If you feel like reading then read. If not, then skim it. This guide below puts your psp to the ultimate use.


READ: This is ULTIMATE FAQ v0.1, it is not completed. We ask you to help us complete it by replying below (especially in the emulators section). We will be updaing it very frequently but we wanted to publish it now before it was finished so that everyone can read it.

Please post any additions that you have, as well as any errors such as corrections, bad links, spelling, or anything you think should be added. If you know of a guide that provides more/better info, please post it so that we can add it.

Once your comment is added, we will delete your post. This will help us keep track of what has been added and what hasn't. Thanks!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. FORUM POLICY

II. INSTALLING HOMEBREW ON YOUR PSP
1) Introduction
2) Installing Homebrew on a PSP with v1.0 Firmware
3) Installing Homebrew on a PSP with v1.5 Firmware using the KXploit method A
4) Installing Homebrew on a PSP with v1.5 Firmware using other methods (added 6/26/2005)
5) Installing Hombrew on a PSP using Pre-made Eboot files/folders (added 7/12/05)

III. EMULATOR GUIDE
1) Introduction
2) GameBoy/GameBoy Color
3) GBA
4) MAME
5) MSX
6) Neo Geo
7) NES
8) PC Engine (Turbo Grafx 16)
9) PSPE (PSP on PC)
10) Sega Genesis/Megadrive
11) Sega Master System
12) SNES
13) Wonderswan

IV. FAQ / Tips
1) Introduction
2) Firmware (updated 6/26/2005)
3) Emulators
4) Homebrew Games
5) Hacks (KXploit, etc) (updated 6/26/2005)
6) Misc.

V. Credits

VI. Version History (updated 6/26/2005)

INSTALLING HOMEBREW ON YOUR PSP

1) Introduction

The very first thing you need to do is find out what firmware version your PSP is. To do this, turn on your PSP, go to Settings > System Settings > System Information and click "X". It will say "System Software Version" 1.0, 1.5, 1.51, or 1.52. If your PSP is firmware version 1.0 or 1.5, you can run homebrew games, emulators, and applications. If your PSP is firmware version 1.51 or 1.52, you cannot run any homebrew.

2) Installing Homebrew on a PSP with v1.0 Firmware

Installing Home-brew applications is actually a whole lot easier then it sounds. For the most part, it's all just "Drag & Drop." Although some emulators may require you to rename ROMs, or place them in specific folders, but you can read about that in the Emulators section.

Plug your PSP into your computer via a USB cable. Turn on your PSP and navigate to Settings > USB Connection and press "X". Your computer should then automatically detect the PSP. Go to My Computer > Removable Disk (F (where F is the drive letter your computer assigns to the PSP). You are now browsing the contents of your memory stick. You should see a folder named PSP. Open the PSP folder and create a GAME folder (if there isn't one already). You will then need to create a folder for each homebrew emulator or game you want to put on your memory card. [picture] Some homebrew emulators and games come zipped in folders, in that case you just have to drag the folder into PSP/GAME/.

3) Installing Homebrew on a PSP with v1.5 Firmware using the KXploit method A

If you want to skip all the do-it-yourself and download a pre-converted pack of emulators, you can get it from pm me. Simply extract all the folders in that zip, connect your PSP via USB, and put them in PSP/GAME/. Note that these emulators are updated very frequently, and when new versions come out you will still be stuck with the older ones. Do not post on our forums asking for people to convert them for you, you can read on to learn to do it yourself, it's quite simple. You can also find Pre-Made EBOOT files for the 1.5 KXploit from pm’ing me.

First you need to download KXploit from from pm’ing me (get the latest version). Open the zip file and extract KXploitTool-0.3-Setup.exe. Run this file and install it in your directory of choice. You will then be prompted to reboot, so reboot your machine.

After you have rebooted, download whatever homebrew you want to install and unzip it to your desktop or wherever. Then connect your PSP to your computer via USB, turn on your PSP, and navigate to Settings > USB Connection and press "X". Your computer should then automatically detect the PSP.

