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

PSP homebrew developer luizlizard just dropped by QJ.NET PSP development forum and announced a new version for XMB Theme Manager. Just like its name implies, this program is a full-featured theme manager capable of handling almost unlimited themes aside from its ability to flash a full theme.

XMB Theme Manager v0.3 has been made compatible to work with the new CXMB. This is rather important because users will no longer need to flash every single time they change a theme. Aside from the already mentioned, the program also sports multiple security checks to prevent semi-brick incidents.

Here's the  complete feature list of XMB Theme Manager v0.3 as provided by luizlizard himself:

• 100% Noob Free
• Multiple Security Checks (No semi-brick guarantee)
• Easy to use interface
• Unlimited Themes
• CXMB compatibility
• CXMB installer
• Pspbtcnf.txt installer
• Reboot PRX installer
• Lolstation Fix installer
• Full PSP Restoration function to return your psp to it's original state
• Japanese Font Remover (Liberates 4 MB+ in Flash0)
• Create a theme function to store your current flashed theme.
• Flashes original theme before flashing a new theme (So there are no remains of the last theme)
• VSHMAIN.PRX flashing (both with pspbtcnf.txt mod and without)
• COMMON_GUI.PRX flashing (so you can use custom sidebars, comes with 4 types)
• Normal 480x272 Screenshot support
• Automatic Original Theme Backup (If you have it the first time you run the manager)

Please note that the download below has a very important Readme file so don't forget to read that first before using this on your PlayStation Portable. It contains a lot of information including an installation guideline and other important reminders from the developer.

Download: XMB Theme Manager v0.3
Visit: QJ PSP Development Forum

PSP homebrew developer luizlizard has once again dropped by QJ.NET's PSP Development forums and released a new version of Theme Manager, an application that lets player manage a nigh-unlimited number of themes for the homebrew-capable PSP units.

Theme Manager now stands at version 0.2. For this release, luizlizard added support for VSHMAIN.PRX flashing ("both with pspbtconf.txt mod and without") and COMMON_GUI.PRX ("sidebar mods"). Theme Manager also now has CXMB support along with a built-in installer so users don't have to flash each time they change their themes.

There's also a hidden Easter egg in this version which luizlizard challenges users to try and find without looking at the source code. If you find it, you can contact the developer by clicking on the "Visit" link below.

This version of Theme Manager flashes prx files exclusively to 3.30/3.40 OE. Luizlizard has removed 3.03 support in v0.2 in order to cut down on users reporting semi-bricks due to 3.03 menus installed on a PSP running Custom Firmware 3.40. Be very careful when installing this app on your PSP. Installation instructions are in the README.txt file.

Download: Theme Manager v0.2 - 3.30/3.40 exclusive
Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development forum

 

A couple of days ago, homebrew developer luizlizard came up with a new version of application XMB Theme Cycler. Included in that release is a new feature called Theme Manager. Now, it came to the developer's attention that most users are disabling the cycling function and some just wanted the theme manager.

What luizlizard did was dropped by QJ.Net PSP forums and released a stand alone application for the said feature. Theme Manager v0.1 now comes with the following enhancements:

• Unlimited themes (Add as many themes your memory stick can hold)
• Easy way to add themes
• You can save your current theme
• Creates backup of your working theme automatically
• Displays the screenshot of the themes (if you supplied the manager with one)
• Automatic flashing of the dummy font files, so no more semi-brick because of this (Fixed, it will only flash them if the ones in flash0 are bigger than 150kb, so it will not flash again if the file is different than the one I included)

Take note that the theme bundled with this application only works with 3.30/3.40 OE firmware. However, luizlizard pointed out that Theme Manager v0.1 can be used with any other custom firmwares provided that you have the theme files for your preferred version.

Also, the application comes with a Readme file so you know the whole drill - read that first for the installation manual, instructions, and other important details.

Download: Theme Manager v0.1
Visit: QJ PSP Development forum

PSP homebrew developer luizlizard has come a long way with the successive releases of the XMB Theme Cycler application, which has just updated today to version 0.5. This application, in case you're wondering, allows you to change your PSP's XMB themes every time you reboot. This latest release also includes a theme manager function, which now allows you to manually flash your themes. As for the complete features list:

• Theme Manager (NEW!!!)
• Automatic theme flashing at startup
• Unlimited slots for saving themes
• Configuration menu
• Dummy font flashing -- Frees 2.5 mb in Flash0
• Monthly theme cycling
• Original theme backup
• Scripting improvement over last release

As luizlizard (and we here at QJ) strongly advise: view the file readme before anything else, as mishandling this application may lead to bricks. We also highly recommends users to check out the QJ.Net Forums for additional info. Enjoy the download!

