Posted by 
June 8, 2009 •
Homebrew can now run on the PSP-3000 or PSP-2000 with TA-088v3 thanks to PSPGEN and Team Typhoon. The chickHen hack allows you to run Homebrew on both PSP models and custom firmware 5.03 Gen-A lets you play your games from ISO/CSO files.
Interested yet? Read ON.
Update: This guide is sorely outdated. If you please refer to this new guide instead : Install Signed 5.03 Hen + 5.03 GEN-C on your PSP. It’s much simpler to follow and will help you install 5.03 GEN-C and the Prometheus-4 module.
Update: After installing 5.03 GEN-A, please install the 5.03 GEN-C update or 5.03 Prometheus for the the best compatibility with the latest games.
Important Notes:
This guide is for non-hackable PSPs. (PSP-3000 / PSP-2000 TA-088v3). If you’re not sure what PSP you have, please read: Is my PSP hackable?
On this guide, we will help install 5.03 GEN-A on your PSP. There is no danger of bricking your PSP unless you deviate from the instructions listed below. Unlike custom firmware for hackable PSPs, the danger of bricking your PSP-3000 / PSP-2000 TA-088v3 is quite real. If you’re not sure about a step, take the time to post a question.
Do note that if you have official firmware 5.50 or higher installed, stop now. You can’t install the chickHen hack which means you can’t install 5.03 GEN-A.
Requirements:
- A PSP-3000 or PSP-2000 with TA-088v3 motherboard.
- Davee’s chickHen installed and running
- Download: 5.03 GEN-A
- Back up your save files (so that if they get corrupted, you still have backups)
How to Install Custom Firmware 5.03GEN-A for ChickHEN
Before you proceed to installing custom firmware 5.03 GEN-A, you need to install and successfully run the chickHen hack. Read the guide and comeback here to finish the installation.
How to Install 5.03 GEN-A
- Connect your PSP to the computer in USB Mode when you have loaded ChickHEN R2.
- Unzip the file you’ve downloaded on your computer
- Run the LAUNCH-ME.exe (GUI) Application
- PSP Model : choose your PSP PSP-2000 or PSP-3000 (shown below)
- PSP 2000 = Slim and Lite
- PSP 3000 = Brite
- Choose the option ‘FULL’ under Mode
- Choose the option ‘Yes’ under PSP Install
- PSP Drive Unit: Type the letter of your PSP’s Drive. Do not “:” but just the letter (example, the PSP is recognized G)
- press START , and the files will be patched and copied to the Memory Stick.
- Disconnect the PSP from USB.
- Launch the homebrew file ‘INSTALLER-LOADER’ under ‘GAME > Memory Stick’.
- When the app load, press L or R to flash the firmware in your flash. You will see this screen again but only to load the 5.03 custom firmware
- After the flash done, press O [it's the circle button] to reboot in the custom firmware.
- After the PSP reboot, you are finish installation proses. Now your firmware is 5.03 GEN-A(full).
After installing 5.03 GEN-A, please proceed to install 5.03 GEN-B 
.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Help! 503.pbp is corrupted, I can’t run it.
If you’re experiencing this problem, rename the 503.pbp to EBOOT.pbp. (Do this ONLY if you’re experiencing the problem indicated)
No risk of brick in normal use
Custom Firmware 5.03GEN for HEN-A can not brick your console during the installation. Understand that the
Custom Firmware 5.03GEN for HEN-A adds the files it needs but does not those of the official firmware 5.03.
Once installed, as it is a Custom Firmware, you have access to the flash0 of your console.
DO NOT TOUCH THE FLASH0
Don’t EVER load the flasher to flash0 of your PSP. Do not edit any files of OFW 5.03. If you do then congratulations, you’ve just bricked your PSP. If you manage to brick your PSP installing custom firmware (which as stated above is not possible under NORMAL usage), you need to talk to Sony and I’m sure they’ll be happy to take in your case (NOT!)
