Need Expert Advice - PSP Slim Hacks

Rucury · #1 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 07:41 PM

Okay, here goes. I don't remember which Christmas it was, but I bought the PSP pack that comes with Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron. I was told this was the PSP-2000 (Slim). Okay, now one day my PSP started acting real slow in the XMB, which I fixed months later by restoring the flash1 after doing some reading.

Now, I am planning on buying the PSP-Core pack (Gamestop.com - Buy Sony PSP Core - Sony PSP) which I believe is a PSP-3000 (Brite, I heard). I am buying this because the Start button and the directional buttons on my old PSP broke, and whenever I slightly push on it, it resets. It still works though, but... You know.

Okay, in my PSP-2000 I have installed Custom Firmware. It is currently 5.00 M33-6. I also have this Homebrew program called "PSPHackit Tool 2.5 by Dark_Mizar" which can make my current PSP battery into a Pandora Battery, I believe.

Here goes the questions (sorry for the long introduction): If I buy the PSP-3000, can I use this old PSP to make a Pandora, put the 3000 in service mode and install CFW like that? I've read a couple of guides, mainly this helpful one from member 3001 (For PSP 3000 : A Complete Guide For Enabling Custom Firmware) and it seems I need some sort of program called ChickHEN. If so, I will follow the instructions on the guide, but so far it hasn't mentioned the Pandora Battery.

Also, I read that some PSPs include a motherboard or something that is "hack-proof" and was wondering if there was someway to identify prior to purchase.

Oh, and one last thing, which is kind of dum... Can I use a 16GB Memory Stick PRO DUO on my "hacked" PSP-3000? I'm sorry, but I think I heard somewhere that there was a limit to the amount of memory you could have for hacked PSPs....

Okay, to recap:

1) Can I use my "softmodded" Pandora Battery to install CFW on a new PSP-3000 or do I need to follow the instructions on the tutorial?

2) Do some PSP-3000 models include "hackproof" motherboards and if so, can I detect them before I buy them?

3) Can I use a 16GB Memory Stick PRO DUO on a "hacked" PSP-3000

I will appreciate any help you guys and gals can give me, and sorry for such a long post. Cheers!

ultimakillz · #2 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 08:06 PM

i can help answer your questions:

for starters, the psp in the gamestop link that you posted is indeed a psp-3000 (you can tell because it has the "ps" logo in the left corner near the speaker instead of the "sony" logo). that being said, pandora batteries cannot be used on psp-3000s. all psp-3000s have the same mobo (ta-090v2) which is indeed the unhackable mobo you have read about.

however, it is still possible to hack the psp using chickHEN (as mentioned in the tutorial you read) as long as the official firmware installed on the psp you are going to buy is at or below version 5.03. anything above that, and chickHEN will not work, i.e., the psp cannot be hacked using current methods.

as for the mem stick, you should be able to use just about any size you can find, as long as it is a pro duo.

i hope this helps answer your questions.

Rucury · #3 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultimakillz

i can help answer your questions:

for starters, the psp in the gamestop link that you posted is indeed a psp-3000 (you can tell because it has the "ps" logo in the left corner near the speaker instead of the "sony" logo). that being said, pandora batteries cannot be used on psp-3000s. all psp-3000s have the same mobo (ta-090v2) which is indeed the unhackable mobo you have read about.

however, it is still possible to hack the psp using chickHEN (as mentioned in the tutorial you read) as long as the official firmware installed on the psp you are going to buy is at or below version 5.03. anything above that, and chickHEN will not work, i.e., the psp cannot be hacked using current methods.

as for the mem stick, you should be able to use just about any size you can find, as long as it is a pro duo.

i hope this helps answer your questions.

Thank you so very much ultimakillz, you answered all of my questions. I understand now.

