Posted Sep 26, 2006 at 08:05PM by Chris L. Listed in: Homebrew Applications Tags: XMB, modchip, Epsilon BIOS, FileAssistant
Ó

Epsilon BIOS 1.1


For modchip users, Djhg2000 from our forums offers two ways to enable and customize Wi-Fi on Epsilon BIOS: The hard way and the easy way. Yeah, you're going to want the easy way first, wouldn't you?

The easy (well, easier) way is to use his Epsilon BIOS Wi-Fi editor, downloadable from the link below. Instructions are included in the package (please read them!), but this will require the user - meaning you guys - to finalize the result with fixupdreg2.exe, which is NOT included in the package. And we're not including it, for the obvious reasons. That last step is up to you.

On the other hand, there's the hard way.

It requires the full article to display all the instructions.

Download: [Epsilon BIOS Wi-Fi Editor]
Discuss: [Forum Thread]

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Posted Sep 18, 2006 at 06:51PM by Myra M. Listed in: Mods, Videos Tags: Undiluted Platinum, modchip, Epsilon BIOS
Ó

We at QJ pay much attention to our readers. Believe it or not, we actually heed your requests, comments and all other stuff that you send us. Well, one of our readers, Jordan just sent us a treat via mail. It's a video of his USB mod for the Undiluted Platinum modchip. We admit that the video's not that crystal-clear, but we're pretty sure you can make out Jordan's crafty mod.

Hmmm... the UP modchip. We're guessing that you got that for the nifty Epsilon BIOS v1.1. And who wouldn't? The Epsilon BIOS works somewhat as a "bootloader" and "piggybacks" real firmware from the real flash. Sounds interesting don't you think? Of course it's stored in the UP modchip, so you gotta get that first to load Epsilon on your PSP.

But enough of that. Why don't you check out the video below? And if you got more interesting stuff to share with us, don't hesitate to give us the heads-up. We'll sure appreciate it.




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Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 11:38AM by Pranav T Listed in: Firmware, Hacks & Exploits, Mods, News Tags: BIOS, XMB, Undiluted Platinum, modchip, Epsilon BIOS
Ó

Epsilon BIOS v1.1


Just a few days into its first release, the Epsilon BIOS core has been updated to v1.1. For those who don't know, Epsilon was and still is one of the most compelling reasons to buy the Undiluted Platinum modchip.

Apart from fixing problems in their ISO loader, the only new update is in the form of a bugfix. In their own words, "Fixed a bug which made it impossible to remove game saves from XMB." And while we do not support the use of pirated backups, as a news source, we feel obligated to inform Undiluted Platinum owners that compatibility issues with several games has been resolved, although there are still titles which do not work properly.

For obvious copyright reasons, we can't give out the file here. Please do not give out links in the comments. Offenders will be banned. Please contact your modchip dealer.

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Posted Jul 23, 2006 at 11:26AM by Pranav T Listed in: Firmware, Hacks & Exploits, Mods, News, Opinions & Analysis Tags: BIOS, Undiluted Platinum, modchip, 2.71 Firmware, Epsilon BIOS, Custom Firmware
Ó

Epsilon BIOS


After a lot of hype, some skepticism, and a lot of fanfare, the Epsilon BIOS is finally released. Billed as one of the true Custom Firmwares, and one of the main reasons to buy the Undiluted Platinum modchip, it has quite a feature set. Among other things, it supports homebrew right on 2.71. We didn't have a modchipped PSP at the QJ labs to test it out, but given some of the early reviews coming out, it does seem to do its work quite well.

Here are some of its features:
  1. Runs alongside 2.71 firmware, so you get all the features of 2.71 such as RSS feeds, web browser etc combined with the advantages of homebrew software and ISO loading.
  2. Allows execution of homebrew software in kernel mode, removing all limits previously in place while running homebrew on firmware versions above 1.50.
  3. Built-in recovery menu which can be used to to update your Epsilon BIOS installation or restore your PSP flash contents if it becomes "bricked".
  4. Ultra reliable, near transparent UMD emulation allowing users to run their backups from a Memory Stick with ease, including games which require 2.0+ firmware without rebuilding the backup or relying on nasty hacks.

An excerpt from the User Manual:

"Epsilon BIOS can be compared to a "bootloader". It is stored on the U.P. flash memory and executed when your PSP is powered on. Once Epsilon BIOS is running it loads and "piggybacks" the real firmware from the PSP flash. Currently only 2.71 firmware is supported, you must upgrade your PSP onboard firmware to 2.71 in order to use Epsilon BIOS. If you attempt to boot Epsilon BIOS with an unsupported firmware version you will be taken to the recovery menu where you can upgrade the PSP firmware. The great thing about Epsilon BIOS is that since the "bootloader" always runs before the real firmware we can apply whatever patches are necessary to disable whatever protection Sony tries to add in the future, making a U.P. modified PSP using Epsilon BIOS very future proof."


While the feature set definitely sounds impressive, I'll be the first to stick my neck out and say that it still doesn't have enough to 'force' everyone to buy a modchip, unless they're stuck on 2.7+ firmware.

If this was a few months ago, I would have easily pestered myself to buy one of them chips, but looking at the really great programming coming out in the last few weeks, I'm not so sure now. Apart from the only advantage of loading kernel mode homebrew in 2.71, it doesn't offer any feature which the homebrew community haven't got already.

But then again, let this not be a bad review. I am personally looking forward to the stuff which they can offer in the future. I do understand that given the minimal time frame they had to make this, they have really done a great job of packaging it all together. I'm sure that given a substantial amount of time, these guys can accomplish a lot of really great things, for the simple reason that they can work with a lot of hardware which will aid them.

Unfortunately, we can't give it out since it does contain a large portion of the official Sony firmware. If you have a modchip and haven't yet received your copy of Epsilon BIOS, please contact your modchip dealer.

