My name is Karol Krizka, and I am a undergraduate student at SFU where I study physics and computer science. In my free time, I write simple applications and play with my PSP.PSP Custom Firmware 3.71 M33 Guide
Karol Krizka @ September 30, 2007
PSPThe following article will guide you through installing the latest (and greatest 
) custom PSP firmware version 3.71 M33 that was produced by no other than Dark_Alex himself. Not only this guide describes how to get the basic custom functionality, which was already described in great detail, but also talks about how to install the 1.50 kernel patch and the Custom Firmware Extender 1.6. If you come across any problems with this tutorial, I suggest you visit the urPSP forums and post your query there.
Requirements
- A fat PSP with firmware version 3.52 M33-3 or greater. The installer will not work with anything lower than this. You can check out my 3.52 M33-4 guide to find out how to upgrade
- Or a slim PSP with 3.60 M33 firmware. I do not have a slim PSP, so I cannot help you with it. However this seems like a good tutorial on upgrading to 3.60 M33.
- At least a memory stick with 128 MB of free space
- Fully charged battery (or just leave it plugged in the power)
- M33 installation package that includes the SONY official firmware version 3.71 & 1.50, CFW extender, 1.50 kernel patch.
- Patience to follow this guide step by step
Install 3.71 M33
- Connect your PSP to the computer via a USB cable.
- Copy all files on the memory stick to a hard drive. This is a backup just in case something evil happens, even if it’s unlikely.
- Copy the UPDATE folder (found in PSP/GAME folder in the installation package) to the PSP/GAME folder on your PSP.
- Disconnect your PSP from the computer
- Navigate to the games section of the XMB on your PSP and select the Memory Stick tab
- Run the application called “PSP Update ver 3.71″
- Press X if asked to correct idstorage keys
- Press X after that to continue
- You will be asked to install the official 3.71 SONY update, so follow their instructions. Don’t worry, the installer will patch it to run homebrew afterwards.
- Your PSP will restart automatically after this update is complete
- Apply the 3.71 M33-2 Patch
- You now have 3.71 M33 on your PSP!
Install 1.50 Homebrew Support For the PSP
- This patch will delete the Location Free Player and the Korean font in order to increase space available. Do not install it if you use these features, use eLoader instead.
- Connect your PSP to the computer via a USB cable.
- Copy the 150.pbp file from the installation package to the root of your PSP memory stick.
- Copy the UPDATE15 folder (found in PSP/GAME folder in the installation package) to the PSP/GAME folder on your PSP.
- Rename the copied UPDATE15 folder to UPDATE. If you do not do this, it will only show up as “corrupted data”
- Disconnect your PSP from the computer
- Navigate to the games section of the XMB on your PSP and select the Memory Stick tab
- Run the application called “PSP Update ver 1.50″
- Press X to continue
- Wait as your PSP paches itself
- Your PSP will restart automatically after this update is complete
- You can now run 1.50 applications on your 3.71 PSP!
Install Custom Firmware Extender 1.6
- Connect your PSP to the computer via a USB cable.
- Copy the seplugins folder from the installation package to the root of your PS
- Disconnect your PSP from the computer and turn it fully off
- Start your PSP while holding the R button, this will access the recovery menu
- Scroll down to Plugins and hit X
- Enable the cfe_game.prx plugin by selecting it and pressing the X button
- Enable the cfe_vsh.prx plugin by selecting it and pressing the X button
- Go back and exit
- In the XMB press Note+Volume Up to see the list of all available commands
- Close it by pressing the circle button
- Navigate to the “System Information” page hidden in the System Settings section of the XMB
- Press Note+Screen to take a screen shot
- Download it to your computer from the PICTURES folder on the memory stick
- Upload it to the internet, and leave a comment on this post with the link
Trubleshooting
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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[...] finished writing my tutorial on upgrading to the latest 3.71M33 firmware, and it is available here: PSP Custom Firmware 3.71 M33 Guide | Karol Krizka It includes the following:Step By Step [...]
Nice post Karol!
Keep up the good work. Greetings here from the Philipines.
ciao.
Ok right now i used your other guide for upgrading to 3.52 m33-4 from 3.03 oe-c it worked and im using this guide to upgrade to 3.71 m33-2 and i just ran the update version 3.71 and i just have a black screen. It hasn’t done anything for a couple of minutes. Is my psp bricked or what. Is this normal??
