In the following I will write a detailed guide on how to update your PSP to the newest hackable Firmware and how to install the newest (Light) Custom Firmware.
This will not be a fancy guide. Don't await any fancy graphics, this will be a simple text guide with a few screenshots to help you.

Foreword:
This guide will be divided into 5 parts. A Custom Firmware for Firmware 6.20, one for Firmware 6.35 and one for Firmware 6.39. I also added the downgrading option for the people who want to have the permanent 6.20. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU BRICK YOUR PSP. This tutorial was created by me, but every program in this thread was created by others.

Differences between 6.20 PRO, 6.35 PRO and 6.39 PRO:
The main difference between those two is, that the 6.20 PRO can be installed permanently. That means, if you turn off the PSP, that it is still installed. The 6.35 PRO and 6.39 PRO can only be installed temporarily and will be erased as soon as you turn off your PSP. This is due to the new checks that were build in the 6.35. A permanent patch for it would require a lot of work. If a permanent patch for 6.35 get's released, I will update this thread to reflect the new changes. The compatibility should be nearly or exactly the same for backups, homebrew and plugins. The 6.20 PRO can't be installed permanently on every PSP. Some new models of the PSP 3000 (9g) doesn't allow you to install it permanently. On this PSP's, you can only install the 6.20 PRO temporarily or the 6.35 PRO 9g is limited to PSP 3000, so if you have a PSP 1000, 2000 or Go, you don't need to worry about it.

Information about 9g's:
Newer PSP 3000 models come with Firmware 6.35. They have the modelnumber 9g and new drivers. These PSP's can't be downgraded to 6.20 (DON'T TRY IT, YOU WILL RECEIVE A BRICK) and you can't install the 6.20 PRO permanently to the PSP. If you have a PSP 3000 and installed your PRO, always look into the System Information and notice what g you have. If your g is something else than 9, you can downgrade and install the 6.20 PRO permanently. If your PSP is 9g, you can only install the Custom Firmwares temporarily.

Advantages:
The PSP Scene developed a lot. We came a long way from downgraders, different Exploits and the discovery of the Pandora Battery. Today, we can put a Custom Firmwares on our PSP with very small effort. Old Custom Firmwares were mostly limited to older Firmwares that were patched very fast. Today, things like the easy install of Custom Firmwares are possible due to signed eboots. In my opinion, these new Custom Firmwares are better then the old Custom Firmwares. They are much easier to install and games that needed patches to work on old Custom Firmwares, work without problems now.


Meet the requirements:
First, you need to know on what Firmware you are right now.
To do this, turn on your PSP,scroll all the way to the left and scroll down until you see the System Settings and press X. Scroll down again until you see the System Information and press X again.

There are 3 points right now
System Software: X.XX
Nickname:
MAC Address:

If your System Software is lower than 6.35 or is exactly 6.35, this tutorial can help you on your way to homebrew.

Next you download the PSP Module Checker, put it on your PSP's memorystick and run it. It shows what kind of PSP you have (only important for PSP 3000, others can be ignored). If your PSP has 9g, you can't install the 6.20 permanent and can't downgrade to 6.20. PSP's with 9g can only be downgraded to 6.35 to run the 6.35 PRO or the 6.39 PRO (without the need of downgrading).


Now comes the most important part. If you want the 6.20 Custom Firmware, which can be installed permanently, please look at the first part. If your Firmware is over 6.20, but under or exactly 6.35, you can install the 6.35 Light Custom Firmware. For this, look at the second part. I reflected the installation of the 6.39 one on the third part.

THIS IS FOR 6.20​

What you need:
Firmware 6.20 (PSP Go)
Firmware 6.20 (PSP 1000, 2000 and 3000)
6.20 PRO-B9
A memory stick with enough space/enough space on your PSP Go.


If your Firmware is below 6.20:
Download the 6.20 update. It comes as an EBOOT.PBP, if not, rename it this way. Connect your PSP to your Computer and copy the EBOOT.PBP into the folder PSP/GAME/UPDATE. This means that you create these folders, if they are not presented. When you open your PSP, there should be a folder called PSP, inside should be a folder called GAME, inside the folder should be a folder called UPDATE. If one of these folders are not presented, just create them. Copy your downloaded EBOOT.PBP in the UPDATE folder. It should look like this:

When it looks like this, just turn your PSP on, go to the memory stick and start the UPDATE. Follow the explanation and your PSP is updated to Firmware 6.20.


