By default, PSPs with custom firmware installed can already run PS1 games in EBOOT format. However, this built-in doesn’t work on all PSX games (since not all PS1 games are officially supported by the PSP) which is why we have the popsloader plugin.
What is the Popsloader plugin?
Popsloader is a PS1 (or PSX) emulator for PSP games that are in EBOOT format. These games can be bought from the PSN store or made from discs you legally own (but we know where you’re getting your PSX games right? 
)
How to install Popsloader on any PSP
Yep. Any PSP, and there’s even a Popsloader version for each of the supported firmware.
Download:
- Popsloader for 5.00 M33 : Download
- Popsloader for 5.03 GEN : Download
- Popsloader for 5.50 GEN : Download
Requirements:
- A PSP with custom firmware installed
It could be any of the ff: 5.00 M33, 5.03 GEN-A, 5.03 GEN-A, 5.50 GEN-A, 5.50 GEN-B, 5.50 GEN-C, 5.50 GEN-D, 5.50 GEN-D2 - Popsloader files for your specific cfw version.
If you have an unhackable PSP (PSP-3000 or PSP-2000 with TA-088v3):
- You need to have 5.03 GEN-A or 5.03 GEN-B running
- Copy the seplugins folder on the root of your memory stick.
If you already have an seplugins folder (meaning you already have another plugin installed):- Copy the popsloader folder and the popsloader.prx into the seplugins folder
- Open up the pops.txt file and add the line:
ms0:/seplugins/popsloader.prx 1
- That’s it, you’re ready to play PSX games
If you have an hackable PSP (PSP-1000 or PSP-2000 without TA-088v3):
- You need to have 5.00 M33 or any variant of 5.50 GEN running (5.50 GEN-A,5.50 GEN-B,5.50 GEN-C,5.50 GEN-D@)
- Copy the seplugins folder on the root of your memory stick.
If you already have an seplugins folder (meaning you already have another plugin installed):- Copy the popsloader folder and the popsloader.prx into the seplugins folder
- Open up the pops.txt file and add the line:
ms0:/seplugins/popsloader.prx 1
- Turn off your PSP
- Turn it on again while holding the R button to enter the recovery menu
- Enable the popsloader plugin
- That’s it, you’re ready to play PSX games
If you encounter any problems, post a comment.
Written by sylv3rblade on November 9, 2009 at 9:21 pm. Follow responses to this entry via the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Tagged with: Custom Firmware, PSP Plugin
Filed Under: Playstation Portable
Tagged with: Custom Firmware, PSP Plugin
Filed Under: Playstation Portable
Thanks for the guide. What’s the difference between the pops for m33/5.03 gen/5.50 gen anyway, besides turning on/off the psp? Just curious since the m33 one works fine on 5.03 gen-b. I’m not just saying it works because I had games that work. One example is with granstream saga. It would freeze up at teleport to 1st dungeon, but problem was solved after changing pops.
Each version has a different set of dependencies with the 5.00 M33 being the most complete (hence the bigger file size)
how to know that you’ve successfully installed popsloader on psp-3000? where should i put the game for popsloader?..pls help!
Place the EBOOT files on X:/PSP/GAME
I’ve been able to run EBOOT format PSX games without Popsloader. O_o
Technically you can run EBOOT format PSX games without POPS. You just install POPs if you find one that you can’t play (it’s written on the post o_O)
Yo thanks for the tutorial as usual you’re the best
but can you gimme a site for downloading eboots directly (no need to change them to eboots)?
Ah, sorry, didn’t notice.
You can always use google to find them, I do that. Quite often when you convert them yourself they dont work.
Oh btw you forgot that POPS need firmware files which has to bee decrypted for each CFW. those from M33 won’t work on 5.50 GEN. If you just put POPS alone it will hang after chosing FW. btw where is impose.prx infos ?
As you can see the guide is still incomplete (because this is an old draft and was dated to be automatically posted) and outddated… the one you’ve written is probably more concise. If you can, you can still send it to me and I’ll modify the post justly.
the game is not working..what do you think is the problem?..do i have to convert it to another file?..btw..i’ve got psp-3003 with 5.03 Gen-A firmware..i followed all the directions but still not working..help me please!..i really want to play chocobo racing..
Please update to 5.03 GEN-B and try the game again.
Please describe your problem – it’s hard to help without knowing what’s wrong.
Sylver send where? If don’t even check out ur mail ?
For starters, this draft was created when there was only one CFW that matters, M33. Now we have the GEN taking over the scene so there’s a bit of nitpicking when it comes to minor additions (like the impose.prx file) to update the guide. Also I’m free now. My project/s are all done
. You can send it to the email I replied with from the contact form 
Sylver – check out ur mail – Pronto xD
Got it. Currently editing.
