How to Upgrade to 3.80 M33 Custom Firmware
The most awaited PSP custom Firmware has just been released by Dark Alex. I have it installed already on my PSP and it only took me like only 2 minutes max. I know this will be easy for you too especially if you know how to read instructions.
Like all the custom firmware installation guides I’ve written before, there is always a tiny risk of bricking your PSP especially when you don’t follow the guide very carefully. I’ve read and studied most people’s comments from the previous installation guides and I just found out that they were not reading the requirements nor the instructions very carefully. That’s why they end up having various problems. I hope this time everybody pays attention to details.
So now let’s get on with the 3.80 M33 custom Firmware installation guide.
The Requirements
So here’s what we’re going to be needing.
- A PSP Classic (A.K.A. Phat PSP) or the PSP slim with a custom firmware installed higher than 3.52 M33-4. It means if you have 3.71 M33 installed on your PSP, then you are good to go but I think it’s safer if you update your 3.71 M33 first to 3.71 M33-4. Since I did my custom firmware install at 3.71 M33-4.
- Configure your kernel to be running on 3.71 if your custom firmware is 3.71 M33-4 or 3.52 if you have 3.52 M33-4. How do we do this? Easy, turn off your PSP and then turn it on again while holding the R button. You will see the recovery menu so go to Configuration > Game Folder Homebrew and set your respective Kernel.
- You need to have your battery charged to 75% or more. I did my installation at 93%.
- If you have changed your theme, you must revert back your original PSP theme. I’ve read some forums about this firmware and some said that the original PSP Theme must be active.
- A USB Cable which you can conneect from your computer to your PSP.
- Winzip or WinRAR for file decompression
Please make sure that you have passed all the requirements before jumping to the installation guide below.
The Installation Guide
- Download the 3.80 M33 installer pack.
- Extract the contents anywhere on your computer.
- Connect your PSP to your computer using your USB cable. Copy the UPDATE folder from your computer to your PSP in this directory: ms0:/PSP/GAME. (where ms0 is the drive letter of your PSP)
- Disconnect your PSP from your PSP. Go to the XMB menu on your PSP and navigate to GAME > Memory Stick and execute the 3.80 M33 update. Follow the onscreen instructions. The screen will go black then after accepting the instructions it will lead you to the official Sony updater screen. Accept everything then wait for the update to finish. Warning: Don’t interrupt the PSP while updating or you’ll end up bricking your PSP.
- After the update is finished, you will be prompted to manually reset your PSP by pressing X or O. Just do it.
- Tada! Enjoy your new custom firmware. I suggest you check out the new features.
Please install the 3.80 M33 Update 2 after this. The guide is over here. You might want to also install the 1.50 Kernel Add-on.
***Update : 3.80 M33-4 Custom Firmware update has been released. Install it using this guide.
For questions, please use the comment form below. If you find this guide helpful and you want to share with others, please DIGG IT.
January 16th, 2008 at 1:21 am
[...] 3.80 M33 has now been released. You can follow my very easy 3.80 M33 installation guide if you want to install this custom [...]
January 16th, 2008 at 1:56 am
[...] PSP installed with 3.80 M33 custom firmware. If you don’t have it yet, then follow this easy 3.80 M33 installation guide I wrote [...]
January 16th, 2008 at 2:49 am
can’t you just make the folders for us like lfor 3.71m33
January 16th, 2008 at 2:52 am
@nigeriaboy: The guide is updated.
January 16th, 2008 at 6:52 am
ei stylemo lol i know this is a dumb question but how do i revert my psp theme to original lol jsut making sure that i do it correctly o yeah!!
January 16th, 2008 at 9:57 am
yo how do i revert my psp theme to default? i know its a noob question lol but just making sure if im in the right path
January 16th, 2008 at 9:58 am
how do i revert to default normal psp??
January 16th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
hi, im sure this is a stupid question but if im already on sony firmware 3.80 can i install the custom firmware over the top of it? cheers
January 16th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
the files you’ve prepared and the guides you wrote are awesome! thank you so much for putting this together! I was able to go from 3.4OE > 3.52 M33 > 3.52 M33-4 > 3.8 M33 > 3.8 M33-2 all because of you! thanks.