DON’T TURN OFF YOUR PSP.
You can put your PSP to sleep/standyby but don’t allow it to drain it’s battery to 0%. If you do, you will need to you will need use again ChickHEN R2 to load the main app and press ( ) to reboot in the custom firmware.
After installation, remove the “files” folder in the MS ROOT. For your own safety, is better that you rename or erase the prx called “flasher.prx” in the MAIN APP folder to avoid wrong flash times.
KNOWN BUGS:
To be updated with a proper list.
All this is thanks to GENyUS and PSPGen.com.
Please help! I used cfw enable before and then I reboot my psp before trying to install this, when I tried, the psp shut down and when I turned it on, if had official firmware and now I can’t even run cfw enabler! Please Help!!!!!!!
You need to run chickhen first BEFORE running CFWEnabler.
I have chicken running before installing cfwe, but after installing gen a and it just shut down, I decided that I want cfwe! So I tried running cfwe after the chicken hack, my psp would just turn black and shut down! Please help
after i installed this programme i pressed o and the psp shut down and when I turned it on it shut downs again.what shall i do?please help me:(
What do you mean shuts down again? the psp turns off as soon as you turn it on? OUCH!!!
when i turn it in it works a few seconds and after it turns off.but when it works the screen is black.
Help me pls guyz! Noob is in here. I CANT play the downloaded games at my PSP. What should i do???
here is the specs of my psp:
PSP 1001 (fat)
System Software – 5.00 M33-6
What should i do step by step..
Please someone help me…
Sorry that this is a pretty noob question, but how can I make sure that I don’t touch the flash0 of my psp 3000 while installing chickHen R2 and 5.03 Gen-A?
Just follow the guide to the letter.
Is it just me or does it seem like every question seems to get answered except for the one about why the psp shuts down instead of rebooting when trying to reboot in the custom firmware?
Because when the PSP just shuts down instead of rebooting then you’re (assuming you’re the one installing it) doing something wrong (usually with regards to chickhen).
I was hoping you would say that. Here’s what I have done, hopefully you can offer some direction. I downloaded chickhen and copied the h.bin file to the root of my memory stick and the slim folder (I have a psp2000) to the PHOTO folder and added 3 more chickhen images as recommended. I exit usb mode, and under the chickhen folder scroll all the way down after seeing the options screen and it successfully gives me the green screen and then reboots. After which I checked the firmware and it says 5.03 ChickHEN Gen A (I think that’s the right Gen) after this I try to load the Install Loader from the Game section, select the L or R and it says it loads successfully, the press O to restart and it shuts down right there. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
Try installing 5.03 MHU (CFWEnabler) instead. Also, try reformatting your memory stick first before redoing the installation.
when i open the installer in games>memory stick and i press X, it says “this data is corrupted” i have a psp 3000 btw and have chickHEN running in it..its my first time so please tell me where i went wrong. tyvm in advance
after i press x when the installer icon appears, it displays “this date is corrupted”
chickhen is installed and running btw. im a noob in psp related stuff so please help me out. tyvm is advance
is there anyway to downgrade version 5.50 to 5.03 on a psp2001 t88v3
At the moment, no.
psp 2000 with software version 6.10 can i use 5.03 GEN-A to run a games ?
If it’s a hackable PSP (non TA-088v3), you can use a pandora battery to downgrade. Otherwise no.
hey how did u solved that prob?
help me, i brought psp 2006 the metallic blue color ,with software version 5.00 and everythings modifed with 5.03Gen-A firmware via chickHen R2 ,,, games work fine ,, but i upgrade this software version 5.00 to 6.10 ,, now my games nothing , doesn’t appear ,,, plzzzz. heeeeelp ..
One more things before i forgot ,,,,is it compatible this firmware 5.03GEN-A via chickHEN R2 , for PSP 2006 for new software vrsion 6.10 ??
You need to downgrade with a pandora battery.
