How To Install Custom Firmware On Psp

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How To Install Custom Firmware On Psp
This guide will show you how to install custom firmware on a Psp, with pictures every step,
if thats not enough there will also be video tutorials on every step. If you have any questions
or queries that have no been explained here, there is a FAQ section in the second post

/!\ Please Read /!\
Psp Slim & Lites, that came with 4.01 - 4.05 Official Firmware or higher will most likely have
the "TA-088v3" motherboard. This means that the Psp will not be able to install custom
firmware. Now if you want to check even more if you have the "TA-088v3" motherboard, then
check the boxcode, if it has the letter "G" or superior on it then it has the unhackable
motherboard. Image of what your looking for: http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/9349/pspversion2kq6.png

 Requirements
To use this tutorial you will need the following:
*The Original Or Slim & Lite Psp
*Memory Stick Pro Duo 64MB - 4GB capacity
*Computer With XP Or Vista
*Spare Battery (If Using Hard Modding Method)

Step 1: Making A Magic Memory Card
Firstly, you will make a
magic memory card. To do this follow the steps:

Video Tutorial: Here

 Download the file below:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=NDIE4XAZ


Extract the file using Winrar


Go in the extracted folder and open the "RainMMS" Application


Click the button "Load EBOOT"


Locate the "Magic Memory Card"
folder, then inside open the "Firmwares"
folder and select the "401.PBP" file and click "Open"


As shown in the image, make sure both the circled options are ticked


Connect the Psp to the computer by USB Mode, make sure you have
inserted the memory card you want to be made "magic" in. Then in the
application next to "Target Drive" it should automatically find the drive
of the Psp, if not search for it manually


Now leave all the other options as they are (or if not the same as the
picture above change them as in the picture). Now click the button in
the bottom right hand side to make the Magic Memory Card, as shown
above


During the process the application will act as it has crashed, but don't
worry it's not really. It should take about 5 minutes to complete, once
it has done exit USB Mode safely and click "Finish"

Step 2: Creating A Pandora's Battery
Secondly, you will need to create a Pandora's Battery. There is two
methods to do this, pick one of the ways and follow its guide below:

A) Using A Custom Firmware Psp
You will need to find somebody with a Psp with custom firmware installed,
that will allow you to borrow it for 5 minutes. Most versions will work if they
have ether M33 or OE installed

B) Hard Modding
You will need a spare battery, the battery you mod will be rendered useless
for "normal" use. Therefore it can only ever be used as a Pandora's battery
and can't be changed back. To do this you will have to take apart the battery
and cut a pin

A) Using A Custom Firmware Psp
Video Tutorial: Coming Soon!

 Download the file below:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=9GD9TAXP


Extract the file using WinRar


Open the extracted folder "Pandora - Method 1"


Right-click on the "GAME" folder and select "Copy"


Put the Psp in USB Mode with the Magic Memory Card inserted, then open the folder "PSP"

Paste the folder you copied before in here, overwriting the other "GAME" folder


Put the battery you want to make into a Pandora in the custom firmware Psp, then insert the Magic Memory Card


Browse to the memory card, then load "OS Pandora Battery..."


Press "X" to continue


Scroll "Convert to service mode..." and press "X"


You should see this message shown above, now press "X" and turn the Psp off

B) Hard Modding


You will need the following equipment...


A razor (or something similar), mini screwdriver, tape and the battery to modify


Using your razor score the slides of the battery a couple of times, then the front should come off like a lid, be
careful not to score to far as you could pierce the inside of the battery as it will ether set on fire or melt the
insides (I'm not kidding it's happened to me!)


If your finding it hard to get the battery open by scoring, use the mini screwdriver to gently wedge it open


Once you have the case open gently pull up the circuit board as shown above


Locate the chip shown above on the circuit board it
should have below it "IC04". If not don't carry on as
your battery might not work as a Pandora's Battery


Cut the pin shown cleanly, in the middle so it is disconnected and
not touching any other pins around it. Make sure its not touching
anything as it will fuse the battery making it broken


Now close up your battery together and tape the slides, so that it does
not come apart in the Psp
Step 3: Testing the Pandora's Battery

 Thirdly, you will need to test the Pandora's Battery you made, to do this put in the battery. If the green light
comes on and the screen is black, then you have successfully created a Pandora's Battery! As shown above

Video Tutorial: Coming Soon!

Step 3: Installing Custom Firmware
Now you have everything you need to install custom firmware on a Psp, to install
follow the steps below:

Video Tutorial: Coming Soon!


Take both the Magic Memory Card & Pandora's Battery out of the Psp


Insert the Magic Memory Card


Hold the "L" trigger and put in the Pandora's Battery in the Psp


Keep hold of the "L" trigger still you see this on your screen, once you do put
on your battery case/back so the battery does not slip out. Then select
"Install 4.01 M33"


Custom Firmware will install on the Psp, it will take about 2-4 minutes to complete


Once finished, press "X" to reboot the Psp back to the XMB

Step 4: Checking Custom Firmware Installed
Now lets check that custom firmware installed correctly on the Psp:

Video Tutorial: Coming Soon!


Go to System Settings


Then System Information


It should say on System Software "4.01 M33-2" as shown above, if it does you
have successfully installed custom firmware on your Psp!


FAQ Section
Here your "Frequently Asked Questions" will be answered, if you
don't understand something and its not here post asking about it.

Custom Firmware
What is custom firmware?
  • Custom Firmware is firmware that has been modified, so it allows you to run 3rd party applications and play downloaded games.
When you say "play downloaded games" do you mean games at stores that you have to pay for?
  • Yes I do, you can download games and play them as they were a UMD disc but they are actually stored on your Memory Card.
Where can I download these games?
  • You can download these games from here: Psp Games
Magic Memory Card
Why do I need to make a Magic Memory Card?
  • A Magic Memory Card is needed as its used to store the Pandora files: Official firmware, custom firmware patch and software.
  • It also contains a code flashed to the card, this is used when both the Pandora's Battery and Magic Memory Card are in the Psp. The code on the card will be allowed access on the Psp by the battery to load the unsigned files. By this you can use Custom Firmware.
Why can only the Pro Duo 64MB - 4GB cards be used to make a Magic Memory Card?
  • These cards can only be used as the 32MB memory card is too small to hold the files and also it is not "Pro Duo". The 8GB memory cards or higher can not be used as they use a different format.
I have the right card capacity but when it comes to loading with the Pandora's Battery, I just get a black screen. Why is this?
  • You have a fake memory card, these can't be used as they are not compatible.
  • You are not using ether a Sony or SanDisk memory card, these are the only brands of card that are compatible.
  • If none of the points apply to you above, you might have made the Magic Memory Card wrong or had a error. Try again at making the Magic Memory Card.
Pandora's Battery
Why do I need to create a Pandora's Battery?
  • A Pandora's Battery is needed as when created it is in "Service Mode" this allows files to be loaded off the Magic Memory Card. Thus allowing custom firmware to be installed.

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