► How to Install Custom Firmware onto your PSP.

What is Custom Firmware??

Custom firmware replaces your PSPs official firmware but it is not a permanent upgrade.
You can easily uninstall the custom firmware and to back to official firmware if you
don't like or don't want to use custom firmware anymore.

Custom Firmware has all the features of the official sony firmware, but also adds the ability
to load homebrew PSP ISOs and PSX EBOOTs directly from the game menu in the XMB.
so you can still play your original UMD discs, Music and Videos using custom firmware.

Custom Firmware also has an option to use 'No-UMD Mode' so you can run your PSP ISOs without a UMD inserted.

If you don't have a USB cable but you have a memory card reader, you can use that instead.
when you see 'connect your PSP to your computer and make a USB connection',
Turn off your PSP, take the memory stick out of your PSP and insert it into your memory card reader.
When you see 'close the USB connection and disconnect your PSP from your computer'
Take the memory stick out of your computer and insert it into your PSP and turn your PSP on.

Upgrading / Downgrading Firmware

This post used to contain information about downgrading to firmware 1.50,
but since 'Custom Firmware' is better to use, I've removed this entire post..

There are two new Topics you can use to hack your PSP and install custom firmware:

If you have Firmware 5.03 or lower and you don't have a 'pandora battery'
then you can use the '5.03 HEN' to install / load custom firmware.
Download Guide Here: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=2A0FB1KD


If you have a Slim PSP or a Fat PSP and you have a 'Pandora Battery', use this guide:
(note: The Pandora battery method doesn't work on 'TA088v3 Slim PSPs' and all PSP-3000 models.)
Download Guide Here: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=TN3OFEP2


Installing Custom Firmware:

If you have ANY 'M33-Based' custom firmware, you can update it directly to the latest version using the M33 Installers below.

If you have an 'M33', 'SE or OE' based Custom Firmware, '5.03 HEN' or 'Official Sony Firmware 1.50; on your PSP you will need to go
to the ''Updating Official 1.50, SE and OE Based Custom Firmwares to M33 Custom Firmware:'' section below.


'5.00 M33' Custom Firmware:
Required Files:

Custom Firmware 5.00 M33 Installer
Download 1 (Mediafire): http://www.mediafire.com/?mowznm4fjw1
Download 2 (iFile.it): http://ifile.it/vuhnmw0
Download 3 (zShare): http://www.zshare.net/download/528589675a78d08e/
Download 4 (SendSpace): http://www.sendspace.com/file/5zmexw
Download 5 (Megaupload): http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8UO9BZ2E


Custom Firmware 5.00 M33 Update #6:
Download 1 (Mediafire): http://www.mediafire.com/?ziwrw1mmyjh
Download 2 (iFile.it): http://ifile.it/5szhmqu
Download 3 (zShare): http://www.zshare.net/download/5440315783948b3c/
Download 4 (SendSpace): http://www.sendspace.com/file/yn8nke
Download 5 (Megaupload): http://www.megaupload.com/?d=W2WE1EQC

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Installing M33 Custom Firmware:

1. Download the 'M33 Custom Firmware' Installer.
2. In recovery mode, make sure the 'Kernel Mode' is set to 3.xx Kernel
Hold 'R', Turn on PSP -> Configuration -> Game Folder Homebrew -> 3.xx Kernel
(note: this could be 2.xx, 3.xx, 4.xx or 5.xx Kernel, it depends on your current custom firmware version)

3. Connect your PSP to your computer and create a USB Connection.
4. Extract the Custom Firmware Installer to a folder on your computer.
5. Copy the UPDATE folder into the PSP \ GAME folder.
6. Close the USB connection and disconnect the USB cable.

6. Go to the Game -> Memory Stick Menu and run the 'PSP Update ver 5.00' program
The installer icon will look something like this:


7. Press X and the Sony updater will begin and write the official firmware files. (The custom firmware files will be written in the next step.)
The 'Sony updater' screen is normal, go through the firmware update process like you would install an official update.