Hi, umm I ran the chickHEN R2, the system rebooted and was running of chickHEN, then i ran the GEN-A. it flashed, but after i pressed O to reboot, it shut down. why does this happen?
I have the same problem with GEN-A for HEN. If you resolve it, plz hook me up, as I will, if i find out first. GOOD LUCK.
hi. have you heard the 5.50 gen C? allows to pay the higher version of games without decrypting. can this be use in psp 3000 5.03 gen A full? or will it brick my psp? thanks for the help.
GEN C is posted right here. At the moment it’s still a buggy release but some people were able to get it working. No, it’s only for hackable PSPs (non-chickhen). Yes it will brick your PSP 3000.
My compatible or working CFW po ba sa PSP 3000 na my TA 090 V2? Pls and Thx sa rply. ^_^
I have been able to install ChickHen R2. I ran the Gen-A 5.03, pressed R. Success.
Then I pressed O and my psp 3000 just got a dark screen and then like 6 seconds later it shuts off.
I tried ChickHen R2 and Custom Firmware Enabler 3.60 and It said error like 4-5 times then nothing?
What am I doing wrong?
Plz help!!!
I have been able with psp 2000 TA 088v3 to install ChickHen R2. I ran the Gen-A 5.03, pressed R. Success.
Then I pressed O and just got a dark screen and then like 6 seconds later it shuts off.
i had installed the chickhen but when i continue with the Gen a, it file comes to be corrupted. what can i do????
i got up to the last stage of this, it says done with success, but did not say reboot with custom firmware. i tried many times and was wondering why
nice tutorial.. work well. thx =)
did u press the O button on ur psp John?
HELP!!!!
i had my PSP upgraded from 4.01 to 5.03. the technician said if i will reset my psp or drain my battery at 0% would make my games disappear and i accidentally reset it….
question..
what do i have to do to recover them?
do i need to install something?
the technician said that if i accidentally reset the psp, i must go back to him and made him fix it. but i want to fix it myself through your help and not to go back and forth to him at a far place.
pls. help me.. thx..
You can just follow the steps listed above. Your PSP has custom firmware installed but it’s only there so long as you don’t turn your PSP off (you can put it on standby, just not off). If you accidentally turned it off just install chickhen r2 then 5.03 GEN-A.
gud day to all!
anyone can help me?
I’ve tried to load the gen-a,but after pressing the O the screen just got black and it turned off.after that it returns to its ofw 5.03.can any one help me????
thanks sylverblade,,,,, i hope that works.
hi its me again.
can i have some clear instructions on what to do if i accidentally reset/drained to 0% my PSP.
because i went back to the technician and i saw what he did to recover the disappeared games of my psp.
this was what i think i saw.
-he replaced another memory stick and opened the photo folder and i think he pressed enter on the ChickHen and my psp screen went Black, like a blurry black. xD. then he opened again and i saw pressing the custom firmware on games folder and i dont know what he did next and i saw again returning my own memory stick and MAGIC, my games has been recovered.
i want to learn what he had done, so i wont be going there again. pls help me. huhuhu
Just do what the post says above as it is exactly what you need to do. Install chickHEN then Install 5.03 GEN-A.
hi, i just want to ask, im using psp -2006 the asian release, ofw 5.03, currently i’m using chickhen mod2 im not sure if its the same with R2, will 5.03 gen-a work? because i tried it, i got to the part where i should press O, the screen just went black and the psp turned off, what should i do?
Mod2 = R2. To answer your 2nd guestion, keep trying. I’m looking up the necessary files for the all in one installer for 5.03 GEN-A. You may want to stay tuned for that.
Has anyone with a psp 2000 TA 088v3 gotten this chickHEN 5.03 gen-a to work or is it safe to say something needs fixing?
