How to Build A Buffered JTAG

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How to Mod a PSP Slim

I scoured the internet trying to find out how to succesfully mod a PSP slim but all i could find was conflicting information scattered all over the place. So after succesfully modding my PSP i figured i should post a comprehensive guide. 

Note: Some of the newest PSP models are unmoddable. If you have a TA-88 motherboard then your chances are slim, some work and some dont. The only way to know is to perform the mod and see.

In my opinion the easiset way to mod a PSP slim is to use a "pandora battery" and a "Magic Memory Stick"! 

Pandora Battery: A modified battery that allows the PSP to enter service mode.

Magic Memory Stick(MMS): A memory stick with the necessary files to install modded firmware.

You could always buy a pandora battery and a MMS but where is the fun in that!

Google both of them and you can buy them for ~$30

You will need:

• A PSP
• A mini-usb cable
• Memory Stick (1GB or bigger)
• Fine tipped soldering iron
• Razor or knife
  

I - Make  a Pandora Battery:

Start with an unmodified battery, a used battery can be bought cheap off ebay.

Use your knife or razor to trace over the edges of the battery until it pops open. Dont apply too much force, just keep going over it. This will reduce the chance of puncturing the battery cells. 

When you get the case open and both end seperated it should look like this

Carefuly bend back the pcb (printed circuit board) untill it lays flat on the table, it should look like this.

Locate the eeprom chip that we need to modify (shown in the pic below). The options for modification depend on your particular skill level/ equipment availability. 

Option 1: use the soldering iron to heat pin 5 (red square) and needle nose pliers to bend it upward. This is the best option since it allows youto easily revert the battery back to its original state.

Option 2: use your razor to cut the trace (blue square), use an ohm meter to make sure that you did it correctly. 

Option 3: Cut pin 5 using wire cutters. This option is not recomended because you are likely to cut several other pins while attempting or cause more damage to the board.

Congratulation, you now have yourself a pandora battery. Close up the case and use some tape to keep it closed.

II -  Make a Magic Memory Stick:

Note: I can only take credit for the batch file that i wrote to make things easier. All credit goes to the guys at pspmod, hercules, and dark alex for their continued contributions. 

Download the needed files:

Mirror 1

Mirror 2

The files were packed using the rar archival format. Unpack them to your desktop using winrar.

Double click "Magic Memory Stick Creator.bat" to start the batch file. Just follow the prompts, it contains all the instructions necessary. When the batch file is done it should say "Congratulations you now have a Magic Memory Stick".

The batch files is dependant on the windows enviroment variable %windir% if for some reason your computer does not have that variable or the batch file is simply not working then you can install the files needed the manual way. The batch file uses the "set /p" command which is not implemented in eralier versions of windows (95, 98) and will probably not work with them. I'm considering writing a C++ program instead of the batch file but it all depends on the ammount of time i have  (no promises).

Manual Installation (only if batch file doesnt work for you):

• Plug your psp using your mini-usb cable
• Format your memory stick (settings-> systems settings->format memory stick)
• Locate the files you just downloaded and copy the msint, mspformat, and despertar_v3 folders to your c: directory
• Open a command window (start->run->type cmd and press enter)
• type "CD C:\" (without quotes)
• type "mspformat \mspformat.exe X" where X denotes your psp drive letter.
• Follow the prompts, when it is done it should say "drive succesfully formated ..."
• Disable USB mode, remove memory stick, re-insert it, and enable USB mode again.
• Open a command window (start->run->type cmd and press enter)
  
• type "CD C:\" (without quotes)
  
• type "xcopy despertar_v3 /e /y X:\" where X denotes your psp drive letter.
  
• Wait for it to copy all the files.
• type "msinst\msinst.exe X msinst\msipl.bin" where X denotes your psp drive letter.
• When its done it should say "Write MS BOOT CODE"
• Congratulations, you now have a magic memory stick!

III - Install Custom Firmware (CFW)

Now that you have everything you need all you have to do is install.

Note: Charge the battery untill it reaches atleast 78% or the modded firmware will refuse to install. To check battery charge goto Settings->System Settings->Battery Information.

Plugin the modded (pandora) battery and insert your Magic Memory Card. Turn on your PSP and all the lights will start blinking. 

Note: If the green light comes on and the screen stays black thenremove the battery and re-insert it while holding down L (Left trigger).

You should now see a black screen prompting you to press X to install. Wait for it to get done. It will say "install success...press X to reboot", press X the PSP will reboot and you my froend will have custom firmware!

IV - Whats Next?

The pandora battery will not allow you to turn on your psp unless the AC adaptor is plugged in. You need to either fix your battery by reconnecting pin 5 or download Time Machine which will allow you to use your pandora battery as a regular battery.

Backup your games and put place the created ISO files in your PSP ISO folder. These can now be accessed under the game menu.

Download all the great homebrew apps and emulators you want. I recommend Snesy and UltimatePSPtube.

Buy a Photofast CR-5400 and two 16GB MicroSDHC's to and enjoy 32GB of total goodness! I didn't want to splurge so i bought two 8GB off amazon. The total cost with the photofast was around ~$60.