Welcome to the Ultimate Noob FAQ
What is a PSP?
The word "PSP" stands for Playstation Portable. Otherwise a hand held gaming console create by Sony
Turning the PSP On and Off: To turn the PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) system ON: 
Slide the power/hold switch, located on the right side of the PSP®, up and release. The PSP® will power up.
To turn the PSP® OFF:
Slide the power/hold switch, located on the right side of the PSP, up and hold for two seconds. The PSP® will shut down.
Using the Home Menu/XMB (Xross Media Bar):
The home menu consists of icons that are spread horizontally across the screen, called categories. Scroll through the category icons with the
and
directional buttons. When a category is selected, the available items in that category will display vertically above and below the category icon. Scroll through a category's items with the
and
directional buttons. To select an item, press the
button.
Settings icons 
Network Update
Access updates for the PSP® system software.
USB Connection
Connect to a computer using a USB cable.
Video Settings
Includes settings for UMD™ (Universal Media Disc) VIDEO Menu Language, Audio Language, and Subtitle Language.
Photo Settings
Adjust slideshow speed.
System Settings
Includes settings for the System Language and Nickname and provides an option to format Memory Stick Duo™ media.
Theme Settings
Change the background color and display a photo/image as wallpaper.
Date & Time Settings
Set the date and time and adjust for daylight-saving time.
Power Save Settings
Includes settings to automatically turn off the backlight and put the PSP® into sleep mode.
Sound Settings
Set AVLS (Automatic Volume Limiter System) and Key Tone.
Security Settings
Change the password and adjust the level setting for the parental control feature.
RSS Channel Settings
Set the number of items to be saved from an RSS Channel.
Network Settings
Connect to a wireless local area network (WLAN).
Photo icons 
Memory Stick™
View photos/images saved on a Memory Stick Duo™. This icon will appear only when a Memory Stick Duo™ is inserted.
Music icons 
UMD™ MUSIC
Play UMD™ MUSIC. This icon will only appear when a UMD™ MUSIC disc is inserted. If you select the icon, a thumbnail will display.
Memory Stick™
Play music/audio saved on a Memory Stick Duo™. This icon will appear only when a Memory Stick Duo™ is inserted.
Video icons
UMD™ VIDEO
Play a UMD™ VIDEO. This icon will appear only when a UMD™ VIDEO disc is inserted. When you select this icon, a thumbnail will display.
Memory Stick™
Play movie/video saved on a Memory Stick Duo™. This icon will appear only when a Memory Stick Duo™ is inserted.
Game icons 
Game Sharing
Use Wireless (WLAN) Networking Ad Hoc Mode to receive game data from another PSP®. This icon is only functional when you are playing a game that supports game sharing. For details, refer to the software manual supplied with the game.
Saved Data Utility
Copy, delete, or view information about saved game data on a Memory Stick Duo™.
UMD™ Play games
This icon will only appear when a game is inserted. If you select the icon, a thumbnail will display.
PSP® Update
Update the PSP® system software. This icon will appear only when a UMD™ containing update data is inserted.
Memory Stick™
Save game demos and extras or perform a system software update by accessing data saved on a Memory Stick Duo™. This icon will appear only when a memory stick is inserted.
Parental Control
Enter a password to access a game. This icon will appear only when a parental control level has been set on the game you are playing.
Network icons 
LocationFree™ Player
Watch TV or videos using the wireless networking feature to connect to a LocationFree™ Base Station (a Sony product sold separately).
NOTE: Depending on where you live, the Base Station might not be available for purchase or use. Also, certain models of the Base Station are not compatible with the PSP®. Visit the LocationFree Owner's Lounge to find out more. 
RSS Channel
Access your RSS channel list that enables your PSP® to link to content on the web. When connected to the internet, the PSP® will automatically update the RSS-distributed content so you can access the new RSS content on your PSP®.
Internet Browser
View web pages on the internet.
Using the PSP Buttons:
The following are the basic functions of the PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) system buttons.
BUTTON FUNCTION
1
Left (L) and Right (R) buttons
and
Directional Buttons
Navigate menus and access other media features.
2
Memory Stick Duo™
access indicator
Lights up when saving and loading data to a Memory Stick Duo™.
3
WLAN access indicator
Lights up when using the wireless networking feature.
4
Strap holder
Loop the strap through the hole to keep a handle on your PSP®.
5
Speakers
Left and right speakers for audio.
6
LCD screen
Widescreen viewing area.
7
Power indicator
Lights up, flashes, or changes color to indicate PSP® power status.
8
Hold indicator
Turns yellow when the PSP® is in hold mode.
9
Display, select, confirm and decline functions/navigation choices (many media-specific).
10
Home Button
Display the home menu.
