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How do I get started with my new Sony PSP?

I just got my daughter a psp and I can't figure out how to use it. It has a game with it but I can't figure out how to get it to play.

Do I have to have a memory card for it?

I bought it from a friend that didn't want it anymore and I don't have the little booklet that comes with it. How can I get the booklet?

Can you please send me some info on how to get this thing to do something?

It does light up and it shows me the menu... but what else?

Dave's Answer:

First off, you can download a copy of the original Sony PSP manual directly from the Sony Web site: Sony PSP Manuals. To know which one you want, you'll want to figure out which version of the Sony firmware you're running. You can do that here:

What version PSP firmware am I running?

You do need a memory card if you want to be able to save games and/or download any audio, photos, video or similar. The PSP comes with a 32MB Memory Stick that's enough for game saves, but otherwise far too small for anything else. Most people buy something larger: I have a 2GB Memory Stick, but even a 512MB would be a big step up if she's really going to experiment with the PSP.

In terms of using the system, your basic navigational screen looks roughly like this:

Below the screen is a tiny "home" button on the front. Push that and you should then be able to use the arrow buttons to move around and select between System, Music, Photos, Video, Games and Network. To play a game, go to Games, then use the up and down buttons to find "UMD". Push the "X" button to select the game and you should be able to play it as you wish.

Hope this gets you started. I have lots and lots of additional Sony PSP material on this site too, and a great place to start is here: Sony PSP Help.

Enjoy!

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Comments

YO DAVE CAN I GO TO THE INTERNET ON MY PSP BY USING A (USB) CABLE???

Posted by: SYLVIO at July 13, 2006 3:36 PM

Hi Dave,

I'd like to upgrade my ancient PSP v.1.5 to v.2.0, but they seem to put up only the latest v. which I do not want to upgrade to.

Is there any place I could go to download v. 2.0?

Thanks,
Marge

Posted by: Marge at July 25, 2006 1:31 AM

no u cant go into internet usin no usb cable,get urself wireless router for $14 bux, or the lil wireless USB HUB thing u can convert wired broadband to wirless

Posted by: ace at February 7, 2007 8:01 PM

i need to know how to get started with my psp cuz i just got it 4 christmas.

PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: lequila at December 25, 2007 8:16 AM

i have a psp and i have a disc with games, that i want to download to my memeory chip, after i plug in the usb cable to pc and to the psp, how do i download the games from disc onto my memory chip?
what do i have to go to on psp, and what do i have to go to on pc.

thanks for your help!

Posted by: teresa at January 12, 2008 2:16 PM

I have a new psp and I dont know much about the system. If somone could e mail me and tell me how to get musi, photos, games??, and vidios on my psp with no wierless internet. Also ho to get on the wierless internet. my e mail is janmayne@ymail.com .
Thank you,
Jan

Posted by: Jan at December 31, 2008 5:15 AM

Its a 3000. ind i want to know how to update it???

Posted by: Jan at December 31, 2008 5:17 AM

how do i get internet in my psp!!!!!!!!

Posted by: jason at June 26, 2009 3:53 PM

I have a lot to say, but ...

I have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but most of all I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a chai!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!