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How to Install Custom Firmware Without a Pandora Battery

The Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) usually uses a device called a Pandora battery in order to install custom firmware (CFW). CFW unlocks certain features on the PSP such as playing PSP games from the PSP memory stick. If you do not have a Pandora battery, you can use a trick involving the "Lumines" PSP game. There is an exploit in the game that allows for access to important PSP system files. This then opens up the ability to install unsigned code on the PSP.

Things You'll Need

"Lumines"
1.50 PSP update file
PSP downgrade pack

Instructions

- 1
  Download the 150.PBP update file and the downgrade pack (See Resources). Rename the 150.PBP file to "UPDATE.PBP." Open the "MS_ROOT" folder inside the downgrade pack. Locate and right-click the "PSP" folder that you see. Click "Copy" from the menu that appears.
- 2
  Connect your PSP to your computer and select "USB Connection" from the PSP main menu. A window will appear on your computer and you will see the files on your PSP memory stick. Hold down the "Ctrl" button and press "V" on the keyboard. Click "Yes" to overwrite the data.
- 3
  Right-click the "UPDATE.PBP" file from Step 1 and click "Copy." Open the "PSP" folder on the PSP memory stick. Open the "GAME" folder and right-click the "UPDATE" folder. Click "Paste" to transfer the update file to the PSP memory stick.
- 4
  Press the "O" button on the PSP to disconnect it from the computer. Insert your "Lumines" game into the PSP, and it will start automatically. The screen will flash red and blue, and you will be returned to the PSP main menu. Go into the PSP game section and select the "Downgrade Pack" from the list that appears. The downgrade app will load.
- 5
  Press the "X" button from the downgrade app's main page. When the downgrade completes, press the "X" button to reboot the system. Your PSP will now have custom firmware installed, and you will be able to run unsigned code on the PSP.

Sony PSP