First, you will need to load ChickHEN onto the PSP’s memory stick, which allows you to run some homebrew apps on a PSP. Open the ChickHEN folder in the archive you just downloaded. You will notice that it contains a file called h.bin, and two folders, called PHAT and SLIM. Copy the h.bin file to the root of your PSP’s memory card.
Now, if you have a “fat” PSP (1000 series) open the PHAT directory, and copy the image called “eggsploit.tiff” onto your memory stick in the directory /PSP/PHOTO/. If you have a “slim” PSP (2000 series), open the SLIM directory and copy the directory inside, called “ChickHEN” to the memory stick in /PSP/PHOTO.
Now you’ll load Hellcat’s Recovery Flasher onto the memory stick. This is what will actually flash the new, custom firmware to our console. Open the archive you downloaded earlier, and navigate to the Hellcat’s Recovery Flasher folder. Inside is another folder called RECOVERY; copy this folder into /PSP/Game/.
Those are all the files you need for the firmware hack, so exit USB mode and disconnect your PSP from your computer. To start up ChickHEN, go to the Photo menu, then select Memory Stick. If you have a SLIM PSP, click on the ChickHEN folder. Otherwise, select the .tiff image you copied over. This corrupted image contains the code which will install ChickHEN on your PSP when you attempt to view it.
If it works, your screen will briefly flash green, then it will reboot. If it doesn’t work, and just crashes your PSP without the green flash, don’t panic. Whether the hack works or not seems to be largely random, so just keep trying until it works. It can require a little bit of patience; we didn’t get the green flash until our eighth try. Once you do get the green flash and reboot, go to Settings->System Settings->System Information and check to confirm that your System Software has been updated to 5.03 ChickHEN R2. If it has, you’re ready to move on.
Next, go to the Games menu, then select Memory Stick, and run Hellcat’s Recovery Flasher. It will warn you that you’re about to mess with the PSP’s internal flash memory. Choose to proceed, then select Install CFW from the menu that loads. Next, choose to reset your settings. Now, Hellcat’s Recovery Flasher will install the 5.0 M33 custom firmware onto your PSP. When it’s done, it will prompt to you press X to shut it down. You’ll have to boot it back up yourself.
And that’s it! You’re now running the M33 custom firmware!
Play Homebrew apps, of course! There’s a vibrant scene of programmers making homebrew apps for the PSP. You can all sorts of homebrew apps online, including games, custom themes, utility apps (like browsers and e-book readers) and more. You can find sizeable repositories of legal homebrew here and here.
Comments are closed on this article
DrMonsterComputer
August 26, 2009 at 9:23am
I have been a long time reader and a Short time site member, however this article upsets me. I generally hold off on doing stuff like this till maxPC does it. but this article is just not cool. I started following the guide and all was going well untill i got to the link to finish up the mod.
http://thesdf.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=489 = dead link.
this kind of irritates me but since this article seems strait forward i attempted to google seek the file. i managed to find the version of recovery flasher that was used here, however the black psp menu only gives me the option to install 3.47 cfw, not the 5.0 m33. at this point i started going ok... well maybe the package that was at the link that didn't work had 5.0 in it instead of the 3.47... and sure enough there is a file for the 5.0 m33 however it's a psp interface patch (launchable from the psp game menu) which seemed odd but ok. i ran it and it stuck at unpacking please wait for like 45 min... so that didn't work.
it would be nice if a mirror or something was available for the file that should be available but isn't as i would like to finish this mod. Any sugguestions would be welcome.
dylanwinn
August 08, 2009 at 12:46pm
The pandora's battery hack is the easiest and safest way to hack any PSP (except the 3000 or GO). It requires no hardware modification (if you buy the battery or have a friend with a hacked PSP make one) and takes just a few minutes. Nothing can possibly go wrong either, as the Pandora's battery is also an unbricking tool. ChickHEN should only be used on the PSP-3000, as there is an experimental version that works.
Kenny987654321
August 05, 2009 at 2:47pm
The link at the bottom of the first page is broken. Please repost to archive! Much appreciated.
colinjm0517
August 05, 2009 at 2:22pm
Does anyone know how to hack a PSP-1001 series with firmware 5.51 on it? Pandora's battery doesn't seem to work.
Windows 7 is the King of all OSes
Pentium 0
August 05, 2009 at 3:24pm
All 1000 series are hackable via the pandora method. Did you obtain or make a pandoras battery? Just follow the steps I outlined below.
Hutif
August 05, 2009 at 10:03am
I hacked my Fat PSP about a year and a half ago. I mostly only use it for GameBoy emulators these days. And NES, of course. Playin Killer Instinct in the park...
