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Tutorial: How to unbrick your PSP via Pandora Battery

Posted Aug 24, 2007 at 12:06AM by Jerico G. Listed in: How-To Tags: memory stick, FreePlay, Custom Firmware, SEC, Noobz

232

We know you're all still dazzled with the monumental development from homebrew heroes (and now PSP unit saviors) Noobz, Team C+D, and the rest of the minds behind the Prometheus project and Pandora Battery unbricker for PSP. The whole process is simple enough, and the good developers got all bases covered, even instructions on installation.

However, as with any community, it's expected that a flock of total beginners are bound to hear about this. It's not hard to imagine how difficult it'll be for them to understand even some of the simpler things (at least for all of us) homebrew-related mentioned in the process. Of course we just can't let them try to figure things out on their own, it's a good thing there are guys like Freeplay who are willing to extend a helping hand to those who need assistance.

What we have here is a very detailed step-by-step procedure aimed at PSP newbies. Freeplay's got everthing down pat, every single action you need to create a jigstick battery, a magic memory stick, and the actual unbricking process. What's really great about this guide, is it's from someone who created the tutorial on the same time he's doing the whole process himself. It's plucked right from the heart of the PSP community.

Thanks to Spikertk for sending this in!

Step 1: Extract the .ZIP file. Download it here.
Step 2: Insert the memory stick that you want to turn into a "magic memory stick." Back up the contents of the stick to your computer.
Step 3: Use the built-in format tool (in the PSP System Settings menu) to reformat your memory stick.
Step 4: Connect your PSP in USB mode.
Step 5: Open a command prompt (Start -> Run -> cmd)
Step 6: In the command prompt, switch into the 'mspformat' folder you extracted in step 1... wherever you put it.
Step 7: Type "mspformat X" where X is the drive of your PSP. Do not include the colon. For example, my PSP is connected at O:, so I type "mspformat O".

You should see a prompt like this:

>>> C:psppandoramspformat>mspformat.exe O
>>> You are about to format the drive O.
>>> All data will be lost. Do you want to continue? [Y]

Type 'y'.

>>> y

and you should see

>>> Drive succesfully formatted, and partition moved.

Step 8: Disconnect from USB mode, then remove and re-insert your memory stick. Reconnect in USB mode.
Step 9: On your memory stick, make sure that you have folders named GAME and GAME150 in a folder named PSP. If you don't have them, make them.
Step 10: Copy the two folders from 'battery' into GAME (for 1.50) or GAME150 (for custom firmware). The folders should be named "pandora_battery" and "pandora_battery%", so they should be PSPGAMEpandora_battery and PSPGAMEpandora_battery% (or PSPGAME150pandora_battery and PSPGAME150pandora_battery%).
Step 11: Disconnect from USB mode, insert the battery you wish to use as your unbricker, and run "Pandora's Battery Creator" from the Memory Stick section of the GAME menu.
Step 12: ***OPTIONAL - SEE NOTE *** Press Triangle to back up the contents of your battery's flash into a file on you memory stick. The program will automatically exit. Run "Pandora's Battery Creator" one more time. *Note:* This step is REQUIRED if you want to make this a normal battery again; otherwise it's optional.
Step 13: Press X to turn your battery into an unbricking battery (a Service Mode battery). The program will automatically exit.
Step 14: Connect in USB mode.
Step 15: Copy the Firmware 1.50 update file onto the root of your memory stick; it should be the same place as your "PSP" folder. Rename it to "UPDATE.PBP".
Step 16: The extracted folder "installer" contains two folders. Copy both of these into the same place you copied "pandora_battery".
Step 17: Disconnect from USB mode and run "Pandora's Battery Firm. Installer" from the Memory Stick section of the GAME menu.
Step 18: Press X to unpack the 1.50 firmware files into their proper place on your memory stick. The program will automatically exit. If this step fails, go back into USB mode and rename "UPDATE.PBP" to just "UPDATE", then try again.
Step 19: Connect in USB mode. Look in the root of your memory stick (where you have the PSP folder and the UPDATE.PBP file). There should be a file named "msipl.bin".
Step 20: Copy "msipl.bin" into the folder called "msinst" that was extracted from the ZIP file.
Step 21: In the Command Prompt, switch into the "msinst" folder... wherever you put it.
Step 22: Type "msinst X msipl.bin" where X is the drive of your PSP. Do not include the colon. For example, my PSP is connected at O:, so I type "msinst O msipl.bin".