If your Firmware is 6.20 and you want to install the Custom Firmware permanently:
The permanent patch is only installable if you have a PSP belog 9g. Trying to install the permanent patch on a PSP 9g will brick the PSP. To know what g you have, install the 6.20 PRO-B6 (but not the permanent patch) and look into the system information. At the very bottom, you can see what g you have. Download the 620PRO-B9.rar I linked above. Extract the RAR File (if you don't know what I mean, google for Winrar and Install it.) and copy the folders
PROUPDATE and 620PRO_Permanent
inside your PSP/GAME folder. If they are not present on your PSP, create a folder called PSP, and inside, create a folder called GAME inside it and copy these two folders inside it. If you have a PSP 3000, you should look into the System Information now. On the screenshot above, you can see that your Xg is listed at the bottom of the information. If you have 9g, then you are finished now. You can only install it temporarily on the 3000 9g. If your g is not 9g, you can process onward. After you installed the PROUPDATE, run the Permanent Patch and Press X and after you read the brick warning, press X again.

If your Firmware is 6.20 and you want to install the Custom Firmware temporarily:
Download the 620PRO-B9.rar I linked above. Extract the RAR File (if you don't know what I mean, google for Winrar and Install it.) and copy the folders
PROUPDATE and FastRecovery (FastRecovery starts the Custom Firmware again if you turned your PSP off. Just needs a few seconds)
inside your PSP/GAME folder. If they are not present on your PSP, create a folder called PSP, and inside, create a folder called GAME inside it and copy these two folders inside it.

This is how your folder should look like after extracting the file you downloaded above:

Copy the correct folders I stated above on your PSP.

Turn your PSP on and go to the memory stick. Start the PRO Update.

The Firmware should install automatically. If not, hold L and press X.

After you started the PROUPDATE on 6.20, start the Permanent Patch to install your 6.20 permanently. When you start it, press X, read the brick warning and press X again. After the PSP restarted, start the permanent patch again and press X and the O. Now it will be installed.

THIS IS FOR 6.35​

What you need:
Firmware 6.35 (PSP Go)
Firmware 6.35 (PSP 1000, 2000 and 3000)
6.35 PRO-B9
A memory stick with enough space/enough space on your PSP Go.


If your Firmware is below 6.35:
Download the 6.35 update. It comes as an EBOOT.PBP, if not, rename it this way. Connect your PSP to your Computer and copy the EBOOT.PBP into the folder PSP/GAME/UPDATE. This means that you create these folders, if they are not presented. When you open your PSP, there should be a folder called PSP, inside should be a folder called GAME, inside the folder should be a folder called UPDATE. If one of these folders are not presented, just create them. Copy your downloaded EBOOT.PBP in the UPDATE folder. It should look like this:

When it looks like this, just turn your PSP on, go to the memory stick and start the UPDATE. Follow the explanation and your PSP is updated to Firmware 6.35.

If your Firmware is 6.35:
Download the 635PRO-B9.rar I linked above. Extract the RAR File (if you don't know what I mean, google for Winrar and Install it.) and copy the folders
PROUPDATE and FastRecovery (FastRecovery starts the Custom Firmware again if you turned your PSP off. Just needs a few seconds)
inside your PSP/GAME folder. If they are not present on your PSP, create a folder called PSP, and inside, create a folder called GAME inside it and copy these two folders inside it.

This is how your folder should look like after extracting the file you downloaded above:

Copy the correct folders I stated above on your PSP.

Turn your PSP on and go to the memory stick. Start the PRO Update.

The Firmware should install automatically. If not, hold L and press X.

THIS IS FOR 6.39​

What you need:
Firmware 6.39 (PSP Go)
Firmware 6.39 (PSP 1000, 2000 and 3000)
6.39 PRO-B9
A memory stick with enough space/enough space on your PSP Go.


