Hacking New to vita hacking, sd2vita question.

[miss_nakano]

Hi, I am new to vita hacking scene(I'm from 3ds hacking scene)! I've just hacked my 3.60 vita 1000 with perma-enso, I also have installed vitashell 1.98. I have a few question..particularly about sd2vita and storage.

1)I have 200gb sandisk, should it be formatted to fat32/exfat(3ds use fat32)?what about the cluster size?
2)I WANT to have both psp games(60GB) and vita games(90GB) in that microsd, since my sony mc is only 16GB. I kind of heard that you can only use the microsd storage for only either PSP OR vita games?that the other one must be put on sony mc?is this true?Can't it be used for BOTH of them?
3)extra question, my vita is 3.6, but I heard there is 3.65 enso?should i update there or higher if possible(is it like 3ds=luma is the same version with ofw)?if so, how?

thank you very much.

 

[toxic9]

Hi! Welcome to Vita World.

1- after blanking your sd2vita card, format it to exFAT with default cluster size.
2- You can have everything in your sd2vita.
3- you can update to 3.65.

 

[CTR640]

The option for the microsd is to expand the storage since Sony has been bullshitting us to the next-level scamming. I mean, if you remember the ridiculous prices they asked when the vita was released? CTR640 remembers it.

Since you're already on firmware 3.60, there is no reason to update to 3.65. I'm on 3.65 and I have no reason to downgrade to 3.60.
These two firmwares are the best. If you still wanna update to 3.65, make sure to read everything carefully and more IMPORTANT: don't use Enso_Ex! But 3.60 is great too.

 

[RikuNoctis]

1- after blanking your sd2vita card, format it to exFAT with default cluster size.

200GB cards and above should use 64KB cluster size, otherwise they may present issues.

3)extra question, my vita is 3.6, but I heard there is 3.65 enso?should i update there or higher if possible(is it like 3ds=luma is the same version with ofw)?if so, how?

There's no reason to choose between 3.60 and 3.65 as they offer and do the same thing. There is no such thing as "one of the two being more stable", and everything works on both firmwares.

So, at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter which one you choose.

 

[miss_nakano]

200GB cards and above should use 64KB cluster size, otherwise they may present issues.

thanks! I specifically asked about the cluster size because I'm afraid something like this would happen.

There's no reason to choose between 3.60 and 3.65 as they offer and do the same thing. There is no such thing as "one of the two being more stable", and everything works on both firmwares.

So, at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter which one you choose.

Okay then, so it's different from 3ds..I'll stay at 3.60 for good then.

I'd like to ask you about the sd2vita, particularly about this guide: https://gbatemp.net/threads/the-my-sd2vita-psvsd-is-having-issues-thread.510876/

To use SD2Vita/PSVSD for Vita Games

1. Copy the contents of your ux0: backup folder to the SD card using your card reader. Install the SD in the SD2Vita or PSVSD.
2. Navigate to ur0:tai and open storage_config.txt for editing. You will see 4 locations: MCD - The Sony memory card, INT - Internal Memory (don't mess with this, seriously), GCD - The gamecard slot, and UMA - in Vita 1000s this is the Wifi/3G modem slot and in PSTV it's the USB slot. Following this will be the mounting point assignment for those points. Default (the system, not storagemgr) is MCD as ux0, the primary location for apps and games, and UMA as extra storage for non-executable files.
3. Edit this file so that MCD=uma0. For SD2Vita, edit GCD=ux0 and UMA=grw0. For PSVSD, leave GCD as grw0 and change UMA=ux0 instead. To use both, change them to suit your needs. A common configuration with both is UMA=ux0 (big card in PSVSD for main storage), GCD=uma0 (SD2Vita for ROMS/PSP/PS1, easily swappable/expandable), and MCD=grw0 (more generic expanded storage). Save and close.

To use SD2Vita/PSVSD for Storage/Adrenaline

1. Copy the contents of your uma0: backup folder to the SD card using your card reader. Install the SD in the SD2Vita or PSVSD.
2. Navigate to ur0:tai and open storage_config.txt for editing. You will see 4 locations: MCD - The Sony memory card, INT - Internal Memory (don't mess with this, seriously), GCD - The gamecard slot, and UMA - in Vita 1000s this is the Wifi/3G modem slot and in PSTV it's the USB slot. Following this will be the mounting point assignment for those locations. Default (the system, not storagemgr) is MCD as ux0, the primary location for apps and games, and UMA as extra storage for non-executable files.
3. Edit the file so MCD=ux0. For SD2Vita, edit the file so GCD=uma0 and UMA=grw0. For PSVSD, UMA=uma0 and GCD=grw0. To use both, leave as is or swap grw0 and uma0.

