Update: A quick Popsloader bug fix:

• When selecting a firmware for a multidisc game, the setting was remembered for any other multidisc game too. Fixed.

The M33-4 package below contains the corrected ’seplugins/popsloader.prx’ file.

M33-4 & Popsloader changelog:

• Bugfix: Multidisc psx games bought in the psn store would not work due to the format being different and M33 treating them as decrypted games.
• Added support for decrypted multidisc psx games created with popstation_md (supplied with this release).
• Bugfix: Games without compression had sound issues when using 3.72 pops. Fixed.
• Added support for multidisc px games created with popstation_md. Note: multi disc games will only work in 3.71 and 3.72 pops. Previous pops will exit to the xmb with generic error 0×80000004 when attempting to run multidisc games.

• HERE is the Download Link
• Then a BUG FIX to the popsloader in 3.71M33-4

Word has been released that Sony Japan will be sending out a new firmware update bringing it's users to 3.80. Well, this usually means that a firmware update will soon follow for our systems as well. Scheduled for release only a week away on the 18th, the new update will bring the following additions… (Translated)

• SARAGETCHU Zarzal blitz (Trial version and wallpaper)
• Anywhere with – Let's school! PSP Greatest Hits (Trial, wallpaper, a promotional video)
• LocoRoco (Loco Loco) PSP Greatest Hits (Trial version and wallpaper)
• SARUGETCHU PIPOSARURESA PSP Greatest Hits (Trial)
• Brave habit to actual trendy (Trial)

Dark Alex seems to have another fresh batch of homebrew goodness on its way to add as a nice stocking stuffer for PSP owners who enjoy playing PS1 games on their portable consoles. Now for this particular version of popsloader, it is said that…

 Essentially, this means that when converting multi-disc PSone games for use with custom firmware on the PSP, users will be able to store and compress all the data into one EBOOT file, rather than building a separate EBOOT file for each disc."

This is definately a must have for all PS1 gamers. Keep checking back for updates and further information on its release date.

A new PSP Firmware Update is now available via Network Update and linked below. Thus far, only one familiar change is listed in the changelog:

Not an exciting update, although it means more PSN titles for PSP are forthcoming which will likely require Firmware 3.73. Additionally, Service Mode has been confirmed as working and PSAR Dumper decrypts everything for those wondering.

Download Official 3.73 Firmware here

** This will make you lose ALL homebrew compatibility. 

Graphixbrew's Official Signature Contest – Details

Did you ever make a signature that was breath-taking? Or have you ever wanted to make one?
Well now you can enter that sig and get it judged, At
Graphixbrew's First Official Signature Contest. See below for details

Prizes
1st Place gets

-Custom title (a reasonable one)  **MAYBE**
-mentioned on the front page
-Custom Userbar

2nd Place gets

-mentioned on the front page
-custom userbar

3rd Place gets

-custom userbar
=====OR=====
-Mentioned on the front page

Rules
1. No ripping, you will be disqualified and banned if you do.
2. It has to be your own work
3. Must not exceed 530×150 Pixels
4. This is a freestyle Contest
5. Renders and C4D's May be used
6. All material in the renders must be appropriate for viewers under 18.
7. No racial or sexual content
8. You may ONLY submit ONE signature

Contest starts November 25th, 2007 and ends December 20th.

Enter HERE

We MIGHT be able to issue custom titles, however if we cannot, we will have a different prize for you.

Dont have Photoshop or a decent paint program? if so PM ME.

AhMan is at it again to make your Sony PlayStation Portable better then ever. Not long after the release of iR Shell v3.8, AhMan tracked down common bugs and came up with a quick fix. This version 3.81 clears up incompatibility issues and removes several known bugs.

Here's the changelog:

• Fixed a critical bug in the iR Shell firmware patch which results in unable to launch UMD in XMB and also causes various incompatibility issues with other homebrew apps & seplugins. Just apply the new patch and all issues will be resolved.
• Fixed a bug in Contact Menu which wouldn't allow you to choose "Select" or "Start" menu items.

Those who grabbed iR Shell v3.8 only need to download a small file loaded with update files. For everyone else, AhMan provided a full download of v3.81 with all the greatness of iR Shell intact. Minus the bugs, of course. Oh, and don't forget to read the readme.

So here is the download links.

**Fixed. Thanks AdventWolf

3.81 update (for IRshell 3.80 users)

3.81 Full Update 

Thats right guys, the new version of IR Shell has been released.

For those who dont know what this little app is. It is great app for unlocking the full power of the PSP, adding tons of features, from using the PSP to control your TV and DVD player, to MP3 alarms. This is a most have app for all homebrew users.

