Hackable PSP Motherboards
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RobztaMods Moderator and PSPSlimHacks Moderator Draik has just updated his guide to PSP’s and the ability to hack them.
There are three types of PSPs:
1- 1000 Series (Also known as Phat/Fat)
2- 2000 Series (Also known as Slim or Lite & Slim)
3- 3000 Series (Also known as Brite)
Now, what do I mean by "Hackable"?
That means you can install a Custom Firmware (CFW) on it. The most popular (& sometimes only) way to do it is by using a Pandora Battery & Magic Memory Stick (MMS).
Why Hack a PSP?
A Hacked PSP could run Homebrew, which are programs that have been developed by people that don’t have a contract with Sony. A PSP with Custom Firmware could also back up your games from the UMD to your computer; it also allows you to play those backups from your Memory Stick (MS). You could also do some serious customizations to your theme. Basically, you free your PSP from the hands of Sony.
Why can't I hack 'this' PSP?
'This' PSP probably has a TA-088v3 (Found in some 2000 series units) or TA-090v2 (Found in all 3000 series units) Motherboard, both of which are unhackable, as in, you can't install CFW on them.
Let’s start now.
All 1000 Series PSPs are hackable to date.
To some, there are other methods than just using a Pandora & an MMS.
On the other hand, 2000 Series are a little complicated. There are old units, new units, & really new units. The old ones contain Motherboards released before the TA-088v3, and are all hackable. The new ones have TA-088v3 Motherboards, and are unhackable. Finally, the really new ones, those have TA-090v1 Motherboards, which are hackable.
There are 7 different ways to tell whether a 2000 series PSP is hackable or not, but we'll get to that later on (and this is the main topic of this post/guide).
Finally, the 3000 series PSPs, all of those have the TA-090v2 Motherboard, which are unhackable to date.
Though, there is hope for the PSP 3000 series. According to Dark_AleX, he was able to utilize an error in the game "Grip Shift" which allowed him to install Custom Firmware. So, if you have a PSP 3000, or a TA-088v3 Motherboard 2000 series PSP, rush & get your hands on a European (PAL, region 2) version of the game.
Here’s a list of all the Motherboards made & released by Sony:
Of course, new updates might come to change everything one day, & that's why there's a date at the start of the topic (To indicate when this topic was last updated).
So, now it's easy to tell whether a 1000 series and a 3000 series are hackable or not. The only complication is when trying to figure out a 2000 Series PSP. Whether you want to know before you buy it, or before you bother learning how to hack it, you choose the way that suits you best.
I want to note that most of the information I know I learned through research. So far, I can't tell whether a PSP has a TA-090v1 Motherboard or a TA-088v3 Motherboard. But, I could tell whether it's an old unit (Before TA-088v3) or a new one in general (TA-088v3 & after).
One final note, nothing could indicate that your PSP is 100% unhackable other than an actual failed attempt to hack it.
1- What is the Firmware the PSP came with?
The original firmware that came with the PSP right out of the box is an indication of its Motherboard, & here’s the list:
3.60 Official Firmware: Hackable.
3.71 Official Firmware: Hackable.
3.72 Official Firmware: Hackable.
3.80 Official Firmware: Hackable.
3.90 Official Firmware: Hackable.
3.95 Official Firmware: Hackable.
4.01 Official Firmware: Has a Very High Chance of being Unhackable.
Any brand new PSP with Official Firmware higher than 4.01 is unhackable (Except for TA-090v1 Motherboards, & I’m not sure which Firmware comes with them).
If you updated to any Firmware, that doesn’t matter. This only applies on the PSP’s Original Firmware that it was shipped with.
2- What is the PSP's Serial Number?
The Serial Number is found on a label where the battery is supposed to go (As shown in the picture "SERIAL No.")
This isn’t something serious or very helpful, but with more research, it could be.
At the moment, it focuses mostly on Piano Black PSPs.
If that serial starts with HU2, then the PSP most likely has a TA-088v3 Motherboard (And that the PSP is Piano Black).
Any other serial (Say starting with HC or HB or HJ) doesn’t matter at the moment.
3- What's the unit's Identification letter (A letter on a label on the box that indicates what version it has)?
Here's a picture of a label found on the PSP box that has the letter on it:
Note that this label is only present on an original style box (The small, normal box. Not like those large "Limited Edition" Boxes).
Anyways, See the G there?
PSP-2000 CW
100v
G
That G is the letter in question. Here's a list of all the letters that the 2000 series ship with:
(No Letter) = 3
HU1 should be hackable also do you have a mms(Magic Memory Stick) if not heres how to make one:
This is the easiest & simplest way I know of to make an MMS.
You'll need Rain's UltraLite MMS Maker for 5.00 M33-4 & Official Firmware 5.00.
How to use the program (Rain's UltraLite MMS Maker for 5.00 M33-4):
*- Connect a Memory Stick PRO Duo to your computer (Either by putting it in the PSP & connecting it or by using a Card Reader).
1- Create a new folder; name it whatever you want.
2- Place the program & the 500.PBP file in that same folder.
3- Start the program (You need administrative rights on Vista).
4- Find out what letter your PSP's Memory is assigned in "My Computer" then choose it in the program.
5- It is HIGHLY Recommended that you check the Format option.
5- Click on "Make MMS"
6- Wait for it to finish.
If you're interested in making an MMS with all your Possible needs, use PSP Pandora Deluxe v3.1
Notice how the Memory's "File System" changed from FAT to FAT32. Fake memory sticks & none PRO memory sticks don't support FAT32, which is why they can't be used to make an MMS