PSP owners who use PSP Custom Firmware 3.93 should know that Update 2 is already out, with two major changes to the CFW. One is the fix to a rather serious bug, and the other is the removal of a plugin, which is still provided separately is you're interested in still using it. More info about this update in the full article!

Download: CFW 3.93 Update 2 (with HellCat's Savegame Deemer)

Ketchup, otherwise known as theketchupman on our forums, has come out with a new release for his extra-special recovery plugin known as Recovery LE. As you can probably guess, this version is compatible with 3.90 M33, and also comes with a bunch of other additions. To find out more, just access the full article!

Sony PlayStation Portable homebrew developer theketchupman recently stopped by the forums to bring us the latest version of the Recovery LE plugin, namely one that fully supports the latest Custom Firmware from M33 (that is, 3.80 M33). Check out the entire details of this nifty piece of homebrew in the full article.




Download:  Recovery LE 3.80 v1

PSP homebrew developer theketchupman visited the QJ.NET forums earlier to announce the release of a new build for the Recovery LE for PSPs running on custom firmware 3.71 M33-2. This handy plugin will enable users to do things such as change their M33's configuration on the fly, or mount a Video ISO, and can be used on VSH and/or while running a game. theketchupman also stated that several additions have been made to Recovery LE since its version 2 release a few days ago:

•  General:
• Time remaining with battery added
• A USB OF/ON text add (see USB menu)
• screen button problems has been fixed
• AntiUpdate feature added (thanks to tOc, _HellDashX_ , and Coolj)
• USB enabled via HOLD (without the menu) : just put HOLD to enable USB (and USB device, i.e. UMD, Flash or MS)
• Settings :
• Recovery Config : new organisation (new menu Color)
• you now have the possibility to change the selection cursor color
• Extends :
• CPU Speed : CPU Speed in VSH/GAME has been changed : you now only have choice between the 7 configurations allowed by DA (20, 75, 100, 133, 222, 266, 300 and 333)
• Pandora : Backup Battery Eeprom, and Restore Battery Eeprom added (note : you can have some eeprom writing errors, but your battery should still work)
• vshMenu :
• ISO Video added (see ISO Video for more informations)
• USB (new) :
• allow you to switch on/off USB
• Known bugs:
• if you use ISO Video to mount one Video ISO of your ms, you may (and probably will) experience some freeze / problem with the plugin / problem to turn off the PSP. It's not a Recovery bug, but a M33 one.
• With these new functions, there are sometimes some freeze, even if i don't really understand where are the pb. I'll of course change this asap
• Notes:
• there is some problems with Toogle Flash, i do not tell you anymore to delete pConf.dat and config.se from flash1. So, you may have a freeze at the first use of the plugin. If so, simply Turn off the PSP, and then turn on again. It should be fine
  

The author further notes that due to health problems, we may not be looking at any further updates for Recovery LE for a while. We strongly advise users to view the readme included with the bundle for proper installation and usage instructions. If you run into any bugs, be sure to report them to theketchupman via the QJ.NET PSP Development forums.

Download: Recovery LE plugin v3
Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development forum

 

Theketchupman and Team Wildcard has released Recovery LE for 3.71 M33 v2, a VSH plug-in that should allow users to modify multiple options on their PSP including the CPU Speed and its registry. If you've been using an older version of this application, the developers have implemented multiple changes that make this a worthy upgrade. Aside from the fact that this homebrew supports the 3.71 M33 v2 firmware, it also enables units to save the brightness settings when shut off.

Another novel feature is the addition of an autodetect feature which can establish if it's installed on a PSP Slim or the original PSP (with or without kernel 1.5). If kernel 1.5 is detected by this option, the application should allow you to change the kernel from 1.5 to 3.71 and back without having to reboot the handheld. Here are the rest of the changes as copy pasted from the developer's changelog:

• (Fat only) Pandora menu added under Extends (allow you to convert your battery to Normal / autoboot / pandora)
• Warning : DO NOT USE SLIM BATTERY (that's why the Pandora Menu will only shows up on a Fat PSP)
• Recovery config change
• Bug fix : CPU speed on screen wasn't good; it should be correct
• (PSP Slim) since Dark_AleX's 3.71 M33 v2, DA has added charge via USB, so you can Enable/Disable it under Menu Advanced. However, it is not On the fly, so you need to reboot so the change can be set.

There is no Read Me file included with the application, so be very careful when using this homebrew. If you do plan on using this software, the developers gave word that you should delete the config.se and pConf.dat from flash 1before using it to avoid locking up your system.

Download: Recovery LE for 3.71 M33 v2
Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development Forums

A lot of updates have been pouring in following the release of Team M33's CFW 3.71, and here's the one for LE Recovery from theketchupman and Team Wildcard. Users are warned to use the application as a plugin and not to install the application in Flash0. Here are the changes for LE Recovery for CFW 3.71 M33:

• Exclusive support of 3.71 M33
• You can modify recovery's alpha's
• No more GAME150 plugins configuration
• Displays whether or not your PSP is a Slim

If you have any questions about the program, head on over to the PSP Development Forum thread listed below or check the previous version of LE Recovery for reference.

