Alright, due to the overwhelming number of questions regarding the Sony PSP, I have compiled a basic guide for beginners in PSP to know more about their machines.
For better readability, I have segmented the questions into
five groups:
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Basic PSP Questions [functions of the PSP],
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Homebrew Questions [definitions and functions of homebrews for PSP],
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Custom Firmware Questions [functions of custom firmwares for PSP],
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Miscelleaneous Questions [other questions that do not fall into the previous groups], and
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Troubleshooting Questions [questions on problems of PSP and how to solve them].
Feel free to post your questions here, I believe there're many people would help you guys out. But please make sure you make full use of this guide here first.
For those who want to ask:- Ask
only when any questions in your mind
do not appear in the guide or when there are
uncertainties about my guide.
-
Piracy talk (ISO, loaders, etc) in this thread will not be tolerated and offenders will be reported. Please take note.
For those who want to answer:Do not flame those who ask. This is
the thread for beginners. We are here to help and learn at the same time.
OK, let's start.
Basic PSP Questions» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Q:
What's a PSP?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: It's a portable version of the famous PlayStation console by Sony.
Q:
What can it do?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A:
It can be used to play games, listen to MP3 files (songs), watch MP4 files (movies). Besides, it has a built-in WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) function which enables users to go online to surf the Internet. (The WLAN function is also used to enable users to play multiplayer games with other PSP owners.)
Below is a firmware capability chart, grabbed from PSP-vault:
Q:
What are firmwares?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: Firmwares are programs that are stored in a read-only memory unit (firmwares are stored in the PSP's flash memory). It provides the necessary instructions for how the device communicates with the other computer hardware.
Q:
So, what are the firmwares available for the PSP?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: To date, there are 31 versions of official firmwares for the PSP. (1.00, 1.50, 1.51, 1.52, 2.00, 2.01, 2.50, 2.60, 2.70, 2.71, 2.80, 2.81, 2.82, 3.00, 3.01, 3.02, 3.03, 3.10, 3.30, 3.40, 3.50, 3.51, 3.52, 3.60 (slim only), 3.70, 3.71, 3.72, 3.73, 3.80, 3.90, 3.95)
Q:
Which firmware is the best?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: Of course, the latest one is the best. Latest firmwares have the latest security patches and also provides more functions for the PSP. For example, versions 1.00 and 1.50 do not have built-in browsers in them, while their successors versions 2.00 and above do.
Q:
How about the motherboard? Is there only one kind?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: Nope. Up until now, there are 4 versions of motherboards for the PSP. (TA-079, TA-081, TA-082, TA-086)
Q:
So, how can I identify my motherboard's version?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A:
There are two ways:
- open up your PSP (this will void your warranty) and search for the version code.
- eject your UMD door (this will not void your warranty) and look for the code IC1003 on the top right corner. If you don't have it, you're on either TA-079 or TA-081. But if you do, you're on TA-082 and above.
Q:
Which motherboard is the best?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: Well, the newer motherboards are produced by Sony to fight against hackers. So, it's basically the same, whichever you own.
Q:
Will my PSP be bound to the region it was built for?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: No for UMD games, yes for UMD movies. UMD games are region-less, meaning that any region's PSP can run any region's UMD games. However, UMD movies can only be played on a PSP from the same region (e.g. Region 1 PSP can only run Region 1 UMD movies).
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Q:
What are homebrews?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: In short, homebrews are third-party programs developed by programmers. Hence, PSP homebrews are third-party programs developed by programmers specifically for the PSP.
Q:
Are homebrews legal?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: Yes, they're perfectly legal.
Q:
Can my PSP run homebrews?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: Yes. It's just a matter of is-it-ready-yet. If your PSP is of versions 1.00 or 1.50, it's already homebrew-able by default. Else, if your PSP is of versions 2.00 and above, it's not homebrew-able by default. It needs some 'tweaks' before it can run homebrews. The most popular method to achieve this is to replace the official firmwares with custom firmwares.
Q:
What is a brick?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: A brick is an object that is most commonly used to build buildings. But in PSP terms, a brick is a situation where your PSP becomes a lifeless object. This can happen if the flash memory is corrupted.
Q:
How can the flash memory corrupt?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: It can happen in various ways. As long as it involves transaction of data to and from flash (flashing), it's vulnerable to bricks. An example of an activity which requires flashing is when performing firmware updates. So, if the flashing process is interrupted (e.g. loss of power), the PSP will then brick.
Q:
Can the bricked be un-bricked?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: Yes, but in only one of three ways:
- usage of the UP (Undiluted Platinum), and
- if you have custom firmwares installed (There's a Recovery Mode in them.)
- (if your PSP warranted by Sony) send back to Sony for repairs.
Q:
So am I prone to bricks if I use homebrews?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: It depends, if you're using specific homebrews which modifies the attributes/behaviour of the PSP, chances of bricks are there. Other than that, they're not supposed to pose a threat.
Q:
Will warranty from Sony void if I use homebrews/downgraders?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: Yes. For the simple fact that these softwares are third-party and unauthorized by Sony.
Q:
Where can I find these homebrew programs?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A:
You can easily find them in PSP-Hacks, QJ, PSP-Vault, or MaxConsole.Q:
How much do they cost?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: 99.99% of the time it's 0.00 (a.k.a. Free of Charge)
Q:
How do I install them after I downloaded the programs?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A:
Search for the tutorials at PSP-Hacks or QJ.Q:
How do I keep myself updated with the homebrew scene?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A:
Bookmark and visit these sites regularly:
- QJ
- PSP-HacksQ:
I know about these already. Are there any places in this forum where I can talk more about homebrews?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
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Q:
So, what're custom firmwares?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: Custom firmwares are unofficial firmwares 'developed' by programmers. To date, custom firmwares are only a combination of multiple official firmwares.
