Hacking Worth Getting a PSP Slim/What's New in Hacking Scene?

drfsupercenter

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Hey guys,

I've been busy with my other systems and haven't kept up with the PSP scene at all. I currently have a PSP-1001 with a 5.0-based CFW (I think it's M33, update 6 or something?)

I also have a Pandora battery, and did that myself using a magic memory stick.

However, the screen is getting a bit scratched up so I thought it might be a good idea to buy a new one, especially now that they can be gotten for fairly cheap.

A couple other things I noticed from my 1000:
  • With my 5.0-based CFW, there's no PSN access
  • If I use a 6.x-based CFW, I can get on PSN but most of my homebrew doesn't work
That second one is a fairly big problem for me, since I have some nifty apps that do things like rearrange the order of "games" in the "games" menu (I think it's called Home Viewer), so on and so forth. Also, the program that lets me use my PSP as a universal remote doesn't work on 6.x either.

Which begs the question:
Do apps need to be remade to work on newer CFW? They all work fine on 5.0 M33, but not the other one I tried. If so, is it something I can do myself or would it be up to the maker to update it?

All of this being said -
I previously preferred the 1000 mainly because it felt more sturdy and had the "grips" on it, and you could do whatever with a Pandora battery (heck, my model can even MAKE Pandora batteries out of regular batteries, which I have done and used to hack friends' 2000 models)

However, I was told that the 2000 has a slightly faster CPU than the 1000, and that the 3000 has a faster CPU than the 2000. Some of my stuff (emulators, mainly) lag quite a bit on the 1000, and from what I understand, those are much better on the slims.

The last time I knew anything about PSP hacking, the 3000 was still un-hackable... the only exploit you could use was the TIFF exploit and it wasn't permanent, you had to use it every time you booted the system.

Reading the stickies, it says all models are now hackable... so is there any logic in getting a PSP 3000 since it's the fastest of them (Go is not an option, those systems are stupid, plus I need the ability to rip UMDs) and putting CFW on it? And along with that, what CFW allows me to use PSN but also play games off my Memory Stick - and will the older stuff made for 5.0 M33 work on it?

Reading on Wikipedia, it seems that they all use the same processor, but 2000/3000/Go have twice as much RAM as the 1000. Is that correct? So there's no difference between a 2000 and 3000 besides cosmetics? If so... would I be better to get the older 2000 model that can use a Pandora battery?

What would you guys suggest? When it comes to the PSP I'm a complete n00b, though I have lots of technical knowledge and used to do PSP hacking a few years ago.

tl;dr help me out :P
 

trumpet-205

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All PSP model uses the same CPU, that has a specification of 333 MHz but underclocked by Sony to 222 MHz. Some games, like Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, has an in game option that toggles between those two speed. If you have the latest CFW installed you can also toggle between them on VSH menu. 333 MHz use up battery faster than 222 MHz though. Yes 2000, 3000, and Go have twice as much of RAM.

There are two CFWs for 6.60, Pro CFW and ME CFW. Pro CFW has slightly higher backup compatibility while ME has slightly higher homebrew compatibility (due to the fact it supports leda.prx). 3000 is hackable, you just have to launch CFW each time you turn it on. With 1000, you can install CIPL after you installed CFW, which will alter boot loader of PSP so that it automatically boots into CFW at each power on.

If after trying out both Pro and ME and you still can't get homebrew working it is up to the developer to make it compatible to 6.60 CFW. You can get on to PSN with both Pro and ME CFW. Sony gave up on catching people who use PSN with CFW.

These days, you really don't need Pandora battery. CFW have all matured to the point where risk of bricking is very low.
 

drfsupercenter

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OK, so Sony's site lists 6.60 as the newest firmware. So basically, 6.60 CFW will let me go on PSN, but play game backups from the memory stick like M33 CFW does? Does it also have the VSH menu so I can set UMD as the USB drive, etc?

