New, updated, improved and modern Custom Firmware
for the PSP
and PS Vita
's ePSP
.
Simple to use and full of unique features, ARK CFW
aims at keeping the PSP
experience fresh. Being a successor to PRO
and ME
,
ARK
is now the most feature-complete CFW
for the PSP
, having all features from classic CFW
as well as unique and exclusive new features not found anywhere else.
-
Core
system heavily updated from traditional CFW with new exclusive features. -
Inferno 2
Driver compatible with all formats (ISO
,CSO
,ZSO
,JSO
,CSOv2
andDAX
). -
Popcorn
controller for customPS1
games. Compatible withPopsLoader
V3 and V4i. -
Built-in
No-DRM
engineStargate
, fixes many anti-CFW games. Compatible withnpdrm_free
by qwikrazor87. -
Plugin
support forPSP
games,PS1
games andVSH
(XMB), including the ability to enable and disable pluginsper-game
. -
Region Free
playback ofUMD Video
on all PSP models. Change the region of yourUMD
drive on-the-fly. -
Compatible with all
PSP
models on firmwares6.60
and6.61
. -
Compatible with all
PS Vita
models on firmware2.10
up to3.74
, either official firmware or viaAdrenaline
. -
Compatible with
6.60
Testing Tool
Firmware andTestkit
Units. -
Compatible with
6.60
Development Tool
Firmware andDevkit
Units. -
Can be fully installed and booted on memory stick in compatible models via
Time Machine
. -
Can be used to unbrick any PSP using
Despertar del Cementerio
in combination with aPandora
orBaryon Sweeper
. -
Minimalistic
: only 6 files installed on PSP flash, CFW extensions are installed on memory stick. -
Resistant to
soft-bricks
, easy to recover from bad configurations with a new and improvedRecovery
app. -
Custom game launcher
with built-in game categories, file browser,FTP
server and client, modernized look and more. -
Fully configurable via the
XMB
. -
Compatible with
PRO Online
andXlink Kai
. -
Compatible with Legacy Homebrew via
eLoader
andLeda
. Compatible with the KXploit format. -
Compatible with
cIPL
andInfinity 2
bootloaders for permanent CFW.
- Download the precompiled binaries from: https://github.com/PSP-Archive/ARK-4/releases/latest
Compiling ARK ( For Developers )
Build script will allow you to use the correct SDK that ARK was built with.
- Release:
./build.sh
- Debug:
./build.sh --debug
- Manually: install the oldest possible SDK (ideally the one used to compile M33), then run
make
Use -h
or --help
to show all available flags
On PSP
Online PSP Installer
For an easy deployment of ARK on a PSP connected to the internet, you can follow this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mopy1N57DlI
The instructions are as follows:
- Install
ARK_01234
folder into/PSP/SAVEDATA/
folder. - Install
ARK_Live
folder into/PSP/GAME/
folder. - Launch
ARK Loader
. It will install ARK modules on PSP Flash and boot the CFW.
Live CFW
- Delete
FLASH0.ARK
from/PSP/SAVEDATA/ARK_01234
to prevent flashing files every time you reload the CFW. - Run
ARK Loader
every time you power off or hard reboot the device to re-enableARK
.
Permanent CFW via new cIPL
- Works on 1K models, 2K models and early 3K models (1g, 2g and 3g).
- Use
pspident
homebrew to identify your model and compatibility with custom IPL. - Move or copy
ARK_newIPL
folder to/PSP/GAME/
and run the program. - Press the corresponding button in the installation page to install the cIPL patch.
- Warning: unlike classic cIPL, the new method can't be easily uninstalled.
Permanent CFW via classic cIPL
- Only works on 1K models and early 2K models (those compatible with Pandora).
- Use
pspident
homebrew to identify your model and compatibility with custom IPL. - Copy
ARK cIPL
folder to/PSP/GAME/
and run the program. - Press the corresponding button in the installation page to install or remove the cIPL patch.