It was as I thought. The files available for 5.03 gen-a are outdated i.e. does not work with 2000 TA 088v3. After a couple hours of googling I found that a fix was made around the same day this was written. It would be useful for future noobies if sylv3rblade could update the links with the fixed version. If not, I guess they’ll have to sort through this comments section and hope this link still works: http://www.mediafire.com/?yyn4quddkny
My 2000 TA 088v3 now has 5.03 GEN-A(Full). Hopefully, I wont run across any problems with GEN-B.
No thanks needed. Viva la scene!
Important Note: If you don’t have a clean psp, make sure to use cfwe to uninstall gen-a and/or cfwe.<<<probably a good idea to put this into the main guide too?^_^
I’ll replace the files linked to this post with the one you’ve provided. Thanks.
Hi, Im have PSP 1000 (FAT), this process works with this model?
Thanks
sylv3rblade, im currently using CFWenabler 2.51 because i cant load 5.03 gen-a it always goes to black screen every time a push O button after I flash.
HOw about UnclePSP’s post link? is it working?, what are the things we have to do before proceeding to that one. how’s that CFEnabler uninstall???
please tell me what installer i will use if my psp is 3001.
what is the Official Firmware version of your psp? go to
settings>system settings>system information
If it is 5.03 below you use chikhenR2 then use CFWenabler but make sure you are having a Official Firmware 5.03 version. If not youll have to wait for the update to be able to have a Customize Firmware available for your PSP.
Does this mean if i accidentally turn of my psp i have to connect it to the PC again and click the 5.03 GEN-A application (LAUNCH ME thinggy) and do the processes again?
Yep. That’s what differentiates hackable PSPs from non-hackable ones.
Thanks for the fast response.
I’m having a problem. I got 5.03 ofw with chickHEN r2, used the LAUNCH-ME.exe, but the files just won’t go in the PSP. I put the EBOOT.pbp in the GAME folder inside a INSTALLER-LOADER folder and the files folder to root, but where am i supposed to put the flasher.prx ’cause i cant find the MAIN APP folder anywhere. Cant find any help here either. WTF am i supposed to do, been doing this for hours with no success. Cheers.
ChickHen is “deactivated” when the PSP is turned off or if battery dies. The ChickHen files are intact however, and only need to be “activated”. ChickHen uses .GIF to “fool” your PSP into reading code unintentionally, thus hacking it.
ChickHen then allows the running of Hen, which is the real CFW. ChickHen is just the key for Hen installation. Hen is also “deactivated” whenever ChickHen is lost from the system. Your iso files become “invisible” when ChickHen is down, but will reappear after ChickHen then Hen install.
All psp are now hackable (i dont know about PSP GO). Phats and some 2000′s are permanently hackable, while some later PSP2000 and 3000 are hackable while they stay powered up or in standby.
ChickHen and HEN is for newer 2000′s and 3000′s. GEN or M33 is for Phat and early 2000s.
Hackable PSPs are generally regarded as units that can have custom firmware PERMANENTLY installed. Yes, PSP-3000s and -2000s with TA-088v3 motherboards are hackable to a point…. but once you turn them off they’re back to the original firmware, hence the term partially hackable.
MAKE sure you use ChickHen R2 not an earlier version. That was my issue, so simple, but i guess i got to anxious and didnt notice for like 2 days. LOL.
Alternate Manual Install
MUST be on OFW 5.03
http://r*pidsh*re.com/files/308803430/MemoryStickRoot.rar
1.Copy all to ROOT of MemoryStick.
2.Go to Photo-Memory Stick-ChickenHen and await crash.
3.PSP will reboot in ChickHen R2.
4.Go to Game-Memory Stick-INSTALLER LOADER. PSP will boot into Program.
5.Press L or R,await confirmation,pressO.
6.PSP will reboot into 5.03 GEN-A
7. Smile.
Do not remove any files, so you can redo the procedure anytime, anywhere.