On your computer click the KXploit Tool 0.3 shortcut and you will be brought to this menu [picture]. In the "Name" field, type a descriptive name of the homebrew emu/game you want to convert (ex: "SNES"). Next click the "..." button next to the "PBP File" field and navigate to the EBOOT.PBP file in the folder of the homebrew you just downloaded [picture]. In the "PSP Unit" field select the drive letter of your PSP [picture]. Now press "Generate Files" and the program will install the files onto the memory stick. Make sure that all necessary files included with the Homebrew Emulator or Game are in the second folder (the one WITHOUT the %). Put all ROMs in the second folder (the one WITHOUT the %) as well.

For a tutorial on Method B, please read the tutorial-en.pdf included in kxploit_1.5_psp-dev.rar.

4) Installing Homebrew on a PSP with v1.5 Firmware using other methods (added 6/26/2005)

1) Go to this thread and download the newest version of the Sei tool. (or get PBP Setting or PBP Easy Installer from our files section)
2) Plug your PSP in to your computer via USB
3) On your PSP go to USB Connection
4) On your PC, double click SeiPSPTool.exe
5) In the "Name" field type the folder name you want for your emulator (on your psp). NOTE: Some emulators require specifically named folders, check the above.
6) Click "..." and navagate to the EBOOT.PBP of the emulator or game you wish to put on your PSP
7) Click the dropdown menu next to "PSP Unit" and navagate to the drive letter your computer assigned to the PSP
8) If you want to use a custom Icon, navagate to that
9) Click generate and it will automatically install the files on to your PSP. Now just put ROMs in the folder WITHOUT the "%" on your PSP.

5) Installing Hombrew on a PSP using Pre-made Eboot files/folders (added 7/12/05)

1.) Go to either Legion120802's Pre-made eboot thread or The individual user made eboots
-I recommend Legion120802's thread since it is the most up-to-date thread.
2.) Search for the hombrew game/application that you desire
3.) Once you have located the hombrew, download it
4.) Once downloaded, extract the contents (WinRAR is sometimes required).
5.) Two folders should appear (one with a % sign and one without)
6.) Copy these two folders to your PSP/Game directory
7.) If you have roms to install, scroll down to view the install directory for each emulator
8.) Enjoy your hombrew!

III: EMULATOR GUIDE

1) Introduction
There are many Emulators out there for PSP, and they are being updated extremely fast. Here is a little summary of many of the popular ones. Click on any of the Emulator names to go to our File Download section for that Emulator.

2) GameBoy/GameBoy Color
RIN: This is a GameBoy/GameBoy Color Emulator for PSP by Mr. Mirakichi.
Folder: PSP/GAME/*ANY*
ROM File Extension: .GB, .GBC
Zip Support: YES
Menu Button: L Trigger
Additional Information: Putting ROMs in subfolder ROMS works well

3) GBA
VBA: This is a GameBoy Advance Emulator for PSP.
Folder: PSP/GAME/VBAPSP
ROM File Extension: .GBA
Zip Support: NO
Menu Button:
Additional Information: Your folders must be named VBAPSP% and VBAPSP (just VBAPSP with 1.0).Rename your UNZIPPED (not compressed) ROM to ROM.GBA and place it into the VBAPSP folder.A seperate file selector with instructions can be found in our files section.

4) MAME
M.A.M.E.: This is a MAME Emulator for PSP by TMK.
Folder: PSP/GAME/MAME
ROM File Extension: .ZIP
Zip Support: YES
Menu Button:
Additional Information: Zipped ROMs go in "ROMS" subfolder, not KXploit friendly. For more info see this thread.
xMAME: This is a MAME Emulator for PSP.
Folder: PSP/GAME/MAME/
ROM File Extension: .ZIP
Zip Support: MUST be ZIPPED
Menu Button:
Additional Information: Operating Details, Not KXploit friendly

