These days, Dark_AleX has made it a habit of making big news atleast once every week. And I might add, a great habit at that. Just yesterday, he released a generic downgrader which made it a piece of cake to anyone who wanted to downgrade. But in case any of looked harder, you would've noticed that the file was named updateflasher.zip/rar. I'm sure many people got curious of the fact that a downgrader was named as updateflasher. Well, although me and a few others have known about it for a little while now, we decided to keep quiet so that you guys would get a huge surprise, come release day.

And well, I guess it's time to let everyone know what Dark_AleX has been working on. How about I tell you that I can run all 1.5 kernel mode homebrew on my 2.71 PSP. While I'm at it, I might also add that it's a seamless package. You won't know that the PSP has been modified in any way, apart from the fact that you can run homebrew properly on the 2.71 firmware. All the magic is courtesy of Dark_AleX and his 2.71 Custom Firmware, or as Mathieulh likes to call it, 2.71 SE-A.


This modification will not run on a TA-082 PSP. Do not even try it out. It will surely brick your PSP.


Firstly, here are a list of the features:
1.00/1.50 Eboot support (both kernel and user mode).
2.71 Eboot support (both kernel and user mode).
Runs on 2.71 VSH.
Ability to run Devhook (both 1.50 and 2.71 versions are fully compatible).
Ability to run all 2.71 (and lower UMDs).
1.00/1.50 prx executable support.
Support both KXploited and unpatched eboots for 1.50 kernel.
Support any 2.71 homebrew coded for HEN C.
Compatibility is 100% for 2.71 homebrew and approx 99% for 1.00/1.50 homebrew.
Recovery mode.
Note: There are two small bugs. Choosing your language as Korean/Chinese is not allowed. Secondly, running the official updater is not recommended. It will give you an error. In case you want to update/downgrade, you can use Dark_AleX's generic downgrader to downgrade.

Now how is this different from HEN_C, you may ask. Well, like I said, it's all rolled into one cool seamless package. You won't need to run the Homebrew Enabler before running any homebrew. Secondly, it has been confirmed that you will be able to load your firmware mods which you've been using on the 1.5 custom firmware. So looking at the features, I'll probably stick my neck out and proclaim that the days of firmware 1.5 are numbered.

Personally, one of the main reasons I've stayed on 1.5 is because of Devhook and the Firmware mods. Now since it's all supported on 2.71, I don't see any reason why I should stick on 1.5. Heck, in case I have any problems, I can always downgrade using Dark_AleX's downgrader! I'm sure you guys might be wondering "So what's the catch?" Well, there aren't any, unless you consider a 2-second wait time while booting the PSP or UMD autoloading. Besides, the UMD autoloading will probably be disabled by a firmware mod sometime in the future.

Here's a set of instructions which will help you on your way towards firmware nirvana. It can only be applied from 1.5 firmware.
Mathieulh has said that after installing the custom firmware, there isn't much space left on Flash0. So it's best to use the downgrader which formats the whole Flash0 first. That way, you can be sure that there aren't any junk files on your Flash.
You will need a 1.5 dump. Those are only available if you're on a 1.5. Though you won't have to worry, Dark_AleX has bundled a helper program which will help you make a firmware dump easily.
Here are the instructions to flash the custom firmware on a 1.5.

Instructions for firmware 1.5:
First make sure you have a clean firmware by downgrading to 1.5.This can be done by upgrading to 2.71 and using the generic downgrader. The main reason for this is the fact that you need a clean firmware before you use the helper program and make a dump. Once, that's done, you can go ahead with the next step.
Using the Helper program, make a firmware dump.
Once done, use the update flasher to flash the custom firmware on your PSP!
Again, it doesn't get much easier than this. There are a two precautions you have to take. Make sure your PSP is not a TA-082. Secondly, make sure your PSP's battery level is above 75%. And finally, be careful while using this application. If modifies your flash, so you have to be careful; any application that modifies your flash has a chance of bricking your PSP. Finally, the download links to the Homebrew Enabler, the Generic Downgrader in case you want to downgrade to 1.5 to create your own dump, and the link to the actual release. Enjoy!

Again, it doesn't get much easier than this. There are a two precautions you have to take. Make sure your PSP is not a TA-082. Secondly, make sure your PSP's battery level is above 75%. And finally, be careful while using this application. If modifies your flash, so you have to be careful; any application that modifies your flash has a chance of bricking your PSP. Finally, the download links to the Homebrew Enabler, the Generic Downgrader in case you want to downgrade to 1.5 to create your own dump, and the link to the actual release. Enjoy!