Dont think to hard about it. It is very simple.
User mode=Bad
Kernal Mode=Good

Kernal Mode gives us access to running ISO game rips and enables things we can't have in usermode.

Im not a coding guy, but thats about all you need to know.

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Well, kernel mode is more flexible than user mode. Certain homebrew applications require kernel because it can use the PSP to its full potential, including other hardware such as the USB port.

Here is a moddified version of something I posted before:

Thing's you can't do in user mode besides ISO's:

• iRShell
• PSPRadio, dynamic (meaning you can listen to music and use afkim to chat on you favorite IM)
• Lua player .17+ (.16 is the last user-mode version)
• Any other homebrew that loads modules (i.e., "multitask")
• CW Cheat
• Dev-hook
• Custom Firmwares
• Latest versions of many emulators like SNEStyl-ME and DGEN that use the media engine (Yes, this does matter. I noticed a 60~100% increase in FPS)
• and other applications.

But yes, you can do most things in user mode that you can in kernal. I think about 80% of all homebrew works in user mode.

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user mode has ceartain limitations which dont apply to kernal mode

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Kernel mode, also referred to as system mode, is one of the two distinct modes of operation of the CPU (central processing unit) . The other is user mode, a non-privileged mode for user programs, that is, for everything other than the kernel.

When the CPU is in kernel mode, it is assumed to be executing trusted software, and thus it can execute any instructions and reference any memory addresses (i.e., locations in memory). The kernel (which is the core of the operating system and has complete control over everything that occurs in the system) is trusted software, but all other programs are considered untrusted software. Thus, all user mode software must request use of the kernel by means of a system call in order to perform privileged instructions, such as process creation or input/output operations.


Thats the best definition of kernal mode i can give you.

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Not to nit-pick but there are more modes then just kernal and user. I think there are five known modes (listed in the order from the most access to the least):

• Kernal
• VSH (this is what the MPH downgrader ran under. Think of it as a slightly limited kernal mode, and it can write some files to flash0)
• Update (not much is known about this mode, except that it can not write to flash0. It seems to be the mode that loads the update file. The update then switches modes. Can be used by the GTA exploit, but work was stopped when the downgrader came out)
• Game (A slightly improved user mode. GTA e-loader runs under this mode. Can not write to flash0.)
• User

I'm sure there are parts that are missing and parts that could be wrong. Maybe Freeplay will correct me. He knows a ton more then I do.

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jcoolkatzerg you NEED to be a mod man. You really could be the most knowledgeable and helpful person here. Jcoolkatzerg for mod!

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and he just had his 600th post

Go KoolKat

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HAHA! Thanks guys, I couldn't help but laugh! Wow...600 posts...omg....I'm an old fart! I still remember my first post......good times.

Anyway, I am neather the most knowlegeable (Freeplay), nor the most helpful (I'd say Monkeyboy for that one). Most of my posts are half-remembered loads of B.S. that I kinda-sorta read somewhere on that one post about cheese or something like that by that one guy. But thanks for the compliments, I'll keep spewing forth my sarcastic cheddar for as long as it is enjoyed.

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