PSP:Installing ARK-4 CFW

ARK-4 is a modern (e)CFW available for the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation Vita, and is the most fully featured solution to date. This page will guide you on how to install it on a PSP.

The instructions are courtesy to the official ARK-4 wiki from the ARK-4 Github.

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 or PSP-3000 and want to see if it is 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-093 or TA-095, you cannot install cIPL CFW need Infinity 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.

Installation Process

1. Download the latest release here
2. Open ARK4.zip
   • If you do not have a zip program to extract zip files look into 7zip/peazip for Windows, or p7zip for *nix.
3. Connect PSP to PC
4. Copy ARK_01234
   • If using a PSP GO to ef0:/PSP/SAVEDATA/
   • If using ANY other PSP or GO's Memory Stick: ms0:/PSP/SAVEDATA/
5. Copy ARK_Loader
   1. If using a PSP GO's internal storage to ef0:/PSP/GAME/
   2. If using ANY other PSP or GO's Memory Stick: ms0:/PSP/GAME/
6. Properly unmount PSP from PC first, then on the PSP disconnect from USB Mode.
7. On the PSP go to the GAME section (3rd option from the furthermost right icon on the XMB (Xross Media Bar)
8. Click on Memory Stick™
9. Click on ARK Loader
10. Once done loading it will boot into ARK-4. Congratulations, you have ARK-4 running (semi-permanent), if you reboot your PSP you will have to relaunch ARK Loader to launch ARK-4 again.

Permanent CFW

cIPL

This will do both checking your PSP and Install if compatible. If your console is not compatible, proceed to using Infinity.

1. Open ARK4.zip unless already opened.
2. Connect PSP to PC
3. Extract ARK_cIPL from within the PSP folder of ARK4.zip to ms0:/PSP/GAME/ on your Memory Stick
   • If you are using a PSP Go and want/need to use the internal storage, it instead goes into ef0:/PSP/GAME/.
4. Safely unmount PSP from PC
5. On PSP, go to Game
6. Click on Memory Stick™
7. Launch ARK cIPL Flasher
8. Press the corrisponding accept button to install.
9. Reboot your PSP afterward and verify you are still running ARK-4.
   1. Go to Settings
   2. System Settings
   3. System Information
   4. System Software should report ARK 4.20.XX cIPL

Infinity

Infinity is a method of using permanent CFW on any PSP model. It is preferred to use cIPL if compatible as the installation process is easier and the boot times are faster.

1. Open ARK.zip file is not already opened from previous step.
2. Connect PSP to PC
3. Extract ARK_cIPL from within the PSP folder of ARK4.zip to ms0:/PSP/GAME/ on your Memory Stick
   • If you are using a PSP Go and want/need to use the internal storage, it instead goes into ef0:/PSP/GAME/.
4. From ARK4.zip (depending on model) extract the following file:
   • For PSP GO: PSP/Infinity/EBOOT_GO.PBP to the PSP/UPDATE folder and RENAME IT TO EBOOT.PBP.
   • For any other model NOT including the GO: PSP/Infinity/EBOOT.PBP to the UPDATE folder.
     • If you have a GO and your Internal storage (ef0:) is not working you must still use the EBOOT_GO.PBP file, just renamed to EBOOT.PBP
5. Safely unmount your PSP from the PC
6. Go over to GAME on XMB
7. Click on Memory Stick™
8. Click on Infinity to Install it.
   • If upgrading from a previous Infinity version press right (DPAD) onces Infinity loads and update Infinity to 2.0.5.

Note: there is two ways to run Infinity if it crashes use the following.

ARK Loader before Infinity

1. After your PSP reboots, run ARK Loader again.
2. Once back on XMB rerun Infinity holding Start while it boots (Prevents Plugins from messing Infinity up)
3. If Infinity loads your good to continue to Step 9.

Infinity from OFW

1. After your PSP reboots, run Infinity.
2. Once Infinity loads continue to Step 9.
3. Click left on the DPAD
4. Go down to ARK-4 option and press X
5. Press HOME and return to XMB
6. Reboot your PSP afterward and verify you are still running ARK-4.
   1. Go to Settings
   2. System Settings
   3. System Information
   4. System Software should report ARK 4.20.XX Infinity∞