Also I have corrupted data with the updater is that normal too????????????
Plz get back to my A.S.A.P. Thank-you.
works on psp slim? i already have 3.60M33 implemented, and i haven’t found a single slim tutorial on how to get it done.
Read my latest post.
[...] marcus: works on psp slim? i already have 3.60M33 implemented, and i haven’t found a single slim tutorial on… [...]
Karol
Thanks for this great tutorial (and the one on 3.52). They were the clearest that I’ve come across and encouraged me to upgrade from 3.30-OEA’.
One quick question, am I able to delete the seplugins folder or does that folder have to stay if I want to use the screen shot function for instance?
Speaking of screen shots, check it out per your request:
[URL=http://imageshack.us][IMG]http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/7926/snap001ap8.png[/IMG][/URL]
Thanks again
Dr. Strangepork
Karol
Thanks for the great tutorial!
I finally upgraded from 3.30 OE!
Here’s the proof per your request
[URL=http://imageshack.us][IMG]http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/7926/snap001ap8.png[/IMG][/URL]
Hmm… Very off-topic but… Your new ISO article of the site doesn’t work.
Yeah, I have to look at it why. For some reason it’s being cataloged as a September post with October. I might repost it later on.
[...] Karol Krizka: Yeah, I have to look at it why. For some reason it’s being cataloged as a September post with… [...]
In the guide you said copy some files to the root of the psp, whats the root?
The root is the top level folder of your memory stick.
I did everything you have stated and I checked in the system info that my fat ps is 3.52 M33-4. When I try to run the 3.71 update it stills says that I need 3.52 m33-3 or higher, how can I overcomer this problem please?
Hi every one, I notified no one replied to Lancer’s query, I am bothered as I am facing the same problem.
I upgraded from 3.04OE-A to 3.52M33 & then to 3.52M33-4 successfully with out error using the exact same procedure advised in :
http://www.krizka.net/2007/08/24/upgrade-your-psp-from-oe-firmware-to-352-m33/
Even now my PSP states I have 3.52M33-4 however when I run 3.71 update it stills says that I need 3.52 m33-3 or higher, then the PSP restarts back to 3.52M33-4.
Can some one plz assist ?
yup. same problem here. i upgraded using the 3.52 M33 guide on this website and i encountered the same problem as these guys above me. same exact thing.
hold down R hwen you turn on the PSP. this puts it into recovery mode. go to registry hacks, then down to kernel mode (ore something like that…) it will say 1.50 so click it and it will cahnge to 3.52. exit recovery mode anc then follow the walkthrough.
easy!(ish…)
I get an error when i try to run the 3.71 upgrade, it says error 80020148 but its just for the upgrade program, i can play games and i’ve already tried changing the recovery no UMD option thingy it still didn’t work
Make sure the game folder is in 3.52 kernel mode.
So how do i do that?
HackerYami wrote:
[...]So how do i do that?[...]
Hold the right trigger when your PSP is off, then turn it on. Keep holding it, and you’ll get into the so-called recovery menu. From there, you go to configuration, and change your kernel to 3.52.
Oiii man, the file you gave as the m33 instalation is wrong, the Update folder in the installation folder only has 371.pbp and EBOOT.pbp so it wont work you need have a umodele.prx then all of them go in the x:/PSP/GAME
I included everything that was in the 3.72M33 package that I downloaded from Dark_Alex’s website. I did find it weird that it was missing the umodele.prx file, but I though that was just a change in the new release. Maybe the download got corrupted for me, or I deleted it by mistake before I noticed it.
For now you can try using the first version of M33:
http://krizka.net/download/files/3.71%20M33.zip
Already done it all myself, but thanks for the help, the new themes are great
Say, Karol…
I’m working on some PSP tutorials, to get people who have just installed a custom firmware to get the best out of their PSP.
I was wondering… Can I link to certain writings you made, giving you full credit for those writings?
My tutorial can be found at http://www.freeforum101.com/xpand . It’s still very much a work in progress, just as my other tutorial.
Go ahead.
As long as you link back, it’s ok with me.
Alright.
