version 1.54 - updated cha steps
version 1.53 - added link to eyeyousee's uninstallation tutorial - thanks eyeyousee
version 1.52 - edited 5.50 gen-a build4 bugfix link & info
version 1.51 - added 5.50 gen-d2 link & info
version 1.50 - added 5.50 gen-d link & info
version 1.41 - added xgen updater v2 link & info
version 1.40 - added info about 5.50 gen-a build 4 bugfix
version 1.31 - added link to ofw 5.00 to go along with hrf
version 1.30 - added link to skyline969's pandora free m33 installer - thanks skyline969, minor edits
version 1.21 - minor edits
version 1.20 - updated psp-2000 guide with new ta-088v3 info - thanks pspeboothoot, mattyyey, & dim33
version 1.11 - edited cfw requirements in "links", other minor edits
version 1.10 - revised psp-2000 guide - thanks mattyyey
version 1.01 - minor edits
version 1.00 - initial post
You can use CTRL+F and the {XXXXX} code to quickly jump inbetween sections.
Table of Contents- Disclaimer {DCLMR}
- Introduction {INTDN}
- The Basics {BASCS}
- In General {GENRL}
- PSP-1000 (PHAT) Guide {PHTGD}
- PSP-2000 (SLIM) Guide {SLMGD}
- PSP-3000 (BRITE) Guide {BRTGD}
- Links {LNKSS}
- Conclusion {CNCLS}
Disclaimer {DCLMR}
In response to comments made in the past few days, I have decided to write a new guide/tutorial for installing custom firmware and choosing the right one for you. This was written entirely by me, ultimakillz, and is going to be posted on the forums of pspslimhacks.com. If anyone decides to link to this guide (or even leech it), then please give credit where credit is due. Thanks for the support.
As always, IF YOU TRY TO INSTALL THE WRONG CUSTOM FIRMWARE ON A PARTIALLY OR NOT HACKABLE PSP, IT WILL RESULT IN A BRICK. NEITHER I, NOR ANYONE ELSE, WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS, EXCEPT FOR
YOU. IF YOU READ CAREFULLY, THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN.
Introduction {INTDN}
As I mentioned before, I am writing this guide to help you understand the steps necessary to install a custom firmware on basically any PSP. This guide assumes that the reader has at least a limited knowledge of the PSP and the basics of moving files onto a memory stick via USB connection or card reader.
There are much more specific guides in these forums, but this guide serves as a general, all-purpose guide to installing custom firmware. If you need more specific information, please reference the guide specific to the custom firmware you are attempting to install.
The Basics {BASCS}
There are currently three catagories of hackable PSPs:
- Completely Hackable
- All PSP-1000s
- PSP-2000s with a TA-088v2 or less motherboard, or a TA-090v1motherboard
- Partially Hackable
- PSP-2000s with a TA-088v3 motherboard & firmware version 5.03 or below
- All PSP-3000s with firmware version 5.03 or below
- Not Hackable
- PSP-2000s with a TA-088v3 motherboard and firmware version above 5.03
- PSP-3000s with firmware version above 5.03
Before we go any further, here are a handful of general, helpful threads I suggest you look at, just to get a better handle on things:
Is This PSP Hackable?! Allow me to Answer That!!
- allows you to verify which motherboard your PSP has installed, if you have necessary information
[GUIDE] Complete Custom Firmware Guide
- describes the differences between each of the current custom firmwares, including the requirements and functionality of each
My thread of some quick hints, tips and more!
- a useful guide, full of tips and hints, as well as more precise details about installing custom firmware, making Pandora batteries, and the unbricking process
Tutorial to Uninstall CFWEnabler/5.03 GEN on PSP 3000 (TA-90v2)/PSP 2000 TA-88v3
- if you PSP is partially hackable and you already have a custom firmware installed, this tutorial will get you ready to install a new custom firmware
Now then, installing a custom firmware is not a difficult process, but it does require a little bit of knowledge and effort.
