Posted by 
June 21, 2009 •
If you’re having trouble installing custom firmware 5.03 GEN-A don’t fret. You can install Custom Firmware Enabler (cfwe in shorter terms) instead. CFWE enables the functions of the M33 custom firmware using ChickHEN. So yes, it’s from the same team that brought us Dark Alex’s 5.00 M33 custom firmware.
Custom Firmware Enabler will allow you to run homebrew on the PSP-3000 or PSP-2000 w/TA-088v3 and lets you play your games from ISO/CSO files.
Interested yet? Read ON.
This guide will help you install Custom Firmware Enabler on your PSP-3000 / PSP-2000 TA-088v3 to custom firmware. Note that the steps are quite numerous because there are 3 parts to installing Custom Firmware Enabler. Read them well and make sure you understand them before proceeding.
There is no danger of bricking your PSP unless you deviate from the instructions listed below unlike hackable PSPs. The danger of bricking your PSP-3000 / PSP-2000 TA-088v3 is relatively small. If however, you’re not sure about a step, take the time to post a question.
How to Install Custom Firmware Enabler for ChickHEN
Important:
If you have a PSP-2000 and have no idea what motherboard you have, be sure to read this CFW Compatibility Guide. If you have a PSP-2000 that’s not TA-088v3 or PSP-1000 and want to convert your PSP to custom firmware, read this guide on How to install custom firmware. After installing custom firmware, update to 5.00 m33. If you have confirmed that you have a PSP-3000 or PSP-2000 with TA-088v3 then read on.
If you don’t want to install the Custom Firmware Enabler and want to install custom firmware 5.03 Gen-A instead, just read the 5.03 Gen-A installation guide.
Requirements:
- A PSP-3000 or PSP-2000 with TA-088v3 motherboard.
- Davee’s chickHen installed and running
- Download:
- version 3.60: CFWEnabler | CFWEnabler
- version 3.51: CFWEnabler | CFWEnabler (Recommended version)
- version 3.50: CFWEnabler | CFWEnabler | CFWEnabler
- Back up your save files (so that if they get corrupted, you still have backups)
Before you proceed to installing custom firmware CFWE, you need to install and successfully run the chickHen hack. Read the guide and comeback here to finish the installation.
How to Install Custom Firmware Enabler
- Connect your PSP to the computer in USB Mode when you have loaded ChickHEN R2.
- Extract the zip file on your computer
- Copy the PSP folder to your memory card
- Disconnect the PSP from USB.
- On your PSP, Go to GAME > Memory Stick > CFWEnabler
- The CFWEnabler screen will boot up, Select install and your PSP will reboot.
- Congratulations, you now have 5.00 M33-6 (yes, it loads 5.00 M33-6) on your PSP.
FAQS:
- Can load ISO’s? – Yes, yes, you can.
- Will it work with PSP’s with TA-088v3 and PSP3000? – Yes
- Can it brick my console? – This version has several checks to verify that everything is installed, it is 99.99% safe
- When you turn off the console I have to repeat the procedure? – Yes, you have to repeat it, but after the first time, you don’t need flash anything.
- And you can not prevent either procedure? – Could be avoided if we could do an IPL compatible.
- Is will future releases rectify the current problems? – It is possible, but is not guaranteed anything.
- Will plugins work? – Yes, they work.
- Does the M33 SDK? – Yes, it works.
- Can I install LEDA? – Yes, it works perfectly.
Common Errors:
- When you start the program it automatically goes to the menu – It has not been able to reallocate the flash, make sure your version is correct ChickEN.
- I can’t run ISO’s - Make sure that your configuration is correct.
- It created a folder called SVCPlayer. Why? – You have a plugin that creates the so-called “capture” nothing to do with CFWEnabler.
Thanks to Xenogears and Becus25 of MHUD2
i think u r rite. i tried it on a magic gate this morning nd i got m33-6 but when i used ma duplicate sony mem stick i got mhu…
thnx nyways for all ur answers.. u da best
My version now shows 5.03 m33-6 but i cant play my downloaded games,it shows corrupted data..i tried switching the iso settings but it stilldoesn’t change..
Are you sure you’re placing games in the right folder?
my psp is 3000 which custom firmwere enabler is suitable forme?
can you run plugins on CFWEnabler? Cuz when I put something in “seplugin” folder (Yes I did everything exactly as the application said) and I went to Cfwenabler and went to “settings” and “plugins” it said “ERROR! Not plugins detected.”
please help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!
will putting things that flash your psp brick it?
it worked. u r great. saved me some bucks
how do you go to recovery menu
my psp version is 3000 which cfw enabler is suitable for me as on this website theres several of these? thank you
You have to try it out and see which works for you.