5) MSX
fMSX: This is a MSX Emulator for PSP by Osakana.
Folder: PSP/GAME/MSX
ROM File Extension: .ROM for Cartridge, .DSK for Disks
Zip Support: YES
Menu Button: L Trigger
Additional Information: Place Bios files in the PSP/GAME/MSX/BIOS/
HITBIT: This is a MSX Emulator for PSP by Mariko.
Folder: PSP/GAME/
ROM File Extension:
Zip Support:
Menu Button:
Additional Information:

6) Neo Geo
ngPSP: This is a Neo Geo Emulator for PSP by NeXis2600
Folder: PSP/GAME/NGPSP
ROM File Extension: .NGP
Zip Support: NO
Menu Button:
Additional Information: Additional needed folders: "Battery", "State", "Roms". Select button for Menu.
Neo Geo CD: This is a Neo Geo CD Emulator for PSP by Matinez Fabrice and Fosters
Folder: PSP/GAME/NEOCD
ROM File Extension:
Zip Support:
Menu Button: L Trigger
Additional Information: Left trigger = Exit, Archive all files in your NEOGEO CD to zip file named "neocd.zip". Get NEOGEO CD BIOS.
/PSP/GAME/NEOCD
+ EBOOT.PBP
+ STARTUP.BIN
+ loading.bmp
+ NEOCD.BIN (BIOS)
+ NEOCD.ZIP (CD contents)

7) NES
NesterJ: This is a Nintendo Emulator for PSP by Ruka.
Folder: PSP/GAME/*ANY*
Accepted ROM File Extensions: .NES
Zip Support: YES
Menu Button: L Trigger
Additional Information: ROMs can go anywhere in the NesterJ folder or sub folders.

8) PC Engine (Turbo Grafx 16)
PCEP: This is a Turbo Grafx 16 Emulator for PSP.
Folder: PSP/GAME/*ANY*
Accepted ROM File Extensions: .PCE
Zip Support: YES
Menu Button: L Trigger
Additional Information: Supports TG-16/PCE and 2-disk roms like street fighter 2

9) PSPE (PSP on PC)
PSPE: This is a PSP v1.0 Emulator for the PC. This Emulates a PSP with v1.0 Firmware on the PC. Developers use it to test their code.

10) Sega Genesis/Megadrive
PSPGenesis: This is a Genesis Emulator for PSP by Sougen
Folder: PSP/GAME/PSPGenesis
Accepted ROM File Extensions: .BIN and .SMD
Zip Support: NO
Menu Button: Select
Additional Information: Place ROMs anywhere, You'll not be able to use this emulator if you don't add the 'system.fnt' file on the memory stick with the EBOOT.
Generator: This is a Genesis Emulator for PSP by Osakana.
Folder: PSP/GAME/*ANY*
Accepted ROM File Extensions: must be GEN.BIN
Zip Support: NO
Menu Button: No Menu
Additional Information: To exit back to PSP menu press start+select
Megadrive: This is a Genesis Emulator for PSP by Kamisama
Folder: PSP/GAME/*ANY*
Accepted ROM File Extensions: .SMD and .BIN (only when inside a .ZIP)
Zip Support: YES
Menu Button: Select
Additional Information:

11) SMS
SMS This is a Sega Master System Emulator for PSP by Yoshihiro.
Folder: PSP/GAME/SMS
Accepted ROM File Extensions: .SMS, .GG
Zip Support: NO
Menu Button: Triangle
Additional Information: SELECT: Sound toggle, L&R: Quit. ROms must go in a folder named "ROMS" inside the SMS folder.

12) SNES
Snes9x: This is a Super Nintendo Emulator for PSP by Bifuteki, Yoshihiro, "Y", and "J".
Folder: PSP/GAME/*ANY*
Accepted ROM File Extensions: .SMC and .SFC
Zip Support: YES
Menu Button: Stick Left
Additional Information:

13) Wonderswan
Cygne: This is a Wonderswan Emulator for PSP by REi
Folder: PSP/GAME/*ANY*
Accepted ROM File Extensions: .WS and .WSC
Zip Support: YES
Menu Button: Select
Additional Information: has fullscreen and key config options

PSwan: This is another Wonderswan Emulator for PSP
Folder: PSP/GAME/*ANY*
Accepted ROM File Extensions: .ws, .wsc
Zip Support: No
Menu Button: R Trigger
Notes: Only options are for sound on/off.