Whenever you feel irritated that the ChickHen isnt crashing properly, remember all this stuff if free and VERY complicated, so be thankful it even exists.
is it possible for psp 3000 to be permanently hackable? no more chicken and doing the never ending chicken when the psp turned off? thanks
safe b gawing gen a/b ung psp 2k wth ta088v3 mobo.. im using chickhen r2 cfwe 3.60.. coz lst tym i update it to gen a n brick psp k… black screen den on nmn psp k.. or can i still repair or reverse it to original
Yep it’s safe. All you need to do naman is turn off your PSP, run chickhen again and run 5.03 GEN-A then GEN-B
tnx sylv3rblade for your comment.. m brick p psp k if i try 5.50 gen-a to my psp 2k ta088v3 mobo rather than 5.03 gen-a.. if gen-a n me permanent n b ung cfw not like s chickhen hack.. m play k s gen ung 5.50 and other games
erm.. pakilinaw? ung first sentence lang naintindihan ko >_>
wow. pinoy ka? uy? meron pang permanent na hack na psp 3000 na dna mag chicken? mangyayari ba yun? or never na tlaga. forever chicken lng psp 3000? how about psp go?
yep
may plugin para maging semi permanent ung chickhen although it only works kapag shinutdown mo sya using the VSH menu. If you accidentally flicked the switch, wala, ulet lang talaga. As for the Go, may exploit pero patched agad with 6.20 so… 
Why is it that, when I tried to Launch the homebrew “‘INSTALLER-LOADER’ under ‘GAME > Memory Stick’”, and it says, “The game cannot be started. The data is corrupted”. I’ve already followed your steps from installing the ChickHEN R2 up to using the LAUNCH-ME. Thanks.
looks like your copy of the installer is incomplete, try downloading it again.
hi. meron kaba indiana jones 2 na pwede sa psp 3000? thanks
yo. sylv3rblade!! 5.03 gen-b full n me pero hnd permanent… how to go back to 5.03 mhu?..
hi thea indiana jones 2 ? decrypt u poh.. pra , laro u..
prototype04 bka hnd p nag load ung chickhen u… check u s system sofware if chickhen n u … gmit k n chicken is 98-100% load n agad ung hack..
Pre, help, pag rinurun ko ung installer/loader, corrupted daw yung file. di ko ma launch ung gen-a. Thanks.
Does this work if my psp is not a 3000 or a TA-088v3? Because I don’t know what version is my psp but I don’t want to risk it whether it is or isn’t a 3000 or TA-088v3
Theoretically it will but seeing as you have a hackable PSP, it’s much safer to install a permanent CFW than a partial one.
penge naman ghostbuster na psp game sa psp 3000? please????
help nmn..ngaun lng ako nagkapsp tas ung orig n version daw ung nasakin..version 5.03…d ko gnu magets ung process n2…help po sna…thx
juz wondering…..once you installed 5.03 gen-a , the installer-loader will still be in the memory stick under Game. Can i safely delete this file?
Can you safely delete the installer-loader afterwards?
ayw gumana ng launch me
nu gawin q
Download it again. Baka sira lang yung pagkaka download mo.
pwede pala ung CFW 5.03 gen b kaagad
Yep. Daan ka lang ng 5.03 GEN-A pag nagkaproblem sa directsong installation ng GEN-B.
patulong po, kasi pag naload ko na installer loader at iclick ko na icon ng game ay naghahang, ano po pwedeng gawin?
Does it permanently install 5.03 Gen-a or is it temporarily? Installed it safe but just curious!
All 5.03 CFWs are temporary (meaning once you turn off your PSP, you need to install it again)
one more thing, i cant play iso games if i install GEN-B without the GEN-A.
is there any option to easyly install gen-b if the gen-a already install but no folder visible in my PSP when i connect to me PC using USB?
cant really install it completely with Installed GEN-A
i installed Gen-B direct without Gen-A but i cant play.
sugest to do pls.
