Think about it.

;)


   Re: Jerico G. (QJ. NET Staff) - 2007-05-26
 » LOL!

LOL! :D

   Re: cruel.Angel (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » Gaia

we are...
   by Hardrive (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » That's not all the custom FW's

What about the 1.50 POC?

What about the SE firmwares?

   by Mentality - 2007-05-26
 » DUDE

Well said, guys a genius, thanks DAX

   by yeeah (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » woo

First *****es

   by AD HATR (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » AD HATR

Guy is super smart, registers every dark-alex domain, except .com???? LOL page is trying to load crap ads but I got popup blocker so all I hear is beep!!! Take that u assoles at QJ. I dont have to see ur damn ads.


   Re: yy (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » yu

i dont think dark akex has dark-alex.tk ...does he?
or the .co and crap
   by Talidan (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » sigh

Another useless article from QJ praising those at the front of the scenes and disregarding all those who work behind the scenes. I am not surprised.

Oh and what's that i hear? What happened to 2.71 SE? What happened to the 8 versions of the massive DAXZISO loader - the first breakthrough in ISO compression? What happened to the revolution in UMD dumping, UMD Dax Dumper?

Another lack lustre article QJ. You can do better, we all know that.


   Re: Jerico G. (QJ. NET Staff) - 2007-05-26
 » Please be patient Salidan

Please be patient, as stated in the article, this is just a first of many posts talking about various developers, famous or not.

   Re: Jin (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » ...

Translation: Waahhhhhhhhhh!

   Re: killaj (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » no iso loaders, talidan

qj.net has a strict policy against iso loaders. they even spoke NOTHING about the iso loading capabilities of devhook, but focused solely on the firmware emulation instead

   Re: Talidan (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » k

Okay, I retract my statement :P

   Re: Sigh (Unregistered) - 2007-05-29
 » Exactly!!

When has anyone ever thanked or even appreciated those working behind the scenes. The guys over at ps2dev, the authors of pspsdk, tyranid author of psplink (arguably the single best piece of homebrew ever released). You can bet DA's and Fanjita's work is based on using tyranid's and others tools.

Sites like these only praise those who benefit the users, what about praising those who benefit the dev's??

   Re: Raphael (Unregistered) - 2007-05-29
 » Re: praise those who benefit the devs

It takes a dev to notice those benefits, and unfortunately all QJ staff members aren't devs. At least not that I know of.
   by Aryn (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » mm

Well, as one who just recently started using his PSP again I must say this:

Thanks a lot, Dark Alex! You are singlehandedly keeping the homebrew scene alive and helping to make the PSP better than it was ever intended to be.

   by JaxXx (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » Dark Alex is a LEGEND

Dark Alex is definitely a legend. I'm not trying to play down contributions from all the other hackers (we cannot forget Fanjita and Ditlew, Team C+D, Booster, MPH as well as all the other hackers and program developers.)

His downgraders opened doors into the community. The Homebrew Enabler was an amazing demonstration of pwning the PSP (and for me, was the ticket I needed to get to 1.50).

And then we come the the custom firmwares. These things are awe inspiring pieces of work. They let us do what we want to and they let the PSP show off what it can do.

Team C+D release a FW decrypter. Then comes the downgrader. The comes the custom firmware. And it all happens so fast! Just as Sony finishes one set of security measures, they've already been cracked and Sony need to go back to the drawing board!