That’ll save me some time. The things here are very clearly illustrated, so why not just link to those things once in a while?
Thanks
Thought I’d let everyone know…
My new PSP tutorials and stuff will be placed at http://www.xpandworks.com/forums .
hi friend can some one help me i from 3.52m33-4 then i down load the 3.71m33 just one to play the monster hunter G2 game but start to up date my system that came out erro that happen pls reply me thank for your help
[...] HackerYami: Already done it all myself, but thanks for the help, the new themes are great [...]
after running the update that removes the location free player, is the icon of the location free player still suppose to be there or not? because i ran the update and the icon of the locetion free player is still there so im not sure if i did it correctly
the ‘M33 installation package’ link doesn’t work, so I can’t download it. D:
My webhost was undergoing some maintenance during the last day or so, maybe you tried to access it during that time.
someone help…cant get extender to work. V1.5 opens with note+Vol(+) but then I cant get none of the options to function via the button combinations listed.
V1.7 opens with note+Vol(-) and the same happens. Different screen.
Both versions will exit the function screen via the ‘O’ button.
Im running 3.71 without the -2 patch, does this have to installed?
Any help..much appreciated
I am not sure what the problem could be, and you do not need to have to upgrade to -2 patch. Make sure you are pressing all the necessary buttons at the same time? That’s the best advice I can give you.
Also check that you have enabled all plugins in the recovery menu.
Hi every one, I noticed no one replied to Lancer’s query, I am bothered as I am facing the same problem.
I upgraded from 3.04OE-A to 3.52M33 & then to 3.52M33-4 successfully with out error using the exact same procedure advised in :
http://www.krizka.net/2007/08/24/upgrade-your-psp-from-oe-firmware-to-352-m33/
Even now my PSP states I have 3.52M33-4 however when I run 3.71 update it stills says that I need 3.52 m33-3 or higher, then the PSP restarts back to 3.52M33-4.
Can some one plz assist ?
In the recovery menu (advanced) set your Kernal to 3.52 as you prob have it on 1.5 after updating from 3.4oe to 3.52 m33.
so how do i get to the recovery menu?
I have 3.52 M33-4 version why i cannot upgrade my psp to 3.71. I tried but the game could not be started.
I’m very much thankfull that you gave how to upgrade my psp to 3.71 M33-2.
Hi, to play download games. Do i need to use the custom FW? Please advise
You do not the custom firmware to play any games that you legally own, even the ones that you downloaded from the official SONY store.
Thank You very much for the tutorial on how to upgrade in 3.71. I’d just upgraded my psp from 3.52 M33-4 to 3.71 M33-2.
I’m very much appreciated what you are doing.
Pls. help me in plugins during umd game i’d just want to capture som scenes but when i push up button then it capture. When i look up in MS0 i did not seen the capture data.
I’m hoping for your response.
Did you look into the MS0:/pictures folder? That is where they should be saved. Also the key combo is “Note+Screen”, so I am not sure what UP button you are talking about.
When i’m playing games i’d just want to capture some scenes but when i use these key combo ” Note+Screen ” nothing happens. I’d think that this screenshot capture plugins is not functioning.
I have a newly psp White version 3.11. Pls help to upgrade to 3.71 M33.
I’m hoping for response.
I upgraded my psp to 3.71 from the original network update. I found out about playing isos after the update. I downloaded the 3.71 m33 file and tried to run the installation. my psp says it is already up to date. how can i get around this?
You need to use the Pandora’s Battery to downgrade your PSP.
I have 3.71M33, and got a 8GB mem stick.
When I play my ISO’s, I get a few saves then the saves get corrupted. Any ideas why?
Hey there. I installed everything to the “T” as stated in your tutorial. When it booted back up ( saved data utility), the buttons on my psp dont work anymore ( d-pad, x o,triangle, square). I tried using pandora to unbrick it, but no use. Can you please help me out? I have tried everything, but it seems the update got my psp stuck somehow. Also just to mention, in recovery mode (holding down R at start up) the buttons do work. PLeeeeeeease help me.
-e
hey Karol/all, i’m lost! i’ve got a psp “genuine” v1.50 - stored in a cupboard!
