Create Pandora Battery to Unbrick / Install Custom firmware on your PSP
See the bottom of the guide on how to 'Repartition the Flash memory'
If your PSP freezes while installing files or formatting flash you will need
to repair the partition table to enable Pandora to work again.
This guide will show you how to create a 'Pandora battery' that can be used to unbrick a PSP
or Install Custom Firmware onto your Original or Slim PSP. You do not need to
modify any files on the memory stick as the multi-ipl loader can autodetect which PSP type you have.
Pandora will work on both Original and Slim PSP systems.
To make a Pandora Battery and Memory stick you will need:
- Windows Operating system on your PC and a user account with 'Admin' rights
- A 64mb or higher Memory Stick PRO DUO (256mb or higher is recommended)
The size of all the Pandora files is about 24mbytes, the '1.50 Addon' files are about 20mbytes. - A PSP that has custom firmware installed
- A Compatible 'Fat' PSP battery.
(I've read that you can use a slim PSP to convert an 'original' battery,
Just don't convert the psp slim battery as the battery will stop working.)
If you don't have a PSP with custom firmware, then you will need to either:
- If you have an Fat PSP you may be able to downgrade it to 1.50 using one of the 1.50 downgraders.
Note: If you have a slim PSP you will not be able to downgrade to firmware 1.50 as the 1.50 firmware files are not compatible with the PSP Slim - Find someone who has 'Custom firmware' installed on their PSP and get them to make the battery for you.
- Find someone with a pre-made 'Pandora Battery and Memory stick' and use it to install custom firmware on your PSP
- Buy a Pre-made pandora battery (e.g like the Datel 'Max Power Tool' Battery)
You can use the 'Pandora Battery' as a 'Normal Battery' using my files.
The only problem is sleep mode doesn't work at all when using the Pandora battery and you will need to use either your Pandora or 'xmbloader' memory stick to turn on the PSP when using the Pandora battery.
Holding the 'L' button when inserting the Pandora Battery will launch the 'Pandora Recovery Menu and holding the 'R' button will access 'Custom Firmware Recovery mode', If you don't hold any button your PSP will start normally in the XMB.
/!\ Warnings: /!\
By formatting your 'Memory Stick' you will lose all data currently on your memory stick, including game saves, ISOs etc.
Please copy everything from the memory stick you want to convert to a folder on your computer before formatting.
Checking if your Memory Stick is Compatible:
Any memory stick Pro Duo will work as long as its 64mb or higher, 256mb or bigger is recommended.
The 32mb Duo that some PSP systems come with will not work as its not a 'PRO DUO' memory stick.
Checking if your Battery is Compatible:
The Official batteries (Battery Models 'PSP-110' and 'PSP-280') are known to work properly with the 'Pandora' Files.
The 'Original' Fat PSP System should come with either a PSP-110 or PSP-280 battery.
The Datel 'Max Power TOOL Battery' can also be used as a Pandora battery if you can't or don't want to make your own battery.
Do a Google search for "Datel Max Power TOOL Battery" and you should find a few online shops that sell them.
Pictures of batteries that can be modified / used as a 'Pandora Battery'
Official Sony Batteries: (There are 'fake' batteries that look like official batteries, but they can not be 'converted' to a 'Pandora Battery')
PSP-110 (1800mah) : http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/1282/psp110co6.jpg
PSP-280 (2200mah) : http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/9242/psp280mx7.jpg
Datel MAX Power Tool Batteries:
1800mah (For Original and Slim): http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/4889/datelwi9.jpg
1200mah (Only for Slim PSP!): http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/687/datelslimdz1.jpg
DealExtreme.com has 'pre-made pandora batteries' for sale for $11usd + free shipping. (Item sku: 12472)
(The shipping is said to be slow when using the free option, you can pay extra for EMS Express post, need paypal)
Required Files you need to download to make a 'Pandora Battery'
3.80 M33 Pandora Files
Pandora Battery Files to install 3.80 M33-5 (Version 1) (~24.0 mb)
The main set of files needed to make a Pandora battery and memory stick.
If you make a 'Pandora memory stick' using these files, Pandora will install 'Custom Firmware 3.80 M33-5' onto your PSP.
