Is my PSP able to run Homebrew?

See separate answer in "The Basics" section.

How do I set up a v1.0 PSP for homebrew?

v1.0 PSPs are already fully homebrew-compatible, because the v1.0 firmware didn't ship with any anti-homebrew protection.

How do I set up a v1.5 PSP for homebrew?

v1.5 PSPs don't need any special setup for homebrew, because most homebrew already ships in a format that includes the 'KXploit' that is needed for 1.5 PSPs to run it.

It might be worthwhile picking up a tool for generating KXploit files, such as 'PSP Brew', for the few homebrew apps that don't include a KXploited version.

How do I set up a v2.00-v2.70 PSP for homebrew?

The only option for homebrew on v2.00 - v2.70 PSPs is to use eLoader. Here's how to install it:

1. Download the latest version of eLoader from www.noobz.eu. If you have a Windows PC, you should download the auto-installing .EXE version, as it will make installation easier. If you do not have a Windows PC, download the .ZIP version.
2. If you have the auto-installer version, connect your PSP to your PC using your USB cable, and run the eLoader installer program. Make sure that you read all the instructions that are displayed during installation, they contain a lot of useful hints and info. The default settings should be appropriate for most people.
   
   or
   
   If you downloaded the .ZIP version, read the README.TXT file inside the .ZIP, for instructions on where to copy the files onto your memory stick.
3. To test whether eLoader has installed correctly, hold the power switch on your PSP in the 'up' position for a few seconds, until it completely turns off. Now, turn it back on, and go to the 'PHOTO' menu in the XMB. Wait for 10 seconds, then select the 'eLoader' folder - if everything is correctly installed, eLoader should start up, and you'll be faced with the eMenu menu.

How do I set up a v2.71 PSP for homebrew using eLoader?

See the instructions above, for 2.0-2.70.

How do I set up a v2.71 PSP for homebrew using HEN?

HEN (Homebrew Enabler) is an alternative homebrew launching method, for v2.71, 2.80 and 3.03 firmware only. To install HEN:

1. Download HEN
2. Open the file and copy all the contents of the MS_ROOT folder to the root of your memory stick.
3. Go to the PHOTO viewer of the XMB and open the folder "HEN".
4. If the psp freezes reboot your psp and try again. Currently the tiff is very unstable and it is only is executed sometimes.

When you run the program, you'll see a colored screen that can be one of two colors:

• Red: the files couldn't be written to the flash. Just keep trying.
• Pale Blue: The files were written successfully, and HEN is active

Tip: If it continues not to work go to Photo Menu and select slide show.

How do I set up a v2.80 PSP for homebrew using eLoader?

See the v2.00-v2.70 instructions above.

Note that v2.80 can also support xLoader, although the installation process is exactly the same as eLoader, since the eLoader package includes xLoader.

How do I set up a v2.80 PSP for homebrew using HEN?

HEN (Homebrew Enabler) is an alternative homebrew launching method, for v2.71, 2.80 and 3.03 firmwares only. To install HEN:

1. Download HEN
2. Open the file and copy all the contents of the MS_ROOT folder to the root of your memory stick.
3. Go to the PHOTO viewer of the XMB and open the folder "HEN_280".
4. If the psp freezes reboot your psp and try again. Currently the tiff is very unstable and it is only is executed sometimes.

When you run the program, you'll see a colored screen that can be one of two colors:

• Red: the files couldn't be written to the flash. Just keep trying.
• Pale Blue: The files were written successfully, and HEN is active

Tip: If it continues not to work go to Photo Menu and select slide show.

How do I set up a v3.03 PSP for homebrew using HEN?

HEN (Homebrew Enabler) is an alternative homebrew launching method, for v2.71, 2.80 and 3.03 firmwares only. To install HEN:

1. You will need an unpatched copy of Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. The surest way to tell if GTA is unpatched is to check which version of the firmware updater is included on the DVD. The unpatched copies have v2.00.
2. Download 303 HEN
3. Open the file and copy all the contents of the MS_ROOT folder to the root of your memory stick.
4. Insert the GTA UMD, and start up the game. HEN should load automatically.
5. If the screen goes blank, try again. Occasionally the exploit glitches like this.

When you run the program, you'll see a colored screen that can be one of two colors:

• Red: the files couldn't be written to the flash. Just keep trying.
• Pale Blue: The files were written successfully, and HEN is active

Tip: If it continues not to work, check the troubleshooting steps in the readme.txt file included with the HEN package.

How do I set up a v3.50 PSP for homebrew using HEN?

HEN (Homebrew Enabler) is an alternative homebrew launching method, for v2.71, 2.80, 3.03 and 3.50 firmwares only. To install HEN:

1. You will need the UMD game Lumines.
2. Download 350 HEN
3. Open the file and copy all the contents of the MS_ROOT folder to the root of your memory stick.
4. Insert the Lumines UMD, and start up the game. HEN should load automatically after you press START, when prompted by the game.
5. If the screen goes blank, try again. Occasionally the exploit glitches like this.

When you run the program, you'll see a colored screen that can be one of two colors:

• Red: the files couldn't be written to the flash. Just keep trying.
• Pale Blue: The files were written successfully, and HEN is active

Tip: If it continues not to work, check the troubleshooting steps in the readme.txt file included with the HEN package.

Should I downgrade to use homebrew?

Since the rule of thumb is that Sony generally toughen the PSP's countermeasures against homebrew with each firmware version, it would seem to make sense to downgrade your PSP to the lowest version possible, so that it has the fewest barriers. But this might not be the best choice:

• If your PSP is firmware v3.51 or higher you have no choice - it cannot currently be downgraded. (See 'The Basics' for how to tell).
• Lower firmwares have fewer official features, and are unable to play the latest UMD games. Although you can use DevHook to offset this to some extent, it is less convenient.
• v2.71 is almost as good as v1.5 for most purposes, and you may not need to downgrade to try it.
• Downgrading always has some risk involved, and if you don't follow the instructions exactly, it is easy to brick your PSP.
• Once downgraded, upgrading to the latest 3.xx OE custom firmware is probably the best of both worlds - the latest official features plus full homebrew support.

Should I upgrade to use homebrew?

This is easier to answer, although it seems counter-intuitive. These days there is little benefit in being at any firmware version between v2.00 and v2.70 inclusive, since the homebrew support is just as good (maybe better) on v2.71, and v2.71 has more official features. Moreover, you can easily downgrade again from v2.71 if you want to.

If you're on 2.71, though, at the moment you would massively reduce your available homebrew capability by upgrading to 2.80 or higher. And upgrading any PSP to v3.51 or higher will completely remove any ability to run homebrew, with no way currently to downgrade back again.

Should I use a custom firmware for homebrew?

These days, running the latest v3.xx OE firmware is probably the best choice for homebrew, if your PSP is able to run it. The OE custom firmware contains almost all of the benefits of the official v3.xx firmware, as well as supporting almost as much homebrew as the v1.5 firmware.

Really, the only reason not to be on v3.xx OE is if your PSP cannot currently be downgraded, or if you are not happy with the risk of downgrading.