Sony PSP Hints and Tips (no pun intended)

SFOSOK · Dec 29, 2005, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

As long as it keeps getting cracked the more Sony will update it. They've got a strict policy about not letting "unauthorized" software being run on their handheld. The big issue behind this is that if it can be cracked it can also allow for pirating, which is exactly what happened the day the PSP was cracked originally. Sony got smart though with games requiring specific firmware in order to run, and that stiffled piracy on the PSP for a good while until someone found a way to load hacked firmware into memory.

There are 2 big issues I have with the PSP right now: 1) audio support, and 2) clock rate.

First, they support WMA playback with the new 2.6 firmware, however they don't support DRM nor lossless encoded WMA files (or any DRM/lossless files for that matter). DRM I can get around, but I would like lossless support seeing as how I have a lot of lossless WMA files.

The second issue is a major one for me. Sony has underclocked the PSP for power drain issues. At full speed (333mhz) you may get anywhere from 2 to 2.5 hours of battery life, while in it's labotimized form (222mhz) you get about 3 to 3.5 hours. Problem is that developers are creating games based on the full speed PSP, and when played on available PSPs they play like shit. Take Smart Bomb for instance. I absolutely hate playing this game due to slow downs, and lag. Yes, lag. After playing with a tool that unlocked the clock rate (rather it overclocked the PSP) Smart Bomb played like a whole different game. It was responsive, and fast paced. I can sit here an list about 15 games that play better on an unlocked PSP than they do on a locked one. If Sony is reading this take note: have a setting that allows for choosing clock speeds, or at the very least add automatic clock speeds based on power levels. Screw that.. just unlock the damn thing already! Please?

yeah, I hear ya. I don't think Sony will listen though : (.

lovswr · Dec 29, 2005, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

You can download the 2.5 firmware from HERE. After you extract it put it into the memory sticks "PSP\GAME\UPDATE" folder (you may have to create the update folder), and run it from the PSP dashboard. You will need a full charge on your PSP battery whether you have it plugged into the AC or not in order to flash the firmware.

There are currently 2 hacks for the PSP on 2.5 firmware. The first is another exploit of the TIFF picture format, while the other is GTALCs ability to run unsigned code using saved games (this is how the GTALC CheatDevice works). I basically gave up, and upgraded to version 2.6. I wieghed in how much homebrew I was running versus the retail games I couldn't play because of it, and it just wasn't worth waiting (I might buy a 2nd one for that if I really need it). One thing I do regret doing is going to 2.6 only because the GTA CheatDevice allows for CPU overclocking when playing GTALC, and that extra 111mhz would've gotten rid of any slowdown in the game. This overclocking works for all versions of the firmware except 2.6. HOWEVER, going to 2.6 doesn't mean you can't take advantage of the exploit. The game will still run unsigned code even if the PSP is updated to firmware 2.6 as the CheatDevice still works on that firmware too. So, the whole is still there to be taken advantage of.

Thanks for the firmware link, Tipstaff. I have not tried the homebrew but I can tell this browser is faster already. Just in case some peeps don't know, go to www.onpsp.net for a much more effective way of browsing on your psp.

Randy P · Dec 30, 2005, 01:12 AM

Super impressive; thank you

Tipstaff · Dec 30, 2005, 02:24 AM

For thost that have upgraded the PSP to firmware 2.0 or higher you should now have access to a feature that the PSP community basically beat Sony over the head for: wallpaper. No longer tied to the same 12 colors you can now use normal images as wallpaper, or at least override the built in colors so that you can have a purple background 365 days of the year.

Now, you could create your own wallpaper by resizing images to 480x272, but why do that when there are a ton of sites out there already? Well, one such site is ThemePSP.com. They have close to 13,700 wallpapers to choose from. On top of that they also host about 184 "skins" for the Logitech Playgear Pocket (some with both front and back skins), so you can doll that puppy up too. Also, if you take a look through my earlier posts you should find the template for the Playgear Pocket so that you can create your own skin.

To get you guys started, how about something... simple: DH Logos in Poster Edge, Heavy Poster Edge, Textured, and Super Sharp versions.

Quick, and simple. I'll have to work on something a little more fancy (or someone will have to start a "Create a DH PSP Wallpaper" thread.

).

Happy New Years guys, and enjoy!

wolfran · Dec 30, 2005, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

You can download the 2.5 firmware from HERE. After you extract it put it into the memory sticks "PSP\GAME\UPDATE" folder (you may have to create the update folder), and run it from the PSP dashboard. You will need a full charge on your PSP battery whether you have it plugged into the AC or not in order to flash the firmware.