And why are they called security measures, 'cos all they succeed in doing is locking away the PSP's potential (albeit recently, only for a few days!!! :-p)

DAX, We Salute You!

   by roy cruzader (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » DONT PRAISE HIM THAT MUCH

I THINK IS A BIG MISTAKE TO PRAISE DARK ALEX THAT MUCH,
I DONT MEAN HE DOESNT DESERVE CREDITS FOR ALL WHAT HE HAS DONE TO IMPROVE OUR PSP POWER, BUT JUST MIND THIS REASONATION:

IF ALL PSP OWNERS PRAISE DARK ALEX, HE GROWS IF FAME AND REPUTATION, AND THAT MEANS EVEN SONY KNOWS ABOUT HIM,

THIS COULD DANGEROUSLY END IN TRAGEDY, BY ONE OF THIS POSSIBILITIES:

1- SONY AIMS TARGET IN DARK ALEX, CONTACTING THE BEST HACKERS IN THE WORLD TO FORM A PLAN TO NEUTRALIZE HIS WORK (PUTTING SOME DIRTY TRICK, TO BRICK OUR PSP AT THE MOMENT OF USING SOME OF HIS CREATIONS) I KNOW DARK ALEX IS SMART ENOUGH TO DO SOMETHING IN THAT CASE, BUT HE IS NOT ALMIGHTY, AND EVERY MAN MAKES MISTAKES (FOR EXAMPLE , LATEST CFW, 3.40 OE, HAS A BUG THAT CORRUPTS FLASH 1 MAKING THE SYSTEM UNABLE TO LOAD ISOS) I DONT KNOW IF THAT'S SOMETHIN MADE BY SONY IN PURPOSE, OR WHAT...

2- SONY FINDS A WAY TO FIND DARK ALEX'S REAL IDENTITY, AND SEARCHS FOR A WAY OR ANOTHER TO SEND HIM TO JAIL.... (TOO DRASTIC?... IS BETTER TO EXPECT THE MOST UNEXPECTED)


IN WHATEVER OF THIS 2 CASES, IF HE LOSES TO SONY,
ALL OF US LOSE WITH HIM!!

I CANT SAY IM RIGHT IN EVERYTHING, BUT I THINK IS BETTER TO PROTECT HIM BY "NOT MAKING HIM THE POINT OF ATENTION IN PSP'S SCENE.


   Re: ... (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » ...

It is called CAPS LOCK you idiot.

   Re: Jin (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » ...

Don't you think Sony would know about his presence without us talking about how great he is anyway? They look for this kind of stuff. They KNOW he's around, and they know what he's done, so if we sit here and talk about how great he is, it won't matter. (Even though he is that damn sweet)

You can try and say we should proect him by not bringing up his name, but truth be told hemade his homebrew for a reason, and he deserves everything he gets.

   Re: skythra (Unregistered) - 2007-05-27
 » simple business economics

if the sbs did an article on him (or was it the bbc i cant remember), then i think sony knows.. let alone, dont you think that sony just wants to keep this kind of thing minimal? the point is: it would lose market share if it did completely remove the homebrew community. i for one would have bought a ds instead if it wasnt for the entire homebrew community (though now i have both anyway...).

but it also needs to keep it as a hurdle, they want to make it tough for the average buyer who picks up a psp to make it, so those who buy it solely to hack, they make money off, and those who buy it for the games, they still make money and sell games to.

its actually market strategy and cost benefit, it would cost too much if they actually spent the resources to wipe out homebrew, and it would be detremental.

so captain caps, stop thinking that there are aliens in the world who just think "OH ILL MAKE MOST MONEY BY SENDING ALL TO JAIL" because any half intelligent person would understand that would cost more then it would achieve. Immagine if they did send DAX to jail? the public relations for sony would be terrible "WE SEND THOSE TO JAIL WHO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX" thats not what sony wants people to think. they want to pretend to be an organization who them themselves think outsid the box. "Innovative" you may have heard in relation to sony. The hipocracy that would be implied would cost the organization bottom line profits. Thats not what shareholders want, thats not what sony wants.

Its not until you create a seprate organization "(like the fiaa or whatever it is in america) that you need to worry, that way organizations like sony can hide behind the identity and pretend its hands are clean. and for most people that once removed personality is enough for them not to directly blame sony itself.

did you learn anything?
   by dfa (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » afsd

If it wasn't for Dax and his many apps, the PSP would suck and I would own a DS.

   by nesianstyles (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » umm...

