Dark Alex has done it again! What should we ever do without him. The most awaited custom firmware has finally been released. Now, I know this post might be a bit late, I’ve been having problems with my DSL connection and I haven’t been online for days, but I know a lot of you guys are still waiting for this.

So what are the new features of this custom firmware? This new custom firmware has all the features the 4.01 official firmware has plus a few extras. Many people are asking me if it’s worth installing it and my answer is a YES. I have 4.01 M33-2 custom firmware installed already on my phat PSP and I haven’t encountered any bugs yet. But don’t take my word for it. Try it yourself. You can always revert back to your old 3.90 M33-3 if you want.

So much for the rambling. Here are the instructions on how to install the new custom firmware on your PSP.

Requirements

As always, please do check that you pass all the requirements before you can do the installation.

• A Fat PSP or Slim PSP already installed with a custom firmware. At least 3.52 M33-4 custom firmware must be installed on your Fat PSP and 3.60 M33 for the slim.
• A fully charged battery. I know it will run on 70% battery but 100% battery with the AC adapter plugged is the safest setup.
• A USB cable to transfer files from your computer to your PSP.
• The 4.01 M33-2 installer pack that I created for easy install. Download the 4.01 M33-2 installer pack and unzip on your computer.

The Steps

The steps are divided into 3. Please follow the directions carefully. I will not be held responsible for any bricks. Do this at your own risk! But I’m 100% sure you won’t brick your precious PSP if you follow the instructions carefully.

Step A - Installing the 4.01 M33 custom firmware

1. Connect your PSP to your computer using the USB cable. Open the Step A folder and copy the UPDATE folder to ms0:/PSP/GAME/. After copying, disconnect the PSP from your computer.
2. On the XMB menu on your computer, navigate to GAME > Memory Stick and run the 4.01 M33 update. When you run the update, the screen turns black. Follow the text instructions. It will take you to the Official Sony Update screen. That is normal. Continue with the process following the instructions.
3. The Sony Updater will run. Don’t turn off your PSP or interrupt the update. After the Update, you will be asked to press a certain button to restart your PSP. Do so.
4. Congratulations, your PSP is installed with 4.01 M33 custom firmware now. On to Step B.

Step B - Installation of the 4.01 M33 update

1. You can only do this if you are successful with Step A. Connect your PSP to your computer. On your memory stick, navigate to PSP/GAME and delete the UPDATE folder.
2. Now open STEP 2 folder to your computer and copy the UPDATE folder to ms0:/PSP/GAME/. Disconnect your PSP from the computer once you are done.
3. On the XMB menu, scroll to GAME > Memory Stick and run the 4.01 M33-2 update. Just follow the onscreen instructions and you’ll be safe.
4. After the installation, you will be returned to the XMB screen.
5. Congratulations on your 4.01 M33-2 PSP.

Step C - 1.50 Kernel Add-on Installation Guide

1. This last set of steps is optional. You may do this or not. The next set of steps will be instructions on how to install the 1.50 Kernel Add on for the Fat PSP. Sorry slim owners.
2. Connect your PSP to your computer. Open Step C folder and then copy 150.PBP file from your computer to the root directory of your memory stick. And then copy 4XX folder from your computer to ms0:/PSP/.
3. Exit the USB mode and on your XMB, navigate to GAME > Memory Stick and then run the 1.50 Kernel Add-on program. Follow the onscreen instructions.
4. After the installation is successful, you will be taken back to the XMB.
5. Congratulations. Your PSP is now the same as mine, a full battle gear handheld. Place your 1.50 homebrews on the PSP/GAME150 folder.

Whew! That was long. I really enjoy writing these kind of stuff. If you have questions or comments, scroll down and leave your message. Thanks to the M33 team for the goodies especially to Dark Alex!

*Update: The screenshot plugin also works with this new custom Firmware!

I’ve been very busy the past few weeks I wasn’t able to post any updates. So I think you’ve heard a bit of the news already that Dark Alex has release the 2nd update of 3.90 M33. Haven’t upgraded mine yet since I don’t have my PSP with me. But I’m guessing you could update your PSP thru the native Network Update. Just go to settings and choose Network Update. The update will be automatically updated and you will be asked to install. Not only that, the second version of the 1.50 Kernel for 3.90 M33 is also out. I’m guessing that the installation will be much the same as installing the first version. But for newbies out there, I suggest you wait till I find time to write on a tutorial.

Anyhow, this site has been down for a day. I contacted the hosting provider and they didn’t tell me what the problem was. The important thing is this site is up again. Officially today, I’m already a fulltime freelance Web Designer slash developer. So if any of you guys out there need a special advice on Web Design, I’m here to help ya all out.

Now that my time is really mine, which means I’m in control of it, I’ll have time to update this site’s look and functionality. I hope you guys are still rocking out there with your PSPs. Dark Alex has been cooking a lot of things for your PSP.

A Custom Firmware without the 1.50 Kernel add-on is only half a Custom Firmware. Without the 1.50 Kernel on your PSP, the whole purpose of the custom firmware is defeated. 1.50 Kernel is all about the homebrew apps. I have already installed the 1.50 kernel add-on on my PSP and it’s awesome. I could still use the remote control, the WiFi sniffer and a lot more homebrew applications. So how do you install it? It’s quite easy.

