PSP emulator assistance requested

[#1 Sailor Scout]

I just downloaded a NES, SNES, & Sega Genesis emulator to play on my PSP. I followed the directions on how to install them on my memory stick (it's a 2 GB). But when I try to open the files, my PSP gives me an error, saying that the file is corrupted & cannot be opened. My PSP is a ver 3.80. I know the ROM files (which are in ZIP folders) are not corrupted, b/c I play them on my laptop via the emulators I have on it. Is there anything I'm missing here? Do I need to update the PSP software, find another emulator, etc.? All help & tips are appreciated.

[Red coupe]

You need to be running custom firm ware or else you cannot run un-signed programs

Google PSP hack and do some reading on how to install custom firm ware on your psp.

[hitbychance]

check your pm's weird it wont let me send u one

[Red coupe]

No PMs on nico...

Its not THAT hard to hack the PSP read the internet there is lots out there on them.

You basically need a special formatted memory car, which you can make yourself and a modded battery... Which you can make from an old one, or buy off the internet. dealsextreme has them for like $7 but takes like 2 weeks for them to deliver.

[#1 Sailor Scout]

Ok, so I updated my PSP from 3.80 to 5.02. I read that the 5.00-M33 update would work. But my PSP won't run it.

I'm ready to give up. I'm running low on options.

[Red coupe]

Its really easy man you need a magic memory stick, and a pandora battery.

Depending on the model of your battery you can cut it open and modify it to work as a pandora battery, or you can just buy one. I bought one from dealsextreme for $6 and it worked fine.... did take a while to ship though.

First find a program to create a magic memory stick.Format your memory stick (best to use a 256mb to 4 gig stick) with the psp, then plug it into the computer and activate USB mode.

You need one of the programs out there for making a magic memory stick, and a copy of the official firmware of what ever version of custom firmware your magic memory stick installer uses (You know what one you need because it will ask you for the file) Use good to find the copy of the official firm ware (google dark alex, his site has all the OFW)

Once you format the memory stick with the magic memory stick program shut off the psp (don't just put it on standby) put in the memory stick, attach the AC charger and put in the pandora battery while holding L.

The PSP looks at a chip in the battery to tell it where to find the boot files, the modified battery tells it to look on the memory stick instead of the internal memory of the PSP. The memory stick contains a modified version of a firmware update that will be installed to the PSP.

Google PSPslimhacks.com and look at their guides, I read that site for a while before I even got my PSP, so when I finally did I had it running SNES a few minutes after taking it out of the box.

SNES takes some tweaking, by default the emulator I was using had no frame skipping, turn this to a higher single digit number (or automatic) to help

BTW once you get m33 firmware installed thats higher then 3.8 you can use wifi and the network update feature to further upgrade

[MinisterofDOOM]

The PSP looks at a chip in the battery to tell it where to find the boot files

What the f....

Who came up with that idea? What weirdo at Sony decided "hey, let's put key control components in the battery!"More importantly, what is the purpose? To force people to buy name-brand Sony batteries? To prevent hacking? Just to do things in the most convoluted way possible?

Just so odd. I mean...it's like putting half the ECU a car's tires instead of under the dash where it goes.

I need to re-hack my PSP. I had custom firmware on it a long time back but some new game came out and I had to upgrade to official firmware to play it. That was when it was crazy hard to re-hack a "current" PSP. Seems much easier now.

[Red coupe]

What the f....

Who came up with that idea? What weirdo at Sony decided "hey, let's put key control components in the battery!"More importantly, what is the purpose? To force people to buy name-brand Sony batteries? To prevent hacking? Just to do things in the most convoluted way possible?

Just so odd. I mean...it's like putting half the ECU a car's tires instead of under the dash where it goes.

I need to re-hack my PSP. I had custom firmware on it a long time back but some new game came out and I had to upgrade to official firmware to play it. That was when it was crazy hard to re-hack a "current" PSP. Seems much easier now.

Random as screw I know... Don't take me 100% on that I am no expert... but that seems to be how it is for what ever reason...

Lots of people seem to have trouble with it, but it really is as simple as having a non standard battery, and a memory stick with the right files.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12472That is the battery if you just want to buy it. It seems sketchy because every other site wants ~$30 for one... but I figured its only $7 and I had heard they work from other people so I bought one. Took about 12 days but it worked perfect.

http://pspslimhacks.com/psp-pandora-deluxe-v30/I used that to create the memory stick

http://alek.dark-alex.org/filez/psp_fw/This site for the official firm ware (ofw) you will need for the pandora deluxe program.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Rock on. I ordered the pandora battery. Can't wait to start running emulators on the go.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I'm annoyed. I got my pandora battery, set up my magic memory stick...But the pandora battery appears to be working as a normal battery. I put it in with the L button held down but the system just boots up like normal. I thought Pandora batteries weren't supposed to be able to boot the system into normal operation...just recovery?

