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Custom Firmware Roundup - Which one is for me?

Posted Jul 18, 2006 at 03:06PM by Kyle M. Listed in: Firmware, Hacks & Exploits, Homebrew Applications, How-To Tags: harleyg, Moonlight, Dark-AleX, Custom Firmware, Zettablade
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Custom Firmware


Recently, the front page has been dominated with the release of numerous custom firmware modifications, all derivatives of Dark_Alex's original Custom Firmware Proof Of Concept which was released just 3 days ago. Within those 3 days, the amount of Custom firmware modifications that have been released are unbelievable. and frankly, a lot of our readers are confused over which ones to use and why. For this reason I have put together this little guide to help you get through the custom firmware madness. No need to sit there and scratch your head any longer!

Stage 1: The Lingo

There's no need rushing into a custom firmware choice. As we all know, writing to the PSPs flash memory can be dangerous, and if you do not follow all the steps correctly, you could brick your beloved PSP. Knowing the lingo is one of the fundamentals if you hope to choose which custom firmware to go with, and understanding what each one does. Here's the rundown on a few technical terms that you may be unaware of:
  • Recovery.elf and Recovery Mode - Recovery.elf is nothing more than a file that will initiate "Recovery mode". Recovery mode is no more than a simple application that will let you to use the USB, and execute a program under ms0:/PSP/GAME/UPDATE/EBOOT.PBP, that could be, for example, a Sony updater or the 1.50 -> 1.00 downdater by keeping R pressed while starting the psp.
  • 'Flashing' - Writing to the PSPs Internal memory which holds the firmware information. If you mess up any of the firmware files your PSP could be a brick, although some can be saved by using recovery mode.
  • Custom Firmware - Firmwares designed by homebrew coders. They aren't completely new, and only offer simple modifications of firmware 1.5 at the moment. Usually these come in the form of new or replaced "modules" or PRX's that make up the PSP's firmware.
  • Overclocking - Setting the PSPs CPU clock speed to 333 Mhz. This cannot damage your PSP, although will use more battery life, and has been included in many Custom Firmware mods in order for the PSP to run faster.
  • XMB - The PSPs "homepage". It's the menu which houses game, music, video, settings etc.
Stage 2: The Mods

All of the mods that you have heard about so far have all been modifications of Dark_Alex's original Custom Firmware POC. Here's all the derivatives and the original, along with their strong points. Many people ask "why should I use custom firmware". From this list you should be able to decide which and/or if Custom Firmware is best for you.rk_Alex's Custom Firmware POC:

If you are incredibly unsure on how to use custom firmware, I would go with Dark_Alex's original release for starters. This granddaddy of Custom Firmwares and has a great Readme. This Custom Firmware features Recovery mode, can execute 1.0 eboots, can hide corrupt icons and can execute any homebrew program you wish on startup.


Download: [Dark_Alex Custom Firmware POC]
View: [Forum Release Thread]

Has the ability to take screenshots using the note key, an automatic USB function (just plug the USB cable in and it works), and overclocks your PSP's CPU to 333Mhz.

Update: Zettablade has released a new version of his AIO firmware mod today. It includes bug fixes and a config file so that you can disable any of it's features.

Download: [Zettablade's Custom Firmware AIO Mod v0.2]
View: [Forum release thread]

Harleyg's Custom Firmware is probably the most feature-packed yet. It has a much nicer looking recovery screen, includes options the option to both change the clock speed and remove the custom firmware completely. Homebrew can be started by holding the L-Trigger and much much more. A full list of features can be found here.

Download: [Harleyg's Custom Firmware mod v0.2]

  • PSP Audio Recorder Beta

This is one of the older custom firmwares, before the release of Dark_Alex's proof of concept. The mod made by Moonlight It allows you to record audio from a UMD or homebrew application using L+R+Circle to begin recording and L+R+Square to stop recording, saving all recorded sound to PSP/Music in .wav format. This has a few bugs including sound lag whilst in-game, but is decent for those wanting to record some of their game.

It saves the recording as a WAV file in PSP/Music.

Download: [PSP Audio Recorder Beta]

  • Slasher's MP3 Plugin

This allows you to listen to your MP3 from anywhere in the PSPs XMB using hotkeys assigned by Slashers MP3 Plugin. Currently supports up to 100 songs that you may have in the ms0:/PSP/MUSIC/ folder.