Does the above mean that I can only choose one of either PSP(adrenaline) OR PSV games for my sd2vita(200gb)?why are there 2 methods?

Thanks again!

 

[RikuNoctis]

Does the above mean that I can only choose one of either PSP(adrenaline) OR PSV games for my sd2vita(200gb)?why are there 2 methods?

SD2Vita can be used for both Vita games and Adrenaline (a sort of PSP firmware emulator; yes, it's like having a PSP), and storage for ROMs for some other apps, like Retroarch and the like.

The guide mentions that because the Vita, as you may notice in Vitashell, has a partition called ux0:, which is the only partition where Vita games can be played from. So, as you probably can notice, what SD2Vita does is make your Vita think that the adapter is actually the Vita memory card, so it's recognized as ux0: by the console, making possible to run Vita games from there. To use SD2Vita for Adrenaline (to store your .ISOs, savedata and everything else just like on your old PSP, you just need to open Adrenaline's config menu and select SD2Vita as the location to load things from; Adrenaline will make the base folders there, and you can see them in Vitashell (the folder will be called "pspemu"). For apps like Retroarch it's something similar, tho you only need to make a folder and place your ROMs or whatever you want there and load them from Retroarch's menu.

To make use of SD2Vita you need the adapter (you probably have it already; it goes into the game card slot), and the Storagemgr plugin along with it's very own config .txt.

Check this guide. It has everything you need, step by step, with every possible scenario. Read everything first before starting so you have a better grasp on things. It's easy once you get used to some things (like what config.txt is, what are plugins, how you need to format, etc.).

 

[miss_nakano]

SD2Vita can be used for both Vita games and Adrenaline (a sort of PSP firmware emulator; yes, it's like having a PSP), and storage for ROMs for some other apps, like Retroarch and the like.

The guide mentions that because the Vita, as you may notice in Vitashell, has a partition called ux0:, which is the only partition where Vita games can be played from. So, as you probably can notice, what SD2Vita does is make your Vita think that the adapter is actually the Vita memory card, so it's recognized as ux0: by the console, making possible to run Vita games from there. To use SD2Vita for Adrenaline (to store your .ISOs, savedata and everything else just like on your old PSP, you just need to open Adrenaline's config menu and select SD2Vita as the location to load things from; Adrenaline will make the base folders there, and you can see them in Vitashell (the folder will be called "pspemu"). For apps like Retroarch it's something similar, tho you only need to make a folder and place your ROMs or whatever you want there and load them from Retroarch's menu.

To make use of SD2Vita you need the adapter (you probably have it already; it goes into the game card slot), and the Storagemgr plugin along with it's very own config .txt.

Check this guide. It has everything you need, step by step, with every possible scenario. Read everything first before starting so you have a better grasp on things. It's easy once you get used to some things (like what config.txt is, what are plugins, how you need to format, etc.).

Wow! Thank you very much for all the detailed information! and the guide you linked to me is totally like the 3ds guide I followed when I hacked mine! Well, since I am already over the step of installing perma enso 3.60, all that's left is the "finalizing setup", setting sd2vita and adrenaline. I'd liked your posts multiple times if possible lol, thanks again Riku!

 

[RikuNoctis]

Wow! Thank you very much for all the detailed information! and the guide you linked to me is totally like the 3ds guide I followed when I hacked mine! Well, since I am already over the step of installing perma enso 3.60, all that's left is the "finalizing setup", setting sd2vita and adrenaline. I'd liked your posts multiple times if possible lol, thanks again Riku!

You're welcome.

Lastly, some advice: You'll find some homebrews and plugins that mention the config.txt file on both ur0:tai/ and ux0:tai/ repeatedly. You should only be using ur0:tai/ as the only location for the config.txt, and it should also be the location where you place any plugins you will be using, like nonpdrm.skprx or rePatch.skprx. While the ur0: partition is small and it's used by the system, the plugins and files you'll need are very, very small and don't really pose any issue for being there. It also makes easier to use things like SD2Vita, Vitacheat and the like.

If you have any other doubts, post them here and the community will try to help you.

 

[miss_nakano]

Thanks for your advice about plugins as I really have no idea where they really should be placed after all. These details could have easily been overlooked by me as I am totally new in vita scene. Thanks again, I'll ask again if I need any more help

 

[miss_nakano]

Another sd2vita question: in the storage guide it says:

• UMA=grw0 should be removed unless you have multiple storage devices (in which case the device which is not assigned to ux0: should be assigned to grw0

I plan to use 200gb microsd as sd2vita and official 16gb sony mc. Does this count as having multiple storage devices?

thanks.

