TimeMachine v0.1

Dark_AleX has released TimeMachine v0.1, his latest creation that allows the use of the 1.50 kernel on the PSP Slim. As I expected it is not a full 1.50 kernel, but a hybrid 1.50/3.40 kernel, like what was done when he made screen display for Pandora on the PSP Slim.

Apart from that, TimeMachine can also load 3.40 OE and 3.60 M33. However, you will require a Pandora battery in order to use TimeMachine.

TimeMachine is able to load these firmwares even if the existing firmware on NAND is destroyed. Of course, your idStorage has to be intact. There are quite a number of bugs in the 1.50/3.40 hybrid firmware, but this should be used mainly for running 1.50 homebrew that previously could not run on the PSP Slim.

What's interesting: In the future it might be possible to load idStorage from the memory stick.

Download TimeMachine v0.1

Despertar del Cementerio V3 Released

Dark_Alex has released another update for Despertar del Cementerio, bringing the current version to V3. For those who don't know what this is, it's the Universal Unbricker for both the old PSP and the PSP Slim.

Not only does it install 3.71 M33-2 straight, it also displays text on the screen for the PSP Slim! Dark_Alex has coded a display driver to support the PSP Slim in the mixed 1.50/3.40 kernel, so there's no need for guesswork while using it on the PSP Slim.

For those who don't know the significance of this, this is one step towards unlocking the 1.50 kernel on the PSP Slim. We all thought it was impossible, but Dark_Alex has proven us wrong once again.

Installation instructions are the same as the previous release, so please refer back to my earlier post.

Get it now: Download

Open Source Pandora's Battery Tool v0.2

cory149 has updated his Open Source Pandora's Battery Tools to v0.2. For those people who don't know what this is about, his tools allow a Pandora's Battery to be made even in custom firmware 3.71 M33. This is because he has coded it for the newer 3.xx kernel, rather than the other homebrews which are still based on the 1.50 kernel.

For those who missed v0.1, this homebrew allows you to make a Pandora's Battery for use with the Magic Memory Stick. You also have the option to save the eeprom of your battery, so that you can restore it to a normal battery once you've finished using it.

File archive: Download

Pandora Installer for 3.xx Kernel Second Revision

HELLCAT has released a Pandora Installer that works on the newer 3.xx kernels, which means PSP users on 3.71 M33 can now make a Pandora's Battery and Magic Memory Stick even though they don't have a 1.50 kernel.

What's more, this nifty homebrew lets you do the mspformat and msinst on the PSP itself! No more fumbling with the old command prompt tools, just a keypress and your memory stick will be formatted with the IPL and ready for use with Pandora's Battery. You can also use this homebrew to convert your battery to a Pandora's Battery, as well as write other IPLs to the memory stick (for example, Booster's Multiboot IPL).

However, this application will make the Magic Memory Stick for the old PSP only, so you won't be able to use this to unbrick the PSP Slim.

Get it now from the archive: Download

Getting Started with Universal Unbricker

Everyone's probably waking up now and getting all excited over the release of the Universal Unbricker by Dark_Alex. Here's my short guide on preparing the necessary files so that you can unbrick your PSPs. I will not be covering the preparation of a Pandora's Battery as the process is still the same as last time.

Things you will need:
1 x old PSP on firmware 1.50 or any custom firmware (OE, M33, etc)
1 x Memory Stick Pro Duo (more than 32MB and less than 4GB)
1 x Pandora's Battery
1 x Universal Unbricker Setup Files
1 x Sony's 1.50 firmware update file
1 x Sony's 3.40 firmware update file
1 x Sony's 3.71 firmware update file

Creating of the Universal Unbricker Magic Memory Stick

If you already have an old Magic Memory Stick, you can skip steps 1 and 2.

1. Put the MSPD inside the PSP, and connect it to your PC using an USB cable.

2. Use mspformat to format your MSPD. The syntax is "mspformat x" where x is the drive letter of your MSPD. So if your MSPD was K:, you would type "mspformat k". Answer "Y" to finish up the formatting.

3. On your now empty MSPD, create a folder called "PSP". Inside that, create another folder called "GAME". Copy the Universal Unbricker folder ("despertar_cementerio") inside the GAME folder. Extract the EBOOT.PBPs from the Sony 1.50, 3.40 and 3.71 firmware files, rename them to 150.PBP, 340.PBP and 371.PBP respectively, and copy them to the root of the memory stick.

