Hacking Homebrew Downgrading a PSP for the first time

[jimmy j]

A friend asked me to have a crack at downgrading her PSP. I've flashed DS phat before, and I used to softmod a lot of xbox consoles, but I've never done PSP.

What tools/software will I need? (I want darkalex fw installed)
How do I check the current firmware version? (its a pink PSP, she thinks its 2.80)
What emulators should I get? (we want MAME, genesis, gba, SNES, N64, neo geo, xbox360* & ps1)

*j/k

A step-by-step would be most appreciated, my thanks in advance

 

[chuckstudios]

To check firmware, you go to Settings -> System Settings -> System Information

How you're going to get it to 3.40 OE-A depends on what version it is in that menu.

 

[Nenyana]

To check the firmware version go to System Settings and then System information. To downgrade you will need an old (unpatched) copy of GTA Liberty City Stories or Lumines UMD. Without either of these you will not be able to downgrade.

If you have firmware at 3.03 or below you can use the GTA downgrader but if your firmware is higher than this then you will need Lumines (after upgrading to 3.50 if required).

It all depends on what firmware version you have and Motherboard type but I do think the 3.50 downgrader that uses Lumines is the easiest and it detects your Motherboard type too (used that downgrader 3-4 times with 100 success).

 

[jimmy j]

To check firmware, you go to Settings -> System Settings -> System Information

How you're going to get it to 3.40 OE-A depends on what version it is in that menu.

I'll check it out and get back to you

 

[jimmy j]

To check the firmware version go to System Settings and then System information. To downgrade you will need an old (unpatched) copy of GTA Liberty City Stories or Lumines UMD. Without either of these you will not be able to downgrade.

If you have firmware at 3.03 or below you can use the GTA downgrader but if your firmware is higher than this then you will need Lumines (after upgrading to 3.50 if required).

It all depends on what firmware version you have and Motherboard type but I do think the 3.50 downgrader that uses Lumines is the easiest and it detects your Motherboard type too (used that downgrader 3-4 times with 100 success).

Would I be able to use Lumines with firmware below 3.03?

 

[AshuraZro]

To check the firmware version go to System Settings and then System information. To downgrade you will need an old (unpatched) copy of GTA Liberty City Stories or Lumines UMD. Without either of these you will not be able to downgrade.

If you have firmware at 3.03 or below you can use the GTA downgrader but if your firmware is higher than this then you will need Lumines (after upgrading to 3.50 if required).

It all depends on what firmware version you have and Motherboard type but I do think the 3.50 downgrader that uses Lumines is the easiest and it detects your Motherboard type too (used that downgrader 3-4 times with 100 success).

Let's not forget that anything that is 2.80 or less can be downgraded without any games I believe. 2.71 and below for sure without the need for an exploitable game.

 

[jimmy j]

So the easiest method (whatever fw it has) is to upgrade to 3.50, then use the lumines exploit and the 3.50 downgrader that Nenyana mentioned?

 

[AshuraZro]

If it's above 2.71 and you have a copy of lumines within your grasp, then yes. I'd move to 3.50 (NOT 3.51) and downgrade from that point.

 

[jimmy j]

I think I understand (somebody please correct me if I'm wrong)

1. Download 3.50 firmware [from un-named site]
2. Put HEN 3.50 downgrader plus the recommended 1.50 patcher on the memorystick (I've got the instructions for this)
3. Run Lumines and follow downgrader instructions

That will leave me with a downgraded 1.50 PSP, right? Then I can upgrade to the latest dark alex firmware? Which version should I use?

 

[lenselijer]

1. update psp to fw 3.50
2. get the downgrader files + 1.50 eboot and put them in the correct folders on the memorystick.
3. double check that all files are in the right folders on your memorystick.
4. boot lumines, press start when the menu appears and you will be booted back to the xmb.
5. check the system settings and it should say: 3.50 HEN
6. now goto game --> memorystick and start the downgrader.
7. press x to confirm and wait till its done, the psp will reboot and you're at 1.50
8. now install custom firmware 3.40oe-a and start playing

 

[[M]artin]

Have IRC? Then head over to #psp-hacks on irc.dashhacks.com

There's ALWAYS someone there and they'll help you downgrade and upgrade to any version without any trouble (plus they have links to special programs that'll help you install them i.e. Easy Installers)

Now I have a question, when you guys say a copy of LCS or Lumines for those later firmware versions, does it have to be an actual physical UMD or can it be an ISO?

 

[Nenyana]

artin @ Jul 8 2007, 12:17 AM)]Have IRC? Then head over to #psp-hacks on irc.dashhacks.com

There's ALWAYS someone there and they'll help you downgrade and upgrade to any version without any trouble (plus they have links to special programs that'll help you install them i.e. Easy Installers)

Now I have a question, when you guys say a copy of LCS or Lumines for those later firmware versions, does it have to be an actual physical UMD or can it be an ISO?

It has to be a physical UMD. No official firmware can load ISO's and if it could then it would mean that you already had kernel access so wouldn't be attempting a downgrade in the first place.

 

[chuckstudios]

Heh. Can't 3.5x load ISOs?

 

[deathfisaro]

Heh. Can't 3.5x load ISOs?

People found an ISO loader in them but no, you won't be able to run ISOs on official 3.5x AFAIK.

 

[jimmy j]

1. update psp to fw 3.50
2. get the downgrader files + 1.50 eboot and put them in the correct folders on the memorystick.
3. double check that all files are in the right folders on your memorystick.
4. boot lumines, press start when the menu appears and you will be booted back to the xmb.
5. check the system settings and it should say: 3.50 HEN
6. now goto game --> memorystick and start the downgrader.
7. press x to confirm and wait till its done, the psp will reboot and you're at 1.50
8. now install custom firmware 3.40oe-a and start playing

Excellent!

 

[4saken]

Can't you just upgrade to 3.03 and use GTA LCS? Or did they somehow stop this.

 

[jimmy j]

Can't you just upgrade to 3.03 and use GTA LCS? Or did they somehow stop this.

You can still do it, but sony patched later versions of GTA to stop the exploit. You just need an unpatched copy.

 

[licker2]

Heh. Can't 3.5x load ISOs?

People found an ISO loader in them but no, you won't be able to run ISOs on official 3.5x AFAIK.

He was kidding >_>

EDIT
Or was he

 

[4saken]

Can't you just upgrade to 3.03 and use GTA LCS? Or did they somehow stop this.


You can still do it, but sony patched later versions of GTA to stop the exploit. You just need an unpatched copy.

I guess, which would make Lumines easier and cheaper to find

 

[nycwii]

if you are going to downgrade make sure its a lumines original or greatist hits.

the + platinum, and 2 versions will not work. also since the downgrader has come out the difficulty of finding one of these originals have increase 10 fold. i would reccomend picking 1 up asap