Includes these addon programs pre-installed:
* Nandtool version 0.3b1' (To make a 'backup' of your PSP NAND)
* OS Pandora Battery Creator 0.5a (Battery Creator for 3.xx)
* Pandora's Battery Creator (Battery Creator for 1.50)
Download: http://www.sendspace.com/file/cwsxgw
Mirror : http://www.zshare.net/download/67688027ff0ec1/
1.50 Addon files for 3.80 M33 (Version 1) (~13.3 mb)
1.50 addon files for 'Original' PSP systems only, allows 1.50 format homebrew to run. (Optional)
Download: http://www.sendspace.com/file/dcewqi
Mirror : http://www.zshare.net/download/65997061624216/
3.71 M33 Pandora Files
Pandora Battery Files to install 3.71 M33-2 (Version 5) (~23.7 mb)
The main set of files needed to make a Pandora battery and memory stick.
If you make a 'Pandora memory stick' using these files, Pandora will install 'Custom Firmware 3.71 M33-2' onto your PSP.
Includes these addon programs pre-installed:
* 3.71 M33 Update #4 (Start from the Game -> Memory Stick menu)
* Nandtool version 0.3b1 (To make a 'backup' of your PSP NAND)
* OS Pandora Battery Creator 0.5a (Battery Creator for 3.xx)
* Pandora's Battery Creator (Battery Creator for 1.50)
Download: http://www.sendspace.com/file/rsfl4s
Mirror : http://www.zshare.net/download/6768742592774e/
1.50 Addon files for 3.71 M33 (Version 2) (~13.3 mb)
1.50 addon files for 'Original' PSP systems only, allows 1.50 format homebrew to run. (Optional)
(Note: the 1.50 Addon files and the '3.71 M33 Update #4' cannot be placed
on the same memory stick as they both use the 'UPDATE' folder.)
Download: http://www.sendspace.com/file/f9e4yj
Mirror : http://www.zshare.net/download/4122331527a909/
Extra files
XMBLoader (Version 1) (~7.75kbytes)
An IPL to write to a non-pandora memory stick so it can load the XMB when using Pandora Battery (Optional)
Download: http://www.sendspace.com/file/cxgai0
Mirror : http://www.zshare.net/download/41239513fd3dd0/
Updating a 3.71 M33-2 Pandora Memory stick to 3.80 M33-5:
1. Backup any important files on your 'Pandora Memory stick' to your computer. (e.g battery 'eeprom.bin')
2. Download the '3.80 Pandora files' and extract it to a folder on your computer.
3. Delete the 'KD' folder and '371.PBP' file on your memory stick.
PS: (do not format your memory stick as you will lose the 'Pandora bootcode' and will have to reinstall it)
4. Copy everything in the Pandora380 \ PSP_Memorystick folder to your memory stick and replace all files when asked.
5. You can also delete the 'ospbt_04' folder from the PSP \ GAME folder on your memory stick.
(Its the 'Battery creator' for 3.71 only, 'ospbt_05' works on both 3.71 and 3.80 M33 so the older version is not needed)
Converting your 'Memory Stick' into a 'Pandora Memory Stick'
1. Download and extract the files, copy the 'Pandora380' or 'Pandora371' folder to your C:
e.g Open My Computer -> Local Disk (C:) -> and Paste the Pandora380 or Pandora371 folder.
(On windows vista, you might need 'Administrator permission' to copy the folder, press the continue button twice)
2. Turn on your PSP and insert the memory stick you want change to a 'Pandora' memory stick.
3. (optional step, might not be required)
Go to the Settings -> System Settings menu on your PSP, select the 'Format Memory Stick' option and press 'X'.
Choose the 'Yes' option and when asked if you want to format the memory stick and press 'X'.
Note: If you do this using the windows 'format' tool make sure the memory stick is formatted in FAT/FAT16 and not FAT32.
4. For Windows XP Users -> Click 'Start' then 'Run' (or hold the Windows Key and press 'R' on your keyboard)
In the 'Open' Box type in CMD and press Enter or click OK and a black MS-DOS window will open.
