I know that you generally discourage people from downgrading the firmware on their Sony Playstation Portable (PSP) unit, but darn it, I want to do so anyway. Can you offer some tips, even if you have to include a disclaimer?
Note: The links have been removed from this article due to a Digital Millennium Copyright Act violation filed by Sony against AskDaveTaylor. The instructions remain, but you’re on your own finding any specific software, hacks or earlier versions of PSP firmware.
You’re right, I will include a disclaimer because about every week or so I get an email from someone who was fiddling with the firmware version on their Sony PSP and somehow ended up freezing or “bricking” the system. The problem is, Sony doesn’t make downgraders available, so you’re at the mercy of the online community which, I admit, is 99% great people. But the 1% of malicious rebels can easily find it amusing to mislead you and cause you to trash your sweet little Sony device. Not good.
Nonetheless, you’re all able to make your own decisions about how you work with and enjoy your devices, so as long as you recognize that there is some risk involved in the following technique, I do have a splendid article by gamer Andrew Childress on how to downgrade your PSP firmware to gain access to the treasures of the homebrew community and more. Just don’t ask me questions about how to use bittorrent to download illegal copies of commercial PSP games, okay?
If you want to use homebrew on the PSP, there a few general steps of action to take. We will go from their in our endeavors to get you to the magical 1.5 firmware so that you can use any homebrew that you want to!
The first thing that we want to do is find out your current firmware version. Boot up your PSP to the XMB (cross media bar, the home menu) and scroll all the way to the left to what I call the “settings” column. From there, go to “System Settings” and “System Information”. Your “System Software” is equivalent to your firmware. Take note of that firmware and follow the chart and the downgrading directions that follow.
Firmware Version | Plan of action |
---|---|
1.5 | Celebrate! You’re in luck! |
1.51 | Update to firmware 2.0, downgrade to 1.5 |
1.52 | Update to firmware 2.0, downgrade to 1.5 |
2.0 | Downgrade to 2.0 |
2.01 | Update to 2.71, downgrade to 1.5 |
2.5 | Update to 2.71, downgrade to 1.5 |
2.6 | Update to 2.71, downgrade to 1.5 |
2.7 | Update to 2.71, downgrade to 1.5 |
2.71 | Use Dark_Alex’s Generic Downgrader |
2.8 | Out of luck for now |
3.0 | Out of luck for now |
3.01 | Out of luck for now, stay tuned |
There are some general notes about downgrading. First of all, it’s a fairly safe process. However, sometimes, stuff does happen. These are 1% type situations that render your PSP inoperable. Stick to the directions, and you will be alright.
Second there is a type of motherboard that is in some PSP’s that is not downgradeable. If you attempt to downgrade on a PSP with this motherboard, your PSP will be rendered useless. Here is a picture of a white PSP with that motherboard. Make sure you check before starting any downgrade!
[ed note: This picture isn’t very good, but it’s easy to spot whether you have this earlier circuit board or not: if you can’t see “IC1003” printed backwards on your circuit board edge, you’re in the clear. -DT]
The Sony PSP 2.0 Firmware Downgrade Process
The 2.0 downgrade process is probably the easiest and safest out of any of the methods. It is very quick and easy:
- Disable anti-virus software. (Necessary step, just trust me)
- Download [link removed, sorry]
- Connect your PSP to your computer
- Copy the files “h.bin” and “index.dat” to the root of your PSP. The root is the topmost directory.
- Copy overflow.tif into the PSP -> PHOTO folder. If you don’t have these folders, create them!
- Make a new folder in PSP -> GAME called “UPDATE”
- Download a PSP 1.5 Update file from Google
- Drop that update file in the update folder
- Disconnect PSP
The prep work is finished now.
- Plug your PSP into the AC adaptor
- Start PSP up. Scroll to photo menu.
- Click X and try to scroll down. One of two things will happen: your PSP will hit a black screen with white letters and numbers, or your PSP will freeze. If the PSP freezes, just restart and try again.
- If you hit the black screen with white characters, perform a hard reset (hold power switch up 10 seconds) and restart
- With the AC Adaptor plugged in, scroll to the right and access your memory stick under GAME
- Run the 1.5 US Update
- The update will run and inevitably fail at 99%
- Restart the PSP, and you will hit the PSP’s blue screen of death. No problem- hit “O”
- Boom, you are done!
