Users of the UPMSInstaller will be very glad to know that The U.P.M.S. Team, a group of homebrew coders who owns the project, has just released version 4 of the application. There have been many changes since the last build so you may want to check out the full article for the complete details.


Download: UPMSInstaller v4

Tommy1994! has posted about a 3.71M33 to 1.50 downgrade procedure on the QJ.NET PSP Development Forums. The cool thing about this downgrade procedure is that it works even without using the Pandora Battery.

This downgrade procedure by Samhain reportedly works for PlayStation Portable units that have TA-079 and TA-082 motherboards. You'll need an original firmware 1.50 file to make it run. This particular file isn't included in the download below so you'll have to go find one for yourself.

Please keep in mind that this has only been tested on TA-079 and TA-082 PSPs so far. For instructions on how to use it, please click on the Visit link below as the download doesn't have a readme file.

Download: DOWNGRADE371M33 by Samhain
Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development Forums thread

Homebrew developer lupus (also known as lps on the QJ.NET PSP Development Forums) has released version 2 of XMB Theme Manager. This app, which is based on luizlizard's own XMB Theme Manager, lets you change your PSP's XMB theme quickly and with minimal hassle.

Here's some info on this app, straight from lupus' post on our forums:

• App for fast changing XMB style of your PSP.
• XMBTMv2 don't flash any files to F0 (use Custom XMB plug-in from Alien2) – NO MORE BRICKS with wrong theme
• Unlimited themes supported.
• Fully tested on my PSP 1004 TA-082 3.52M33-2

Those who want to try it out on a PSP Slim should note that the developer hasn't tested it on that particular Sony product yet. Lupus does mention, however, that those who want to can try it using the eLoader for 3.60M33. And don't forget: check out the readme file included in the download before you install and use this app.

Download: XMB Theme Manager v2.0
Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development Forums thread

Chilly Willy says hello to the PSP Slim & Lite with an update to the KeyCleaner homebrew application. This little baby's gotten quite a number of version updates for the past few days. Now, it's clocked up the v1.4 with the following changes:

• adds key 0x45 to the list of keys it'll fix
• creates missing keys before fixing them
• properly identifies and analyzes the PSP Slim

A lot of PSP users find this application helpful since it allows you to take a look at the status of your IdStorage. It allows you to dump some old keys, and gives you the opportunity to nuke out any problems that downgrading your PSP (TA-082/86 only though) may have caused.

More notes by the developer are fleshed out in the readme file included. Be sure to take a look at it if you aren't familiar with this application yet. You might also want to check out Chilly Willy's other application, the IDStorage Manager homebrew app.

Download: KeyCleaner v1.4

  

Homebrew developer Hellcat has informed us that version 0.8 of the WIP application Extended Pandora Bootmenu has just been released over at the QJ.NET PSP Development Forum. In case you missed our last article about this, take note that the program can help you with Noobz and C+D's Pandora's Battery.

In a nutshell, Hellcat's application adds a menu to a Pandora memory stick aside from other features that should make things a bit easier. The last build we had for Extended Pandora Bootmenu was version 0.6, so here are the changelogs for versions 0.7 and 0.8 directly from the coder himself:

• v0.7:
• Enhanced compatibility for programs launched with access to the real flash0:/
• sceKernelLoadModule gets patched to load all modules from ms0:/ instead of flash0:/, so even with flash emulation/redirection disabled the applications are able to load additional modules
• Finished CFW installer support
• You can now launch a CFW installer straight from the Pandora boot and install the CFW, without the need to go to 1.50 first (I tested with installing 3.52-M33 over an original Sony 3.52 and a totally bricked PSP - should work with any other combination as well.) This function takes care of formatting and installing a proper IPL! The IPL flashed is the custom IPL that eliminates the need for patching TA-082/086 PSP to run 1.50/CFW.
• v0.8:
• Fixed the bug introduced in 0.7 that creating flash1:/ directories might fail
• USB access function implemented
• You can now enable USB access to MemStick, Flash0, and Flash1 straight from the menu to perform whatever file operation you have in mind.
• A neat gimmick is that it shows you what kind of transfer is currently done (read or write) and how many KB you have transferred so far

Extended Pandora Bootmenu v0.8 comes with comprehensive Readme.txt files that should provide you  with the necessary information for installing and using the program.

Download: Extended Pandora Bootmenu v0.8
Visit: QJ PSP Development Forum

With Fanjita's promise fulfilled, PSP owners who don't want to walk the FW 3.50 path to salvation can take the direct approach now. Owners with messed up IDStorages will also have the opportunity to patch theirs up. But of course, with all things great comes certain issues: Not everyone is blessed with the ability to master delicate procedures from the get-go. So enter Adiuvo and his comprehensive guide to downgrading your FW 3.11 PSP.

All you will need are the essentials: a PlayStation Portable stuck on firmware 3.11 (no matter what board it's packing), a standard issue USB cable for connectivity, a memory stick with a minimum capacity of 128 MB, plus a U.S. or European version of Lumines. Files are already provided via the download links below, with inclusion of the 3.11 firmware for those who have yet to update to FW 3.11.

