Vita hack pasta rev8.0

rev8.0 Last updated 2018/07/25

==== 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 Vitagen
in case there are recent developments.

At time of writing, Vita/PSTV systems at 3.68 or lower are hackable, however it
is strongly advised to follow the initial setup guide that only updates to 3.65
if it's an option, since it allows for a startup entrypoint. All versions above
3.68 are _NOT_ supported! There are _NO_ methods for downgrading! If you update
past 3.65 or 3.68 there's no going back.

To avoid unwanted updates, keep it in flight mode where possible, make sure any
Internet connections have DNS set to 23.96.6.207, 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.

Games (and updates) may be subject to firmware requirements. LetMaiDie should
eventually remove this limitation, but for now, some games are not playable on
older firmware (update nag, or C1-6703-6 error on modded systems). Activation
and ability to play legitimate PSN games can be restored with ReNpDrm.

Finally, don't mess around in your system's filesystem. Stick to ux0:data/ for
homebrew data and VPKs. Only do things on ux0: ur0: uma0: if you know what you
are doing. Don't touch any other paritions unless you want to brick it or you
_really_ know what you're doing.







==== Initial setup (H-Encore, NoNpDrm, Adrenaline, Ensō on 3.65) ====

This is the prerequisite to everything else. Set this up before reading further
down. As mentioned in READ THIS FIRST!, go with the 3.65 option if you can.

Note: I am positive that you will need a PSN account at least linked to your
system in order to use QCMA. Activation is not necessary, however it may be
required to factory reset to create/link an account without needing to do a
system update.

https://vita.hacks.guide/

Following this will also set up some additional useful utilities. I will assume
that you at least install NoNpDrm and Adrenaline.



==== PSP and PS1 game loading (Adrenaline) ====

If you didn't already install it from the initial setup, follow this.

https://vita.hacks.guide/adrenaline

Once set up, you can copy PSP ISOs into ux0:pspemu/ISO and they will appear in
Game -> Memory Stick™. Playstation eBoot folders can also be loaded, they need
to be copied to ux0:pspemu/PSP/GAME/

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



==== Vita games (NoNpDrm + pkgj) ====

NoNpDrm is the current method for game/update/DLC copying. Older methods like
MaiDumpTool and Vitamin are strongly discouraged. This should've been set up in
the initial setup but refer here if you didn't.

https://vita.hacks.guide/finalizing-setup

Refer here for how to dump/install games with it if not using pkgj.

https://github.com/TheOfficialFloW/NoNpDrm

However the far more straightforward way is to just install pkgj (freeShop for
Vita basically) refer here for download and how to set it up.

https://github.com/blastrock/pkgj

Actual database links you need for the config are found here.

https://nopaystation.com/



==== ReNpDrm ====

Kernel plugin for restoring access to PSN, without it you won't be able to do
system activation, or download/play legitimate games from PSN on old firmware
versions. Download and instructions.

http://renpdrm.customprotocol.com/release_page.php

Note: Manually creating a directory ur0:data/rif may be necessary. It shouldn't
be required to disable NoNpDrm though as long as it's loaded before ReNpDRM.



==== Storage redirection (SD2Vita, PSVSD, USB sticks) ====

Thankfully there are alternatives to the Vita memory cards. Your options are
the SD2Vita (occupies the game cartridge slot), PSVSD (replaces the 3G card on
3G Vitas) and regular USB sticks on PSTVs. Whichever you use, it is generally
best if paired with Ensō. Formatting instructions for Linux, and the SD2Vita
kernel module.

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

SD2Vita setup guide.

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

PSVSD setup guide.

http://psvsd.henkaku.xyz/

TODO: USB sticks on PSTV.

Note: Storage should use 64K cluster size or otherwise the system's free space
count will eventually go out of sync with the true amount on larger SD cards.



==== 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/



==== PSTV blacklist removal ====

TODO: Document.



==== Utilities ====

- 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
  Should've been installed in initial setup but if not, do it. It's much easier
  than sourcing homebrew yourself.

- 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.

TODO: More stuff!



==== taiHEN plugins ====

It is possible to add additional kernel (.skprx) or game plugins (.suprx) if
desirable. Game plugins can be set to load for particular titles, or for all
games. It is also possible to selectively blacklist particular titles from the
*ALL section. Refer below for my config as an example, but the actual format
spec is here.

https://github.com/DaveeFTW/taihen-parser/

- Oclock Vita
  https://github.com/frangarcj/oclockvita
  Game plugin that doesn't overclock per se, but lets you force your Vita to
  max speed at the expense of higher battery consumption, or the converse if
  you want that. Very recommended for various games with slowdown but doesn't
  work with all of them.

- rePatch
  https://github.com/SilicaAndPina/rePatch
  Kernel plugin that allows a second level patch folder to override a game's
  data files, and also allows DLC patching. Required for game modding on 3.61+
  and generally preferrable to the old plaintext patch/ folder trick. Notably
  used for the Neptunia Re;translations.

- pngshot
  https://github.com/xyzz/pngshot
  Documented in the initial hacking guide. This is just a game plugin that
  overrides the regular screenshot function with one that works with all games
  always, doesn't include ugly watermarks, and saves lossless pictures.

TODO: Add more stuff!



==== My example taiHEN config ====

*KERNEL
# PSVSD plugin, any storage redirection should be listed first!
ur0:tai/usbmc.skprx
ur0:tai/nonpdrm.skprx
ur0:tai/repatch.skprx
ux0:app/PSPEMUCFW/sce_module/adrenaline_kernel.skprx

# Display battery percentage
*main
ur0:tai/shellbat.suprx

# ...except this one because it makes the game unbootable.
*!PCSG00568

# All programs should use oclockvita...
*ALL
ur0:tai/oc.suprx



==== 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.

https://vitadevwiki.com/vita/Main_Page
General technical information about the system.



==== 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
https://pastebin.com/b4D8uP20 rev7.0