The Ultimate How-To Guide. (Read This Guide First!)

[Denkai]

This Guide is designed to help new Sceners with their Homebrew, Custom Firmware, and Downgrading Needs. Please take the time to read this before making any threads.

First off a little overview. Definitions/explanations of terms common to the Homebrew Scene. Click "Spoiler" for list.
[Spoiler]

Homebrew - Custom programs designed by users to run on PSP to do everything from Emulation to GPS.

Firmware - program designed to implement new controls, fix errors, and improve system performance

Original Firmware (OFW) - Sony Designed Firmware

Custom Firmware (CFW) - Firmware designed by another Scener (Namely Dark Alex) that enables Homebrew to be run on the PSP without using Exploits (I.E. TIFF Exploit and Kxploit.) Examples of CFW are M33, OE and SE.

Kxploit - an exploit used in early Homebrew days with FW 1.5 that ran a homebrew via 2 eboot.pbp files, one that the PSP recognized and another that the recognized Eboot.pbp would call to run. This was done via a folder and folder% system, or with 2 memory sticks being swapped.

TIFF Exploit - an exploit used in the 2.xx series that would run homebrew through a TIFF image, which is a picture that has programming code in it.

PiKey - Driver in development at these very forums that is designed to run a keyboard attached to your PSP.

Playstation One Portable System (POPS) - A Emulator for PS1 games installed by Sony.

POPSLoader - A program that enables a user to uses POPS to play PS1 Eboots.

Skype - A Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider. Allows for users to use their PSP as a phone.

Emulator - A program designed to emulate another system, from PS1, to GBA and SNES.

Cross Menu Board (XMB) - This is what you are at when you boot up your PSP and are able to select different features.

M33 - March 3rd. The day the Custom Firmware was figured out.

OE - Open Edition. The Original Series of CFW before Dark Alex "Retired."

Pandora - A Setup of Battery and memory stick that allows for installation of any CFW on ANY OFW on all PSP types.

Gameboot - The opening cinematic when you run a Application on your PSP. Can be customized.

Brick - A term used to define when a PSP becomes unusable due to a firmware or hardware modification. firmware modifications can be repaired by the end-user. Hardware bricks (I.E. internal short due to water damage, dropping, hard modded battery failing and bursting into flames) can not typically be repaired and must be sent into Sony for repairs.

Why is Custom Firmware for me?
Many may ask what is is, and why, and here's why. Custom Firmware lets the PSP do as originally intended by Sony back in 1.0 days. Let software designers develop on the PSP without restrictions. CFW will allow you to run these programs, as well edit and control your PSP like you never thought. If you would like to take advantage of Custom Firmware then continue reading, if not, good luck.

Step 1
Now first off, lets see what type of PSP you have. If you bought it a while ago, you might have a Fat PSP. It's thick and pretty heavy for a PSP. These are the best to have Homebrew.  Don't be discouraged if you have a Slim, you can still run most homebrew. Most noticeable way to tell what type of PSP you have is at the bottom of your PSP is a sticker that will have a bar code on it. At the end of this code will be PSP1001 if you have a fat. Slim is PSP2000. Remember this as it will be important to later information.

Step 2
Lets check your firmware version. start your PSP, at the XMB goto Settings, scroll down to System Setting. Under System Settings goto the bottom icon where it says System Information. A display will tell you what type of System Software you have. Write down this information for later use.

Step 3
No matter what firmware you have you will most likely need to downgrade before doing anything. Remember if your firmware version is not listed here it is as simple as Upgrading to the listed firmware version. Each link has step by step instructions of how to upgrade to the required Firmware, and how to downgrade using the method required. If you have firmware version:

All Firmware Versions This can be used on all firmwares on all known PSPs!
Pandora's Battery can be used with Despertar del Cementerio. I suggest version 4. Pandora's Battery bypasses the Firmware completely and renders the PSP in service mode. HIGHLY SUGGESTED TO USE. Click Here for a list of those who can do this for you. If you have access to a PSP with Custom Firmware, I highly suggest The Ultimate Pandora Memory Stick Project (UPMS Project). You can learn how to install and where to download it Here.

 1.0 - 1.50
 Good news You can skip this step. If you are at 1.0 (You are a rare breed) Upgrade to 1.5 Firmware Here.

 2.00/2.01
 You'll need to upgrade to 2.00/2.01 if you haven't already.

 2.80
 You'll need to upgrade to 2.80 if you haven't already. There are multiple 2.80 firmwares, one for each region. Click Here for the USA file. Click Here for all other regions.

