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View Full Version : Custom Firmware: 3.40 OE ** Installation and Help Thread **


F34R
05-23-2007, 01:07 PM
Dark_Alex has continued to give PSP owners what they crave ! Despite Sony's efforts to try and get by with their modest offerings in the official firmware, they [Sony] just hasn't been able to get it right. It's never been better to enter the world of Dark_Alex's custom firmware releases.

This thread can be used to discuss problems, tips, solutions, etc. for other members. Please adhere to the site rules when posting, or requesting, help in this thread.

What is this custom firmware you speak of 'o mighty F34R ?
The custom firmware is just that, a firmware for your Sony PSP with a bit of flair. It's been developed by Dark_Alex, Harleyg, and Mathieulh.

What do I get when I install this ?
You'll basically be running a 3.40 version firmware, with the functionality of a 1.50 version firmware.

Are there any risks involved with using this firmware ?
When using anything that flashes your PSP, there is always a risk involved. To minimize the possibility of any problems, please make sure you have adequate battery level, and/or, your A/C adapter is plugged in. I've also had reports that a fake memory stick can be corrupted fairly easily, and thus increasing your chances of bricking your PSP. A simple test to see if your memory stick is a legit brand, i.e. Sony, Sandisk, Lexar, etc. is simple; Scroll over to your GAME icon in the XMB. Highlight the Memory Stick, and press TRIANGLE. Select "INFORMATION". If your memory stick is legit, it will have MagicGate: Supported. Fake memory sticks usually have "Unknown" instead of "Supported". I'm not sure if this is 100% accurate. Here's a screenie.

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/4848/magicgate0wr.th.png (http://img184.imageshack.us/my.php?image=magicgate0wr.png)

I've made every attempt to make sure the following information is 100% accurate. Please read the entire guide before proceeding. In any circumstance where you are flashing your PSP, editing or changing your flash files, or just plain modding your PSP files, there will ALWAYS be risks associated with your actions. Please read the documentation below very carefully. I don't take any responsibility if something goes wrong, whether it be from following the directions or not. You assume all risks and consequences that come with modifying your PSP software.

Also be aware that TA-082 users are now able to use these custom firmware installations after properly downgrading their PSPs to 1.50. If you don't have a 1.50 PSP or a PSP that's already running custom firmware, DO NOT use this guide.

I recommend people to backup their savedata before proceeding to change them
(Sony has changed the savedata format, and they force you to change the format in 3.40 if you want to play them).
If a plugin to load previous firmwares pops appear, the savedata will have to be in the old format for those firmwares,
that's why it is better to have a backup of them. Psx savedatas are in /PSP/SAVEDATA/[code of game]

Soooo... let's get started.

Requirements
1.50 or custom firmware version PSP
1.50 update eboot file
3.40 update eboot file
3.40 OE-A installation and flash files

The above files can all be accessed HERE (http://www.talkvideogames.com/showthread.php?t=35189), with the exception of the 3.40 official firmware update file. I'll upload that tonight.

Installing the proper files - FILES LOCATED HERE (http://www.talkvideogames.com/showthread.php?t=35189)

First you'll need to download the firmware, and installation, files above. Once you have those files, unpack them on your PC somewhere handy. You should have the following folders and files:
340oeflasher
340oeflasher%
oeupdmaker
oeupdmaker%
leeme.txt
Readme.txt
Now let's get started with the installation.
Get the 1.50 and 3.40 update files and place them in the oeupdmaker folder. Change the names of the files to "150.PBP" and "340.PBP" respectively.
Now transfer the oeupdmaker and oeupdmaker% folders to your PSP.
1.50 users place the folders in /PSP/GAME/...
custom firmware users place the folders in /PSP/GAME150/...
Exit USB mode, and scroll to your GAME icon. Press X. Highlight the icon for the oeupdmaker, press X to run the program. At this point, we aren't writing to the flash, we're only creating a file called DATA.DXAR in the directory oeupdmaker.
The program will verify that the SHA-1 of the generated file is correct.

Once the program is finished, which takes about 3 minutes or so, you will be returned to the XMB.

You're now done preparing the file we need for the firmware installation. You can archive an extra copy of the DATA.DXAR for future needs.

Next:
Re-connect the PSP to the USB port, and you'll now have a new file in /PSP/GAME/OEUPDATEMAKER, named DATA.DXAR. The app checks the DATA.DXAR, so you don't have check it yourself.
Transfer the folders 340oeflasher% and 340oeflasher to:
1.50 users - /PSP/GAME/..
Custom firmware users - /PSP/GAME150/...
Copy the file DATA.DXAR to the directory /PSP/GAME/340oeflasher; /GAME150/340oeflasher for custom firmware users.
Installing 3.40 OE-A Custom Firmware


Make sure your battery level is at least 75%. I suggest you charge your PSP to 100%, and plug the AC adapter.

Once you start the next steps, do NOT turn your PSP off, put it on hold, or remove the memory stick. Doing so will result in bad things happening to good people !