8. When finished, the updater will ask you to reboot, Press the X (or O) button.
This will finish installing the 'Custom Firmware' files to your PSP.

9. You have now installed the Custom Firmware update onto your PSP.
You can check the firmware version using the 'Settings -> System Settings -> System Information' menu.

10. Go to the Game -> Memory stick menu, highlight the 'PSP Update ver x.xx' icon.
Press Triangle, choose 'Delete', select 'Yes' and press 'X' to delete the installer from your memory stick.


Updating M33 Custom Firmware:

1. Download the Custom Firmware Update file.
2. Connect your PSP to your computer and make a USB connection.
3. Extract the 'Custom Firmware Update' file and copy the UPDATE folder into the PSP \ GAME folder.
4. Close the USB connection and disconnect the USB cable
5. Go to the Game -> Memory Stick menu and start the custom firmware update.

The update icon will look something like this:


6. Follow the on-screen instructions. (Press 'X' and you'll see a few files being updated)

7. You have now applied the Custom Firmware update onto your PSP.
You can check the firmware version using the 'Settings -> System Settings -> System Information' menu.

8. Go to the Game -> Memory stick menu and select the update icon (the file you just installed)
Press triangle, choose delete and select yes and press 'X' and this will delete the update from your memory stick

If this is your first time using custom firmware, I recommend you configure the custom firmware recovery menu.
A guide can be found here: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=U2IJI3FC

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Updating Official 1.50, SE and OE Based Custom Firmwares to M33 Custom Firmware:

This will install and update your PSP to 'Custom Firmware 5.00 M33-6', as of now this is the latest custom firmware version.

Recovery Flasher v1.60 (Installs Custom Firmware 5.00 M33-6): (28.15mb)
Download 1 (Mediafire): http://www.mediafire.com/?wjw2hzxzz1z
Download 2 (iFile.it): http://ifile.it/mz2sbqj
Download 3 (zShare): http://www.zshare.net/download/606766301401abc0/
Download 4 (SendSpace): http://www.sendspace.com/file/z1saku
Download 5 (Megaupload): http://www.megaupload.com/?d=P11P5NB7

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Installing Recovery Flasher:

1. Download the 'Recovery Flasher' Program from the link above.
2. Extract the 'Recovery Flasher' file you downloaded.

3. The next steps will depend on what Firmware you have on your PSP:

For PSP systems with a 'Custom Firmware' already installed (SE, OE or M33 firmwares):
A. Make a USB Connection (or insert your PSP memory stick into a card reader)
B. Copy and paste the 'RECOVERY' folder into the PSP \ GAME folder on your memory stick.
C. Close the USB Connection and remove the USB Cable.
D. In recovery mode, make sure 'Game Folder Homebrew' is set to 5.xx Kernel
(OR 4.xx / 3.xx / 2.xx Kernel, it will depend on your firmware version)
-- (To access Recovery mode, fully turn off your PSP by holding the power button up for about 5 seconds,
-- Then hold the 'R' trigger button and turn on PSP, select 'Configuration' and press 'X', you'll find the option there.)
E. Exit recovery mode and you should see the XMB main menu of the PSP.


For PSPs with the 'Official 1.50' Firmware Installed:
A. Make a USB Connection (or insert your PSP memory stick into a card reader)
B. Open the 'Recovery' Folder and you will see 2 files. (eboot.pbp and 500.pbp)
C. Copy the '500.pbp' file from this folder and open the 'files-for-1.50-Firmware' folder
D. Open the '__SCE__rflash' folder and paste the '500.pbp' file into the "__SCE__rflash" folder
E. Go 'Back' and copy both folders (%__SCE__rflash and __SCE__rflash)
F. Paste both folders into the 'PSP \ GAME' folder on your memory stick.


