The source code for one of the most widely used tools responsible for modifying & tweaking certain firmware behaviour has been released by homebrew author, Art. X-Flash is now entirely open source and available for educational purposes. This is what Art had to say…

Regrettably, I won’t be able to update X-Flash in the near future, due to work commitments.

I was only planning to add support for one later DAX firmware, since the topmenu_plugin mods don’t work after that.

The release if X-Flash source code does not mean that I won’t update it someday. It is quite likely that one day, out of nowhere, an official V19 will appear unexpectedly

You’re a trooper, Art! On behalf of PSP Hacks and our readers — thanks!

Download: X-Flash source code

- source: Official X-Flash Forum

Update: As anticipated, X-Flash is now at V18j. Changes include:

• Added intentional support for Dark_AleX 3.03 OE-B. (it’s safe to use the version spoofer now).
• Preserved support for Dark_AleX 3.03 OE-A2.
• Button combination writes current PSP Nickname to use as a custom version spoof.

Thanks DazSh.

Art’s X-Flash, the homebrew app which enables various firmware hacks — game boot videos, fonts, XMB menu labels, icons, etc… — now supports 3.03 OE-A2!

V18i changes:

• Added support for Dark_AleX firmware version 3.03 OE-A’ (also known as 3.03 OE-A2).
• Removed support for the original 3.03 OE-A release since the second 3.03 OE release features were mainly
  bug fixes for the first.

That’s it, that’s all.

Download: X-Flash V18j

- custom game boots -
- custom boot sounds -
- custom fonts -
- custom XMB icons -
- custom backgrounds -

- source: Official X-Flash Board

You knew it was coming sooner rather than later… X-Flash V18h with 3.03 OE-A support!

Art’s incorporated a few other changes:

• Adjustment to topmenu_plugin.rco flasher to allow copy of decrypted 2.50 file to 2.71 SE installation.
• The XMB Menu Editor is unlocked for 2.71 SE once the correct file is copied.
• Program termination occurs if a mismatching registry version is found since the parental control setting will not be readable.
• Added option to permanently remove Network Update functionality for the current firmware installation. This frees up a little flash space. Menu options regarding Network Update are auto disabled if the above option is used.
• Fix to Auto Restore routine. Auto restore previously only restored original menu labels for 1.50.
• Added option to restore original XMB menu icons if a file with custom icons is being used with 2.71 SE or 3.02 OE.
• Small fixes including firmware version specific dialogue in footer, and updated built in readme file.

Features currently disabled for firmware versions 2.71 SE & 3.02/3.03 OE: (these are available for 1.50 users)

• XMB Menu Label editor, and custom label options. <>
• Plain Black PSP About Screens.
• XMB System Sounds. **
• Some Easter Eggs won’t work because they rely on version spoofs, detailed name plate picture, etc.

** Implemented for 2.71 SE, but not implemented for 3.02 OE yet.
<> Menu Editor is implemented for 3.02 OE or 2.71 SE only if a special decrypted file is used.

Download: X-Flash V18h

Thanks DazSH

- source: Official X-Flash Board

Who sleeps less, Art or the Sony firmware folks? I’m sure this doesn’t come as a surprise, and firmware 3.04 wouldn’t either; nevertheless, Art has released X-Flash V18f! The popular all-around firmware modification tool, but you knew that. ;)

V18f changes:

• Implemented flasher with write verify for topmenu_plugin.rco files of all supported firmware versions.
• File flasher can only write topmenu_plugin.rco files, and only of sizes that match 1.50, 2.71, 3.02, and topmenu_plugin.rco file with new icons as output by kgsws’s program for 3.02SE.
• Fixes to PSP Information screen, and red screens that display some startup warnings.
• Seven Hour XMB Label Editor works with 3.02 SE if the new icons topmenu_plugin.rco file is flashed. The new “Network” label that was not present in 1.50 is copied from the “Network Settings” string that is entered by the user.
• Removed Estimated Free Flash0 Space display to avoid confusion.

There you have it — fresh for the new year! And a happy new year to all from PSP Hacks!

Download: X-Flash V18f

- source: Official X-Flash Board

Update: X-Flash is now at V18e:

• Fix to the information screen selection for 1.50 firmware PSPs.
• Implementation of TA-082 PSP mainboard detector in the Information screen.

Stay tuned! I’d imagine V18f is hours away from release. ;)

Art is one busy lad… Another X-Flash update for you firmware modders out there. As you may already know X-Flash allows you to customize certain aspects of your PSP’s firmware. Remove the wavy line effect, customize menu labels, game boots, sounds, backgrounds, etc… X-Flash supports 1.50 and Dark_AleX’s 2.71 SE & 3.02 OE.

v18d changes:

• Implemented the SDK Idstorage library, giving the program access to many fields of information regarding the subject PSP unit.
• Added a PSP Information screen with the possibility of becoming an editor.
• Added restore options for 3.02 OE-A, and 3.02 OE-B to both of the version spoofers.

Features currently disabled for 2.71 SE and 3.02 OE:

• XMB Menu Label editor, and custom label options.
• ^ Firmware Version Spoofers.
• Plain Black PSP About Screens.
• * XMB System Sounds.
• Some Easter Eggs won’t work because they rely on version spoofs, detailed name plate picture, etc.