For Windows Vista Users -> Right click your desktop and create a new shortcut, type in CMD and click next twice.
Right click on the new shortcut and choose 'Run as Administrator' and choose 'Continue' and a black MS-DOS window will open.
(The title of the window should read 'Administrator: cmd.exe')
5. Type in: CD \ and press Enter, this will take you to your C:\> Drive.
6. Now type in CD Pandora380 (or CD Pandora371) and press Enter,
this will change the folder to C:\Pandora380> (or C:\Pandora371>)
7. Type in installipl and press enter and you should see this on the screen:
PSP MS IPL Installer
Load IPL code .\ipl_loader.bin
15620 bytes(4 block) readed
Scan Media
Drive 0:Non RemovableMedia
Connect target MsProDuo
8. Connect your PSP to your computer using a USB cable and activate the USB connection while the MSDOS window is open.
9. The Program will auto-detect the memory stick and will ask 'Are you sure? [Y]', press Y.
10. Look at the last few lines on the black 'Ms-Dos' window:
If you see "Write MS BOOT CODE" then the 'Pandora Bootcode' has been written to the memory stick.
This means your Pandora Memory stick will work correctly.
You can now close the black MSDOS window since you have the 'bootcode' installed to the memory stick.
Note: Do not format your memory stick after this, doing so will erase the
'Pandora Bootcode' and you will need to make the memory stick again.
If you don't see 'Write MS BOOT CODE' or you get
an error like 'too small reserved sectors' then do this:
(The mspformat program will only work on Windows XP, it doesn't work on Vista)
* Type mspformat X
(replace X with the drive letter of your PSP e.g 'mspformat E')
* Press 'Y' when you see 'Do you want to continue?'
* After its done you should see Drive Sucessfully Formatted and Partition Moved
* Now close the USB Connection and go back and do step 7 to 10 again.
If you get an error and just continue on with guide then your Pandora Memorystick
will not work at all, you will just get a 'black screen' on your PSP because
the 'Pandora boot code' has not been written successfully to the memory stick.
11. Open 'My Computer -> Local Disk (C:) -> Pandora380 (or Pandora371) -> PSP_Memorystick' folder and copy everything inside it to your memory stick.
After the files have been copied to the memory stick, you can delete the 'Pandora380' (or Pandora371) folder from your 'Local Disk (C:)'
Installing the '1.50 Kernel addon' files to a memory stick
12. Download and extract the 1.50 addon files.
13. Copy the 150.pbp file and the PSP folder to your memory stick. (e.g Removable Disk (E:) )
14. Choose 'Yes' when asked to overwrite / replace / merge the files.
15. The '1.50 addon program' will show up as 'PSP Firmware Update 1.50' on the game menu.
Installing the 'XMBLoader' program to non-pandora memory sticks
Do not install the XMBLoader bootcode to a 'Pandora memory stick, it is not needed!
Installing it will overwrite the 'Pandora Bootcode' and you need to make your 'Pandora' memory stick again.
The reason xmbloader is needed is when you turn on the PSP with a Pandora battery it will start from the memory stick.
If there is no program on the memory stick or there is no memory stick inserted the PSP will show a black screen.
To start the PSP in the XMB using the Pandora battery battery you will need to use either the
'Pandora Memory stick' or a Memory stick that has the XMB loader program installed to it.
This program is installed to non-pandora memory sticks to allow them to be used to 'start' the PSP in the XMB when using a Pandora Battery.
1. Download the XMBLoader program and extract it.
2. Copy the 'xmbloader' folder to your computers hard drive -> Local Disk (C:\)
3. For Windows XP -> Click 'Start' then 'Run' (or hold the Windows Key and press 'R' on your keyboard)
In the 'Open' Box type in CMD and press Enter or click OK and a black MS-DOS window will open.
For Windows Vista -> Right click your desktop and create a new shortcut, type in CMD and click next twice.
Right click on the new shortcut and choose 'Run as Administrator' and choose 'Continue' and a black MS-DOS window will open.