Using Recovery Flasher to Install Custom Firmware:

1. Go to the 'Game > Memory Stick' section on your PSP and start the 'Recovery Flasher' program.
2. You will need to 'Agree' to the warning screen (Press Down and then 'X')
3. On the main menu confirm that target firmware is set to 5.00.
(If the target firmware isn't 5.00, highlight "target firmware" and press 'X' until it changes to 5.00)

4. Go down to 'Install M33 CFW' and press 'X' (You will need at least 50% battery power)
(note: you can skip the battery check by holding L+R at the same time)

5. You can decide if you want to reset your settings (recommended) or keep your settings, Once you have decided, press 'X'
6. The Custom Firmware install process will begin. This will take a few minutes, Wait until it finishes.
7. Once its done, press any button and your PSP will shutdown. It might take about a minute for the PSP to shutdown.
(The Power light flashing is normal, just leave your PSP and it will turn itself off automatically, don't shut it down yourself)

8. Turn on your PSP and reconfigure the settings (if you decided to reset your PSP settings)

You should now have Custom Firmware 5.00 M33-6 installed on your PSP.
If this is your first time using custom firmware, I recommend you configure the custom firmware recovery menu.
A guide can be found here: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=U2IJI3FC

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1.50 Addon Files for 'M33 Custom Firmware':
(Needed to run 1.50 format homebrew programs on M33 custom Firmware)

The 1.50 Addon files can only be installed to 'Fat PSP' systems, The Slim PSP cannot load 1.50 firmware files.
(Note: If you install the '1.50 Addon' files you will lose the location free player and Korean fonts)

Required Files:

1.50 Addon files for 5.00 M33
Download 1 (Mediafire): http://www.mediafire.com/?ednn5fwin0h
Download 2 (iFile.it): http://ifile.it/6c7bteh
Download 3 (zShare): http://www.zshare.net/download/52859635b963be9f/
Download 4 (SendSpace): http://www.sendspace.com/file/voxyyt
Download 5 (Megaupload): http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6XO9PPC7

Installing the 1.50 Addon files:

1. Download and extract the 1.50 addon files to a folder on your computer.
2. Select the 150.pbp file and paste it to your 'Memory stick' root folder. e.g Removable Disk (E:\)
3. Open the PSP \ GAME folder (from the extracted files) and copy the "150k_Installer" folder to the PSP \ GAME folder on your memory stick.
4. Close the USB connection and disconnect the USB cable.
5. Go to the Game -> Memory stick menu, and start the 'PSP Firmware Update 1.50' program.

The 1.50 addon installer icon will look similar to this:


6. Follow the on-screen instructions, (Press 'X' to install the addon files)
7. Once the '1.50 addon files' have been installed you can delete the 'PSP Firmware Update 1.50' program.
(select the 'PSP Firmware Update 1.50' program, press Triangle then choose 'delete')

8. Make a USB connection and delete the 150.pbp file from your memory stick.
9. The '1.50 addon' files that enable the older '1.50 format' homebrew on M33 custom firmware have been installed.

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Using the 'Custom Firmware' Recovery Mode:

Configuring 'Custom Firmware'
1. Fully turn off your PSP by holding the power button for 4 seconds.
2. Hold the 'R' button and turn your PSP back on and the 'Recovery Mode' will start.
3. Here you can change options on how the custom firmware operates.
Below is a list of all the options you can change in the recovery mode, some options may not be available
as it will depend on the custom firmware version you have installed and also if have a Fat or Slim PSP.

Configuration Menu:

• Skip SCE Logo
  - Skips the white PSP screen when the PSP is turned on and also disables the UMD Autorun.
  $: Recommend Setting: Disabled
  
  Notes:
  If you only want to disable the UMD autorun, you can do this from the settings menu
  in the XMB by going Settings > System Settings > UMD Auto-start: Off
  
  
• Hide Corrupt Icons
  - Hides the 'Corrupted Data Icons' of 1.50 homebrew on the Game Menu, can cause XMB to run slow.
  $: Recommended Setting: Disabled
  
  
• Game Folder Homebrew
  - Changes the PSP \ GAME folder that you need to put your homebrew games and programs into.
  $: Recommended Setting: 5.xx Kernel / 4.xx Kernel / 3.xx Kernel (depending on custom firmware)
  
  Notes:
  This option is only useful for FAT PSP systems that have the 1.50 kernel addon files installed, Slim PSPs cannot run 1.50 homebrew.
  