You should see a prompt like this. I guarantee that your stuff will be slightly different; it depends on how your computer is set up, what sort of memory stick you have, and so on. As long as you get the "Are You Sure? [Y]" prompt, you know that the msipl.bin file is OK.

>>> C:psppandoramsinst>msinst O msipl.bin
>>> PSP MS IPL Installer
>>> Load IPL code msipl.bin
>>> 241664 bytes(59 block) readed
>>>
>>> Target DRIVE is 7
>>> Check partation Sector
>>> boot status        0x80
>>> start head         0x05
>>> start sec/cyl    0x0004
>>> partation type     0x06
>>> last head          0x0F
>>> last sec/cyl     0xB7E0
>>> abs sector   0x00000810
>>> ttl sector   0x000767F0
>>> signature        0xAA55
>>> Check BPB Sector
>>> signature        AA55
>>> Check free reserved sector:OK
>>> Write ABS Sector 0x10 to 0x1E7
>>> Are You Sure ?[Y]

Type 'y'.

>>> y

and you should see

>>> Write MS BOOT CODE

That means that you now have a "magic" memory stick.

You're all set!

To unbrick a bricked PSP (this part's a lot easier, I promise):

1. With a working PSP or memory stick reader, copy the firmware 1.50 update file into the root of the "magic" memory stick, namd UPDATE.PBP, just like in step 15 above.
2. Insert the "magic" memory stick.
3. Insert the unbricker battery. Your wifi, memory stick, and power lights should all turn on temporarily, and a menu should appear.
4. Press X. After it checks the update file, you should get another menu.
5. Press X to write Firmware 1.50 onto the PSP.

Visit: [Guide] Unbrick or Downgrade any PSP using the Pandora Battery

Buy: [Sony PSP Battery Pack] Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Digg It!

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59 Comments

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by kermit17 (Unregistered) - 2007-08-24

» msipl.bin

hey i have everything right but i keep getting stuck
cant open msipl.bin wut am i doin wrong

Re: frustrated (Unregistered) - 2007-08-24

» msipl.bin stuck

hey would anyone be willing to share there mem stick files would apriciate it
how bout if some one can rar the files

by ATZ 007 (Unregistered) - 2007-08-24

» updating registry... cannot write system.dreg

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This is the message I get

updating registry... cannot write system.dreg

HELP....

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

by arnookie - 2007-08-24

» Ziped memmory stick pro duo unbricker for people with bricked psp

Ziped memmory stick pro duo unbricker for people with bricked psp.
Would that not be a good idea?
If someone has already made a memmory card with all the pandoras files for unbricking. Then why not just make a zip file that can be dumped to a memmory stick, wich can be used by any psp owner that has no way of making the files themselves ie already bricked or just wanting to downgrade. This way all you would need is the pandoras unbricker battery to unbrick with.
Can someone try this please.
It would be very cool if that would work.
Everyone would just need the unbrick battery and they could download the zip and just use a memmory card reader to transfer files from the zip to memmory card.

Everyone else with a CF or 1.5 psp could then just use the pandora battery software to make a battery and have no need for the rest of the tutorial.

Just a thought!