Hey im having a problem over here…..
i tried installing chickHEN onto my PSP but it didnt work….i went in XMB>Photos>Memory Stick and i opened the ChickHEN folder then it froze and turned off then after i turned it back on i went into system information and it was still Version 5.03
Pleaze Help Me!!
If you’re experiencing trouble (and yes, a lot of people are having trouble running ChickHen) try these:
* Change the character set code to the US (437) or Multilingual latin 1 (850), this code are used for system access of some file types. Its most happen on PSP other than the US version.
* Adding 1 to 2 extra gif images, copy and paste with name e.g. ChickHENe.gif, ChickHENf.gif. Its most happen on High Speed memory stick pro duo. Fake MS or Not
* Don’t use the chickHen folder other than for pictures used for chickHen.
* Don’t change PSP Themes other than default setting, Change your theme to the default theme or use the Restore PSP to Default Settings.
* Try to use a different memory stick.
hey…. when i click on flash and start on cfw 3.50 then it shows error writing file….
wat shud i do>?? plz plz plz help me
Hi,
My brother got my psp hacked somewhere. He got the 5.00 M33 on it. I want to know if my PSP has TA-088v3 mother board or not so that I can use CFWEnabler or Hellcat’s Recovery Flasher going forward.
Can somebody please help…
One more thing, he was informed that if the hand held console is switched off (not stand by) then he needs to come back to get the hack again…
You can use CFWEnabler… but you can’t use hellcat’s on a PSP with TA-088v3.
And yes, what was said about switching off your PSP is right. You shouldn’t let it turn off.
Hello sylv3rblade,
Thanks for replying…
So, essentially I can use CFWEnabler on any PSP 2000 slim regardless of whether it has TA-088v3 motherboard or not? That kind of contradicts the statements made above in this article.
Not really. CFWEnabler and 5.03 GEN-A will both work on any PSP Slim model BUT if you have a hackable PSP, you’ll be better off installing a permanent cfw (like 5.00 M33).
Does that help?
So, can I say that CFWEnabler should work on all PSP-2000 (any motherboard) using ChickHen R2.
Yep.
sweeeeet!!!! it was giving some problems with manual copy of the files. I managed to run the installer and ran it again. It is working fine now.
Does the installer format the memory stick too? I was afraid that it would and installed ChickHen R2 and CFWEnabler on another memory stick so that my isos on the 8 gig MS will not be formatted.
Thanks for your help. Also I noticed that for PSP 2000 it gives the firmware version after CFWEnabler as 5.03 MHU as opposed to 5.00 M33 is this fine.
Congratulations!
Nope, the installer just copies chickhen files to your memory stick.
EDIT:
The MHU and the M33 difference can be attributed to different CFWEnabler versions. I’m looking into it where things changed.
is there a software for psp3000 where i can put pictures in my psp and when i turn off the psp i dont have to run the procedure again?
I’m getting the same error.
I’m running 5.03 ChickHEN.
I run CFWEnabler 3.51
The menu looks good, but when I select Flash and Start it says (after I ok the disclaimer):
ERROR!
Error writing file.
Strange – what am I doing wrong???
Thanks,
T.
Hi,
I have a new problem with my memory card, I am using 4gb sony pro duo stick, I cant copy any files into it, it says that disk is write protected, I chekced there is no loc/unlock switch is available on t, can yo please help on this too. thanks well in advanz
where i can download firmware 5,50 gen a completed with chken rar also.
Question please. When I bought this PSP, it already came with all these, cfwe included, etc. I tried using the cfwe from here instead, and I noticed that it activated 5.03 MHU instead of 5.00M33 (which was what my old cfwe from the game shop would activate). May I know what the basic difference between the two is? Thanks /o/
Difference in CFWE versions.. I’m not sure at which point cfwe changed from M33 to MHU though.. I’ll read the change logs and update you on it.
BTW I have to say this cfwe is way better than my old one. My old one only had this black background with a little text, while this one has the whole settings interface. I’m the same one asking about the version.txt hack, and the reason I was confused was because with my old cfwe, there was no way I could enable Use Version.txt =(.
Mukhang lumang luma na ung version nung CFWE na nakaload sa yo dati >_> nasa 2.0 pa ata ung walang version.txt
hi, thanks for the guide!
but i was just wondering if there is a way to change the assignment of the buttons because i’m more used to using x as enter and o as cancel.
Suppose I have to use the recovery menu to do this, but I can’t seem to access it… Is there a way to access the recovery mode if ur psp uses this method to play custom firmware?
