Needless to say Sony has sent a endless stream of firmware updates at the PSP's dedicated fans, thats 6, no make that 7 upgrades to the PSP firmware to date. Don't get me wrong, sometimes the updates are fairly welcome. With the web browser for instance, other times however the update is minor, and somewhat lackluster, even making gamers question the necessity of another update. Think back to yourself, how many times did you contemplate to update your Playstation Portable to a newer firmware simply because Sony required you to have the latest firmware in order to shake down hustlers and go down in history as Liberty City Stories #1 Gangsta. We know we have many times.

Well as they say, if your dreams are not extravagant then they may be answered. Enter Device Hook 0.41 Sample Launcher. Dev Hook is a device redirecting driver created by Booster. The application or firmware emulator as one of its features enables provides support for newer firmwares up to 2.5. This is a new update to what was a somewhat outdated loader, and something that we are sure you will enjoy. When we say enjoy, we mean love, because with this application you will be able to emulate full 2.5 edition PSP Firmware Support.

Defy the Update Machine. Play 2.5 UMD's and Browse the Web with 1.5 Firmware!

Yes, this means full support and access to the Web Browser among other features. Not just that, but think back to when your world trembled beneath you as you realized that playing Grand Theft Auto would require you to leave behind your beloved homebrew and update to a new firmware, albeit our beloved eLoader. Now GTA with full WiFi access, the fully functional web browser, and everything from firmware 2.5 and below can be yours with the latest edition of Device Hook. Oh, and did we forget to mention that WiFi is working (note below) with some minor exceptions? Leading us to believe that once any remaining bugs get ironed out that Location Free would be fully accessible on 1.5 as well.

So just how do you go about running GTA on your 1.5 PSP? We have put together this simple walkthrough below, taking you step by step and you can rest assured you will be enjoying the features that 2.5 firmware provides on your 1.5 PSP. Even before you can "Sony Firmware Update 3.0".

Once you extract Device Hook onto your computer, copy both folders over to your PSP like any other homebrew. Then you are going to want to run it from the game menu on your PSP. The issue at hand here gamers is running newer games and taking advantage of the full blown PSP web browser. In order to take full advantage of the PSP 2.5 Firmware's features jog through the following steps.

1. Go to the Boot Select Menu and choose "Reboot XMB"
2. In the Firmware Menu and select "2.50 + 2.00"
3. Next go to UMD Version and make sure it is on "2.xx -> 2.00"
   
4. (optional) Overclock the PSP to "333mhz"
5. Finally, in UMD Mount, select "UMD Disk"
6. Return to the Device Hook Main Menu and click "Start"
   

Once your PSP reboots you will be in 2.50 mode. You are able to view the PSP Web Browser via this menu as well as play UMD's that require up to version 2.5 Firmware. This application will allow you to jump between newer PSP games that require firmware updates, the web browser, AND great games and applications such as Callisto that require 1.5 firmware all without upgrading or downgrading. They say miracles dont come true...

You will need to add the firmware dump from the firmware(s) that you wish to emulate. Included with the application are folders/files that specify the exact location where the files from their respective firmwares should be placed.

Changelog:
- FW2.50 reboot support
- plain20.prx loading location changed
- UMD read stack extension location moved to support FW2.50

Todo:
- FW2.00 No-UMD loading
- FW2.71 reboot
- NAND driver emulation

Note: There are two versions below. The 0.40 update showcases the Dev Hook Installer which allows redirects flash access to the PSP Memory Stick. The 0.41 version does have full 2.5 support, however WiFi is reportedly not functioning. In addition, overclocking was noted to possibly have a negative impact on Wifi. One thing to consider, while using the application it was noted that it might be possible to emulate 2.5 on a 2.0 version PSP allowing newer UMD's to be played on 2.0 PSP's, but no one at QJ.NET had one handy...

Update: Booster has released v0.41a of DevHook which fixes some small issues regarding wallpaper not restoring properly and other fixes when switching back and forth between the XMB and DevHook (Home + L/R). WiFi still does not work properly when set to 333mhz. Version 0.40/0.41 is needed as this version is not a standalone.

Download: [ Device Hook 0.40 Sample Launcher]
Download: [ Device Hook 0.41 Sample Launcher Update ]
Download: [ Device Hook 0.41a ]