European PSP - Firmware 2.0 not yet installed

[Thisco]

A Quick question!

After opening the box of my PSP the first thing I see is an 'IMPORTANT' notice which says that before I use my PSP for the first time I have to use the Demo Disc supplied with the system to put the newest firmware on.
As I am interested in trying the whole emulation-scene ( imossible if I update to 2.0 ) I was wondering if I could just IGNORE this request? Will I be able to play the European Ridge Racers I bought with the system? Is there any way of checking first?

A bit of advice would be much appreciated...thanks!

Ken

[peeveen]

I think it's 1.52 on the UK PSP by default ... the scary warning inside is to force you into using 2.0.

However, there are no known exploits for 1.52 to enable the use of homebrew code ... only 1.5 or lower.

Does anyone know if Virtua Tennis PSP will force me to upgrade my Jap 1.5 firmware? I like the look of this game, and I think it's in the shops today, yes?

[AlonzoUK]

Don't use the demo disk - Ridge Racer et al don't require firmware version 2 to run. If you want to use emus in the near future then it is worth holding back.

[AlonzoUK]

I think it's 1.52 on the UK PSP by default ... the scary warning inside is to force you into using 2.0.

However, there are no known exploits for 1.52 to enable the use of homebrew code ... only 1.5 or lower.

Does anyone know if Virtua Tennis PSP will force me to upgrade my Jap 1.5 firmware? I like the look of this game, and I think it's in the shops today, yes?

You can download the wab version changer that changes your firmware version number, fooling the likes of virtua tennis into believing your machine has already been updated.

An exploit of sorts is said to be in the pipeline - hopefully something will appear in the next couple of days.

[SubparMario]

You're in no danger of breaking anything despite the urgent looking notice.

The PSPs come with firmware 1.52 which is currently not able to run homebrew. There is a rumour that a method to crack this version is just around the corner though.

There's no harm in trying Ridge Racers, if it runs without requesting you upgrade to 2.0 then I would stick with 1.52. If it does require 2.0 then you have the option of waiting to see what's done with 1.52 and the possibility of bypassing the version check somewhere down the line. Personally, I'd say that's way too much hassle when you should just be enjoying playing games on your new system.

[Thisco]

Thanks for all the replies.

If I understand correctly, updating the firmware isn't necessary for the moment. Even though currently with 1.52 it is impossible to run emulators the chances of this happening are better than if I update to 2? Please correct me if I'm wrong :-D

Ken

[SubparMario]

You're right. It'll be interesting if 1.52 is cracked as that'll mean every PSP currently being sold in the world is open to homebrew.

[Bassman]

My Virtua Tennis shipped from Amazon UK yesterday (free delivery) so could arrive today. I doubt that it will run on my Japanese V1.00 but I will give it a try (won't have a problem with my American V2.00 machine).

[Dogg Thang]

Cool, let us know - I have only a JP v1.0

[buster_broon]

off topic - can somebody confirm that the uk PSP indeed plays US/Jap games

thanks

[Bassman]

It ought to at present (I can confirm that later in the day... I hope). If the game publishers decide to make their games region dependent then the situation could change.

If Virtua Tennis comes with an upgrade, it ought to possible to see which version it wants. I would not think it would require V2.00 as that has only just been released.

Edit...

Virtua Tennis requires V1.52 and will play on US/Japanese PSP's.

http://ntsc-uk.domino.org/showthread.php?t=45965&page=1&pp=10

[peeveen]

Just bought Virtua Tennis anyway ... won't launch without a 1.52 upgrade (on the disc) ... I might just bite the bullet and upgrade to 2.0 ... I mean it's only a matter of time before Sony get wise to every trick in the book.

Is anyone else giving up the ghost and committing homebrew hari-kari?

[Bassman]

V1.52 is likely to get homebrew before V2.00 (if ever of course... for either) so a V1.52 upgrade may not be a permanent "kiss of death"!!

[peeveen]

Yeah, but in a few months, there's gonna be a "must-have" game which forces 2.0, and probably detects the installed firmware version by more than just the "hackable" string descriptor.

[Sega Ages]

Yeah, but in a few months, there's gonna be a "must-have" game which forces 2.0, and probably detects the installed firmware version by more than just the "hackable" string descriptor.

That's when you buy a second PSP for 2.0 games, but probably the homebrew tools will keep evolving to match the ongoing requirements of 1.50 firmware users anyway