www.LenGoldenstein.com

Introduction
Step 1: Creating a bootable memory stick
Step 2: Creating a service tool battery
Step 3: Flashing the firmware
Conclusion

Now that we are ready to go, the first step is creating a bootable memory stick – also referred to as magic memory stick.  Much like how computers boot-up (and can take quite some time to do so), the PSP needs to load its operating system software after it is powered on.  When the PSP boots up, it loads the operating system from the embedded firmware.  Since the goal is to alter the embedded firmware, we must boot from a secondary device that will allow the PSP to load some service utilities which will modify the embedded firmware.  As you may have already assumed, we will be using a memory stick as a secondary boot device.

Just about compatible Memory Stick PRO Duo should be fine to use.  I would recommend either a Sony or Sandisk brand that is at least 512 megabytes in size.  I was having a hard time finding any memory sticks that were less than a gig in size and the 1gig sticks cost about $30.  I ended up buying a SanDisk 4GB Memory Stick Pro DUO at Costco for $38 on sale.

Creating the magic memory stick is a non-destructive process and the magic memory stick will continue to work as normal memory stick after the custom firmware has been installed.  If you are paranoid, you should get a dedicated memory stick for this sole purpose.  Otherwise if you intend to use your general purpose memory stick (Like I did), make sure to backup your memory stick contents…just in case…

Step 1: Download the official Sony 3.90 firmware from the www.pspslimhacks.com official Sony PSP firmware archive.  Since Sony distributes the PSP firmware on its own website freely to the public, I have no issues with providing a third-party download link.  The custom firmware consists of extensions on top of the official Sony firmware and thus the official Sony firmware is required for the installation.  Extract the EBOOT.PBP file from the PSP-Firmware-390.RAR archive and put it somewhere that will be quick to access.

Step 2: Download and install PSP Grader v005 from www.x-projects.org.  PSP Grader is an application that easily creates the bootable memory stick.  I used PSP Grader v004 to create my bootable memory stick but it is no longer available for download.  PSP Grader v005 is the current version as of this writing.  After installing PSP Grader, launch it.  If you are using Windows Vista, you will need to run this program with administrator privileges.
Update: PSP Grader v005 no longer seems to be available from x-projects.org.  You can use the newer v006 which is not specifically covered in these instructions or if you still wish to use v005, you can download it from rapidshare: http://rapidshare.com/files/155093962/PSP_Grader_v005_-_Lite_Setup.rar.html

Step 3: You will see a screen like this:

Now connect your PSP to your computer via USB connection.  Make sure that either your battery is fully charged and/or use the AC adapter.  PSP Grader should detect your PSP’s drive letter.

Step 3A: Click “Open” and select the EBOOT.PBP file you extracted from the official Sony 3.90 firmware archive.  PSP Grader will copy the EBOOT.PBP to its own resource directory so don’t worry if the path and filename change.  We’ll leave the “Select IPL” option as TimeMachine IPL – there should not be a need to change this.

Step 3B: Verify the drive letter of your PSP.  Make absolutely sure that this is correct.  If you are using a general purpose memory stick, make sure that “Format Memorystick” remains unchecked.  If you have a dedicated memory stick that will be used solely as a magic memory stick or are having booting issues, check this option.

Step 3C: Click “Create Pandora Stick”.  A window will come showing the progress and then a complete message will appear.

The magic/bootable memory stick has now been created.  You may wish to browse your PSP memory card to make sure any previous save games or files still remain on the memory card…just to be sure.

The memory stick now contains boot code that will allow the PSP to start-up and load service utilities from the memory stick itself instead of the PSP embedded firmware.  The memory stick also contains an image of the Sony 3.90 firmware customized with the M33-3 extensions.  The goal will be to read this customized firmware image from the memory card and write it to the embedded firmware on the PSP.  However, we are not able to boot from this memory stick quite yet.

Remove the memory card from the PSP and set it off to the side for now.  The next step will be a tutorial on making the PSP enter service mode so the secondary boot device can be used.

Update: I bought a Sandisk 8GB memory stick pro duo on sale at Future Shop for $56.  This worked perfectly fine with PSP Grader!

On to Step 2…

As I like to do with the gadgets I purchase, I like to tinker with them and figure out what makes them tick. One of the things that makes almost every portable electronics tick is the firmware. This is usually an operating system embedded in the device’s memory. It’s a piece of software that tells the hardware what to do and how to do it. When you buy a PSP (or other devices such as iPods) from a store, it comes pre-loaded with the factory firmware. As time goes on, the device manufacturer may release new firmware updates that correct problems and add new features.

So why customize the firmware of a PSP? Custom firmware adds new features to the PSP which are not supported or available through the official Sony firmware. The custom firmware allows me to run homebrew applications on the PSP, charge the PSP battery through USB while not having an established data connection (ie: charge while playing a game) and also backup purchased UMD games to memory stick where the games are playable direct from memory stick – this eliminates mechanical wear on the UMD drive, greatly increases load times and also greatly increases battery life.

Although this is not an overly difficult procedure, it does require some knowledge of how computers work and also some patience. This information is presented for educational use only. I am not responsible for any physical, emotional or financial damage you may cause to your PSP, yourself, your family, your pets, your friends, etc. If you decide to follow these procedures, you do at your own risk!

This tutorial will be divided in to five steps:
Introduction
Step 1: Creating a bootable memory stick
Step 2: Creating a service tool battery
Step 3: Flashing the firmware
Conclusion

This tutorial is intended for PSP Slim (Model PSP-2000/2001) ONLY. I do not have an older “Fat” PSP-1000 to test on and I cannot comment on the accuracy of this information towards the previous model.

This tutorial will change the PSP Slim firmware to 3.90M33-3. This means that the base firmware will be Sony’s 3.90 firmware with the “M33″ extensions and revision 3. As of writing this document, firmware 4.01M33-2 is the latest version and it will be an easy update at the conclusion of this tutorial.

Tools required (in order):
PSP Slim Model-2000 or Model-2001
Memory Stick Pro DUO of at least 512MB in size. I am using a Sandisk 4GB stick.
Guitar pick
Magnifying glass
Sharp utility knife
Packing tape

All set? Let’s go to Step 1!