The PSP 'scene' is having some of its best times lately, what with the recent deluge of downgraders, and one of the most awesome pieces of homebrew, Devhook. And guess what? Booster has just raised the bar with his latest incarnation of Devhook. Apparently, the latest release supports 2.71 reboot. Or in other words, 2.71 Emulation! Now that we're caught up, the ball is in Sony's court!

Here's a small guide on how to get it running:

1. Download Devhook 0.44 and put everything on the memory stick as usual.
2. Download the 2.71 Firmware update from our site.
3. Open the EBOOT.PBP with PBP Unpacker or a similar application and extract the DATA.PSAR file.
4. Put the DATA.PSAR in the root of the memory stick. (Not in any folder)
   
5. Run the included Devhook installer on the PSP (install flash0 and flash1).
6. Extract Devhook 0.44 again and overwrite everything in the dh folder (its going to be a couple of .txt files which include the path for the prx's)
7. Use the 2.71 Decrypter to obtain your own copy of a decrypted reboot.bin file, or make use of Google to find one online
   
8. Place reboot.bin in ms0:dh1reboot.bin

For a more detailed guide, check out the Devhook Tutorial on our Forums!

Now you can enjoy all that the latest PSP firmware has to offer on your 1.50 PSP - including the flash-enabled PSP Web Browser! Want the rest of the world to know about one of the greatest PSP conquests yet? Be sure to Digg it!

Download: [Devhook 0.44]
Download: [PBP Unpacker v0.94]
View : [Forum Discussion Thread]

After a couple of quick and timely bug fixes to v0.42, Booster has now released version 0.43 of his very popular and useful device hook. Now this version allows you to launch another firmware version, up to 2.60, and use almost all of its features, including use of the web browser and LocationFree player, and the ability to run UMDs that require firmware version 2.60. The firmware remains loaded in the PSP's RAM, so after a simple reboot of your PSP, it will return to firmware version 1.5 like magic.

With that, we come to what this post is really all about, the V0.42b -> V0.43 changelog (courtesy of QJ.Net's trusty Jeff C.):

- FW2.60 reboot supported (A part of the installer is not supported yet).
- It is now possible for users to specify the load address for rebooting.
- UMD read callback changed from 1 sector to multiple sectors.
- The return value of dhGetVersion() changed from 0x00420002 to 0x00430000.
- Now DevHook will be started when starting the launcher.
- Launcher modified, 0.42b/0.43 new settings, menu construction, display layout.
- Plain20.prx and plain25.prx now unified into plain2x.prx.
- Append to stack when performing flashEMU.
- Added a shortcut key for exiting DevHook when rebooted.
- Fixed a bug in v0.42b that you cannot set the clock.

Of course, Devhook, like every homebrew projects around, is a work in progress. The evolution of this awesome piece of work can be seen by clicking here. Here's a list of issues Booster is looking into fixing come Devhook's next release:

- NO-UMD for FW2.00
- NAND driver emulation

I don't think I really need to reiterate the importance of this post, a quick look will give you that. But for the sake of the new owners of FW 1.50 (those who just downgraded their 2.50/2.60 PSPs), this version will now give you the full enjoyment of playing UMDs that require 2.60, browse the web, and run homebrew applications, games, and emulators on your PSP!

Update: There indeed was a fix for Devhook 0.43 released. This update provides WiFi in 333mhz mode. the features of the web browser AND RSS. Let's not forget the addition of a working home button. We have updated the download provided below. Thanks to CoBrA2168 and others for the tip. ;)

Download: [Devhook v0.43 Source Code] (fix)

Note: For those of you who were quick enough to catch a brief glimpse of an update (not the fix), the file was indeed fake and a copy of BookR - check out the on going thread in our forums for more details.


Update 2: There has been some concerns from various users that the latest devhook version damages some files loaded on the memory stick; well as always, Booster has a quick fix to that. In this latest release, a countermeasure was created to prevent that from happening. (Thanks to TrueCrisis for the heads up.) There are other changes which are:

- Carried out a countermeasure to prevent damaging the files on memory stick.
- Return value of dhGetVersion() changed from 0x00430000 to 0x00430100.
- Source code cleanup.

Download: [Devhook v04.31]

UPDATE 3: Booster is once again releasing a quick update to his devhook app, this time he aims to fix the browser freeze experienced by quite a good number of people who tried the previous releases. Here's the list of the changes for this version:

- Increase stack number when accessing files > The countermeasure for browser freeze under FW2.60-333MHz.
- Clock changes will take effect after 5 seconds > The countermeasure for the problem that cannot return to XMB at 333MHz.
* Version code will be omitted from the future versions.

Download: [Devhook V0.43.0101]

Dark_Alex has released yet another breakthrough in the quest of PSP firmware supremacy! He has just released his 2.7X PRXDecrypter application, which does exactly what it sounds like. It can decrypt PSP firmwares that previously couldn't be decrypted such as 2.7. Dark_Alex has only tested it on 2.71m, but the test came out successful, so you can bet on it working for firmwares 2.6 and 2.70.

Just like Dark_Alex's other programs 2 PSPs are needed, a 1.5 PSP and a PSP running firmware 2.6. Here's the instructions on how to use it:

1.50 part

1. Copy __SCE__psar_dump2 and %__SCE__psar_dump2 to /PSP/GAME/ in the memory stick.
2. Get the DATA.PSAR of the EBOOT.PBP of the update you want to decrypt (2.71 for example) and put it in the root of your memory stick
3. Start the program.
   

This is simply a psardump (PSpPet) mod that will dump the firmware ENCRYPTED to /F0 and with the correct paths.