Permanent CFW via Infinity
- Works on all PSP models on 6.60 or 6.61 firmwares.
- Copy or move the
EBOOT.PBP
(orEBOOT_GO.PBP
renamed toEBOOT.PBP
if using a PSP Go) from theInfinity
folder found in the ARK download into/PSP/GAME/UPDATE
. - Run the
Infinity
app using Official Firmware to run the initial installation. - Run
Infinity
a second time to configure autoboot by selecting ARK within the Infinity app. Run the ARK CFW again to activate. ARK will now be automatically activated on boot up.
Full Flash Installation
- This allows you to install and use most of ARK's features from flash0, allowing you to entirely remove the
ARK_01234
savedata folder or memory stick. - Copy
ARK_Full_Installer
to/PSP/GAME/
and run it fromARK
. - The modules installed on flash0 are: Satelite (VSH Menu), XMB Control (CFW settings and plugins in the XMB), IDS Regeneration (UMD Region Change) and USB Device.
Custom Launcher
andRecovery Menu
areNOT
installed on flash0. They are however redundant and not necessary for a feature-complete experience.- Custom Firmware settings and other Custom Firmware files are installed in
ms0:/SEPLUGINS/
, which is used as the default ARK path when no savedata folder is available.
Time Machine and Despertar del Cementerio
Time Machine
allows to boot the6.61
firmware andARK
entirely from the Memory Stick.Despertar del Cementerio
allows to revive a bricked PSP when used in combination with aPandora
orBaryon Sweeper
.- To install
DC-ARK
you must first format the memory stick with at least 2048 bytes for the first (boot) sector (there are various guides on how to format a memory stick to prepare for DC). - You also need to be running a
CFW
to installDC-ARK
(ARK itself or any other). - Copy the
ARK_DC
folder to the/PSP/GAME/
folder and run the installer from theXMB
. - Follow the instructions to install DC-ARK and create a magic memory stick.
- On compatible models, use
Advanced VSH Menu
to create aPandora
battery. - Use a
Pandora
orBaryon Sweeper
in combination with your newly createdMagic Memory Stick
to boot upDespertar del Cementerio
. - From here you can either boot ARK from memory stick, install 6.61 Firmware with ARK on the Nand or install 6.61 Official Firmware.
- Note that installing 6.61 firmware with ARK requires a cIPL-compatible PSP (1K and early 2K).
On PS Vita
Standalone
- Works on Official Firmware 2.10 up to 3.74, doesn't require Henkaku/h-encore or any native hack.
- Download a legit
PSP
game fromPSN
, the free demo ofApe Quest
orLocoRoco Midnight Carnival
is recommended.Minis
areNOT
recommended. - For Henkaku/h-encore users, install an ARK bubble using ArkFast (manually updated, create an issue if it's outdated).
- Official Firmware users (no henkaku/h-encore) can install the PBOOT bubble manually: https://github.com/TheOfficialFloW/Trinity#preparation
- Replace the ARK savedata folder (
ux0:pspemu/PSP/SAVEDATA/ARK_01234
) with the folder from latest release. - Copy
K.BIN
fromVita/Standalone
folder intoARK_01234
savedata folder. - To use right analog stick (i.e. gta_remastered plugin): https://github.com/rereprep/ArkRightAnalog
- To
exit
from a game or homebrew back to thecustom launcher
, pressL+R+Down+Start
. Works onPSP
too. - Some features are not available to Vita users, mainly the official Sony
XMB
andPS1
games. - The kernel exploit is known to have stability issues, if it fails or crashes, simply restart your Vita and try again.
- If you are running an old firmware (<3.60), you will need a spcialized
K.BIN
, either build one yourself or open anFeature Request
.