There are currently 2 hacks for the PSP on 2.5 firmware. The first is another exploit of the TIFF picture format, while the other is GTALCs ability to run unsigned code using saved games (this is how the GTALC CheatDevice works). I basically gave up, and upgraded to version 2.6. I wieghed in how much homebrew I was running versus the retail games I couldn't play because of it, and it just wasn't worth waiting (I might buy a 2nd one for that if I really need it). One thing I do regret doing is going to 2.6 only because the GTA CheatDevice allows for CPU overclocking when playing GTALC, and that extra 111mhz would've gotten rid of any slowdown in the game. This overclocking works for all versions of the firmware except 2.6. HOWEVER, going to 2.6 doesn't mean you can't take advantage of the exploit. The game will still run unsigned code even if the PSP is updated to firmware 2.6 as the CheatDevice still works on that firmware too. So, the whole is still there to be taken advantage of.

I have a European version (1002) of PSP, can it be upgraded to firmware 2.5?
Can you really run homebrew on 2.5? I have been really interested on this homebrew stuff and see what the PSP can do. So is there a guide on making homebrew works on 2.5?

daedal · Dec 30, 2005, 04:30 PM

FYI; no downgrader is available for firmware version 2.5
They have found a security hole however, but no downgrader or homebrew yet.

Vesper · Dec 30, 2005, 11:38 PM

Someone managed to run the "hello world" code on a 2.50 PSP using the GTA Cheat Device and Fanjita (the guy who released the 2.0 EBOOT Loader) is working on getting a 2.50 loader, but he still has a lot of work to do

As long as you have GTA:LCS, there is hope for the 2.01+ firmwares

Tipstaff · Dec 31, 2005, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfran

I have a European version (1002) of PSP, can it be upgraded to firmware 2.5?
Can you really run homebrew on 2.5? I have been really interested on this homebrew stuff and see what the PSP can do. So is there a guide on making homebrew works on 2.5?

I can't say for sure what version of firmware is on that release, but the safe bet would be either 1.5 or 2.01 as Sony hasn't started releasing PSPs with higher firmware (yet).

There is good news, and bad news. The bad news is that the Euro PSP firmware is now at version 2.6, and I've been unable to find any sites that have the Euro firmware. The good news is that you may be able to find a retail game that has version 2.5 firmware on it. If I remember correctly the new Mega Man X game requires 2.5, and has the update on the UMD itself, and while I can't say 100% for sure I have heard that the Euro release of GTA: Liberty City Stories does as well. Other than that I can't see any other way to get the Euro 2.5 firmware from anywhere else other than from someone else that has it.

As for homebrew, there are a lot of sites out there that talk about homebrew apps, and earlier postings in this thread have mentioned a bunch of them like PSPHomeBrew, or PSPBrew.

Tipstaff · Dec 31, 2005, 05:42 AM

Got another treat for those of you with PSPs: 5 MORE WALLPAPERS!

I was going through all the DH logos and pics you peeps have been posting over the years, and I settled with one of the older DH logos. As you can tell it was the perfect size to fit in the bottom right corner of the screen. Of note: don't worry about how dark some of them are. Due to the PSPs OLED display it should show up nice, bright, anc crisp (except #3). Just click on each pic for the full sized (well.. PSP sized) wallpaper.

Hope you like'em!

(These are for 24HR Time Format)

Edit: Sorry guys. It just dawned on me that I created the above wallpapers with MY PSP in mind, and since I go by 24hr format the Date and Time sections are a wee, tiny bit off. Oops. Now, dumbass me, I only have the original PSD file, so I can only work on the very first pic (I've already smacked myself around for this one....). So, here are modified versions (as close as I can get to the above ones) for the wallpapers in 12hr time format, as well as the inclusion of the DH web address. Enjoy!

(These are for 12HR Time Format)

Tipstaff · Jan 1, 2006, 12:10 AM

I think I'm hooked.... 4 more DH logo wallpapers for your PSP.

SFOSOK · Jan 1, 2006, 12:11 AM

coolmay just put some of these on

lovswr · Jan 11, 2006, 09:26 AM

OK, they got a Tetris homebrew to work on 2.5

! You need GTA & apparently there is some new revision of GTA out/coming out to specifically stop this. I'm going to get San Andreas today.

:edit (one day later)
Well, well, well, what a difference a day makes. 2.6 is now running Tetris too!

lovswr · Feb 2, 2006, 09:35 AM

First Homebrew for 2.0 to 2.6 are here.

SFOSOK · Feb 2, 2006, 11:33 AM

A bit of old news but its ok.

Son_of_Thunder · Apr 7, 2006, 04:55 PM

Sorry for the bump here, but does anyone know what firmware a new Japanese PSP is running, and if it's compatable with US games?