The Requirements

• A Phat PSP with 3.90 M33 custom Firmware installed. This one does not work on a PSP slim but don’t fret, because there is one coming.
• A USB Cable. This is used as a connectivity tool between the PSP and the computer.

The Installation Guide

1. Download the 3.90 M33 Addon from Dark Alex’s website.
2. Unzip and you will find the 150k_addon folder. Copy the 150k_addon folder from your PC to PSP in this directory: PSP/GAME/
3. Download the 1.50 Firmware and place it into the root directory of your PSP.
4. Disconnect your USB cable and then on the XMB, go to GAME>Memory Stick then run the 1.50 Kernel Add on update.
5. Follow the onscreen instructions and wait. The PSP will restart automatically after the update has been installed.
6. Congratulations. Go and get your homebrew applicatons now.

Sony has just released a few days ago, the latest official firmware for the PSP. It’s 3.90 and I think it mostly benefits the PSP Slim users. Phat PSP users like me won’t really benefit anything from it. The new firmware has the Skype application now. Skype enables you to call using your computer to any phone around the world. Now you can call your friends from PSP to computer or PSP to PSP or PSP to phone via Skype. But you would need to buy the PSP mic and headset though. But that’s not great news. The great news is Dark Alex has done it again. You can go to his website now and download the new 3.90 M33 custom firmware and install it on your PSP.

But wait, there’s more! Dark Alex has also released the 1.50 Kernel for the 3.90 M33. You can grab it from his website too. If you have problems installing the latest custom firmware, do not worry because I will write a guide as soon as i have installed the latest update on my PSP.

I also heard that you can install 1.50 kernel on the slim now. Don’t get too excited because I’ll be writing a guide on that too.

This is the third guide I’ve written today. I was checking Dark Alex’s website a few minutes ago and I saw the 1.50 Kernel Add-on for the 3.80 M33. That was pretty quick. Dark Alex is really amazing. I downloaded the 1.50 kernel Add-on for 3.80 M33 and then installed it on my PSP. It was actually quite easy. The files I downloaded has no instructions so here’s the simple guide on how to do it. But like all of my other guides, there’s always a very tiny chance of bricking your PSP.

The Requirements

1. You will need a Fat PSP installed with 3.80 M33-2 custom firmware. The 1.50 Kernel Add-on does not work on the PSP Slim. Follow my 3.80 M33-2 custom firmware installation guide if you’re not into it yet.
2. 75% Battery or more. Why? So you don’t brick your PSP when it shuts off in the middle of the update because you forgot to charge the battery.
3. A USB Cable to connect your PSP to your computer.

Please make sure you pass all the requirements before getting on with the installation.

The Installation Guide

1. Download the 1.50 Kernel Add-on for 3.80 M33 and the official 1.50 Sony Firmware.
2. Connect your PSP to your computer via USB cable and copy the 150.PBP file you’ve downloaded to the root of your memory stick.
3. Extract the 1.50 kernel Add-on file you’ve downloaded anywhere on your computer. There should be 4 files. Copy these files to your memory stick in this directory: ms0:/PSP/GAME380/UPDATE. If you don’t have the GAME380 and the UPDATE folder then you must create it manually.
4. Disconnect your PSP to your computer and go to your XMB menu. Scroll to GAME > Memory Stick and run the 1.50 Kernel Addon program. Follow the on screen instructions and wait for the flashing of files to get finished.
5. Enjoy your homebrew capable 3.80 M33-2 PSP!

For questions and comments, please use the comment form below.

I know this post is a little bit late. It’s more than late, probably, but there are still a lot of guys asking me to make this tutorial. I’ve been very busy the past few days that’s why I haven’t been updating too much. But because you guys asked for it, I’ll give it to you. Well, here you go. This is the ultimate guide on how to add the 1.50 kernel add-on for your 3.71 M33 or higher.

REQUIREMENTS

Be sure you meet all the requirements before attempting to do this process.

• A PSP Fat (No it does not work with a SLIM) with 3.71 M33, 3.71 M33-2 or 3.71 M33-3
• Make sure you have the GAME folder configured to 3.71 or the program won’t start. How? Enter the recovery mode and go to Configuration -> Game folder homebrew. It should read Currently 3.71 Kernel
• A USB that will connect your PSP to your PC
• A keen and watchful eye and a brain that will help you follow and read the instructions very carefully

If you meet all those requirements then you are good to go.

INSTALLATION GUIDE

1. Get the 1.50 Kernel Addon on the QJ download site. Once on the page, scroll down a bit, and you’ll see an orange button that is labeled “Download”. Click that button and save the file to your computer.
2. Extract the file and you will see and UPDATE folder. Connect your Fat PSP to your PC with a USB cable. Copy and paste the UPDATE folder from your computer to your PSP ms0://PSP/GAME/
3. Download the 1.50 Firmware here. Connect your PSP to your PC and copy the 150.PBP you’ve just downloaded into the ROOT of the memory stick.
4. Disconnect your Fat PSP and on the XMB menu, go to GAME > MEMORY STICK and you’ll find the 1.50-2 update. Run the update and press X to agree with the installation. After the installation, the program will auto-exit.
5. Done! You can now install homebrew applications. Visit this post for a list of 1.50 homebrew apps and learn how to install them.

Now, wasn’t that too easy. Remember, before asking for help on the comments, please read this post very carefully. Make sure you meet the requirements and make sure you follow the guide step by step. Thank you and if you have more requests about the PSP just leave them on the comments are.