I’ve bought a few 2gb memsticks, whats best for me to play the downloaded iso/cso games?
my friend gave me humma kavula (sounds a bit voodoo & taboo) but i’d like an expert opinion - what to do with genuine v1.50 to play some copied games…?
thanks guys.
You go to a store and buy the game.
Hey guys if you got a 1.50 just upgrade to 3.52 m33-3 and then get 3.71 m33-4
Thanks a million. Had upgraded to 3.10OE 6 months or so ago and totally forgot how I did it. Searching the web, there’s a lot of contradictory info out there from questionable sources. Followed your guides here and used the files in your links and was upgraded to 3.71 M33 in no time. Thanks
Sony release new update version 3. 72, some extra features added.
That is true, and there is a CFW already available, but it is not fully from Dark_Alex, so I will not be covering it here.
But he did release a new patch for 3.71, so a quick guide will be coming up soon.
What about a new patch for 3.71. i’ve just downloaded but i’ve never been installed to psp du to i’m doubt about it.
have just updated to 3.71 many thanks but still cant get remote play to work with ps3 says a firmware update is required ? any help please
just wanted to congratulate you for your effort. Im new at the homebrew scene and the guides r really helpful. Keep the guides coming!!!!
i have a fat psp with original sony 3.71 firmware so can i install custom firmware 3.71-M33 or can i downgrade it to 1.5?? Please help me!!
You need to downgrade to 1.50 with Pandora’s battery first.
I have official firmware 3.71. I am trying to create a Pandora battery but to be able to do it I need a psp with v1.50. So I cannot downgrade 3.71 anymore unless I purchase a Pandora’s battery? Thanks.
Hi. I have a PSP that was unbricked with 3.71 M33. Now, when I try to update to 3.72, I get a message stating that the memory stick cannot be read. Does this mean that if you go M33 you are locked out of regular upgrades?
I do not believe so, try formating your memory stick and then trying again.
But then, why would you want to go from M33 to official firmware? M33 offers the same features, and more.
[...] Karol Krizka: I do not believe so, try formating your memory stick and then trying again. But then, why would you… [...]
Is it possible to downgrade from the new 3.72 OFW or will i have to wait for 3.72 m33
Yes, using Pandora’s battery.
PLEASE be patient with me! Not only am I a total Noob, I’m just a grandma of 3, mother of 4, who is just trying to get the most out of her 2 PSPs to keep the grandkids busy on road trips when I have to take them along on my business trips (OK, and maybe have a bit of fun on my rare down time).
I have downgrade both of my PSPs to Custom Firmware version 3.71 M33-2 by way of Pandoras Battery, but the only thing I have been able to get working on them (other than the UMDs I own) is SNES EMU (snes9xTYL-0.4.2me_fw3x). I was able to get Breath of Fire III.cso to work for a while, but without making any change I know of, it stopped loading tonight! I have tried several GBA and other EMUs but all result in the same message as I now get from trying to load the Breath of Fire - “The game could not be started (80020321)” When I contacted the gentleman who made the Pandora’s Battery for me, he suggested that I needed to change my kernel to 1.50. I did this but still get same msg when I try to load.
Any Ideas?
Your help is greatly appreciated!
install the 1.5 addon patch V2 from Dark Alex’s home page.
Also install update #3 for 3.71M33 from DA’s site.
Also, in recovery menu(hold r trigger when starting psp) set umd mode/iso loader to sony np9660.
Hi i had just upgraded my psp 3.03oe to 3.52m33-4.thank you
I got a 2nd psp ver 3.30 but i cant play my psp games from my memory stick which i used to play in my 3.03oe. Can someone help. Thank u again
Official firmwares (3.30 in this case) are different from the custom firmwares (3.03 OE and 3.52 M33-4 in this case) you’ve been using on the other PSP before.
Official firmwares do not allow for the playing of game or homebrew files from the memory stick. In order to get the same functionality as your other PSP, you’ll have to put a custom firmware on your second PSP.
Now, in your case, you should be able to easily downgrade your new PSP by creating a “Pandora” combination.