  If this option is set to 1.50 Kernel then you need to put:
  • Older Firmware (1.00/1.50) homebrew in the "PSP \ GAME" folder.
  • Newer Firmware (2.xx/3.xx/4.xx/5.xx) format homebrew in the "PSP \ GAME5xx" folder
    
  If this option is set to 5.xx Kernel then you need to put:
  • Older Firmware (1.00/1.50) homebrew in the "PSP \ GAME150" folder.
  • Newer Firmware (2.xx/3.xx/4.xx/5.xx) homebrew in the "PSP \ GAME" folder.
  
  Replace '5.xx Kernel' and 'GAME5xx' with:
  '4.xx Kernel' and 'GAME4xx' for 'Custom Firmware 4.01 M33'
  '3.xx Kernel' and 'GAME352' for 'Custom Firmware 3.52 M33'
  '3.xx Kernel' and 'GAME340' for 'Custom Firmware 3.40 OE'
  
  
• Autorun Program at /PSP/GAME/BOOT/EBOOT.PBP
  - Enabling this will make the PSP automatically run a PSP homebrew program that is saved in the folder above when the PSP is turned on.
  $: Recommended Setting: Disabled
  
  
• UMD Mode
  - Run PSP ISO games without having to have a UMD Game disc inserted in the PSP
  - There are 4 different No-Umd modes you can choose from:
  -- "Normal -UMD Required-" -> Uses the normal UMD Driver, this settings requires a UMD Game disc inserted into your PSP.
  -- "M33 Driver -NO UMD-" -> This driver was created by the M33 Team (might not work with all PSP games)
  -- "Sony NP9660 -NO UMD-" -> The driver that Sony made to play downloaded games from the PSN Store (might not work with all PSP games)
  -- "OE isofs legacy -NO UMD-" -> The driver used in the older SE and OE custom firmwares, very low game compatibility rate.
  $: Recommended Setting: Sony NP9660 -- or-- M33 Driver
  
  Notes:
  Some PSP games may freeze on a black screen when loading, if that happens try changing the UMD Mode to 'M33 Driver' instead.
  If both the NP9660 and M33 modes don't work, insert a UMD disc and use the "Normal -UMD Required-" mode instead.
  
  
• Fake Region
  - you can fake the region of your PSP, useful for playing UMD movies from a different region then your PSP is.
  - e.g A Japanese Region UMD Video Disc on a Europe Region PSP / A Europe Region UMD Video Disc on a USA Region PSP.
  $: Recommended Setting: Disabled
  
  
• Use VSHMenu
  - Enables or Disables the small menu you get when you press 'home / select' button in the XMB main menu.
  $: Recommended Setting: Enabled
  
  
• XMB USB Device
  - Change the 'drive' that will be accessed when you make a USB connection.
  - There are a number of 'drives' that can be accessed:
  -- Memory Stick (default, access your memory stick)
  -- Flash 0 (Main Firmware files)
  -- Flash 1 (Settings and wallpaper)
  -- Flash 2 (Playstation network activation data)
  -- Flash 3 (Currently unused)
  -- UMD Disc (Enables you to make a copy of the UMD Disc in ISO format.)
  $: Recommended Setting: Memory Stick
  
  
• Charge Battery when USB cable plugged (only available on PSP 2000 models)
  - Lets you charge your PSP through a USB cable when in the XMB without needing to have the "USB Connection" activated.
  - If this is disabled but the "USB Charge" option is enabled in the XMB, you will need to activate a USB connection to charge the battery.
  $: Recommended Setting: Enabled (Save battery power when transfering files)
  
  Notes:
  Some computers (mainly laptops) might not supply enough power to the USB ports.
  if you can't make a USB connection to transfer data then you should turn off
  the "USB Charging" option in both the recovery menu and also in the XMB menu.
  
