In a time when Dark_AleX and Booster creations are, arguably, the cream of the crop, it is always nice to have other options for all of us in the homebrew community. Remember the year-old Custom Firmware 1.50: Media Edition? Well, eiffel56 informed us (thanks for the tip!) that he has released Custom Firmware 1.53. So what does this do?

This one is made for FW1.5 loyalists. Basically, it's a custom firmware which allows you to do more things on your FW 1.50, like starting nokxploited EBOOTS and so on. Here's what's new for this release:

• Recovery Menu
• Boot Menu
• Integrated uxMB
• You can start 1.00 style EBOOTS
• You can hide corrupt data icons
• You can start ISO/DAX files
• You can load your own plugins(PRX)
• Autoboot EBOOTs at startup
• Never turn off the backlight in XMB

The dev has provided us with an in-depth readme file that comes with the download. So if this creation tickles your fancy, we suggest that you understand and read the file. Anyhow, here's the download link for all of you guys.

Download: [Custom Firmware 1.53]

A rumor isn't news. But when a rumor is big - then it's news. And when it's a rumor about the elusive 2.80 firmware downgrader... and it mentions Eiffel56 (remember the PRX Loader for 2.71 SE?). "Morgen Downgrader fur 2.80?" this German site says, and we just have to report on it, don't we?

Our translation (helped along by web translators) is after the jump (click on the "Full Article" link below to see it).

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Update: Thank you all for the translations! The comments below have English translations (thanks to all of you who commented we can't name you all - there's just too many!). We also got emailed translations - again, we can't mention you all! But thanks to all of you - your homebrew community owes you!

Translations from Sarah Michael (aka SarahBaby3325 who took a German Elective), Jan Hofmeister (German with English language as a main subject), and Jan Rosemann (emnem98, from Osnabrück in Germany) are behind the jump.

Just click on the "Full Article" link to see the translations.

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Update: A *new* paragraph. There's a new paragraph of text added to the German article:

See the text from the German website and a translation after in the Full Article version.

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Update: Work has officially stopped. She received too many PMs, etc. She simply needs time - she may continue the project.

Update: ARBEITEN OFFIZIELL GESTOPPT. Mir wirds zu dumm das mich alle 30 Sekunden(ich hab gestoppt!) irgendwer anschreibt und wissen will wie es läuft. Ich mache das in aller Ruhe. Und 2.80 is zickig. Ich brauche einfach meine Zeit. Ich werde drann weiterarbeiten, wenn es mir gefällt. Und ich werde drann arbeiten, denn das ist inzwischen fast schon was persönliches.

kingofalleet tells us that Eiffel56 announced the PRX Loader for 2.71 SE over at the German Portable News forums. Now because of the intricacies of translation from German to English by weblator, we can't tell if this was from before or after he bricked his PSP from before (for no apparent reason). Well, if it's after, not only do we feel happy that he now has a running PSP again, but that "I tested the whole extensively, before I mean PSP gebricked have. And it functioned marvelously."

Still, as with all homebrew-that-loves-to-flash in life, "NO warranty, it uses nevertheless on OWN DANGER!!!" (And from the Readme) "AT THIS POINT, WE WRITE TO FLASH0!! USE AT YOUR OWN RISK, IT COULD B R I C K YOUR PSP!" Gott in himmel. Gott schützen unser PSPs.

Caveat emptor: Eiffel56's "Nose list" - we think he means "bugs." You know, like weblators are so buggy.

• Those config is sometimes not accepted. That config parsing module is something Buggy. Take best config from the VSH the Extender and change according to desire.
• Not all PRXe functioning. I successfully tested VSH Extender and AIOMOD2 at that time.

More details from Eiffel56's forum post in the original German at the Via link. Let's hope your weblator's better than ours. Thanks kingofalleet!

Download: [PRX Loader for 2.71 SE]

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UPDATE: We just love the QJ readers...always ready to help their fellow PSP users. Niklas Kunkel (thanks a bunch!!!) has just sent in a much, much better translation of what Eiffel56 has to say about his PRX Loader. According to Niklas' translation, this app has been tested by Eiffel56 before his PSP got bricked.

Also translated was the installation instruction, which I'm sure most of you have been wanting to know about. And Niklas translates:

1. Extract the folders MS_ROOT to your memory stick.
2. If you start your 1.50 homebrews out of GAME150 you have to change it!
3. After this you just start the installer.
4. Make sure your battery is full enough, and attach the AC cable.
5. The installation is fast and easy.
6. The installer can unflash the whole thing.