Before you decide to install a custom firmware, you need to know a few things about your PSP:
- What PSP model do I have? PSP-1000, PSP-2000, or PSP-3000?
- What version of firmware is installed on my PSP?
- What motherboard does my PSP have?
Answering some of these questions may require some effort, but it is not difficult.
The
model you have can be found on the bottom of the PSP unit, right after the serial number.
The
current firmware version can be found by scrolling to "System Settings", then down to "System Information".
The motherboard is only necessary if you have a PSP-2000 (we know exactly which motherboards come in PSP-1000s and PSP-3000s), or if it has been replaced at some point. PSP-2000s were made with 6 different motherboards, and you need to know which one you have before you install a custom firmware.
That being said, the motherboard is the most difficult of the three to determine. If you know which version of firmware was originally installed on your PSP, that is a good indicator of which motherboard you have installed.
If you know this information, use this guide to reveal your motherboard:
Is This PSP Hackable?! Allow me to Answer That!!
If you do not know which version of firmware originally came installed on your PSP, then you can use a program to figure out which motherboard you have installed. This will be covered in the PSP-2000 Guide.
IN GENERAL {GENRL}
I am going to post a few notes here to keep the model specific instructions clear and simple. Keep this information in mind as you proceed to the instructions for your specific PSP.
Pandora Batteries & Magic Memory Sticks
If your PSP is completely hackable and you firmware is above version 5.03, then you can use a Pandora Battery and Magic Memory Stick to install a custom firmware.
Pandora batteries can be modified from certain normal PSP batteries (there are guides on this forum), but the easiest way to get one is to buy it.
Magic Memory Sticks are easy to make, so don't waste you money buying one. All it takes is a Pro Duo memory stick with MagicGate (no specific brand), at least 512 MB.
The program needed to make a Magic Memory Stick can be downloaded here:
Rains UltraLite MMS Maker for 5.00 M33-4, PSP Hacks - PSP Slim Hacks
This version will allow you to install 5.00 M33-4 from your memory stick.
The Pandora Method
Any PSP that is Completely Hackable can have a custom firmware installed by using the Pandora Method, regardless of the current version of firmware installed. If you would like to use the Pandora method instead of the chickHEN method, just go to the "Firmware above 5.03" section corresponding to the PSP model you have If you attempt this on a PSP that is not Completely Hackable, is will result in a BRICK.
Links
In order to keep the steps simple and uncluttered, I have placed all download links from the following steps into a "Links" section at the bottom of the guide.
..::PSP-1000 (PHAT)::.. {PHTGD}
All PSP-1000s can have custom firmware installed by following these steps:
- Firmware 5.03 or below:
- Update you firmware to version 5.03. If you already have firmware version 5.03 isntalled, skip this step.
Official firmware version 5.03 can be found in the "Links" section.
- Download and install chickHEN R2. The instructions are in the readme file. It can be downloaded in the "Links" section.
- After installing chickHEN R2, you are now ready to install your custom firmware. You can basically install any custom firmware you wish, but I will provide links to the more common ones in the "Links" section.
They are:- 5.00 M33-6
- 5.50 GEN-A
- 5.50 GEN-B
- 5.50 GEN-B2
- 5.50 GEN-D
- 5.50 GEN-D2
- Firmware above 5.03:
- Buy/make a Pandora battery & Magic Memory Stick. Reference the "In General - Pandora Batteries & Magic Memory Sticks" section for more details.
- Without the Pandora battery inserted, insert the Magic Memory Stick.
- Hold the "L" shoulder button and insert the Pandora battery. The green LED light near the power switch should light up.
- The screen should flash. At this point you may need to press X. After that, follow the onscreen instructions to install 5.00 M33-4.
- Once 5.00 M33-4 is installed, you can install 5.50 GEN-A/B/B2, straight to 5.50 GEN-D/D2, or update it to 5.00 M33-6 via Network Update or by downloading it. A link can be found in the "Links" section below. Follow the instructions in the readme file for installation.