January 16th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Thnx m8, the guide can’t be more clear.
was just hoping u’d upload a post with how to install homebrew apps and which ones r good. And hopefully how to run PS1 games on PSP, im a bit lost on those areas.
January 16th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
@Moocher: I had already posted an article about installing and the best PSP homebrews. Here ya go: http://www.stylemo.com/2007/10/17/a-list-of-useful-psp-homebrew-apps/
January 17th, 2008 at 9:59 am
i have got firmware 3.80 and i want to upgrade to custom firmware how would i go about doing that. thnx 4 any answer u may give
January 17th, 2008 at 10:27 am
@dkay: All you need is the Pandora’s battery. You can make one but you need a homebrew enabled PSP. Search Google.
January 17th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
wow.. another great guide.. im glad we have people like you to help us with the upgrades.. hehe!!
January 17th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
u rocks.
January 17th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
i like your web site.its gud and rockin.guides like this is hard to find so thanks a lot. keep it up. unless u r around its easy to mess with my psp.
January 17th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
[...] You must have 3.80 M33 Custom Firmware already installed on your PSP. If you don’t have it yet, follow my guide here. [...]
January 18th, 2008 at 6:56 am
Is it possible to update my CDD MS to go straight to 3.80 M33 like we can for 3.71 M33.
Or will CDD need to be updated if possible?
Regards
Shaun
January 18th, 2008 at 9:53 am
[...] the release of Dark Alex’s latest work, StyleMo gives us his guide on Installing Custom Firmware 3.80 on your PSP. Also present are for updates M33-2, and (no M33-3?) [...]
January 18th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
I’ve just repaired the screen on my nephews PSP, but as it’s at 2.71 SE-C how do I easily upgrade to 3.80 M33
(without going through all the 3.52’s - 3.71’s - 3.80’s etc)
January 19th, 2008 at 6:39 am
[...] I found very useful guides about updating firmwares at http://www.stylemo.com/2008/01/16/how-to-upgrade-to-380-m33-custom-firmware/ [...]
January 19th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
My PSP is using firmware version 3.60 M33.
Can I upgrade to 3.80 M33?
Just use the same instructions provided?
Thanks
January 20th, 2008 at 7:54 am
@Storm: I’m not sure about slim PSPs but if you upgrade to 3.71 M33-4 then upgrade to 3.80 M33-4, I think that would be the safest path.
January 20th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
i have a classic psp w/ the original psp version 3.80.. I haven’t upgraded or downgraded my psp to any custom firmware.. so just wanna ask if I can upgrade directly w/o having any problems to 3.80 M33 just by following these instructions? tnx in advance…=)
January 20th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
@angelove: no you can’t upgrade it if you have the official firmware. But there’s a way. You can use pandora’s battery. Search google bout it.
January 21st, 2008 at 11:47 pm
[...] You must have 3.80 M33 Custom Firmware already installed on your PSP. If you don’t have it yet, follow my guide here. [...]
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Hi.
I’d just like to thank you for the guides, they are very good and easy to follow. I have just update my PSP from homebrew 3.1.OE-A to the most current 3.80M33-5, very easy following your guides so thanks again!
January 25th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
I did everything as u said but i get this error-’The system configuration of this psp system does not appear to be correct.the update cannot be completed.Contact technical support for assistance(DRNFFFFFFD7)’.So whats this pls help.
January 26th, 2008 at 7:21 am
good lookin out mayn.da best site about upgrading psp.easy to follow instructions.aye do you know how to upgrade a 2.82 to 3.03 to 1.50?thanx
January 26th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
help! this is what happened after i tried to upgrade from 3.71 m33-4 > 3.80
The system configuration of this PSP
system does not appear to be correct.
The update cannot be completed.
Contact technical support for assistance.
(DRNFFFFFFBO)
What does this mean?
January 26th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
I have a M33 3.71-4 firmware i tried to upgrade following your instruction but i failed. my psp phat says “The system cofiguration of this PSP system does not appear to be correct the update cannot be completed contact technical assistance (DRNFFFFFFCD)”.
Pls help .. I already configured my kernel to 3. 71..
January 27th, 2008 at 1:51 am
Will it work if I already have 3.80? Or is there something else to it.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:14 am
to all who caNNOT SUCESSFULLY UPGRADE THIER 3.71 FIRMWARE TO 3.80 use chilly willy… stylemo this is my contribution to show my appreciation to your compassionate heart.. thanks!!!