Devo85x
August 05, 2009 at 9:11am
I never had a PSP, but my friend had a custom version of Windows XP that he put on his... never knew where he got it but I know he downloaded it from somewhere (no offense to him, but he isnt good enough at it to make it himself)
dgourd
August 05, 2009 at 8:02am
If you have an unhackable PSP, it wont stay that way. What I did was not do anymore official updates from sony. Eventually, a version equal or higher to your current version will be hacked. So then update to the hackable version and use the hack.
jamesrascal
August 04, 2009 at 11:38pm
Last time i made an attmet to install a custom fremwhere on a psp i eneded up bricking it. So I know have a briked psp that does nothing, The worst part is i have no idea on how to unbrick it to restore it back so that i can use it.
Any ideas?
Pentium 0
August 05, 2009 at 11:35am
If its a 2000 series, heres what you do: download this program here: http://thepcreport.net/downloads/hack-your-psp/rains-ultra-light-mms-maker/ and the 5.00 firmware here: http://www.psp-hacks.com/file/1568 if its not included with the previous.
Next, run the software and make a magic memory card. if you dont have a card reader, that is a problem :)
Then comes the fairly easy harware mod. Take out you battery and split it open with a guitar pick or something. Nothing sharp because you could puncture the lithium which=very bad.Bend back the circuit board and use a razor or somehing to cut the"19" trace circled in blue here: http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t87/msw1382/slim.jpg
Now put the battery back together and insert the memory stick into your psp. Then put the battery in. The psp should boot into service mode and give you the option to install M33 CFW :) if not, you may have to try booting with the L trigger deppressed. when your done just take the battery out and draw over the cut you made with a mechanicle pencil to make it normal again.
If its a 1000 series making the pandoras battery is more difficult so refer to post #4 in this guide: http://www.psp-hacks.com/forums/f133/the-hack-your-psp-mega-thread-t227349/#post1084298
or you can buy one on Dealextreme or something for under 10 bucks.
goodluck
jhonka232
August 05, 2009 at 7:58am
I can unbrick it for you man. Pandora's Battery Doesn't only hack PSP's but also unbricks them! If you live near Detroit i can unbrick it 4 u. Email me at albibo23@gmail.com
jhonka232
August 05, 2009 at 7:58am
I can unbrick it for you man. Pandora's Battery Doesn't only hack PSP's but also unbricks them! If you live near Detroit i can unbrick it 4 u. Email me at albibo23@gmail.com
Pentium 0
August 04, 2009 at 9:56pm
Ahh the how-to ive been waiting for. Couple things though:
1. The 3000 series has been hacked! (see below link)
2. You can unbrick your psp! (if you have a series 1 or 2000) all you need is to make or buy a pandora's battery and a magic memory stick. I have no idea about the 3000 series as I havent been following its progress.)
3. This is a much more comprehensive guide:
http://www.psp-hacks.com/forums/f133/the-hack-your-psp-mega-thread-t227349/
This guide is good for people who don't wanna dive in head first though.
Personally, i have a 2000 series so I hacked it by cutting a trace in the batttery and using a magic memory card. Its completly foolproof. Cutting the trace put the psp in service mode. This allows you to install the custom firmware and when your done: all you do is draw over the cut trace with a regular lead pencil! This method is of course easier but the other method is useful for unbricking and also hacking other psps without a pc.
jhonka232
August 05, 2009 at 8:00am
U cut the pin? Lol i saw that guide... I was too scared... So i waited for wololol to make us this great hack!
Pentium 0
August 05, 2009 at 11:38am
no i cut the trace which is much, easier circled in blue here: http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t87/msw1382/slim.jpg
dgourd
August 05, 2009 at 7:59am
They found a TIFF exploit on the PSP 3000. I used it on my PSP PHAT and it worked well.
Also, some games can be forced into a buffer overflow which puts the PSP in service mode to.
blake
August 04, 2009 at 9:45pm
nice guide but if you have a slim i would recommed using pspident to find out what motherboard you have because flashing a cfw to a slim with a ta88v3 motherboard will brick it
you can find pspident at this link http://www.psp-hacks.com/file/1725
if it says you have a ta88v3 motherboard do not flash the cfw
you can run homebrew on a slim(ta88v3) and even on 3000 models(ta90v2) by using CFEnabler v3.60
find it here http://www.psp-hacks.com/file/1734
both of them should come with a read me
jhonka232
August 05, 2009 at 7:53am
Blake is soooo right. Not all Slims are hackable and all 3000's are hackable. You can still run "Custom Firmware" with a Custom Firmware Enabler for you unlucky 3000 and 2000 ta88v3 users. It can be downloaded here: http://www.psp-hacks.com/file/1734 . Just download it, extract it, then copy to the root of your Memory stick. Then install ChickHEN. When you boot into 5.03 ChickHEN R2 then run Custom Firmware Enabler by scrolling to the game section on the XMB. If you have upgraded past 5.03 firmware, and have a PSP Phat or Slim you have to use Pandora's Battery. I have one and will hack PSP's in the Detroit area! Email me at albibo23@gmail.com
Print