Adrenaline
- Works on Firmware 3.60 up to 3.74, requires Henkaku/h-encore and
Adrenaline
(https://github.com/TheOfficialFloW/Adrenaline). - Install
ARK_01234
folder into/PSP/SAVEDATA/
folder. - Install
ARK_Live
folder into/PSP/GAME/
folder. - Copy
K.BIN
fromVita/Adrenaline
folder intoARK_Live
game folder. - Open
Adrenaline
, (optionally) create asavestate
to easily go back. - Launch
ARK Loader
from withinAdrenaline
and wait for it to load. - (Optionally) Create a
savestate
usingAdrenaline
's built-in menu to easily load ARK. - (Optionally) Use
savestates
to easily and quickly switch betweenAdrenaline
andARK
. - You can use
Adrenaline Bubbles Manager
to create an autoboot bubble forARK Loader
, allowing you to easily and directly boot intoAdrenaline-ARK
. - Note: this does not permanently modify
Adrenaline
in any way.
Update ARK
There are three ways to update ARK
:
- Use the
System Update
feature in theXMB
or theCustom Launcher
. Requires your PSP/Vita to be connected to the internet. - Copy the
UPDATE
folder to/PSP/GAME/
and run it. - Copy
ARK_01234
folder and (on PSP) runARK Loader
again to install new flash0 files.
Legacy Game Exploits (PSP & Vita)
- Considering the savedata exploit loads
H.BIN
from the savedata path. - Copy every file from
ARK_01234
exceptPARAM.SFO
,SAVEDATA.BIN
andK.BIN
(ICON0.PNG
can also be ignored), into the hacked savedata folder. - You need to have a
K.BIN
if you are running on an ancient Vita firmware (there's plenty of kernel exploit sources in ARK-2 and ARK-3 for reference). - Run the game and trigger the exploit as normal, it should load ARK.
- If you have issues with stability, it might be necessary to run
freemem()
algorithm in the kernel exploit file (K.BIN
).
Advanced VSH Menu Options
The default VSH menu packaged in ARK_01234
is a simplified, easier to use version of classic VSH menus.
To have a more classic VSH menu with more advanced features you can select the Advanced VSH Menu
from within the simplified VSH menu.
Some of the features available in Advanced VSH Menu include:
- Change USB Device mount (Memory Stick, Flash, UMD).
- Protect Flash in USB Device mount.
- View available ISO drivers.
- Mount UMD Video ISO.
- Change Foreground/Background VSH Menu colors.
- Convert battery from normal to pandora and viceversa.
- Activate flash and WMA playback.
- Swap X/O buttons.
- Delete hibernation (PSP Go paused game).
- Convert classic plugins to the new ARK format.
- Boot Random ISO.
And more.
Installing on PSP Flash:
WARNING
: for advanced users only, do not attempt this if you're not familiar with the PSP flash.
By default, ARK's VSH Menu is installed on the Memory Stick (in /PSP/SAVEDATA/ARK_01234/VSHMENU.PRX
).
This has the limitation that you won't be able to access VSH menu without a memory stick.
If you want to permanently install VSH Menu you need to copy VSHMENU.PRX
to somewhere on your computer and rename it to ark_satelite.prx
,
which you can then copy to PSP's flash0:/vsh/module/
, you can use the VSH Menu itself to enable flash0 via USB. The final path should be flash0:/vsh/module/ark_satelite.prx
.
NOTE
: even if you install VSH Menu on flash0, the one installed on Memory Stick takes precedence in loading.
Installing Plug-Ins
The easiest method to install a plugin is to simply copy its .prx
(and other files/folders the plugin needs) to its default installation folder (typically /SEPLUGINS/
folder) and navigate to it using the File Browser
(built into Recovery Menu and Custom Launcher). Upon opening the .prx
file, you will be given the options to select the runlevel, or type the game ID, where the plugin loads.
From there you can use the XMB
or Recovery Menu
to configure or remove your installed plugins.
Alternately, you can manually install plugins by creating a file called PLUGINS.TXT in the /SEPLUGINS/ folder and/or ARK's savedata folder.
