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!

Update: If you are thinking of installing this custom firmware, I recommend you to go straight to 4.01 M33-2.

So they finally did it. 3.95 GEN, the most awaited custom firmware to date is ready for download. I was about to write a tutorial on how to install 3.95 GEN-1 when 3.95 GEN-2 came out. So to save me some time on writing, I’ll just go straight to writing a tutorial on how to install 3.95 GEN-2 on your PSP.

Warning from the custom firmware author:

“Installation of this custom firmware is at your own risk. It has been tested and verified to be safe but nobody is to be blamed if something goes wrong.”

I have installed it on my PSP with sweaty hands ( which means I was nervous doing the process) and was successful.

Requirements:

• PSP Fat or Slim installed with Dark Alex’s 3.71 M33 or higher. Higher means, if you have 3.80 M33 or 3.90 M33, you have passed the requirement.
• USB Cable
• Computer
• Fully Charged Battery
• Patience and Understanding (Why? Because some people tend to brick their PSPs getting too excited on installing. So have patience my beloved readers.)

Instructions:

Download the 3.95 GEN-2 custom firmware update pack that I’ve prepared for you and extract the file anywhere on your computer. Deactivate the active plugins on your PSP via recovery mode.

If you have already installed 3.95 GEN-1 on your PSP follow these steps:

1. Connect your PSP to your computer computer via USB cable. On your PSP XMB menu scroll to Settings > USB Connection.
2. Copy the PSP folder from your computer to your PSP (root directory). If it prompts you to overwrite the file folders, select Yes or Yes to All.
3. After copying the files, exit the USB mode.
4. On your XMB navigate to Games > Memory Stick and then run the 3.95 GEN-2 update program. Follow the onscreen instructions and let the installer do it’s stuff.
5. Voila! Grab a Pepsi or Coke and then celebrate. If your a smoker, light a cigar.

If you have a M33 custom firmware higher than 3.71, do the steps below:

1. Connect your PSP to your Computer via the USB cable. On your PSP XMB menu scroll to Settings > USB Connection.
2. Copy the PSP folder and the 395.PBP file from your computer to your PSP (root directory). If it prompts you to overwrite the file folders, select Yes or Yes to All.
3. After copying the files, exit the USB mode.
4. On your XMB navigate to Games > Memory Stick and then run the 3.95 GEN-2 update program. Follow the onscreen instructions and let the installer do it’s stuff. It will take you to the Sony Updater so that’s normal.
5. After the update finishes, the program will ask you to reboot by pressing X or O. Do so or else you’ll end up with a brick.
6. Voila! Grab a Pepsi or Coke and then celebrate. If your a smoker, light a cigar.

What about the seplugins folder?

If you are playing PS One games on the PSP, copy this folder to the root directory of your memory stick. Activate it on the recovery mode.

Thanks to the GEN team for working on something new for the PSP. Thanks also to Dark Alex for the inspiration and power.

Update: If you missed my note above, read this. If you are thinking of installing this custom firmware, I recommend you to go straight to 4.01 M33-2. It will save you a lot of time and headache.

If you checked out Dark-Alex’s website, you’ll find out that he has already released the latest update for the 3.90 M33 custom firmware. There’s still no news if he’s still planning to work on the 3.93 M33 custom firmware update since the 3.93 update has really no major features added. Just a support for a few games. So what was fixed on the 3.90 M33-3 update? Here are the changes.

* March33 NO-UMD driver compatibility has increased to support games like Coded Arms, Patapon, Harvest Moon Innocent Life and probably others affected by same errors.

There are two ways on how to install the update. But like all of my guides, there’s always a requirement to follow before you can do the update.

The Requirements

• A fat or slim PSP installed with custom Firmware 3.52 M33-4 or higher.
• A WiFi connection
• A USB Cable

The Easy and Painless Way

Important: This procedure is only applicable to folks who have their PSPs installed with 3.80 M33 custom firmware or higher.

