To coincide loosely with (read: cash in on) the release of Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron, I've written a tutorial detailing how to do some PSP-related tasks that are usually done on Windows, but can be done on Ubuntu as well. Note that this guide focuses on Ubuntu, but the advice can (most likely) also be used for other Linux distributions as well, but only those using GNOME (and maybe Xfce) - probably not KDE. Ubuntu uses GNOME.

Chapter I - Basic Stuff
Chapter II - Making/Extracting EBOOTs and ISOs
Chapter III - Pandora
Chapter IV - ??? (Please make a suggestion!)

Chapter I - Basic Stuff
Much of the basics of PSP hacking involves copying over files to different directories. This is much the same as it is in Windows, but there are a few differences.

To start, there is no Start button! Instead, when you plug in your PSP, it will appear at the top, under Places. Also, it will not be shown as "Sony PSP" or as a letter - it will be shown as how large the MS is. For example, here is now my PSP is shown. It has a 1GB Memory Stick inserted.


Depending on your settings, it may also show up on the desktop. Note how it shows up as a music player - despite Rhythmbox starting up by default, it does not currently transfer music correctly, so you'll have to do that yourself - Google for more information on putting media on your PSP.

The file manager included with Ubuntu is very similar to Windows Explorer - making folders is the same, transferring stuff is the same, but there is one difference that you must be aware of - you must unmount devices before unplugging them. This is very simple - in the left-hand side of the file manager or on the desktop, right-click your PSP (remember, it shows up as the size of the MS inserted) and select "Unmount". Note that this cannot be done directly via the Places menu - only via the Desktop or file manager.



Chapter II - Making/Extracting EBOOTs and ISOs
And by ISOs, I mean legal ISOs like UPMS.

So, on Windows there are two main tools for making and unpacking PBPs - PBP Unpacker and PSP Brew (I prefer PBP Unpacker). And for ISOs, there's basically just UMDGen.

Well, guess what? Both PBP Unpacker and UMDGen run perfectly under Ubuntu! Yes, you heard me right - some Windows apps do run under Linux!

All you need to do is download and install Wine, which is basically a Windows emulator. (WINE stands for Wine Is Not an Emulator, but... whatever.)

There are two ways of doing this. One is very easy; just Click here. If this box comes up:

just hit "Yes", punch in your password (this is a security measure; you always have to do it when you install software), and everything will be done for you! However, if this does not work, you'll have to try the longer way...

To do this, click on Applications, and then go down to Add/Remove Applications.


Then, make sure "Show" is set to "All available applications" (change it if need be), type "wine" into the search box (without the quotes), check the box next to "Wine Windows Emulator" and hit "Apply Changes".



You will be prompted for your password - this is a security measure, so punch it in and hit OK. Wine will be automatically downloaded and installed!



So now, you've got Wine installed. Now, you can just download and install UMDGen (download here - no install necessary, just double-click the .exe) and/or PBP Unpacker (download here, to install double-click the .exe - it will show up in Applications -> Wine). Then, they can be used exactly as they can on Windows!

Chapter III - Pandora
I've tried and I've tried, but I can't get the normal Pandora apps to work on Linux. It's not fun. But, I did run into a very good alternative, one that can do everything from a custom firmware PSP itself! You just need to download the CSO (it's legal) from here, PSP firmware updates 1.50, 3.71 and 3.80 from here, and then you can follow the official tutorial here.

It's easier than any other way, plus you can make Magic MSs on the road!

Chapter IV - ??? (Please make a suggestion!)
Please feel free to request a chapter in the comments below, if you are interested in switching to Linux.


Comments?


Software used in making this tutorial...
Gedit, for typing the majority of the text
GIMP, for cropping/editing screenshots
Firefox 3, for publishing it to the web!

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