Episode 18 of PSP Hacking 101 has just been released for your viewing (and listening) pleasure.

This time around, PSP Hacking 101 will be featuring the installation of the much talked about PSP modchip: the Undiluted Platinum. We've given you a sneak peek of this modchip installation session, and now we're offering you the complete podcast of PSP Hacking 101 episode 18.

If you want to follow the hints and guidelines on the installation, be sure to prepare the following equipment requirements before starting the podcast:

• a microscope
• a very fine tipped solder iron
• a tip tinner and some cleaner powder
• a 30 gauge wire (for the L button and power solder points)
• good lighting, and
• Flux

Enjoy, and good luck!

Download: [PSP Hacking 101 Episode 18] [Video Podcast Feed]

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...

We have received word from the Undiluted Platinum Team that they have released their PSP modchip flashing program. This tool will allow you to reflash the Undiluted Platinum onboard NAND. Once reflashed you can reboot your PSP and it will automatically boot your new firmware. Hold down the L Trigger, click your heels together twice and you will be whisked back to Kansas and your original PSP firmware. The application installation is very simple and from the GUI you can tell that reflashing your chip will be a snap.

The ability to have the features of more then one firmware was recently discovered by some PSP gamers with 1.5's with DevHook. However with the Undiluted Platinum and PSP modchip flashing application everyone can enjoy all the features Sony provides with their PSP handheld as well homebrew and switch between the two with ease. A very clean application that provides PSP gamers a simple way to enjoy both worlds.

They have delayed the release of their new diagrams until tomorrow in order to complete and release the flashing application.

Click Full Article for Flashing Instructions and Troubleshooting

Download: [ Undiluted Platinum PSP Modchip Flashing Application ]

According to a friend of QJ, Undiluted Platinum (the world's first PSP modchip) could be here very soon, so its time to start thinking about placing your Pre-Orders! For those still in the dark, Undiluted Platinum was announced to a skeptical audience on May 26th, boasting features such as: bringing a bricked PSP back to life, open source development, button-press firmware selection, along with many more features.

Accompanying the good news of a near shipping date, joins the news of the soldering involved. Don't expect to install this without some work, as there will be "23-24 wires to install." If you wish to do this install yourself, be sure you have (or know someone that has) advanced soldering experience. If you're a soldering pro, expect the project to take a good 45-60 minutes. With how small the space to work inside of the PSP is, it will likely be very tricky fitting that many wires inside of such a cramped area.

Word is starting to gather about various international stores where you can purchase Undiluted Platinum, but we're glad to bring you news of the first and only North American outlet for UP, ModChipStore, will not only be shipping Undiluted Platinum from the U.S., but will be offering several professionally installed packages:

• Buy the modchip and do-it-yourself (or have a friend help out)
• Have it professionally installed by ModChipStore.com
• Buy a pre-modified Black PSP with Undiluted Platinum already installed
• Buy a pre-modified White PSP with Undiluted Platinum already installed

Although initial supplies may be limited, ModChipStore will be frequently restocked as the need arises. Additionally, they will begin shipping Undiluted Platinum the same day they receive their first batch. If you want to send in your PSP for a professional install and be first in line, they are already accepting shipments. While you're there, you might want to see what other PSP accessories you might need in anticipation of Undiluted Platinum - their prices for 1GB and 2GB Pro Duo memory sticks ain't too shabby, especially if they'll be shipping you Undiluted Platinum anyways!

Whatever you choose, please be aware that there is a chance of breaking your PSP in some fashion any time you open it up. Add a soldering iron, wires, and your open PSP, the chance that something could go wrong is very high. For your PSP's sake, it is best to have someone else install the Undiluted Platinum if you have limited or no soldering experience. We at QJ.net take no responsibility for any damage done to your PSP while trying to install this modchip.

And be sure to stay with QJ.NET, as we will have hot images, video, and install diagrams in the near future!

So it seems the race with Sony - finding new exploits as the Playstation Portable's firmware gets updated - may soon be over for good: The first PSP modchip, Undiluted Platinum, will soon arrive, acting as a flash replacement. According to the manufacturer, it will now be possible to use older or even custom firmwares!

The chip has been designed to fit entirely inside the Playstation Portable. Unsigned homebrew code will run even on the latest PSP systems!

We don't have much more details to offer yet apart from the picture, but more information will arrive next week - so stay tuned for more updates - we're as excited as you are!

Discuss: [Undiluted Platinum Forum Thread]


Admin Note:Right now this is not 100% confirmed and should be treated as a rumor, although the means in which we were informed of this product leads us to believe that it is indeed legit. Due to security and legal concerns, we are unable to provide more details on the source of the information. We will have more news in the upcoming weeks!