Industry guru Dave Taylor answers free tech support questions about a wide variety of business and technical topics, including blogging, Google AdSense, MySpace, Sony PSP, Apple iPod, Mp3 players, management, Linux, SEO, Mac OS X, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Microsoft Windows.

Sony PSP Connected to Linux Systems?

I want to transfer music and movies to my Sony PSP, on my computer I'm using Suse Linux 9.2. What kind of program or software can I use? The problem is that my computer can't find the Sony PSP when I plug it in the USB port.


Dave's Answer:

I dug around and found a couple of interesting solutions that illustrate the bridge between Linux and Sony PSP. Most relevant to what you're asking about is the Linux PSP Manager. The developer describes this program as "a program for Linux, using the QT API, to manage and transfer from the computer to the PSP homebrew binary files, saved game backups, video and audio files."

There are screenshots at the Sourceforge site for the Linux PSP Manager, but they add more confusion than anything because they make it appear that it's more to do with game saves and game emulation than transferring files between your Suse Linux box and your Sony PSP. A bit more digging suggests that it's actually focused on PBP (boot) file transfer. Try it, see what kind of results you get.

Another program in this general area is the PSP Linux Project, focused on actually migrating the Linux operating system itself onto the Sony PSP. Does that make sense? I dunno, but it's interesting to think about, a PSP that lets you run Linux while, presumably, also being able to restart into regular PSP mode and run all the games and videos you like.

Finally, though there are millions of Sony PSP units sold, and some percentage of them must be to Linux owners, but so far most everyone I've talked with plugs their PSP into either a Macintosh or a Windows XP box.

I'd be most interested in hearing from others about this topic too, including particularly pointers to other Linux programmers who are working on this problem.



Help others find this article at Del.icio.us, Digg, Netscape, Reddit, and Simpy.

Subscribe!

Never miss another useful Q&A article again! Subscribe to AskDaveTaylor with Google Reader.

Comments

The person with the PSP question needs to recognize that this is a multistep process. I also am running SUSE 9.2, on a dual boot system. USB recognition is a sometimes thing on my system when tring to get k-pilot to sync with my Palm. Data transferral is an attempt after recognition! I do not know if this is a distro situation or if it is a statement about the development state of Linux/Linux apps. Hotplugging adds another step also.

Posted by: Scott at September 29, 2005 6:39 PM

i dont know how to save eboot on my memorystick duo media!!!!!!!

Posted by: bryan at October 2, 2005 4:34 PM

The PSP functions as a mass storage device over USB. When I plugged my PSP via USB cable into my Fedora Core machine, an item on the desktop popped up for it ("32MB Removable Media" since I only have the 32MB memory stick.) I can double click this icon and browse the contents of the memory stick using Nautilus. I can drag stuff out of it and drag stuff onto it no problem.

Soooo... you might want to consider an "upgrade" from Suse to Fedora :)

Posted by: Mairin Duffy at October 17, 2005 6:50 AM

Love is the law love under will.

Maybe you should try Manriva 2006(Mandrake), always a nice and easy option as USB connection is possibly the most user friendly, if not you are only a Kedit away from success.

There is no law beyond do what thou wilt.

Posted by: Horus at October 25, 2005 7:00 PM

Simple. Update to Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy and problem solved. I am able to connect to my PSP from my dual-boot laptop.


Signature: http://pspadvice.googlepages.com

Posted by: DJKMan at March 19, 2008 6:28 PM

I have a lot to say, but ...
Starbucks coffee cup 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!









Remember personal info?


Please note that I will never send you any unsolicited commercial email. Ever.

While I'm at it, please note that by submitting a question or comment you're agreeing to my terms of service, which are: you relinquish any subsequent rights of ownership to your material by submitting it on this site.









Search
Find just the answers you seek from among our 1700+ free tech support articles by using our Lijit search engine.


Help!





Subscribe to
Ask Dave Taylor!

Add to Google Reader
Add to My Yahoo!
Subscribe in NewsGator Online

RDF   XML

Free Updates!
Sign up and get free weekly updates and special offers on books, seminars, workshops and more.


Recent Entries
Join the List!
Join my author info mailing list, where you'll learn about my upcoming books, speaking gigs, and more!


Book Links
© 2002 - 2008 by Dave Taylor. All Rights Reserved.

Note: This web site is for the purpose of disseminating information for educational purposes, free of charge, for the benefit of all visitors. We take great care to provide quality information. However, we do not guarantee, and accept no legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any material contained on this web site or on any linked site.

[whiteboard marker tray]