Here are your next steps to follow:
Disconnect the PSP from the USB port.
Scroll over to your GAME icon in the XMB and run the firmware installer app.
The app will ask you if you really want to flash your psp, etc. You'll see the warning, do at your own risk, blah blah, etc. Press X to flash your PSP.
It will start flashing your psp. It will also display a completion percentage.
Once it's finished, you will see "Done...manually restart the PSP".
Your PSP will restart to a new firmware 3.40 OE-A !
Now You can Format the Memory Stick. (optional)

Recovery Menu

Let's turn the PSP off by holding the power switch up until the PSP turns off. Turn it back on, holding the R-Trigger. The PSP will enter Recovery Mode. There are several options in the recovery console. Don't mess with them if you don't know what they do.

Loading Homebrew in 3.40 OE-A

Loading homebrew like you used to in 1.50, you'll just put the homebrew in /PSP/GAME150. It can be kxploited or not.

To load homebrew made for 3.40 kernel just place them in /PSP/GAME340/.

You must have the following folders on your memory stick, or you MAY encounter errors.
x:/ISO
x:/PSP/GAME
x:/PSP/GAME340
Updating your 3.40 OE firmware

Updates will be posted if/when released


Updates from 3.30 OE A-2 to 3.40 OE-A include:
Updated from 3.30 firmware to 3.40

Security patch: Fixed a bug that has been in all 3.XX OE, that caused random data to be written to a location
in lcdc.prx or (in worst case) emc_sm.prx ram space.

Autboot that is missing since 3.03 OE-C has been reimplemented.

Improvements in the flasher. It will now generate also the flash1 directories, and it will check that the dxar is the correct for this update,
so no more bricks by accidentally using other DATA.DXAR.

Downgrading from 3.40 OE

Now, let's get started:
Download the RECOVERY folder HERE (http://www.talkvideogames.com/showthread.php?t=35189). Extract the contents of the rar file, and drag that folder to your PSP in /PSP/GAME/... so you should have x:/PSP/GAME/RECOVERY...
Download the 1.50 Sony Update. Rename the update from EBOOT.PBP to UPDATE.PBP.
Transfer it to x:/PSP/GAME/RECOVERY/. You should now have 2 .prx files and 3 .pbp files in your RECOVERY folder.
Turn your PSP completely off by holding the power button up until the PSP shuts off.
Turn the PSP back on and hold the R-Trigger button down. You'll see the Recovery Console boot up.
Move to Run program at /PSP/GAME/RECOVERY/EBOOT.PBP and press X.
You'll see some purple writing, press X.
That's IT ! You now have a 1.50 PSP again.

There you have it. I'll update the guide whenever new information is obtained, or subsequent releases are available.

Previous custom firmware installation guides are located here:
3.10 OE Installation Guide (http://www.talkvideogames.com/showthread.php?t=36486)
3.02 OE Installation Guide (http://www.talkvideogames.com/showthread.php?t=35106)
2.71 SE Installation Guide (http://www.talkvideogames.com/showthread.php?t=33899)
3.03 OE Installation Guide (http://www.talkvideogames.com/showthread.php?t=35616)

TBGixxer
05-23-2007, 02:38 PM
Sweet... thanks for this thread F34R! I'm still rockin' old firmware, time to update.

F34R
05-23-2007, 03:51 PM
weird.. I updated, everything was doing fine. I went to launch IRShell, and the PSP shut down. Now it won't turn on at all.

UPDATE

I've reverted back to 1.50 using recovery. Now I can't update to any OE firmware. It's always korean or jpn. This is very odd. All my files are US firmware files. Grrrr... I knew I shouldn't have updated yet lol. I don't know if this is specific to my PSP, so I've removed the 3.40 files from the thread. I'll update more once I've figured out the problem.

chkdg8
05-23-2007, 07:06 PM
That is weird. For some reason I cannot use custom themes either. Do you think that could be the same reason why your homebrew isn't working?

F34R
05-23-2007, 07:20 PM
I'm back at 3.30 OE-A'. Once I work out whatever the problem was, I'll repost the files.

UPDATE

I've apparently fixed whatever the problem was. I've upgraded three times now to 3.40 OE-A successfully. The file has been added in the appropriate thread. Please see the guide for a link to the file. Again, I'll upload the 3.40 official firmware sometime tonight.

chkdg8
05-24-2007, 06:37 AM
One other thing to look out for is Saved Data. I forgot where I read this but they did mention that any game saves prior 3.40 OE-A will not work. I'll post the link when I find it.

F34R
05-24-2007, 10:14 AM
I've added a note, about the POPS savedata, to the guide. You'll see it just under the "disclaimer" section.

thermovie644064
06-11-2007, 03:45 PM
For some reason my homebrew is not working in this new firware any clues

F34R
06-11-2007, 04:11 PM
what folder do you have it in ?

thermovie644064
06-11-2007, 05:01 PM
the psp/game

do i need to make a new folder to put it in or something

F34R
06-11-2007, 08:04 PM
yea, just make a GAME150 and put them in there. Refer to the section "Loading Homebrew..." in the above guide.

thermovie644064
06-12-2007, 04:43 AM
Yeah i figured it out right after i posted lol
thanks alot man great job once again