Download: LE Recovery for 3.71 M33
Visit: PSP Development Forums

 

The Pandora Battery unbricker from Noobz and Team C+D seems to have ignited a surge of inspiration for our PSP homebrew developers. theketchupman, for example, has just dropped by our PSP forums informing us a new build for his project, LE recovery for M33 bringing the version up to v 0.9.

For the uninitiated, this program is a recovery tool that provides its users with a number of useful features such as screenshot functions and various plugin options. Here's the changelog:

• (*) Plugin only :
• > screenshot function added
• (*) Plugin & recovery :
• - Base config :
• > "hard reset on homebrew" added
• > enable vshMenu added
• - Advanced :
• > "Use isofs OE in UMD" deleted
• - Recovery config (new)
• > BG Color : change background color (via Blue Green Red)
• > BG Sha Color : change background shadow color (via Blue Green Red)
• > Font Color : change font color (via Blue Green Red)
• > Menu HotK : change Menu on VSH Hot key
• > ScSot HotK : change screenshot Hot key
• > Reset config : go back to original settings
• - Extends : Plugins
• > Activate / Desactivate plugins now works (now conf.bin is used)
• > GAME150 plugins available
• - Extends : Brightness added
• - vshMenu added
• > XMB USB Dev : change XMB USb device "on the fly"
• > ISO Video : not yet
• (*) Recovery only :
• - Recovery :
• > Format Flash 1 added

The program's installation procedures as well as the other important things to consider before trying this out is on the readme and the PSP forum link below. Those interested in using this must go over them first to avoid having problems with your PSPs. theketchupman also wishes to thank Team Wildcard, Poison, and PSP Gen.

Download: LE Recovery for M33 v 0.9
Visit: PSP Development Forums

Word from tipster EXTER had led us to an official statement by Team Wildcard - more officially branded as Team Wildc*rd - who in their own respects have done much for the PSP hhomebrew community.

PSP homebrew developers and followers already know the story behind the custom firmware source code leak, but the release of such code had obvious ramifications: developers now had the opportunity to release rip-off CFWs as they saw fit.

"Out of respect to the devs that worked so hard on this source and also out of respect for Dark_AleX, Team Wildc*rd politely requested that this source be used for educational purposes only and not for public releases," said the representative from Team Wildcard. But this statement prompted the need to tackle PSPGen's Ketchup (theketchupman in QJ.NET's Forums) and his use of the code for his recent releases.

It's no secret to Wildcard that Ketchup took his code direct from their source code for his release, which brought significant concern to them. "It is not that we do not respect Ketchup's work; on the contrary, we were quite impressed with what he had achieved. What we do not wish however, is for the source to be used," claimed the team.

They would allow the reversal of code from their .prx binaries to be used, because after all, that was how they came up with their own custom firmware code. "We completely reversed DA's PRX's rather than using his direct source. ... Even though members of Team Wildcard wish to remain anonymous, there are members that know DA personally and we can assure you we have his blessings," added Wildcard.

Contrary to opposite beliefs, Team Wildcard never had aspirations to release the source code, but due to mischievous circumstances, they had to act. And perhaps because of these conflicting views, some developers will not adhere to Wildcard's sincere call. "We cannot force anyone to do whatever we want. ... We cannot force you not to, we can only ask for you to respect our wishes," responded Wildcard.

Nevertheless, Wildcard still hopes to avoid the release "ripped clones" of CFWs. "I believe we are respecting [Dark Alex'] wishes that way. [Ketchup] may release a recovery, only if it's based on our prx and not the source code," the representative concluded.

PSP homebrew developer theketchupman dropped by our QJ.Net Forums earlier to announce the release of two related applications.

The first app in question is the latest release of PRX Launcher (v1.0), a plugin that's used to open any homebrew you've got stored in your PSP. The new build is reportedly compatible with custom firmwares 3.5x M33, 3.40* (WildCard) and OE (Dark AleX), though it's advisable to run PRX Launcher on kernel 1.50.
 
This new release was announced so that the guys can use another homebrew that Team Vertex Origins (Team XK joined them recently)  has also released: Multi Recovery Launcher v1.0. This homebrew is reportedly compatible with all CFW types (1.5 POC, IE, EE, OE, M33, *).  PRX Launcher appears to work on most other homebrews, such as PSP Filer.

That's the lowdown on these two new applications - more information (such as usage details) are available in their corresponding release threads over at our QJ.Net Forums, and via the Devsgen site.

Download: PRX Launcher for v1.0 for CFW M33, OE, *
Download: Multi Recovery Launcher v1.0
Visit: QJ's PSP Development Forum

 

vodkkaa has released a new application based off theketchupman's PRX Launcher v0.4. Called PRX Launcher Fix for 3.40 OE, the fix will let you to launch any homebrew using PRX Launcher v0.4 on your PSPs.

Here's the full list of features for the homebrew application:

• This eboot allows you to launch any homebrew using prx launcher v0.4 by theketchupman
• PRX launcher looks for a specified homebrew to launch. However, some homebrew, such as emulators and apps that access flash, do not launch when using this. What this does is allow you to specify this EBOOT to prx launcher, which then launches your EBOOT.
  

The full list of instructions for installing and using the handy fix can be found on the included readme file. Feel free to check it out and see how it integrates with your PRX Launcher. Enjoy!

Download: PRX Launcher Fix for 3.40 OE
Visit: PSP Development Forums