4. Disconnect the USB connection, and run "Despertar del Cementerio" on your old PSP. This will create the firmware files and the msipl.bin.

If you are using an old Magic Memory Stick, you can skip steps 5 and 6 as the IPL does not change.

5. Connect the PSP to your computer, and copy out msipl.bin to the msinst folder (found inside the Pandora's Battery package).

6. Type "msinst x msipl.bin" where x is the drive letter of your MSPD. Enter "Y" when prompted.

7. 150.PBP and 340.PBP can now be deleted as they will not be used anymore. You will need to keep 371.PBP as it is used in the unbricking process.

With that, you have successfully created the Universal Unbricker Magic Memory Stick. Use this together with a Pandora's Battery to unbrick all old PSPs and PSP Slims to date!

If you need further help, feel free to email me at my Gmail account.

PSP Slim Unbricker Released!

Here's the latest news! As promised, Dark_Alex has released his PSP Slim Unbricker, labeled as Despertar_cementerio, which loosely translates as "to awake from the dead". Quite an apt name for something that can unbrick ALL old PSPs and PSP Slims!

Get version 2 of this unbricker to avoid bricks, as the first version released had some problems with restoring the flash1 registry.

With this, you can now unbrick old PSPs and PSP Slims using the same Magic Memory Stick and Pandora's Battery! You're also able to downgrade 3.71 M33 to official Sony firmware 3.71 on the PSP Slim, though I have no idea why you would want to do that.

One thing to note, as this is a universal unbricker, it no longer restores your PSP to firmware 1.50. Instead, it flashes your PSP straight to the latest custom firmware, 3.71 M33. Another small improvement to speed up the process of unbricking your PSP and installing the latest custom firmware!

Note that on the PSP Slim, you will still have to work with no screen output, just like the 3.60 M33 installer. But not to worry, the memory stick light and the Wifi light will be used as indicators to tell you about the progress of the unbricking.

Grab the file from my file archive: Download

New Sony Batteries Pandora-Proof!

Looks like Sony has taken the first move towards Team C+D's Pandora Battery. Fanjita from Noobz has just discovered that new batteries for the old PSP no longer work with the Pandora's Battery Creator. Even flashing an eeprom.bin from an older battery doesn't work, giving lots of errors.

So far, there are no visual clues to indicate that you're in possession of a Pandora-Proof PSP Battery, except the fact that these Pandora-Proof batteries are made in Japan, instead of Made in China.

Of course, there's a workaround for this problem. Simply keep your old PSP Battery for use as a Pandora's Battery, and either buy the Pandora-Proof one or a new High-Capacity one for use with your PSP. This way, you'll still have a battery than can be converted and used as a Pandora's Battery.

Source: Noobz

The Facts About Pandora's Battery

Pandora's Battery is still a quite recent development and there is still some confusion over its abilities. So I hereby present some facts about Pandora's Battery:

1. Pandora's Battery is just a normal PSP battery with the serial 0xFFFFFFFF. This special serial causes the PSP to enter service mode.

2. Pandora's Battery does not work by itself. You require a Magic Memory Stick that has been prepared with the necessary files.

I have put up a guide on how to prepare a Pandora's Battery and Magic Memory Stick on this blog, please check the section "Pandora's Battery" under the Navigation Panel.

3. Pandora's Battery can be made using either a homebrew-enabled old PSP, or using the open source Pandora's Battery Tool 0.1 (by cory149) on the PSP Slim.

4. Pandora's Battery can unbrick and downgrade the old PSP, regardless of the firmware version installed in it. Anything from 1.51 to 3.71 can be downgraded.

5. At the moment, it cannot unbrick the PSP Slim. It can be used to install 3.60M33 on the PSP Slim, but only if the PSP Slim was originally on 3.60 firmware.

This is set to change once Dark_Alex aka Team M33 releases the PSP Slim Unbricker.

6. Pandora's Battery is not required to install 3.71M33 on the PSP Slim.

7. Pandora's Battery can be restored to a normal battery if you have saved the original eeprom. If you didn't, it can still be restored but results may vary.

That's about all. Once the Unbricker for the PSP Slim is released, Pandora's Battery will be truly the only thing you need for any PSP firmware problems!

Extended Pandora Bootmenu v0.84

Another version of the Extended Pandora Bootmenu has been released by HELLCAT. This release gives you a new bootmenu for your Pandora Tools, which will help you in your unbricking/downgrading. One key feature available is the ability to install CFW straight from the menu, without needing to downgrade to 1.50 first! This is one feature that's going to speed up the whole unbricking/downgrading process.