[Red coupe]

I'm annoyed. I got my pandora battery, set up my magic memory stick...But the pandora battery appears to be working as a normal battery. I put it in with the L button held down but the system just boots up like normal. I thought Pandora batteries weren't supposed to be able to boot the system into normal operation...just recovery?

I THINKThat there is an application called time machine that allows the psp to boot normally with a pandoras battery.IIRC the program that I linked to installs that automatically on the memory stick because if I did nothing it would boot as normal.

I just downloaded all the stuff I linked you to... and it doesn't work for me either lol.At least that means its not your stuff.When I did it I actually used a previous version, and installed 4.01 first. Lemme play with some things, I post back in a couple minutes.

[Red coupe]

OK just tested this and got it to work with the pandora deluxe 3.0 that I linked you to. For some strange reason the first time I only loaded the 5.00 ofw eboot and as you said it booted like a normal PSP.

I just went back and downloaded the 4.01 ofw ( http://rapidshare.com/files/139616118/401.PBP )

What I did was load both the 4.01 and 5.00 ofw with PSP pandora delux ver 3.0 Selected "copy firmware" for both (dunno how necessary that is but hey why not?)I would also recommend you go to install options and choose to install popsloader (lets you play PSX games that have been converted to eboots) Might as well install time machine, and the two options above it as well

If you want custom themes its kinda messy to install CXMB later so check "support tools" as well then on the support tools tab choose CXMB and anything else you want (CW Cheat for cheat support, FuSa SD if you have a RCA video out cable... I haven't used many of these honestly so I don't know whats the best ones to have)

Back on the main screen you might as well choose "format and prepare memory stick", may not be needed but as long as you have everything backed up its just one less thing that could keep it from not working...

Turn off PSP, and remove battery. Hold down the L button THEN insert pandora battery. Keep holding L. You should see the memory stick lights flashing then the menu to install 5.00 M33 should come up.

Some where in that menu there is an option for something like nand dump. My understanding is its basicly a backup of your PSP with ofw on it. Some guides I have seen say to make sure to do this backup. I didn't. Every "unbrick" guide I have seen basicly takes you through the same steps you just did, and the magic memory stick gives you the option to re-install ofw... So I don't know why you would worry about re-installing your old backup when you can just as easily (or more easily) install a fresh copy.

Choose to install cfw, your psp will do stuff for a while. When its done your done. Go back to your normal battery. You can reformat your memory stick, but if you did a nand dump copy that file to your computer obviously.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Thanks a ton, man! I'll give this a try in the morning.

[Red coupe]

yupIf it doesn't work, try different programs to make the memory stick... but it should.

This one is really simple, but wont install anything but the custom firmware....http://www.x-projects.org/ (click psp grader,choose newer one)

Here is a pretty good guide if your still having problemshttp://pspslimhacks.com/forum/....html

pspslimhacks.com is where I got most if not all the info from. Its a pretty good site if you sift through all the stupid newbie questions. I feel bad for their regulars... Makes our 240 section look like an ivy league school. Almost every thread gets jacked by some kid who hasn't bothered reading a damn thing asking why he cant play the illegal games he has downloaded.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I finally got the CFW installed using PSPGrader. It looks like for some reason Pandora Deluxe was copying corrupt files to the memstick. Fortunately, PSPGrader uses an older CFW that still supports network update, so I'm set at 5.00 M33-4 now.

[Red coupe]

Nice.

Just found this site last night, looks to be the best place to find the most up to date version of stuff.

http://pspupdates.qj.net/

[#1 Sailor Scout]

Bringing back an old thread...

So I ordered my Pandora battery & got it in the mail. But I'm having trouble formatting the memory card so it will work with the battery.

Which program should I use to format the memory stick for the battery? I tried to Google, but to no avail. One website even tried to infect me with Antivirus 360 (rogue software/virus).

I have a 2GB memory stick. I have nothing important on there; what was there is now on my laptop & my saved games from Need For Speed: Pro Street aren't important; I never play it much anyways. I really want to get some homebrew going so I can play some of my Japanese roms on the go.

Thanks in advance

BTW, my OFW is version 5.02

[Red coupe]

It doesn't matter what your OFW version is, it only matters what your mother board is...

