I know a lot of you PSP fanboys out there are still wondering how I manage to get those cool screenshots from my PSP. well you can stop wondering now because after this post, you too will be capturing screenshots from your PSP just by pressing the NOTE button. Sounds simple right?

Requirements:

1. A Fat or Slim PSP installed with 3.71 M33 or higher custom firmware. This means it will also work with 3.80 M33 custom firmwares.
2. A USB Cable to enable connection between your computer and your PSP.

Instructions:

1. Download the screencapture pack I’ve prepared to anywhere on your computer.
2. Unzip the file you’ve downloaded.
3. Connect your PSP to your PC using a USB Cable. Check if you have already the seplugins folder on the root of your memory stick. If you don’t have it yet then proceed to step 4. If you do already have it then proceed to step 5.
4. Do this only if you don’t have the seplugins folder yet. Copy the seplugins folder from your computer to the root of your memory stick.
5. If you did step 4 then skip this step. You only have to follow this step if you already have an existing seplugins folder. Copy screenshotbmp.prx from the seplugins on your computer to the seplugins folder on the root of your memory stick. Now go to the seplugins on your memory stick. If you have vsh.txt already present, you have to open the file and edit it. Open it in Notepad or any text editor and add these code in a new line: ms0:/seplugins/screenshotbmp.prx
   Check if you also have pops.txt and game.txt present on your seplugins folder in your memory stick. If you have it then do the same routine, edit it and paste that line of code in a new line. Otherwise you can just grab the game.txt and pops.txt from the file you’ve downloaded.
6. Disconnect your PSP from your computer. Now open the recovery menu. How? Turn off your PSP then turn it on again while pressing the R button. On your recovery menu, go to Plugins and enable all the screenshotbmp.prx plugins. Exit the recovery menu.
7. Try it on your XMB. Press the note button. You will know the screenshot plugin is working when an inverse color of your screen will sweep from the bottom to the top. The screenshot will be saved on your PICTURES folder on your memory stick and you can also view it by going to Photo > memory stick on your PSP.

If you have any questions or reactions about this guide, you can use the comment form below. The screenshot plugin was programmed by TyRaNID and ported by Weltall to the M33 custom firmwares.

Finally, the update we’ve been waiting for has been released by Dark Alex. The update basically fixes the bugs causing the PSP to run slow at times. According to the readme file from Dark Alex here are the changes:

• Fixed custom CPU clock not working in games
• CPU clock has never (in any SE/OE/M33) be set at all in games that restarted using sceKernelLoadExec to use a subgame or reload themselves, after said restart happened (e.g. Castlevania). Fixed.
• Added setting to recovery to hide PIC0.PNG and PIC1.PNG in the XMB game menu by default off, when on you will probably notice a faster browse in XMB games. This setting only applies to any kind of apps/games (pbp, iso) that load from MS, but not to UMD’s.

So how are we to install this update? It’s actually so much easier right now if you have the 3.80 M33 custom firmware already. You can do it by your PSP alone via the Network Update. But for PSP fan boys out there that doesn’t have WiFi connection, here’s the guide for you.

The Requirements

• You must have 3.80 M33 Custom Firmware already installed on your PSP. If you don’t have it yet, follow my guide here.
• A sufficient battery so your PSP won’t turn off in the middle of the update.
• A Good Wifi Connection (optional)
• A USB Cable (optional)

If you are lucky and have a WiFi connection, follow these steps below.

1. On your XMB Menu, just go to Settings > Network Update then choose your connection. The PSP will then detect if you have the latest custom firmware. If you don’t have it yet, your PSP will automatically download the update file.
2. After the update has been downloaded, you will be asked to press X or O to begin the update. Press the corresponding button, the screen will turn black and the updated files will be flashed.
3. After the flashing, your PSP will restart by itself. Enjoy!

Here’s for the guys who don’t have WiFi connections, follow this guide:

1. Download the 3.80 M33-5 update.
2. Extract the contents of the file you’ve downloaded anywhere you want on your computer.
3. connect your PSP to your computer using the USB cable. Copy the UPDATE folder to your PSP in this directory: ms0:/PSP/GAME/
4. Disconnect your PSP from your computer and go the XMB menu. Go to GAME > Memory Stick then run the M33-5 update program. Follow the onscreen instructions and wait for 10 secs.
5. Enjoy your new 3.80 M33-5 powered PSP.