By the way, the "Nose list", which we first thought was a bugs list, was actually instructions on how to use PRX Loader. And the instructions are as follows:

• First you have to configure the whole thing. This is just like in the custom firmware. That’s why I use Dark_Alex’s.config parsing Routing.
• For best test results take the VSH Extender for the custom firmware. There is a config file with it and this config file must be in /PSP/SYSTEM.
• When its done, go to your network update icon. This is from now on your PRX Loader! Wait for a second and your PRX will be loaded!

There you have it. Hope that helped. And Niklas...you are heaven sent! =)

BadBoy's Firmware 2.71 SE Customizer v0.6 is a nifty tool you can use to customize your Firmware 2.71 SE (every SE, SE-A, SE-B, SE-B', SE-B''). According to BadBoy's readme, the project was first started by Eiffel56. Unfortunately he bricked his PSP, so he sort of lost interest in continuing with the project. BadBoy says he wanted to test his C skills so he took on this project and developed it into what we have here right now.

With this tool you can change your font, change your background images, change your gameboot, change opening sound, flash a custom menu, disable/Enable your Network Update, dump/flash registry, dump complete Flash0 & Flash1, restore defaults (gameboot, font, sound, menu texts and wallpaper).

Be sure to read the readme file that comes along with this application as BadBoy warns that this could brick your PSP. Use this at your own risk and with at least 50% or more battery. What's new in this update? Well, If the battery is lower than 50%, the program now asks whether it is to start or not.  It can now also restore defaults (gameboot, font, sound, menu texts and wallpaper)

Here's are several how-to instructions straight from the readme:

• Change your font/gameboot/sound. Simply put the files(ltn0.pgf, gameboot.pmf or opening_plugin.rco) into the root of your Memory Stick and start the Customizer. Choose a point from the menu, wait a short time and tadaaa.
• Change your background images. Put the files(01.bmp, 02.bmp, ...) into the root of your Memory Stick and start the Customizer. Choose the background you want to flash, press X, wait a short time and tadaaa
• Change the menu text. Create a dump of Sony´s Firmware 2.50. Go to flash0/vsh/resource and copy the file topmenu_plugin.rco to your Memory Stick. Just edit the file with a hex-editor. Then start the Customizer and choose 5.
• Disable/Enable Network Update. Once you have started the Customizer pick point 7 or 8.
• Dump/Flash registry. Start the customizer and choose point 9 to dump the registry. The files are saved to ms0:/system.dreg and ms0:/system.dreg. To flash the registry again put the two files (system.dreg and system.ireg) in the root of your Memory Stick and choose point 10.
• Dump complete Flash. Choose the last Menupoint and wait a short time. After finish the dump all files are found in ms0:/flash0 and ms0:/flash1
  

Nice update BadBoy!

Download [FW2.71CustomizerV0.6]

Well, after his recent release of v0.5 of the 2.71 SE-A customizer, BadBoy is at it again as he has just released an update: 2.71 SE-A Customizer 0.5b. In this version, he has made the following revisions:

• USB Support (Triangle to activate/deactivate) [don't use while the PSP copy something, it can brick your PSP]
• Change bootsound (opening_plugin.rco)
• Screenshot function (press L-Trigger, saved to PSP/PHOTO/271c_01.png ...)

As with any customizer, this application will allow you to change the font, background, and gameboots, as well as allow you to flash a custom menu, toggle network updates, dump or flash your registry, and dump your Flash0 and Flash1 files. With that said, let us just reiterate the importance of carefully reading the instructions which BadBoy has included before attempting to use this application, as this has the potential to brick your PSP if installed incorrectly.

Download: [2.71 SE-A Customizer 0.5b]

BadBoy has taken it upon himself to work on finding ways to improve on the 2.71 SE-A customizer, which was originally eiffel56's creation. According to him, eiffel56's PSP got bricked (no apparent reason), so eiffel56 has lost some of his interest in developing this homebrew. Still, it's the brainchild of more than one developer, so there's no reason to throw BadBoy's efforts along the wayside.

So what do you get in version 0.5 of the 2.71 SE-A Customizer? Besides the usual font, background and gameboot changes, it also carries the standard effects the customizer has, such as the ability to flash a custom menu, toggle network updates, dump or flash your registry, and dump your Flash0 and Flash1 files. We will admit that BadBoy's a funny guy though, as his changelog also mentions him as one of the changes:

• Check for atlest 50% Battery
• Dump/Flash registry
• Dump complete Flash0 & Flash1
• Choose which background to flash
• Fully changed Source Code
• Some Mistakes corrected
• Eboot Icon added
• New programmer (LOL!)
  

