You know that eLoader you’ve been waiting for? Well the wait is over, ‘cuz it ain’t coming out. But it’s for the best, just as [one of] the best in the game puts it, Fanjita –

On the one hand, I have to congratulate MaTiAz and Davee for their recent excellent work on the TIFF exploit and HEN. Their project is exciting, and I’m sure we’re all waiting with excitement for their upcoming release. It shows that the PSP homebrew scene has not been defeated by Sony’s latest efforts, and long may the spirit of competition continue. It’s also nice to see so much cooperation within the community. Great stuff.

But on the other hand, this obsoletes the work we were doing on an eLoader for the GripShift exploit – there’s no need for it, since the TIFF exploit should work on all PSPs, with or without the game. We’ve worked hard on it, but so many busy events in our lives (parenting, moving house, pressures of work in the current economic climate) have meant that progress was slower than we’d hoped.

So that’s that. Good lookin’ out Fanjita/N00bz.

- source: noobz.eu

It is indeed exploit fever season, and the remedy — more N00bz! That’s right — the N00bz have combined forces with MaTiAz and FreePlay to help further expand on the recent “Sparta” (GripShift) exploit. The plan:

Our initial focus will be to make it easier to run standard homebrew via this exploit, by adapting eloader to it. This will be restricted purely to user-mode homebrew, since there is currently no public kernel-mode exploit that could be used here, and compatibility is likely to be patchy due to the security measures in the later firmwares which make determining all the syscalls almost impossible. Still, you can expect that at least some emulators and other popular pure user-mode homebrew will run.

So with that said, don’t get too excited for a downgrader solution yet. In the case of someone discovering a method to bust kernel mode wide open, then downgrading via Sparta could very well be possible.

- full article/source: noobz.eu

Ah, ha! Awesome! Gotta love them Noobz… Today they have released eLoader v1.0. It’s primarily for PSP Slim owners running M33’s custom firmware… As detailed by the Noobz themselves:

I know that a lot will probably wonder what the use of this is now that we have Pandora out so that anyone can downgrade, well the main reason is the PSP-Lite. As a lot of people are finding out the PSP Lite is unable to run 1.50 kernel, this means that old homebrew games are not able to run on the PSP Lite custom firmware, however eLoader makes it possible to run some of these older games without needing to recompile them. So I hope all you new PSP Lite owners enjoy getting to see some of the old homebrew games running on the new device.

So there you have it. Enjoy 1.50 kernel-enabled homebrew on your new PSP Slim. Thanks Noobz!

Documentation inside ‘readme.html.’

Download: eLoader v1.000

- source: noobz.eu

All [unpatched] versions of Lumines are now supported when it comes to downgrading a PSP running firmware 3.50. The N00bz have provided an update to their 3.50 Homebrew-enabler (HEN) / Downgrader which adds final support for the Korean version of Lumines, ULKS46005. At last we can all enjoy homebrew! Except those who have updated to 3.51 — tsk tsk.

Running a lower firmware version (< 3.50)? Update to 3.50, then downgrade! Running a later version (> 3.50)? You’re out of luck, sorry. :(

Download: 3.50 HEN / Downgrader ALL Regions

- source: noobz.eu

A minor update… A message to foreign readers… It would seem the Illuminati exploit doesn’t work correctly when the PSP is using non-English settings; presumably it’s something to do with the unicode set while displaying the profile name. Set your PSP to English and give it a try.

Anyway, if you are having problems, especially with the European Lumines, then try switching your PSP to ‘English’ settings.

Devastation strikes! The “N00bz!” have yet again left the entire PSP community in a state of awe. Without a doubt, in the coming days, everyone will have the opportunity to downgrade, enjoy glorious custom firmwares, homebrew, and much more… This newly discovered exploit works in a similar fashion to the GTA save game hole; however, this time ’round you’ll require a legal UMD copy of Lumines. Read on…

That’s right – if you’ve got a legal UMD copy of Lumines, then you can run homebrew on your PSP – whatever the firmware version. That includes v3.50! Right now, the only homebrew is the Hello World demo released below – but in future we intend to release a HEN and downgrader.