Re: me (Unregistered) - 2007-08-24

» zipped memory card

good idea. I even tried this kind of by transferring all the data from the 'magic' memory stick to another. But when you do the msinst.exe thing, it writes some kind of special files or somthing that cannot be copied, let alone seen. I also figured out that 256's can't be "magic memory cards" because it kept telling me i had "too small reserved sectors". Someone should just make a REALLY detailed walkthrough or somthing

by arnookie - 2007-08-24

» Zipped memmory card

If a Zipped memmory card can not be used like this, dose that mean we have to dedicate a battery and memmery card for this unbricker to work.
What size memmory card can you use?
would a 32 meg card work? I have a 2 gig card and don`t want to give it up for unbricking. Someone needs to figure out if it would be possible to zip the memmory cards content so we can do as i stated below.

Ziped memmory stick pro duo unbricker for people with bricked psp.
Would that not be a good idea?
If someone has already made a memmory card with all the pandoras files for unbricking. Then why not just make a zip file that can be dumped to a memmory stick, wich can be used by any psp owner that has no way of making the files themselves ie already bricked or just wanting to downgrade. This way all you would need is the pandoras unbricker battery to unbrick with.
Can someone try this please.
It would be very cool if that would work.
Everyone would just need the unbrick battery and they could download the zip and just use a memmory card reader to transfer files from the zip to memmory card.

Everyone else with a CF or 1.5 psp could then just use the pandora battery software to make a battery and have no need for the rest of the tutorial.

Just a thought!

Re: LM (Unregistered) - 2007-08-25

» ...

"would a 32 meg card work?"
I have the same question, can someone answer please

by kermi17 (Unregistered) - 2007-08-24

» im been tryin for about 3 hrs

i keep getting this messege

PSP ms ipl installer
load ipl code msipl.bin
can't opn msipl.bin

what am i doin wrong

by Advertising -

by Mister Common Sense (Unregistered) - 2007-08-24

» WoW!!

This totally rocks!!

by 007 (Unregistered) - 2007-08-24

» cannot write system.dreg

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mine *almost* worked… It said “cannot write system.dreg,” then powered down while it was writing the 1.50 firmware. Now when I turn it on, I get the blue “press O” screen. When I press O, the system resets, and goes right back to the blue “press O” screen. Is anyone else having the same problem? Was it unable to write the system.dreg file for anyone else?

That my PSP shows ANYTHING after being bricked for over a month goes to show the genius of this development. Thank you, thank you, thank you, every member of the Prometheus Project.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Re: kermit17 (Unregistered) - 2007-08-24

» MEM card

how did u get the ipl installed on your card

Re: kermit17 (Unregistered) - 2007-08-24

» hahah

i got it omg the msipl.bin and msinst.exe has to be in the c: directory no folders

by dieavmial (Unregistered) - 2007-08-24

» what it's not working

when i turn my psp on to begin with the screen lights up but no xmb now after the battery and mem stick it does the same thing but i dont get any error messages when i downgrade it any solutions

by FresnoGamer (Unregistered) - 2007-08-24

» Guide Easer

I found the GUIDE in the Forums was easer to understand then this one.

http://forums.qj.net/f-guides-hacks-homebrew-and-emulators-43/t-guide-unbrick-or-downgrade-any-psp-using-the-pandora-battery-118799.html

FresnoGamer

by EVILKARLOS82 (Unregistered) - 2007-08-25

» FRUSTRATING

THIS IS ALL BOLOGNEE !!!! I SWEAR TO MY MOTHER I'VE TRIED EVERY *****ING THING TO FOLLOW THE STEPS AND ALSO DID EVERYTHING AS TOLD ON THE TUTORIAL , THIS IS ALL SO FREGGGGGING COMPLICATED DUE I STILL GET THAT MESSAGE OF ERROR CAN'T READWRITE , I HATE THIS PIECE OF CRAP VISTA COMPUTER , PLEASE NOOBZ , I YOU GUYS EVER READ READ THIS ARTICLE I KNOW THAT THE MSIPL.BIN IS ENCRYPTED AND I ALSO KNOW ABOUT THAT UPDATE FOR TUESDAY WHEN YOU GUYS UNENCRYPT THE MSIPL.BIN SO WE ALL CAN UNBRICK OUR PSP'S , ANYWAYS GOOD JOB GUYS , I WILL DONATE SOME GOOD CASH IF YOU "" UNENCRYPT"" THAT FILE , I COULD UNENCRYPTED BUT I DON'T KNOW THE CODE USED TO ACCESS THE FLASH ON THE MOBO WITHOUT DESTROYING THE VERY OWN IPL ON THE MOBO ITSELF SO GIVE SOME US SOME FEEDBACK ... EVILKARLOS82.... PC PROGRAMMER..