14) Amiga 500
UAE: Amiga 500 Emulator for PSP
Folder: PSP/GAME/PSPUAE
Accepted ROM File Extensions: .ROM
Zip Support: NO
Menu Button:
Notes: Copy an amiga ADF disk file as /PSP/GAME/PSPUAE/DF0.ADF
Then, you need to put the Amiga Kickstart 1.3 KICK.ROM file into /PSP/GAME/PSPUAE (Make sure the filename is KICK.ROM)

IV. FAQ / Tips

1) Introduction
Before you post read this FAQ! Many questions are answered here, and it will be updated all the time.


2) Firmware

What is this Firmware you speak of?
Firmware is what you could call the PSP's Operating System (like Windows on a computer). The PSP's Firmware is stored on what's called a "Flash Disk." Now, when Sony finds bugs, or flaws in the OS, they release new updates and upgrades to the firmware. At the time of me writing this, there are currently four different firmware versions. Version 1.0, Version 1.5, Version 1.51, and Version 1.52.

So how do I know which Firmware I have?
Just goto the PSP's main menu, then goto Settings > System Settings > System Information. Then you should see where it says: System Software Version x.xx (x.xx is your Firmware version).

Can I run homebrew on a 1.0 or 1.50 PSP?
Yes. Homebrew will run on 1.0's with no hacks or exploits, and on 1.50 with hacks or exploits like Swaploit or KXploit.

Can I run homebrew on a 1.51 or 1.52 PSP?
No.

Why can't I run homebrew on 1.51 or 1.52?
Well to explain that, I'll explain the difference between the firmwares that stops Homebrew.

Firmware 1.0
This firmware allowed any application to run without a Geniune Sony Digital Signature. It was a very lax security firmware. Only Japanese PSPs made before March 2005 have 1.0 firmware.

Firmware 1.50
This firmware can execute applications through a hotswap technique called KXploit developed by the guys over at PSP-Dev. Read more about it below.

Firmware 1.51 & 1.52
This firmware has an authentication process, and additional security, that makes sure any process running has a Genuine Sony Digital Signature. This is what is stopping homebrewed apps from booting.

Why not just take a digital signature from [INSERT GAME HERE]?
The signatures are dynamically signed, so that means, when we run the PSP with the stolen signature, the PSP will tell thats its different and refuse to run it.

When will 1.51+ be hacked? Can I downgrade?
Downgrading firmware is not possible at this moment. And without a time machine or crystal ball there's no way of knowing when newer firmwares will be cracked. Be patient and keep checking this site for updates. For those of you who keep asking - the current 1.0 Firmware dump CANNOT be used to flash your 1.5 into a 1.0. It is missing certain critical files which are hidden and inaccessible by current dumping software.

What firmware version of PSPs are they currently selling in stores in America?
Currently, American PSPs are still shipping with 1.52 firmware installed.

Where can i find the 1.5 JAP Firmware download? (added 6/26/05)
We have located a new link. To download 1.5 JAP Firmware, pm me

Where can I find the 2.0 JAP firmware downoad?
Please download it on Sony's offical website:
Note: If you have any questions, please read this thread:
3) Emulators

What is an emulator?
From Google Define: An Emulator (or "Emu") is "hardware and/or Software that allows a computer or other device to act as if it was another type of machine. For example Emulators are used on computers to emulate Games consoles such as the N64, MegaDrive and PlayStation."

Can I have multiple emus/programs on my memory stick(s)?
Yes, just create separate identical folders on both memory sticks for each emulator or program.

