THE ULTIMATE PSP GUIDE
IMP: All the steps which I have mentioned in this guide are only for PSP 1k or PSP 2k (with mobo below TA-088v3) and not to be tried on any other PSP
However Section 6 is dedicated for UNHACKABLES. So those who have them please visit this section.
INDEX
Section 1. Glossary
Section 2. MMS and Pandora battery
Section 3. Unbrick your PSP
Section 4. Downgrade your PSP
Section 5: Time Machine
Section 6: Update your PSP
Section 7: Hellcats Recovery Flasher
Section 8: CFW for unhackables
Section 9: FAQ + Cool Stuff
Section 1: GLOSSARY OF VARIOUS TERMS USED IN MODDING
Firmware : Firmware is the operating system of the PSP, similar to what your computer runs (eg. Windows, Mac, etc.). Updates are released every now and then that may improve functions of the PSP, add PSX compatibility or it may be an attempt by Sony to fix exploits.
CFW : Custom Firmware. Allows the PSP to perform extra functions. It lets you run homebrew (unsigned code) and PSX/UMD backups from the memory stick.
OFW : Official Firmware released by sony.
Kernel (1.50/3.XX/4.XX/6.XX) : The kernel is sort of like the firmware and what it runs on. Think of it as Windows XP running on NT kernel. (Look it up at To view the link you have to Register if you're confused. Some hombrew is dependant on the kernel.
DCv3/4/5/6/7/8 - : DC or Des Cem means Despertar del Cementerio and is the software created by Dark~AleX that allows PSPs to be downgraded or unbricked.
Magic Memory Stick. Simply a memory stick formatted with DC software to allow service mode on PSP. Usually a PRO Duo 256mb-4gb.
Service Mode : This menu accessed with MMS/Pandora allows you to install CFW/OFW or unbrick the PSP.
Pandora battery/Jig-kick battery. Allows the PSP to boot into service mode when an MMS is inserted.
Time Machine : Released by Dark~AleX, it allows your PSP to run custom firmwares from the memory stick and run previous versions (eg 1.50). Pandora is required for this. Runs on custom IPL so it would work even if the flash and NAND IPL is destroyed.
Fatmsmod : A hack that allows the PSP to access the memory stick faster.
ISO/CSO/DAX/etc..
These are types of UMD images. ISO is the usual uncompressed image of a UMD game or movie. Many other types can be created from this such as CSO, the compressed version. These can be played from the memory stick with CFW.
POPS
The PSX emulation on the PSP. CFW lets you play your own PSX games with the "popsloader".
EBOOT
Applications and games designed for the PSP (even PSX games) will be an EBOOT. The file extension is ".PBP" - equivalent to ".EXE" for the PC.
PRX Plugin
An addon for the PSP with CFW to unlock more features. For example, the plugin Hold+ allows the PSP to be underclocked with the screen/backlight off while playing music.
NAND
The NAND is made up of three things. IPL , idStorage and the internal flash (flash0/1/2/3). When you make a NAND dump, you are backing up these things. If you brick badly, you can restore the NAND and the PSP will return to the state it was in when you backed up.
IPL
Initial Program Load. The start up process of the PSP. Decrypts and loads the firmware.
Similar to how a PC starts up.
idStorage
The idStorage is what gives your PSP the MAC address, region code, etc.. What makes the PSP work.
lflash
The internal flash. Made up of flash0, flash1, flash2 and flash3.
flash0 contains the operating firmware of the PSP
flash1 contains the registry and all user settings
flash2 contains DRM information that allow games purchased from the Playstation store to function
flash3 contains the 1seg TV program (only used in Japan currently)
Section 2. MMS AND PANDORA
Magic Memory Stick:- It is Simply a memory stick formatted with DC software to allow service mode on PSP 1k or fully hackable 2k.It is Usually a PRO Duo 256mb-4gb.
Creation of MMS
What you require?