You missed back in the day of the DAX compressed ISO loader, he was the first todo that.

   by frda (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » discount link from play-asia

every one try this link it's gives u a discount on ur first order believe me try it and u will get a free coupon at ur first order on ur account's email
this link will be given only for those who buy a a lot

link : http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-4pl0-49-en.html

sorry about put this here in wrong section but this just to let u know

Good Luck.


   Re: Death (Unregistered) - 2007-05-27
 » I have a better

Why doesn't there be a little "report spam" button by each comment?
   by some guy (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » Sure...

He can make a mean custom firmware, but he doesn't do jack to downgrade the POS 3.10 that I have had for months. None of the other downgraders can crack it either. My PSP is basically a paperweight until someone downgrades 3.10+ and there is nothing I can do about it, as my PSP came loaded with 3.10 firmware.

So yeah, I'm basically a little pissed that it's taking so long...


   Re: some other guy (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » don't be stupid

It's not their fault, do something yourself lazy-ass.
Being a dev is not something restricted to smart people.
Any idiot with a computer can code.
Retard. Don't yell at the person doing you a favor.

   Re: ThatDude (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » You're an idiot

Lets see, the PSP has been able to run Homebrew code for the last 2 years and somehow its DaX's fault you're a dumbass who upgraded after being told countless times to keep your system on the lowest possible firmware and NOT to upgrade?
Dumb *****.

   Re: ujay (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » good luck

your pretty screwed, everyone is focused on OE's not downgraders anymore. just get a chip, it is worth not waiting another two years for a downgrader

   Re: skythra (Unregistered) - 2007-05-27
 » RE:

perhaps you should have thought about that before buying a brand new latest model psp.

the fact that you did not research is nobody's fault but your own.

yelling at people who out of goodwill help out many is just arrogant.
   by angel (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » very good thanks frda

it's works it's really works!!

thanks for the link at first it will went to the main page and than u need to make an order they will give u $40 discount on ur order after u makes it

again thanks alot frda

   by DAX iso loader... (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » Maby it cant be talked about here

The DAX Iso loader i think was his first piece of psp homebrew, its a compression for iso's kinda like cso. (I wonder why did he not include the execution of .dax file on his own custom firmware when he created it???)

   by Havoc (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » To Roy

Roy Cruzader -

Do you not think Sony already knows about DAX? There's tons of posts about DAX's stuff on the official Sony PSP forums.
If Sony tried some dirty trick, like you claim, they would simply die as a company. Bricking all our PSPs would be shootin themselves in the foot. Doing something that dirty would surely invoke sum sort of law (like the antitrust stuff), and plus it would be like Sony forcing a hand grenade down their own throats. Who buys anythin from a company that would ***** up their own users?

As for ur comment on 3.40 and the corrupt flash1, u clearly kno ***** all. When u install a custom firmware, it doesnt actually format the flash1. If u format the flash1 yourself, 3.40 OE will rebuild it, and then u can play all ur isos.

Maybe you should consider using ur head, geez.

   by BUGGAHBEAR (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » THANX DARK ALEX

I hope you do the same for the ps3(xmb looks identical to the psp)so i can play hombrew and isos!!!!!


   Re: Dietja (Unregistered) - 2007-05-27
 » not that easy

It isnt possible to play homebrew on the first version of psp firmware. can you play homebre on a 3.40 psp? they need to build a whole other xmb and install it like linux.and even then sony is already
having the skills to block that for an long period of time (firmware 3.10).
   by MIRC (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » Don't start pointless flames

This guy deserves this, anyone saying differently show me your skillz in coding. He turned my onece 2.0 psp (back in the day) Into a homebrew factory. I can't think of my psp without his custom firmwares. I bow to him!

   by guitarguy656 (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » DaX is a god

dark Alex is da best ever i hope he makes a new custom firmwire soon or even make a umd game sony vs dark master Alex lol it would be a good one

u never know????

   by DaX 4lyf (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » DaX4lyf

DaX4lyf



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