Is running emulators at 333mhz safe?
This isn't necessarily overclocking the PSP since the CPU *IS* a 333mhz CPU. However it will be quite a drain on your battery, which is why the current PSP UMD games do not utilize this CPU speed. So far there have been NO reports of 333mhz harming the PSP, but this option is relatively new so still use at your own risk.

There are so many different emulators, which ones are the best?
Most systems now have multiple emulators for them on PSP, below are my personal recommendations for each system I have tried:
NES: NesterJ is definitely the best NES emulator.
Mega Drive / Genesis: This goes to Megadrive for PSP in my opinion.
Snes: This goes to the "Y" series of Snes9x (Snes9XY##)
GameBoy: There is only one but it is excellent and that is RIN.
PC Engine / Turbo Grafx 16: PCE for PSP for its great speed and wealth of features.

Why is the emulator game playing so slow?!?
First, they are running purely on the PSP's processor. There is no graphics acceleration like on the official UMD games for PSP. Second, these emulators are new and hence not fully living up to their potential and some have quite a few bugs. However, most emus have settings which can compensate for the slowdown. Enabling Frameskip (3-4 frames), increasing the CPU speed (266-333mhz), and turning off the sound or lowering the quality of sound is sometimes necessary in order for some games to run at a decent speed. It will vary game to game - experiment and see what works best for you!!

When will an emulator for [GAME SYSTEM] come out? Is it possible???
Unfortunately, we're not psychic, so your guess is probably as good as ours. If you want to jump into porting or making an emulator, you can get started here. Currently there are no emulators for many systems. There is no point in posting threads requesting emulators such as Nintendo64, GBA, or PSX. When 16-bit emulators such as SNES get running at full speed, than you can expect to see emulators for the following generation of consoles. Note: Any post asking why an emulator hasn't been made, or when it will be, will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be temporarily banned.


4) Homebrew Games

I can't get Doom to work! It doesn't detect the WAD / locks up / [insert problem here]!
1. Download this file: DOOM-PSP Ready Made EBOOT.PBP Files
2. Extract the MS1 EBOOT.PBP to your memory stick to a folder named "DOOM-PSP%" in the PSP\GAME folder.
3. Extract the MS2 EBOOT to PSP\GAME\DOOM-PSP\
4. DOOM1.WAD is NOT included, download the main DOOM-PSP package from this link. Extract DOOM1.WAD and put it in the "DOOM-PSP" (No %) folder.
5. Create a subfolder within the "DOOM-PSP" folder on MS2 called "SAVE".
6. Start the program!

I can't navagate through the Menu, did my game freeze?
Probably not. Use the analog stick, not the D-Pad.


5) Hacks (KXploit, etc)

Can I find pre-made converted emulators for the KXploit on my 1.5?
Yes, if you search the forums you should be able to find many of them, there should also be "packs" of them uploaded to the files section under the "Firmware Hacks" section often. Do not post for people to make files for you, please find ones that are available or learn to do it yourself.

Can I hide the "Corrupted Data" icons on the PSP?
Yes. Simply load all the folders WITHOUT the "%" onto your PSP first, then all the ones with the "%" after. Your PSP will display them in the reverse order they were loaded, so all the Homebrew will be at the top of the list, and all the corrupted ones at the bottom.

I've got a Mac, are there any programs to make my own EBOOTs?

Swaploit for Mac
KXploit for Mac

Or you can download a pre-made EBOOT.PBP file set from this thread. This list will be updated frequently. Please contribute to this thread if you have pre-compiled EBOOT's for a program not listed.

How do I change my PSP Background/Obtain the originals?
Read this post.

Me and a friend only have 1 copy of a game but we want to play multiplayer. Can we? (added 6/26/05)
Yes. Start up an ad hoc multiplayer game and set the time for unlimited. On the first PSP. Eject the UMD disc and choose NO when it asks if you would like to quit. On the first PSP. Put the UMD in another PSP and start multiplayer gaming with your friends. Reapeat previous previous 2 steps for as many players as you want in the game.

How do I create musical eboots?
Read this post

Great tut even though I already know that... lol