The Legacy Software Loader project known as LEDA packs increased compatibility this second time ’round, all thanks to the man who needs no introduction, Dark_AleX.

LEDA is an attempt to run older homebrew, typically those requiring or compiled for firmware 1.0 and 1.50, on the custom firmwares of today, even with the PSP Slim where the 1.50 kernel add-on isn’t available.

Dark_AleX also quotes:

Note: if you have plugins enabled, disable them before running installer. CFW Folder Blocker v1.0 in concrete is known to cause problems with LEDA installer.

LEDA 0.2 changes:

• Increased compatibility

Download: LEDA (Beta) 0.2

- source: dark-alex

Introducing Dark_AleX’s LEDA: the Legacy Software Loader for older 1.0/1.50 compiled homebrew. This means any homebrew requiring the 1.50 kernel may be usable under CFW 5.00 M33 without the kernel add-on, even on the PSP Slim. Now keep in mind, LEDA is currently beta leaving compatibility unknown at this time. Please comment with your experience below should you have success or failure with whatever homebrew.

PSP Fat users may also take advantage of LEDA despite the already working 1.50 kernel add-on. Like anything, LEDA has both its pros and cons –

LEDA Advantages:

• It works on the PSP Slim too
• It doesn’t require much flash space
• You don’t need to care about which folder your homebrew is in. LEDA first tries to load the homebrew program normally. If it works, then the homebrew is a 3.XX+ one, and LEDA terminates itself to not waste RAM. Otherwise, LEDA does some patches to load the 1.0/1.5 homebrew.
• Unlike 1.50 kernel add-on, LEDA tries to be independent of firmware. This means that whenever a new version of M33 is released, LEDA will probably work without need of an update.

LEDA Disadvantages:

• Less compatibility. Anyway, I will try to make LEDA compatible with those old homebrew that are still useful today because they weren’t updated or because they have a better old version.

Download: LEDA Beta 0.1

- source: dark-alex

Interested to see how much faster custom firmware 5.00 M33-6 really is? Here’s a straightforward plug-in from Dark_AleX to measure read times from both the UMD and memory stick.

Install isoreadlog.prx like you would any other plug-in, load a UMD or ISO, and whenever you want the logging to finish, press L+R and the output will be written to “drivers.txt” on your memory stick.

Download: ISO Read Log

- source: dark-alex.org

Can’t say I saw this one coming… Dark_AleX has released custom firmware 5.00 M33-6. This new version attempts to increase read access, hopefully reducing the lag in heavier titles when playing from the memory stick, and in general, speeding things up all around.

See the comparison chart here.

Changes in 5.00 M33-5:

• A setting has been added to recovery, that, when enabled it may increase memory stick reading speed. (only on the psp, not in the pc). By default it is disabled. If you installed 3.71 fatmsmod, do not use this setting, as its performance with 3.71 driver has not been tested. Instead, reinstall 5.00 m33-4 using dc8 and update to 5.00 m33-5.

Changes in 5.00 M33-6:

• Fixed a bug that made unbootable psp without memory stick or with a bad one.

Download: Custom Firmware 5.00 M33-6

- source: dark-alex

With so much drama in the PSP scene, it’s hard knowing who’s who and from what regime… But, somehow, someway, Dark_AleX sets the record straight like every single day… And today: a little background info concerning this bit of news — the GripShift kernel mode exploit video…

To quote Dark_AleX himself –

This is about how I trusted someone called “miriam” and I gave him a kernel exploit of C+D, which was found by joek (the ONLY ONE that deserves credit of that), just to play for HIMSELF, as it is being used to decrypt 3k modules, but the first thing he did was to show to others to get a bit of fame.

Now i realize not to trust anyone anymore, thanks.

So here we are today, stuck in user-mode land while completely HEN-less.

For the developers, Dark_AleX has released the first official version of the VLF library. You know, VLF — give your homebrew that real PSP look ‘n feel; for example:

 

Quoted translation –

Is incompatible with the beta version, the “Add” now returns types opaque instead of integers. There are two versions of the library, one with and one without support PNG occupies less.

There’s a sample included to help get you started.

Download: VLF v1.0

- source: dark-alex.org

Released just in time for the holiday season; Dark_AleX’s Despertar del Cementerio v8. It’s like a virtual repair/electronic shop for your PlayStation Portable… Hack your [new] PSP or unbrick the old one you’ve been neglecting; or, if you’re really generous, prepare a fully hacked PSP and give it to a loved one.

You will require a Pandora/Service Mode/JiKick Battery before Despertar del Cementerio‘ing that bad boy. We have several tutorials available for creating one right here (use “Search this Forum”). As well, please ensure you read the included DC8 documentation.

Happy Holidays!

DC8 changes:

• Install Dark_AleX’s custom firmware 5.00 M33-4
• Install Sony’s official 5.00 firmware

Download:
Despertar del Cementerio v8
Sony PSP 5.00 Firmware (rename to 500.PBP)

- source: dark-alex

Beep beep — get out the way and make some room… Special delivery from Dark_AleX: custom firmware 5.00 M33-4.

5.00 M33-4 changes:

• Speed selected for UMD/ISO was not properly locked in some new games that used scePower_EBD177D6 instead of scePowerSetClockFrequency to change speed.
• UMD/ISO speed settings now apply to PSN games too.
• Fixed libupdown.prx connecting to dark-alex.org instead of Sony when npsignin_plugin checks for a new version and M33 update is enabled.
• ISO file descriptor was not closed in driver deletion.
• Added a shutdown command to vshmenu.

Download:
Custom Firmware 5.00 M33-4 Update
Custom Firmware 5.00 M33
PSP Firmware 5.00 Update EBOOT (rename to 500.PBP)

- source: dark-alex.org

Slated for release within the next few days: Dark_AleX’s Custom Firmware 5.00 M33-4. Not much detail is known at this time; however, promised are the usual bug fixes and new features. So for now — ensure the M33 network update is enabled under the recovery console and keep yourself in check. Of course, we’ll keep you posted should you miss it.

- source: exophase

Remember when Dark_AleX explained why a PSP equipped with the TA-088v3 motherboard couldn’t be hacked? Well, good news — apparently a hacker by the name of Brokencodes has indeed broken the code.

Released yesterday was a bit of somethin’ somethin’ that should generate the signature to resign the IPL and ultimately pass the pre-IPL hash process. In other terms: sit tight, soon you’ll be enjoying custom firmwares, 3rd party plug-ins, and homebrew galore.

- source: sceners