Atma Xplorer

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Play games that require OFW 5.50 with version.txt hack

A number PSP game releases require owners to update their PSP to the latest version of the firmware, 5.50. If you have custom firmware, that would mean upgrading to 5.50 GEN-A (and 5.50 GEN-B). If reluctant to (or in the case of PSP-3000 owners can’t) upgrade your firmware, here’s a bypass that will let you play games that require the latest firmware version.

If you’re looking for this on the web, people refer to it as the version.txt hack or version.txt for short.  People can be lazy with names it seems. 😀

Important Note: Obviously for this to work you need to have custom firmware installed.  Check out my guide on How to install custom firmware and jump back here.

Important Note: If you want a more reliable way of getting your games to work use the Game Decrypter. Note that this is only for PSPs with 5.00 M33, 5.50 MHU, 5.50 GEN-A, 5.50 GEN-B, 5.03 GEN-A and 5.03 MHU.

Requirements:

How to make your PSP think it has 5.50 firmware:

  • Enter the configuration menu and find the set the following:
    If you’re on 5.00 M33:

    • Turn off your PSP and holding the R trigger when turning it on.
    • Go to Configuration > XMB USB Device and change it from Memory Stick to flash0
    • Go to Use version.txt and select the option to enable it.
    • Go to Back > Exit to restart your PSP

    If you’re on 5.03 GEN-A or Custom Firmware Enabler:

    • Press and hold select on your XMB
    • Go to Use version.txt and select the option to enable it.
  • Connect your PSP to your PC
  • Important Note: Be careful with this step. You are editing flash0, it’s where the firmware of your PSP resides. If you delete or modify anything aside from version.txt you will BRICK YOUR PSP. Be very careful.

  • Browse your PSP and go to folders VSH > etc. Inside you should see a version.txt file.
  • Right-click the version.txt file and uncheck the Read-Only property.
  • Open the version.txt file.  You will see:
  • [sourcecode language=’vb’]
    release:5.00:
    build:2740,0,3,1,0:builder@vsh-build6
    system:46876@release_500,0×05000010:
    vsh:p6264@release_500,v46652@release_5…
    target:1:WorldWide
    [/sourcecode]

  • Replace it with
    [sourcecode language=’vb’]
    release:5.50:
    build:3062,0,3,1,0:builder@vsh-build6
    system:50781@release_550,0x05050010:
    vsh:p6399@release_550,v50953@release_550,20090415:
    target:1:WorldWide
    [/sourcecode]
    and save.
  • Skip this step if you’re on 5.03 GEN-A or Custom Firmware Enabler: restart your PSP.
  • Press and hold select to access the VSH menu. Change back the XMB USB Device
  • And you’re done 😀

Easy right?  Risky but yes, it is easy.  I’ll update the post with an automated version.

Special thanks to Dark Alex for adding the version.txt feature in his 5.00 M33 release and to Enrick for the heads up 😀

Do note that not ALL games that require the latest firmware will run with this method.  There’s rumor that the Japanese version of Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny requires OFW 5.55 and directly bypasses this method.  Also, some games have been programmed with anti-cfw measures.  Check out this list of games that block custom firmware for updates. I’ve indicated which games can be played by using this method.

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Comments ( 64 )

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  1. luispeed Luis August 21, 2009 Reply

    I dont’ understand the method for psp 3000 owners, it seems an explanation for 5.00 m33 users. we only have custom firmware enabler 3.01 to 3.6 with chickhen r2 and this program doesn´t allow restart psp because these programs are lost. can you be more specific? Thanx

    • atmaxplorer sylv3rblade August 21, 2009 Reply

      The method works for 5.03 GEN-A and CFWEnabler users since both support the use of version.txt. You’re right about the instructions being a bit vague (particularly on how to activate version.txt on 5.03 GEN-A and CFWEnabler, I’ll do an edit.

      And yes, you still have to restart your PSP.

  2. haseebaman88 haseeb August 23, 2009 Reply

    hi.. sylv2rblade.. i have 5.51 mhu using the chicken r2 using cfwe , using the txt file. i tired to play madden nfl which requires 5.50 ofw it didnt work on my psp the game could not be started . So i tired ur instructions, and basically when u restart the crack goes.. Is there any other way to restart witout taking the crack off

    • atmaxplorer sylv3rblade August 23, 2009 Reply

      Wait, so you updated to 5.51 mhu (not sure if there’s a 5.51 already but i do know there’s a 5.50 mhu) from cfwe?

