Where to begin?

[enderandrew]

Hello, I just bought a PSP for my wife, and I'm looking to see what we can do with it. I have modded other consoles in the past, and I came here looking to learn about the PSP scene.

Most of the guides are fairly old, and I'm seeing some conflicting information regarding the 2.8 firmware (which we have) and was looking for some info.

Is there a fairly safe downgrader for 2.8, or should we upgrade and then downgrade?

It looks like there are programs called eLoaders that will boot (some) homebrew while not forcing you to change your firmware. This is the conflicting part. I've heard claims that there is a 2.8 capable eLoader, but the eLoader threads seem to suggest they only support 2.71 so far, but those were also old posts. Is there a 2.8 eLoader yet, and if not, does anyone expect there to be one soon?

I notice that there are also OE custom firmwares. What purpose do these serve exactly?

Thanks!

[jonezybaby]

upgrade to 3.03 (providing u own gta lcs with 2.0 update) then downgrade to 1.5.

1.5 was once known as the golden firmware as u could run unsigned code on it, basic bein able 2 do anything!!

if u then upgrade to 3.40 OE u will have all the benifits of the 1.5 firmware whilst havin the joys of the latest firmware!!

OE is the way forward my friend!!

[parkermauney]

DO NOT UPDATE!!! First, check the motherboard to see if it is ta-082.

http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/ta82spot.jpg

Now, use this dg
http://www.noobz.eu/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=88888898


If you don't have a ta-082 mobo, then you just skip the idstorage change part.


EDIT: Pic is down:
http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/4896/ta82spotlh6.jpg

[blackrave]

If you still have the 2.80 firmware, I personally would much rather go for this 2.80 downgrader (http://www.noobz.eu/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=88888898). It's safe and won't need GTA: LCS with the 2.0 update. Just remember to read through every step carefully.

If you don't want to downgrade for some reason, you can use HEN in the same link which lets you run homebrew without downgrading, pretty much like eLoader, I think. This will not let you access the kernel, so homebrew is, just like you said, a bit limited this way. I'd go for downgrading.

OE custom firmwares mix the homebrew support from 1.50 with the newest available features from the official Sony firmwares, including playing the latest games which often require high firmware. They also let you play around with custom themes for the XMB (Cross Media Bar, the PSP's main menu) and other stuff without the risk of fully bricking as you can unbrick it by accessing a recovery menu (unless you've really screwed everything up).

As jonezybaby said, OE firmwares is the way to go nowadays. It's easy to upgrade to it once you've downgraded to 1.50, and I assure you, you won't regret installing it. ;)

If there's anything more you need help with, don't hesitate to ask. There are no stupid questions.

Edit: I didn't see parkermauney's post before after posting, but we both say the same, so go for that unless you have upgraded.

[enderandrew]

3.40 AE sounds all kinda of nifty, and I think I'm going to look for some good instructions for that.

I saw an old guide for AE firmwares that mentioned a config file to change the options of the firmware. Does anyone know where I might find a fairly current version of those instructions?

[blackrave]

I'm guessing you mean OE, and not AE. I found a great guide for installing 3.40 OE-A on the QJ.net forums. You can find it here (http://forums.qj.net/f-guides-hacks-homebrew-and-emulators-43/t-official-340-oe-a-and-303-oe-c-installation-guide-faq-90741.html).

QJ.net also has many other guides, like for downgrading 2.80. Just go to the previous link and click yourself one level back in the forums.

I'm not sure what the config file you're mentioning is, but my guess is that you've seen talks of the settings in the firmware's recovery menu. These are settings you'll have to change manually.

[potatoman]

firstly, its oe, seconldly, go here (http://www.attackofthegamer.com/2007/04/28/howto-upgrade-your-psp-to-firmware-340-oe-a/) for the 3.40 OE install guide once you have got 1.50, and here (http://www.noobz.eu/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=88888898) to get to 1.50 from 2.80.

[mrgibblet]

if you dont want to risk bricking your wifes psp, get Hen-D into your psp and then run DevHook (Firmware Emulator)

Then you will be able to run any firmware of your choice and being able to mod the firmwares too, so if you mess up something you can just redownload a firmware dump and drag it into devhook =]

DevHook and the Hen-D thing can be downloaded Here (http://psp-hacks.com/)

[parkermauney]

I reccomend downgrading. I messed with Hen for a while, and doesn't even compare with OE.

[aznTerz]

i would recommend hen-d im still on 2.71 XD
bricked once trying to downgrade......
never trying again.... but that time was becoz of the bug.... haaiiizz

[bjaffe]

DO NOT UPDATE!!! I just downgraded my stepson's TA-082 2.80 to 1.50 using the noobz link that several people have given you. It was a piece of cake. Follow the instructions closely and make sure you are at 100% battery with the PSP charging when you do everything.

BTW, I used my 32 mb Sony memory stick and it loaded the HEN stuff on the first try...some people have had difficulty with large memory sticks. After you finish you can upgrade to a custom OE. I personally have 3.10 OE, but there are several options. The new 3.40 OE seems to be very popular, but I am happy with mine right now.

This is a great site for getting help so don't hesitate to ask for advice. Good luck!