It seems that Dark Alex has been working overtime again. The latest update for the 3.80 M33 custom firmware is now out. And again for noobs out there who’s looking for an easy guide on installing these updates, this is the right place.

There’s actually 2 different ways on how to update your 3.80 M33 custom firmware to 3.80 M33-4. The first one is doing it manually by downloading the update file and copying it to your PSP. And the other one is the easier way - thru the PSP’s native Network Update. Now that is very cool. So hold on to your seats as I give you the details on how to install the 3.80 M33-4 update.

The Requirements 

• You must have 3.80 M33 Custom Firmware already installed on your PSP. If you don’t have it yet, follow my guide here.
• A sufficient battery so your PSP won’t turn off in the middle of the update.
• A Good Wifi Connection
• A USB Cable (optional)

If you  have a WiFi connection, follow the steps below.

1. On your XMB Menu, just go to Settings > Network Update then choose your connection. The PSP will then detect if you have the latest custom firmware. If you don’t have it yet, your PSP will automatically download the update file.
2. After the update has been downloaded, you will be asked to press X or O to begin the update. Press the corresponding button, the screen will turn black and the updated files will be flashed.
3. After the flashing, your PSP will restart by itself. Enjoy!

If you don’t have WiFi connections, then you should follow the steps below.

1. Download the 3.80 M33-4 update.
2. Extract the contents of the file you’ve downloaded anywhere you want on your computer.
3. connect your PSP to your computer using the USB cable. Copy the UPDATE folder to your PSP in this directory: ms0:/PSP/GAME/
4. Disconnect your PSP from your computer and go the XMB menu. Go to GAME > Memory Stick then run the M33-4 update program. Follow the onscreen instructions and wait for 10 secs.
5. Enjoy your newly updated PSP.

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.

Just minutes ago, I wrote the installation guide for 3.80 M33 Custom Firmware. now I’m writing a guide on how to update 3.80 M33 to 3.80 M33-2. So why update? Is there a bug or something? Actually there is. This update is necessary for plugins and kernel homebrew reporting psp cpu speed. Also 80 by 80 PSX icons will not be replaced by a Dracula icon anymore.

So let’s get on with the guide. But first, a few reminders, I will not be held responsible if something happens to your PSP. I’ve updated mine using this guide I made and was successful.

The Requirements

1. You will need a 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 earlier.
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 3.80 M33-2 update files.
2. Extract it anywhere on your computer.
3. Connect your PSP to your computer via USB cable and copy the UPDATE folder from the file you’ve extracted to your PSP in this drive: ms0:/PSP/GAME/
4. Disconnect your PSP from your computer then got the XMB menu. Scroll to GAME > Memory Stick and run the M33-2 Update Program. Follow the onscreen instructions.
5. Enjoy your updated PSP!

If you love homebrew applications then you might consider installing the 1.50 Kernel add-on for 3.80 M33-2. This only works for the Phas PSP.

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. You need to have your battery charged to 75% or more. I did my installation at 93%.
4. 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.
5. A USB Cable which you can conneect from your computer to your PSP.
6. 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

1. Download the 3.80 M33 installer pack.
2. Extract the contents anywhere on your computer.
3. 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)
4. 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.
5. After the update is finished, you will be prompted to manually reset your PSP by pressing X or O. Just do it.
6. 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.

Update: 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 firmware.

Dark Alex will soon be releasing the latest custom firmware for the PSP according to Mathieulh. Mathieulh is one of the forefathers of the PSP hacking scene in case you don’t know. He works with Dark Alex right now and the N00bz team.

So what’s new with the 3.80 M33 Custom Firmware? The new custom Firmware will have all the new features included in the official 3.80 Sony Firmware plus the capability to run homebrew apps. In case you don’t know yet, here’s the list of the new features that are added on the latest Sony Firmware.

1. Internet Radio Feature has now been added under Network. How does that work? We will soon find out but I’m sure you will be needing a wifi connection to connect to the internet radio stations available.
2. You will now have the ability to preview each scene of a video using the Scene Search feature. for example, if you selected a thumbnail using the Scene Search function, wait for a few seconds and a video preview will begin. The screen will return to the thumbnail of the scene after a few seconds of the preview clip. How cool is that?
3. New visualizations has been added! That’s freakin’ awesome.
4. Under the Network tab, you can now view photo RSS feeds. That means you can view RSS flickr photo feeds on your PSP. Way too cool! OPML is also now supported.