by hmph (Unregistered) - 2007-08-25

» think about it

sumthing u didnt talk about and keeps me hanging, all the add ons eg 1.50 has web browser, rememeber psp slim is has a setting that it only on 3.60, so no tv output? hell am stayin wid ma psp instead of spendin money, i wanted psp slim for tv output
btw
for you ppl who dont kno, psp slim has a special setting for tv output, it isnt just plug it on the tv and play so noobz, plz leak the dumb***ed 3.60 firmware and m33 or wildcard plz make it availible so more games and more

by pfft (Unregistered) - 2007-08-25

» and i forgot

first
if u downgrade it no tv output
cuz 3.60 has a setting that has tv output,
and thats why psp fat doesnt go up to 3.60
and secondly, compare 1.00 and 1.50, difference web browser
same thing with 3.60, tv output, so if it was leaked, then there would be a mod for tv output, so team wildcard or m33 do sumthing bout firmware 3.60
and m33, please dont do the mistake u made

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by dogga (Unregistered) - 2007-08-25

» pls help

hi , could somebody pls tell me what the [ ] signs mean for the pandora battery , i have made the made the pandora battery but now would like top return it to normal mode , but dont no what the symbols mean [ ] in relation to the psp's buttons , new to all this and cant see it posted on forums ,thanks in advance.

Re: natarirox (Unregistered) - 2007-08-25

» []

[] often refers to the square button

by rakusuchan (Unregistered) - 2007-08-25

» mobo

im assuming this will work on all the mobo's of the psp including the newest mobo without applying the patch for 1.5 firmware or anything like that.

by arnookie - 2007-08-25

by METALSLUG921 (Unregistered) - 2007-08-25

» If your having trouble with the

msinst.exe and the msipl.bin

this is what i did
on the command prompt i typed
pandoramsinstmsinst.exe (drive letter)
(drive letter):msipl.bin and i got it to work.

by ATZ 007 (Unregistered) - 2007-08-26

» I’ve don’t it!!!

I’ve unbricked my bricked PSP!!!

All I did is where it says “Copy the Firmware 1.50 update file onto the root of your memory stick”
I just copied 2.71 update instead, and it worked
After I unbricking I just used “Downgrader2.71FULL.exe” to downgrade it to 1.50 then upgrade to 3.52 M33-4.
Hope this help everyone who is suffering, just like I did.

by HELpser234234234 (Unregistered) - 2007-08-28

» please help me remember

how to use dos again to do this. I have completely blocked it all out and forgotten.

by aww crap (Unregistered) - 2007-08-28

» how do u?

can u do it w/o using msinst program

by help (Unregistered) - 2007-08-30

» help me

what those this mean ?

PSP MS IPL Installer
usage: msinst driveletter ipl_block_file

by PimpMatt (Unregistered) - 2007-09-01

» Downgrade Vista

you know you can downgrade Vista. my step dad did it for me when i upgraded to Windows Vista Ultimate. then i was unhappy so he used a disc call Wipe Drive or something like that. and used a other disc to reformat the drive like it was before then i upgraded to Xp again and now im back to home and freshly new! so all files were gone :(

by Advertising -

by caitlin - 2007-09-05

» pandora battery

your guide to setting up for pandora battery is excellent.thankyou very much.

by gooner6t9er (Unregistered) - 2007-09-10

» brick it hard

i think you all take it to much in the bottom!!

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Tutorial: How to unbrick your PSP via Pandora Battery

59 Comments

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