If you can get CWcheat running, it allows you to change the mapping of keys per game.
However, at the moment, there’s no way to change the default keys for PSPs running on chickhen since you don’t have access to the the recovery menu.
hello guys i seem to do everything wright but cant run the ISO when ever i try to run an iso it starts and then gives me an error just when the game is loading i can see the game previews and everything but the games wont run. this is the error i get when i run the game 80020321 please help me am using the 5.03 MHU or and the games i wanted to run was the metal gear solid and the midnight club remix . all help will be appreciated thanks a lot
Hi,
i just bought a psp-3004 with CFWenabler installed. i charged the battkeries and added some songs. after, charging, i cant see the games anymore but the files are still in the memory stick. what you think might have happened?
Hi,
I am new to homebrew so would appreciate some guidance.
I an effort to play downloaded ISO games i did the following:
1) loaded ChickHEN R2 successfully
2) loaded GEN-A successfully
3) changed the UMD ISO mode to M33 driver.
but after all that i still cannot run a game from an ISO file.
Can someone please help?
thank you
where did you place the ISO files?
does the cfwe of gen-a work in a phat psp??
Hey Sylv3rblade, please please reply. i followed you procedures and and now i have my psp on 5.03 MHU BUT i still i can’t play any iso/cso. I downloaded a small old game to try out and it said, “Game could not be started.” Any suggestions? thank you in advance!
press and hold select until you see the VSH menu. Change the ISO mode to M33 driver.
Cool thanks it worked!
Okay i have a question, when I play any games in infrastructure mode, it asks me for the newest update. how can I get around that?
My PSP 3000, i upgrade i to chickHEN, and it works: System Software: 5.03 chickHEN.
But when i upgrade it to CFW Enabler it doesn’t work
My psp shut down automatic and when i turn it on and see my PSP System Software ,i see this: Version 5.03
What will i do now?
i think you should try the version 3.51: CFWEnabler | CFWEnabler (Recommended version) maybe that might work .. if it doesnt then you could try installing the 5.03
boss. . . nid ba maglagay ng folder na cso/iso sa mem root? or sa x:psp/game
nde ko kasi makita sa psp ung file. . . .lamats. . .
umm.. yung laro? Or yung CFWE? If laro, yes, gagawa ka ng ISO folder sa root ng memstick (walang CSO folder
ISO folder lang talaga)
Kuya silverblade, TA 088v3 lang ba tlaga as of now ang ma hack? how about TA 090 V2? T_T
CFWEnabler and 5.03 GEN-A works with TA-090 v2… PSP-3000 yan eh.
Thx kuya Sylv3blade, ksi sa guides TA 088v3 lang nka lagay… ^_^
nandun to sa important part:
Basahin mo lang ung guide and sundan word for word. If may prob just comment ne?
If you have confirmed that you have a PSP-3000 or PSP-2000 with TA-088v3 then read on.
Oh kala ko PSP-3000 na TA-088v3, lahat pla at PSP 2000 lang pla nka imply yun. XD Kuya, My list po ba ng Compatible ISO games? ksi my game ako na try ko play pero “the game could not be started”. XD On another note, thx sa CFW mas maganda na sound ng psp ko. XD using another player. hehe
I hv PSP 1001 trying diff. things but no success…Am confused, is ChickHEN not for 1001…..Then what is PHAT Folder for ??? In which folder under Ms Root does h.bin required to be copied to???
Hell Cat recovery & PSPident copied in Game but says data corrupted
CAN ANYBODY PLZ PLZ LET ME KNOW A WAY TO CRACK MY PSP 1001…am trying it since past 1 week….HELP ME !!!!
Kuya sylv3rblade ask ko lang po kung anong magyayari kung nasa 5.03 mhu kana tapos bglang naopened yung chicken folder? Tnx in advance po.
hi guys help me nmn im using psp2004 version 6.10 pano ko b xa mggmit mkapag laro ng cso or iso file
Hi
sorry to bother you, i successfully installed chickHEN and also got CFW copied over to my memory card ok. When i select the CFW image, it reboots my psp and returns me to the menu screen.
I have a PHAT 1000 psp.
Thanks
Hi Kenny,
Since u hv PSP 1000 (I hv 1001), can u pls guide me on chickHEN installation…Can u let me know the site links for installing ChickHEN…since I hv tried various sources but failed to install it. Though on clicking image PSP shutsdown, then when I manually restarts its not installed
Also, what is *.h.bin for….can u guide me on the procedure.
Suggest plzzzzzz.