 3.03
 Requires Grand Theft Auto: Liberty Cities Stories v1.0 (Disk will have 2.0 update on it.)

 3.11
 Requires Lumines. Careful about purchasing the disk, there is a patched version that requires 3.51 to play.

 3.50
 Requires Lumines. Careful about purchasing the disk, there is a patched version that requires 3.51 to play.

Step 4
Now once you have downgraded your firmware to 1.50 Click Here for how to install your new CFW. (Note with Despertar del Cementerio v4 it will auto install your firmware straight to 3.80 M33-5). You will need to install 3.52 M33 prior to installing 3.80 M33 unless using  Despertar del Cementerio v4. You can do that with the help of this thread.

Step 5
Once you've updated your firmware, Lets look at common Homebrews for the masses.

Custom XMB
Maxconsole.net - A How-To on how to install a Completely Custom XMB.

Plugins
Recovery LE for 3.90 M33 - Access your Recovery Menu from the XMB!
Alternative VSH Menu 4.0 - Gives more options to your VSH menu without needing the recovery menu.
CWCheat 0.2.1 rev A - Cheat your way to the top! Works on POPs and UMDs
3.80M33 POPs loader v2 - Play your PSX games on your PSP with this plugin. Enables multiple POPs versions.

Patches and Drivers
MSPatch - Have your CFW recognize 8 GB Memory Sticks
PiKey - Keyboard Driver

Emulators
Dadalus- N64 Emulator
SNES9xTYL - Super NES Emulator.
NESTERJ - Original NES Emulator.
gpSP KaiGame Boy Advance Emulator.
DGEN - Sega Genesis Emulator.
SMS - Sega Master System/Game Gear Emulator.


Programs
iRShell is still an operational Homebrew that enables most functions of the PSP in a simple easy to use interface
MapThis! - GPS Program
Furikup - Turn your PSP into a phone!
RS PSAR Dumper 3.1 - Legally dump OFW eboot files.

Now for an in-depth look at what you can do with your new Custom Firmware.
The three most noticeable features of custom firmware are the Kernel Folders, VSH Menu, and Recovery Menu.

Kernel Folders
Kernel Folders describes the GAME folder in your PSP Memory Stick. You may have noticed mention of GAME, GAME150, and GAME%%% (%%% being the name of the Firmware in use). Depending on the Firmware you use, M33 is designed to allow you to run multiple Homebrew types. If you have a Homebrew you really want to use, and it doesn't work in you GAME or GAME%%% try it in the GAME150 folder. This allows your system to run the homebrew with the 1.50 Firmware Kernel. GAME%%% forces the system to always use your firmware version to run the homebrew, no matter what setting you have in your PSP.

VSH Menu
When you are at the XMB of the PSP you may press the Select button, and this will bring up a menu with several noticeable features.

 CPU Clock XMB
 This changes the Processor clock speed to what you would in the XMB. Great to knock low if you have the "Hide PIC0.png and pic1.png in game menu" option in the configuration menu in the Recovery Menu. This will save Battery.
 CPU Clock Game
 This changes the Processor Clock speed to whatever you want in game. Setting this to 333mhz will NOT harm your PSP. Your PSP processor was designed to go at 333mhz, and some games REQUIRE 333mhz in order to work. It will simply kill you battery charge faster.
 USB Device
 This allows you access to your Flash0, Flash1, Flash2, Flash3, UMD, and Memory Stick modes. Simply set the system to these modes and use USB Connection under settings, and it will connect.
 UMD ISO Mode
 Allows for different drivers of your system when reading files. Noobz Does not condone use of this mode.
 ISO Video Mount
 Honestly I haven't got a clue.
 Reset
 Resets the PSP Completely, very useful if you don't like using your power switch every time you want to reboot.

Recovery Menu
This menu is designed to set up your PSP for everyday use, and in the unlikely event you mess up your PSP and brick it.

 Toggle USB
 Enables a USB Connection to the Memory Stick.

 Configuration
 Allows for System to be edited as you wish. Depending on how you use your PSP Different features may want to be enabled/Disabled as you wish.

 Run Program at /PSP/GAME/RECOVERY/EBOOT.PBP
 Allows you to run any PBP at MS0:/PSP/GAME/RECOVERY/EBOOT.PBP. Not certain of the use of this feature.

 Advanced
 Allows for Connection to Flash folders, and to format Flash1 to reset settings. Use Format Flash1 ONLY as a last resort.

 CPU Speed
 Enables you to change the CPU Clock Speed much in the same way as VSH Menu.

 Plugins
 Allows for autorun of designated PRX.

 Registry Hacks
 Useful if you do not have a Hot Spot close to home. use to enable Flash Player and WMA. Also allows for weirdos running PSP1000 to switch the button assignment from O to X like the rest of the populace.

Special Thanks:
Fanjita for without him none of this would be possible
Dark Alex For M33
Wakaru for his indepth how-to walkthrough.
Malgora, Bloodsville, Angelo for suggestions and tips.

[wakaru]

-=- Topic locked as per author request -=-

[qwert1]

thanks for this..as im new in the psp scene