• Check that you have an EU or US version of Lumines (ULES00043 or ULUS10002).  Currently we don't have a version for the Japanese version, but we're working on it, as soon as we get hold of a Japanese UMD. 
• Extract the contents of the 'MS_ROOT' folder from the ZIP file into the top-level of your memory stick. (HINT: If you wind up with an 'MS_ROOT' folder on the stick, you've done it wrong).
• Start the game, and as soon as it gets to the 'Press START' screen, press START.  If you wait until the demo has started, the exploit may not work.
• The screen should go blank, and the exploit will start after a few moments.  It doesn't do anything except look pretty at this stage – but feel free to enjoy the first homebrew on your v3.10 – v3.50 PSP

Download: The Illuminati Exploit

- source: Noobz

I was anxiously awaiting the release of a piKey update, and thanks to Bob Joe (for the news tip) I’m now updating my PSP as I write this… piKey 0.3, oh yes! Now supporting firmwares 3.30 and 3.40 OE. Fanjita also mentions piKey 0.3 includes small enhancements to deal with compatibility issues.

There are 2 main changes for compatibility:

1. You can configure πKey to be disabled for v1.50 kernel homebrew (ie. homebrew running from the GAME150 folder, or GAME if you have OE configured to run GAME as v1.50). This may be easier for some users than changing the config in flash.
2. You can configure a hotkey that will disable πKey when the PSP reboots. So, if there’s a homebrew or game that has problems, just hold down the hotkey (configurable as any key or combination, but SELECT by default) while the Sony logo is showing, and πKey will unload itself until next rebooted.

Huh, what’s piKey?

A keyboard driver for the PSP developed by Fanjita and harleyg. piKey aims at providing full keyboard control anywhere — games, homebrews, the XMB, etc… Supported are various infra-red keyboards and the ability to wire one via the PSP’s serial port (the headphone socket). Have a look at the included user guide (docs/user_guide.html) to get started.

Download: piKey 0.3

- source: Noobz

Update: After downgrading back to 3.03 OE-C, from 3.30 OE-A’, I am proud to say piKey 0.2 works flawlessly with my Palm Universal Wireless Keyboard!

The N00bz Team, Fanjita and harleyg, have released an update to their PSP keyboard driver — πKey! piKey aims at providing full keyboard control anywhere — games, homebrews, the XMB, etc… Supported are various infra-red keyboards.

v0.2 comes bundled with a series of fixes & additions; below are the major updates:

• A new keypress mode, which allows more natural use of the keyboard in action games etc. The default mode is now keypress mode, and the keyboard will switch automatically to text input mode when required.
• Custom key-to-button assignment – so now you can define WASD buttons for FPS game movement, as well as cursor keys for XMB movement, for instance.
• Support for mapping keypresses to analog joystick movements.
• Support for converting keypresses into Danzeff OSK presses – so now you can use your physical keyboard with homebrew that uses the Danzeff virtual keyboard – e.g. AFKIM.
• Installer now fixed to correctly install to flash0, to support GAME150 homebrew.
• Palm UW keyboard ought to at least partially work, but I can’t test it myself.
• Optional on-screen status information.
• Various minor bugfixes.

I can personally confirm the Palm Universal Keyboard still doesn’t function quite yet, on 3.30 OE, that is. :(

Ensure you read “readme.txt” & “docs/user_guide.html” for complete changelog history and instructions.

Download: piKey 0.2

- source: N00bz!

They said it was coming within the week, and as promised, here it is! The long awaited 3.03 easy-to-use downgrader!

The almighty Noobz have laid out some specific ground-rules:

• This downgrader is for v3.03 firmware only. But if you have v2.81 – v3.02, no problem – you can just upgrade to v3.03 to use the downgrader.
• You need a copy of the unpatched GTA:Liberty City Stories UMD. No ISOs, no patched UMDs, not Vice City Stories. The most reliable way: the unpatched disks have the v2.0 firmware update on them.
• This downgrader is intended to enable homebrew. Homebrew is NOT the same as piracy. Don’t be a thieving loser – buy the games you play.
• The downgrader will work on all current PSP hardware (TA-079 – TA-086). Patching of TA-082+ is automatic in the downgrader.
• You downgrade at your own risk. There is always a chance of bricking, although we have done everything we can think of to make this process safe.

Everything you need to know concerning a successful downgrade can be found in “Downgrader_HOWTO.txt.” Read them carefully!

