A new update for Dark AleX's custom firmware for the PlayStation Portable has arrived with CFW 3.90 M33-2. The latest build improves much of the plugins since the previous version as well as adds in a couple of patches specifically for the PSP Slim & Lite. For more information, you can view the changelog in the full article.

Download: CFW 3.90 M33-2

Mathieulh has responded to recent issues in the PSP homebrew development scene. Along the way, we are treated to some updates about the release of Dark AleX's PSP CFW 3.80 M33. Turns out that the previous announcement of the release was nothing but a rumor (it's still coming though, so don't worry).

More than this, Math raises a couple of points about the PSP scene that we want all of you guys to hear of. Read more of his public statement in the full article.

Heads up, homebrew developers! We've just received word that homebrew giant Booster has released a software development kit (SDK) for the PSP's IPL code.

From what we've seen so far, the SDK is a basic model that allows users to work original codes without the need for the SCE OS on one's PSP. It includes a basic library of readme files that'll help people understand what the SDK is all about, as well as some example code (raw IPL code examples and boot code examples for MS MultiLoader) for homebrew developers to work on as they see fit.

Homebrew developers will definitely want to check this code out to see how it can help them develop their own PSP applications, though we warn you that it's highly technical. That being said though, enjoy the new SDK.

Download: SDK for PSP IPL

As much as we all want to hear that the new PlayStation Portable batteries Sony's dishing out can be converted to Pandora, it can't. Fanjita informs us via the Noobz site that the new Sony PSP batteries are Pandora-proof.

Fanjita got his Sony PSP-110 battery (the fat PSP's original batt) recently from Amazon, and it seems Sony's been doing some patching, making it hard to be successfully converted to the ultimate universal PSP unbricker from Noobz and C+D. The homebrew coder says that even flashing an EEPROM image shows lots of errors when using the new battery.

So far, dev says that the only difference of this new Sony PSP battery from the older versions is that this was made in Japan, while the older ones were made in China. But the Pandora-proof batteries shouldn't be a problem for the homebrew users. Fanjita suggests that we get new large capacity batteries to use as a regular battery and the just use the original battery that came with the PSP for Pandora. Or we can also use the multi-IPL loader from Booster so our Pandora batteries can also become our primary batteries. He goes on to warn us that we shouldn't buy new Sony PSP batteries if we're intending to convert it to Pandora. Nice guy.

For those of you planning to unbrick your PSPs (assuming you still haven't done that or have just had your PSP bricked) using the Pandora, you can familiarize yourself on the how-tos with the easy-to-follow tutorial from FreePlay.

After a long hiatus, homebrew developer Booster is back with a very useful application called the PSP MS Multiloader IPL. This software allows users to boot PlayStation Portable units normally while using the unbricker Pandora's battery.

This means that batteries used to unbrick systems are no longer simply diagnostic tools, but fully functional batteries as well. With this, the handheld doesn't go straight into service mode but gives people the option to boot up normally.

It does the trick by simply choosing from the IPLs found on the memory stick. Aside from that, another major features of this homebrew is that it generally doesn't need mspformat, making it easier for less tech savvy users to install and use it.

Booster included a comprehensive Readme.txt file which details how to install and use the program. Go over it before doing anything to avoid any problems.

Download: PSP MS Multiloader IPL
Visit: QJ PSP Development Forum

While the Noobz's Pandora's Battery unbricker is a definite godsend, the problem is that creating this tool means you'll be needing to lug around two batteries with you. Now, in case you're a little cash-strapped to buy a spare, we've picked up word on a tool that could help, courtesy of developer Booster. (Now there's a homebrew giant we haven't heard from in a while...)

Mathieulh reports that the coder has released an IPL code that, when properly installed in your target Memory Stick, will allow you to "boot PSP normally with pandora's battery" (i.e. booting up the XMB menu).

Some users online have already confirmed that this works, however there seem to be some problems with the reset function. For those who are wondering, Booster also gives us a hint of what to expect soon: "The multi_boot_loader which does boot any IPL by buttons select comes soon."

Full usage instructions are available in the file bundle's readme. Teh Luxx0rsz's discussion thread at QJ.NET's PSP Development Forums is also a good place to pick up additional details.

Download: Normal boot loader for Pandora's Battery
Visit: QJ.NET's PSP Development Forum

ManiacX has released the PSP Easy Disassembler, which is a GUI for Booster's PSP disassembling program.

For those who don't know what this does, a disassembler is a computer program that translates the machine language in a file or program into the assembly language used to create it. Programmers use it mostly for reverse-engineering purposes. That being said, it's not going to be the kind of homebrew that laymen will be able to use.

ManiacX notes, however, that there's a chance he might include this in the next release of CSP Development Studio, so programmers should keep their fingers crossed for that. Other than that, please remember that you'll need .Net Framework 2.0 for this app to run.