Sony PSP 2.5/2.6/2.71 Firmware Downgrade Process
This tutorial has been through several re-writes in this area. Why? Because, as usual, the PSP homebrew scene is always reinventing itself. At one point there were several muddled process for downgrading each of these three firmwares. This article has been written for three different downgrade processes for each. However there is now a new sheriff in town in the world of PSP downgrading. This new method is much safer and easier than any other method yet.
Before we get to that, though, let’s make it simple: if you are running PSP firmware higher than 2.0, you want to update to 2.71, before you go any further. Seems counterintuitive, but this will make things very, very simple for you.
After you are updated to 2.71, (go no further) follow these steps for homebrew in no time flat:
- Download [link removed, sorry].
- Follow the super easy install instructions included in the readme
- Run the process through the photo menu. (as dictated in the program’s readme)
- Download the [link removed, sorry]
- Install that program by placing the UPDATE folder inside of the PSP -> GAME directory. Create directories, if necessary.
- Download a 1.5 update EBOOT
- Rename it to UPDATE.PBP and put it in the PSP -> GAME -> UPDATE folder
- Run the downgrader program from the memory stick on the game menu
Boom, you’re downgraded.
[Ed Notes: first, thanks for sharing this information with us, Andrew. Having said that, please, please be careful with downgrades and think twice before you muck with the firmware on your Sony PSP. I am not responsible for any adverse outcome from your following these directions, so you really are on your own if you try this process. Good luck.]
My PSP version is 6.1.How can I downgrade it to 1.5???
please tell me how to downgrade from 6.30 version of psp
could you help me downgrade my psp 3000 version 6.10? what do i need to play games and other applications, this model has a built in wi-fi features. waiting for your response. thanks in advance.
My PSP version is 6.30.How can I downgrade it to 1.5???
how downgrade if my psp at 6.31
how to upgaremy psp 5.50 i dont have any update
Hi, I have a white psp,version 2.0 but I can’t play some C.D games. Please help me!
if you have 6.20 but not 3004 just watch videos on youtube and you ll find a solution
Ugh, i have the same problem. I have upgraded my psp1004’s firmware from 2.60 to 6.20. I’ve been having a hard looking for a downgrader for it. HELP!:((
dude i got the 6.20 firmware,what do i have to do to downgrade it back to 5.00 m33-6
Can you help me about my PSP, I successfully finished upgrading my PSP to 6.20 version. The problem is that my games just disappeared, but
when I checked it in my PC using USB cord, my games are still in my memo
stick… Altough my musics & Photos are not affected,……… I
still need my games back. Hope you’ll help me with my problem
ASAP… Ty
dude i have 6.10v so i can’t play any game so can you help me downgrading the 6.10v.
if you know please sent me to my mail
Thanks :):):):):):):):):):):):)
can u please help me how to downgrade my 6.20 version?
Hey i got a psp 3004 6.20 version is there any way i could downgrade it.. i dont have a pandora nor do i have a magic memory stick..could u plz help me out.. thanks
can i downgrade from 6.20
i accidentally upgraded my firmware to the newest version 6.1! it sucks coz my games disappeared. luckily i have found out that it only cost 300 pesos to downgrade my psp firmware with free games service included. good thing i live in the beautiful country of piracy!! lolxz!
ReHI can i help me i have psp but i upgrade 5.01 can not play any games so pls how can downgrade my psp 5.01 to 1.5 pls sent the downgrading 5.01 to 1.5 or 3.0 thnks karl
karl there is another solutin upgrade to 5.03 http://www.psp-hacks.com/file/1645
then use chickhenr2 get 3 imags then put then into psp images then install Chickhen r2pspslimhacks.com/chickhen-r2-for-frimware-503-released
then download CFWenablerwww.psp-hacks.com/file/1734 then go to images look att them till little options box appears scroll down and hold on if u see green screen good if u dont try again and when ur succesful use CFWENABLER there u go ur new 5.00m33-6
i have version 5.50 i need to downgrade to version 3.71 how do i go about doing this?
