PSP: Geek's Guide - Singapore's Online Community

**Admin** · 26-11-2007, 11:10 PM

If you are the type who have the tendency to ask how many screws does a PSP have, please read this guide first

Hard mod VS Soft mod

Hard mod is no longer in use. You can only do Soft Mod now.

What is Mod?
Modification. For PSP, the defining step in modification is to bring your set firmware down to version 1.5
How do I tell if my set is hard mod or soft mod?
For now, there is no reliable way that does not involve opening up your set.

Why is there hard and soft?
For Soft mod, we bring the firmware down via software only. For Hard mod, your set needs to be dismantled.

Hard mod is so troublesome, why not do soft mod then?
Because from January 2007 to June 2007, there was no new downgrader released. With no supply of soft moddable sets, people opened up and manually flashed the chip of your PSP to version 1.5.

I heard for hard mod, you cannot upgrade your firmware in future. Is that true?
Bullshit. As mentioned, modding brings your set to version 1.5. The method of bringing down is the only difference between hard mod vs soft mod. Everything else is the same thereafter.

What do I need to look out for when buying a hard mod set?
Dust inside the LCD screen. Single most important thing to look out for. Also, do remember to test every function of the hard mod sets within the warranty period.

If I find dust inside the LCD screen, can I change?
On the spot yes. After taking home.. no. Because again, Sony does not cover this. It is not considered a defect. Even soft mod sets occasionally comes with dust inside.

Source From: www.Qisahn.com

**Admin** · 26-11-2007, 11:11 PM

Made in Japan VS Made in China

Do you sell Made in Japan PSP?
No.
Where can I find Made in Japan PSP?
Not easy if you are looking for first hand sets because they are no longer in production since 2005. Most shop carry refurbished sets labeled as brand new.

I head Made in Japan set is more stable, is that true?
No. In fact none of my customers who ever asked me could tell me why a Made in Japan set is better. Let's not forget these are Sony PSP. The Sony brand should be proof that you are getting reliable products.
I don't like Made in China products, do they make this in other countries?
No they do not. Anyway, PS2 has been around for 6 years. 1st year made in Japan and the next 5 years in China. Ever had problems with your PS2?
For PS3, it is currently made in Japan. Heard about the heat problem that is killing PS3 like flies now?
For PSP, the made in Japan sets suffer from UMD not being able to close fully and considering your are buying only now, the battery would have been 2 years old and have deteriorated.
Then what is the hype with Made in Japan sets all about?
1. Peoples' idea made in Japan = better
2. Made in Japan sets are on non-TA82 motherboards. Generally these boards are more stable for hacking. However, if you are a normal user, the board makes not much of a difference to you.
Anyhow, Made in Japan sets are a thing of a past. Qisahn.com cannot find stocks for any Made in Japan sets.

Source From: www.Qisahn.com

**Admin** · 26-11-2007, 11:14 PM

Improve Memory Card Performance

I can overclock my memory stick?!
No.

Uh.. Then what is the point of the guide?
A PSP will read Memory Sticks in FAT format faster than FAT32. For 2gb and below, the memory stick is always formatted to FAT. However, for 4gb and above, due to limitations of the FAT file system, the default formatted file system is FAT32. This will cause your game to lag.
How do I know if my 4gb memory stick is in FAT or FAT32?
In your computer, right click the driver letter of your memory card and hit properties. You will see this:

Notice in this example, the File system is FAT32. Some games will lag in this format.
How do I format FAT32 to FAT?
Go to Command Prompt. To access, go Start > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt
Type in “format x: /fs:fat” (without the quotes and where x: is your memory stick drive letter). Ignore the warnings and just hit Enter or Yes.

This is how it should look like.

Source From: www.Qisahn.com

**Admin** · 26-11-2007, 11:15 PM

Enter Recovery Mode

This will only work with users on Custom firmware.
1. Power off your PSP by holding the shutdown button (Not light tap to put PSP in sleep mode)
2. Hold the R button (The top right button your press with your right index finger)
3. Power on the PSP while continuing to hold the R button
4. You will see a menu that says "Recovery Mode"
5. If you don't, press the brightness button.
6. Release the R button.
Warning: Fiddling with the wrong settings can potentially brick your PSP.

Source From: www.Qisahn.com

**Admin** · 26-11-2007, 11:15 PM

Original PSP Version

What was my PSP version before mod?
Check the side of your box.

Check the letter representing your PSP. In this example, the letter circled in red is P.
Match this against the list below.
A = 1.5
B = 1.51
C = 1.52
D = 1.52
E = 1.52
F = 2.0
G = 2.01
H = 2.50
I = 2.60
J = 2.70
K = 2.71
L = 2.81
M = 3.01
N = 3.03
O = 3.10
P = 3.11
Q = 3.30
R = 3.40
S = 3.50
Bingo. This set was originally version 3.11

**Admin** · 26-11-2007, 11:16 PM

PSP: Customization Guide

This guide will show you the proper ways to customize your PSP Menu Icons,Sounds and many more. Before we start, you will need to have Custom Firmware.
Before we continue, Qisahn.com will be in no way responsible for any actions or customizations that lead to any damage to your PSP. With that said, let the fun begins!
This guide will show you how to customize the following things:
# XMB Icons
# XMB click sounds
# Loading icons and corruption icons
# Custom coldboots and gameboots
# PSP global font
# Backgrounds with Wave
This guide is written primarily for 3.52 M33-2 Firmwares. Users running other firmware should not use the files provided in this tutorial.
Things needed:
3.52 M33 Custom Firmware
RCO Editor - Download HERE
Decrypted firmware files.

How to copy themes to psp :
Start your psp in recovery mode by holding on to the R trigger while switching on your psp. Go to "Advance configuration" and click X. Go to "Flash0 USB" and click X. Plug in a USB Data cable. All the .rco files should be copied into "Flash0:/vsh/resource/"
List of files type :
Background/Wallpaper(Bitmap Image) - flash0/vsh/resource/01-12
XMB Fonts – flash0/font/lnt0.pgf
XMB Iconz - flash0/vsh/resource/topmenu_plugin.rco
XMB Waves – flash0/vsh/resource/system_plugin_bg.rco
Gameboot – flash0/vsh/resource/gameboot.pmf
Coldboot – flash0/vsh/resource/opening_plugin.rco
Volume Bar – flash0/vsh/resource/impose_plugin.rco
Battery and Loading Icon – flash0/vsh/resource/system_plugin_fg.rco

XMD Icons:
Open up your decrypted topmenu_plugin.rco. Using RCOEditor, replace the default image with yours. Save it and transfer it back too your psp.
There are a lot of available themes ready ade for you on the net. Just look for them and copy/paste into your psp. It saves you time and leaves you with plenty of imaginations. Mix and match!
Good luck and have fun!

Some Usefull Links: http://www.psp-hacks.com/forums/viewforum.php?id=27 http://www.psp-hacks.com/forums/viewforum.php?id=21 http://www.psp-hacks.com/forums/viewforum.php?id=19

Source From: www.Qisahn.com

**ChocolateAngel** · 12-01-2008, 12:51 AM

nice little tread u got here.
but for the Improve Memory Card Performance wil in cause al my thing inside to be deleted?

**HiLMi** · 02-03-2008, 07:36 AM

if you format your memory stick, this will delete all data. so be advised that you should back up everything you will need later onto a convenient location on your PC before doing so to avoid any hassles.

Cheers!

**id_peace** · 12-03-2008, 10:12 PM

I had the problem after deleting the memory stick what should i do now?

**Zuhair90** · 05-06-2008, 12:12 PM

what problem you have now?
explain to us everything