Firmware and VCS and CheatDevice Summary

[edisoncarter]

The whole Firmware thing is confusing and changing, so I thought I should write a summary of what we know so far. Understand that the situation is still evolving and there isn't a complete solution yet.

 

The goal is to play VCS without upgrading to 2.81 and losing the ability to run homebrew and cheatdevice. If you can run VCS through DevHook, then you can run it with cheatdevice.

 

DevHook 0.46

The easy way to install it is to use Ultimate Installer v1.1.1, which you can get at:

http://www.psp-hacks.com/file/673

you just need stock FW 2.71 emulation.

 

USBHostFS, which I haven't tried, lets you use a USB connection to your computer and the PSP thinks a directory on your computer is the memory stick. You could do this if you don't have a big enough memory stick. More on that here: http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/369769

 

 

Now, lets do this case by case, based on what you have:

 

 

>>> FW 1.50 PSP and 2GB or larger mem stick

 

Install DevHook with stock FW 2.71 emulation using Ultimate Installer v1.1.1. Dump your own UMD to an iso. I know that Fastloader http://www.psp-hacks.com/file/90 works well for dumping isos. Run DevHook. Check these DevHook menu settings, most should already default to the right thing:

UMD SELECT - select your iso

BOOT SELECT - reboot XMB

OTHER MENU - UMD SFO VERSION - 2.xx to 2.00

 

I think that last one, 2.xx to 2.00, is the reason you have to dump the iso. It seems it only works when running off the iso, not from the UMD.

 

 

>>> FW 1.50 PSP and 1GB mem stick (maybe 512MB?)

 

The ISO can be ripped down to 850MB or less. I've never done this, so you'll have to search. UMDGEN is a well known rip kit that can do it. To get the dump, use Fastloader to dump in two parts, then put them back together on your computer with copy /b part1.iso + part2.iso full.iso

 

With compression and ripping, maybe it could fit on a 512MB card, but I'm not sure.

 

Or, you can use DevHook with USBHostFS and use your computer as the memory stick.

 

 

>>> Memory stick smaller than 1GB

 

You could use DevHook with USBHostFS to use your computer as the memory stick.

 

If you upgrade your PSP to DarkAleX's FW 2.71SE-B" http://www.psp-hacks.com/2006/11/02/271-se-b-se-b3-released/ you can run VCS off the UMD. You don't get to use cheatdevice this way, but at least you can play the game until things get worked out.

 

 

>>> FW 2.71 PSP or lower

 

You could downgrade to FW 1.50 if you do not have the TA-082 motherboard. Here's a tutorial: http://www.psp-hacks.com/forums/about17935.html

 

It's also possible to run DevHook from 2.71 with HEN_C. Here's chrislawrance's post about that: http://www.gtaforums.com/index.php?act=ST&...dpost&p=3914323

 

 

>>> FW 2.8 or 2.81 PSP:

 

You lose, game over. DevHook and downgraders require kernel mode. It took over a year for the last kernel exploit to be found.

Edited November 15, 2006 by edisoncarter

[makaveli 7]

alright thankz ill see if it work 4 me i cant do it now though cuz i dont have another game 2 do the switch thing but yeah i will 2morrow ill just come here if i have any problems thankz and do we need the switch thing 4 these or do we just have 2 start the game

Edited November 2, 2006 by makaveli 7

[Iron Fusion]

Whats the link to the usb edition? I'm poor and only have 32mb memory stick lol

[GTA3Freak-2001]

Can't 1.5'ers without a 2GB mem stick use IRShell and its feature of streaming data from your PC to your PSP to load the ISO? I've tried it but only for playing MP3's from my PC.

[ME.]

I have Devhook on 2.71 SE-b3 and VCS runs fine. but if i go to devhook and emulate normal 2.71 i cant play VCS(i tried the umd swap thing) so how am i going to use CD if i cant play the game? mabey im doing something wrong but please help i want to play with the CD.

 

and my mem card isnt big enough for the iso

 

[-Phoenix-]

 

Hmm...Maybe I'll just downgrade, since I can't get it to work with 2.71 normal.

 

I bought my PSP 2 days after it came out, and I don't see the TA-082 thing, so I should be fine...

[Destruction]

I'm using a CSO version of VCS on Darth Alex's 2.71 SE-B'' filmware, BUT I just got into the second island and everytime I go into Washington Beach I crash. Can anyone help with that?

[ME.]

my psp was 1.5 and i had devhook but i couldnt get the umd swap to work so i got SE but i need devhook for the CD so if i use devhook to get 2.71 i cant play the game... do i have to emulate normal 2.71 with devhook? i think they should make devhook emulate SE-b3

[Iron Fusion]

I have firmware 2.6 and after i install devhook and then the mods off that same download (to use the usb thing) But when i try to use it, it says This game cannot be started The data is corrupted. Thats for all of it. what do i do?

 

EDIT :Downgrade was successful! Going to try devhook again.