      Madden would already work if you have 5.50 or 5.51 installed. You don’t need this hack to play it (as stated in the intro)

  3. haseebaman88 haseeb August 24, 2009 Reply

    i have downloaded the cfwe 3.60 from ur webiste. in the cfwe i changed the version. there are 5to 6 options .. 5.00 txt 5.03txt 5.50 txt and 5.51 txt so updated it to that. and my system configurations shows 5.51mhu stills game does not work.. i dont know how to post a picture here .. i would showu system configuration showin 5.51mhu

  4. tanto_real_97 tanto August 24, 2009 Reply

    hello sylv3rblade…it’s been a while! i/m using 5.00 M33 but i can’t find the use version.txt in the configuration menu…can u help me….thanx! mabuhay!!!

  5. martinez_mike9 mikeawesome August 24, 2009 Reply

    i tried this but it wont work. it wont let me in the PSN. i got 5.00 m33-6 i need! help

  6. tanto_real_97 tanto August 24, 2009 Reply

    as i said …i am in the recovery menu and i go to configuration settings but no “use version.txt” there to enable…do i misunderstand something?

  7. tanto_real_97 tanto August 25, 2009 Reply

    hello again…i updated my cfe to 5.00 M33-6 and i enabled the “use version .txt” in the configuration settings in the recovery menu, but when i connect the psp in the computer i cannot find the vsh folders…need some help here again! thanx

    • atmaxplorer sylv3rblade August 25, 2009 Reply

      You didn’t change XMB USB Device from Memory Stick to flash0.

  8. tanto_real_97 tanto August 26, 2009 Reply

    i done all the changes but when i start the game…an error pop ups saying “the game could not be started” help me plsssssssss…thanx!

  9. pssstoast Psstoast August 27, 2009 Reply

    Hi ~ i have a bunch of questions for you and hope this is an appropriate place to ask them. My husband bought a fat PSP off a co-worker. hes is pretty much a compter retard and i am the same with video games. The co-worker said that it was jailbroken. but thats is all we know. it is currently running 3.03 oe-c. he bought Madden and is unable to play the game. i need to know what my steps are to make this work. i just popped out the battery and it says PSP1001. so i’m assuming this is an older version. and there is a small 2.0gb memory stick included.

    thank you so much for your help!!

    • atmaxplorer sylv3rblade August 28, 2009 Reply

      If your PSP is running 3.03 oe-c, then yes, it is jailbroken. The firmware version is sorely outdated however and I suggest that you start upgrading it since some games have specific firmware requirements.

      As for Madden, what version of the game is it? The latest version of madden works ONLY on the latest official firmware, not the jailbroken one.

  10. MASTERYBOI ANGRYGAMER August 28, 2009 Reply

    omg i just bought soul calibur broken destiny … and guess what …….(mad as shit right now) IT CAN ONLY RUN ON 5.55 AND NOT EVEN THE VERSION TEXT HACK CAN PLAY IT …… NOT IM THINKING AOUT LEAVING BEHIND THE HACKED FIRMWHERE JUST TO PLAY THIS GAME …..

  11. tanto_real_97 tanto August 30, 2009 Reply

    hello sylb3rblade…i’m trying to play the games g.i. joe and madden 10…thanx

    • atmaxplorer sylv3rblade August 30, 2009 Reply

      Gi JOE and madden 10 both have anti-cfw built in. They run a detection protocol on your PSP and prevent the games from running 🙁

  12. tanto_real_97 tanto August 30, 2009 Reply

    oic…i seen your list of the games that’s block the cfw…now i know! thanks for all the dude! later…

  13. tanto_real_97 tanto August 30, 2009 Reply

    i mean thanks for all the help…

  14. dudesmark messier September 2, 2009 Reply

    syl, hindi pa rin gumana yung soul caliber nung ginawa ko ‘to.

    5.00 M33-4 yung FW ko.

    • atmaxplorer sylv3rblade September 2, 2009 Reply

      Maarte yung Soul Calibur. Nakita ko na kung ano gagawin para mapagana sya kaso mahaba >_>

      • dudesmark messier September 3, 2009 Reply

        okay na pala. nagpasend na lang ako ng hacked copy na mismo nung soul calibur.

        gumana na. 😀

        • atmaxplorer sylv3rblade September 3, 2009

          yep. yun din ginawa ko. Upload ko sa isosandroms ung copy hehe.