* Implemented for 2.71 SE, but not implemented for 3.02 OE yet.
^ All Version Spoofer is implemented for 3.02 OE, but not 2.71 SE.

As with any application that writes to flash memory — use at your own risk!

Download: X-Flash V18e

Thanks DazSH.

- source: Official X-Flash Board

Art has updated his firmware modification tool to V18b this Christmas Eve. As of V18, X-Flash includes support for 3.02 OE.

X-Flash V18b changes:

• Changes to plain black background, and custom background routines to write all twelve backgrounds instead of just one.
• Program checks the background.bmp file is exactly 60×34 resolution at startup when running under 3.02 OE to ensure it remains compatible with the consolidated background file for 3.02.

Changes in V18:

• Multi Firmware Version implementation. Supports three versions including 3.02 OE unofficial hybrid.
• Estimated free space on flash0 is more accurate, but still only an estimation.
• Program terminates if any firmware installation on flash0 is greater than 20.2 Megabytes.
• Gameboot movies for 3.02 SE must be no greater in size than the original gameboot movie.
• Added a Christmas theme for X-Flash menu.

Features currently disabled for firmware versions 2.71 SE and 3.02 OE:

• XMB Menu Label editor, and custom label options.
• Firmware Version Spoofers.
• Plain Black PSP About Screens.
• * XMB System Sounds
• Some Easter Eggs won’t work because they rely on version spoofs, detailed name plate picture, etc.

* Implemented for 2.71 SE, but not implemented for 3.02 OE yet.

Download: X-Flash V18b

- source: Official X-Flash Board

Update: Even better — V17b is here!

• Release to fix name plate routine.

Download below.

Custom firmware fiends can get their fix today with Art’s release of X-Flash V17. As you continue scratching your neck wondering what’s new, here’s the full V17 changelog:

• Auto checking for incorrect PSP registry version at startup. User is kicked if a 1.50 registry is present in a 2.71 SE firmware installation, or vice versa. A prompt is given to restore registry settings in the XMB menu.
• Implementation of custom coded ‘6AM Sample Player’. Sound effects are resampled louder and clearer. Sound sample files are built into the program EBOOT.
• Mikmod audio library is now used soley to play demo music.
• Startup file checking sequence is faster since there are less external files to validate.

X-Flash supports a wide-range of modifiable firmware features and is only compatible with FW 1.50 & 2.71 SE.

To Install the X-Flash program, copy the program folders to the usual PSP/GAME folder of your 1.50 or the PSP/GAME150 folder for 2.71 SE firmware PSPs. You will not be able to use the program with any unsupported firmware versions on your PSP. Now you should be able to launch the program from the Game menu. Users of 2.71 SE can convert the KXploited package to a single 1.0 compatible executeable if they wish to remove the corrupt icon.

As with any firmware modification tool; use at your own risk!

Download: X-Flash V17b

Thanks for the heads up DazSH.

- source: Official X-Flash Board

Art’s X-Flash now includes support for Dark_AleX’s 2.71 SE-C. Alongside that there are two other changes:

• Fixed parental control feature for as the parental control level was previously ignored by X-Flash when running under 2.71 SE.
• Startup checking is significantly faster with all supported firmware versions.

This software enables modification of certain PSP firmware behaviour, it is to be used with caution and at your own risk.

Download: X-Flash V16g

- source: Official X-Flash Board

Never seizing to amaze is Art with yet another release of the dual-firmware supported X-Flash. X-Flash V16f ensures smooth operation on both firmwares — Dark_AleX’s 2.71 SE-B3 and 1.50.

New for X-Flash V16f (includes V16e changes):

• Bug fix to built in plain black backgrounds. (firmware version 2.71 SE)
• Fixed 2.71 SE file inflation bug. Several rco files, once modified, were being written back appended with zeros to match the larger size of their 1.50 firmware counterpart. This causes more consumption of memory on flash0, and possible verify failures if there is no remaining space. This bug has been present since V16.
• Set PSP nickname to “raw” to find an option to perform a complete 32Mb binary flash dump. The raw dump routine is an sdk sample. (firmware versions 1.50 or 2.71 SE)
• Built in Plain Black Wallpapers are 1×1 resolution to collectively save approx 70 Kb of space over the stock XMB backgrounds. (firmware version 2.71 SE)

Check out “X-Flash V16f.txt” for a complete changelog, including V16c and V16d.

This software enables modification of certain PSP firmware behaviour, it is to be used with caution and at your own risk.

Download: X-Flash V16f

- source: Official X-Flash Board

Not very long ago Art released a 2.71 SE compatible version of X-Flash with limited support. Now, today, a new version allowing further customization of your 2.71 SE PSP is available!

What’s new, you ask? These options are — all for 2.71 SE:

• Wave Effect Removed from opening intro screen as well as XMB menu.
• Debranded Coldboot intro screen.
• Debranded Gameboot movie.
• Plain Black Gameboot Movie.

The same program runs on 1.50 and 2.71 SE, and behaves accordingly after the PSP firmware version is auto detected at startup.

As stated before, and we cannot stress enough, use this software at your own risk!

Download: X-Flash V16b

- source: Official X-Flash Board