I’ve looked for a few links to help you out, but beware, the battery and memory stick you’ll have to use will not be working normally afterwards, unless you convert them back again (to their normal state). Here they are:
Pandora’s combination guide:
http://irshell.org/showthread.php?tid=345
Despertar del Cementerio v3 guide (use AFTER you’ve made a Pandora’s combo, this’ll allow you to upgrade PSPs directly to firmware 3.71 M33-2) :
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/573328
Good luck
im new to this custom firmware thing i want to kno does m33 fw do the same thing has fw 3.71, wat do i need to do to get it ?
The M33 does the same thing, but also has added functionality like the ability to run homebrew applications. You need a friend with already modded PSP to create a Pandora’s battery (just google, there are many good guides) so you can downgrade to 1.50. Then you can upgrade to 3.71M33.
hai. I just upgraded my psp from 3.40 oe to 3.52 m33-4 (thanks for the firmware&steps) but i have a little problem when upgrading my psp from 3.52 to 3.71; it says : error checking idstorage degeneration. is there a step i miss or something?? thank you again
your help is appreciated
This might be due to a corrupted IDstorage.
The IDstorage is the “place” in which the PSP keeps alot of the PSP-specific data, like what MAC-adress your PSP has online.
If the IDstorage is fully erased, then the PSP won’t even turn on anymore. If it’s just corrupted, on the other hand, you can try a keycleaner program (I’d advise http://pspupdates.qj.net/KeyCleaner-v1-2/pg/49/aid/101591).
Keycleaner programs are dangerous, they might cause your PSP to stop working, so if you don’t have a good reason to upgrade to 3.71, please don’t use them.
If you’re gonna use a keycleaner, first make sure you have the following things:
1. A text like “IC1003″ inside the UMD drive.
2. A NAND backup of the PSP (like the Pandora combination can make).
Another thing, which is probably better to try first, providing you don’t have a text like “IC1003″ inside your UMD drive, would be a full downgrade to version 1.50, and then a direct upgrade to 3.52 M33. After that you can patch it to 3.52 M33-4, and try the 3.71 M33 update again.
Anyway… Good luck
hi i have the official 3.71 version on my psp, which i installed from the psp network update. will i be able to install 3.71 M33 straight on to it??
Nope. In order to normally install a custom firmware, you need to upgrade to it from firmware 1.50.
3.71 M33 is different in this aspect: You need to be on the 3.52 M33 custom firmware with patch #3 or 4 installed before you can upgrade.
In order to get your PSP on firmware 1.50, you’ll need to downgrade it. Downgrading has risks attached; there’s about a 10% chance of something going wrong.
Then there’s another condition… Official firmwares above 3.50 can NOT be downgraded normally. They can only be downgraded with a modified battery and memory stick (the “Pandora” or “Cementar del Despertario” combination).
These combinations can only be made on a PSP with a custom firmware, so you’ll need to ask around for this with people you know who have a PSP.
One more thing: If you’re going to use a Pandora combination, please open up your UMD drive first, and look for a code like “IC1003″ inside. If you see this text inside (usually at the top), there’s more risk attached, as your PSP has a newer motherboard.
Oops. I messed up with the “Cementar del Despertario” part. It’s supposed to be “Despertar del Cementerio”, lol.
So damn hard to spell!
my friend has a psp with 3.71 M33-2 on it. can i downgrade mine using that?
Yup, just google for “Pandora’s battery”. There are many good guides.
If you’re gonna go for a downgrade through a standard (non-despertar) Pandora combination, be sure that your PSP doesn’t have a text like IC1003 inside the UMD drive first!
If you’re gonna use the newer Despertar combo (I’d advise v3), you’ll be safe anyway.
Has anyone gotten BEATS to work using 3.71M33 CFW? I downloaded it but I get an error when I run it…i’ve tried various config settings to no avail.
What is the error? I heard reports on the PSPMod forums that the game works on custom firmwares too.
I haven’t tried the game yet (no PS3 for the PS Store), but I’m thinking that you don’t need any specific modes to run it, because it uses some functions from the official firmware. If anything, try to use the NSsomething mode.
error 80020148 is what I get for Beats…I have tried various setting in config. and nothing seems to work.
Where have you seen reports that it does work? I realize that many people pay for the game and that works for them but I am talking about a P2P copy of the game which I think does not work.
I heard it on the PSPMod forum, and I think they are talking about the legally purchased game. If you want to play Beats, then I suggest buying it. It only costs $5.