  15. zhorry99 mikulotksi September 3, 2009 Reply

    ahmm pre sylv3rblade,
    ok lng bang gamitin ung change version
    dun sa cfwe360?
    anu ba un? sbi kc write to flash0,
    safe ba ung tae na un,,hihi
    thnx pre,,plz rep po..
    more powers

    • atmaxplorer sylv3rblade September 3, 2009 Reply

      Yep. It’s safe kasi yung version.txt is galing mismo sa cfwe.

  16. zhorry99 mikulotksi September 4, 2009 Reply

    ahhmm..tlga? di nmn sa wlng twla pre..
    but.. can you make vid,if u hve tym,,

  17. paslang_saktan Taguro September 11, 2009 Reply

    TOl, nA bricked ata psp ko, followed your instructions to the teeth…except for unchecking the read only property! Syet! I jumped the gun on that part. Black screen of death, tapus namamatay as soon as i reboot it. bkt ganun? i have psp 100 with 5.00 33-4.

    Rescue 911. Salamat

    • atmaxplorer sylv3rblade September 11, 2009 Reply

      Since hinde mo natanggal ung check sa read-only nung file, hinde mo na save dun sa version.txt ung changes (kasi di ka papayagan ng OS mo na magsave kung read-only ung file). Try mo iaccess ung recovery menu. If naaccess mo pa sya madali lang irestore ung PSP mo.

      • paslang_saktan Taguro September 11, 2009 Reply

        Hindi ko na ma-acess recovery mode eh. Ibig sabihin ba kailangan ko na ng pandora battery tsaka magic memory stick?

        • atmaxplorer sylv3rblade September 11, 2009

          Simple test.
          Take everything (even the battery). Replace the battery and try to turn it on. If your PSP just gives you a green like, it’s probably bricked. Better bring it to a technician.

  18. nicamae_don nicki September 11, 2009 Reply

    “Better bring it to a technician.”

    excuse lng po…dun po kay taguro..
    kung mron kang friend na marunong gumwa ng pandora battery/mem stick..

    di na kylngan gumastos,..kc u have a FULL BRICK, cra flash1 nyan cant format ika nga..u better use..dc3 the best..
    then upgrade using hellcats 1.60..

    files u need
    dc 3
    nandtool 0.3(for format flash1)
    hellcats 1.60..

    or

    dc8..

    thnks..wag kna gumastos..
    tao lng cla..tao ka din..
    magagawa mo din magagawa nila..
    …………….

  19. nicamae_don nicki September 11, 2009 Reply

    another option..

    rain ultra mms maker 5.00m33-4
    and pandora battery..

  20. nicamae_don nicki September 11, 2009 Reply
  21. nicamae_don nicki September 13, 2009 Reply

    nicki=mikulotski

    says:

    “You dont need REASON to help People..”

  22. razingpancakes hurp September 19, 2009 Reply

    Question po. Pano mapapagana ‘to if ung PSP ko (PSP-2000 slim) ay hindi nakakapasok sa recovery mode? Naka 5.00M33-6 ako, and using ChickHen as cfwe, problem is pag nag hard reset ay tanggal ung cfw. May way ba para magawa pa rin ‘to? Ung gusto ko kasing laruin requires 5.02 :(.

  23. nicamae_don nicki September 19, 2009 Reply

    Question po. Pano mapapagana ‘to if ung PSP ko (PSP-2000 slim) ay hindi nakakapasok sa recovery mode? Naka 5.00M33-6 ako, and using ChickHen as cfwe, problem is pag nag hard reset ay tanggal ung cfw. May way ba para magawa pa rin ‘to? Ung gusto ko kasing laruin requires 5.02 .

    wat is that game??
    update ur psp to 5.03
    den use chickhenr2 and cfwe 3.60

    DONE

    • atmaxplorer sylv3rblade September 19, 2009 Reply

      err.. di ba sabi nya naka-cfwe na sya?

      • razingpancakes hurp September 20, 2009 Reply

        d ko nga po alam kung bakit ayaw magplay nung game. originally, 5.03 ofw e2 (PSP-200x something). After i-activate ung chickHen gamit ung uhhh, tiff images (sorry po, medyo PSP-illiterate pa ko, bago lang po kc e2), magiging 5.03 ChickHen R2, then after nung cfwe, magiging 5.00 M336.