1. A memory stick of good brand(Sony or Sandisk will do) of size 256mb - 4gb. I would prefer to reserve a memory stick of 512 mb only for mms
2.A computer or PSP
Although there are many ways to create a mms , i shall cover only 2 ways. One is by using Rains mms maker and other is by using PSP Tool
Creation of MMS by using Rains mms maker
1.Download the Rains UltraLite MMS maker from here Rains UltraLite MMS Maker for 5.00 M33-4, PSP Hacks - PSP Slim Hacks
2.download the 5.00 pbp file from here 500.PBP - 4shared.com - online file sharing and storage - download
Place the official firmware update file named EBOOT.PBP or 500.PBP in the same folder as the program OR you will be asked for its location during make MMS.
3.Run the application and connect your psp or memory stick to the computer
Choose the option to format memory stick
4.Select the drive letter of your psp memory stick
5.Finally select option to MAKE MMS
if you are getting errors in this step, you probably have to get a new card
Using PSP Tool for MMS creation
1.download PSP Tool from here PSP Tool v1.00 - Homebrew Applications - PSP - QuickJump Downloads
2.download the 5.00 pbp file from here 500.PBP - 4shared.com - online file sharing and storage - download
3.copy the 5.00 pbp file to the root of memory stick and the PSP Tool app goes into the GAME folder on your ms
4.Run the app, under Memory stick options choose to create Magic Memory stick and then choose the option to install DC v8
5.after completion of mms creation, when the option comes to turn battery into pandora, choose no
6.then it will ask you to hold key to activate mms with pandora
6.Hold down L trigger till it says completed
7.Your mms is now ready
in both the above cases your mms is made to flash install 5.00 m33.
You can also make your mms to install other cfw like 5.50 GEN D or 6.60 ME using DCv8
To flash install 5.50 GEN D3
1.download the GEN D3 installer from here http://www.mediafire.com/?zzhcmknzznt5ngj
2.place the UPDATE folder into the GAME folder and the 5.50 pbp into the root of the ms
3.run the installer
4.choose the option "Install XGEN PANDORA V5"
5.your mms will now flash install 5.50 GEN D3 instead of 5.00 m33
To flash install 6.39 ME from mms
1.download the 6.39 ofw and 6.39 ME v2 installer from here PSP Custom Firmware 6.39 ME v2 Released *Updated* | PSP-Hacks: Hack your PlayStation Portable
2.Download the OFW 6.39 update, extract and rename EBOOT.PBP to 639.PBP.Copy 639.PBP to PSP/GAME/UPDATE on your memory stick.Download and extract the CFW 6.39 ME v1 package.Copy UPDATE/EBOOT.PBP to PSP/GAME/UPDATE
3.insert mms, hold L trigger , insert pandora and choose to "TEST m33"
4.your psp will reboot and now emulate 5.00 m33
5.Go to GAME in XMB and now run 6.39 ME updater
this method works even on a bricked psp.
To flash install 6.60 ME from mms
1.download the 6.60 MEv1 bundle from here 6.60ME v1 Bundle - Downloads - Sony PSP MODS and Hacks Forums
2.as in the above steps choose to emulate m33 and run the 6.60 ME updater
How to autoboot your memory stick using a Pandora Battery
here's what it means. You have a pandora battery and as you know only if you insert a mms or a memory stick with an ipl it enters service mode else it just show blank screen with green light
now you can use your pandora battery just like a normal battery to autoboot from memory stick.Great isn't it? so no more swapping batteries
1.first download PSP Tool and insert your ms into the psp
2.go to "memory stick options" click "inject IPL to Memory Stick" Then Inject z3ros0ul Single IPL (Sleep Fix).
3.shutdown your psp and remove ms.
4.insert your pandora battery now.
5.it will power on with a blank screen
6.now insert the memory stick with the injected ipl and your psp should autoboot.
it also works reverse ie. first insert the ms with ipl and then the pandora battery.
First part of this video explains what is said above
How to repair a corrupt idstorage
Use this method when you get update errors while upgrading from old DA firmwares, or issues with WLAN or UMD drives
1. insert your mms , hold L trigger, insert pb
2. in the DCv8 menu, choose NAND Operations
3. In that choose IDStorage tools
4. select the region of your psp
5. select the option to get real/random MAC and select yes to create new idstorage
REPAIRING IDSTORAGE