Also, for those who fear messing with their PSP’s flash, can take advantage of the full homebrew experience with Homebrew Enabler (HEN) for 3.03. “HEN 303 – the Duff release” works in the same manner as Dark_AleX’s HEN. The requirements: a firmware 3.03 PSP and an unpatched version of Grand Theft Auto: Libery City Stories. Details on installation and usage are inside README.txt.

Warning: After downgrading from 3.03 to 1.5, there are some remnants of 3.03 left in flash. If you later try to re-upgrade to 3.03 and repeat the downgrade, things will break. At some later point, we will work on a cleaner that will remove these extra files. Until then, enjoy! (Don’t worry, upgrading to 3.03 OE firmwares still works fine).

Have fun!

Download:
3.03 Downgrader
1.50 EBOOT Update (to downgrade back to 1.50)
3.03 EBOOT Update (to upgrade your 2.81-3.02 PSP, if necessary)
Homebrew Enabler for 3.03 FINAL

- source: noobz.eu

The Noobz have released a new and improved version of Dark_AleX’s TA-082 2.71 downgrader. In addition to supplying a safe and simple method to downgrade your 2.80 [to 1.50] hand held, Homebrew Enabler Revision D (HEN-D) has been ported to the 2.80 platform — in case you don’t care to take the risk that comes with downgrading.

The quoted advantages:

* safety – this downgrader has plenty of safety checks in place to try to avoid accidental bricks (but read the warning below)
* convenience – because this downgrader works with an official firmware EBOOT.PBP file, and includes the TA-082 idstorage changer and HEN files, you don’t need any other files (except for a v1.5 update EBOOT) to perform the downgrade. No more finding a v1.5 owner to get dumpfiles!
* latest TA-082/086 support – the bundled TA-082 registry fixer includes the latest fixes to make sure that USBHost support won’t be messed up.

Here’s how to use it:

• Install HEN-D (see the readme)
• Confirm HEN-D is working, i.e.) run the included cube demo.
• If you have a TA-082 or TA-086 PSP, run the “TA082 IdStorage Changer”, via HEN, to patch your registry before downgrading.
• Download the 1.5 update EBOOT, rename to UPDATE.PBP, and copy it to the ms0:/PSP/GAME/UPDATE on your memory stick
• Launch “PSP Update ver X.YZ” program via HEN-D, and follow the instructions.

That easy!

Download:
2.80 HEN-D
Improved 2.80 Downgrader
1.50 Firmware EBOOT

- source: Noobz!

It’s no Becks, but it is Kriek, and it’s awesome! Firmware 2.80 users will be happy to know Kriek supports… *sips his Becks* ah… forget it, here’s the changelog from the Noobz website:

1. The biggie – support for v2.80 firmware. v2.80 is still only user-mode support, and there are some minor syscalls that can’t be resolved. But in general, the vast majority of user-mode homebrew works fine.
2. Another biggie – this release includes an experimental new way of using eLoader, called xLoader. xLoader allows you to run homebrew directly from the PSP’s XMB menu, just like on a v1.0 PSP. Usage is a lot like Dark Alex’s HEN C, but the underlying technology is very different. Because it’s experimental, and a lot of work to fix up for each firmware, it’s currently only supported for v2.80 firmware, and compatibility is a little lower than standard eLoader. Make sure to view the README file (displayed during installation) for more information.
3. You can now use the power switch to enter suspend mode in any homebrew that normally supports suspend mode on v1.5 firmware. This works in eLoader on firmwares 2.5-2.71, and in xLoader.
4. The built-in PSP on-screen keyboard now works in xLoader.
5. The Installotron is now included in the eLoader installation, so that in principle, you may never need to manually install any homebrew ever again. Installotron also now includes an option to automatically modify EBOOTs to make
   them suitable for xLoader.
6. Stability and compatibility is mostly improved over v0.99, although some homebrew is less stable, especially on v2.00 firmware. You may want to keep 0.99 and 0.995 side-by-side on firmwares that can run both.

Beautiful! Now, download it, and enjoy! The README covers the remaining details.

Download eLoader 0.995 “Kriek”
- Windows installer
- ZIP (Manual install)

- compatiblity list -

- source: Noobz