Download: [The Epsilon BIOS User Manual]

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Posted Jul 19, 2006 at 08:02AM by Karen R. Listed in: Firmware, Hacks & Exploits Tags: BIOS, nand, Undiluted Platinum, modchip, Epsilon BIOS
Ó



The Undiluted Platinum fact sheet may have branded the modchip as a PSP owner's dream come true, but it also admits that it would be a better investment if Team Epsilon delivers their custom flash replacement Epsilon BIOS. Now we have all been promised that the Epsilon BIOS is indeed coming. We were even shown a video of the custom bios flashed onto the U.P. modchip. Pretty believable video, but some still can't help but shout, "Fake!"

Now burnmp3s wrote QJ (thanks!), informing us of an Epsilon BIOS v1.0 review, video, picture, and manual making the rounds of the netvine. Wanting to share these with you guys, we quickly checked out the goods. The review was there - although in my book, it hardly qualifies as a "review" as it never gave a critical overview of the bios, just a simple "I also unbricked a PSP with the "Restore onboard NAND" function and YES it really works!!" statement after a quick recap of what the Epsilon BIOS can do; so were the manual and picture of the recovery menu (shown above).

The manual (which you can check out in the Full Article) provides installation procedures, steps on unbricking a PSP, and running a homebrew for an Epsilon Bios-enabled PSP. It educates users that Epsilon has two parts: bootloader and BIOS. The manual reads further, "The bootloader is flashed to UP memory once, then to install or update the BIOS the bootloader recovery menu is used. You shouldn't need to flash via the UP tool again once the bootloader has been initially installed, making things easier for customers."

With all these new info on Epsilon, dare we hope that the custom bios is indeed nearing its release? Well, as they say, good things come to those who wait. Let's just hope that the PSP community's patience will soon yield a good thing dubbed "The Epsilon BIOS".

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Posted Jul 16, 2006 at 10:30AM by Karen R. Listed in: Hacks & Exploits, Mods, Reviews Tags: BIOS, psp modchip, Undiluted Platinum, modchip, Epsilon BIOS
Ó

U.P. Reviewed


It wasn't such a pretty picture: PSP owners rejoicing at the fact that they can play games without having to pay for them thanks to the smart minds of homebrew developers and Sony trying to quash these creative geniuses' products by improving their official firmware security making it impossible (or should that be 'almost impossible'?) to run homebrew on their handheld console. Add to that messy picture the fact that some of the best games now does a forced auto firmware check, requiring an unexpolited firmware to run original UMD cartridges.

Since the whole scene was leaving the PSP owners and developers a bit (?) jaded, we cannot exactly blame them for rejoicing at every bit of development that allowed later firmwares to play homebrew - eLoader, downdater, etc. The eLoader, however, was not a really stable platform for allowing homebrew on all PSP firmware revisions, while the downdater removes all privileges higher firmware versions have. Which leads us to looking hopefully at the one solution that promised to permit running of homebrew on newer PSP versions plus allowing features of the official firmware to be enjoyed at the same time - Team Epislon's Undiluted Platinum.

Of course, when the Undiluted Platinum (U.P.) was first announced, the PSP scene was skeptic. How can such a beautiful piece exist? Is perfection really possible in this lifetime? Apparently not...because U.P. is nowhere near perfect (as this review will reveal)...but it does exist. Believe it - it has arrived.

Read the full article after the jump!




Admin Note: There seems to have been confusion on the part of our reader base. Many users have accused this article of plagiarising the work of another site. This is not true. The information and images contained in this "review" was mailed out by the modchip makers as a Press Packet to many online sources. This is why many parts of this article are identical to other sites' reports. There was no plagiarism involved and what was done with this article is standard procedure for any official press release.

This should serve as wake-up call to many of our commenters who are quick to judge - its best not to get up on a soap box and make accusations unless you have all the information and know what's going on. Remember the old adage about assuming...


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Posted Jun 23, 2006 at 08:28PM by Jamie M. Listed in: Firmware, Mods, News, Videos Tags: Undiluted Platinum, Epsilon BIOS, DevHook
Ó

Epsilon Bios


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.

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Posted Jun 03, 2006 at 04:40PM by Rica M. Listed in: Hacks & Exploits, Homebrew Applications, Rumors Tags: Undiluted Platinum, 2.71 Firmware, UMD ISO, Epsilon BIOS
Ó

Undiliuted PlatinumHell, yeah it's good!

That's if this turns out to be true, as there are many hesitant members in our forums (follow the PSP Hacks Forum Thread below) about this Flash replacement for the PSP. But no matter how dubious this "news" seems, we'll still give you the details of this custom flash replacement for the PSP.

The team developing the Epsilon BIOS custom replacement flash is claiming that this program will allow PSP owners to use homebrew software, run UMD ISO games from the memory stick on the latest firmware releases including the 2.71 firmware update, and still enjoy the built-in features to the OS such as WMA support and RSS feeds, among other things.

The Epsilon BIOS team can't release this program yet as they are still fixing some bugs and are still finalizing the modifications they made with the custom replacement flash that's been made to work with Undiluted Platinum (you need this to be installed in your PSP to use the Epsilon BIOS).

Features if this program in development include:

  • ability to launch homebrew software from the memory stick;
  • kernel mode access for software requiring this app;
  • support for 1.0 and 1.5 EBOOTs;
  • simple UMD ISO loading; and,
  • has own compressed ISO format.

The team developing this program stated that they will be releasing a video of the Epsilon BIOS working in the coming days. The release of this depends on how long it will take them to resolve some problems with the application.

If this isn't just a hoax, we're all in for a treat. So I'm hoping it really isn't.

Follow [PSP Hacks Forum Thread]

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