Download: XMB Theme Cycler/Manager v0.5
Visit: QJ's PSP Development Forum

UPDATE: luizlizard informs us through our forums that the earlier release of XMB Theme Cycler v0.3 has a critical bug. With that, he gave us a fixed XMB Theme Cycler v0.3. He mentioned that he fixed the bug and font flashing. Another reminder from the dev - "if you ran it before flashing the fonts by yourself, please reflash 3.40 OE before flashing a theme, or in recovery mode goto Flash0 and delete "gb3s1518.bwfon..." and "jpn0.pgf...", this files where created by the bug, then run theme cycler again".

Download: XMB Theme Cycler v0.3 (fixed version)

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luizlizard's been hard at work. A few days ago, he released v0.2 of his XMB Theme Cycler, a program that will randomly change your PlayStation Portable's theme upon starting up. Now he's come up with XMB Theme Cycler v0.3 which improves upon his earlier work by a significant amount.

The new version adds a host of new features. In addition to automatically flashing an unlimited number of themes at startup, the program also has the following new additions:

• Configuration menu
• Dummy font flashing -- Frees 2.5 mb in Flash0
• Monthly theme cycling
• Original theme backup
• Scripting improvement over last release

There are some things to remember though. In addition to checking out the readme (so you know how the configuration system works), note that if you want to use both the autorun and the manual Cycle Theme functions, you'll need to "set the 1.5 kernel to GAME since the boot folder has to be strictly at GAME, not GAME150." Furthermore, he also warns people to keep the BOOT folder named as is, and to make sure that it's located in the GAME folder, rather than the GAME150 or GAME340 folders. Lastly, XMB Theme Cycler is set to work for 3.30 and 3.40 OE firmware, so make sure you're using that beforehand.

In any event, if there are new functions you'd like him to add, you can also visit the forum link we've placed below to add comments and suggestions. Enjoy the app!

Visit: PSP Development Forums

PSP homebrew coder luizlizard passed by the QJ.Net Forum earlier to announce the release of XMB Theme Cycler v0.2.

This PSP homebrew application allows you to automatically change your PSP's XMB theme every time you restart your portable - the author explains that he achieved this by using the autorun feature found in OE firmwares.

luizlizard further notes this app supports "gameboots, BG and most rco's commonly flashed (If you want support for another rco to be added please tell me.)," and is further confirmed to work on fw 3.40 OE-equipped PSPs. As for the rest of the author's details:

• Features:
• Unlimited slots for saving themes
  
• Automatic theme flashing at startup
• Files it can flash: (Requests accepted)
• topmenu_plugin.rco
• opening_plugin.rco
• savedata_plugin.rco
• gameboot.pmf
• system_plugin.rco
• 01-12.bmp
• impose_plugin.rco
• premo_plugin.rco
• system_plugin_fg.rco
• system_plugin_bg.rco
• photo_plugin.rco
• game_plugin.rco
• sysconf_plugin.rco
• ltn0.pgf
• TODO:
• Flash dummy font to free space.
• Monthly theme cycling.
• Randomize Function.
• More cycling options (like each day, or week).
• Improve scripting.

Both QJ.net and the author strongly advise users to view the file's README before using this app. Also make sure not to rename the BOOT folder, and ensure that it remains in the GAME folder (not GAME150, or GAME340) to ensure that autoboot runs properly. Lastly, be sure to have free space available in flash0 before using the app to avoid any semi-bricking incidents. More details can be found at luizlizard's thread at the QJ.Net Forums - make sure to visit that as well. Enjoy the download.

Download: XMB Theme Cycler v0.2
Visit: QJ's PSP Development Forum

 

PSP coder and QJ.Net Forum resident luizlizard opened up a thread earlier to announce the release of XMB Theme Cycler v0.1. As its name implies, this PSP-based app allows PSP owners to swap their XMB themes on demand.

One interesting feature that the author notes about XMB Theme Cycler is that it will automatically change your themes (Max capacity of three themes) every time you restart the PSP. luizlizard says he achieved this by using the autorun features found in OE firmwares. The application can also swap themes manually (the normal way), and has been confirmed to work on the author's unit, which runs on 3.40 OE.

Installation and usage details are available in the README file- make sure to pore over that before using this homebrew. Also make sure to visit luizlizard's thread over at the QJ.NET Forums for extra details. With that said, we congratulate the author for his very first app release - welcome to the club! To everybody else, we hope you enjoy the download.

Download: XMB Theme Cycler v0.1
Visit: QJ's PSP Development Forum