(The title of the window should read 'Administrator: cmd.exe')
4. Type in: CD \ and press Enter, this will take you to your C:\> Drive.
5. Now type in CD xmbloader and press Enter, this will change the folder to C:\xmbloader>
6. Type in install and press enter and you should see this on the screen:
PSP MS IPL Installer
Load IPL code .\ipl_ms.bin
2288 bytes(1 block) readed
Scan Media
Drive 0:Non RemovableMedia
7. Connect your PSP to your computer using a USB cable and activate the USB connection.
8. The program will auto-detect the memory stick and will ask 'Are you sure? [Y]', press Y.
If you have multiple memory sticks and want to write the boot code to another memory stick:
Close the USB connection on the PSP, insert the new memory stick and repeat step 6 to 8.
9. Close the black MSDOS window as you are finished installing the xmbloader bootcode.
After the bootcode has been installed to the memory stick, you can delete the 'xmbloader' folder from your 'Local Disk (C:)'
Converting your 'Battery' into a 'Pandora Battery'
If you already have a Pandora battery then you can skip this section, no need to make one when you already have one ;)
Note: If you get a game cannot be started error then make sure you are using a custom firmware PSP to make the battery.
An Official firmware PSP cannot run the battery creator program!
If you do have custom firmware, check the 'game folder homebrew' in recovery mode
is set to '3.xx kernel' and you are running the correct battery creator for your PSP firmware version (1.50 or 3.xx)
1. Insert the Pandora Memory Stick and the Battery you want to convert into a Pandora battery into your PSP and turn your PSP on.
2. Go to the 'Game -> Memory Stick' menu and:
-=> If you have a PSP with a Custom Firmware: (e.g 3.xx OE / 3.52 M33 / 3.71 M33 / 3.80 M33):
a. Start the 'OS Pandora Battery Tool 0.5'
b. When the program starts, Press the 'X' button to continue.
c. Choose the "backup battery eeprom to ms0:/eeprom.bin and press 'X'
d. Press 'X' again after the program has finished reading the battery data.
e. Choose the "convert to service mode (aka: pandora battery)"
f. Press 'X' again after the program has verified the battery serial is correct.
(If your battery serial doesn't change then the battery doesn't have a
writable EEPROM inside it so the Battery cannot be used as a Pandora Battery)
g. Choose 'quit now' and the program will exit.
-=> If you have a PSP with Official Firmware 1.50:
a. Start the 'Pandora's Battery Creator' program.
b. When the program starts, Press the 'Triangle' button to save your battery information to the memory stick.
c. The program will now exit to the XMB Menu.
d. Go back to the Game -> Memory Stick menu and start the 'Pandora's Battery Creator' Program again.
e. This time when the program starts, press 'X' to 'Convert your Battery into a Service Mode One'
f. The Program will now exit back to the XMB menu.
3. Your Battery has now been converted to a 'Pandora Battery'
4. Make a copy of the 'eeprom.bin' file from your memory stick to a folder on your computer as a backup.
(This file contains the 'Original' battery information, you will need this file to restore the battery back to an original one)
Making a 'backup' of your PSP NAND memory
What is the 'NAND'?
The NAND is the 'chip' the PSP stores all its data on (Partition Tables, IPL, Idstorage, Flash0 through to Flash3)
There is currently no way to 're-generate' the Idstorage area on a PSP system.
Making a Nand-dump of this entire chip will help if you need to fix a corrupted IdStorage, Flash0 etc.
Warning: Only use a NAND Dump on the PSP it was created on.
1. Turn off your PSP by holding the power button for 4 seconds.
2. Insert the 'Pandora Memory Stick' into your PSP, this must be done before you insert the battery.
3. Hold the 'L' button and insert the 'Pandora Battery' and your PSP will turn itself on automatically.
4. After a few seconds, you will see the 'Pandora`s Battery Recovery Menu' and will have 4 options.
5. Press the 'Square' button twice to start the 'NAND Dumper'
6. On the first screen you will see the size of the 'Nand' inside your PSP.
You will see 32MiB for an the Original PSP or 64MiB on the Slim PSP.
Your memory stick will require either 33mb (Original) or 66mb (Slim) of free space to make a NAND Dump.