January 27th, 2008 at 10:54 am
can i use this guide if my psp phat is 3.52m33-4?
January 27th, 2008 at 11:44 am
what is chilly willy?links?
January 29th, 2008 at 9:55 am
I got a slim ICY Silver PSP How do I upgrade? I’m A PSP newbie I had A PHAT but mr uncle upgrade it
January 29th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
StyleMo, im already in 3.71 m33-4 cfw, will it be ready for my slim to be in 3.80 m33 cfw? Can i still play games from my 4Gb msd?
February 4th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
@ Darwin….yes you can.
February 5th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
em my current psp fat firmware is 3.30 OE-A..can i upgrade to tis firmware?
February 12th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
My firmware’s 3.52 m334 but when I go to update it stills says I need 3.52 m33 or higher…Now I KNOW this is an error, but how do I get past it?
February 12th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
@dax-ur: Try reformatting your mamory stick using your PSP. If that doesn’t work, reconfigure the Kernel on your recovery menu to 3.52.
February 13th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Thanks Stylemo! you are great!
February 14th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Ok I just bought a PSP slim and recently updated to 3.9 version firmware that comes with the psp. I have never used custom firmware of any kind before. I’m trying to figure out how to get dark alex’s M33 3.8 firmware. It seems everywhere I go the requirements include having some version of custom firmware already. I was wandering if you could point me in the right direction.
thanks!!
February 14th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Please Help me to fix my PSP fat I try to upgrade from 3.71 m33-4 to 3.80 m33-5 ( error code DRNFFFFFFD7) TNX
February 24th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
hi, my psp is currently running firmware 3.40 OEA, how shld i go about updating it to 3.80 M33-4??
pls advise. THanks!!
March 9th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Does upgrading process need Pandora bat coz I don’t have one.
March 9th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
@Skyriderlink: If the PSP you are about to update is using Sony’s official Firmware, you ‘ll need Pandora’s battery. Otherwise just follow the steps above. Hint: Read the full requirements.
March 24th, 2008 at 5:54 am
respect for Stylemo!!
with your guide, anyone can update safe!
keep it going (Y)
March 28th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
what if my software is 3.72?how can i upgrade that to 3.80M33
March 28th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Hi, I tried to update to 3.80M33 but when I execute the updater I recieve the following message: “The system configuration of this PSP system does not appear to be correct. The update cannot be completed. Contact technical support for assistance. (DRNFFFFFFCD)”
My current custom firmware is 3.71M33-4, mine is a phat one. And I did the second requirement which is ‘Configure your kernel to be running on 3.71 if your custom firmware is 3.71 M33-4…’
Does anyone knows how to fix this?
March 31st, 2008 at 12:11 pm
hi,pls help me on my psp coz the recovery mode does not display…thnx
March 31st, 2008 at 12:17 pm
my 3.8 m33-5 version error shows the game could not be started(80020148).and i could get into the recovry mode.pls help me guys on ths…thnx
March 31st, 2008 at 12:18 pm
my 3.8 m33-5 version error shows the game could not be started(80020148).and i could not
get into the recovry mode.pls help me guys on ths…thnx
March 31st, 2008 at 1:54 pm
@robin: Are you sure you have the 3.80 M33-5 firmware? The recovery mode can be accessed by shutting down your PSP first and then turning it again while pressing the R button. Sounds simple right? Please do try again.
April 1st, 2008 at 4:15 pm
And Stylemo, please help me with my problem (50th comment) too, thanks
April 1st, 2008 at 5:24 pm
@Arcius: Try placing the installer files on PSP/GAME371 folder.
April 2nd, 2008 at 11:43 pm
why do i get the error message game could not be started everytime i try to run my 3-90 M33 2 update..i’m pretty i’ve installed everything i need..i have the 150 kernel patch, the 3-90 update and i’ve already updated my network..am i missing something else..help pls!
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Hi, can i upgrade from 3.71 m33 straight to 3.80 m33?
April 3rd, 2008 at 11:37 pm
@Joseph: Yes.
April 14th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
hi,
i just bought my first PSP slim yesterday, V3.72 and i have not been able to do much but scroll Menu.