If your Firmware is below 6.39:
Download the 6.39 update. It comes as an EBOOT.PBP, if not, rename it this way. Connect your PSP to your Computer and copy the EBOOT.PBP into the folder PSP/GAME/UPDATE. This means that you create these folders, if they are not presented. When you open your PSP, there should be a folder called PSP, inside should be a folder called GAME, inside the folder should be a folder called UPDATE. If one of these folders are not presented, just create them. Copy your downloaded EBOOT.PBP in the UPDATE folder. It should look like this:

When it looks like this, just turn your PSP on, go to the memory stick and start the UPDATE. Follow the explanation and your PSP is updated to Firmware 6.39.

If your Firmware is 6.39:
Download the 639PRO-B9.rar I linked above. Extract the RAR File (if you don't know what I mean, google for Winrar and Install it.) and copy the folders
PROUPDATE and FastRecovery (FastRecovery starts the Custom Firmware again if you turned your PSP off. Just needs a few seconds)
inside your PSP/GAME folder. If they are not present on your PSP, create a folder called PSP, and inside, create a folder called GAME inside it and copy these two folders inside it.

This is how your folder should look like after extracting the file you downloaded above:

Copy the correct folders I stated above on your PSP.

Turn your PSP on and go to the memory stick. Start the PRO Update.

The Firmware should install automatically. If not, hold L and press X.

THIS IS FOR 6.60​

What you need:
Firmware 6.60 (PSP Go)
Firmware 6.60 (PSP 1000, 2000 and 3000)
6.60 PRO-B9
A memory stick with enough space/enough space on your PSP Go.


If your Firmware is below 6.60:
Download the 6.60 update. It comes as an EBOOT.PBP, if not, rename it this way. Connect your PSP to your Computer and copy the EBOOT.PBP into the folder PSP/GAME/UPDATE. This means that you create these folders, if they are not presented. When you open your PSP, there should be a folder called PSP, inside should be a folder called GAME, inside the folder should be a folder called UPDATE. If one of these folders are not presented, just create them. Copy your downloaded EBOOT.PBP in the UPDATE folder. It should look like this:

When it looks like this, just turn your PSP on, go to the memory stick and start the UPDATE. Follow the explanation and your PSP is updated to Firmware 6.60.

If your Firmware is 6.60:
Download the 660PRO_B9.rar I linked above. Extract the RAR File (if you don't know what I mean, google for Winrar and Install it.) and copy the folders
PROUPDATE and FastRecovery (FastRecovery starts the Custom Firmware again if you turned your PSP off. Just needs a few seconds)
inside your PSP/GAME folder. If they are not present on your PSP, create a folder called PSP, and inside, create a folder called GAME inside it and copy these two folders inside it.

This is how your folder should look like after extracting the file you downloaded above:

Copy the correct folders I stated above on your PSP.

Turn your PSP on and go to the memory stick. Start the PRO Update.

The Firmware should install automatically. If not, hold L and press X.

DOWNGRADE FROM 6.3x TO 6.20/6.35​

What you need:
The downgrader
Firmware 6.20 (PSP Go)
Firmware 6.20 (PSP 1000, 2000 and 3000)
or
Firmware 6.35 (PSP Go)
Firmware 6.35 (PSP 1000, 2000 and 3000)
A memory stick with enough space/enough space on your PSP Go.

If your Firmware is 6.3x:
Download the Downgrader I linked above. Check your PSP with the Module Checker posted at the top. Is your PSP a 9g ? Copy the 6.35 Firmware I linked above to X:\PSP\GAME\UPDATE\EBOOT.PBP (X is for your Drive Letter, the Firmware itself should be named EBOOT.PBP. If not, rename it). Every other g can be downgraded to 6.20, so use the 6.20 Update instead. Copy the folder PSP that you've extracted from the Downgrader to your Memorystick and overwrite the folder.

When you've set up your Stick like this, run the downgrader! from the PSP Menu (not the PSP Update). Wait a bit and the Update should start. Install it like a normal Update and after restarting, your PSP should be on Firmware 6.20 or 6.35. Support for every PSP and Generation has been added. You can downgrade every PSP out there with this downgrader. Newer PSP 3000 with 9g and 7g only can be downgraded to 6.35. If your PSP came with 6.35, it can be downgraded to 6.35, but not to 6.20.