11
Volume control buttons
Adjust the volume.
12
Display button
Adjust the screen brightness.
13
Sound button
Adjust the tone or mute sound.
14
Select button
Navigate menus.
15
Start button
Start and pause action.
16
Analog stick
Can be used with games that support analog operation, as well as with the internet browser and other features that support cursor/pointer movement.
Gameplay-Specific Functions BUTTON FUNCTION
L button
Switch between different gameplay views.
Go back to the previous screen or switch between different gameplay views.
Confirm a choice.
Display information, go back to the previous screen, or exit a function.
Navigate on-screen menus and options and control gameplay.
Start gameplay.
Quit the game.
Photo / Image-Specific Functions BUTTON FUNCTION
L button
Display the previous photo/image.
R button
Display the next photo/image.
Display or hide the control panel.
Choose a photo/image or confirm a choice.
Go back to the previous screen or exit a function.
Navigate menus and options, such as the control panel.
Display information about the photo/image.
Start or pause a slideshow.
Music / Audio-Specific Functions BUTTON FUNCTION
L button
Play the current track from the beginning. Press the button again to scroll back through the tracks.
R button
Play the next track. Press the button again to scroll forward through the tracks.
Display or hide the control panel.
Play a track or confirm a choice.
Stop a track, go back to the previous screen or exit a function.
Play or fast-forward/fast-reverse playback.
Display information about the track or stop fast-forward/fast-reverse.
Pause or start playback.
Movie / Video-Specific Functions BUTTON FUNCTION
Display or hide the control panel.
Start playback or confirm a choice.
Go back to the previous screen, exit a function, or hide the control panel.
Navigate menus and options, such as the control panel. Play or choose fast-forward/fast-reverse playback.
Display information or resume playback.
Pause or start playback.
Internet Browser-Specific Functions BUTTON FUNCTION
L button
Back
R button
Forward
Display/Hide menu bar.
Open
(Press and hold)
Open in a different tab.
Close internet browser.
+ analog stick
Scroll
+ directional buttons
Scroll by page.
+ L button
Move to previous tab.
+ R button
Move to next tab.
Move pointer to nearest link.
Analog stick
Move pointer in any direction.
Inserting and Removing a UMD (Universal Media Disk): To insert a UMD™: - Slide the open latch on the top of the PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) to open the disc cover.
- Insert the disc with the label facing the back of the PSP® system. Slide the disc down the metal guides and press down until fully inserted. You should hear a slight click, indicating that the disc is held in place.
- Close the disc cover.
To remove a UMD™:
Warning: Do not eject a disc during playback or while the system is loading from or saving to a Memory Stick Duo™ because this may cause data loss or corruption.
- Make sure that the disc is not in use.
- Make sure the Memory Stick Duo™ access indictor light located on the lower left of the system is not lit, which indicates that the Memory Stick Duo™ is not in use.
- Hold the PSP® with the top of the system facing up.
- Slide the open latch on the top of the PSP® to open the disc cover. The disc cover will open and the disc will eject.
- Remove the disc.
Using the On Screen Keyboard: Basic operations
You can use the PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) system on-screen keyboard for many functions, including entering a nickname, a website, or network setting information.
Keyboard control panel keys
The function keys displayed on the control panel section of the keyboard vary depending on what you are entering and where you are in your entry.
KEYBOARD KEYS FUNCTION 
Enter a space.
When entering text in the internet browser address field, previously entered addresses will display. Addresses are displayed only when the input mode is set to "Web address shortcuts."
Confirm characters that have been typed, but not yet confirmed, and exit the keyboard, clearing it from the screen.
Cancel characters that have been typed, but not yet confirmed, and exit the keyboard, clearing it from the screen.
Move the cursor on the screen.
Delete the character to the left of the cursor.
Display the functions of the PSP® buttons.
Enter a line break.
Switching input mode
Input modes allow you to determine which characters are assigned to each key. Each time you switch input modes, a new set of characters is assigned to each key. For example, setting the input mode to "Web address shortcuts" makes ".com" and ".html" available on keys that were previously assigned other characters.
The number of input modes available varies depending on what language you selected as the System Language for your PSP®. Every time you press the select button, the input mode toggles between the following possible modes.
INPUT MODE DISPLAY INPUT MODE EXAMPLES OF CHARACTERS YOU CAN ENTER 
Letters and numbers
a b c d e
Letters (including accented letters) and numbers
é í ó ç ñ
Numbers only
1 2 3 4 5
Web address shortcuts
.com .net .html .gif
Entering characters
To enter characters, select the key the letter is assigned to, then press
to scroll through the characters assigned to that key until you find the letter you want. Repeat this process until all the characters you want to enter are displayed, then press Enter. To switch between upper and lower case while entering characters, select the a/A key.