If coming from PRO/ME you can Import them from the Advanced VSH Menu
section.
To install plugins use the comma-separated format (CSV). Where the header is: runlevel, path, switch. A few samples:
- game, ms0:/seplugins/cwcheat/cwcheat.prx, enabled
- pops, ms0:/seplugins/cdda_enabler.prx, 1
- vsh, ms0:/seplugins/cxmb.prx, true
- ULUS10041, ms0:/seplugins/lcscheatdevice.prx, on
You can enable plugins on more than one game:
- ULUS10041 ULES00502, ms0:/seplugins/cheatdevice_remastered.prx, on
You can use the following keywords to enable a plugin:
- 1
- on
- true
- enabled
- Anything else disables the plugin
You can use the following keywords to tell ARK when the plugin loads:
all
/always
: if either of these keywords are used, the plugin will always load.psp
/umd
: plugin should only load on retail games (UMD/ISO/PSN).homebrew
: plugin should only load on homebrews.game
: plugin can load on both retail games and homebrews.psx
/ps1
/pops
: plugin only loads in PSX games.xmb
/vsh
: plugin only loads in the XMB.launcher
: use this if the plugin should only load in the custom launcher.game ID
: if you specify a game ID (i.e.SLUS000000
), then the plugin will only load on that game.
You can also disable a plugin on certain games where they might be problematic. To do so, just add a disable line for the specific game ID after the enable line. For example, enable cwcheat on all retail games except for GTA LCS (US) and GTA VCS (EU).
- psp, ms0:/seplugins/cwcheat/cwcheat.prx, on
- ULUS10041 ULES00502, ms0:/seplugins/cwcheat/cwcheat.prx, off
Some noteworthy plugins that are compatible with ARK include (but not limited to):
- CXMB.
- Leda.
- PopsLoader V3 and V4i.
- Custom Firmware Extender.
- PSPLink.
- GTA LCS and VCS cheadevice (including the remastered version).
- CWCheat.
- pspstates kai.
- XMB Item Hider v1.3-r3
- DayViewer.
- Categories Lite.
- CDDA Enabler.
- PRO Online.
- PSP 3D.
- ZeroVSH Patcher.
Configuration and Settings
You can use the XMB and/or the Recovery Menu to easily handle CFW settings. However if you prefer you can also manually handle the settings yourself.
You can create a SETTINGS.TXT file using the same format as PLUGINS.TXT to enable/disable some CFW functionality on different parts of the system. Configuration settings you can use in ARK include:
overclock
: use this for better performance at the expense of battery time. Sets CPU/BUS speed to 333/166.powersave
: use this for better battery life at the expense of performance. Sets CPU/BUS speed to 133/66.usbcharge
: enables USB charging wherever you want.launcher
: replaces the XMB with a custom menu launcher.disablepause
: disables the pause game feature on PSP Go.highmem
: enables high memory on models above 1K. You should only use this on homebrew runlevel as retail games were not meant to use the extra memory, and this can cause issues with cheat devices or other plugins that expect games to have their data at specific memory addresses.infernocache
: enables cache for Inferno driver, improving performance of some games.oldplugin
: enables old plugins support on PSP Go (redirectsms0
toef0
).skiplogos
: skips the coldboot and gameboot logos.
You can use the same runlevels as used in plugins to tell ARK when the settings take effect (all/always, umd, homebrew, game, pops, vsh).
For example, you can overclock to highest CPU speed like this:
- always, overclock, on
Another example, overclock only on games, use powersaving on VSH:
- game, overclock, on
- vsh, powersave, on
This also allows you to enable settings on specific games:
- ULUS01234, overclock, on
- ULES01234, powersave, on
Custom Launcher
ARK comes prepacked with a very powerful launcher with a built-in file browser and highly customizable.
Some of its features include:
-
Playback of ISO and all CSO formats with PMF video preview.
-
Playback of UMD game discs.