1. Turn on your PSP and on your XMB, scroll to Settings then go to Network Update. Select your Wifi access point. The PSP will search for an update and it will automatically download it.
2. After the update has been updated, it will ask you to run it now or execute the update later. If you want to run it now, press the corresponding button. If you have chosen to go back to the XMB, you can access it by scrolling to Game > Memory Stick > 3.90 M33-3 update.
3. Run the update. After the update has finished your PSP will restart by itself.
4. Congratulations, you now have a 3.90 M33-3 custom firmware. Go grab a soda or something.

The Not-So-Hard Way

This not-so-hard procedure was made for PSPs installed with 3.90 M33 or higher custom firmwares. If you don’t have 3.90 M33 custom firmware yet, follow this guide.

1. Download the 3.90 M33-3 update from Exophase forum. Unzip the file anywhere on your computer.
2. Connect your PSP to your computer via USB Cable. Copy the UPDATE folder from your computer to your PSP in this directory:/PSP/GAME
3. On your XMB, go to Game > Memory Stick and then run the 3.90 M33-3 update. Watch the update do it’s thing.
4. Follow the last step from The Easy and Painless Way procedure.

Howdy folks! It’s been quite sometime since my last post. I have been very busy with my family and my new work. I’ve quit my day job and I am a fulltime freelance designer and gamer now which means I have more time writing real game reviews and updates. So much for the gibberish. Let’s go on with the guide.

Like every guide that I’ve written, you will have to read every detail and follow every instructions. Of course there is always a requirement you must pass before you could continue with the process.

The Requirements

1. You will need a Phat or Slim PSP with 3.80 M33 or higher ( I mean 3.80 M33-2 until 3.80 M33-5).
2. You will need a GOOD WiFi connection.
3. You must have 90% or more battery and have your PSP plugged in thru the AC adapter so it won’t turn off in the middle of the update.

The Painless Procedure

1. On your XMB menu, scroll to the Settings > Network Update then press O or X. Select your active connection. Wait for the download to finish.
2.  After the update has been updated, it will ask you to run it now or execute later. If you want to run it now, press the corresponding button. If you have chosen to go back to the XMB, you can acess it by scrolling to Game > Memory Stick > 3.90 M33-2 update.
3. Once you have ran the update, the screen will turn black and you will see small text on the upper left corner of the screen. Follow the instructions and the updater will automatically download the required files so you don’t have to. Once the files has been downloaded, the updater will ask you to proceed. Proceed. It will then take you to the normal SCE Updater. From there follow the instructions. After the update has finished manually shutdown your PSP by pressing the corresponding button on the screen.

Was that easy or what? If you have comments and questions about this guide, feel free to use the form below.

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.

So I have updated my PSP to 3.90 M33 already. It works kinda faster now. The installation process just only took me less than 5 minutes. So how did I do it? Well here you go. Another great tutorial for all PSP lovers out there.

The Requirements

Everybody must read this. This is very important. I don’t want any of you to brick your PSPs so please read this. Thank you.

1. A PSP (Phat or Slim) with installed custom firmware 3.52 M33-4 or higher. My PSP had 3.80 M33-5 custom firmware.
2. A USB Cable to connect your PSP to your computer
3. 100% fully charged battery. This is just to be sure your PSP won’t turn off in the middle of the update. It’s also good if you have your PSP plugged into your AC Adaptor.

The Installation Guide

1. Grab the 3.90 M33 installer pack and unzip it anywhere on your computer.
2. Using the USB Cable, connect the PSP to your Computer then copy the UPDATE folder from your computer to your PSP in this directory: ms0:\PSP\GAME
3. Disconnect your PSP from your computer then on your PSP XMB, go to GAME>Memory Stick then run the 3.90 M33 update. The update will verify your 3.90 eboot file and after verification you will be asked to execute the update. Execute it.
4. Follow the instructions on the SCE updater. After the update, press X or O to manually reboot.
5. Congratulations. You now have a 3.90 M33 Powered PSP.

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.

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.

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.