FAQ’S For Firmware/Pandora

Posted: 07 November 2007 at 7:25pm | IP Logged

Here's a quick FAQ post to help out the new guys...Anyone please feel free to PM me with any suggestions, additions, or anything else to make this a more helpful post for everyone.  Just thought it was necessary!

UPDATE: I've added some important links at the bottom of this post to help you find things a little easier!

Abbreviations to know: PB=Pandora Battery    CFW=Custom Firmware    OFW=Official Sony Firmware

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1. Q: Can I run games off my memory card, play emulators or homebrew games without CFW?

  A: NO! You need CFW!! Read more below to find out how to get it!!  8-)

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2. Q: How can i tell what firmware version my psp is on?

  A: On your psp go to System Settings/System Information

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3. Q: What is a Pandora Battery?

  A: A Pandora Battery is a PSP battery that has been modified and enters you into service mode when placed in your psp!  When used in combination with a memory stick that has also been modified(Magic Memory Stick) it will allow you to put Custom Firmware on any psp regardless of it current firmware! At the bottom of this post you will see a list of links for creating one!!
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4. Q: I am on a firmware version over 3.50 can i still get CFW

  A: Yes but you need a PB!! If you have access to a psp that already has cfw refer to question #7 for info on how to make one! If you dont refer to quetion #6..

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5. Q: I am on a firmware version 3.50 or lower! how can I get CFW?

  A:  Go here for a complete list of downgraders or check out nimos post click here!!  Or use PB!

Note: If you have firmware 3.50 or lower, this means you can downgrade to 1.50 firmware...So once you downgrade to 1.50 you can then upgrade to any custom firmware you want without the use of a PB..

Note: To get to the latest version of CFW you need to start by installing 3.52M33+Update#3 or #4 and then you can install the latest firmware(3.71M33,3.80M33, or 3.90M33)..scroll down for links!

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6. Q: How can I create a PB with a PSP if it doesnt have CFW already on it?

  A:  READ THIS.. but by that method you need to physically open up your battery(HARD MOD) and make some modifications.. the normal method of PB creation does still require a psp currently running CFW

CLICK HERE to learn how to create the memory stick without the use of another psp with cfw..link for all the files you need are on this page!

HERE IS another option for creating a magic memstick...Its a magic memory stick creator!  looks nice, but i have not used it yet so dont ask me about it!
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7. Q: How do I make a Pandora Battery with a PSP that has CFW already on it??

  A: If you have access to a PSP that already has CFW this is the easiest way to make a PB...Simply download one of the programs at the bottom of this post(UPMS or "Des.Cem") and follow the instructions!!

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8. Q: I have a slim psp can i get CFW?

  A: Yes! Same as above you need a PB! Refer to question #6 for how to create PB and the Magic memory stick you need to put CFW on your psp!

Note: Since slim psps firmware version started at 3.60 they cannot be downgraded any lower than this...this is why you need a pandora battery, because the pb allows you to put cfw on directly instead of the old way of downgrading to 1.5 and then up to cfw via different installers and updates!

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9. Q: What CFW version do you recomend i upgrade to?

  A: Either 3.80M33 or 3.90M33 w/updates!

NOTE:If you create it with despertarV4 it will install 3.80M33-5 directly on your psp! All links below!!

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10. Q: Do I need the 1.5 Kernal Add-On?

 A:  Some emulators and older homebrew require the 1.5kernal...Playing iso's, cso's, ps1 games, and most newer homebrew do not require it...So you make the call!!  If you have a Slim PSP you have no choice and cannot use this add on..sry!!

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11. Q: Can i mess up my psp by upgrading to CFW?

  A: It is possible to brick your psp (brick=useless) during the upgrade process! But if you can follow directions, the odds are low and even if you do the PB can bring back most if not all bricked psp's.

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12. Q: Where is the root of my memory stick????

  A: OK..first off the root of your memory stick is not the MP_ROOT folder on your psp!(sounds like it would be, but its not) The root of your memory stick is the first thing you see when you connect your psp to your computer...You will see folders named PSP, MP_ROOT, PICTURE, VIDEO and so on.. So if your ever asked to place something in the root of your memory stick, you place it in the same place you see these folders..but NOT in any of these folders.. Click here to see RealG's BWE explanation if you need more help with this.

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13. Q: What folder do i put my games in??

  A: PSP games in .iso or .cso format go in the ISO folder on the root of your memory stick(Path should be x:\ISO\Your.iso).

For PS1 games in eboot.pbp format, create a folder on your computer and name it whatever the name of the game is. Now place the eboot.pbp of the game in this foder...Now take that folder and put it in your GAME folder(Path should be x:\PSP\GAME\YOURFOLDER\Eboot.pbp)

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14. Q: Why do i keep getting an error when trying to start up my .iso's or .cso's (game could not be started)

  A: In order to play .iso's or .cso's you need to do 1 of 2 things...1. keep a umd in your psp 2. In your recovery menu change the umd iso mode to the one that says SONYNP#####, you can then play any game without a umd in your psp!

Note: you can also change your umd iso mode in your XMB view by hitting select(3.71M33) or start(3.52M33) and a VSH menu will pop up and you can then change your umd iso options from here!

Note2: if you are still getting error messages after changing this then you either have it in the wrong folder, have a bad .iso or .cso, or need to format your memory stick.(always remember to backup anything you want to keep before formatting!)__________________________________________________________

15. Q: I have my pandora battery and magic memstick...NOW WHAT??

  A: Once you have both of these items made successfully(or bought) you simply power off you psp... take out your regular battery.... now put your magic memstick in your psp... then put in your pandora battery.... the psp should turn on automatically and you should now see a menu of tasks to choose from(these vary depending on how you made your memstick) you typically will now choose the option that puts custom firmware on your psp(like 3.71M33, 3.80M33) or downgrade to 1.50 if you like on a phat psp!
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IMPORTANT LINKS:

3.90M33+Updates go to www.Dark-Alex.org

3.80M33+Updates+Des.CemV4 CLICK HERE

3.52M33 and all updates CLICK HERE

U.P.M.S-Ultimate Pandora Magic Stick CLICK HERE

Dark Alex's 'Despertar del Cementerio V3' CLICK HERE

Dowgraders and Downgrading Guides CLICK HERE OR HERE

Custom Recovery Menu CLICK HERE

Great Site For Themes/Customizations CLICK HERE

3.71,3.80,3.90M33 Themes- Now With CXMB!!  CLICK HERE

And As Always Checkout  WWW.DARK-ALEX.ORG

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I will add on as I think of more general questions that need answering, please dont barage me with millions of questions, i do not claim to be an expert in this field, just a good reader and an organizer...LOL...If you have a question that you cant find an answer for, start a thread in the appropriate section of this site.

Also be sure to read the posts at the top of the topics(important and stickied topics), even if they are old they can still be helpful and save you time and effort of searching through posts!!

Please let me know if something is not working here, and i will fix it!! also let me know if this was helpful to you...If your new to this site make an account and feel free to contribute to the boards!!

Posted: 28 December 2007 at 5:09pm | IP Logged

spartan sure!!

jjahuja wrote: can u make pandora's battery with just one psp with cfw or firmware 1.5

if you have a psp with cfw already on it that is the easiest way to make a pb...just download the des.cem or upms programs and use that...if you are on 1.5 i dont think you can create one so you will need to put cfw on first then create it!! unless you want to do the manual hard mod way, for non cfw psps!

Posted: 24 January 2008 at 5:26am | IP Logged

on the slim battery it folds out like this:

the power supply is under the black divider!