If its not real new, and came with.... I think 4.01 or less you should be good, but that's just kinda a loose guideline, I think some of the later ones still have the older motherboard.

As far as the programs go... read the discussion between me and MOD, I link to several different programs to make the memory stick... Some worked better for me, some worked better for him.

OK just tested this and got it to work with the pandora deluxe 3.0 that I linked you to. For some strange reason the first time I only loaded the 5.00 ofw eboot and as you said it booted like a normal PSP.

I just went back and downloaded the 4.01 ofw ( http://rapidshare.com/files/139616118/401.PBP )

What I did was load both the 4.01 and 5.00 ofw with PSP pandora delux ver 3.0 Selected "copy firmware" for both (dunno how necessary that is but hey why not?)I would also recommend you go to install options and choose to install popsloader (lets you play PSX games that have been converted to eboots) Might as well install time machine, and the two options above it as well

If you want custom themes its kinda messy to install CXMB later so check "support tools" as well then on the support tools tab choose CXMB and anything else you want (CW Cheat for cheat support, FuSa SD if you have a RCA video out cable... I haven't used many of these honestly so I don't know whats the best ones to have)

Back on the main screen you might as well choose "format and prepare memory stick", may not be needed but as long as you have everything backed up its just one less thing that could keep it from not working...

Turn off PSP, and remove battery. Hold down the L button THEN insert pandora battery. Keep holding L. You should see the memory stick lights flashing then the menu to install 5.00 M33 should come up.

Some where in that menu there is an option for something like nand dump. My understanding is its basicly a backup of your PSP with ofw on it. Some guides I have seen say to make sure to do this backup. I didn't. Every "unbrick" guide I have seen basicly takes you through the same steps you just did, and the magic memory stick gives you the option to re-install ofw... So I don't know why you would worry about re-installing your old backup when you can just as easily (or more easily) install a fresh copy.

Choose to install cfw, your psp will do stuff for a while. When its done your done. Go back to your normal battery. You can reformat your memory stick, but if you did a nand dump copy that file to your computer obviously.

Try this one first, imo. Here is the link to the programhttp://pspslimhacks.com/psp-pandora-deluxe-v30

[#1 Sailor Scout]

It doesn't matter what your OFW version is, it only matters what your mother board is...

If its not real new, and came with.... I think 4.01 or less you should be good, but that's just kinda a loose guideline, I think some of the later ones still have the older motherboard.

As far as the programs go... read the discussion between me and MOD, I link to several different programs to make the memory stick... Some worked better for me, some worked better for him.

Try this one first, imo. Here is the link to the programhttp://pspslimhacks.com/psp-pandora-deluxe-v30

Many a link on this thread lead me to a "dead" page...

But I did find a program that should work from the PSP Slim Hacks forums. I'll try it tonight & I'll post up the results.

[#1 Sailor Scout]

Ok, so I downloaded the program. It was SUPER EASY to install!!!! Just followed the directions on the software & BOOM!!!!! Just in 15 seconds, I was rocking Custom firmware ver 5.00-M33! >)

Thank you all for your help!!! When I get more time, I'll post the program & the link to it so other readers can view it & get their homebrew on.

On another note, some of my SNES games (like Mario Kart, Yoshi's Island for example) are running @ a crawl & my Sailor Moon (USA/French version...I know, I know, WTF, but it's one of my favorites) rom keeps freezing up. Any way to fix this? I have 2 SNES emulators & it does that on both. Also, any way to overclock the PSP processor to remedy the slowdown?

[Red coupe]

Few option... but some roms will always be slow.

@ XMB press select, a small ghetto looking menu should come up, make sure cpu clock game is set to 333/166

Second step is to enable frame skipping, I keep it on auto and it seems good. When in the SNES emulator run a game, then press home to get to the main menu. Goto video, down to "frameskip" and turn it to auto.

Goto "Misc" on the main menu and make sure PSP Clock speed is 333.

Goto "Sound" and turn down the sample rating, I think I have heard 22 is fine... It IS a snes game played over PSP speakers anyways.

Then go to "Game" and choose make settings default.

If all this doesn't help, go to video and try the different engine settings. This can have a big effect but I put it last because its pretty game specific... Some modes work better with one game but not another... Best to change all that other stuff, save it then fiddle with the engine for each game that is giving you problems.

If you dig further through the menus you can also turn off other layers for the game. I was playing tetris attacks and getting a good bit of lag, so i turned off the background characters. They were unnecessary and their animations actually pretty hard for the psp apparently. I COMPLETELY forget what the options were called, but the layers were random names that you just had to turn on and off and find out what it did.

