Dark_AleX will not be releasing Custom Firmware 3.50 OE, as previously reported. Instead, Dark_AleX is working on Custom Firmware 3.51 OE to save time and utilize Sony’s most current firmware version for the PSP handheld system.
There has been no time frame yet for when 3.51 OE will come out, but rest assured that we’ll be reporting it as soon as it does.
So far, the features of Custom Firmware 3.51 OE are still unknown but hopefully we will have more details closer to the release.
In light of the recent Illuminati Exploit and 3.50 downgrader, Sony have released a patch in the form of Firmware 3.51 for the PSP. The patch removes the exploit from the System Software preventing the execution of homebrew as well as downgrading to firmware 1.50. The Japanese PlayStation website has already been updated with the update, but the US and European websites are yet to be updated.
Changelog (tanslated from Japanese Website):
Security:
Internet:
[Via: PlayStation Japan]
Security
Sony seems to be updating the Japanese PlayStation Store more that any other region. This time, Japan get 19 new PS1 titles playable on the PSP and PS3, with the US and Europe lagging behind with only a handful of PS1 titles in total. In fact, the European PSN Store received its first PS1 titles eariler this month. It seems the European PSN Store is the least updated, receiving no updates this week. See below for the list of new titles to hit Japan.
The US store did get an update as well, however, no new PS1 titles.
The Illuminati Exploit was revealed only a few days ago and since then Lumines sales have sky rocketed in the hopes that a downgrader will soon come out. Well it is here. All PSP owners now have the ability to downgrade their PSP and updgrade to Dark_AleX’s Custome Firmware to enjoy homebrew heaven. The downgrader only works for Firmware 3.50, to those who want to downgrade must upgrade to 3.50 first.
The downgrader includes a port of Homebrew ENabler (HEN) for firmware 3.50 which will automatically detect existing PSP motherboards, and will take the proper steps for the downgrade. As a recap, the Noobz team advises users to have the following ready:
There is always a risk of downgrading so it is important that you read the following warning messages, issued by Fanjita and the Noobz team, before attempting to downgrade:
Full installation and usage instructions should be available in the package. It is strongly recommended that you take a look at the “read me” before doing anything else.
Firmware 3.50 was decrypted shortly after release, but not fully since Sony implemented various changes in the PRX formats. After being quiet for some time, new updates regarding the decryption progress as well as that of the next custom firmware have emerged. Accordingly, Mathieulh and Dark AleX are indeed working on Custom Firmware 3.50 OE and the project is already 5 per cent complete.
There are no details of what the new custom firmware will offer, but one of the main reasons for the new firmware is to utilize the 3.50 kernel. Lets hope the pair include some interesting new additions to the firmware. Look out for more details soon.
One change in Firmware 3.50 that Sony failed to mention was that the PSP now uses the full power of the CPU. Previous firmware versions limited the CPU speeds to 266MHz – roughly 80 per cent of the portable console’s full power. But now, the PSP using Firmware 3.50 runs games at 333MHz, utilizing 100 percent of the CPU power. What does this mean? Faster game loading and possible better graphics for future games, but shorter battery life.
To those who use Dark_AleX’s OE Firmwares, 333MHz CPU speeds have been available for some time now so this really isn’t good news. The company has yet to give an official statement on this new feature, and whether this unlocked CPU speed is dedicated to post-3.50 UMD games, or will affect past titles as well. Maybe even a new battery is in the works to makeup for the extra power usage.
This is the biggest news since the 3.03 Downgrader. Once again, homebrew can be run on all PSP Firmware versions (even 3.50) thanks to a new exploit. The new exploit uses the Lumines UMD to allow the execution of unsigned code. Once it is turned into a proper loader, you will have the ability to run applications, games and even downgrader your PSP firmware. Download the "Hello World" application to see for yourself.
Running the "Hello World" application is pretty simple. See below for some basic instructions for running the Illuminati Exploit:
Dark_AleX has finished working on the beta version of his new Modchip flasher, dubbed NandFlasher. Currently at version 0.1 beta, the application works with both the Undiluted Platinum and Devolution modchips, although it doesn’t work well on the latter. The application allows you to perform some advanced operations on thePSP nands and auto-detects which modchip you are using.
The Devolution functionality hasn’t been tested fully since DAX doesn’t have a Devolution modchip. The application still needs a GUI as well as a few other features DAX has mentioned, including showing the NAND as a storage device under windows and testing the Devolution code. Before using the application, be sure to check the readme (usage.txt) file.
XTREME PSP has been running for almost two years, and has grown stedily since it first launched in June 2005. We are now proud to announce the launch of the XTREME PS3 website, dedicated to the PlayStation 3. Although the launch is much later than we had hoped, most of the website is fully operational. If you are new to using a PS3, be sure to check out our FAQ section.
If you have any comments or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact us using the Contact Form.We are planning to launch a PS3 magazine soon so be sure to look out for that.