How to use Homebrew and Backups of your PSN Games and UMD's:
Backups of your PSP Games go into the folder ISO. If it is not there, create it.
Homebrews come as a EBOOT.PBP file in a folder. Copy this folder into the PSP/GAME folder.
PSN Stuff also goes into the PSP/GAME folder.



Congratulations, now you have a Custom Firmware on your PSP. I hope that my tutorial helps you and shows you the wonderful world of homebrew. If you have any questions or have any improvements for my tutorial, please message me. I am eager for your experiences with this tutorial. Many many thanks to Coldbird and VFlame. They are the creators of this superb Custom Firmwares. It is really one of my favorites. I can understand all the people who'd like their GEN and M33 firmwares, but sometimes you just got to change a running system to make things better

Credits to aminemaster for the two pics from the 6.20 permanent installation.

 

[MaxNuker]

im thinking about getting a new psp 3000 from a retail store ( maybe game or gamestop or FNAC [dont know if you know the last one, its a mutimedia shop, sells books, music cd's, consoles,etc]) what are the chances i get a 9g and even if i get one, what are the chances of getting one that has firmware >6.35? :S

 

[mollekemiel]

@hunter291

in short, psp (motherboard ?-) moddels needs a minimum ofw.
its a drivers "issue". lower fw doesnt contains the drivers for that type of motherboard (and FW's are backwards compatible so the newer ones contains drivers for all the older types of psps)

for the 300x "9g" (9e generation) moddels this is 6.30.
if you try to install an OFW lower than de mininum you can brick your toy.

complete list here : http://forums.pspslimhacks.com/tutorials/9...y-firmware.html

So if you buy a new (300x)psp and it contains OFW 6.3O, changes are high you have a 9g moddel and you cannot downgrade to 6.20 to install 6.20 PROB5 and you can only use the 6.35 PROB5

Or use the psp module checker to be sure

 

[hunter291]

thanks for mollekemiel for helping me so much with my tutorial

Max, if you buy a new one, the chances it is 9g is very high. if your psp comes with fw 6.30, don't downgarde, as mollekemiel said. in this case, you can only install the 6.35 PRO-B5

 

[Arm73]

Thanks, very clear and easy to follow instructions.
I have a PSP 3000 piano black in the mail ( expect to get it delivered in the next couple of days ) and I can't wait to hack it.
Hopefully , it's not gonna be one of those new naughty unhackable firmware on it, or the whole 9g business, I got it new from Amazon.
I played almost everything on the DS, now it seams a good time to own a PSP.
Cheaper then ever, easy to hack, and a vastly catalog of games to choose from......
At least, it's gonna keep me busy until the 3DS gets a decent library as well.
Let's just hope I'm gonna be able to hack it.
By the way, what are the chances that a piano black PSP3000 comes with a firmware >6.35 ?

QUOTE(hunter291 @ May 16 2011, 01:37 PM) I don't know what the newest PSP 3000 ship with, but as you bought it new from amazon, the chances that you have a 9g one are very high. so permanent is not an option for you. that the psp has firmware 6.35 or less is more likely, so you need to install the 6.35.

WOW......................I just got my PSP3000............Just WOW.........!
First, I checked the firmware, and to my surprise and delight, it was 6.20 !!!!!!!!!!!
Second, I installed the 6.20 Pro B5 (worked like a charm ) and checked the motherboard type, and..............it was 0.4g

!!!!!!!
Next , I applied the permanent patch, and now my shiny new PSP3000 is fully hacked !
There are no words to describe how happy I am, I was already accepting the fact that I was lucky if I was gonna get a 6.35 and semi hack it, now I just can't believe my luck !!!!!!

 

[hunter291]

Cool

I hope my tutorial helped you a bit with it

 

[.Chris]

Nice guide!
Maybe you can separate each section or so into some spoilers.

[spoiler] (Insert text here) [/spoiler]

Spoiler

(Insert text here)

And the text in the spoilers like this:

[spoiler][title:[size=2][b][u]Example Title[/u][/b][/size]]
[p= ]
Example text 
Example text 
Example text 
Example text 
[/p]
[/spoiler]

Spoiler: Example Title

Example text
Example text
Example text
Example text
[/p]

 

[Arm73]

Cool

I hope my tutorial helped you a bit with it

Your guide helped me A LOT WITH IT !
Thank you very much !