And yeah, installing CFW is SUPER easy. After 3.80-M33 net update was fixed to have it update your CFW instead of re-installing. If you have wireless you may want to run that, current version is 5.00-M33-6 (or however they put it, the 6th update to 5.00-M33)

Mario kart and yoshies island both work awesome for me, so if you keep having problems after you try all this lemme know and I'll look a bit deeper.

[MinisterofDOOM]

On another note, some of my SNES games (like Mario Kart, Yoshi's Island for example) are running @ a crawl

Unfortunately, these games and a few others simply cannot run correctly through an emulator. They use additional hardware chips on the cartridge to support enhanced graphics processing. Those chips aren't supported (at least not at proper performance) by emulators, and they also aren't a part of the cartridge's ROM dump, so there is a missing component in emulated versions of those games. Kirby's Dreamland 3, one of my FAVORITE SNES games uses the "SA-1" chip so I can't play it on my PSP. Mario Kart uses DSP-1 enhanced Mode-7 for the pseudo-3D look, so it doesn't work either. Yoshi's Island uses the Super FX-2 chip. You might be able to find a PC emulator with limited support for these chips, but there aren't any for the PSP that work with them to my knowledge.

For the other games, red coupe's advice is great. Every game is different, so just play with the advanced options in the emulator until you find the settings that yield the best performance.

[Red coupe]

Playing mario kart right now, works fine with SNES9xTYL 0.4.2Just tried Yoshi's island, it works too.

Only catch is the home button only works in one of its video modes. So to exit a game you have to switch video modes by pressing L+start:P

[MinisterofDOOM]

Hmm...

Kirby still won't work.

[#1 Sailor Scout]

The name of the program I used to install the firmware is PSP Grader, ver. 8. I downloaded it from a link on PSP Hacks.com.

As far as the ROM slowdown, I'm not too worried about it...I did manage to run Mario Kart @ close to full speed. But yeah, my Yoshi's Island & Mario Kart run great.

But my Sailor Moon (USA/French) still freezes up. It doesn't do that on my laptop when I play it through the emulator on there. What gives? Maybe that rom isn't compatible with the PSP emulator...

BTW, Secret of Mana works wonders with the PSP...just throwing that out there.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I can't get the text in Secret of Mana to look right.

[Red coupe]

I can't get the text in Secret of Mana to look right.

Do you have the resolution stretched to fit?

[MinisterofDOOM]

Doesn't matter what resolution/screen size I use, it never looks right. It's the character spacing/sizing that's off. The characters overlap each other. I haven't found a setup that works, yet. Some are less broken, but none look right.

[#1 Sailor Scout]

Doesn't matter what resolution/screen size I use, it never looks right. It's the character spacing/sizing that's off. The characters overlap each other. I haven't found a setup that works, yet. Some are less broken, but none look right.

Hmm...what emulator are you using? I never ran into that problem. (I'm using SNES9X)

Going off topic a little bit, now that I have custom firmware, is there any way to convert my PSP into a GPS system?

Back on topic, I found that my SNES9X runs games from 1993-older great. From 1994-newer, they slow down a lot. But the Japanese ROMS work great! Running the Jap version of Sailor Moon S (Street Fighter type game, only with Sailor Scouts) works flawlessly. Also, try Gundam Wing: Endless Duel. It's a bit slow, but it's a must have for Gundam fans.

BTW, JNester emulator (NES for PSP) is great. It even plays hacked games that my PC emulators can't.

[Red coupe]

Hmm...what emulator are you using? I never ran into that problem. (I'm using SNES9X)

Going off topic a little bit, now that I have custom firmware, is there any way to convert my PSP into a GPS system?

Back on topic, I found that my SNES9X runs games from 1993-older great. From 1994-newer, they slow down a lot. But the Japanese ROMS work great! Running the Jap version of Sailor Moon S (Street Fighter type game, only with Sailor Scouts) works flawlessly. Also, try Gundam Wing: Endless Duel. It's a bit slow, but it's a must have for Gundam fans.

BTW, JNester emulator (NES for PSP) is great. It even plays hacked games that my PC emulators can't.

The PSP itself doesn't have a GPS unit, so with out buying anything nope.They Sony actually makes a GPS for it... but I don't think they support it in the US.

I am not sure if anyone has made a good homebrew GPS, but you could look into that and import one... I know imported cameras will work.

But likely by the time you did all that you would spend enough to only be $20-$30 off a GPS that's not a PSP with a receiver screwed to the top of it.