  
• Use M33 Network update
  - Allows you to download custom firmware updates using the network update icon in the XMB.
  $: Recommended Setting: Enabled
  
  Notes:
  If this option is disabled, using network update will download official firmware onto your PSP.
  Installing official firmware will overwrite the custom firmware, If you accidently install the official firmware
  onto your PSP you will need to "re-hack" your PSP using a pandora battery + magic memory stick.
  
  
• Use version.txt (only on 5.00 M33-2 or higher)
  - loads the plain text version of the the file "flash0:/vsh/etc/version.txt"
  - This changes the firmware version reported by the PSP to different services.
  - This was mainly used to by-pass the "firmware" version check when you accessed the 'Playstation Network' Store.
  $: Recommended Setting: Disabled
  
  
• Speed up MS Access (only on 5.00 M33-6 or higher)
  - When enabled, uses a faster memory stick driver to load files from the memory stick.
  - There are 8 different choices you can choose from:
  -- NEVER (Disabled)
  -- ALWAYS (Enabled)
  -- VSH (Only in the VSH Menu)
  -- VSH and GAME (Only in the VSH menu and GAME modes)
  -- VSH and POPS (Only in the VSH menu and 'Playstation One' mode)
  -- GAME (Only in the GAME modes)
  -- GAME and POPS (Only in the GAME and Playstation One' mode)
  -- POPS (Only in the 'Playstation One' mode)
  $: Recommended Setting: ALWAYS
  
  

Advanced:

• Advanced configuration ->
  - Shows the Advanced configuration menu that contains more options:
  
  
  • Plain Modules in UMD/ISO
    - Will allow 'unencrypted PRX files' to be used when a PSP UMD or ISO is running
    $: Recommended Setting: Disabled
    
    
  • Execute boot.bin in UMD/ISO
    - Will run the unencrypted boot.bin file instead of the encrypted eboot.bin file.
    $: Recommended Setting: Disabled
    
    
  • XMB Plugins
    - Will disable loading of all 'XMB' Mode plugins.
    $: Recommended Setting: Enabled
    
    
  • GAME Plugins
    - Will disable loading of all 'GAME' mode plugins.
    $: Recommended Setting: Enabled
    
    
  • POPS Plugins
    - Will disable loading of all 'POPS' mode plugins.
    $: Recommended Setting: Enabled
    
  
  
• Toggle USB (Flash0)
  - Will make a USB connection so you can change / modify the files on your PSP flash0 Memory.
  - This is where the main firmware files are stored.
  - Wrongly replacing / modifying files here can cause your PSP to brick.
  
  
• Toggle USB (Flash1)
  - Will make a USB connection so you can change / modify the files on your PSP flash1 Memory.
  - This is where the settings files are stored.
  - Wrongly replacing / modifying files here can cause your PSP to brick.
  
  
• Toggle USB (Flash2)
  - Will make a USB connection so you can change / modify the files on your PSP flash2 Memory.
  - This is where the Playstation Network "activation" DAT file is stored.
  - Wrongly replacing / modifying files here can cause your downloaded PSN games to not work.
  
  
• Toggle USB (Flash3)
  - Will make a USB connection so you can change / modify the files on your PSP flash3 Memory.
  - This space is currently unused.
  

Cpu Speed:

• Speed in XMB
  - Will change the CPU speed in the XMB menu.
  $: Recommended Setting: Default
  
  
• Speed in UMD / ISO
  - Will change the default CPU speed in UMD / ISO games.
  - Increasing the CPU speed may make games run faster but the PSP will use more battery power.
  -: Some PSP games may require this to be set to '266' or '333' for the game to load.
  $: Recommended Setting: Default
  

Plugins Menu:

• Here will be a list of plugin files you have installed onto your memory stick.
  - you can choose to enable and disable plugins in certain modes (XMB, GAME and POPS)
  

Registry Hacks Menu:

• Button Assign
  - You can switch the O and X buttons for Confirm and Exit.
  