..::PSP-2000 (SLIM)::.. {SLMGD}
As I mentioned before, PSP-2000s were made with 6 different motherboards. Therefore, it is very important to know exactly which one you have before you proceed. The steps are seperated based on which motherboard you have. That being said, let's continue:
- Firmware 5.03 or below
- Update you firmware to version 5.03. If you already have firmware version 5.03 isntalled, skip this step.
Official firmware version 5.03 can be found in the "Links" section.
- Download and install chickHEN R2. The instructions are in the readme file. It can be downloaded in the "Links" section.
- After installing chickHEN R2, you need to download and run PSPIdent (which can be found in the "Links" section) as mentioned earlier. Once this is done, continue based on which motherboard you have.
- TA-085, TA-085v2, TA-088v1, TA-088v2 or TA-090v1 (Completely Hackable)
- After installing chickHEN R2 and verifying your motherboard, you are now ready to install your custom firmware. You can basically install any custom firmware you wish, but I will provide links to the more common ones in the "Links" section. They are:
- 5.00 M33-6
- 5.50 GEN-A
- 5.50 GEN-B
- 5.50 GEN-B2
- 5.50 GEN-D
- 5.50 GEN-D2
- TA-088v3 (Partially Hackable)
- After installing chickHEN R2 and verifying your motherboard using PSPIdent, you are now ready to install your custom firmware. Since your PSP is Partially Hackable, then you can only install partial custom firmwares. Links can be found in the "Links" section. These include:
- CFWEnabler 3.60
- 5.03 GEN-A
- 5.03 GEN-B
- Firmware above 5.03:
- Since you cannot install chickHEN, you cannot run PSPIdent to verify your PSP. If you know the original firmware that came on your PSP, you can verify your motherboard here:
Is This PSP Hackable?! Allow me to Answer That!!
If this works for you, continue following the steps according to your motherboard. If you still don't know which motherboard you have, the only other way to verify your motherboard now is to attempt the Pandora method.
- Buy/make a Pandora battery & Magic Memory Stick. Reference the "In General - Pandora Batteries & Magic Memory Sticks" section for more details.
- Without the Pandora battery inserted, insert the Magic Memory Stick.
- Hold the "L" shoulder button and insert the Pandora battery. The green LED light near the power switch should light up.
- The screen should flash. At this point you may need to press X. If onscreen instructions for installing 5.00 M33-4 appear, then your PSP is COMPLETELY HACKABLE. If nothing appears, then we must assume your PSP is NOT HACKABLE. Follow the remaining steps accordingly.
- TA-085, TA-085v2, TA-088v1, TA-088v2 or TA-090v1 (Completely Hackable)
- Follow the onscreen instructions to install 5.00 M33-4.
- Once 5.00 M33-4 is installed, you can install 5.50 GEN-A/B/B2 or straight to 5.50 GEN-D/D2, or update it to 5.00 M33-6 via Network Update or by downloading it. A link can be found in the "Links" section below. Follow the instructions in the readme file for installation.
- TA-088v3 (Not Hackable)
- Since you have firmware above version 5.03, this makes your PSP Not Hackable. IF YOU ATTEMPT TO INSTALL A CUSTOM FIRMWARE, IT WILL RESULT IN A BRICK. All you can do is sit and wait, and hopefully something will be released. Sorry.
..::PSP-3000 (BRITE)::.. {BRTGD}
All PSP-3000s have the same motherboard, so the firmware version decides if they are Patrially Hackable or Not Hackable.
- Firmware 5.03 or below (PARTIALLY HACKABLE):
- Update you firmware to version 5.03. If you already have firmware version 5.03 isntalled, skip this step.
Official firmware version 5.03 can be found in the "Links" section.
- Download and install chickHEN R2. The instructions are in the readme file. It can be downloaded in the "Links" section.