Download: PSP Easy Disassembler
Download: .Net Framework 2.0
Visit: PSP Development Forums

 

After almost two months of no releases, Booster has come out today with a brand new release of Devhook, v0.52.0100. While there aren't any new exciting features in the latest release, the main difference is the ability to boot Firmware 3.11 from Firmware 1.50. While I've preferred to stay with Dark_AleX's OE releases, I know quite a few people who would rather stay at FW 1.50, probably for nostalgia sake. The changes are so minor that there aren't any new changes in the Devhook files itself, just a new folder called 311 in the dh folder.

Once downloaded, extract the contents of the MS_ROOT/dh folder into the already existing dh folder in the root of your Memory Stick. This means that if you don't have an older version of Devhook on your Memory Stick, the upgrade files are useless. For that reason, here's a link to the previous version.

Installing the previous version is as simple as following the instructions on the linked page. Then, just dump Firmware 3.11 using the dumper here, using the previous devhook's firmware dumping instructions as a reference. Once it is dumped, just move the dump to the proper folder inside the dh folder and extract this devhook's new files in there.

Download: [Devhook v0.52.0100]

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UPDATE - Thanks to your comments, we found out that for some reason, the download link is broken. Anyhow, it's already fixed so go ahead and download it from here. We apologize for that snafu.

Out of the blue, Dark_AleX has once again released the latest update to his 3.03 Open Edition custom firmware. And this one's a major upgrade, which means that you will have to install it the long way. And yes, the feature list has been beefed up again, with a lot of new things and updates. Without further ado, here's what's changed in the latest version:

• AVC videos bitrate limit patched. The firmware limited the bitrate of avc videos to only 768 Kbps. OE now forces the limit to be 16384 Kbps. (Note: this doesn't mean than the psp can handle such a high bitrate, this means than they won't show error. I don't know which is the real maximum bitrate than the psp can handle at full speed)
• Speed of OE boot is now ~3 seconds faster than previous versions. (without plugins)
• CPU speed of XMB can now be changed.
• Wifi can now work at 333 Mhz!
• Added access to flash 0 and 1 via usb in the recovery menu, based on the great idea of USBSSS by Booster. Note that writing is enabled, so this is intended only for advanced users that know what they are doing in each moment.(It is not a great idea to change anything from the kd folder). Because of this addition, the rest of flashing options were removed.
• PSP isos can now be deleted as any normal memstick games. (also the size of the iso now shows fine when you press triangle->information).
• When formatting memory stick, GAME150, GAME303 and ISO directories will be automatically created!
• Changes in internal HEN core:
• If a EBOOT.PBP with a plain DATA.PSP had a data.psar, modulemgr took as size of the executable the size of data.psp+data.psar. Fixed. (this fix enables psx games to have plain data.psp without causing a memory error).
• Added a couple of patches found by Tyranid. One allows syscalls instructions to be used in kernel mode without causing a crash. The other allows sceKernelQueryModuleInfo to work with sceInit and previous modules.

And this is just the stuff in the actual firmware. Dark_AleX has also updated the popstation with the following things:

• The writing is now a bit different. This will avoid "Memory stick blinking too much" bug when using the plugin to load the 3.02 pops.
• popstation now lets the use of non-encrypted DATA.PSP. If data.psp is in the same directory as the app, popstation will use that as the DATA.PSP of the eboot.pbp. Otherwise, it will use the one from BASE.PBP. A DATA.PSP that imitates the original sony one is included.
• EBOOT.PBP generated with a non encrypted data.psp won't need the file KEYS.BIN at all. (Note: these EBOOT.PBP cannot work in versions prior to 3.03 OE-C due to a bug that those versions had.)

Since this is a major update, you have to do the full update by generating a DATA.DXAR using the OEUPDMAKER and then using that DXAR and flashing it using the 303oeflasher in the archive. Please refer to the readme for the full instructions. As always, please be careful with this mod. Since it modifies your PSP's flash0, there is a minor chance of bricking. Neither Dark_AleX, nor QJ.NET can be held responsible if something happens to your PSP as a result of flashing this firmware. With that said, here's the download.

Download Link: [Dark_AleX's 3.03 OE-C Custom Firmware]

As we have been saying from the get go, one of the things you'll appreciate about the PSP homebrew scene is that devs -  they may be novices, experts, or journeymen - are almost always willing to lend a helping hand to those who are still a bit uncomfortable about installing certain PSP applications. A good example of that was when DarK_Alex released his latest custom firmwares, if you can recall different devs shared with us their PopStation GUIs. Now, we turn our attention to homebrew developer Tariq.

Tariq passed by our forums recently to share with us a compiled installer of Booster's marvelous creation, DevHook v0.52. He mentions that this compiled creation would install version firmware 3.03 and is especially made for those people who don't know how to install DevHook 0.52.

To use this, all you have to do is run the .exe file and put it to your PSP's root directory. It's that simple, right? Now on to the download, the file size is around 17.5 MB and it is in zip form. So with that, we thank Tariq for his efforts and we hope to hear from him again soon.

Download: [DevHook 0.52 Installer with Firmware 3.03]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]