  
• Activate WMA
  - Will activate the WMA playback feature without having to use wireless internet.
  
  
• Activate Flash Player
  - will activate the Flash Player feature without having to use wireless internet.
  
  

3. Once you have finished with changing the settings in recovery mode, choose "Exit" from the main menu.

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Mini-Guides

Installing PSP ISO games onto your PSP

1. Connect your PSP to your Computer.
2. Enable USB connection on your PSP.
3. Copy the CSO/ISO file into the ISO folder on your memory stick.
If you don't have an ISO folder you will need to make one on your 'Memory stick' (e.g G:\)

4. Close the USB Connection and disconnect the USB Cable.
5. Scroll the 'Game' > 'Memory Stick' menu and you should see your ISO as one of the games on the menu.
6. Highlight your game and start it by pressing 'X' ('O' on Japanese PSPs) or the start button.

Installing PSX EBOOT games onto your PSP

1. Connect your PSP to your Computer.
2. Enable USB connection on your PSP.
3. Open the PSP \ GAME \ folder.
4. Make a new folder and name it anything you like (e.g the name of game).
5. Copy these files from the PSX game into the new folder.

• Eboot.pbp
• Keys.bin (some games won't have this file.)
• Document.dat (some games won't have this file.)

6. Close USB Connection and disconnect USB Cable.
7. Scroll the 'Game' Menu and you should see your PSX Game.
8. Highlight your game and press 'Start'

Installing Homebrew onto your PSP

1. Download and unzip the homebrew program into a folder on your hard drive.
2. Connect your PSP to your computer using a USB Cable.
3. Enable USB connection on your PSP from the settings menu.
4. Copy the folders from your homebrew program into the PSP \ GAME folder

5. Copy any additional files into the the homebrew folder.

e.g If its an emulator you will need to add your Roms / BIOS files.
Read the 'readme.txt' file that came with your homebrew to find out if you need any extra files.

6. Close the USB connection and remove the USB cable.
7. On your PSP go to 'Game' > 'Memory stick', your homebrew should appear in the game list.
8. Select your homebrew from the list and press 'X' to start it ('O' on Japanese PSPs).

Putting Music on your PSP

1. Connect your PSP to your computer, create a USB connection from the settings menu on your PSP.
2. Open the drive letter your computer gives your PSP.
3. Open the PSP folder, then open the Music folder and copy your music files there.
You can put your music in a folder if you want it organized.
You can't have a folder inside a folder like Artist \ Album \ track01.mp3

e.g:
x:\
\---PSP
\---MUSIC
| Track01.ac3
| Track02.mp3
| Track03.wma
|
+---Folder1
| Track01.mp3
| Track02.mp3
| Track03.mp3
|
+---Folder2
| Track01.ac3
| Track02.ac3
|
\---Folder3
Track01.wma
Track02.wma
Track03.wma

Putting Videos on your PSP

New Method:
1. Connect your PSP to your computer, create a USB connection from the settings menu on your PSP.
2. Open the drive letter your computer gives your PSP.
3. Copy your MP4 videos into the 'PSP \ VIDEO' folder.

Old Method: (If the videos don't play when using the new method)
1. Connect your PSP to your computer, create a USB connection from the settings menu on your PSP.
2. Open the drive letter your computer gives your PSP.

