What does Dark Alex 3.40 Custom Firmware do?

Hi Everyone, back again because I just received an e-mail from a friend saying that there was a new release of firmware, so I thought where else better to get the answer than right there. My PSP is 1.5
Probably it has been more than 1 year since I played a real PSP game on my PSP. All homebrew, custom, etc.. stuff on my PSP but it is getting a bit boring. Yes GBA games are great, but after a while it gets old. I have not been following any PSP related new for a long time.

I want to buy a few new PSP games and I am sure they require the latest firmware.

So does DA custom firmware let me play those games without a lot of work being done on my PSP, and still retaining 1.5?
Or does it create a "DUAL BOOT" psp? Can I play ISOs using Fastloader (don't laugh, that's the only loader i can think of) on 3.40 just by dropping ISOs in the folder and running them?

I just wanted to know exactly what are the things you can do with this new custom f/w ?
I will be taking a trip with 10 hour flight and might want to grab a few games on my 2GB MSduo. If there are thing you cannot say here for some reasons, just PM me, then.

Thanks!

[DarkPacMan77]

Custom firmware 3.40 is a way to use the official version 3.40 while still using the homebrew capabilities from version 1.50. In a sense it is "dual-booting" - but it actually isn't. The firmwares are just combined.

Using 3.40 oe-a will let you play all of the newest games/ videos etc while still allowing homebrew.

-DarkPacMan77-

Oh Hey, Welcome back Hyedipin.

Yeah basically what he said.

Basically just a fusion of the good of both firmwares.

If you need any help with installation I can help out.

I don't think theres really any new games out yet that can possibly go up to that firmware,
but I did hear its functionally better at playing most psx games.

Thanks guys,
So you can play PS1 games with DA Firmware? Do we buy those from PSP store like Wii Console or are those ripped PS1 ISO images? If so I have a few PS1 games around, I can make ISO out of them and put on my PSP?

pspruler, I know new games won't require 3.4 but they definitely need 2.5 and above to run. So if I go and buy a few games, or rent some from gamefly, I won't be able to play them with 1.5/ I don't want to lose the functionality of 1.5 but want to play those games so I guess this will let me do that.

How about other homebrews like GBA and GB emulators, will they run the same they they were running, like keep them in game folder just as I did before, with not additional steps?

I remember there used to be a way, such as "Holding L while starting to boot X.XX firmware, and when not holding boot 1.5 f/w" is this the same thing?

Thanks again.

as long as if you have custom firmware, the features will be exactly just like 1.5, you'll be able to run
anything as long as if you have your GAME150 and the kernel set to 1.5

[DarkPacMan77]

All of the stuff you mentioned is possible. PS1 games will work on the 3.xx custom firmwares They just go in a folder and then put that folder in the x://psp/game/______ directory.

-DarkPacMan77-

Will they show up under Games on XBR or is there a loader needed?
How about UMD ISOs? I am sure they won't run without a loader, since they don't on 1.5

[DarkPacMan77]

They will show up in the game menu on the XMB, yes. Also, you won't need a loader to run regular psp isos, like you guessed. Instead, you just place them in the "ISO" folder on the root of the memory stick and bam - they load up in the game menu

-DarkPacMan77-

Yes, but don't forget to tell him that you can just run raw PS1 ISOs, they have to be speically converted to eboots.

If you pm me I can give you links to everything you need to get PS1 ISOs running on your PSP!

They will show up in the game menu on the XMB, yes. Also, you won't need a loader to run regular psp isos, like you guessed. Instead, you just place them in the "ISO" folder on the root of the memory stick and bam - they load up in the game menu

-DarkPacMan77-

Wow, that's some improvement. I think I should give this a try, then. What should I look for or prepare before I do it, to avoid bricking my PSP.

Thanks again for the input.

I also have a site too, that has loads of converted PSX eboots, pm me if you want it.

Thanks PSPRuler.

So you mean I need PSX eboots just like homebrews? I cannot just rip my PS1 game into ISO and put into my memory stick and directly play using DA FW?

One last question, after installing DA F/W, can I revert back to 1.5 anytime later?

Yes, you can revert to 1.5 at any time!

And yse, you will need "PSX Eboots" that function like homebrew, but getting/making them is a snap.

Hey Supashay91,
Thanks. Let me review the instructions for DA f/w installation, and I will come back if I have questions.
I only see 3.3 installations, I think 3.4 should be the same, i guess.