Upgrade Your PSP From OE firmware to 3.52 M33
After Dark_Alex retired from the PSP homebrew scene, many people thought it was the end of the custom firmwares released by him. But it was not so, a few days later a Russian hacker team called M33 debuted their own custom firmware, which has now superseded Dark _Alex’s OE firmwares as number one. They work very hard on this firmware, and they make no profit from it. So I highly suggest that you visit their page, and make a donation so the M33 team can continue hacking the PSP.
It took me some time to figure out how to install this update on my PSP, because of a small misunderstanding. When you download the Update #4 (M33-4) file from any of the PSP sites, it is not the installer. This file will only patch an existing M33 3.52 firmware PSP with the new version. To save people a lot of work, I decided to write this tutorial which includes all the necessary files in one location. But first we need to make sure that your PSP satisfies the basic requirements.
- Make sure you are running the one of the custom 3.x0 OE firmwares (or an older M33 firmware). If you are running the official Sony firmware, check out this forum thread on PSP Firmware Downgrading.
- Make sure you battery is at least 75% full. The simplest way to make sure is leaving your PSP charger plugged in during the upgrade.
- You also need a Sony Duo Memory stick with at least 128 MB of free space.
First download the Zip Archive containing all the necessary programs for the upgrade. The archive avaliable on this website includes the M33 Creator, 1.50 and 3.52 official firmwares, and the M33 Update #4 patch. They are all necessary for a successful upgrade. You can download it from one of the following website:
http://karkri6.freehostia.com/download/3.52%20M33-4.zip
Mirror: http://files-upload.com/files/461107/3.52 M33-4.zip
Extract all the files onto your PSP in the PSP/GAME150 folder. It has to be the GAME150 folder, otherwise the upgrade file will not start. Next disconnect the PSP from the computer, and look into your application tab in the XMB menu. The application you want to launch is the “M33 Creator”. Let it run for a few minutes, and in the end you should see a message telling you that the upgrader was created successfully. If you only see a black screen for a long time, don’t do anything. This is perfectly OK, because the M33 Creator is doing it’s work in the background.
The next step is to run the actual upgrader. Look into the applications menu again, and you should see another application called the “M33 Upgrade 3.52″. After you have run it, you will be shown a disclaimer and asked to press the X key to confirm. Then after a few minutes (you might just see a black screen again) the upgrade will be completed, and you will have to press the X key again to shutdown your PSP.
Now you have the 3.52 firmware, but you still have to apply the M33-4 patch. This patch will fix any bugs since the original release, and it will introduce a few more features. The procedure to apply this patch is quite simple; just navigate into the applications menu and run the app called M33Update #4. In a few seconds a message will tell you that your PSP has been patched successfully, and pressing X will turn off the PSP. Finally you have upgraded your PSP to the latest and greatest custom firmware.
Make sure to check back often for updates on M33 firmwares, and all-in-one packages! And if you come across any problems with this tutorial, I suggest you visit the urPSP forums and post your query there.
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Hi there. Thanks for the guide. It works! XD
Though you might want to add that the calendar thing is actually the M33Update #4. ^^
Cheers~
Hi,
I just upgraded to 3.52 m33, can I update that to m33-4 after the first upgrade or did I have to do it all at the same time?
Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!
You can upgrade to 3.52m33#4.
Hi Karol,
I apologize for a really dumb one: I installed 3.52 M33 from 1.50 following the tutorial and now the system information says FW 3.52 M33. Unfortunately I must have overlooked something because I can’t start anything from the stick – not even the Upgrade-4. It always comes back with error “The game could not be started (80020148)”. As this was my son’s PSP, I’m afraif I’m in deep trouble now. Is there any way out of this? Can you help to make it play?
Thanks a lot in advance,
Frank
I don’t think that you bricked your PSP because it still starts up.
Just make sure you placed the update into the PSP/GAME150 folder (create it if it does not exist).
What other games give you the error? You might have placed it in the right folder (GAME352 vs GAME15).
Thanks Karol,
Creating the GAME150 folder did the trick!
thanks so much! easy to follow simple guide.
worked perfectly!