Controls -
LTRIGG + LEFT = Switch song(to the left)
LTRIGG + RIGHT = Switch song(to the right)
LTRIGG + SQUARE = Stop current MP3
LTRIGG + CROSS = Pause/Unpause

Download: [Slashers MP3 Plugin]


Stage 3: Installing

A lot of people are concerned about installing Custom Firmware because it could brick their PSPs. Chances are most of the people reading this now have probably downgraded their PSP before, whether it be from 2.0 > 1.5 or from 2.5/2.6 > 1.5; both of which write to the flash memory. If you haven't downgraded, you probably still will have flashed your PSP before. By running a Sony Firmware Update Eboot, you are flashing your PSP, which is why they ask you to plug in your AC adaptor, reducing the risk of a brick if you battery power cuts.

The only advice I can give you is to be careful. If you copy the folders into the correct directory (usually just unzip the download archive and copy all folders to your PSP root directory). you'll be fine. Flashing has its risks, but look above for all the benefits of custom firmware.

To minimize risks, make sure that your PSP battery is either fully-charged or above 50% and plug in the AC adaptor. NEVER reset, turn off or place into sleep mode a PSP which has the memory stick light flashing whilst running any program that writes to the flash memory.

Well there you have it, custom firmware in a nutshell. Remember, it has only been 3 days since Dark_Alex's Custom Firmware which has set the standard for these mods was released. In the weeks to come we will be seeing more and more custom firmwares, and more features. I know that both Zettablade and Harleyg are working on new features for their firmwares, as well as Dark_Alex.

Thanks go to: Dark_Alex for creating the original Custom Firmware POC, all the modders and coders out there that have helped make these mods and Nutterbutter for helping all our forum users with Custom Firmware mods. To keep up on an updated list of Firmware mods, make sure you keep checking Nutterbutter's Thread in our forums!


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66 Comments


Sort by:
   by Keegster - 2006-07-18
 » Nice
Some Of These I've Never Seen, Thanks QJ.NET!

www.socombrosinc.com

   by Uber0ne - 2006-07-18
 » .
Dont try to take the PRX from recording one and use it with harleyg's its a no go. Im about to test the MP3 with harleyg's.

   by antivirus6613 (Unregistered) - 2006-07-18
 » ?
i was wondering bout the recovery mode i ws going to try harleyg's, so if my psp becomes a brick do i just hold R and use recovery mode or what, and is it included a .elf and stuff to upgrade to 1.5 again?

   by BOB (Unregistered) - 2006-07-18
 » IM 3RD
IM 3RD HEHEHEHEHEH

   by steve_723 - 2006-07-18
 » for me
I would try all of them.

   by Cha (Unregistered) - 2006-07-18
 » ...
I cant use the MP3 file with Harleyg's mod. -.-

   by Cha (Unregistered) - 2006-07-18
 » ...
ups sorry, i mean "MP3 Plugin"

   by lol internet (Unregistered) - 2006-07-18
 » 1st post
FIRST POST WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

   by Advertising -
   by __ (Unregistered) - 2006-07-18
 » awesome
thanks ill be using this

   by FyR (Unregistered) - 2006-07-18
 » Just wanted to be the first to say...506th POST!!! IM T3H R0x0r!!!!111
Thankyou pspUpdates for a very informative rundown on the current available custom firmwares available, credit to the writers :)

   by dreary79 (Unregistered) - 2006-07-18
 » quick questions
I thought that I had to get a 1.5 PSP to play homebrew and backup games; do I now? Will any PSP work?

Can I do these firmware changes without taking appart my PSP?

   by xpto (Unregistered) - 2006-07-18
 » Can some one do for all a simpls install for this!
For all i see and all a read ... im confuse lost and some anderstands .....


Man please do a easy install for this devhook ...

whithe all files and simples install not whith all readme.txt we need see

please..

ant thx

   by Tim Sykes (Unregistered) - 2006-07-18
 » devhook
Why not mod devhook to run the custom firmwares.

   by yo (Unregistered) - 2006-07-18
 » so......................
so which one is the best for you ppl????

   by KungFuClergyman (Unregistered) - 2006-07-18
 » thats the dumbest thing iv ever heard
.