- After installing chickHEN R2, you are now ready to install your custom firmware. Since your PSP is Partially Hackable, then you can only install partial custom firmwares. Links can be found in the "Links" section. These include:
- CFWEnabler 3.60
- 5.03 GEN-A
- 5.03 GEN-B
- Firmware above 5.03 (NOT HACKABLE):
- Since you have firmware above version 5.03, this makes your PSP Not Hackable. IF YOU ATTEMPT TO INSTALL A CUSTOM FIRMWARE, IT WILL RESULT IN A BRICK. All you can do is sit and wait, and hopefully something will be released. Sorry.
Links {LNKSS}
I will be posting links in this section to keep the model specific instructions simple and clear. Please read the readme files associated with each file before attempting anything. You can use Google Translate for the files in French or Spanish.
Official Firmware Version 5.03
chickHEN R2
- requires firmware version 5.03
5.00 M33-6 (via Hellcat's Recovery Flasher v1.60)
-
for FULLY HACKABLE PSPS ONLY
- requires chickHEN
OFW 5.00
-
NECESSARY TO INSTALL 5.00 M33-6
- rename 500.pbp and place in RECOVERY folder with Hellcat's Recovery Flasher
XGEN Updater - Install 5.50 GEN-B2
-
for FULLY HACKABLE PSPS ONLY
5.50 GEN-A
-
for FULLY HACKABLE PSPS ONLY
- requires 3.52 M33-3 or above (5.00 M33-6 will work as well)
-
AFTER INSTALLING 5.50 GEN-A (from the above link), immediately install the Build 4 Bugfix located
here. (Direct Download)
5.50 GEN-B
-
for FULLY HACKABLE PSPS ONLY
- requires 5.50 GEN-A
5.50 GEN-B2 (requires 5.50 GEN-B)
-
for FULLY HACKABLE PSPS ONLY
- requires 5.50 GEN-B
5.50 GEN-D
-
for FULLY HACKABLE PSPS ONLY
- must have custom firmware 4.01 M33 or higher installed (5.50 GEN-B excluded, must update to 5.50 GEN-B2 first)
5.50 GEN-D2
-
for FULLY HACKABLE PSPS ONLY
- requires 5.50 GEN-D
5.00 M33-6 Update
-
for FULLY HACKABLE PSPS ONLY
PSPIdent v0.4
- requires chickHEN
CFWENabler 3.60
- requires chickHEN
- for Partially Hackable PSPs, but can be used on Completely Hackable PSPs as well
5.03 GEN-A
- requires chickHEN
- for Partially Hackable PSPs, but can be used on Completely Hackable PSPs as well
5.03 GEN-B
- requires chickHEN, 5.03 GEN-A
NOT REQUIRED
- for Partially Hackable PSPs, but can be used on Completely Hackable PSPs as well
Skyline969's Pandora Free M33 Installer
-
for FULLY HACKABLE PSPS ONLY
- Download the full version if you firmware is below 5.03
- Download the lite version if your firmware is 5.03
- instructions are included in the installer
Conclusion {CNCLS}
Well, that's about it. I hope that this guide serves its purpose: to help you install the custom firmware that is right for you and your PSP. I would like to thank the people of pspslimhacks.com for everything that they do, the members, mods, and admins of the PSH Forums for all their help and support, and all the developers and hackers, without whom none of this would be possible. I would also like to thank Sony for this great console. Without it we would not even be discussing this. Thank you for reading, and I hope this helps, at least a little. If you have any further questions, please post them in the forum.
I'm out.
[TUTORIAL] How to Install CFW on Any PSP
![First PS Sig :]](http://forums.pspslimhacks.com/avatars/shadowintel.gif?type=sigpic&dateline=1253154169)
I'm gonna be doing a couple of slims soon and it's great to have this info. Cheers! 
) - PSP Go (N1004 TA-091) - Xbox 360 120GB.
Linear Mode