This can’t be done with ChickHen?
i’ve already successfully installed 5.03 Gen-B…but still..it’s not working..the game does not appear..what could be the problem?
Not seeing the game? Hmm..
Is it in eboot format (do you see when browsing the file from windows)?
Is it located on X:/PSP/GAME?
I downloaded a .bin file, any links how to change to eboot? is the eboot all i need if installed the posloader?
Thank you for the great and very current guide. One thing I never understood was what popsloader actually does? The PSP already plays PSX games without the plugin.
So what does popsloader actually do? Just help compatibility?
Yep.
Edit: Nevermind I saw the answer in a comment below, sorriez!
Sylv why tut still not updated ?
Busy IRL. Got a current project. Will push the update over the next few days.
i did what you said but when i run the game appeared a list with a lot of numbers like 3.71…3.90
what number i choose?
It depends on the game. Check out which firmware runs the game best.
Hi sylv3rblade,
I’ve been trying to run an Eboot version of this old DOS game (Crusader: No Remorse). According to the game’s instructions, it is “Tested and working on all CFW’s 5.00 m33 and above using the 500 popsloader pack set on 3.72 POPS.”
Problem is, I have no idea what the difference is between this m33 and this GEN thing. It’s all very confusing for a complete novice like me.
You see, I’ve recently had my PSP CFW updated to 5.50, but I don’t know if this is that m33 or GEN or whatever. I believe I’ve followed your instructions to the letter, but I still don’t see the game anywhere, so I can’t run it.
I’ve placed the game in the PSP/GAME folder. I’ve also done your instructions on putting popsloader in the necessary folders. I’ve even went so far as to try running PSAR dumper and decrypting some firmware files, though I don’t know if what I did was correct.
It’s all very confusing. I could really use some help, some input perhaps from you and your regulars. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
M33 is the stable but admittedly older custom firmware developed by the M33 Team (also referred to as the Dark Alex team since their head was called such). Their last release was 5.00 M33 which is a patch/hacked version of the official Sony firmware. Now do note that most games require a specific firmware to run, this became an issue as more and more games started requiring firmware higher than 5.00. That’s when the GEN team entered the scene with their releases. Currently the GEN Team’s latest releases are 5.03 GEN-B and 5.50 GEN-D2. Well that’s it for the history lesson of the PSP’s cfw scene
As for your problem with your firmware version, on your XMB (that’s the menu you see on your PSP when you boot it up) go to System > System Information. You should be able to see the screen below:
Note the word GEN at the end of 5.50? That’s the indication that your PSP has custom firmware. If your firmware is just 5.50 then you’re still on the official firmware. Depending on your PSP model, you may or may not be able to downgrade your PSP to install custom firmware.
If your PSP has custom firmware, you will be able to use the popsloader plugin on this post, if not you still have to install custom firmware to run it.
Hope that helps
hey i have 5.00 m33-6 and im trying to play evil dead hail to the king and i was told to run it on pops 3.71. i run it on that and it just freezes up and shutsdown my psp. what should i do?
Maybe the pops emu files you have are badly dumped , try to download them from different source or update to newer software as soon Atma will publish POPS files for 5.50 GEN-D which works witohut any problems (all freezes have been solved).
Regards
ei nice work sliverblade..but can you help me to install chcken r2 ..i cant install it on my psp 3000 and psp 2000..
i just try it on the psp 2000 but it totally shut off.. it didn’t not restart..can you help me?
my version on my psp 2000 is 5.03.. i cant play any ISO games in it. T_T
hey can you help me again.?
ahmm.. how to put downloaded ps1-psx games in my psp 2000 or psp 3000?
Have you managed to install chickHen successfully? If you have, make sure your PSX games are in eboot format and put them in X:PSPGAME
hmf in my psp 2000 when i click on my memory stick and open the chicken folder..
after 2 sec. it totally shut off.. i didn’t restart at all..can you help me do install or put it on the psp 2000..i put the H and egghunt on the root of the memory stick but it did nothing to my psp .its still 5.03 not 5.03 chicken.. T_T
Have you checked you have ALL the necessary files ? Sometimes even small change in files name can destroy all your effort. Maybe you try Easy installer for ChickHen R2 ??
If you don’t mind me imposing, dhst and sylv3r, I’ve found it helps to remove an image from the pictures folder, ie ChickHENd.gif, and when moving to initiate ChickHEN, going into the ChickHEN folder as fast as possible and scrolling down to the .tiff container. This has narrowed my attempts from >30 to max of 3. Now, I know nothing really “helps” HEN to load, but it always makes you feel good when you try something new and are succssful.
i already installed the popsloader and enabled it, but when i open the game it says “THE COPYRIGHT INFORMATION IS INVALID”
Scratch that, everything remains the same except i just updated to CFW 5.50 GEN D-3
Whoops for got to change the POPs loader pack. Use this instead:
5.50 POPS