Change the UMD mode to M33 driver on the VSH menu. You can access this by pressing select on your PSP’s XMB menu.
sylverblade, thea, xhai whats ur yahoo messenger or msn or any other messinging programs? Ill add need to talk also the other pinoys pls post ur ym. Thx
Please use the contact form
why does psp 3000 go’s back to 5.03 when i turn it off right i have it on and i am at 5.03 gen c full what can i do to stop it from doing it please help me iam stuck and dont no what to do leaveing it on can’t be good
You must not let your PSP turn off for any reason, this is the drawback of your PSP model.
hi. does psp 3000 have gen B? what is gen C? does it work in psp 3000 that has gen A installed? thanks
sylv3rblade do you have 5.50 Gen D3 on this and not 5.03 Gen B lng? Because been trying to play new games like avatar, etc and some new games needs 5.50 Gen D2 or D3. sylv3rblade you also said that all CFW 5.03 are temporary and after u turn it off it resets to OFW 5.03. Is that true? or its only for PSP2000 with TA-088v3 mobo and PSP 3000 and PSP GO. Nakita ko sa youtube yong mga ndi TA-088v3 or PSP3000 or GO mga fullyinstalled yong mga CFW nila meaning if they shut it off it doesnt revert back to OFW. Ano program itong ginagamit mo pra sa mga Gen CFW sylv3r?
I have 5.50 GEN-D3.
Yes, all custom firmwares based on 5.03 that runs on the ChickHen hack gets unloaded when your PSP turns off for any reason. Basta chickhen, pag namatay, install ulet.
Yes, kapag hackable ang PSP (PSP-1000 and PSP-2000 w/ non-TA-088v3 mobo) inde nawawala ang custom firmware kasi ang gamit nila is 5.50 GEN-D upto 5.50 GEN-D3.
Anything else?
hi. does psp 3000 have gen B? what is gen C? does it work in psp 3000 that has gen A installed? thanks
5.03 GEN-B and 5.03 GEN-C are for CFW specifically for PSP-3000 and PSP-2000s with TA-088v3.
Yes, you can update your existing 5.03 GEN-A to 5.03 GEN-B or 5.03 GEN-C.
how can i upgrade to gen-b and gen-c? how about gen-d? does it also works in psp 3000 gen-a? i downloaded avatar game that is already fix but it doesnt start in my psp 3000 gen a? do you know why? thanks
If you’re already on 5.03 GEN-A, just download the installer for 5.03 GEN-C and run in on your PSP.
Avatar works on 5.03 GEN-C.
what is gen-D? does it work in psp 3000 gen-A? can i upgrade to gen-D? thanks
i already upgraded to gen-C!!!! thank you so much for the help. i can now play avatar. ur such a genius. by the way, what is gen-D? can we upgrade the psp 3000 to gen-D? thanks again. mwah!
At the moment, the latest version of cfw for PSP-3000s is 5.03 GEN-C. 5.50 GEN-D3 is only available for hackable PSPs.
ok. thank you for the update.
btw, if just in case i turned off my psp. i will run chicken again then should i go straight to install gen C or should i install first gen A then gen C? thanks in advance.
You can proceed to GEN-C straight away
THANKS! ur d best!
i have a big problem. my psp 3000 shut down so i install chicken and gen-C direct as you said. but now all my games can’t be started. then i tried to turn off my psp several times still it has gen-C. na brick ko ba psp ko??? huhu. help me. wala nako malaro sa psp ko tas on off ko sya gen-C padin system ko. what should i do??? help me please.
ANOTHER THING I ALREADY TURNED OFF MY PSP 3000 USING THE SELECT BUTTON AND SELECTED THE SHUTDOWN DEVICE, SO I RUN THE CHICKEN AGAIN AND GEN A AND GEN C AND NOW MY SYSTEM IS GEN C AGAIN BUT ALL MY GAMES INCLUDING THE AVATAR COULDN’T START. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM OF MY PSP? PLEASE HELP ME. ALL THE GAMES WONT START.