Frequently Asked Questions

The world of PSP homebrew is pretty complex, and full of jargon. These FAQ pages are our attempt to demystify things, and to get you quickly on the road to enjoying your PSP at its fullest.

The FAQs are divided into the following sections:

More entries are planned in the near future. If you have any suggestions or requests for FAQ topics or questions, please let us know.

Guide to Downgrading

Introduction to Downgrading

Downgrading allows a user that may have received a PSP that can't access Homebrew on their current version the ability to run Homebrew by downgrading it to a version that can. That said, not all PSP firmware can be downgraded - the current highest version that can be downgraded is 3.03.

There are different downgraders available for different firmware versions of the PSP, the four versions that will be mentioned in this guide are 2.71, 2.80, 3.03 and 3.50.

Note: 2.81 - 3.03 users will need a unpatched version of the UMD game Grand Theft Auto : Liberty City Stories. The unpatched version of the game will show the v2.00 firmware update under the PSP's Game menu when inserted in the PSP. Any version higher than 2.00 is the patched version.

Note: 3.10 - 3.50 users will need the UMD game Lumines. Currently all versions of Lumines will work, i.e. there is no patched version.

Note: 2.00 - 2.71 users must first read the FAQ to find out what motherboard version you have.

Downgrading 3.10 - 3.50

Required files

Guide

  1. Update to 3.50. Do this by copying the 3.50 update EBOOT to your memory stick, such that it ends up with the name /PSP/GAME/UPDATE/EBOOT.PBP, then running it from the PSP's GAME menu. The folder name 'UPDATE' must be in upper-case letters, as shown. (If already on 3.50 go on to the next step)
  2. Open the 3.50 downgrade file and copy the MS_ROOT/PSP folder to the root (topmost folder) of your memory stick.
    Note: Don't copy the PSP folder into the MP_ROOT folder
  3. Open the 1.5 update zip and rename the EBOOT.PBP to UPDATE.PBP then copy it to /PSP/GAME/UPDATE/
    Make sure not to overwrite PSP/GAME/UPDATE/EBOOT.PBP
  4. Start Lumines as normal.
  5. It should get to a screen asking you to press START. Do so, and the screen should fill with a light blue color and then reset the PSP.
  6. Check that HEN is running by going to system settings then System Information and it should show up as system version 350 HEN
  7. If it is showing up as 3.50 HEN then go to the Game menu and run the x.yz update program.
  8. Before the downgrader does anything to your PSP it will ask for you to agree to what it is doing.
    If you no longer want to continue press the Right Shoulder Button (R-TRIGGER).
  9. Once you have agreed to start the downgrade do not switch off or unplug the PSP
  10. Once finished the PSP will ask you to press X, after pressing it will reset itself.
  11. If a blue screen (BSOD) comes up saying that the settings are corrupt press O to continue. This is normal.
  12. Enjoy the new 1.5 PSP!

Downgrading 2.81 - 3.03

Required files

Guide

  1. Update to 3.03. Do this by copying the 3.03 update EBOOT to your memory stick, such that it ends up with the name /PSP/GAME/UPDATE/EBOOT.PBP, then running it from the PSP's GAME menu. The folder name 'UPDATE' must be in upper-case letters, as shown. (If already on 3.03 go on to the next step)
  2. Open the 3.03 downgrade file (303dg.zip) and copy the psp folder to the root (topmost folder) of your memory stick.
    Note: Don't copy the PSP folder into the MP_ROOT folder
  3. Open the 1.5 update zip and rename the EBOOT.PBP to UPDATE.PBP then copy it to /PSP/GAME/UPDATE/
    Make sure not to overwrite PSP/GAME/UPDATE/EBOOT.PBP
  4. Start GTA LCS as normal.
  5. It should get to loading save game, clear the screen, the screen should fill with a light blue color and then reset the PSP.
  6. Check that HEN is running by going to system settings then System Information and it should show up as system version 303 HEN
  7. If it is showing up as 3.03 HEN then go to the Game menu and run the x.yz update program.
  8. Before the downgrader does anything to your PSP it will ask for you to agree to what it is doing.
    If you no longer want to continue press the Right Shoulder Button (R-TRIGGER).
  9. Once you have agreed to start the downgrade do not switch off or unplug the PSP
  10. Once finished the PSP will ask you to press X, after pressing it will reset itself.
  11. If a blue screen (BSOD) comes up saying that the settings are corrupt press O to continue. This is normal.
  12. Enjoy the new 1.5 PSP!

Downgrading 2.80

Required files

Guide

  1. Open the 2.80 downgrade file (280dg.zip) and copy the psp folder to the root (topmost folder) of your memory stick.
  2. Go to the Photo Menu on the psp and enter the HEN_280 folder.
  3. When the program is run you will see a colored screen which can be one of two colors.
    Red - The files could not be written to the flash. If this happens just try again.

    Blue - The files were written successfully

    Note: For the next few steps make sure your battery is charged to at least 75% and your charger plugged in.

  4. If running a TA-082 or higher PSP motherboard execute the 2.80 idstorage changer. (If you don't know your version scroll down to the FAQ)
  5. Now execute Update X.YZ
  6. If all went fine and you restarted your psp when it said to you will receive a blue screen telling you to press O, press it and reset your settings.

Downgrading 2.71 (TA-82 or TA-86)

Required files

Guide

  1. Open the 2.71 TA-82 or higher downloaded files and extract all files to the root (topmost folder) of the memory stick.
  2. Copy over the 1.5 update eboot renamed to UPDATE.PBP into ms0:\PSP\GAME\UPDATE\
  3. Now exit to your PSP and run HEN D by going to the photo menu and entering the HEN D folder.

    Note: For the next few steps make sure your battery is charged to at least 75% and your charger plugged in.
  4. Go to the GAME menu and and run 1.50enabler.
  5. When the program exits back to the XMB run UPDATE X.YZ.
  6. When your PSP has finished downgrading press X to restart your PSP.
  7. When you turn your PSP on there will be a blue screen, Press O.
  8. Enjoy the new v1.5 PSP!

Downgrading 2.71

Required files

Guide

  1. Open the 2.71 downloaded files and copy the PSP folder to the root (topmost folder) of the memory stick.
  2. Copy over the 1.5 update eboot renamed to UPDATE.PBP into ms0:\PSP\GAME\UPDATE
  3. Scroll over to the PHOTO icon and then press Triangle, then Slideshow. A few things could happen:
    Red - The files could not write to the flash. If this happens try again.

    Green - The files could not write to the flash. If this happens try again.

    Note: For the next few steps make sure your battery is charged to at least 75% and your charger plugged in.
  4. Go to GAME and run the Update X.YZ.
  5. After the screen will change to magenta or pink text Press X
  6. When it finishes it will say to press X, Press it and the PSP will restart.
  7. Welcome to 1.5!

FAQ

  • I have a 1.51 - 2.60 PSP : how do I downgrade?
    Update to one of the three Updates above.
    (Note that you will need an unpatched copy of the GTA:LCS game if you go above v2.80)
    3.03 Update
    2.80 Update
    2.71 Update
  • How do I figure out what motherboard I have?
    See here
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