Thanks
pls help.. nainstall ko ng maayos ung chicken r2 at cfwenabler.. pro ndi ako mkpgload ng iso games, anu ggwin ko? psp3000 ang gamit ko, could not be started lagi nkalagay
Anong game yan? Napalitan mo na ba ung UMD mode sa VSH menu (access by pressing select) to M33 driver?
opo napalitan ko na yung s vsh menu, m33 driver n nkalagay, eto sinubukan q ung 5.03gen A for hen, tpos nilagay ko nmn ung 5.03 gen-B update gnun p rin, kpg ngload aq ng game, ngging blangko yung screen.. khit n anong game ang ilagay ko, gnun nangyyri
mukhang bad flash.. switch ka na lang sa 5.03 GEN-A tapos update to 5.03 GEN-B.
Hi can you please translate in English what you just mentioned.
Thanks
keil was simply asking why his PSP (with CFWE already loaded) couldn’t play games and I gave him the usual fix for it (change the UMD mode on the VSH menu). Since it doesn’t work for him it’s ideal that he switch to 5.03 GEN-A then update the 5.03 GEN-B.
sylv3rblade gnwa ko n din yun, nainstall ko n yung 5.03 gen B s psp ko, lumabas n din s system info n 5.03 gen-B full ang nkalagay, pro kpg mgrun aq ng iso games, nagging blangko nmn ang screen.. pro kpg pinindot ko nmn yung home, bumabalik nmn s home, so ndi sya naghang dba? anu po ang next step ko?
Hmm… ano anong games yung mga natry mo?
ung naruto shipuuden, a brave story, god of war, need for speed po..
sylverblade nasolve ko n ang problem.. sobrang simple pala po sira n pala yung memory card n gamit ko, ung memory card ng frend ko ginamit ko, gumana ng maayos hehehe.. salamat po s assistance.. maraming maraming salamat po..
lol at least ok ka n. enjoy
bket po nmamatay ung psp ko pg gngawa ko ung sa step n chickhen., d ko tuloy mainstall ung chickhen.. help pliz
keep trying.. maarte talaga ang chickhen. It helps if orig memory stick mo.
i have psp 3002
I have a PSP-2000 w/TA-088v3 OFW 5.03. I formatted my magicgate 4gb Lexar Memory Stick ProDuo Mark 2 on which I had previously installed CFWE and had it running. I had wished to install 5.03 GEN-A to upgrade to 5.03 GEN-B. I have 5.03 ChickHEN R2 installed and running, but was not able to get 5.03 Gen-A to work. Decided to go back to what works, but now CFWE doesn’t work either. My first post on here, so sorry if a bit lengthy. Any help is appreciated.
I solved the issue posted above. Just needed to use previous cfwe to uninstall cfw for both 5.03 gen-a and cfwe.
everytime this process is required ??
is there any permanent solution for this… any help aprreciated thnx in advance
Hi, i installed the GEN B first but it didn’t work so now i tried this, the CFWenabler but after loading chickhenr2 and installing CFWe 3.60, when i play the game i get “The game could not be sarted (80020321)” and also, when i view my System information, it says 5.03 GEN-B(Full) which is not what I’m installing
Looks like 5.03 GEN-B installed properly. Err.. any reason why you’d want to install CFWE over the newer 5.03 GEN-B?
ehhhmm….so the 5.03 GEN-B is newer? does that mean new games can be played on it? XD
oh boy im stupid…
You can read up on 5.03 GEN-B here: http://www.atmaxplorer.com/2009/11/install-psp-custom-firmware-5-03-gen-b-via-chickhen-r2/
It’s equivalent to 5.50 GEN-D for hackable PSPs.
Ok thank you very much. Now i understand how this works.
Not a problem
oh, i had the same problem with UnclePSP, so he answered my question, thanks man.
also thanks to this site and its staff you’ve been a great help
help…..
i have a chickhen r2 running pero I accidentally deleted the cfw enabler from the game folder…what should I do..tnx
You’ll be fine as long as you don’t turn off your PSP or let it run out of batteries.
pare, compatible ba yan para sa PSP-1000?
tanong lng nmn ^__^
Hi,
I already have firmware version 5.03 MHU running in my PSP3000, I’m having problem running tekken 6, it says the game cannot be started error ******* (can’t remember the number though), do I need to change to firmware 5.03 GEN B in order for that game to work? Many thanks!