Installation is simple, just copy the installer EBOOT to your Magic Memory Stick and run it from the PSP. When it's done you'll get your Magic Memory Stick back - with a cool new menu!

Chances of a brick with the installation should be non-existent, but nevertheless read the Readme carefully before attempting anything.

Download

PSP MS MultiLoader IPL by Booster

Yet another Pandora-related tool has been released, this time by Booster, whom most of you probably know as the guy who came up with Devhook back in those days before custom firmware. His latest tool, PSP MS MultiLoader IPL, allows you to boot your PSP even with a Pandora's Battery inserted!

Instead of flashing the IPL of the Magic Memory Stick, Booster has come up with his own IPL that will load up to 5 different IPLS straight off the MSPD, or load directly from the NAND. No more mspformat is needed to copy the IPL onto the MSPD.

The key combinations available are:
LTRG+UP -> load/run "ms0:/ipl/ipl_up.bin"
LTRG+LEFT -> load/run "ms0:/ipl/ipl_lt.bin"
LTRG+RIGHT -> load/run "ms0:/ipl/ipl_rt.bin"
LTRG+DOWN -> load/run "ms0:/ipl/ipl_dn.bin"
LTRG -> load/run "ms0:/ipl/ipl.bin"
other -> normal boot from internal NAND flash

Only problem so far is the use of the LTRG, which is causing some conflict with users of the Undiluted Platinum Modchip. Expect Booster to come up with a solution to that soon!

Download

Creating a Pandora's Battery & Magic Memory Stick (For PSP Slim)

Recently, with the PSP Slim being unofficially released in Singapore (via export sets), there has been a surge in the number of people wanting to install 3.60M33 on their brand new PSP Slim. Problem is, this installation is by far the most risky custom firmware installation so far. This is due to the usage of Pandora's Battery with the PSP Slim, which leaves a lot of room for error. Hence I have come up with this guide to help you create a Pandora's Battery and Magic Memory Stick for the installation of custom firmware on your PSP Slim.

To make it easier to follow, I have placed the full guide here, instead of asking you to add the extra steps to the original method. For clarity, I have highlighted the additional steps in green.

Take note that this setup will only work on the PSP Slim! Do not try it on the old PSP!

Things you will need:
1 x old PSP on firmware 1.50 or any custom firmware (OE, M33, etc)
1 x PSP Slim (we will be installing CFW on this PSP)
1 x Memory Stick Pro Duo (more than 32MB and less than 4GB)
1 x Pandora's Battery Setup Files
1 x Team M33's 3.60M33 setup files
1 x Sony's 1.50 firmware update file
1 x Sony's 3.40 firmware update file
1 x Sony's 3.50 firmware update file

Optional - 1 x spare PSP battery (so you can keep your Pandora's Battery)

Creating of the Magic Memory Stick
1. Put the MSPD inside the PSP, and connect it to your PC using an USB cable.

2. Use mspformat to format your MSPD. The syntax is "mspformat x" where x is the drive letter of your MSPD. So if your MSPD was K:, you would type "mspformat k". Answer "Y" to finish up the formatting.

3. On your now empty MSPD, create a folder called "PSP". Inside that, create another folder called "GAME150". Copy the Pandora folders ("pandora_battery", "pandora_battery%", "pbfirm_install", "pbfirm_install%") inside the GAME150 folder. Copy 3.60M33's folders ("pandora_slim", "pandora_slim%") inside the GAME150 folder. Extract EBOOT.PBP from the Sony 1.50 firmware file and rename it to UPDATE.PBP, before copying it to the root of the MSPD. Extract both the EBOOT.PBP files from the Sony 3.40 and 3.50 firmware file, rename them to 340.PBP and 350.PBP respectively, and place them into the "pandora_slim" folder.

4. Disconnect the USB connection, and run "Pandora's Battery Firm. Installer" on your old PSP. This will create the firmware files and the msipl.bin.

5. Connect the PSP to your computer, and copy out msipl.bin to the msinst folder (found inside the Pandora's Battery package).

6. Type "msinst x msipl.bin" where x is the drive letter of your MSPD. Enter "Y" when prompted.

7. Disconnect the USB, and on your PSP run "Pandora Ext. for Slim 3.60M33 Installer". Press Cross and wait for the program to exit to the XMB.

