PSP:Installing ARK-4 CFW

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Installing custom firmware on a PSP is a very simple process, and this guide will cover the steps on how to install the typical ME and PRO custom firmwares.

If you would like to use the more modern ARK-4 custom firmware, you can refer to this guide.

Determing the PSP Model

Early versions of the PSP can additional CFW methods, so it is preferred to identify what model you have. See the PSP:PSP Model Differences page in order to determine how to spot the physical differences between each model.

If you have a PSP-2000 and want to see if it is classic cIPL compatible, download pspIdent, extract the PSP folder from the zip to the memory card, and run it on the console. If the motherboard it outputs says TA-088v3, you cannot install classic cIPL CFW and either need Infinity or ARK-4 for permanent CFW.

Updating the Firmware (if applicable)

In order to use the most up-to-date custom firmwares, your PSP will need to either be on 6.60 or 6.61 firmware.

PSP:Updating your Firmware (OFW) covers how to update a console's firmware.

Installing Temporary CFW

When CFW is installed as temporary, it will act like a semi-teathered exploit where it has to be started every time the console is hard reset or shut down. Temporary CFW can also be installed as permanently with Infinity.

CFW Feature Comparison

Functionality is almost the same between ME and PRO, as each feature one comes with can be added to the other with plugins. You may want to use ME instead of PRO if you don't intend to use PRO Online, as it's a bit quicker to install (especially with cIPL) and the standalone npdrm_free plugins work better than PRO's NoDRM engine anyway.

PRO

  • Comes with NoDRM Engine, which can bypass the DRM on official PSN content.
  • Comes with PRO Online, which is a method of playing local Ad Hoc multiplayer over the internet.
  • Open Source

(L)ME

  • Comes with NoDRM Engine, which can bypass the DRM on official PSN content.
  • Comes with LEDA, which allows legacy 1.50 kernel mode homebrew to work on modern firmware.
  • Features the ability to download PBOOT updates for ISOs from within the XMB, like with real UMDs or PSN EBOOTs.

Initial Installation

  1. Download the desired CFW for your PSP that matches its firmware version. Links to 6.60 and 6.61 custom firmwares have been provided.
  2. Plug your PSP into a computer. This will automatically enable USB Mode and mount the console's memory card to the computer. You can also plug the memory card directly into a computer if you have a Memory Stick compatible card reader.
    • If the console's USB mode doesn't automatically activate, it can be manually activated in the XMB settings.
  3. Extract the contents of your CFW zip file into the root of your PSP's memory card. If you're installing PRO, the CIPL_Flasher folder can be ignored unless a cIPL installation is desired.
  4. Exit USB mode after transferring the files over. View your games list and there should be 2 new listings for PRO or LME. Choose PROUPDATE or LME Installer first.
  5. Navigate to your games on the XMB and you will see the CFW applications. (either LME Installer/Launcher or PRO Update and PRO Fast Recovery)
  6. To install custom firmware, select PRO Update or LME Installer and launch them.
  7. Once the PSP restarts, check in the system information page on your PSP and confirm you see the system software version along with the custom firmware version after it.
    • If you don’t see that you have custom firmware installed (eg. 6.61 LME-2.3) then run the LME Launcher or Fast Recovery app.
  8. Your PSP is now running temporary custom firmware. If you would like to install it permanently, continue to the subsection for Infinity.

Permanent CFW with Infinity

  1. Download Infinity and install the EBOOT from the standard folder under PSP/GAME/UPDATE/EBOOT.PBP on the PSP's memory card.
    • If you are installing Infinity on a PSP Go, use the EBOOT from the pspgo folder instead.
  2. Launch Infinity from your games list and install it. Press X on the prompt to reboot the console.
  3. Launch Infinity again, and select the custom firmware you are currently using.

Installing CFW with cIPL

This is a preferred method if installing CFW if your PSP can support it. It only supports PSP-1000 and (most) PSP-2000 models.

  1. Download the desired CFW for your PSP that matches its firmware version. Links to 6.60 and 6.61 custom firmwares have been provided.
  2. Extract the contents of your CFW zip file into the root of your PSP's memory card. In the PSP/GAME folder, you should have the following at a minimum:
    • PRO: CIPL_Flasher and PROUPDATE folders
    • ME: me_installer (or 661me_installer) folder
  3. Now you need to launch the CFW installer.
    • If you are installing ME just run the installer and follow the directions on the display. Once complete you should now have permanent CFW.
    • If you are installing PRO, launch PRO Update first. Follow the directions on the display and then launch cIPL Flasher to make it permanent.
  4. Your PSP will now have cIPL CFW. It can be seen in the system settings.
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