HI can i help me i have psp but i upgrade 5.01 can not play any games so pls how can downgrade my psp 5.01 to 1.5 pls sent the downgrading 5.01 to 1.5 or 3.0 thnks
how can i downgrade my psp …..i av done everythng …………..(h bin,overflow )but when i go to photos on my psp i will see the overflow but it will say corupted data……….i av psp3.93 phat..
3.90 with a pandora battery want to play downloaded games. I get the 80020148 error tried changing a few settings to correct problem not working yet. Do not have a iso folder was using 150 game folder. Can you help me?
boss, i am havin a psp i hve updated tat for 5,05 version. is their any possibiliies of downgrade…??
how do we down grade v5.02 to m33
help me plz
…how can i downgrade my psp v5.02 to v.5.00
reply plzz…..
maybe you all should just do p90x and get off of the games.. lol just kidding..i have free games to download
help my psp version 5.02 ill be waiting for your reply
how do we down grade v5.02 to m33
ei. downgrade sony psp 3.95 to 1.50? procedure please….
I was going to ask you, can you downgrade a psp with a motherboard?
umm help my psp is version 4.5
i have a psp 2006 and v5.02 how do i down grade it to m33 to be able to play game plzzzzz help me plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
i have a psp 2006 and v5.02 how do i down grade it to m33 to be able to play game plzzzzz help me plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
pllllllllllllllllllllllzzzzzzzzzzzzzz dave help me downgrade my psp its version is 3.71 send info
please help me..i need to downgrade my software..how can i do that??
how can i downgrade my PSP that have a version firmware 5.01 because i accidentally update it please help me mr. Dave talor
i have a chipped psp but i want to upgrade it without anything happening to it help me please the psp software is 3.40 oe-a
help DaveTaylor really make me sob……….recently i unrealize upgrading my version to 5.01…….after that the before game cant play already ……..please teach me how to downgrading to version 1.5 or and version which compatible to play all website downloading game…….tank you very much appreciate .please write the downgrading step to my email.. bluezer_29@yahoo.com ur reply help is aspiration.. appreciate
Sir can you help me downgrade my 3.40 version?
i have a psp 2003 and v5.02 how do i down grade it to v1.5m33
Hi Dave Taylor. Please help me out on downgrading my psp v501 to 401m33 or 500m33. I would greatly appreciate your kindness and bless you with best karma. My e-mail is atl81hotboy@yahoo.com Thanks in advance for your time.
Hi. Il pay good money for the man or woman that can help me how to downgrade 5.01 psp! pls geeks find a way fast!!
how do can i get 4.01m33 i have version 3.73
can you help me out how to downgrade my psp v5.01? i updated my psp to latest version 5.01 and now i cant play any games in my psp. pls help me mr. dave taylor how to downgrade my psp v5.01.. kindly email me c_pilimon@yahoo.com.. thanks sir
how to downgrade a psp with a firmware of 3.72 to 3.00
for those have firmware 1.51 to 3.01 you can upgrade your firmware 4.01m33-2 that is a custom firmware you can play downloaded games there..
how can i downgrade my PSP that have a version firmware 5.01 because i accidentally update it please help me mr. Dave talor.. just send the instruction to my e-mail reggae_satorre@yahoo.com..
help DaveTaylor really make me sob……….recently i unrealize upgrading my version to 5.01…….after that the before game cant play already ……..please teach me how to downgrading to version 1.5 or and version which compatible to play all website downloading game…….tank you very much appreciate .please write the downgrading step to my email.. lohkianchuang@hotmail.com ur reply help is aspiration.. appreciate
I got trapped, I was so curious on how to work skype on my psp that I updated it to get the shype thingy on the go (updated it to firmware 4.05 originaly I was a 3.80) … plus I have read in an article that psp is giving away new music media something to further enjoy the music in your psp, now when I try to use my homebrew iso games it did not budge… what can I do to turn my psp back to the original version I had which is 3.80 , how can I downgrade it please help I am desperate, and I need something that is safe …. �?�
plz help me downgrade my version 3.95 psp. i really need help.
i have a version 3.95 and i need help to downgrade it. is there any way to do it?