If you have a 64mb memory stick, then you will not be able to do a Nand-Dump due to the lack of space on the memory stick
7. Press 'O' to move onto the next screen.
8. Choose 'Dump from NAND' option and press 'X'
9. The filename will be shown on the screen, Press 'X'
10. Wait while the PSP reads the NAND from your PSP and copies it to your Memory stick.
11. After the dump has completed, press 'X'
12. Press 'O' twice to return to the main menu.
13. Select 'Shutdown' and press 'X' and your PSP will turn off.
14. Make a copy of the NAND to your computer and keep it safe.
(you can use this to restore your PSP if something goes wrong)
Downgrade / Unbrick a PSP using the Pandora Battery and Memory Stick
Before Installing Custom firmware onto a PSP, I recommend to make a 'Nand-Dump' just in case something goes wrong.
You can use it to 'revert' your PSP back to how it was before you attempted to install custom firmware on it.
1. Turn off your PSP by holding the power button for 4 seconds.
2. Insert the 'Pandora Memory Stick' into your PSP, this must be done before you insert the battery.
3. Hold the 'L' button and insert the 'Pandora Battery' and your PSP will turn itself on automatically.
4. Afer a few seconds, you will see the 'Pandora`s Battery Recovery Menu' and will have 4 options.
X = Will Install custom firmware onto your PSP.
O = Will Install official firmware onto your PSP (this is useful if you need to send PSP back for repair)
[] = Will start 'Nand-tool' so you can make a backup of your PSP flash memory.
L+R+Start+Home = Restore a nand-dump (Use Nand-Tool to restore the nand-dump instead)
5. Press 'X' to start the install of the custom firmware. While the firmware is installing, the memory stick and WiFi lights will flash, this is normal.
6. Once the 'Custom Firmware' install has completed, the Memory Stick and WiFi lights will stop flashing and you will be asked to restart the PSP.
7. Turn off your PSP and turn it back on.
Note: If you upgraded a Slim PSP and the psp won't turn on, change the Pandora battery to a slim battery.
- If you get a 'Corrupted Settings' blue screen error message:
Press 'O' a few times and your PSP should restart with fixed settings.
The PSP will then go through the 'Initial Setup' process, (setting time / date / name etc.) - If your PSP freezes before it loads the XMB menu:
Turn off your PSP (hold the power button up for 7 seconds).
Turn on the PSP holding the 'R' button to access 'Recovery mode'
Select the 'Advanced' Menu and press 'X', select the 'Format Flash1 and Reset Settings' option and press 'X'
The PSP will then go through the 'Initial Setup' process. (setting time / date / name etc.) - If your PSP loads the XMB menu:
Go to the 'Settings Menu' and redo the settings (Nickname / Video Settings, Theme Settings etc)
(Or you can use the 'Reset to default settings' option on the Settings -> System Settings menu)
9. Turn off the PSP by holding the power switch for 4 seconds.
10. Hold the 'R' Button and turn the PSP back on to enter recovery mode and configure the recovery mode options.
11. After you have set the Recovery Mode options, choose "Exit" to go back to the XMB menu.
Restore a Pandora Battery back to a Normal Battery
1. Insert the Pandora Battery and Pandora Memory stick into your PSP. (Your PSP will turn itself on automatically)
2. Go to the 'Game -> Memory Stick' menu and:
-=> If you are using a PSP that has 'custom firmware' (e.g 3.71 M33 / 3.80 M33 / 3.90 M33):
a. Start the 'OS Pandora Battery Tool 0.5'
b. When the program starts, Press the 'X' button to continue.
c. Choose the 'Flash only serial from ms0:/eeprom.bin' option.
(note: If you don't have a eeprom backup, choose the 'convert to normal mode' option)
d. Press 'X' again after the program has finished writing the battery data.
e. Choose 'quit now' and the program will exit.
-=> If you are using a PSP with official firmware 1.50:
a. Start the 'Pandora's Battery Creator' program.
b. When the program starts, Press the L and R buttons at the same time.
This will flash the battery eeprom from ms0:\eeprom.bin.
(note: If you don't have a eeprom backup, choose the 'convert battery in normal one' option)
c. The program will now exit to the XMB Menu.
