Frequently Asked Questions

The world of PSP homebrew is pretty complex, and full of jargon. These FAQ pages are our attempt to demystify things, and to get you quickly on the road to enjoying your PSP at its fullest.

The FAQs are divided into the following sections:

More entries are planned in the near future. If you have any suggestions or requests for FAQ topics or questions, please let us know.

Installing Homebrew

How to install homebrew with Installotron

The Installotron is an automatic homebrew installer, that runs on all homebrew-capable PSPs. It uses the data in the homebrew database to give you a list of what can be run on your PSP, and allows you to download and install it automatically. The main drawback is that it doesn't yet support all homebrew, just a list of homebrew that has been specially prepared for it.

Installotron comes automatically installed with recent versions of eLoader. If you're not using eLoader, then before using Installotron, you must install it as described above.

Using Installotron over a WiFi connection

If you have a working WiFi connection on your PSP, this is the best option.

  1. Start up Installotron.
  2. Select the appropriate wifi connection.
  3. A list of homebrew that will work on your PSP is displayed.
  4. Select one, and it will be automatically downloaded and installed.

Using Installotron over a USB connection

With later versions of Installotron, you can also install supported homebrew without a WiFi connection. To do so:

  1. Check that your chosen homebrew supports Installotron - if it does, the Installotron icon will be displayed in its entry in the database.
  2. Download it to your computer. Use the download link from www.psp-homebrew.eu, as that is sure to include the extra data that Installotron needs to work.
  3. Copy the homebrew .zip file to your memory stick
  4. Start Installotron, and select network connection "0" - the file browser.
  5. Browse to the .zip file, and press 'X' to install it.
  6. Press START to quit Installotron, then run the homebrew in the usual way.

How to manually install and run homebrew on v1.5

  1. Open the downloaded homebrew file. After looking through the folders you will find two folders called [Homebrew] and [Homebrew]% (where [Homebrew] is the name of the homebrew).
  2. Copy and paste those two folders to \PSP\GAME on your memory stick.

Running homebrew

Go to the XMB's Game menu and pick the application or game to run, then press X or O, depending on your PSP's region.

Troubleshooting

  • It says "Game could not be started":

    This happens when you don't have both Homebrew and Homebrew% in the \PSP\GAME folder

How to manually install and run homebrew on v2.0 - 2.80 with eLoader

Installing homebrew

Once eLoader is installed:

  1. Open the downloaded homebrew file. Usually you will find the folders by the name [Homebrew] and [Homebrew]% (where [Homebrew] is the name of the homebrew app).
  2. Copy the [Homebrew] folder to \PSP\GAME on your memory stick.

Running homebrew

  1. Make sure you have a custom wallpaper set. Any image will do.
  2. Use the PSP's photo viewer and open the "eLoader 0995" folder, this will cause the loader to start.
  3. Use eLoader's menu to select the homebrew title to run, and press X.
  4. To quit the homebrew, hold LTrigger+RTrigger+START for a few seconds.

How to manually install and run homebrew on v2.80 with xLoader

Installing homebrew

Once xLoader is installed:

  1. Open the downloaded homebrew file. Usually you will find the folders by the name [Homebrew] and [Homebrew]% (where [Homebrew] is the name of the homebrew app).
  2. Copy the [Homebrew] folder to \PSP\GAME on your memory stick.
  3. Run the PatchSFO tool on your PSP, to ensure that the files have been patched correctly to run on xLoader.

Running homebrew

  1. Make sure you have a custom wallpaper set. Any image will do.
  2. Use the PSP's photo viewer and open the "xLoader 280" folder. If this works correctly, 2 icons will be shown, one labelled "corrupted data". There will be a flashing border around one of the icons.
  3. Use the XMB's Game menu to select the homebrew title to run, and press X or O, depending on your PSP's region.
  4. To quit the homebrew, hold LTrigger+RTrigger+START for a few seconds.

How to manually install homebrew on 2.71, 2.80, 3.03 or 3.50 for HEN

Installing homebrew

Once HEN is installed:

  1. Open the downloaded homebrew file. Usually you will find the folders by the name [Homebrew] and [Homebrew]%.
  2. Copy the [Homebrew] folder to \PSP\GAME on your memory stick.

Running Homebrew

  1. Make sure that HEN is running. If it is, then your firmware version will show as "v2.71 HEN", "v2.80 HEN", "v3.03 HEN" or "v3.50 HEN" in the PSP's System Information screen. If it is not running, start it via the Photo menu (for 2.71/2.80), GTA (for 3.03) or Lumines (for 3.50).
  2. Go to the XMB's Game menu and pick the application or game to run.

How to install homebrew on v2.71 SE - 3.40 OE

Installing Homebrew

  1. Open the downloaded homebrew file. Usually you will find the folders by the name [Homebrew] and [Homebrew]% (where [Homebrew] is the name of the application).
  2. Copy the [Homebrew] folder to \PSP\GAME on your memory stick.

Running homebrew

Go to the XMB's Game menu and pick the application or game to run, then press X or O, depending on your PSP's region.

Troubleshooting

  • It says "Game could not be started":

    This happens because the firmware is set to 2.71 or 3.xx kernel, depending on what firmware you are using.
    1. Do a hard reset of your psp and reboot holding the R shoulder button to boot into recovery mode.
    2. Once in recovery mode go to "Configuration > Game Folder Homebrew" and make sure it's set to 1.5 Kernel.
© D. Court 2008. This web page is licenced for your personal, private, non-commercial use only.
RIPA NOTICE: NO CONSENT IS GIVEN FOR INTERCEPTION OF PAGE TRANSMISSION