How to Install 3.52 M33-4 on Your PSP
As I promised Fat Of The Land and a lot more other people around the net, I’ll be writing a guide on the installation of 3.52 M33-4 custom firmware for the PSP. If you’re wondering what in the world 3.52 M33-4 is, it’s a custom firmware built by russian hackers that enables you to play homebrew and also enjoy the features of the official 3.52 sony firmware.
Before we begin with the process, here are a few simple things to do first.
Check your existing PSP Firmware.
On your XMB (Cross Media Bar), go to Settings > System Settings > System Information. Press circle or x (it depends on what PSP version you have) to view your existing firmware. If you have a 1.5 or any custom OE/SE firmware, you are in luck. You can proceed to the next step, otherwise, you must downgrade your PSP first. I suggest you use Pandora’s battery for the downgrade.
Obtain a USB Cable
If you don’t know what a USB cable is, I assure you won’t be successful with the installation. A USB cable is a connectivity tool between your PC/Mac and PSP.
Download the 3.52 M33-4 Installer Package
I packed all the files into a RAR file so you won’t have any trouble locating the files around the net. After downloading the file, unpack it using WinRAR. I’ve separated each step into separate folders so everything will be organized.
Download the 3.52 M33-4 installer pack.
Check Your Battery
I suggest you must have more than 75% battery to avoid bricking. And also plugin the adaptor.
If you have correctly followed the few simple steps above, then we are ready to go on to the installation process.
Warning: I have succesedfully installed 3.52 M33 on 3 PSPs already but there is a slight chance of bricking your PSP, only if you won’t follow the instructions step by step. Don’t worry if you brick your PSP, you can always use Pandora’s battery.
3.52 M33-4 Installation Procedures
- If you have are running on an OE or SE custom firmware, SKIP this step and proceed to STEP 2. Connect your PSP to your computer. Open the STEP 1 folder and copy kxploitpatcher and kxploitpatcher% folders to ms0:/PSP/GAME/. Disconnect your PSP from your computer and then on the XMB go to GAME > Memory Stick > KXploit Permanent Patcher. Run it. Once done, delete the kxploitpatcher and kxploitpatcher% folder from your ms0:/PSP/GAME/ folder. Proceed to next step.
- Connect your PSP to your computer. Open STEP 2 folder then copy the M33CREATOR folder to your “ms0:/PSP/GAME” (for 1.50 Firmwares) or “ms0:/PSP/GAME150″ (for SE/OE Firmwares). Disconnect your PSP from your computer then on the XMB menu go to GAMES > Memory Stick and execute 3.52 M33 CREATOR. For noobs, the screen will normally go black so don’t panic. Once the process is finished it will automatically go back to the XMB.On your XMB, go again to GAMES > Memory Stick on your PSP, and execute 3.52 M33UPDATE. You’ll have to press X at your own risk to agree to the installation. Don’t you turn off your PSP until the process is complete or you’ll end up bricking it. When finished, you’ll have to press X again and reboot your PSP manually. Reboot by turning of your PSP and then turning it on again.You’ll then have a 3.52 M33 PSP. You can now delete the M33CREATOR folder form your “ms0:/PSP/GAME” folder on your PSP.
- Open STEP 3 folder and then copy M33Update4 folder to mso:/PSP/GAME150. On your XMB menu go to GAMES > Memory Stick then execute the update. After the update you will be back on the XMB and you now have 3.52 M33-4 PSP. Delete the M33Update4 folder from mso:/PSP/GAME150. From the STEP 3 folder, copy the seplugins folder to the root of your memory stick.
- Turn off your PSP then turn it on again while pressing the R button. This will take you to the recovery menu. Go to Plugins and enable popsloader by pressing x. After enabling it, go to back and then exit.
- Enjoy your PSP 3.52 M33-4!
You have PSP 3.52 M33-4, now what? Get those cool homebrew apps! You can either stick with this firmware for some time or upgrade it to 3.71 M33. I had mine installed with 3.71 M33 already and I say it’s really cool. There are new features like changing themes from XMB and a new kind of Video search.
Special credits go to Dark_Alex (he is the M33 team) M33 team, the Russian Hackers who created this neat piece of software. Please do check out his website for the latest updates.
UPDATE: After installing this firmware, you’ll probably be wanting to install 3.71 M33. So here’s the 4 Easy steps on installing 3.71 M33 on your PSP.
January 14th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Nevermind my question. I already upgraded my PSP to 3.71 M33-4. AWWESOME!!!
January 14th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Lanz, I’m using 3.10 OE. Did i follow your instruction correctly? Jus open a recovery folder and then throw the M33 creator eboot file inside right?
January 14th, 2008 at 1:23 am
now it says incorrect psar
January 14th, 2008 at 1:13 am
when i try to run 3.52m33uodate it shows the gameboot then my psp turns off before the update even starts
January 13th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Liver, I ran it with 3.40 OE-A. Maybe you have 1.50 or other firmware, try it on 3.40 OE-A.
January 13th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Uh, what if If my PSP is already 3.52 M33-2, should I still follow the steps above?
January 13th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Lanz, I tried creating the RECOVERY folder and place the M33 creator eboot file inside. But when i tried running it at recovery, it jus turn black and nothing happened.
January 12th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Lanz, I got it. Thanks a million…
January 11th, 2008 at 10:04 am
No. The backlight just turns off. You can press the directional keys to bring the light back when the backlight turns off. Do not, I repeat, do not toggle the power button or bring it to standby mode.
January 11th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Is there any risk of your psp shutting off or going into standby while upgrading for power saving purposes(even if it is charged there may still be power saving settings, can they be a problem)?