Custom PSP Firmware: Proof of Concept
It’s been awhile since I’ve written an article, but I couldn’t miss out on this one. Dark_AleX, the author of many firmware hacks and mods, such as the PRX Decrypters and some of the latest downgraders we’re sure you’ve heard about, has now released his latest creation – Custom Firmware: The proof of concept.
As you can tell from the name of it, it is a customized firmware, which is still in its early stage. Dark_AleX has added quite some features to this firmware, and will make you actually burn this firmware into your PSP. Although he has already tried this on his own PSP, this doesn’t mean he takes any responsibility on unpredicted casualties. So, you are warned, you will take a risk of bricking your PSP if you try this out (but in fact whatever you are doing with homebrew, you take that warning for sure). And don’t worry about going back to the official firmware. I will explain later.
Here are the features of this firmware:
- Execution of normal pbp’s (1.00 ones, no-kxploited)
– This means you will no longer need to have 2 similar folders in your PSP/GAME folder to make a homebrew run. Very convenient. - Possibility of hiding corrupt icons. (Note: by default it’s not enabled, look at the file /PSP/SYSTEM/config.txt to see how to enable it).
– So, even if you stick with 2-folder 1.50 PBPs, you will feel better with this feature. - Possibility of skipping the SCE logo at the startup. (and in this way avoid the annoying auto-execution of the UMD). Like the previous one, this is not enabled by default.
– What else can we say? This is of course useful: no stupid auto-start when you forget to take your UMD out of the UMD drive. Great. - “Recovery mode:”. If you keep R pressed while starting the psp, it will enter in “Recovery mode”.
Recovery mode is not more than a simple application that will let you to use the usb, and execute a program under ms0:/PSP/GAME/UPDATE/EBOOT.PBP, that could be, for example, a sony updater or the 1.50 -> 1.00 downdater.
This would allow to recover potential bricks caused by the writing of bad fonts/videos/sounds… to the flash.
(Note that this wouldn’t allow to recover critical things like the overwriting of critical prx’s)
– Yes, you read it. With this mod, you may have a chance to unbrick your PSP, if it was caused by the writing of bad fonts/videos/sounds to the flash. (Note that this wouldn’t allow to recover critical things like the overwriting of critical prx’s) - Autoexecution of a program at the startup. See the configuration file at /PSP/SYSTEM/config.txt to see how to use it.
– Very handy, especially for folks who want to boot directly to DevHook nowadays, or any favorite program immediately.
How to install it then? Very simple. After downloaded the zip file and opened it, you will see 4 items. Just drag & drop the “PSP” one into the root of your memory stick, and proceed with any overwrite warnings.
You can access the file “config.txt” in PSP/SYSTEM with your notepad program, to modify your experience with this mod later. This file is well commented, you will understand what to do when you see it on your own. After the files are copied, you just browse to the program “Custom Firmware – The proof of concept” and run. Files will be flashed to your PSP. And then, you are done.
We can tell that there can be many possibilities thru this kind of customized firmware. In fact, we cannot tell what the future of custom firmware holds right now, but we are definitely looking forward to see how this unfolds. And let’s cheer again for the inspired developer Dark_AleX and his latest creation! Thanks!
Download: [Custom Firmware – The Proof of Concept]
Discuss: [Forum release thread]
Digg it! (Thank you all for your support, Digg has lifted the ban of QJ.net!)
Via Dark_AleX
It’s been awhile since I’ve written an article, but I couldn’t miss out on this one. Dark_AleX, the author of many firmware hacks and mods, such as the PRX Decrypters and some of the latest downgraders we’re sure you’ve heard about, has now released his latest creation – Custom Firmware: The proof of concept.
As you can tell from the name of it, it is a customized firmware, which is still in its early stage. Dark_AleX has added quite some features to this firmware, and will make you actually burn this firmware into your PSP. Although he has already tried this on his own PSP, this doesn’t mean he takes any responsibility on unpredicted casualties. So, you are warned, you will take a risk of bricking your PSP if you try this out (but in fact whatever you are doing with homebrew, you take that warning for sure). And don’t worry about going back to the official firmware. I will explain later.
Here are the features of this firmware:
- Execution of normal pbp’s (1.00 ones, no-kxploited)
– This means you will no longer need to have 2 similar folders in your PSP/GAME folder to make a homebrew run. Very convenient. - Possibility of hiding corrupt icons. (Note: by default it’s not enabled, look at the file /PSP/SYSTEM/config.txt to see how to enable it).
– So, even if you stick with 2-folder 1.50 PBPs, you will feel better with this feature. - Possibility of skipping the SCE logo at the startup. (and in this way avoid the annoying auto-execution of the UMD). Like the previous one, this is not enabled by default.
– What else can we say? This is of course useful: no stupid auto-start when you forget to take your UMD out of the UMD drive. Great. - “Recovery mode:”. If you keep R pressed while starting the psp, it will enter in “Recovery mode”.
Recovery mode is not more than a simple application that will let you to use the usb, and execute a program under ms0:/PSP/GAME/UPDATE/EBOOT.PBP, that could be, for example, a sony updater or the 1.50 -> 1.00 downdater.
This would allow to recover potential bricks caused by the writing of bad fonts/videos/sounds… to the flash.
(Note that this wouldn’t allow to recover critical things like the overwriting of critical prx’s)
– Yes, you read it. With this mod, you may have a chance to unbrick your PSP, if it was caused by the writing of bad fonts/videos/sounds to the flash. (Note that this wouldn’t allow to recover critical things like the overwriting of critical prx’s) - Autoexecution of a program at the startup. See the configuration file at /PSP/SYSTEM/config.txt to see how to use it.
– Very handy, especially for folks who want to boot directly to DevHook nowadays, or any favorite program immediately.
How to install it then? Very simple. After downloaded the zip file and opened it, you will see 4 items. Just drag & drop the “PSP” one into the root of your memory stick, and proceed with any overwrite warnings.
You can access the file “config.txt” in PSP/SYSTEM with your notepad program, to modify your experience with this mod later. This file is well commented, you will understand what to do when you see it on your own. After the files are copied, you just browse to the program “Custom Firmware – The proof of concept” and run. Files will be flashed to your PSP. And then, you are done.
We can tell that there can be many possibilities thru this kind of customized firmware. In fact, we cannot tell what the future of custom firmware holds right now, but we are definitely looking forward to see how this unfolds. And let’s cheer again for the inspired developer Dark_AleX and his latest creation! Thanks!
Download: [Custom Firmware – The Proof of Concept]
Discuss: [Forum release thread]
Digg it! (Thank you all for your support, Digg has lifted the ban of QJ.net!)
Via Dark_AleX
About The Author
