Downgrading FW 2.81

Tim20 · Post by **Tim20** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 11:16 pm

Hi

I got GTA: Vice City Stories yesterday and ended up installing a new Firmware: 2.81 from my current 2.71. I've now found out that my current eLoader/ScummVM won't work.

I've checked through some of the threads here but i'm not 100% clued up on what i should do. I get the feeling i'm gonna have to downgrade by upgrading to FW 3.XX, but i read something about using an unpatched GTA: LCS or an unpatched Lumines. I don't own these games and i've no idea where to get these unpatched versions from.

I'm also worried about knackering the PSP in the process.

Can someone help?

jak66 · Post by **jak66** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 7:13 pm

I'll take a guess and say you read my guide. Well, unfortunatly for you, not a lot has changed since then. If you only have access to the one PSP, then you are going to need to buy an unpatched Liberty City Stories or Lumines (I would recomend Lumines, there are more copies of the Patched Liberty City Stories around, but whichever you buy, get a preowned copy for more chance of getting unpatched)

If you have access to more thatn one PSP (use a friends?) and at least one is homebrew enabled (1.50 or a custom firmware), you can make a Pandora battery and Magic Memory Stick (I didn't add it to the guide as you need a 1.50 or custom firmware PSP, it CANNOT be made on any other firmware). This will allow you to downgrade any phat PSP (not for slim PSP) with any firmware version (even 3.71 - current latest) as it boots files from the memory stick rather than the internal memory. for more info on Pandora's Battery, check some dedicated PSP homebrew sites, like;
psp-news.dcemu.co.uk
www.pspupdates.com
www.maxconsole.net

Tim20 · Post by **Tim20** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 9:24 pm

Thanks for the reply.

Yeah, i read your post and yeah, i have access to just the one PSP. I've ordered a new copy of GTA: LCS from amazon.co.uk, but found out about the patched version being more common, at the last minute.

I heard somewhere, on a forum i think, that if it says 2005, instead of 2006, on the box then i should be fine; as well as the firmware on it to be 2.0 instead of 2.6. GTA: LCS was on my 'list of things to get' anyway, but if that fails then it'll have to be lumines.

I've downloaded the files/folders i need along with a guide so hopefully i should be ok. What are the chances of the console 'packing up'?

P.S. i don't know what the pandora battery is and i seems a bit too technical and confusing so i'll have to pass on that method.

Thanks again

jak66 · Post by **jak66** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:21 am

There is very little chance of 'messing up' your PSP. Most of the time if there is a problem it is user error, but if every is done correctly, then it is about as safe as an official update.

Tim20 · Post by **Tim20** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 9:23 am

Thanks for the reassurance.

I'll make sure i use your guide just to be on the safe side.

Oh, one more thing. The 1.50 update eboot you've linked to in your guide, would this work with my psp? I'm asking cuz i'm from the uk and according to download.qj.net, that you've linked to, it says north america.

Ta.

jak66 · Post by **jak66** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:28 pm

Yes, at least, it did for me (I also am from UK). The whole regional update thing is just a mistake, updates don't have regions (Thats why an update download from the American/Europe website has icons only viewable on Japanese region PSPs).

Tim20 · Post by **Tim20** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 8:10 pm

Great, thanks again for your help.

Tim20 · Post by **Tim20** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:02 pm

Well, i've successfully downgraded without any problems!

Well... except one: whenever i try to play GTA: VCS now it won't let me unless i upgrade again.

I don't suppose there's anyway around this?

I hate the idea of having to downgrade to play ScummVM and then upgrading to play PSP games.

clem · Post by **clem** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:08 pm

Tim20 wrote:Well, i've successfully downgraded without any problems! Well... except one: whenever i try to play GTA: VCS now it won't let me unless i upgrade again. I don't suppose there's anyway around this?

I hate the idea of having to downgrade to play ScummVM and then upgrading to play PSP games.

I think there are modified firmware versions which contain a both "homebrew able" firmware and a later one so you can still play current games

Tim20 · Post by **Tim20** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 1:04 pm

Hmmm, do you know what modified firmware versions there are and which one i should go for?

Thanks

jak66 · Post by **jak66** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:45 pm

clem wrote:I think there are modified firmware versions which contain a both "homebrew able" firmware and a later one so you can still play current games

That is correct.

Tim20, when you read my whole guide, you notice i mention firmwares 2.71 SE, 3.XX OE, 3.XX M33, etc, etc (where XX stands for the minor firmware number). These are the custom firmware revisions you are needing. Personally, I prefer upgrading to the latest firmware with the most features (currently: 3.52 M33-4, soon: 3.71 M33). However, higher firmware revisions can sometime break plugins (for example, there are 2 GTA cheat device plugins. I think they stopped working at 3.10 OE), so when you get more used to the custom firmware abilities you may want to degrade to an earlier one (this doesn't need a degrader like official updates). I suggest going to a specialised psp hacking site to find out more. (If I were posting on a PC I would do another guide, but on a wii, i can't even post direct links to downloads). If you wish to go to 3.52 M33-4, search forums.maxconsole.net for 3.52 M33 (you need to upgrade to first, then can skip 2 & 3 and go straight to 4).

Tim20 · Post by **Tim20** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:42 am

Ah, thanks.

Thing is though, i'm a bit unsure about these custom firmwares. From what i've read about them, on other forums, i couldn't see any info saying they'd run homebrew. If i put this 3.52 M33 on, and i'm not happy with it for any reason, how do i go about downgrading it?

I downloaded a tool yesterday that enables you to make ISO images, of UMDs, and basically play the games from your memory stick. This apparently bypasses the updater request. Do you know if this is any good?

Tim20 · Post by **Tim20** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 12:02 pm

Ignore my previous post, i've done it!

I upgraded to that custom firmware and now i can play PSP games and ScummVM, yay!!! Again, thanks so much for all your help, this should shut me up for quite some time lol.

jak66 · Post by **jak66** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 8:49 pm

glad it went ok.

when you downgraded, did it say some thing about your PSP being a TA082 and needed patching?

Tim20 · Post by **Tim20** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:40 pm

Sorry, but i don't recall. It may have said something about 'patching' but as for the TA082... i couldn't say.

I was too nervous and excited to pay that much attention to be honest.

All i did focus on was the step-by-step guide.