 

[RikuNoctis]

I plan to use 200gb microsd as sd2vita and official 16gb sony mc. Does this count as having multiple storage devices?

Nope.

If you are going to use SD2Vita along with your Vita memory card you only need these 2 lines:

MCD=uma0
GCD=ux0

That way the SD2Vita adapter will be recognized as ux0:, while the Vita memory card will be storage.


Remember not to delete the files mentioned in the guide (the folders with the exploits, along with the Vitashell folder) found on your Vita memory card. That way, in case of a random reboot or wrong loading/mounting from SD2Vita, you will still have access to Vitashell and the exploits.

 

[miss_nakano]

Nope.

If you are going to use SD2Vita along with your Vita memory card you only need these 2 lines:

MCD=uma0
GCD=ux0

That way the SD2Vita adapter will be recognized as ux0:, while the Vita memory card will be storage.


Remember not to delete the files mentioned in the guide (the folders with the exploits, along with the Vitashell folder) found on your Vita memory card. That way, in case of a random reboot or wrong loading/mounting from SD2Vita, you will still have access to Vitashell and the exploits.

I see..so, those 2 lines is all I need. Ok, I'll remember not to delete anything important, it has been my habit since 3DS scene though I even made a NAND backup for safety measure for my 3DS..While I'm at it, does vita scene has some NAND back up method for safety?

one more question about the guide:
Section V - Cleanup

1. Launch the Content Manager application
2. Select “Manage Content on Memory Card”
3. Select “PS Vita”
4. Delete the following applications if they exist (note that, depending on your install method, some or all of these applications may be missing):
   • “ensō”
   • “modoru 戻る”
   • “molecularShell”
5. Users on firmware version 3.60 should additionally delete the following application if it exists:
   • “h-encore”
6. Close the Content Manager application

I only have enso(from installing perma enso vpk) and molecularshell that came with the very first henkaku.xyz hack. Do I really need to delete these, I kind of understand that enso no longer serve a purpose, but I did use molecularshell to FTP vitashell into my vita, it has it uses..will keeping both molecularhsell and vitashell cause a problem in future?

also, about the content manager application, is it the one from here http://cma.dl.playstation.net/cma/win/en/index.html

or is there another content manager that is made by vita scene(homebrew)?

thanks again riku.

 

[RikuNoctis]

I see..so, those 2 lines is all I need. Ok, I'll remember not to delete anything important, it has been my habit since 3DS scene though I even made a NAND backup for safety measure for my 3DS..While I'm at it, does vita scene has some NAND back up method for safety?

Yes and no.

Some devs have the means to make backups like that, and someone has posted certain instructions on how to do it, but it requires you to more or less mod the board on your Vita to achieve it (among some other things).

Simply put, it's hard, annoying and not that easy to do just with a PC and your Vita/USB cable.

I only have enso(from installing perma enso vpk) and molecularshell that came with the very first henkaku.xyz hack. Do I really need to delete these, I kind of understand that enso no longer serve a purpose, but I did use molecularshell to FTP vitashell into my vita, it has it uses..will keeping both molecularhsell and vitashell cause a problem in future?

You can have Vitashell, tho you may want to remove molecularShell; it offers nothing that Vitashell can't do better anyway.

What you can do is make a H-encore bubble. H-encore is another exploit originally made for 3.67 and 3.68 consoles so they can run homebrew (duh XD) and install Vitashell directly. Now, you don't need it as you already have Enso on 3.60 which makes you run homebrew from boot, but the reason to have H-encore is because it's a bubble that you can backup and restore using QCMA. So, with H-encore, it doesn't matter if you lose access to your SD2Vita (if it dies or of the SD card dies), or if for some reason you restored your Vita and later you wanted to restore the HENkaku for the homebrew. H-encore will work as long as you are under 3.70 (for 3.70 you use Trinity, and it's the same thing as it's also a bubble, though made for that firmware only).

 

[miss_nakano]

Yes and no.

Some devs have the means to make backups like that, and someone has posted certain instructions on how to do it, but it requires you to more or less mod the board on your Vita to achieve it (among some other things).

Simply put, it's hard, annoying and not that easy to do just with a PC and your Vita/USB cable.


You can have Vitashell, tho you may want to remove molecularShell; it offers nothing that Vitashell can't do better anyway.