I'm going to see if I can ask the Gamestop guy/girl to tell me the OFW of the system I'm going to buy. I doubt it, but stanger things have happened in video game stores.

ultimakillz · #4 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 08:24 PM

well, if its new in the box there is truly no way of knowing. truthfully, if you are intent on buying a psp-3000, you may be hardpressed to find one that is hackable. with the new ones there is really no way of knowing, and most of the used ones have firmware above 5.03 installed.

if you want a hackable psp, you odds are much better with a psp-2000. many psp-2000s contain the hackable mobos which will allow you to install a custom firmware regardless of the official firmware installed via pandora battery.

figuring out if a psp has a completely hackable mobo or not can be difficult, but there are certain psps that are guaranteed to have hackable mobos. any of the limited edition bundle psps (the white star wars edition you mentioned, the yellow simpsons edition, the red god of war edition, or silver daxter edition) are verified hackable.

long story short, your odds of getting a hackable psp are much greater is you look for a psp-2000, especially one of the limited edition bundles.

Rucury · #5 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 08:57 PM

I suppose you are right. I guess I just wanted the PSP "Brite" for kicks. It's just that the PSP-2000 "refurbished" (a.k.a - used) is a little over $120, and a NEW PSP-3000 (without bundles) is somewhere around $140... 20 bucks more for a new, improved and somewhat prettier version of the system seems like a good deal to me. I guess I'll stick with your advice and get a new PSP-2000.... I like the idea of a more "hack-friendly" system. Also, I need the extra cash for the 16GB Memory ^^

EDIT: I just remembered, weren't the PSP-2000's discontinued to make room for the PSPgo? Do you think they still sell them at retailers? I can buy them of the 'ol net, but I don't know... Never really did trust online stores.

Rucury · #6 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 03:02 AM

Well, I found one on ebay (PSP-2000, pretty cheap, too. Used, though) and I'll buy it soon, but I still have one tiny doubt. I know the whole process, Pandora - Service Mode - Magic Memory - CFW = Fun.

The thing is, what CFW should I install on the PSP-2000 when I first modify it? I mean, can I go straight to 5.00 M33-6 (my current on the old one) via Magic Memory? Or do I have to do something like: 3.60 M33 then 4.00 M33 then 5.00 M33-6?

And again, thanks in advance to anyone who helps. =)

parnelli97 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 09:30 AM

I found my hackable 3k on Craigslist, and only paid $50 for it. It only came with a charger, no games or mem stick. It's pretty scratched up, but I have a new case on the way. I just asked the person to verify the firmware before I would even agree to meet them. I passed on about a half a dozen because the firmware was too high.

Rucury · #8 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parnelli97

I found my hackable 3k on Craigslist, and only paid $50 for it. It only came with a charger, no games or mem stick. It's pretty scratched up, but I have a new case on the way. I just asked the person to verify the firmware before I would even agree to meet them. I passed on about a half a dozen because the firmware was too high.

Yeah but, I can't "agree to meet" anyone on the count of me being a minor... Plus, I've settled on a "barely used" PSP 2k. What sucks it that I can't seem to find a "ask the seller what freaking firmware it is" button. I guess I'll take my chances and risk downgrading it.

ultimakillz · #9 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rucury

The thing is, what CFW should I install on the PSP-2000 when I first modify it? I mean, can I go straight to 5.00 M33-6 (my current on the old one) via Magic Memory? Or do I have to do something like: 3.60 M33 then 4.00 M33 then 5.00 M33-6?

you can go to 5.00 m33-4 via magic mem stick, and its a simple update to 5.00 m33-6. then you can install 5.50 gen-d/d2 if you wish.

Rucury · #10 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultimakillz

you can go to 5.00 m33-4 via magic mem stick, and its a simple update to 5.00 m33-6. then you can install 5.50 gen-d/d2 if you wish.

Thanks again ultimakillz, all that's left now is for me to understand how ebay works and to find me an ebay gift card or a pre-paid credit card. I just know there's gotta be some catch involved in a bid where the current price-to-beat is $26 for a PSP 2k... If anyone knows what I'm getting into, feel free to tell me to stay away. ^^