With 1000, you can install CIPL after you installed CFW, which will alter boot loader of PSP so that it automatically boots into CFW at each power on.
Isn't that exactly what M33 did? Can I do that with an early model 2000 as well?

Also, what about UMD movies? I know with M33, you can mount those from ISOs, but you have to have a retail UMD video in your PSP and all it does is "spoof" which movie is in there. Does that still work with 6.60 and would I still need a disc?

So... I am confused about Pro/ME. Right now I have a 1000 with 5.0-M33 update 6 or whatever. That's the only CFW besides GEN that I was familiar with, and it does everything (homebrew/backups)... are you saying I now have to pick between ones? Or should I just go with ME since I primarily use homebrew?

Also, do the 6.60 CFWs have the recovery menu like older ones do? I think if you hold R while it's booting it goes to a recovery menu where you can change settings and load POPS stuff, I forget exactly how but it's something like that.
 

trumpet-205

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OK, so Sony's site lists 6.60 as the newest firmware. So basically, 6.60 CFW will let me go on PSN, but play game backups from the memory stick like M33 CFW does?
Yes

Does it also have the VSH menu so I can set UMD as the USB drive, etc?
Yes. You can dump UMD ISO.

Isn't that exactly what M33 did? Can I do that with an early model 2000 as well?
Depends on the motherboard. You have to check.

Also, what about UMD movies? I know with M33, you can mount those from ISOs, but you have to have a retail UMD video in your PSP and all it does is "spoof" which movie is in there. Does that still work with 6.60 and would I still need a disc?
For Pro CFW, there is no need of a disc. Not sure about ME CFW. This is how you would do it on Pro CFW,
* Put UMD ISO on ISO/VIDEO on the memory card
* Open VSH menu, scroll down to ISO Video Mount. Use left or right key to change it to the UMD ISO you want.
* Exit VSH menu. PSP will now reboot, and you will find the video under Video tab.

So... I am confused about Pro/ME. Right now I have a 1000 with 5.0-M33 update 6 or whatever. That's the only CFW besides GEN that I was familiar with, and it does everything (homebrew/backups)... are you saying I now have to pick between ones? Or should I just go with ME since I primarily use homebrew?
Yes. Pick between Pro or ME CFW. Although it is easy to switch, simply run CFW installer again.

Keep in mind from 5.0 you must update to 6.60 OFW first, then you run CFW installer.

Also, do the 6.60 CFWs have the recovery menu like older ones do? I think if you hold R while it's booting it goes to a recovery menu where you can change settings and load POPS stuff, I forget exactly how but it's something like that.
Open VSH menu first, there is an option near the bottom called Recovery Menu.
 

drfsupercenter

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Open VSH menu first, there is an option near the bottom called Recovery Menu.

The whole idea was that you could get into recovery menu if you bricked something, if your main menu won't load. So you can't do that anymore?

Depends on the motherboard. You have to check.
Well, how else would you do it if it doesn't load the CFW automatically? Do you have to just launch a loader every time you turn the system on? I generally power it off completely when I'm done playing, since it makes the battery last longer.
 

trumpet-205

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The whole idea was that you could get into recovery menu if you bricked something, if your main menu won't load. So you can't do that anymore?

That's the only way to get into Recovery Menu, is to use VSH menu.

Well, how else would you do it if it doesn't load the CFW automatically? Do you have to just launch a loader every time you turn the system on? I generally power it off completely when I'm done playing, since it makes the battery last longer.

For Pro CFW the installation package comes with the installer itself and a program called "Fast Recovery". You launch Fast Recovery each time to boot into CFW. It only takes 5 to 7 seconds to boot into CFW.
 

drfsupercenter

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For Pro CFW the installation package comes with the installer itself and a program called "Fast Recovery". You launch Fast Recovery each time to boot into CFW. It only takes 5 to 7 seconds to boot into CFW.