MP4 MPEG videos go in the folder: x: \ MP_ROOT \ 100MNV01 \ M4V#####.mp4
MP4 AVC/H264 videos go in the folder: x: \ MP_ROOT \ 100ANV01 \ MAQ#####.mp4

You will need to replace ##### with any 5 numbers like 37626, 92631, etc, it doesn't matter as long as its 5 numbers.
(If you downloaded your video and are unsure what format the video is in, look at the start of the filename for MAQ or M4V)

e.g
x:\
\---MP_ROOT
\---100MNV01
| M4V13567.mp4
| M4V19345.mp4
| M4V54275.mp4
|
+---100ANV01
MAQ13687.mp4
MAQ48174.mp4
MAQ19287.mp4

Putting Pictures on your PSP

1. Connect your PSP to your computer, create a USB connection from the settings menu on your PSP.
2. Open the drive letter your computer gives your PSP.
3. Open the PSP folder, then open the Photo folder and copy your photo files there.
You can put your photos in folders if you want it organized.
You can't have a folder inside a folder like folder1 \ folder2 \ photo1.jpg
e.g.
x:\
\---PSP
\---PHOTO
| Photo1.jpg
| Photo2.jpg
| Photo3.jpg
|
+---Folder1
| Photo1.jpg
| Photo2.jpg
| Photo3.jpg
|
+---Folder2
| Photo1.jpg
| Photo2.jpg
|
\---Folder3
Photo1.jpg
Photo2.jpg
Photo3.jpg

Customizing Your PSP Background Picture

1. Connect your PSP to your computer and make a USB Connection.
2. Copy any picture file (BMP, JPG etc) in your PSP \ PHOTO folder (The PSP screen resolution is 480x272 pixels)
3. Close the USB Connection and disconnect your PSP from your computer.
4. Open the 'Photo' menu on your PSP and press "X"
5. Scroll to the picture you want as your background and press "X".
6. Press /\ (Triangle) and scroll to "Set as Wallpaper" and press "X"
7. if you already have a wallpaper, you will asked if you want to overwrite it.
- Choose 'Yes' and the wallpaper will be saved to your PSPs flash memory.

8. Press 'O' three times to exit the photo viewer.
9. Scroll to the settings menu and then to "Theme Settings" and press "X"
10. Scroll to wallpaper and press "X" and change it to "Use"
11. You can delete the wallpaper file from your memory stick since the wallpaper is stored in your PSPs Flash Memory.

To change the color your PSP uses for its background when you are not using a wallpaper:
1. Scroll to the settings menu and then to 'Theme Settings' and press "X"
2. Scroll to "Theme" and press "X" and choose a color.
Original will make the color change every month.

note: If you are using a custom wallpaper, this will change the color used on the information menu.
(e.g when you press Triangle on a music / photo / video file.)

Joining Multi-Part Rar files

1. Download and install winrar from http://www.rarlabs.com/download.htm
2. Place all parts into the same folder on your hard drive
3. Right-click the first part and choose 'Extract to here'.
4. Winrar will open and extract/join the files into one file.
5. You should see your ISO/CSO file, copy it to the ISO folder on your memory stick.

If this is your first time playing an ISO on your memory stick you might need to make the folder yourself.
Open the drive letter your computer gives your PSP Memory stick. (like E:\)
Make a new folder called ISO in the same folder as PSP and MP_ROOT folders your memory stick should already have.

Note: ISO files may look like another winrar file. you can tell if its an ISO when you double click it.
If winrar opens and you see a file and a folder (PSP_GAME and UMD_DATA.BIN) then its an ISO file.

Converting between ISO and CSO formats

Required Programs:
'UMDGEN v4.0' (Do a google search for it)

How to convert an ISO file into a CSO file:
1. Download and install UMDGEN v4.00
2. Open UMDGEN and open your ISO file.
3. Go to the 'UMD Properties' tab and click the 'Optimize' button.
This will optimize the order of the files and remove un-needed files
Some games may not work properly when optimized and may freeze on a black screen.
If this happens to your game, do not optimize it and skip this step.
I recommend to keep the original ISO file until you know the game works properly on your PSP.

4. From the Toolbar menu, choose Save -> Compressed (*.CSO)
5. Choose a folder and a filename to save the compressed ISO to and click 'Save'
6. UMDGEN will prepare the files and then compress it to the CSO format.
7. Once its finished compressing, you will have your CSO file.