My little query is:
1) is it possible to upgrade from 3.72 (not M33) to 3.80 M33
2) Is there any other way to downgrade to 3.71 M33 without using Pandora’s BAttery. I just bought it so am a little scared using it.
And isn’t there any other game that i can simply play without tweaking or UMD. (even a SNAKE would suffice
regards
abhijeet
April 14th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
@abhijeet: There are games which you can play without tweaking or hacking your PSP. You might wanna check out my old post which has download links for PSP Game Demos.
You might wanna read the instructions on how to install those game demos here
Thanks for visiting the site. Please tell all your friends about this site.
April 16th, 2008 at 5:19 am
hey
THANKS STYLEMO!!!!
The demos work real smooth.
you rock. i had been wracking my guts to atleast play something.
my wife had gifted me PSP but she hadn’t bought any UMD. And i cannot buy it till next week. I was just uselessly roaming around sites and ways to play games.
Thanks a ton brother. at least i have a car race to play till i get a UMD.
you have a hard core fan in me from now on.
regards
abhijeet
April 24th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
yeah this page is one best site I ever came by, only if stylemo could upload some free games here lol and abhijeet, I do not mind getting a car race too, you can mail me with an attached copy of it to povianuhumble@hotmail.com
April 29th, 2008 at 1:12 am
i wanted to know how to install custom firmware but i dont have any on my psp yet, and i really wanna try daedalus… help???
May 1st, 2008 at 9:33 pm
i hail you style emo.! you saved me 700php. well just convert it to usd.. 42php=1usd.
well anyway. thank you so much!!
June 1st, 2008 at 10:09 am
uhm hello and good day uhmm i have this psp but i don`t know what model it is but it`s slim ok and it has a firmware of 3.80 only it does`t have any m33-3 or what so ever so what shall i do then? can you help me out with this?
June 5th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
i have a running 3.52 m33-4 on my psp but when i tried installing/upgrading a CFW 3.71 or 3.8 …it says it need a 3.52 m33-3 or higher…how come i cant install? thanks need help this is the first time i encountered this error…usually i upgrade my psp with no problem at all. THANKs
June 6th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
test
June 6th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
hi help me coz i upgrade 3.95 and can’t play any more in memory card …so help me how can i change to custom firmware
June 12th, 2008 at 2:00 am
PLS, I WANT TO KNOW IF I HAVE TO USE THE PANDORA BATTERY BEFORE I PERFORM THIS PROCEDURE (INSTALLING THE 3.80 M33 CUSTOM FIRMWARE). THANKS & I’LL BE WAITING FOR UR REPLY
June 12th, 2008 at 2:03 am
@pSp_newbie: Can’t you read the instructions? And also don’t type in capital letters. I hate newbies like you.
June 12th, 2008 at 3:07 am
Whatever,man. Just try to be nice for once. I apologise. So, what’s the answer to my question? A simple “yes” or “no” will do. Thanks & w8ting
June 12th, 2008 at 8:34 am
hi stylemo,
as my nick suggests, i’m a PSP newbie. mine is PSP phat with firmware version 3.80.i’ve read all ur guides/tutorials on upgrading. but my concern is do i need a pandora battery for my upgrade as i’m scared of bricking it? my friend says dat som1 upgraded his own but he used a different battery. so i was thinking he might have used the pandora battery.anyway,i want to upgrade to version 3.80 M-33_5 so dat i can play games from MS. thanks lots and i’ll appreciate if u reply soon.
June 12th, 2008 at 9:56 am
it’s me again,sorry.
I just read in some forum that the pandora battery is used to downgrade the official sony version 3.80 b4 installing the custom firmware 3.80 M33. but you didnt mention this in your tutorial. or is it unnecessary?
thanks…(i can’t wait to start playing God of war.cso that a friend gave me
Hope 2 hear from u soon.
June 12th, 2008 at 10:06 am
@psp newbie:
yes sir. you have to mod your psp using pandora battery first before you can play cso/iso games on your unit.
June 12th, 2008 at 10:10 am
@Dragon:
Try to be nice my friend. Not all people are born with high IQs like you. Aren’t you flattered enough that someone needs your help? Or you just didn’t experienced being a newbie yourself? Relax! Try to be considerate with some peoples questions.
StyleMo really f*cking hates Trolls!!!!
June 17th, 2008 at 9:27 am
thanks for this
i got my psp updated
thanks again man!!!!!