-
Categorized and organized game menu by PSP Games, PSP Homebrew and PS1 Games.
-
Ability to scan savedata folders for games.
-
Compatibility with old VHBL, ARK-2 and TN-CEF file names and folder paths.
-
Ability to copy, move or delete entire folders.
-
File browser has built-in FTP client, allowing you to browse and copy files from another PSP.
-
FTP server and client can run simultaneously.
-
Ability to mount UMD Video ISOs using the file browser.
-
Ability to extract .zip files (up to highest compression) and .rar files (standard compression).
-
Ability to edit text files (.txt, .cfg or .ini).
-
Ability to install Plugins via the file browser.
-
Different background animation effects.
-
And more.
You can however change it to whatever you please. You can change the theme used by both the custom launcher and recovery menu by replacing THEME.ARK with your own.
Custom Launcher Themes
You can install themes within Custom Launcher (and Recovery Menu). Just place the `themes` folder anywhere on your PSP and use the file browser in the Custom Launcher to select which theme (`THEME.ARK`) you would like to install. By selecting it a submenu will pop up asking to install it or to preview the theme without installing.
Orbs are animations and not part of the actual Themes
Theme: ARK_Revamped
Theme: RED
Theme: Peace Walker
Theme: Matrix
Theme: Material Dark
Theme: GX Classic
Theme: Classic
Theme: Blue 2
Theme: Blue
Theme: Black
Theme: BadgerOS_Sprunk
Theme: BadgerOS
Other Launchers
Aside from the default launcher provided, there have been many other custom launchers created by scene members, some better looking, some with more features, some more simpler, but all of them with personality, dedication and love from the community. Here is a list of all popular menus for ARK:
-
ONEMenu by gdljjrod: https://github.com/ONElua/ONEmenu/releases
-
vMenu by neur0n: https://www.mediafire.com/file/7acb5mhawx4gr9t/vMenu_ARK.7z/file
-
yMenu by wth/yosh: https://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&id=0B0kWUCdtGmJwLUhRUlNJSWhMWVE
-
gMenu by gbot: https://www.mediafire.com/file/oou5490qc99vr7d/gmenuARK.rar/file
-
138Menu by gbot: https://wololo.net/talk/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=33511
-
pyMenu by Acid_Snake: https://wololo.net/talk/viewtopic.php?t=21942
Note: some of these menus have not been updated or supported by their developers in a while, they may not work well with modern ARK or real PSP hardware.
Credits
-
Team PRO
(the original developers of ARK):Coldbird
,hrimfaxi
andNeur0n
. -
qwikrazor87
for being such a genius and all his hard work with kernel exploits and ARK-2. -
TheFl0w
for his advancements and research in CFW development and overall contributions to the scene. -
meetpatty
for his excellent work in fixing bugs and adding important features like cIPL and DevKit support as well as portingTime Machine
andDespertar del Cementerio
. -
Codestation
for his incredible work improving CSO speeds and creating the ZSO format. -
TheSubPlayer
for all the wonderful themes made for the custom launcher. -
UnkownBrackets
(maxcso) for his help understanding the DAX format and Inferno speed hacks as well as creating the CSOv2 format. -
Zer01ne
,noname120
,astart
and other devs that have blessed me with their knowledge and wisdom. -
Zecoxao
for his great work creating dumpers that would allow us to archive rare firmwares. -
balika
for his research in porting M33 to modern firmware that has helped improve compatiblity in ARK. -
hrydgard
for the PMF player as well as being an inspiration for the custom launcher. -
Every other giant shoulder I am standing on.
Warnings
-
ARK comes with no warranty whatsoever. It was designed to be noob-proof, however it is possible for the universe to create an even greater noob capable of using ARK to destroy the Earth (or his PSP). I cannot be held responsible for this.
-
ARK may cause ejectile malfunction if your hard drive is not hard enough.
-
If this software malfunctions, you can turn it off and on again.