Hey guys
i just having a probs with my psp.
when i try to run any game from my mem stick then it says “the game could not be started (80020148)
plssssssss helpppppppppp
Hey guys, iv been searching everywhere for a solution and couldnt find a straightforward guide that suits me. And i remembered this forum and how many times it has saved my life,
here it goes;
i have a psp version 3.71, and i have to downgrade it. Apparently the only way is use ‘pandoras battery’, and i read you need another psp (Which i do no have/cannot get/borrow). So i would like to know if there is a way, and a step by step guide ( i can be a bit slow sometimes, bear with me please).
I have 1 Gb memory stick and the original psp.
It’s possible to hardmod your battery. See my post about different Pandora’s Guides here:
http://www.krizka.net/2008/01/22/going-from-380-to-380m33-on-your-psp/
hey guys
i have a 3.40 OE-A firmware in my psp. i extracted the files in the GAME 150 folder but it still doesnt show me anything in the XMB application menu. i am in serious need of an upgrade. guys pls help me out as soon as you can
I have a launch PSP (fat) with orginal sony firmware 1.5.
I’m a bit confused b/c most tutorials are for PSPs with higher official firmwares.
Your link on PSP downgrading is dead.
Do I still need to “downgrade” my 1.5 psp to a custom 3.x0 OE firmware in order install 3.52 M33?
When I used homebrew I used devhook, but I’ve been out of the scene for a while and the homebrew scene has totally changed.
If you can point me in the right direction, it would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
I am quite sure you can go directly from 1.50 to 3.52M33, since the installer still uses the 1.50 kernel code. I also think that I done the same before on my sister’s PSP, so it should work.
PS: Thanks for pointing out the broken link, I’m going to find a new one soon.
Thanks for the quick reply.
My 1.5 PSP doesn’t have a GAME15 Folder, so i made one manually and extracted the contents of the zip….
My xmb doesn’t have an “applications tab” to launch the M33 Creator.
So what I did was extract the contents of the 3.52 M33-4 into my GAME folder…
I can then see the M33 Creator in my xmb under Games, but when I launch it it says “Game could not be started.” I tried with and without a UMB inserted.
Any ideas what I’m doing wrong? Sorry for the noob questions.
You should have extracted it into the PSP/GAME150 (yup, create it if it does not exist) folder and not PSP/GAME folder. Also Applications tab == Games tab.
I’m in the same situation as insult, I have a lunch 1.50 firmware PSP. I’ve downloaded your files and created a GAME150 folder, but the PSP does not see any games/apps from that folder. If I put it in the GAME folder I can see the apps, but they cannot launch correctly.
Any ideas?
hello i am a complete newbe when it comes to psps in general. I have a psp version 2.80 how and where can i upgrade it to 3.52 m33-4.
this site it well layed out when i do get up to scratch it can see this site being very helpfull
worked !!
Any advise whether i should now upgrade to 3.71 ?
How long does it take for the 3.52 to write firmware been waiting for over 15 min. light still flashin, says writing 3.52 firmware?
I don’t exactly remember, but it did take quite a long time. All I can tell you is that if it takes an hour, then something is wrong. :S
tnx i can now play my cso games…your intructions is so easy..
tnx a lot
Thank you! This tutorial is very well written.
I am experiencing a problem. After i run m33 creator, appeared on the screen small white letters. But, after a while, it has gone completely black, with no flash lights indicating it is turned on (only the power orange light). Did it finished already ? or something went wrong ?
Thank you.
Everything ok! my mistake!
hi,
i have a psp fat with official firmware 3.52 and want to change to cfw 3.71 m33. at one of the website i read a warning that a psp with the mother board no. as ic1003 which is same as mine cannot be degraded other wise they end up bricked.so how can i change my firmware without degrading.
Great simple instructions. Nice work. Thanks!
Hi, does it format your memory stick in any way?
‘Cse I want to use the memory stick that I use for playing games and I am afraid that my Saved Data may be lost during the upgrade.