 

[Slimmmmmm]

I've had 2 psps gathering dust for a while, so I gave this guide a go.

I opted for the 6.20 perm patch, tested a few things and everything works fine

I managed to follow the guide in about 5-10 minutes total with no problems.

Now, I have a question, say I've got a game that when you go to play it it requires a higher firmware version than 6.20.
What would I do ?
Update to 6.3#, then 6.3 cfw, then play the game, then if I want to go back to 6.20cfw...I need to downgrade and install the lower 6.2 cfw?
or can games be patched to ignore what fw version your psp has (no idea btw, only modded the psp as your guide was so short and easy to follow)

 

[8BitWalugi]

Didn't Rydian already do this?

 

[hunter291]

I've had 2 psps gathering dust for a while, so I gave this guide a go.

I opted for the 6.20 perm patch, tested a few things and everything works fine

I managed to follow the guide in about 5-10 minutes total with no problems.

Now, I have a question, say I've got a game that when you go to play it it requires a higher firmware version than 6.20.
What would I do ?
Update to 6.3#, then 6.3 cfw, then play the game, then if I want to go back to 6.20cfw...I need to downgrade and install the lower 6.2 cfw?
or can games be patched to ignore what fw version your psp has (no idea btw, only modded the psp as your guide was so short and easy to follow)

They have the same compatibility. nearly every game should run on the 6.20. only some games needs extra patches, but these games are very limited afaik. thank you very much for using my tutorial

I'm glad that it helped you

QUOTE(8BitWalugi @ May 28 2011, 12:52 PM) Didn't Rydian already do this?

20 days later than me. but thanks for the link.


I just wanted to say that I updated the guide for 6.39. The 6.39 PRO-B6 is available now. Anyone knows how to change the topics name ?

 

[.Chris]

Very nice guide!

Offtopic: In this pic

, what's that app with the PS3 on the icon?

 

[hunter291]

It is called PS3Jig. It was used to put the PSP in the "dongle" like state when the ps3 homebrew was still with this dongle stuff and everything xD I was never realy in the ps3 stuff, but now the ps3 has custom firmwares and everything if I read it right. I just wanted to have it on my psp in case

 

[adammay02]

sucsussfully modded my release day PSP 1000 Phat first time with CFW 6.39 PRO-B6 first time.
works great, so now I can emulate my old games as on the DS its a bit hit and miss, gonna see if teh compatibility is better on the PSP

 

[Rydian]

PSP's MUCH more powerful than the DS, it's got much better emulation.

 

[[M]artin]

Thanks for this guide, helped out a ton! Quick and easy, painless if you follow the instructions. THANKS!

 

[gameandmatch]

I'm a beginner in this. I have psp 3001, I got the light firmware for 6.39. The only problem I am having is where to put the ISO folder. The psp keep seeing the folder as a coruptted file. At the moment it is at PSP/GAME/ISO. Is this where it suppose to be at or somewhere else?

 

[Rydian]

In the root.

Beginner questions like this are in the stickied FAQ in the hacking section (though of course that can't cover everything).

 

[Sc4rFac3d]

Thanks for this tut. Just did a new PSPgo 6.39. Emulators working wonderfully. Just having a problem with the ISOs. I'm putting them in the ISO folder (in root ofcourse) just like with regular PSPs but going to Game-Systemstorage the iso just shows as a corrupted file. Do I need additional files?

Thanks

edit, NVM. The iso itself was corrupt. Thanks again

 

[hunter291]

Haha

No problem. Good to hear that the tutorial helped you

Updated the guide to version PRO-B7

 

[mucusmembrane2]

In the root.

Beginner questions like this are in the stickied FAQ in the hacking section (though of course that can't cover everything).

Well i'm a stoned beginner like your dad i've looked everywhere for this stickie FAQ & other answers got the 6.39 pro installed no problem but like I said i'm stoned and have 2 root folders(MP_ROOT & MLN_ROOT)where exactly do the iso & cso go to play do I need a launcherhelp please!!!