Custom FirmWare, what makes it better?

[Cyph@8]

Yes, I just installed CFW 5.00 m33-6.
Before that I used to have a CFW 3.71 then I ignorantly updated my PSP 2004 to OFW 4.05.
But thanks to chickHEN and HellCAT'S Recovery Flasher, I'm back to CFW.
While using CFW 3.71 all I used my PSP to do was play ISO/CSO games.
Is that all what the CFW is about? If there's much more, pls I want to know how to get there.
Again, do I have to configure anything else after installing the CFW 5.00 m33-6?
Also, I still have the ISO/CSO games from when I used CFW 3.71, but when I put them in the ISO folder and run them, the game starts but it doesn't load fully. So are the damaged or the CFW still needs further configuration or plugins?
The games are:
Call of duty.cso and Miami Vice.iso

All the experts in the house, I turn to you all because I want to have a better understanding of my PSP.
Thanks

[DarkFoxSniper]

For your ISO/CSO issue change the UMD Mode to the M33 Driver or to the Sony NP9660 Driver.To do that press Select on the XMB and you will see the option.

Custom Firmware is in no way only about playing ISO/CSO.There are many more htings that can be done.There is a TON of Homebrew out there.(Some good ones include PSP HALO(There's a thread about it here),Quake 1 for PSP,DOOM,Triple Triad fro FFVIII).There is also the possibility for you to emulate other systems.I mean think about it...SNES or NES..being portable.There are many more Emulators(GBA,GBA/GB,CPS1/2,N64(Not that great),NEO GEO,Sega Genesis/Master System just to name a few).

[Cyph@8]

Alright, I did that and Call of duty now loads fully and I can now play the game. While Miami Vice still doesn't load fully. is it because it is aa ISO and not CSO like Call of Duty? Or maybe it's damaged.

What does XMB mean?
Thanks again

[Geek]

no, sometimes it happens, if you have the disc try a clean rip, and xmb is the main area of the psp where you select vids, music etc.

[danos]

i think its x-cross media bar, it is the main menu on the psp that has settings,photo,music etc

[Cyph@8]

i think its x-cross media bar, it is the main menu on the psp that has settings,photo,music etc

Oh, I get that now.
Thanks

[Cyph@8]

no, sometimes it happens, if you have the disc try a clean rip, and xmb is the main area of the psp where you select vids, music etc.

Yeah, I still have the disk. But I don't know how to rip it?
Thanks

[Geek]

umdumper
filler

[Cyph@8]

umdumper
filler

ok, I have umdumper, where do I put it on the memory stick?
I put the folder in the PSP\GAME folder but when I tried to
run it I got a message:
The game could not be started. (8002014C)
Thanks again