Get ready for a self-satisfying downgrade session at the full article!

Download: PSP Firmware 3.11
Download: PSP Firmware 1.50 File (EBOOT) North America
Download: HEN/Downgrader for FW 3.11
Visit: [GUIDE] 3.11 Downgrader

A little over a week ago, homebrew dev Chilly Willy released version 1.2 of KeyCleaner. Today, the dev upgraded the homebrew application to version 1.3, which sports a number of fixes from the previous version and other changes.

Basically, KeyCleaner is a PSP application that enables you to see the state of the IdStorage on your Sony PSP. It also allows for dumping keys when necessary and fixes certain problems caused by old downgraders, TA-082/86. For version 1.3, the following changes were made:

• Fixes a few things found in v1.2
• Fixes more individual keys
• Adds cleaning to TA-079/81 PSPs
• Allows unpatching key 5
• Allows the color scheme to be changed

Check out the Readme file that comes with the download for installation and other pertinent information.

Oodles of thanks goes to CJ for the heads up!

Download: KeyCleaner v1.3

Chilly Willy has just released the newest version of the homebrew application, KeyCleaner version 1.2. KeyCleaner is an app that shows the state of the IdStorage in your Sony PSP, and makes corrections to common problems caused by the old downgraders (TA-082/86 only). It will also dump keys if necessary.

Version 1.2 of Chilly Willy's KeyCleaner has the following features added:

• Easier than ever to use
• No external keys needed
• Can create keys if needed (for hard-downed PSPs)
• Colors are inverted to make it easier on the eyes

As always, make sure that you go through the readme included in the file. Installation instructions and other important details are definitely in there. Enjoy!

Download: KeyCleaner v1.2

Thanks to CJ for the tip!

Homebrew developer becus25 has just released a new build of his own PlayStation Portable custom firmware, bumping it up to 1.62 IE-D Update5. Aside from the many features that come with every release, one of main function of this CFW is that it allows users to have two different firmwares at once.

The coder mentioned that those interested to use this should be sure that their PSP units are running on Sony's official FW 1.50. It was also said that this build is not compatible with TA-082 to 86. With all that said, here's the changelog for Custom Firmware 1.62 IE-D Update5:

• Updates of Sony locked from game/memory stick (when you execute some update of XMB la PSP will return to XMB).
• Updates of Sony from UMD locked (patched the function vshKernelLoadExecVSHDiscUpdater)
• And if you execute a update the PSP will do this ... :
• My flasher copy the file updater.pbp located on ms0:/psp/ie162 to flash1 (updater.pbp is the updater of the IE for install other IE new.
• When the system call the function vshKernelLoadExecVSHDiscUpdater from the XMB the console will return to XMB and copy the updater.pbp from flash1 and put it on ms0 for show it on XMB.
• Note: The folder 'ie162' will should be download of internet also .
• Note 2: Not use the updater.pbp from 1.50 firmware . Your psp will be bricked.
• Suggestion of darkcommon of it function of darkcommon. Thanks.
• Now load eboots of 1.0 firmware you shouldn't from recovery. This function will be enabled automatically.
• Fixed a small bug found on recovery.

Custom firmware 1.62 IE-D Update5 comes with a Readme file containing added reminders from the coder. Be sure to read that first before installing this on your PSP units.

Download: Custom Firmware 1.62 IE-D Update5

The M33 team has rolled out another update for their Custom Firmware (CFW) 3.51 M33 which adds quite a few functionalities that users have been asking for. In addition to this, they've also fixed a couple of bugs which prevented users from running some games.

Among the improvements include a few updates on the M33 NO-UMD driver, such as a bug fix which now allows games such as ATV Offroad Fury Pro, Steel Horizons, Tony Hawk's Project 8 to run on the firmware, and an improvement on the speed loading time.

Another addition to the firmware is its ability to now autodetect ta-082+ with brightness problems and correct it. Now, you should know that these display issues were found with the 1.50 kernel. Here are a few more of the changes in the CFW:

• Wlan fix is now done differently, patch is done in 3.51 kernel before going to 1.50 one.
• For those that don't read the readme file: we never would include in our files a sony prx! The fix was and is done simply with code. The 3.40 mention was to notice that the problem It was not a M33 bug, but a problem caused by Sony.
• 4th level of brightness enabled on 1.5 kernel too now.
• An option has been added to recovery, "Hard Reset on 1.50 homebrew." Use this, only if the wifi fix doesn't work with your psp still. It makes homebrew boot a bit slower.

So there you have it. kudos to the M33 Russian development team for their additional work on this one. As an added note, if you have the time and a little spare cash, the M33 team is accepting donations and have a link for that on their own site which you can access through our read link.

And finally, the usual warnings for beginners: This is custom firmware. Beginners are advised to do their research before attempting to install this. You could seriously mess up your PSP if you botch this up.

Thanks to Ryan F. for the news!

Download: CFW 3.51 M33 update #7