        BTW I -think- ung game ang may sira, pero di pa po ako sure. Isang downloadan lang kc ang nakita ko for the game, di kasi sikat.

        Ung game ay “Konjiki no Corda 2 Forte” JPN. And ahh, bago magtaka, girl po ako kaya nilalaro ko ‘to XD…

        • atmaxplorer sylv3rblade September 20, 2009

          Just checked… Konjiki no Corda 2 Forte Encore is one of the games that need 5.55. Wala pang work around for that unless ihahack then re-ISO ung file.

        • razingpancakes hurp September 20, 2009

          Hindi po ito ung Encore game. What I’m trying to play is Konjiki no Corda 2 Forte. Ung Konjiki no Corda 2 Forte Encore is a different game altogether (it came after the first Forte).

  24. dc.morales daryl September 20, 2009 Reply

    meron na bang latest version.txt for firmware 6.00?

  25. nicamae_don nicki September 20, 2009 Reply

    Ay!! gurl kba… hi.. joke..
    5.55 po yan ate…

    • razingpancakes hurp September 21, 2009 Reply

      Pero bakit gumana sa PSP nung friend ko? Naka 5.00 M33 sya, pero hindi nga lang naka ChickHen

  26. razingpancakes hurp September 21, 2009 Reply

    Anyway, napagana ko na po itong version.txt, pero ayaw pa rin po talaga gmna nung game. Pero nung plinay ng friend ko sa PSP phat niya (5.00M336), gmna. Sabi niya baki dahil naka partial cfw ako?

    Hay =_=

    • atmaxplorer sylv3rblade September 21, 2009 Reply

      Kapag sinabing partial, temporary lang ung custom firmware. Bawal patayin ung PSP kasi mawawala. As for version.txt, 50/50 ung pagana ng games sa kanya. 100% full proof sya nung unang labas pero ngayon.. well. swertihan na lang.

  27. razingpancakes hurp September 21, 2009 Reply

    One last question (pasensya na po ang kulit ko =_=). Is it all right to just leave the version.txt edited as it is? Hindi po ba makakasira to in anyway? BTW PSP-200x slim 088-v3 po ito.

  28. infinite_tears05 takoma September 24, 2009 Reply

    haha noob alert XD
    sorry but where do i find the “use version.txt” and enable it? is it the Vshmenu? becuase thats the only thing thats near to version.txt ><;;

  29. helmutsmm psper September 26, 2009 Reply

    I really don’t get it on how to make this work on 3000… Could some1 make another page where it is clearly said what to do with 3000 because in this case I really do?t know what am I doing wrong…

  30. andrew_rivera11 andrew December 2, 2009 Reply

    sir pwd ko po ba ibahin ung sa version.txt ng 6.10 para makalaro ng tekken 6?? tHX!

  31. oblongcheesestick SIGWIGCHIG December 18, 2009 Reply

    can i trick my psp so that it thinks that i have a verson higher than 5.50?
    cuz sum of my games need 5.51+ lol

  32. chetyre12 chet February 25, 2010 Reply

    hindi ko po ma-gets yung part na to?

    “Press and hold select to access the VSH menu. Change back the XMB USB Device”

    change back to what? to Memory Stick po?

  33. rojhelvahnsanchez Rojhel June 1, 2010 Reply

    ehh hi po. nasa ofw 5.50 npo ako. and i have psp 2000. pwede na ba agad lagyan ng games ito? im wondering if it needs to be on the Cfw mode.

    • atmaxplorer sylv3rblade June 1, 2010 Reply
    • brillsky_usher0822 john paul July 8, 2010 Reply

      rojhel sir ask ko lng kung na solve mo n yung problem kc same as me i hav a psp 1000
      ang version ko ay 5.50 may possible bng mging 5.50 gen kc hindi ko malaro yung mga download games ko pls can u help me …pls reply nmn dyn tnxs a million….

      • atmaxplorer sylv3rblade July 8, 2010 Reply

        If may phat ka, need mo lang ng pandora battery. Pede ka magpunta sa mga PSP shops for a conversion. That’s just about 500 a pop. Recommended ko ang 5.50 GEN-D3 for the best compatibility 🙂

  34. thesaints1898 dreck December 4, 2010 Reply

    posibilidaD ba n mupgrade yung version 5.50 to 5.50gen-d3 pra mplay ko ung games sa memory card

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