Custom firmware = 50% of official firmware #1 + 50% of official firmware #2
But underestimate them not, they offer a powerful base to the PSP.
Q:
What do you mean by powerful base?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: Currently, custom firmwares combine the best homebrew-able firmware (V1.50) with the best of the latest, decrypt-able one (V3.52).
V1.50 + V3.80 = V3.80 M33 (created by Dark-AleX)
So basically, you get the best of both worlds.
Q:
So, which is better: V1.50, V3.80 or V3.80 M33?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
V1.50:
Pro(s): Homebrew-able by default.
Con(s): Lacks features, such as the built-in browser and camera function on the XMB.
V3.80
Pro(s) of V3.80: Features are up-to-date.
Con(s) of V3.80: Not homebrew-able.
V3.80 M33
Pro(s) of V3.80 M33: Homebrew-able by default (pro of V1.50) and up-to-date features (pro of V3.80) plus recovery function (original pro of custom firmwares)..
Con(s) of V3.80 M33: Gets you addicted.
So, it's clear that a custom firmware is a better firmware compared to official firmwares.
Q:
V3.80 M33 and V3.80 M33-5? What's the difference?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: The -2 means second revision, which also means that certain features are improved/bugs tweaked.
Q:
I have a V3.80 M33 now and I wish to update to V3.80 M33-5. Do I need to update the older ones (M33-2, M33-3, and M33-4) first?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: No. Just go straight to M33-5 will work fine because the newer updates (M33-5) have the older updates (M33-2, M33-3, and M33-4) in it.
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Q:
Where can I download games?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: I'm sorry, I can't tell you that here as downloading copyrighted games are considered illegal. Please refrain yourself from talking about anything (e.g. how to install, how to run) regarding downloaded games here or risk getting warned/banned.
Q:
Which MSPD is better? Sony or Sandisk?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Q:
How to differentiate between fake and original MSPDs?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Q:
How to differentiate between fake and original batteries for the PSP?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Q:
What are stuck/dead pixels?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: A pixel contains three colours. Red, green and blue (RGB). For a stuck pixel, at least one but not all of the colours are 'stuck'. For a dead pixel, all three are not functioning, dead. Hence, a stuck pixel will be tiny dot(s) that will be brighter than the others (seen even more clearly when the background is dark in colour. A dead pixel would be colourless and would be easily seen against bright coloured background.
Q:
How to check for stuck/dead pixels?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: You can create a white image and a black image at 480 x 272 pixels and put them in your MSPD. Then, when testing the console, insert your MSPD and use the XMB photo viewer to view the white and black image.
So, to check for a dead pixel, you should use a white image. If you can see black spots, then that's a dead pixel. Similarly, to check for a stuck pixel, you should use a black image. If you can see bright spots, then that's a stuck pixel.
Q:
What is the Chotto Shot?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A:
Chotto Shot is a camera developed by Sony, specifically for the PSP. For more info, proceed to LYN's PSP Chotto Shot Club Thread.Q:
What is the PSP GPS?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A:
The GPS (Global Positioning System) is a worldwide radio-navigation system that is widely used in location based services. The PSP GPS is exactly that. In additional to that mentioned, it can also be used in games such as the new Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops to recruit soldiers.
Click here for PSP GPS' official website. (Japanese)
For more information on this device in English, you can refer to this page (by our very own Mr. Moderator, Ninja).Q:
So how much will a PSP cost me now?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A:
You can try asking this question in LYN's PSP Price Thread. But the best bet would still be manually doing research on the prices yourself.
Q:
Do I get official Sony warrany for the PSP if I buy from unauthorized outlets (e.g. stalls in Sungei Wang or other shopping complexes)?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: No. Official warranty are only given to machines purchased from authorized Sony outlets (e.g. Sony Style). Other than that, the warranty is from the shop itself.
Q:
Can I send my PSP to Sony for repairs if my PSP does not have an official Sony warranty?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: No. Sony will reject unwarranted machines.
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PSP Browser Problems» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Q:
Why am I getting "Not enough memory" error message while browsing using the built-in browser?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: This is because the PSP's built-in browser uses the DRAM for caching pages. The DRAM is only 4MB in size, so loading pages with lots of animations/pictures would really be a pain in the ass.
Q:
How can I avoid the "Not enough memory" problem?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: Try switching off the caching function.
[Browser] -> Tools -> Settings -> Cache Settings -> Do Not Use
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Q:
How do I convert video files?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A:
There are many tools for video conversion. For example, you can use the freeware PSP Video9.Q:
After conversion, where should I put the video files?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: After conversion, there should be two files. An MP4 file and a theme file. Both files should be in the 100MNV01 folder, inside MP_ROOT.
X:\MP_ROOT\100MNV01\[Both files here.]
Q:
I have the files in the correct folders. Now what?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A: Go to your XMB, scroll to Video. Your video file should be there.
Q:
Are there any key shortcuts that I can use while watching videos?» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
A:
Yep. I have here a screenshot grabbed from the official US PSP site:
This post has been edited by DFlo: May 4 2008, 03:21 PM 
PlayStation Portable For Beginners | V2, General PSP Q&A and Homebrew Discussion (Technical) 
Feb 4 2007, 01:54 PM
Now many you can try updating it to V3.80 M33-2.. I'm still yet to do that.. 
