Art from our forums has released an updated version of his excellent X-Flash homebrew firmware modification tool for the PSP. X-Flash can be used (carefully) to alter and create custom firmware for your beloved PSP. You should not use X-Flash, nor any other program that writes to the Flash of the PSP if you do not know exactly what you are doing or are ready to accept complete failure (in the form of a bricked PSP). However, If you brick your PSP with X-flash, there is the possibility of unbricking it with Dark_Alex's Custom Firmware modification in Recovery mode.

Here's whats new for X-Flash v11c:

• Support for Dark_AleX Custom Firmware modification. This version does not yet have the capability to reverse the mod, but this (and more) will be implemented shortly. Flash writing is verified. The video below shows this in practice.
  

Also, the Easter egg has been found by Zoltrix, check page 69 of the forum release thread to find out what it is. Art is currently working on X-Flash v12 for us that will implement support for applying Dark_AleX's latest custom firmware mod and reversal of it, complete with configurator. Even later version of X-Flash will include Freeplay & Fluff's Name Plate picture mod in the PSP's about screen and an arcade game style letter rotator for entering any words to be used as names for Music, Photo, Video, and Game icons.

Download: [X-Flash v11c]

Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

It's been awhile since I've written an article, but I couldn't miss out on this one. Dark_AleX, the author of many firmware hacks and mods, such as the PRX Decrypters and some of the latest downgraders we're sure you've heard about, has now released his latest creation - Custom Firmware: The proof of concept.

As you can tell from the name of it, it is a customized firmware, which is still in its early stage. Dark_AleX has added quite some features to this firmware, and will make you actually burn this firmware into your PSP. Although he has already tried this on his own PSP, this doesn't mean he takes any responsibility on unpredicted casualties. So, you are warned, you will take a risk of bricking your PSP if you try this out (but in fact whatever you are doing with homebrew, you take that warning for sure). And don't worry about going back to the official firmware. I will explain later.

Here are the features of this firmware:

• Execution of normal pbp's (1.00 ones, no-kxploited)
  - This means you will no longer need to have 2 similar folders in your PSP/GAME folder to make a homebrew run. Very convenient.
• Possibility of hiding corrupt icons. (Note: by default it's not enabled, look at the file /PSP/SYSTEM/config.txt to see how to enable it).
  - So, even if you stick with 2-folder 1.50 PBPs, you will feel better with this feature.
  
• Possibility of skipping the SCE logo at the startup. (and in this way avoid the annoying auto-execution of the UMD). Like the previous one, this is not enabled by default.
  - What else can we say? This is of course useful: no stupid auto-start when you forget to take your UMD out of the UMD drive. Great.
  
• "Recovery mode:". If you keep R pressed while starting the psp, it will enter in "Recovery mode".
  Recovery mode is not more than a simple application that will let you to use the usb, and execute a program under ms0:/PSP/GAME/UPDATE/EBOOT.PBP, that could be, for example, a sony updater or the 1.50 -> 1.00 downdater.
  This would allow to recover potential bricks caused by the writing of bad fonts/videos/sounds... to the flash.
  (Note that this wouldn't allow to recover critical things like the overwriting of critical prx's)
  - Yes, you read it. With this mod, you may have a chance to unbrick your PSP, if it was caused by the writing of bad fonts/videos/sounds to the flash. (Note that this wouldn't allow to recover critical things like the overwriting of critical prx's)
• Autoexecution of a program at the startup. See the configuration file at /PSP/SYSTEM/config.txt to see how to use it.
  - Very handy, especially for folks who want to boot directly to DevHook nowadays, or any favorite program immediately.
  

How to install it then? Very simple. After downloaded the zip file and opened it, you will see 4 items. Just drag & drop the "PSP" one into the root of your memory stick, and proceed with any overwrite warnings.

You can access the file "config.txt" in PSP/SYSTEM with your notepad program, to modify your experience with this mod later. This file is well commented, you will understand what to do when you see it on your own. After the files are copied, you just browse to the program "Custom Firmware - The proof of concept" and run. Files will be flashed to your PSP. And then, you are done.

We can tell that there can be many possibilities thru this kind of customized firmware. In fact, we cannot tell what the future of custom firmware holds right now, but we are definitely looking forward to see how this unfolds. And let's cheer again for the  inspired developer Dark_AleX and his latest creation! Thanks!

Download: [Custom Firmware - The Proof of Concept]
Discuss: [Forum release thread]
Digg it! (Thank you all for your support, Digg has lifted the ban of QJ.net!)