I really can’t wait to install the new Custom Firmware on my PSP. I mean who wouldn’t get excited on the new awesome features? While we’re waiting for the new custom firmware to be released, let’s just enjoy the last days of our 3.71 M33 PSPs. Creating custom firmware’s not an easy task so I think we should just wait. As the elders say, “Good things come to those who wait.”, and I totally believe that!

Dark Alex has released days ago the 4th update for the 3.71 M33. This one’s easy to install but for newbies out there, I’ll still make you a very simple a guide even your grandma can follow. But what’s new on the 3.71 M33-4? Here’s the changelog according to Dark Alex:

• Bugfix: Multidisc psx games bought in the psn store would not work due to the format being different and M33 treating them as decrypted games.
• Added support for decrypted multidisc psx games created with popstation_md (supplied with this release)

So let’s go on now with the installation. The process is very easy but like I always tell you boys and girls out there, it’s better to read the instructions very carefully.

Requirements

This is the essential part of this guide. If you find that you don’t meet the requirements, better not continue the process because it won’t work or you’ll might end up bricking your precious PSP.

• PSP with 3.71 M33, 3.71 M33-2 or 3.71 M33-3 custom firmware. For newbies, you can see the version of your PSP on your XMB by going to System Settings > System Information. And again, for newbies, this doesn’t work with Sony’s official Firmware
• USB Cable for transferring files from your PC to your PSP

Instructions

1. Download the M33 Update 4 file here and save it to your computer. You can get it on Dark Alex’s website.
2. Once downloaded, extract the contents of the file to anywhere on your computer. Copy the UPDATE folder to your memory stick in the x:/PSP/GAME where x is the drive of your PSP.
3. Go to the XMB menu, scroll to Games> Memory Stick and run the M33 Update-4 program. You will be asked to press X to start the update. Do so. The program will exit automatically and restart your PSP. You now have a PSP 3.71 M33-4 PSP. Grab a Coke or a Pepsi. Eat spaghetti and celebrate.

Well that’s it. I hope you guys like this easy guide.

It’s been days since Dark Alex has released something for the PSP homebrew community but with his return he brings you the third update for his 3.71 M33 custom firmware. If you’re wondering what’s new on this update, well here they are exactly according to DAX:

• Fixed a bug in access to flash by usb.
• HEN core: kernel prx’s with syscall exports work again.
• PSP Slim: programmers can set the size of user memory to 52 MB by using a sfo flag.
  Check sample in sdk for usage.
• March33 NO-UMD driver:
  * Fixed a bug that could hang the psp when exiting with home.
  * Fixed compatibility issue with Castlevania Dracula X Chronicles, and maybe more games.
• Vshmenu: it wasn’t displaying properly with psp slim TV-OUT due to the change of resolution. Fixed.

Below are the easy steps on how to do the update on your PSP.

Requirements

• A PSP with 3.71 M33-1 or 3.71 m33-2 Custom Firmware
• USB Cable for PSP to PC connection

Instructions

1. Download the files here.
2. Extract the contents of the file. Grab the UPDATE folder and copy it into your memory stick to the directory PSP/GAME/.
3. On the XMB menu go to Games > Memory Stick and run the update. You will be asked to press X to start the update. Do so. The program will exit automatically and restart your PSP. You now have a PSP 3.71 M33-3 PSP

About the popsloader, I haven’t been able to try it yet. Actually I haven’t been using it for quite sometime. I really dig the new games around. But I’ll be glad to write something about it if a lot of people asked. Thank you all.

UPDATE: You can now skip this guide and go directly to the 3.71 M33-4 update. I wrote a guide on how to add the 1.50 Kernel Add-on for 3.71 M33. Please check it out if you need it.

Sony has just released a few days ago the latest official firmware for the PSP, 3.72. It’s available under Network Update on the XMB menu. It made me think whether Dark Alex would still work on a 3.72 M33 if he hasn’t retired yet.

Sony’s new PSP firmware, 3.72 has really no new major features for me to be excited about. Of course like all the other firmwares, the support for new games has been added. Support has also been added for Remote Start of the PS3 system under Remote Play. Of course I won’t be needing that since I don’t own a PS3.

Although 3.72 HX-1, a new firmware reversed engineered from Dark Alex’s custom firmware, is already available I would still stick to my 3.71-M33-3 custom firmware. I’ll just wait for something major on the next firmwares. I know Dark Alex would return to crack the code again.

My next post will be a simple tutorial on how to install update 3 for Dark Alex’s 3.71 M33 firmware. Stay tuned.