Yep. For a PSP-3000, the only way for you to run Tekken 6 is via 5.03 GEN-B
Good day po sa lahat!
ang psp ko e psp3006 with system software of 5.03 GEN-A (Full). ang tanong ko lang e bakit madalas nagha hung up sya then hindi na ma read yung games sa memory card. need ko pa lagi na mag boot using yung chickhen.
ito po ba yung sinasabi nila na ‘ustable’ yung software nya? pwede ko bang maging stable to? pano po ba?
sana matulungan nyo ako sa problema ko.
maraming salamat po. asahan ko ang reply nyo.
Update to 5.03 GEN-B. Mas stable sya.
thanks for the abrupt reply sylv3rblade.
kung gusto kong malaro yung mga latest games, like GT, pwede na rin ba yung 5.03 GEN-B?
noob lang po ako, ask ko lang kung pano po ba magswitch sa 5.03 MHU to 5.03 GEN-A? thankS!
does cfw 5.50gen d work with this cfwenabler?
No. 5.50 GEN-D can only be installed on hackable PSPs.
Ask ko lang ulit, na upgrade ko na sa 5.03 GEN-B ang PSP 3006 ko na dating 5.03 GEN-A full, pero hindi pa rin sya stable. Pwede ko bang i-upgrade to sa 5.50 GEN-D at 5.50 GEN-D2?
Thanks.
Nope. Di pede. Mabibrick ang PSP mo kapag ininstallan ng 5.50 GEN-D
hey can 5.03 cfwe turn back to 5.00 M33-6 .?
hahmm if it does ..is 5.00 m33-6 can read psx games on psp? and if i turn it off ..5.00 m33-6 will just stay as my new psp system version or it will go back to 5.03 OFW? need help
is there any other firmware that i can use to upgrade and to make my PSP 3006 stable? madalas kasi akong mag reboot kasi nagha hung up lagi. minsan marami pang try bago mag reboot.
Thanks ulit.
sir gagana po b un tekken 6 sa 5.03 MHU? and anu pa po mga ibang games n pde sa 5.03 MHU? thank you
Hanap ka ng patched for 5.00 M33 version (otherwise you need to patch the eboot with the eboot decrpyter)
Hey,
I wanna ask, which is better?
5.03 MHU of 5.30 Gen C ??
I’m new to this thing
5.03 GEN-C
It’s the newest release.
sylv3rblade,
pwede ba sa PSP 3006 ko yung 5.03 GEN-C?
Yep! Para talaga sa 3000 at 2000 na may TA-088v3 ang 5.03 GEN-C
thanks.
yun bang 5.03 GEN-C with ChickHEN R2?
Err.. need mo irun muna ang ChickHEN R2 para mainstall ung 5.03 GEN-C.
i’ll try and let you what will happen.
thanks.
Which one is better?
Gen or Enabler?
GEN… it’s much more updated.
i even try emulators and nothing, cant even run emulator… is it because my memory stick? i have sandisk 4gb Pro duo… and i try everything on my friends psp, same results like mine.. ow yeah and in system information it says 5.03 ChickHEN without R2… do you know anything about my damn problem?
If you’re reading just ChickHen and not ChickHen R2 then there’s your problem. Homebrew apps will run ONLY on chickHen r2.
yes i know but the problem is that i HAVE chickHEN R2, i put al the files on my psp, format my memory card, restore al settings on default turn off the UMD thing and chickHEN is working but in system information it says 5.03 ChickHEN without R2… and like i said i downloaded R2… any solution about this? or i just need to wait R3 and hope it will work?
sylv3rblade,
nag work naman sa PSP 3006 ko yung chickHENR2 with 5.03 GEN-C firmware.
i have 1 question, please kindly explain if this new Custom firmware 4.01 M33 2 can be good to update on my psp?
thanks.
please help!
since my psp 3006 was not been stable from 5.03 gen-a firmware and even upgrading it to 5.03 gen-c firmware, what i did was, i upgrade it on network update and it is now on ‘system software version 6.02′.
now the problem is, it can’t read the games on my memory stick. does this software won’t read the iso or cso files?
please advice what should i do next to get back on my gaming?
thanks.
You’ve upgraded to the official firmware 6.02. As of now there is no way for you to downgrade a PSP-3000 once you’ve installed a firmware version greater than 5.03. The only games that your PSP will play now will be from UMDs and those bought from the PSN Store.
Hi sylv3rblade
i have 5.03 MHU installed on my PSP brite.
i understand i have to uninstall it if i want to install GEN C.
1. How do i go about this uninstallation?
2. after uninstall Do i need to delete any folders related to 5.03 MHU before i install 5.03 GEN C
I am completly new to this. Pls help.
Just access the MHU menu (press select) and you’ll find the uninstall option. Select it and follow the instructions on your PSP.