What you can do is make a H-encore bubble. H-encore is another exploit originally made for 3.67 and 3.68 consoles so they can run homebrew (duh XD) and install Vitashell directly. Now, you don't need it as you already have Enso on 3.60 which makes you run homebrew from boot, but the reason to have H-encore is because it's a bubble that you can backup and restore using QCMA. So, with H-encore, it doesn't matter if you lose access to your SD2Vita (if it dies or of the SD card dies), or if for some reason you restored your Vita and later you wanted to restore the HENkaku for the homebrew. H-encore will work as long as you are under 3.70 (for 3.70 you use Trinity, and it's the same thing as it's also a bubble, though made for that firmware only).

thanks, I understand now that vitashell>>>molecularshell and wow another series of information about restoration that could have easily been overlooked(I totally do not know that h-encore can be used that way). I just read about QCMA you mentioned that it is a homebrew version of http://cma.dl.playstation.net/cma/win/en/index.html. Should I use QCMA instead of official one?

just reaffirming myself, I should delete the enso bubble(1.1 vpk perma enso 3.60) since I already have perma enso, right?

 

[RikuNoctis]

thanks, I understand now that vitashell>>>molecularshell and wow another series of information about restoration that could have easily been overlooked(I totally do not know that h-encore can be used that way). I just read about QCMA you mentioned that it is a homebrew version of http://cma.dl.playstation.net/cma/win/en/index.html. Should I use QCMA instead of official one?

Yes. QCMA is a "mod" version of Sony's official Content Manager Assistant.

Simply put, QCMA is the best companion app, no matter if you are using homebrew or not on your Vita. It has a lot of awesome features, less annoying prompts, and it works on Mac.

just reaffirming myself, I should delete the enso bubble(1.1 vpk perma enso 3.60) since I already have perma enso, right?

If you want to you can delete it, but it also doesn't affect your system by having it there.

 

[CTR640]

Yep, you cannot go wrong with 3.60 and 3.65. These 2 firmwares are golden. I assumed you used the regular enso? Not the enso_ex? The enso_ex are for experienced users who wants to use the advanced features. I recommend to avoid the _ex version considering too many topics about _ex screw-ups. If something works, don't change it.

 

[miss_nakano]

please help! I've finished the henkaku/storage/adrenaline guides.

the problem is:
1)if I put my sd2vita 200gb into vita=all homebrews(vitashell/adrenaline/updateblocker/etc) in menu are gone. If I check my memory card storage in vita system setting it does show 183gb(which mean sd2vita is working as intended)

2)if I put sd2vita out=all homebrews came back. Storage in system setting shows=14gb(which mean it is my sony mc)

I want all my homebrews back with memory size detected like 1)

What could be the problem? is it because of these lines?
MCD=uma0
GCD=ux0

thank you very much!

 

[miss_nakano]

Never mind guys! I solved it. I used WinSCP to copy all of my ux0 from the 16gb sony mc, and make exact copy of its content to the 200gb microsd. After that I put the microsd into sd2vita to my vita and everything is back with 183GB free space as ux0!

thanks everyone!

 

[RikuNoctis]

Never mind guys! I solved it. I used WinSCP to copy all of my ux0 from the 16gb sony mc, and make exact copy of its content to the 200gb microsd. After that I put the microsd into sd2vita to my vita and everything is back with 183GB free space as ux0!

Yeah, you need to copy most things from your Vita memory card to your SD2Vita so the console loads the games/homebrew you have there. That is mentioned in the guide when you setup your SD card for Storagemgr.

Most things on your sony memory card can be deleted now, like games. You just need to leave the folders of Vitashell, the exploit used (H-encore or Trinity) and the others the guide mentions. This is just to be on the safe side like I mentioned in my previous post. That way, if your SD2Vita doesn't load for some reason, Vitashell and any exploits you may have will still be available on your Sony memory card. The worst thing that will happen at that point is that the app.db needs to be rebuild and your bubbles layout will be reset, which isn't so bad.

 

[CTR640]

Never mind guys! I solved it. I used WinSCP to copy all of my ux0 from the 16gb sony mc, and make exact copy of its content to the 200gb microsd. After that I put the microsd into sd2vita to my vita and everything is back with 183GB free space as ux0!

thanks everyone!

Glad you got it solved. What a difference between the 16G and 200GB. Sony shouldn't have never capped the storage, that's asking for shit like this. I may buy 200GB or 256GB microsd to carry all the content such as the games and videos. 64GB Sony mc is almost full too :/