Below are complete instructions on how to change your PSP's firmware from the official version to a custom version. The origanal source can be seen here at: http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=psp&thread.id=3027519
Follow all the instructions shown on my video tutorials, also charge the PSP's battery 100% before beginning
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lP7h3AhKdjY
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YnLUQBBPfGU
Upgrading / Downgrading your PSPs firmware will write to the 'flash memory' of your PSP.
There is a very small risk of bricking your PSP when writing to flash memory.
All downgrades should be successful if you follow the instructions carefully and correctly.
Although you may be one of the unlucky few that the downgrade fails on.
By following this guide you understand the risks you are taking with your PSP.
Formatting your memory stick will erase 'everything' on it.
Please make a backup copy of any important files to your computer before you continue.
(Like the savegames in your \PSP\SAVEDATA\ folder and any video / music / pictures you may have.)
Note: After installing the required files to your memory stick, wait for about 1 minute before closing the
USB connection and disconnecting the USB cable, Sometimes windows will keep the data in memory
and will write that data to the memory stick even after the installation looks like has successfully finished.
When downgrading to 1.50, you will not be able to go back to an Official Firmware above 1.50.
Any damage done to your PSP is your responsibility and not The Gizmo Shack or any of its employees. You MUST understand this before continuing.
Required Files:
Official Sony Update EBOOT for the firmware you want to upgrade to.
Firmware 1.50 Update EBOOT:
Download: http://www.zshare.net/download/1-50-update-eboot-rar.html
Mirror : http://www.sendspace.com/file/23gdxx
Firmware 2.00 Update EBOOT:
Download: http://www.zshare.net/download/2-00-update-eboot-rar.html
Mirror : http://www.sendspace.com/file/o9ya72
Firmware 2.71 Update EBOOT:
Download: http://www.zshare.net/download/2-71-update-eboot-rar.html
Mirror : http://www.sendspace.com/file/6ieuil
Firmware 2.80 Update EBOOT:
Download: http://www.zshare.net/download/2-80-update-eboot-rar.html
Mirror : http://www.sendspace.com/file/ey9hic
Firmware 3.03 Update EBOOT:
Download: http://www.zshare.net/download/3-03-update-eboot-rar.html
Mirror : http://www.sendspace.com/file/cz7eha
Firmware 3.50 Update EBOOT:
Download: http://www.zshare.net/download/24657850b45351/
Mirror : http://www.sendspace.com/file/59ncg3
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Firmware 3.50 to 1.50 Downgrader:
Download : http://www.zshare.net/download/5357765886195934/ (this file was replaced with an unverified file after zshare.net removed the original... please read documentation thoroughly and accept the risk before using this program)
Mirror : http://www.sendspace.com/file/46rjxi
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Downgrade 3.50 to 1.50
This downgrader only works on 3.50 firmware so you need to have 3.50 firmware before downgrading
All PSP motherboards can be downgraded. This includes TA-079, TA-082 and TA-086 PSPs.
The downgrader will auto-detect and patch your PSP if it is needed before the downgrade begins.
You will need to have 75% or more battery power to do the downgrade.
You need to have an Original, Platinum or Greatest Hits version of the "Lumines" UMD to do the downgrade.
(Note: Only the USA and Europe versions of the game work with the downgrader at the moment
support for the Japanese and possibly the Korean versions of the game will be released very soon.)
The 'Original' USA version has the code: ULUS-10002. The UMD doesn't have a firmware update.
The 'Greatest Hits' USA version has the code: ULUS-10002GH, I'm not sure if there is a firmware update on the UMD.
The 'Original' Europe version has the code: ULES-00043. The UMD has the 1.50 firmware update.
The 'Platinum' Europe version has the code: ULES-00043P. I'm not sure about the version of the firmware update.
The 'Original' Japanese version has the code: ULJS-19005. This version is not supported by the downgrader yet...
The 'Original' Korean version has the code: ULKS-46005. This version is not supported by the downgrader yet...
You can find the code written on the spine of the box near the bottom in small writing.
Required Files:
Firmware 3.50 to 1.50 Downgrader:
Download : http://www.zshare.net/download/24658911a03192/
Mirror : http://www.sendspace.com/file/46rjxi
Downgrading Instructions:
Before you start, you need to make sure that 'UMD Auto-Start' is turned "off" in the 'Settings' -> 'System Settings' menu.
1. Transfer any important data from your memory stick to your computer and then
format the memory stick using your PSP, its in the 'Settings -> System settings' menu.
Note: Formatting will erase all data from the memory stick.
2. Connect your PSP to your computer using a USB cable and make a USB Connection.
3. Right click the RAR file you downloaded earlier and choose 'Extract files...' from the menu and a new window will open.
If you don't have 'extract files...' on the menu then you don't have winrar installed. (Download link at the very top of this topic)
Select My Computer and then slect the drive letter of your PSP and click "extract"
(My PSP memory stick drive letter is Removeable Disk (E: but it might be a different letter on your computer)
Winrar will then unpack the files to your PSP Memory stick, this may take a minute or so.
Once its finished unpacking the files, Double click the 'Safely Remove Hardware' icon near the clock
Select the 'Sony PSP USB Device' and click 'stop', on the next window click 'Sony PSP USB Device' and click 'OK'
You should get the message 'This device can be safely removed from your computer', Click OK to this message.
4. Close the USB connection on your PSP (press 'O') and unplug the USB cable from your computer and your PSP.
5. Set the 'System Language' of your PSP to 'English', to do this:
Go to the Settings menu of your PSP and scroll down to 'System Settings' and press X
Scroll down and highlight the 'System Language' setting and press X, choose 'English' and press X.
6. Insert the "Lumines" UMD into your PSP, Go to the game menu and start the UMD.
7. Start the game when it gets to the title screen with 'Press START', press the START button on your PSP.
After this, the PSP screen will turn blue and then it will reset itself, once you are back in the XMB remove the UMD.
If your PSP turns itself off / freezes, Turn off your PSP by holding the power button for 4 seconds.
Turn your PSP back on, start the game again, but instead of pressing 'Start' on the title screen, press 'X' instead.
8. Check that HEN is running by going to "Settings -> System Settings -> System Information".
If your System Version reads '3.50 HEN' then HEN is loaded, proceed to step 9.
9. Go to the memory stick and run the "Update X.YZ" program.
10. If you have an unpatched TA-082 or higher motherboard you will be prompted to patch your PSP so it can be safely downgraded.
The downgrader will not let you proceed without patching, if your motherboard requires it.,
11. Before the downgrader starts, you need to agree with what it is going to do.
If you no longer want to downgrade, press the "R" (Right Shoulder) button.
If you agree to start the downgrade press the "X" button.
Warning: Do not unplug the PSP or try and restart it yourself, doing so will brick your PSP.
12. When the downgrade has finished the PSP, you will need to press X to restart your PSP.
13. If you get a blue screen error saying the settings are corrupt then press O to restore the default settings.
(You will need to re-enter all the settings into your PSP again, like time / date / network settings etc...)
14. Format your memory stick and then you are all done. You should have a Firmware 1.50 PSP.
Note: If your screen goes black after the 'corrupted settings' part but you hear the boot-sound,
Try pressing the 'screen back-light' button thats located near the start / select buttons.