Edited November 3, 2006 by Iron Fusion

[GTA3Freak-2001]

I have firmware 2.6 and after i install devhook and then the mods off that same download (to use the usb thing) But when i try to use it, it says This game cannot be started The data is corrupted. Thats for all of it. what do i do?

You need to be on 1.5 Firmware to use Devhook so you need to downgrade.

[-Phoenix-]

 

If I use DarkAlex's 2.71 Firmware, I can downgrade back again right?

 

Edit: And it seems I can...

Edited November 3, 2006 by Jérémie Blanc

[cruisx]

if anmyone wants a 800mb ISO contact me via PM

[boblebob]

hello people heres my situation

i have a 1.5 psp with 0.46 devhook and i have an iso of the game which work fine and all that

however i want to buy the umd and play it,is there a way to do it with what ive got?

[23765]

you can also install to flash on a 2.71 se-b psp. i have done it to mine with both cheatdevice prx's.

[Iron Fusion]

Ok I got it all installed along with the usb thing and when i lauch devhook and then the program like it says in the guide "USBHostFS <c> TyRaNiD 2K6 and under that Connected to device. If it does not say connected to device and the PSP does not make a noise when devhook opens and it says Found new hardware PSP type B go to step 7) or else skip to step 8). " it dont say connected to device or Found new hardware.

[xFinch713x]

well i got the iso down to 660mb, yes the iso, not the cso, the cso lagged to much, so i took out ALL the radio stations, and it fits fine, and loads faster then the normal UMD, but, i want to use the umd i payed 50$ for...

[makaveli 7]

alright so how do i use the cheatdevice with a 1.5 psp and having the udm and a small mem card

[boblebob]

 

well i got the iso down to 660mb, yes the iso, not the cso, the cso lagged to much, so i took out ALL the radio stations, and it fits fine, and loads faster then the normal UMD, but, i want to use the umd i payed 50$ for...

me too mate i wanna use my umd so i can listen to the radio

 

if this isnt possible,will they ever develop something to play the UMD on 1.5?

Edited November 3, 2006 by boblebob

[jacoZ]

 

I'm dead.. I upgraded to 2.81, I thought you defenetly need 2.81 for GTA Vice City Stories.. ><. Will there be a downgrader?

[lloyd]

i have FW 2.00 so to use the cheatdevice and or play GTA:VCS i need to downgrade to 1.50.

rip the whole game onto my memstick and use devhook to play it ?

Edited November 4, 2006 by lloyd

[KermitTheMan]

With Dark_AleX's firmware 2.71 SE-B3 found here http://www.dark-alex.org/

 

you can flash the cheat device to your firmware with one of these

 

http://pspupdates.qj.net/VCS-CheatDevice-i...pg/49/aid/71690

http://www.gtaforums.com/index.php?showtopic=260156

 

I know the bottom one works because im using the CD right now. All the credit for the one here goes to rizza

[edisoncarter]

@jacoZ - There's no downgrader, and not likely to be one anytime soon. Some of the news pages were saying you had to upgrade to 2.81 for some reason, which is strange because the same news pages cover homebrew 24/7 so you'd think they would know about DevHook and know to try to find any way you can to avoid upgrading.

 

@lloyd - Yep, that's right.

[Evan04]

what should i do if i have firmware 2.6 and havent played vcs yet. i want cheat device too. can some1 please help , ive read this topic and it really confused me please help

[KermitTheMan]

You can downgrade to 1.5 then get 2.71 SE-B3 by dark alex.

 

There are a list of downgraders here http://dl.qj.net/index.php?pg=19&src=downg...6&go.x=0&go.y=0

 

I forgot which one i used.

[matthew1g]

 

>>> FW 2.8 or 2.81 PSP:

 

You lose, game over. DevHook and downgraders require kernel mode. It took over a year for the last kernel exploit to be found.

 

wouldn't modding the psp with the mod chip fix that problem?

[sum1isweird]

>>> FW 2.8 or 2.81 PSP:

 

You lose, game over. DevHook and downgraders require kernel mode. It took over a year for the last kernel exploit to be found.

 

wouldn't modding the psp with the mod chip fix that problem?

According to the chip's description, yes. The modchip for the PSP has become so unpopular now because of custom firmware though.

[boblebob]

You can downgrade to 1.5 then get 2.71 SE-B3 by dark alex.

 

There are a list of downgraders here http://dl.qj.net/index.php?pg=19&src=downg...6&go.x=0&go.y=0

 

I forgot which one i used.

could i emulate 2.71 SE-B3 by dark alex in devhook to play the umd?

and does swap trick work for 1.5?

[KermitTheMan]

No and No. But maybe one day devhook will have SE-B3.

[cjgta490]

is there an full installer so i can install 2.71 se-b3 as im currently on 2.01 and idk where 2 begin 2 install 2.71 any help will be greatly appreciated

[makaveli 7]

damn man when i try to downgrade from 2.71 se3 it says problem DADADA man this is making me mad right now the only option i have is to upgrade to 2.8.1 can somebody plz help me ive been ignored all weekend