PSP FAQs - Read first before posting
I got kinda tired of seeing all these questions that were easily answered and also not having an official FAQ sticky that all the noobs can look at before asking questions. This forum is rather unorganized and I would like to see a clean, crisp, easy to reference FAQ.
Admin: Please sticky if you feel this is a good thread.
Q. I have firmware X and I wish to downgrade to 1.5 or an OE firmware.
A. If you have firmware version over 3.50 then you CANNOT downgrade or install custom firmware. You'll just have to wait until a new downgrader is released.
If you have firmware 2.71 or below it is easy to downgrade, just download this and run. If you have firmwares 2.81 - 3.03 you need the Noobz downgrader, but this one requires an unpatched version of Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. If you have firmware 3.10-3.50 you'll need this one with a copy of Lumines.
Q. How do I know if my copy of GTA:LCS is unpatched?
A. There is no definate way to tell by looking at the outside. The way to tell if it is unpatched is to put the UMD in the PSP and if the update icon is for firmware 2.00, then it is unpatched. If it says 2.60, then it is patched and the downgrader mentioned above will not work.
See if you can borrow one from a friend, rent it from blockbuster, or buy it used from Gamestop or other used game stores. Sometimes the people at Gamestop will be kind enough to let you see if that is the version of GTA you'll need before buying it.
Q. I have 2.71 SE/3.xxOE firmware and wish to upgrade to the latest OE firmware. Do I need to downgrade back to 1.5, or can I just go ahead and upgrade to the lastest OE firmware?
A. If you are already on an OE firmware, you do NOT have to downgrade back to 1.5. You can go ahead and run the installer for the newest OE firmware.
Q. How do I access Recovery Mode?
A. Turn off your PSP by holding in the power switch for about 5-10 seconds until the power light goes out. Next, turn on your PSP and hold down the right shoulder button.
Q. How do I play PSX games on my PSP?
A. You will need to convert the game to an eboot file. I recommend Ice Tea. Once the converion is complete, make a folder of the game [I will use "thps2" or something similar for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 as an example] into the ms0:/PSP/GAME folder and place the eboot.pbp inside the ms0:/PSP/GAME/thps2 folder.
Q. How do I convert videos so I can view them on my PSP?
A. There are several way to do this. You'll first need to video to be in MP4 format. Several programs like xvid4psp, PSP Video Express, and PSP Video 9 are all work great and are free. If you want to convert youtube videos go to vixy.net.
Q. What are some good homebrew?
A. There are loads. My favorites ones are iR Shell, gpSP, PMPlayer Adv., afkim, and WiFi Sniffer just to name a few.
Q. I get an error when trying to play homebrew.
A. If you are on official firmware, homebew is disabled. If you are on 1.5/custom firmware, go into recovery mode and change the kernal to 1.5.
Will add more if needed. Feel free to suggest more FAQs.