For example, to enter the word "PLAY:"- Select PQRS7, and press until P is displayed.
- Select JKL5, and press until L is displayed.
- Select ABC2, and press until A is displayed.
- Select WXYZ9, and press until Y is displayed.
- To confirm the characters you entered, select Enter, and press .
- To exit the keyboard, select Enter again and press .
What is a Firmware?
A firmware, is the software that is on your Playstion Portable (PSP)
The latest PSP Firmware can be downloaded from
PlayStation.com How Do I Install a Firmware? If You Have Wifi (Wireless Internet): Required Items- A PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system with battery pack and AC adaptor
- Memory Stick Duo� media with at least 23 MB of free space
- Internet access using a wireless LAN (Hotspots that require a browser for authentication cannot be used.)
- Internet service with an ISP (Internet service provider)
- Network devices, such as a DSL/cable modem and a WLAN access point or a wireless broadband router
- Setting information for the access point (SSID and WEP/WPA keys)
Hints
- Before performing a network update, you must create network settings for your PSP� system. For details, refer to the PSP� system instruction manual.
- SSID and WEP/WPA keys are types of wireless network information. This information is generally set in the access point using a PC. For details, refer to the instructions supplied with the access point.
- Turn on the WLAN switch of the PSP� system before starting the download procedure.
- Notice
- Do not remove the AC adaptor during the update
- Do not turn off the system or remove the UMD™ during the update.
If an update is cancelled before completion, the system software may become damaged, and the system may require servicing to repair or exchange.
Download procedure - Select
under 
from the home menu, and then press the 
button.
- Select a connection, and then press the button.
If you have not created and saved a connection, no connections will be displayed. In this case, select "New Connection" and enter the necessary network settings. For details, refer to the PSP® system instruction manual. - Connect to the network.
When a network connection is established, the system will check whether an update is needed.
- Download the update data.
- Notices
- Do not remove the AC adaptor during the download.
- Do not turn off the system or remove the Memory Stick Duo™ media during the download.
If a screen prompting you to update the system software is displayed, you can perform an update. Insert Memory Stick Duo™ media in the system, and then press the button. The download will begin.
Update procedure - Notices
Before starting the update, you must do the following:- Fully charge the battery.
- Connect the AC adaptor to the PSP® system and plug it into an electrical outlet.
- Check that the download has completed.
- Locate the update data. With the data selected, press the
button to start the update. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update. The version number of the update data is displayed and the update begins. - Confirm that the update was successful. After the update has been completed, select [System Settings] under from the home menu, and then select [System Information]. If the System Software field displays the version number of the update, the update was successful.
Hint- After the update has been successfully completed, you can delete the update data from the Memory Stick Duo� media.
If You Do Not Have Wifi: Required Items - A PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system with battery pack and AC adaptor
- Memory Stick Duo™ media with at least 23 MB of free space
- Internet access
- One of the following:
- A commercially available USB A<-> Mini-B (5-pin) cable
- A commercially available Memory Stick USB Reader/Writer*
- A PC equipped with a Memory Stick slot*
*If the slot on the device can handle only standard-size Memory Stick� media, a Memory Stick Duo Adaptor (model number MSAC-M2; a Sony product sold separately) is required.
Download procedure - Prepare to save the update data on Memory Stick Duo™ media using one of the following methods:
- Connect the PSP® system to the PC using a commercially available USB cable
- Connect a commercially available Memory Stick USB Reader/Writer to the PC
- Use the Memory Stick slot on the PC
- Create a folder for the update data on the Memory Stick Duo™ media.
Using your PC, create a folder named "PSP" on the Memory Stick Duo™ media. Within the "PSP" folder, create a folder named "GAME". Within the "GAME" folder, create a folder named "UPDATE". (Folder names must be in all uppercase letters)
- Download the update data and save it in the "UPDATE" folder created in step 2.
Download Now »
- Notice
You must save the downloaded data as noted in these instructions. If you do not save in the correct location and with the filename shown below, the system will not recognize the update data.- Location: Save in the "UPDATE" folder
- Filename: Save as filename "EBOOT.PBP"
Update procedure - Notices
Before starting the update, you must do the following:- Fully charge the battery.
- Connect the AC adaptor to the PSP® system and plug it into an electrical outlet.
During the update:- Do not remove the AC adaptor.
- Do not turn off the system or remove the Memory Stick Duo™ media.
If an update is cancelled before completion, the system software may become damaged, and the system may require servicing to repair or exchange.
- Insert the Memory Stick Duo™ media containing the update data in the PSP® system.
- Start the update data.
Select 
under 
from the home menu, and then select . Press the button to start the update.