With that, you have successfully created the Magic Memory Stick for the PSP Slim. Do not use this Magic Memory Stick on the old PSP!

Creating Pandora's Battery
8. On the PSP, run "Pandora's Battery Creator". I recommend pressing Triangle first to backup your battery's eeprom, before pressing Cross to convert your battery into a Pandora's Battery.

And with that last step, you now have a Pandora's Battery & a Magic Memory Stick for the PSP Slim. Take note that this is only for use with the PSP Slim, if you want to use it to unbrick or downgrade your old PSP you will have to make the Magic Memory Stick again.

Get the Pandora's Battery Setup files: Download
Team M33's 3.60 M33 files: Download

Creating a Pandora's Battery & Magic Memory Stick (For Old PSP)

Is your old PSP bricked due to wrong flashing? Or did your brother accidentally update your old PSP to firmware 3.70? Not to worry, with Team C+D's Pandora Tools you can fix those problems and get your old PSP back on custom firmware! I have come up with an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide to creating a Pandora's Battery and Magic Memory Stick. Follow the steps in this guide and soon you'll be able to unbrick and downgrade not only yours, but all your friends' old PSPs!

Things you will need:
1 x old PSP on firmware 1.50 or any custom firmware (OE, M33, etc)
1 x Memory Stick Pro Duo (more than 32MB and less than 4GB)
1 x Pandora's Battery Setup Files
1 x Sony's 1.50 firmware update file

Optional - 1 x spare PSP battery (so you can keep your Pandora's Battery)

Creating of the Magic Memory Stick
1. Put the MSPD inside the PSP, and connect it to your PC using an USB cable.

2. Use mspformat to format your MSPD. The syntax is "mspformat x" where x is the drive letter of your MSPD. So if your MSPD was K:, you would type "mspformat k". Answer "Y" to finish up the formatting.

3. On your now empty MSPD, create a folder called "PSP". Inside that, create another folder called "GAME150". Copy the Pandora folders ("pandora_battery", "pandora_battery%", "pbfirm_install", "pbfirm_install%") inside the GAME150 folder. Extract EBOOT.PBP from the Sony 1.50 firmware file and rename it to UPDATE.PBP, before copying it to the root of the MSPD.

4. Disconnect the USB connection, and run "Pandora's Battery Firm. Installer" on your old PSP. This will create the firmware files and the msipl.bin.

5. Connect the PSP to your computer, and copy out msipl.bin to the msinst folder (found inside the Pandora's Battery package).

6. Type "msinst x msipl.bin" where x is the drive letter of your MSPD. Enter "Y" when prompted.

With that, you have successfully created the Magic Memory Stick.

Creation of Pandora's Battery.
7. On the PSP, run "Pandora's Battery Creator". I recommend pressing Triangle first to backup your battery's eeprom, before pressing Cross to convert your battery into a Pandora's Battery.

And with that last step, you now have a Pandora's Battery & a Magic Memory Stick. Take note that this is only for use with the old PSP, if you want to use it to install custom firmware for the PSP Slim you will need to do some modifications.

Get the Pandora's Battery Setup files: Download

Open Source Pandora's Battery Tool 0.1

Remember the hype about Pandora's Battery when it was released by Team C+D? It opened up a whole new avenue in the PSP scene by allowing all PSPs to be downgraded or unbricked.

Now, presenting to you Pandora's Battery Tool 0.1, coded by cory149! This nifty open source tool has been ported over to the 3.xx kernel successfully, meaning you can now make Pandora Batteries on a PSP Slim! If that's not great news, then I don't know what is. With this, the old PSP is no longer needed to make Pandora Batteries.

Some important points to take note before you try out this homebrew:

DO NOT USE ON A PSP-200x/SLIM BATTERY! This will most definitely cause your Slim battery to be "bricked". Using this tool on the PSP Slim with the old style battery ONLY.

On further testing, looks like it has the same functions as the original Pandora Battery Tool, just that it's been ported over to the 3.xx kernel. Even the "error at 0x14" is still present. Hopefully that will be fixed in a later version of this tool.

With the release of this tool, will it spell the end for the old PSP? As each day goes by, the PSP Slim is gaining fast on the old PSP in terms of homebrew capabilities. As more old-school 1.50 homebrew are ported over to the newer 3.xx kernel, perhaps one day the old PSP will finally become obsolete.

Download