Once again, we remind you folks to read the instructions carefully and use this program at your own risk. A dead PSP might be apt for the Halloween season, but no one likes to hang out with the dead 24/7. Make sure you also have more than 50% battery life on your handheld or the program shuts down and may also mess with your PSP. Happy Halloween, and make sure this is a treat, not a trick for your gaming nights.

Thanks to mikeall for the tip!

Download: [2.71 SE-A Customizer v0.5]

The release of Dark_Alex's 2.71 Custom Firmware SE-B has caused a ripple on the PSP scene today, with hundreds - if not thousands - of PSP owners 'upgrading' to the firmware in order to have a combination of homebrew and all the features of firmware 2.71. Another reason for 2.71 Custom firmware SE-B's popularity is its ability to load 2.71 UMD's without DevHook.

Now, you can do even more firmware modification to your 2.71SE PSP with eiffel56's updated 2.71SE Customizer. Version 0.3b allows you to work wonders through flash access, enabling you to:

• Change your font
• Change your background images
• Change your gameboot
• Flash a custom menu
• Disable/Enable your Network Update

All 2.71SE firmware users can be assured that this homebrew flashing tool will work on both SE-A and SE-B, so you'll have no qualms when flashing your PSP. If you follow the unwritten rules of flashing (at last 70% battery life, no UMD in slot, don't run PSP off), your PSP should be fine; however, we cannot guarantee it. This tool does write to Flash0 and therefore it could brick your PSP. By downloading this application you accept that your PSP could brick and you are flashing it at your own risk.

Now the formalities are over with, lets get down to business. The readme.txt contains instructions on how to use all of the features mentioned above, so make sure you read them over before you use the application just to be safe. This application might not look as good as some of the theme packs you can get for DevHook, but it's great at what it's meant to do.

Thanks for the tip Aythamie!

Download: [2.71SE Customizer v0.3b]

2.71 SE-A Customizer, the homebrew app that won't win any beauty contest (as QJ writer Pranav described it) but will definitely win the talent portion, has been updated by eiffel56. According to QJ reader mikeall (thanks for the tip bud) the previous version had some spelling mistakes. [CORSS] should be [CROSS] and a German dialogue box appears when you want to change the background.

Aside from those fixes the app's features remain the same. To use:

• Copy the 271c folder from the archive to the PSPGAME150 folder.
• Copy the relevant files to your memory stick. For example, if you want to change your font, just move the ltn0.pgf to your memory stick. It can also change Gameboot and Background.
  
• Run the application. Once running, you will be given the choice of flashing different items. For the font example above, simply pressed the X button.
• Reboot your PSP.

Now here comes the warning. It touches flash so it could brick your PSPs. In case something goes wrong, use the recovery menu (Press R trigger while booting PSP) in the 2.71 SE-A firmware and go back to 1.5. You can again upgrade to 2.71 SE-A from there. Still, make sure you know what you're getting into before installing this app. Better safe than sorry.

Download: [2.71 SE-A Customizer Update]

The application we have here today might not win any beauty contests. Yellow text on a blue background? But once you consider its features, I'm sure it's one of those uber-cool applications for your newly installed Dark_AleX's 2.71 SE-A firmware. Made by eiffel56 over at the Portable-News.de forums, this application allows you to customise your 2.71 SE-A firmware.

Although it's not a big breakthrough seeing how writing to the flash has been possible for some time now, this app gets kudos for doing something I'm sure everyone wanted. Here's how it works:

• Copy the 271c folder from the archive to your PSP's PSPGAME150 folder.
• Now depending on what you want to do, simply copy the relevant files to your memory stick. For example, if you want to change your font, just move the ltn0.pgf to your memory stick.
• Now once you run the application, you will be given the choice of flashing different items. In our case, since we wanted to change the font, we would've simply pressed the X button.
• Once the app does its job, simply reboot your PSP.

If everything went fine, you'll be looking at your custom-custom 2.71 firmware. In case something went wrong, you can simply use the recovery menu (Press R trigger while booting PSP) offered with the 2.71 SE-A firmware and go back to 1.5 from where you can again upgrade to 2.71 SE-A. This probably means that even though it modifies your PSP's flash, it's pretty safe since you can always salvage your PSP fully. But still, do be careful when using this eiffel56 creation. Anyways, enough of talk... Have fun modifying your PSP!

Download Link: [2.71 SE-A Customizer]