Vita hack pasta rev7.0

rev7.0 Last updated 2017/11/28

==== READ THIS FIRST ====

I try to keep this updated and accurate, but take no responsibility if anything
goes wrong from using the information in this paste. Check the current thread
in case there are recent developments.

Rule #1: Do NOT update your Vita/PSTV past 3.60! You will lose any hacks, and
there is no way to downgrade. However there are disadvantages to remaining on
3.60:
- Games requiring 3.61+ cannot be played. Affected games show an update nag, or
  if HENkaku is active, a C1-6703-6 error. Roughly speaking this affects games
  released October 2016 or later and different regions are counted separately.
- PSN access may be limited or broken. At time of writing you can play online,
  but you cannot download games from PSN (E-80558325 error) even through a PS3.
  You cannot do system activation either.

To avoid unwanted updates, keep it in flight mode where possible, make sure any
Internet connections have DNS set to 212.47.229.76, turn off automatic update
downloading (settings->system->auto-start settings), and make sure to choose no
if an update nag appears. Be careful about letting other people play on it.

Rule #2: Do NOT mess around in the filesystem. Stick to ux0:data/ for homebrew
data and VPKs. Only change files on ux0: ur0: uma0: or gro0: if you know what
you're doing. Don't touch any other partitions unless you want to brick, or
_really_ know what you're doing.

==== FIRST-TIME BUYERS ====

If buying for hacks, any _new_ Western ones are guaranteed to be hackable. New
Japanese ones are riskier, and the red or silver ones are always 3.61+. Used
systems are very unlikely to be <=3.60 unless stated otherwise.

TODO: Are all new PSTVs safe?

==== HENKAKU ====

This is what allows everything else to work. Refer here for setup instructions
and how to update to 3.60 if you're on an older firmware version.

https://henkaku.xyz/usage/

The hack persists until you power it off. For a more permanent setup, install
HENkaku Enso, then it automatically installs on power on.

https://enso.henkaku.xyz/

General settings are in the official settings app, under HENkaku settings. The
most important is the unsafe homebrew toggle, generally keep it disabled unless
a program needs it. PSN version spoof should be whatever the latest is (3.65 at
time of writing).

Also important is the config file for setting up plugins. This will be in:
- ux0:tai/config.txt
- ur0:tai/config.txt (used only if above does not exist)
It's recommended to only have the latter if using Enso.

==== UTILITIES ====

molecularshell comes with HENkaku, it's for browsing the filesystem, installing
VPKs, editing text files, or copying things from/to your Vita via FTP. Pirating
and theming have their own section. Other useful homebrew:

- VitaShell
  https://github.com/TheOfficialFloW/VitaShell/releases
  An improved molecularShell, notably allows SD card to be accessed via USB and
  is also used to "install" NoNpDrm games. Requires unsafe homebrew for certain
  functions.

- Vita Homebrew Browser
  https://github.com/devnoname120/vhbb/releases
  Tool for browsing and installing Vita homebrew, aren't you surprised?

- Oclock Vita
  https://github.com/frangarcj/oclockvita
  taiHEN plugin that lets you adjust your Vita's power settings within a game
  to always be max (or not). Extremely recommended. Refer to documentation for
  how to set it up and use.

- RetroArch
  http://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/playstation/vita/
  GO AWAY SQUAREPUSHER but in all seriousness it's the best emulator on Vita.
  Install the full VPK instead of individual cores. Don't expect all of them to
  perform well though.

- vitaQuake
  http://rinnegatamante.it/site/psv_hbs.php
  It's Quake. What more to say? Supports the expansions, mods, and multiplayer.
  Some framerate issues for now. Mod selector only in the 2.0 version for some
  reason.

- Another Metroid 2 Remake
  https://nicoblog.org/psvita/another-metroid-2-remake-return-of-samus-region-free-vitamin-2-0-ps-vita-vpk/
  https://my.mixtape.moe/whtatk.vpk (alt download link)
  The fan remake of Metroid II Return of Samus. Absolutely heretical.

==== NONPDRM/PKGI ====

NoNpDrm is the current method for game/update/DLC copying. Older methods like
MaiDumpTool and Vitamin are strongly discouraged. Refer here for the NoNpDrm
plugin, how to set it up, and how to dump/install games with it.

https://github.com/TheOfficialFloW/NoNpDrm

Once that's set up, games can easily be sourced through pkgi. Download here:

https://github.com/St4rk/PkgDecrypt

Create a text file ux0:pkgi/config.txt with the following. Make sure there's a
newline after it. Then select a game to install it.

url https://nopaystation.com/pkgi

For now DLC and updates have to be handled on PC. Download NPSBrowser:

https://github.com/jhonhenry10/NPS_Browser/releases

Add the .tsv files from https://nopaystation.com/ and then download and install
what you want, copy it to your Vita, then install with VitaShell. It's also
possible to use PkgDecrypt if not on Windows.

https://github.com/St4rk/PkgDecrypt

TODO: PSVgamesd. This will more be for preservation-focused dumping when it's
ready for general use though.

==== ADRENALINE (PSP/PS1 PIRATING) ====

As of Adrenaline 6 installing is much simpler, and you don't need PSN. Refer to
the readme for initial setup. Also recommend to follow note 1 as it allows you
to run Adrenaline without unsafe homebrew enabled.

https://github.com/TheOfficialFloW/Adrenaline

Finally, run through the initial PSP setup. PSP ISOs need to be copied into
ux0:/pspemu/ISO and in Adrenaline will show up under Game -> Memory Stick™. As
of Adrenaline 3 you can also run Playstation games provided they're converted
to PSP eBoot.

https://nicoblog.org/guides/psx2psp-v1-4-2-how-to-convert-games-to/

Such games are a GAMEID folder that should be placed in ux0:/pspemu/PSP/GAME/

Note: It's possible to have pspemu/ on ur0: or uma0: change it in Adrenaline's
settings if you want this.

==== SD2VITA ====

This allows you to use regular SD cards with your Vita, at the expense of using
the cartridge slot. HENkaku is required, and this assumes you've installed Enso
as well.

SD2Vita driver + Linux SD card formatting instructions:

https://github.com/xyzz/gamecard-microsd

Guide:

http://wololo.net/2017/07/20/setting-sd2vita-adapter-formatting-microsd-can-done-windows/

TODO: Document where to buy? Also USB on PSTV and the 3G SD card adapter.

==== CUSTOM THEMING ====

Themes, link to the installer program, and also how to make your own. Pretty
simple stuff. The theme installer requires unsafe homebrew.

http://psv.altervista.org/

TODO: It is also possible to install them on later firmwares.

==== PSTV UNBLACKLISTING ====

TODO: Document. It can be done on all firmware revisions.

==== EXTERNAL LINKS ====

https://gbatemp.net
General console hacking community and news source.

http://wololo.net
Same but more focused on Sony consoles.

http://rinnegatamante.it/site/psv_hbs.php
Vita homebrew downloads.

==== OLDER PASTES ====

https://pastebin.com/4PCqXkeg rev2
https://pastebin.com/v8p0FQS0 rev3
https://pastebin.com/3bdt8a3s rev4
https://pastebin.com/mwawK6rz rev5 (404)
https://pastebin.com/a8kiP7Fs rev5.1
https://pastebin.com/u7YpQWUZ rev5.5
https://pastebin.com/TFsqsVhq rev6.0