Hey, I am sure everyone has seen or two dozen tutorials that end up getting repeated dozens of times, all to answer one or two peoples questions.

And although I am a firm believer in searching the forum, I think that answering some of the most often asked ones can really lighten the work load for everyone... So lets get started.

1. What is homebrew?
Homebrew is code designed to run on the Sony PSP, but not necessarily made by Sony or other game/etc manufacturers.
It consists of games, emulators, applications and more, written by programmers, noobs, and sometimes professionals, often offered for free for use by other people.

2. Is Homebrew Legal?
This one is complicated. If you design a minigame or a program, and you either get permission or give credit to those whom inspired you, then it is probably ok. For example, if you alter someone else's program, ask their permission before you release it, or at least give credit to them and a link to their home page.

If your program steals other peoples hard work, if it is built without giving credit and without permission from those it inherits from, or if it violates any other laws in your area, it is obviously not so legal.

3. What is Firmware?
Firmware is a form of software used by the PSP as an operating system. This is similar to Windows XP, Linux, or MAC OS, in that it is a series of smaller programs that work together to create your psp menus, functionality, and so forth.

4. What is Flash0? Flash1?
***Edit***
^_^;;; seems like people didn't like me over simplifying it.
Your psp has DOZENS of parts, but only four that you (the user) will probably work with.
***/Edit***
Your psp consists of basically four parts: Flash0, Flash1, MS0, and UMD0.

Flash0 contains your operating system, the firmware. Custom firmwares and their Recovery Menu's are also stored here. If this gets corrupted or deleted, your psp will not work.

Flash1 is like your RAM in your computer: It stores things temporarily until needed. It also stores your background and other settings here. If this gets corrupted or deleted, you can delete everything in Flash1, and it will be recreated by the PSP firmware.

MS0 is your memory stick. Your game demos, music, videos, saved games, bookmarks, and any homebrew go here. If this gets corrupted, you can format it, but you will loose all data on it. This does not affect the firmware.

UMD0 is your UMD drive. Some UMD games contain upgrades to different firmwares on them, which is (most of the time) a bad idea. If you want to upgrade, please either use a custom firmware, or download the latest one from Sony directly. Please note, more likely than not the latest Sony Firmware will not allow downgrading to lower firmwares, running homebrew, or the recovery menu.

5. What is Custom Firmware?
Custom Firmware are firmwares that have been constructed to replace the ones supplied by Sony. They have various benefits: The ability to use homebrew, play backed up games, play video full screen, play the most recent game demos and such, and more. Most custom firmwares used at the moment are thanks to Dark_AleX, a brilliant gentleman whom you should thank some day.

The only firmwares made by Sony that accept homebrew are 1.00 and 1.50. If you choose to use custom firmwares, the most recently released firmware is 3.10 OEA (by Dark_AleX) and the most used one right now is 3.03 OEC (also by Dark_AleX)

Here are some of the differences:

6. How do I install homebrew in Custom Firmware?
First, please read the readme that should be included with the homebrew, as well as the page you downloaded the homebrew from.

Secondly, if the program is meant to run on 1.00 or 1.50, place it in the (\psp\game150\) folder of your psp.
If it was meant to run on something higher, and you have the 3.03 OEC firmware, place the files in the (\psp\game303\) folder of your psp. Else if you have the 3.10 OEA firmware, place the files in the (\psp\game310\) folder of your psp.

You can also enter recovery menu, go to `Configuration`, and change your game kernel to use the 1.50 kernel. After you do this, you can place homebrew in the (\psp\game\) folder, and it will run.

7. How do I get to the recovery menu?
You must have a custom firmware, either 2.71 SEA,SEB,SEC, 3.02 OEA, 3.03 OEA,OEB,OEC, or 3.10 OEA.

Turn off your psp.
Turn on your psp, holding down the `R` shoulder button.
You can let go of the `R` button when you see text.

^_^ You are now in the recovery menu!

8. How do I install/Uninstall Custom Firmware?
Please see this thread.

9. How do I play ISO/CSO's?
We are not allowed to discuss ISO's, CSO's, DAX's, ROM's, or any other form of illegal material on this site.

I will mention that in the custom firmware there is a folder called ISO. (If your psp was on drive G:\ it would be at G:\ISO). Any ISO or CSO placed here shows up in the game menu.

If you have any questions, please ask Google.

10. How do I save a YouTube Video so I can watch it on my psp?
I suggest vixy.net, just give them the youtube url and tell it to save in mp4 format.

For example, if you put "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlOLkmD8GWM" into the box, choose MP4 for iPod/PSP, and then Start, you can save my youtube video! Just place it in your (\video) folder to see in your psp if you have custom firmware. (If your psp is on G:\, it would be G:\video).


11. How do I customize my PSP?
Pretty much the only way to do that is to replace parts of the operating system, with parts that have new colors and so forth. It is pretty dangerous, and I do not suggest it to anyone unless they have a custom firmware, or another firmware that has some sort of recovery menu.

Once you have the new part, go to recovery menu, choose the `Advanced` option, and then choose `toggle usb (flash0)` to gain access to your psp's operating system.

Please do not delete anything. Only replace. Also, back up anything you try to change, in case you wish to undo it later.

(I also suggest that you keep a copy of the custom firmware upgrade flash program that you made while upgrading to your custom firmware... that way you can reflash if you really mess stuff up).


12. What is memory stick root?
The memory stick root is the bottom most folder of your psp.
If your psp was located at drive G:\ for example, your memory sticks root would be folder G:\.
Yes, I know that there is a folder called G:\MS_ROOT.
Just ignore that. It used to be used for videos... not really used anymore.

13. How do I get Roms, PS1 Games, PSP Games, Game System Bio's, Movies, and other such items for free?
You don't. That is illegal I am afraid, and we do not encourage such. If you make backups of your own, that is one thing: stealing/borrowing/downloading someone else's is another. If you want that game, then buy it, and support the people who made it.

Be nice please.

14. How do I do {Fill in the blank}?
Try searching the forums. I and many other members have written many tutorials covering almost everything, from setting up your own ftp server to learning how to upload files online.
We wrote it for you, so look before you ask, and you might find it.

XX. Your missing stuff, how do I find out how to do {Fill in important missing Blank}?

Ask me. I will add it to this thread.
This seems to cover MOST of the big questions however.

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