3. Your Pandora Battery has now been converted back to a 'Normal Battery'
Restore a Pandora Memory Stick back to a Normal Memory Stick
/!\ Warning: /!\
Make sure you have restored your battery back to normal. If you do this first you may not be able to change
the 'Pandora Battery' back to a 'Normal Battery' since the 'Battery eeprom' information is stored in a file on the memory stick.
Formatting your memory stick will delete everything from it, Check that you have no important files on your memory stick before doing this.
If you have important files on the memory stick, make a copy of them to your computer before formatting your memory stick.
1. Insert a battery into your PSP and turn it on.
2. Insert the Pandora memory stick that you want to change back to a normal memory stick.
3. Go to the 'Settings Menu' and choose 'System Settings'
4. Choose the 'Format Memory Stick' option and choose 'Yes' and 'Yes' again
5. Once the memory stick has been formatted is it back to normal.
How To Recharge the Pandora Battery
1. Insert the 'Pandora Battery' and hold the 'L' button to access Pandora recovery menu.
2. Hold the power button up for 7 seconds to turn off the PSP.
3. Plug in your battery charger / AC Adaptor.
4. The battery light should turn Orange to indicate that the battery is charging.
5. Turn off your PSP by holding the power button for 4 seconds.
6. The power light should still be orange after the PSP power is off.
7. Once the battery is fully recharged, The orange power light will turn off.
Fixing your PSP Flash Memory Partition Tables
If your PSP freezes at a 'formatting flash' when trying to use pandora, your PSP may have a 'corrupted partition table'.
If you have a Nand-dump, then you should restore it WITHOUT the 'Idstorage' option.
If you don't have a Nand-dump, you can use a 'lflash format' to try and repair the partition tables.
NandTool 0.3b1:
Download: http://www.sendspace.com/file/lopm79
Mirror : http://www.zshare.net/download/56809643bd8998/
Installing Nand-tool
(Most users can skip these steps as I've included 'Nand-tool' as a part of the Pandora Install Files)
1. Download 'NandTool 0.3b1' and extract it to a folder on your computer, you will get a file called 'backup.elf'
2. Insert your 'Pandora Memory Stick' into your PSP and connect it to your computer (or use a memory stick card reader)
3. Copy the 'backup.elf' file and paste it inside the "KD" folder and overwrite the existing file.
4. Close the USB connection and disconnect the USB Cable. (or take memory stick out of the card reader)
Instructions on Using NAND-Tool:
5. Make sure you have at least 33mb of 'free space' on your memory stick' for a original PSP, or 66mb for a slim PSP.
6. Insert 'Pandora Memory Stick' into your PSP
7. Insert 'Pandora Battery' into your PSP while holding the 'L' button to access 'Pandora Recovery Menu'.
8. Wait for 5 seconds and then press the 'Square' button to start the 'NAND Dumper' program.
9. On the next screen, press 'O' to go to the next part of the dumper.
10. Choose 'Dump from NAND' option and press 'X',
You will see the filename the 'NAND Image' will be copied to, press 'X' again.
* Please wait while your PSP NAND is being copied to your memory stick *
11. Once the dump is completed press 'X', now press 'O' to go back to the main menu.
12. Select the 'Other' menu option and press 'X'
13. Select the 'Repartition lflash' option and press 'X'
14. Press 'Triangle' to confirm you want to 'logically format the flash'
* Wait while the lflash area is logically formatted, this may take a few minutes *
15. After the lflash format has been completed, press 'X'
16. Press 'O' to go back to the main menu.
17. Scroll down to 'Quit' and press 'X', the PSP will shut down.
18. Hold 'L' and turn the PSP back on and you will see the 'Pandora Recovery Menu'
19. Press 'X' to install 'Custom firmware M33' and custom firmware will be installed.
After the custom firmware install has finished, your PSP should hopefully be working properly.
I recommend you delete the old non-working NAND-dump and make another backup of your working PSP using 'NandTool'.
If the 'lflash' gets corrupted again, you can restore the dump instead of repartitioning and installing the custom firmware again.
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