   by TekDekDude - 2006-07-18
 » Not overclocking.
It's not overclocking if it's at 333MHz, that's its top speed. Overclocking would be having it at 444MHz. :

   by drew4237 - 2006-07-18
 » .
do people really need this i am so used to opening the umd slot when i do a hard reset to get back to 1.5 while in devhook 2.6/2.71 that is wouldnt really need these it would be nice to listen to music while on the web but then i would have to run devhook and i doubt it will keep playing music while emulating 2.6

   by Advertising -
   by wipey - 2006-07-18
 » who's that Z....guy who created the all in one mod?
I'm not sure if I want to flash my firmware with his mod when he can't even spell half of what he's typing...

   by manaox2 - 2006-07-18
 » Slasher MP3 mod detrimental to my psp
After trying the mp3 mod, at first I thought it was great. Until I tried loading homebrew. PSP CRASH. Tryed USB to remove it. PSP crapped itself and skipped until I restarted it. Tryed to go into recovery mode. PSP CRASH! WTH. Stopped song in XMB, deleted the prx, and edited out the line in the config, and did a disk check on my memstick. Restarted, tryed to go to recovery, PSP CRASH!!! Went back to XMB, flashed in the recovery.elf again, and finally everything worked again. I won't use that again until its fixed.

   by Jim (Unregistered) - 2006-07-18
 » Modchip
Does anybody know if this works with a UP modchip? Can you load the firmware onto the UP flash instead of the PSP flash?

   by Slasher (Unregistered) - 2006-07-18
 » @20
Please read the comment I posted within the thread(along with in the readme). It clearly tells you to stop your current song before loading either homebrew or a UMD, else it crashes. Also, it even tells you that when exiting out of USB mode, the song may get jumbled up. Just simply change the song to get it working again. Quick & Easy fixes if you bothered reading the readme.

As for your recovery mode not starting up; that has absolutely nothing to do with my mp3 plugin. When launching the recovery mode(correctly), the firmware skips loading the modules altogether, hence, my mp3 plugin not even having a chance to start.

I would recommend either reading the readme next time, or avoid blaming things that have nothing to do with your problem at hand.

   by Kiel (Unregistered) - 2006-07-18
 » FRiggggg
OK so I flashed is and everything.. got it all to work couldn't get the mp3 thing to work but thats ok after reading #20 comment. but now how do i get my normal psp back?!?! with recovery mode?? i went into that and all thats in there is usb option, flash index.dat to flash0 option and to launch a program under game/update. which one do i do?!?! There is no index.dat in my psp's root. How do i get my normal firmware back??

   by Slasher (Unregistered) - 2006-07-18
 » and...
I would also like to comment, that when using a USB-related module in conjunction with my mp3 program; it WON'T work. It will likely freeze if you use both a USB activating module & my mp3 plugin at the same time. Thanks.

   by manaox2 - 2006-07-18
 » maybe not the prx, but the crash...
How did something like the recovery.prx corrupt itself after a crash? It very well wasn't likely to be directly related to the recovery.prx failure, I was describing what happened. Let it be a warning that the recovery.prx can fail after a crash. Anything that makes the psp crash could cause that.

   by noob (Unregistered) - 2006-07-18
 » noob
this might be a noob question but do you need 1.0 or1.5 for these and how easy is this to install

   by Laxer3A (Unregistered) - 2006-07-18
 » Merging... Plugin...
Actually I was thinking that to avoid multiple explosion of too much custom firmware that would be really nice to do a plug-in architecture.
So people can easily add or remove module/plug without having to reflash or do dangerous modification.

It will also avoid having multiple person writing the same code again and again (and avoid some bug)

   by manaox2 - 2006-07-18
 » @#27
do you maybe mean modules/prx's? cause they aren't flashed? I think you got your wish.

   by Advertising -
   by sash (Unregistered) - 2006-07-18
 » Dark_Alex = moonlight
...fore the release of Dark_Alex's proof of concept. The mod made by Moonlight It allows you to re...

I ALREADY SAID IT: Dark_Alex and moonlight are the same person!!!

see: http://mphwebsite.tuxfamily.org/punBB/viewtopic.php?id=1651

   by dreary79 (Unregistered) - 2006-07-18
 » HELP
Will anyone answer my question? I'm #12.

I'm getting interested in getting a PSP.

   by nikeskatekrew (Unregistered) - 2006-07-18
 » Harleyg's Custom Firmware mod v0.2
can someone please send me Harleyg's Custom Firmware mod v0.2 to me in a zip. file i cannot download winrar because im not the computer admin and the admin wont be back for a couple of weeks and i cant wait that long so if u could send it to me at sk8birdhosue325@aol.com


thanks in advance



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