So you have a PSP and you want to try out this thing called "homebrew" you've been hearing so much about. Problem is, you're still on official Sony firmware. What to do? Well, read this guide for starters. Today we'll be tackling how to install custom firmware on PSPs running anything from OFW 1.50 to OFW 3.50.

What are you waiting for? Click on the Read more link and get started on your way to homebrew!

What have we (re)learned so far in the QJ Homebrew series? First we had the definition of terms, then the identification of specs for each model. And then we gave you the Firmware Database. See where the flow is going? Right. The next step then is to line up the things you'll need to get your PSP to run sweet, sweet homebrew. And that's exactly what we have here for you in this second issue of QJ's How-To series: What you need to get homebrew running on your PSP.

It's been a while since the last version of prxutility - that homebrew  plugin known for being everything you need for system info, and then some. With roughly around four months of no updates, you can expect huge changes in this release. The biggest of which is 5.0-M33 compatibility.

Download: prxutility v5.0
Visit: QJ.NET PSP development forums

Users of the UPMSInstaller will be very glad to know that The U.P.M.S. Team, a group of homebrew coders who owns the project, has just released version 4 of the application. There have been many changes since the last build so you may want to check out the full article for the complete details.


Download: UPMSInstaller v4

Tommy1994! has posted about a 3.71M33 to 1.50 downgrade procedure on the QJ.NET PSP Development Forums. The cool thing about this downgrade procedure is that it works even without using the Pandora Battery.

This downgrade procedure by Samhain reportedly works for PlayStation Portable units that have TA-079 and TA-082 motherboards. You'll need an original firmware 1.50 file to make it run. This particular file isn't included in the download below so you'll have to go find one for yourself.

Please keep in mind that this has only been tested on TA-079 and TA-082 PSPs so far. For instructions on how to use it, please click on the Visit link below as the download doesn't have a readme file.

Download: DOWNGRADE371M33 by Samhain
Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development Forums thread

Homebrew developer lupus (also known as lps on the QJ.NET PSP Development Forums) has released version 2 of XMB Theme Manager. This app, which is based on luizlizard's own XMB Theme Manager, lets you change your PSP's XMB theme quickly and with minimal hassle.

Here's some info on this app, straight from lupus' post on our forums:

• App for fast changing XMB style of your PSP.
• XMBTMv2 don't flash any files to F0 (use Custom XMB plug-in from Alien2) – NO MORE BRICKS with wrong theme
• Unlimited themes supported.
• Fully tested on my PSP 1004 TA-082 3.52M33-2

Those who want to try it out on a PSP Slim should note that the developer hasn't tested it on that particular Sony product yet. Lupus does mention, however, that those who want to can try it using the eLoader for 3.60M33. And don't forget: check out the readme file included in the download before you install and use this app.

Download: XMB Theme Manager v2.0
Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development Forums thread

Chilly Willy says hello to the PSP Slim & Lite with an update to the KeyCleaner homebrew application. This little baby's gotten quite a number of version updates for the past few days. Now, it's clocked up the v1.4 with the following changes:

• adds key 0x45 to the list of keys it'll fix
• creates missing keys before fixing them
• properly identifies and analyzes the PSP Slim

A lot of PSP users find this application helpful since it allows you to take a look at the status of your IdStorage. It allows you to dump some old keys, and gives you the opportunity to nuke out any problems that downgrading your PSP (TA-082/86 only though) may have caused.

More notes by the developer are fleshed out in the readme file included. Be sure to take a look at it if you aren't familiar with this application yet. You might also want to check out Chilly Willy's other application, the IDStorage Manager homebrew app.

Download: KeyCleaner v1.4

  

Homebrew developer Hellcat has informed us that version 0.8 of the WIP application Extended Pandora Bootmenu has just been released over at the QJ.NET PSP Development Forum. In case you missed our last article about this, take note that the program can help you with Noobz and C+D's Pandora's Battery.

In a nutshell, Hellcat's application adds a menu to a Pandora memory stick aside from other features that should make things a bit easier. The last build we had for Extended Pandora Bootmenu was version 0.6, so here are the changelogs for versions 0.7 and 0.8 directly from the coder himself:

• v0.7:
• Enhanced compatibility for programs launched with access to the real flash0:/
• sceKernelLoadModule gets patched to load all modules from ms0:/ instead of flash0:/, so even with flash emulation/redirection disabled the applications are able to load additional modules
• Finished CFW installer support
• You can now launch a CFW installer straight from the Pandora boot and install the CFW, without the need to go to 1.50 first (I tested with installing 3.52-M33 over an original Sony 3.52 and a totally bricked PSP - should work with any other combination as well.) This function takes care of formatting and installing a proper IPL! The IPL flashed is the custom IPL that eliminates the need for patching TA-082/086 PSP to run 1.50/CFW.
• v0.8:
• Fixed the bug introduced in 0.7 that creating flash1:/ directories might fail
• USB access function implemented
• You can now enable USB access to MemStick, Flash0, and Flash1 straight from the menu to perform whatever file operation you have in mind.
• A neat gimmick is that it shows you what kind of transfer is currently done (read or write) and how many KB you have transferred so far

Extended Pandora Bootmenu v0.8 comes with comprehensive Readme.txt files that should provide you  with the necessary information for installing and using the program.

Download: Extended Pandora Bootmenu v0.8
Visit: QJ PSP Development Forum

With Fanjita's promise fulfilled, PSP owners who don't want to walk the FW 3.50 path to salvation can take the direct approach now. Owners with messed up IDStorages will also have the opportunity to patch theirs up. But of course, with all things great comes certain issues: Not everyone is blessed with the ability to master delicate procedures from the get-go. So enter Adiuvo and his comprehensive guide to downgrading your FW 3.11 PSP.

All you will need are the essentials: a PlayStation Portable stuck on firmware 3.11 (no matter what board it's packing), a standard issue USB cable for connectivity, a memory stick with a minimum capacity of 128 MB, plus a U.S. or European version of Lumines. Files are already provided via the download links below, with inclusion of the 3.11 firmware for those who have yet to update to FW 3.11.

Get ready for a self-satisfying downgrade session at the full article!

Download: PSP Firmware 3.11
Download: PSP Firmware 1.50 File (EBOOT) North America
Download: HEN/Downgrader for FW 3.11
Visit: [GUIDE] 3.11 Downgrader

A little over a week ago, homebrew dev Chilly Willy released version 1.2 of KeyCleaner. Today, the dev upgraded the homebrew application to version 1.3, which sports a number of fixes from the previous version and other changes.

Basically, KeyCleaner is a PSP application that enables you to see the state of the IdStorage on your Sony PSP. It also allows for dumping keys when necessary and fixes certain problems caused by old downgraders, TA-082/86. For version 1.3, the following changes were made:

• Fixes a few things found in v1.2
• Fixes more individual keys
• Adds cleaning to TA-079/81 PSPs
• Allows unpatching key 5
• Allows the color scheme to be changed

Check out the Readme file that comes with the download for installation and other pertinent information.

Oodles of thanks goes to CJ for the heads up!

Download: KeyCleaner v1.3