Just backup the contents of your memory stick to your computer before you attempt the upgrade.
While I was attempting to copy the files, I get the error: The device is not ready.
Any suggestions?
While waiting for the actual upgrade, i impatiently pressed up, left, down, right on the d-pad out of fear of the lack of response my psp gave me… Did this mess up my psp or should i keep waiting and hope?
thanks for the guide works absolutely perfectly – some advice – be PATIENT while waiting for the creator to run, took about an hour on my psp for some reason.
thanks again
I actually don’t think this guide is perfectly clear. I don’t know what directory to extract the files to because the zip file has multiple directories within it. Do I extract every file from every folder within the zip file to /psp/game150? Wouldn’t some of the files be overwritten? I want to try this, but I’m still not sure…
After I did all this I turned on my psp and none of the buttons worked, what can I do???
After I did all this, none of the buttons would work, what can I do?
Oh dang thanks alot =D
Ur links aren’t working so do i have to click on them or wat……plz help!!!!!!!
Excellent!! very clear and easy to follow instructions.
Thank you.
Mozte mi poradit mam system software 5.01 a mal by som ho zmenit na M33.som zaciatocnik a vobec neviem ako to urobit spomina sa tam aj firmware.prosim poradte mi dakujem.
hey dude, i like ur tutorial, but, i tried to launch the M33 creator, but after about 5 seconds after i clicked, i get a message saying “The game could not be started. (80020148)” what does this mean and what should i do?
you need to creat a folder called GAME150, other than the existing GAME folder
May the Spirir of M33 never fall! Thank You very much u have my blessing!
WOW!
thanks a lot..
jancok asu raimu gateli
man i thank you very much i love you for this i looked on the internet for days and finally i found it very clear and easy t understand i will tell my friend here in panama about your site
se le quiere mucho y muy buena suerte amigo
I’v looked everywhere and couldn’t find the answer? i upgraded my psp froma ver1.5 to 3.40 OE-A. when i want to run 3.52 m33 creator it keeps telling me “the game could not be started (80020148)”. now all the tutorials i see about this problem already have the m33 installed i think? it’s been a really long time i haven’t hacked my psp so i’m a noob now can anyone please help?
NVM thanks alot i figured it out
i’m running in m33 3.51, but i cant upgrade it to anything else. when i try with the m33 creator for 3.52 it saids “the game could not be started. (80020148). would some1 pls tell me what to do here?
I have a PSP fat 3.03 OE-C. Do I still need a Pandora Battery & Magic Memory Stick to do this tutorial?
I’m new so, I’m scared to try what I’m not sure about.
Thanks!
Hi guys, I apologize in advanse, my system software is 5.03, do I need to downgrade firs and if so could I get a link. Please
thanks dude, i have successfully done it without bricking my psp
.
can anyone post pictures of their results.. i wan’t to see the features
sry. just not sure if i’ll do the upgrade properly.
hey pls kindly help me thx …. if i update my firmware from 3.51 to this 3.52 k i stil play my pirated game … pls reply i will apprecieate it thx man …
hey pls reply me this question thx man … if i update this firmware k i stil play my pirated games ?? pls reply thx man
I tried this, but as soon as I run the first program, 3.52 M33 Creator, my screen goes black than turns off. Any help?
Yea me upgrade isnt working, when i go to a game from my mem stick, it goes straight to my umd. any ideas? before i upgraded i had 3.40 oe
Dan I kept running into the same problem and for the life of me couldn’t figure it out. After 4hrs of trial and error i found the solution. Simply format your mem stick and for safe measure restore your default settings. This hopefully gives you a clean slate to work with. Then drop the files as instructed into the game150 folder and you should be set. Hope that helps.
this is the cool update
amazing how you explain the psp upgrading. thanks very much, in sorry for my english but i do my best.
This help me a lot with my psp, I really thank you.
Thank you… It really works…
my psp cant read games…..but it can read themes and MP3’s……what should i do so that i can play games???????????
any suggestions or comments……….
i need your help…………………………..
GRACIAS MUY UTIL. TODO OK.