Any way there is a ton of new features, as well as a lot of bug fixes. And the best part is that it also runs of the PSP slim! Along with these other host of features from the change log:

* Supports the latest M33 firmwares across both Phat & Slim. Slim users can choose among 3.60M33, 3.71M33-1 to 3.71M33-3.
* PSOne 2-Player Adhoc Support.
* Introduces a new Context Menu System. Functions (plugins) under context menu will always be available to all file types, similar to the right mouse menu click under Windows.
* Added a new Multi-tasking PRX Plugin System. This allows user written PRX Plugins for iR Shell to multi-task with another game/app. The included PRX HTML/Text Viewer developed by korDen allows you to view HTML & Text documents while playing games or homebrews..
* With the help from Dark_AleX, support to M33 & NP9660 No UMD Modes have been added. NetHostFS & UsbHostFS are also available for the No UMD modes.
* Added support to the latest Popsloader for 3.71M33-3 by Dark_AleX.
* Allow random start of MP3 for the alarm clock function, so you'll be greeted with different tunes each morning.
* Added the options to put your PSP to auto-sleep while idle to save battery.
* Allows you to press Hot-Key to turn off/on all LEDs. The annonying memory stick or WiFi LEDs will no longer distract you from watching your favorite video/movie.
* Support TV-Out for Slim via component cable.
* Added the display of volume bar for PSP main volume in iR Shell.
* plus numerous bug fixes.

Now something to note is that all the features that work on the fat PSP, should also work on the slim (With the exception of the Infra-Red remote)

With that said give this great app a try.

Thanks to forum member blackmage for the heads up!

Download: IR Shell 3.8

That's right, after "leaving" the scene what would seem like countless times, we again find that he will NOT be leaving this time either.

This is great news for all of us who use custom firmwares from the M33 team.

This new was posted at lan.st by user Mathieulh, and here is what he had to say:

"Not quite a surprise but I rather make it official, after much reflexion Alex decided to go on with the M33 project, although you should not expect as regular updates as there used to be, for instance the M33 will be updated to future kernels only when believed necessary, thus no 3.72M33 planned (we are waiting on future official firmwares and keep improving M33's features from now on.)
About the releases you should either check the m33 website, exophase.com, the maxconsole forums, Dark_Alex's website or the lan.st forums, or any other news site you see fit (although the previous ones are likely the ones that are getting update the sooner)

Cheers"

Well this is great new for the homebrew scene, and hopfully we will be able to see some more great M33 custom firmwares some time in the near future!

Alright, we just got our hands on custom firmware 3.72 HX-2. And now it gets even better, yes its the 1.5 kernel add-on by developer Dark_Moon!

Ok guys, what this little tool does is help us unlock our PSP's even more. For those of you who dont know, a lot of homebrew is made in the 1.5 kernel, now when first installed 3.72 HX-2 DOESNT have that kernel. BUT thats where this comes in, its the kernel add-on!

Ok so here are some notes by Dark_Moon, and also how to install this.

Instructions :

1. When you have installed the firmware 3.71 m33 and the kernel addon download this file and open MS_ROOT. Then copy the PSP folder to the root of your memory stick.
2. Run the app, and press Square. Now the program will start to dump the addon. The dump is on ms0:/psp/game/update/km. Copy the km folder to your hd.
3. Install 3.72 HX. Later copy again the PSP folder that contain this app to the root of your memory stick.
4. Connect the USB (Flash0) and copy the backup done before in the root of the flash0. Run de app again and press X. It will copy the reboot150.prx and all will be done!

So there you go, now guys before you use this be warned that this can be unsafe to try if you are not careful. So read the instructions carefully and enjoy.

Download: 3.72 HX-2 kernel add-on

Yup guys thats right it seems that _HellDashX_ has giving us a update on his custom firmware.

There are a lot of changes that have been made this time around, the underclocking has gotten easier, and there are now two updaters to keep you from all the messing around with the PSP from last time. But thats not all, just take a look at the change log.

• Contains the latest 3.71 M33-3 changes.
• The file vshctrl.prx IS NOT the one from Dark_AleX,It's coded by me after reversing it 100%.
• The exported functions from the vshctrl.prx are the same like the 3.71 M33-3 SDK,plus two more:
• int vctrlVSHEraseIsoCache(con st char* path) -> Lets you erase the cache from an iso created by the CF.
• If the parameter is empty "",it will erase the whole cache,not just from one iso.
• The iso cache will not be created in the memorystick. It will be in the flash1.I made this function to test stuff faster.Gives a 0 if it deletes correctly else it will give -1.
• int vctrlVSHMakeCFDirs() -> Lets you create the custom firmware directories,in case you dont have them(GAME150,GAME372…) in the memstick.Good if you have a pandora memstick and cant format the ms but dont want to create all directories by hand.
• Only one vshctrl.prx for both psp models.In 3.71 M33-3 and others there was a vshctrl for the fat and an other one for the slim because they have slight changes.This new vshctrl will detect if you got SLIM or FAT.
• Other non important changes in the code.

So with that said a few other thing to note, since with this update there are two updaters make sure you get them right.

The mini updater is for those of you who are at 3.72 HX-1, and the full updater if this is you first time using the firmware.

So make sure you use the right one, also its a good idea to read all notes that come with this firmware.

So with that said give _HellDashX_ a great big thanks and enjoy.

Download: 3.72 HX-2