So the only way to have it permanently installed like 5.0-M33 is to use a 1000 or early 2000? In that case I think an early slim would be my best bet since I get the additional RAM but can still do permanent hacks/Pandora battery stuff.
 

trumpet-205

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So the only way to have it permanently installed like 5.0-M33 is to use a 1000 or early 2000? In that case I think an early slim would be my best bet since I get the additional RAM but can still do permanent hacks/Pandora battery stuff.
Yes.

However, you really don't need Pandora these days.
 

drfsupercenter

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Well, it's nice to have that option. Whether I need Pandora or not, I want it to be permanently installed, that sounds like a huge pain if I have to keep launching the CFW every time I turn the system on... especially since I always fully power it down after each play session. I found that if I don't, the battery winds up dead two days later.

So just to be sure, there's no difference performance-wise between an early 2000 model with the older exploitable motherboard and a 3000?
 

trumpet-205

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So just to be sure, there's no difference performance-wise between an early 2000 model with the older exploitable motherboard and a 3000?
Performance wise no, but I recommend you have some hands on experience with 2000 and 3000 before you decide. 2000 screen has ghosting effect while 3000 screen has interlaced effect. Some people like one but not the other.
 

trumpet-205

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Did the 1000's screen have that problem? I know the quality wasn't the best, but what would it be closer to?
1000 screen isn't as vibrant as other models when it comes to color. 3000 nails that one.

The best screen most people seem to agree with is E-1000 series, the most cheaply made model (beside screen nothing else is redeeming about this model). Sadly you cannot swap screen from one model to another, as they all use different connections.

Overall, try it at a local game shop.
 

drfsupercenter

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Hm, well my 1000 has some weird ghosting too, or at least I think that's what you'd call it. Like when it's high motion, it sort of "blurs"

I also bought it used though, maybe the previous owner had messed something up.

I think I'll go with an early 2000 just because of the hacking factor. I really don't want to have to load CFW every time I boot the thing. Thanks for the help.

Oh, one last thing... is there an easy way to figure out what motherboard is in the unit by its serial number? I know such a site used to exist.
 

drfsupercenter

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Well it's not like I can figure that out without hacking it anyway.

Any idea what percentage of 2001s have the older motherboard?
 

d.d.d.

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...Whether I need Pandora or not, I want it to be permanently installed, that sounds like a huge pain if I have to keep launching the CFW every time I turn the system on... especially since I always fully power it down after each play session. I found that if I don't, the battery winds up dead two days later.

80-90% of the time, I do a full power down on my PSP and I don't find it to be a pain to relaunch the rehack program. It runs in about 5 seconds and I kinda like doing it because it's the only time I see the PSP launch software chime thing as I have it disabled in the CFW side of things.
When I'm playing a lot, I use the sleep mode and don't have to rehack it. If the battery gets low, I connect it while it's still hacked. Not a problem at all.
And the 3000 really does have a nice screen.
 

trumpet-205

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Well it's not like I can figure that out without hacking it anyway.

Any idea what percentage of 2001s have the older motherboard?
For 2000, you don't want one with TA-088v3. You can't use Pandora battery nor CIPL with it.

But if you want one that can also create a Pandora battery, only very very early one, TA-085v1, can do it. The rest of 2000s (excluding TA-088v3), can use but not create a Pandora battery.

There is no accurate way to determine motherboard based on serial number. What is very likely is that PSP 2000 bundled with Daxter or Star Wars game is old enough for the use Pandora or CIPL.
 

drfsupercenter

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TA-085v1 were the first 2000s made, right? Any idea how many of those are out there? I'd totally love one of those (assuming they're the same as any other 2000 otherwise)... but the odds of finding one just from searching around on auction sites is probably low.
 

NickRay

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TA-085v1 were the first 2000s made, right? Any idea how many of those are out there? I'd totally love one of those (assuming they're the same as any other 2000 otherwise)... but the odds of finding one just from searching around on auction sites is probably low.

Id recommend a Go. As long as it has an 05g motherboard in it, it can be permanently flashed. I have one and its great, best PSP design IMO. Also, has a FAR superior screen.
 

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