- Confirm that the update was successful. After the update has been completed, select [System Settings] under from the home menu, and then select [System Information]. If the System Software field displays the version number of the update, the update was successful.
Hint
After the update has been successfully completed, you can delete the update data from the Memory Stick Duo™ media.
What is a Custom Firmware?
Custom firmware means the combination of the Sony firmware 1.50 and any of the current firmwares such as 3.80 or 3.71. For example, you might see 3.80 M33, 3.71 M33, 3.52 M33, 3.40 OE, 3.03 OE, 3.02 OE, 3.71 OE, etc.
What is So Special About Firmware 1.50?
Well, the firmware version 1.50 was an old firmware created by sony a long time ago when the PSP was first out. Since the firmware had no security protection it allowed to the availability of running Homebrew and ISOs or backed up games.
What is Homebrew?
Homebrew means applications created by users at home such as emulators and other applications. You can find homebrew on this website at the Downloads section. There are many, and i mean MANY homebrew applications and even homebrew games for the PSP.
If you have more information, please visit the
Homebrew FAQ
What are ISOs?
ISOs are backed up games. This means that a person took their UMD game that they have bought, and created a compressed "image" of the game known as an ISO. An ISO can also now be compressed to a CSO. ISOs are illegal unless you own the game yourself.
What is Downgrading?
Downgrading is basically the opposite of upgrading your firmware. There are many downgraders for the PSP which will downgrade or lower your PSP's firmware to 1.50 so you can use homebrew, ISOs, and even install a custom firmware.
How Do I Downgrade?
Downgrading is not the most simple process. I will not explain on how to downgrade, but i will tell you were you can find the perfect downgrader.
- Check you PSP's Version:
Select [System Settings] under
from the home menu, and then select [System Information]. Check the "System Software". This will tell you your PSP's Firmware.
2. Check if you have a TA-082 motherboard:
Sony created a different motherboard to stop the downgrading from happening, since people in this world are smart, they created new downgraders just for this new mother board.
3. Choosing the Downgrader:
Go to the
1.51+ Downgrader Instructions NOTE: If you have firmware 3.52 or higher the only way to downgrade, is by using the Pandora's Battery. Pandora's Battery:
The Pandora's Battery is a form of downgrading using the battery's software, known as the IPL, and the memory stick. Its an alteration the the battery to load files from the memory stick (MS) of the PSP instead of the Flash drives.
To Install a Pandora's Battery:
Please visit the following guides,
[GUIDE] Making a Pandora Battery WITHOUT phat psp [Guide] The Ultimate Magic Memory Stick/Pandora Battery Install Using a CSO!?! [Video] Make a Pandora's Battery without a PSP! What is Flash?
Flash is the PSP's internal memory, and where it loads the XMB, wallpapers and everthing from.
Flash0: All the PSP internal stuff, turning on the PSP, the XMB, etc.
Flash1: Your configurations
Flash2: Just another flash
Flash3: Just another flash
Flash4: Just another flash
The Recovery Menu:
The recovery menu can only be accesed if you have a custom firmware.
To access the recovery menu, Fully shut down the PSP by holding the switch up for 7-10 seconds. Before you turn it back on, hold the R-Trigger button, and then turn it on. It should look like
Accessing Flash0:
1. Access Recovery menu
2. Plug in your USB cable from ur PC to ur PSP
3. Access the "Advanced Menu"
4. Click on Toggle USB (Flash0)
WARNING: DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING IN FLASH0! How Do I Edit the XMB?
Please reffer to my guide,
How to Install Custom XMB Themes What is a PTF Theme?
A PTF theme, is Sony's own way of customizing the XMB. To install such file, you will need Firmware or Custom Firmware 3.52 or higher.
1. Download a PTF theme from here or anyother website such as
ConsoleSpot - PSP News, DS News, PS3 News, Wii News, 360 News, PSP XMB icons, PS3 Themes.
2. Plug your USB cable to your PC and your PSP
3. Access USB (Settings --> PC Connection)
4. Enter your PSP's drive if a window did not popup
5. Enter the PSP folder
6. Enter the THEME folder, if its not there, create it
7. Drag and Drop the PTF theme into the THEME folder
8. Go back to your PSP and exit the USB
9. Go to Settings --> Theme Settings
10. Apply the PTF theme.
How to Backup your Flash0: 
Installing an ISO:
Custom Firmware is required!
1. Access your USB
2. In the root of your PSP's drive (that means dont access any folders) look for and ISO folder, if its not there, Create one
3. Drag and drop your ISO/CSO into the ISO folder
4. Go back to your PSP
5. Go to the Game icons and then to memory stick
6. Your game should appear there
Other Links: PSP-Hacks
Console Spot QJ If you need help, feel free to PM me, or just ask on these forums. People are nice and would gladly help you out!