Convert a CSO to the ISO format:
1. Open your CSO file with UMDGEN.
2. On the toolbar, choose 'Save as' -> 'Uncompressed (*.ISO)'
3. UMDGEN will prepare the files and save it as an uncompressed ISO file.
4. Once its finished saving you will have your ISO file.

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Error Messages you may get running 'Custom Firmware'...


The game could not be started. (80020321)

This error may occur when trying to run a PSP ISO game from your memory stick.
You need to have either a Game or Demo UMD Disc in your PSP when start a PSP ISO game, A UMD Movie will not work.

If you don't have a Game or Demo UMD Disc, you can enable either the 'Sony NP9660' or 'M33 Driver' No-UMD mode.
(The 'Sony NP9660' and 'M33 Driver' No UMD modes are only available on Custom Firmwares 3.52 M33 and higher)

To enable the 'Sony NP9660' or 'M33 Driver' No-UMD Mode:
1. Turn off PSP by holding the power button for 4 seconds.
2. Hold the 'R' button and turn on your PSP and you will enter the 'Recovery mode'
3. Select the 'Configuration' menu and press 'X'
4. Select the 'No UMD' option and press 'X' until it changes to 'Sony NP9660 -No UMD-' or '-M33 Driver -No UMD-'
5. Select the Back option and press 'X'
6. Select the Exit Option and press 'X'
7. Your PSP will load the XMB menu, try playing your PSP ISO again.

The game could not be started. (80020130)

This is a file read error, if you are trying to play a PSP ISO then your ISO may be corrupted / badly ripped.
If you are trying to play a UMD Disc, the UMD disc or your UMD Drive lens may be dirty.

This could also mean your memory stick has some bad sectors, moving any important files to your computer.
Format your memory stick using your PSP and copy back the files you moved to your computer earlier.

This disc cannot be started. The region code is not correct.

This may occur when trying to play back a UMD Movie thats not from your PSPs Region.
You can change your PSP Region in the Recovery menu, this may not work on all PSPs.

This may also occur when trying to start a PSP ISO game when a UMD Movie is inserted.
To play a PSP ISO you need to insert a Game or Demo UMD into your PSP before starting the PSP ISO game.

Connection Error: The WLAN switch is not turned on.

This may occur when trying to make a wireless connection and your WLAN switch is turned off.
To turn on your WLAN:
PSP-1000: Slide the WLAN switch on the side of your PSP to the up position.
PSP-2000/3000: Slide the WLAN switch on the top of your PSP to the right position.

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How do I?...

Stop the UMD from auto-starting when I turn on my PSP?

In your PSPs settings menu, scroll to 'System Settings' and change the 'UMD Auto-Start' Option to Off.

Enable the flash player and WMA playback without wireless internet?

1. Turn off your PSP by holding the power button for 4 seconds.
2. Turn on your PSP and hold the 'R' (Right Trigger) button to enter recovery mode.
3. Select the 'Registry Hacks' Menu and press 'X'
4. Select 'Activate Flash Player' option and press 'X'
5. Select 'Activate WMA Player' option and press 'X'
6. Select the 'Back' option and press 'X' to go back to the main menu.
7. Select the 'Exit' option and press 'X' to go back to the XMB.

Switch the "Confirm" and "Cancel" buttons in the XMB?

1. Turn off your PSP by holding the power button for 4 seconds.
2. Turn on your PSP and hold the 'R' (Right Trigger) button to enter recovery mode.
3. Select the 'Registry Hacks' Menu and press 'X'
4. Select 'Button Assign' option and press 'X', this will switch 'O' and 'X' buttons.
5. Select the 'Back' option and press 'X' to go back to the main menu.
6. Select the 'Exit' option and press 'X' to go back to the XMB.

TNX to The_Android 4 this Complete Guide about Downgrading / Installing Custom Firmwares onto your PSP. All Credit goes to him.