2.60 part

1. Be sure you have the F0 folder with the ENCRYPTED dump obtained in the 1.50 part.
2. Copy prxdecrypt27X to /PSP/GAME/ and start the program with the eLoader.
3. The memory stick will flash for some time. When it finishes to flash, restart the PSP.
   

You'll now have the decrypted firmware in a new created folder: /FD

So, what does this mean for homebrew? Well, it could lead to an exploit being found in firmware 2.7 if there is one present. I am in no way saying that there is one or this will lead to homebrew on 2.7 so please do not jump to conclusions. It could also lead to 1.5 users being able to launch firmwares 2.6 and 2.7/2.71 on DevHook; so stay tuned to PSPupdates!

Download: [2.7X PRXDecrypter]

After showcasing the Undiluted Platinum Packaging and Components yesterday a reader going by the name "France World Cup Champion!" posted a link to a video that was quite striking. Without getting ahead of ourselves, this video shows us the Epsilon Bios flashed onto the Undiluted Platinum Modchip. Similar to the massive compatibility that is enabled when using Devhook, the prototype modchips were sent out to the team in order to test for possibilities in making a custom bios which would allow multiple firmware features without the need for switching firmware (or reflashing).

Starting off simply enough, as most PSP videos do, we go through the standard motions of showing what firmware the PSP is running [ 2.71 ]. Then we move over to the games menu and boot Loco Roco off the Memory Card. I'm sure I dont have to mention this but this was not possible previously on any firmware above 1.50. We see the game boot up to the main screen flawlessly and then quit back to the main PSP menu by pressing Home and accepting the changes. Notice the Epsilon logo in the top left corner.

Next very calmly scrolling down to select Attack of the Mutants [AOTM], a homebrew game which won awards at one of our past PSP Homebrew Competitions. This homebrew also boots up without a hitch. Note here that it would appear other applications and homebrew display without any corrupt icons that some 1.5 users have gotten use to.

Finally quitting back to the main menu we scroll down to Me and My Katamari. A quick click the game loads up (dare I say faster then it does on my 1.5 via Devhook?) We see the menu screen flash quickly and show the main menu for Me and My Katamari. With a quick flip the PSP is turned over and we see that there is no UMD in the drive.

Epsilon Bios and Undiluted Platinum combine for the ultimate PSP homebrew experience.

With the development of this custom Epsilon firmware, frankly we here at QJ are all really excited. Finally we can announce that  all users will be able to play ALL homebrew regardless of what firmware came installed originally on their PSP, (or if their "little brother" upgraded it while they were gone). It should be noted that there is one PSP version that is incompatible  at this time, however the Undiluted Platinum team is working to solve this issue so keep your eyes and ears tuned to QJ for your latest dose.

Please view our modchip compatibility guide to make sure your PSP is compatible with the new Undiluted Platinum modchip.

Well, after the 2.71 news update, we finally have the 2.7 upgrade EBOOT available for download. We've already documented the new features in the earlier article. I'll still just go thru the new 'features' if you can call them that.

• Game demos like Loco Roco and Kazuo can be downloaded and stored on Memory Stick
• Some fixes related to Location Free Base Players (LF-B1 and LF-X11)

I'll say it even though most of you guys know it. Homebrew doesn't run on 2.70 and above currently. Period. If you upgrade your PSP, you're doing it at your own discretion. Secondly, this new upgrade doesn't mean that there was an exploit in 2.7. If you're thinking it is so, stop.

In case you're hell bent of getting rid of homebrew on your PSP, go ahead and download the update. After saving the EBOOT.PBP file, make a UPDATE folder in the PSP folder of the Memory Stick, and put the file in there. And yes, before upgrading, remember to say bye-bye to homebrew.

Download Link : [PSP 2.71 Upgrade Software]

The latest software update (Japan only) will now allow PSP owners to use the Internet Browser to download demo version of games to their memory stick. Aside from Loco Roco, Kazuo is the first game to make use of this feature. The demo of this Sudoku game will require 6MB of free space. Download the game via the Japan Playstation site and place it in the memory stick under PSPGAMEUCJS10036.

Since it will require v2.71 firmware, I doubt many - or no - American gamers will be able to try their hands on this 100-puzzled game. If you really want to test how Kazuo plays and is up for a firmware upgrade, then a little patience and an American system update may *soon* come your way.

System software update for the Japanese PSP v2.71 has recently been announced by Sony Computer Entertainment Japan. The changelog for the update:

Network

>[Internet Browser] can now be used to download demo version of games to memory stick.

Available demo games are:

• Loco Roco
• Kazuo

>[LocationFree Player] now displays correct image when selecting the external tuner.

• This affects users using LocationFree base station model LF-B1 (North America/Taiwan/Korea model) and LF-X11 (North America model). To know your hardware model number, just check you user manual.
• LocationFree base station models for Japan/Europe are not affected.

>The icon "Goto Network Service" has been added into the "Network" column.


Please be reminded that only the Japanese version is available. So as always, the system update available in the Japan site comes with that compulsory warning:

CAUTION: This update is only for customers who obtained PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) for Japan (PSP-1000 series). Upon completion of preparing and we will announce update information for the other countries/areas customers via SCE Group Web Site or other channels. For these customers who obtained PSP® in the other countries/areas and please DO NOT update PSP® through this web site. There are no guarantee of proper operation of the other PSP®.

WARNING: HOMEBREW WILL NOT WORK ON ANY FIRMWARE ABOVE 2.70, INCLUDING THIS NEW 2.71 UPDATE! IF YOU INSTALL THIS UPDATE, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE ANY HOMEBREW!!!

Thanks to everyone who submitted this!

More pictures after the Jump!