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Firmware and Homebrew Capabilities
by PSP-Vault @ http://www.psp-vault.com/Article414.psp
Firmware
What can I do with the PSP?
What you can do with the PSP depends entirely on what firmware version it is running. Here's a handy-dandy chart I've put together that shows the different capabilities of the PSP at different levels of firmware.
How do I know what version firmware I have?
On your PSP, go into the "Settings" menu, choose "System Settings," then choose "System Information." You'll see the "System Software" version.
OK, I know what version firmware I have. But I want to change firmware versions. Can I do this?
Maybe. You will always be able to upgrade (going from firmware 1.50 to 2.60 or 1.52 to 2.00, for example). However, you may not be able to downgrade (going from 2.50 to 1.50 is currently not possible, for example). The following decision structure will help you determine whether or not you are able to change to a particular firmware version.
Why would I want anything other than the latest firmware?
Please refer to the "Homebrew" section of this document.
Oh nuts. Looks like I can't make the firmware change I wanted to.
Independent software developers (sometimes referred to as "hackers" within the PSP scene) have made several advancements in the life of the PSP. PSP-Vault regularly reports on important developments regarding firmware, so as long as you keep track of the news, the day when you can make the change you want may come.
I'm running firmware 1.51, 1.52, 2.01, or 2.50.
Given the current situation, PSP-Vault makes the following recommendations to owners of PSPs with these firmware versions.
1.51 or 1.52: These two versions contained only security updates on top of 1.50. Update to firmware 2.00. Later, you will be able to choose if you want to downgrade to 1.50 or not.
2.01 or 2.50. There is currently no downgrader available for either of these firmwares, meaning you may as well upgrade to firmware 2.60. However, if you hope to one day use homebrew, please hold on to your current version -- it is more likely a downgrader will be released for firmware 2.01 before one is released for 2.60.
Cool. I can make the firmware change I want to. Now how do I do that?
For upgrades, all you will need to do is run the necessary firmware update on your PSP. For our purposes, we'll assume you want to upgrade to one of the following firmware versions.
Firmware 2.00 is offered here in our File Vault. Download the EBOOT file, place it in your PSPGAMEUPDATE folder, and run it by selecting "Software Update 2.00" from "Memory Stick" under "Games" on your PSP.
Firmware 2.60 is currently the latest, so it is offered at the official Sony website.
Please note that there is no difference in firmware versions from region to region. There is no such thing as a "Japanese version," "American Version," or "European Version" of the firmwares. Downloading a firmware update from another region is perfectly fine, but please note Sony says installing a foreign version will void your warranty. Not that they would be able to find out.
For downgrades, the process is a bit more complicated. At the time of this writing, the only current downgrade possible is going from firmware 2.00 to firmware 1.50. Necessary files are offered here.
Are these changes permanent? Can this damage my PSP?
As long as you upgrade to only 2.00, the changes will not be permanent. If, for example, you currently have firmware 1.50, you can upgrade to 2.00, then downgrade to 1.50 should you decide to. However, if you upgrade to 2.01, you will NOT be able to go back to any previous firmware version.
In other words, if I go to 2.01 or above, I'm stuck?
Precisely.
Is there a way I can "sample" the new features offered by 2.01 and above without actually upgrading my PSP?
Yes, there is. Please see this page for more information. The "MPH Firmware Launcher" currently runs only on 1.50 PSPs, meaning you'll need to downgrade if you're on 2.00. However, please be aware that its functionality is limited.
Homebrew
Why does anyone make such a big deal about firmware versions? Wouldn't it make the most sense to always keep your PSP updated with the latest firmware?
Looking closely at the firmware capabilities chart, you'll notice a section called "Homebrew," and how the only firmware versions with support for homebrew are 1.50 and 2.00.
Homebrew? What is that?
If you were to write a piece of software for the PSP on your own, it would be "homebrew." "Unsigned code" is another phrase. Sony takes new steps to prevent users from running custom-built programs on the machine (most likely to prevent piracy) with each firmware updating, meaning only earlier firmware versions are able to run homebrew.
So I have to write my own software? I'm not a programmer.
No. There are a variety of homebrew programs available for the PSP on the internet.
So I can download these programs, and run them on my PSP?
Exactly.
What kind of programs are available? Are they all games?
A wide variety of programs are available, many of which are not games. PSPRadio, for example, enables the PSP to receive Shoutcast streams from the internet using its integrated 802.11b. Web servers, image viewers, media players, text readers, and other kinds of software are available.
One particularly popular type of homebrew software is is an "emulator." An emulator is a piece of software that uses a machine's hardware to act as though it were a different machine. There are many emulators available for the PSP, such as a Super Nintendo emulator, Game Boy emulator, Sega Genesis emulator, and so on. These emulators will allow you to play respective games on your PSP, though keep in mind that due to legal issues, we cannot allow game requests or sharing here at PSP-Vault. We do however offer a selection of the emulators themselves in the "Yet Another Homebrew Pack." Instructions for installing the games/emulators are included in the file.
Other homebrew tools are available in the Homebrew section of the File Vault.
Cool! I've found a program I want. Now what?=
Chances are, instructions were included with the file you downloaded. Please read them. Because of the wide variety of homebrew software available, it is difficult to create a generic set of instructions that can guide you through the setup process.
I've noticed that in the "Homebrew support" row, firmware 1.50 shows "Full" but 2.00 shows only "partial." Can you explain the differences?
Firmware 1.50 offers the widest range of homebrew capabilities.
Firmware 2.00, however, offers limited homebrew capabilities. Going in to the exact technical discrepancies is unnecessary; what's most important is that you are aware that certain homebrew software may not run on a 2.00 PSP. Fanjita, largely responsible for getting homebrew to run on 2.00 PSPs, keeps a list of software that is compatible with his "EBOOT loader" (which is necessary to run homebrew on a 2.00 PSP) here. The Eboot loader itself is offered here.
Firmware 2.01 and above offer absolutely no homebrew support.
I'll be frank with you; I don't care about this "homebrew."
As long as you do not care about homebrew, and never plan on caring, you might as well update to the latest version of PSP firmware. The ability to play homebrew is the only capability Sony has removed in their firmware updates. As long as you have the latest firmware version, you can rest assured that you have all of what the PSP has to offer. Besides homebrew.
I've heard you can download PSP games and play them from a Memory Stick. Can you tell me how to do this? Where can I download some games?
No, and stop pirating video games.
Good luck!!