Vita hack pasta rev5.1

==== READ THIS FIRST ====

As with all unofficial modification, it's possible for them to go wrong and I
take no responsibility if it does.

Do NOT update your Vita past 3.60 if you want to use hacks! Anything past that
has almost nothing (see section) and there is no known downgrade method. But,
on 3.60 there are some other restrictions:
- Games requiring 3.61+ do not work, basically games released October 2016 or
  later. Affected games show an update nag, or if HENkaku is active a C1-6703-6
  error.
- PSN may or may not work, depending on whether HENkaku version spoof works. At
  time of writing (August 2017) PSN has been broken (error E-80558325) and you
  cannot download any games from PSN, even via a PS3. You also cannot activate
  a Vita. Online play is apparently still possible.

If your Vita is older than 3.60 use this guide to update it to 3.60. Do NOT use
the regular method it takes you to latest!

https://henkaku.xyz/usage/

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.

If buying a Vita, any ''new'' Western ones are guaranteed to be hackable. New
Japanese ones are generally safe, except for the red and silver ones which are
always 3.61+. Used are very unlikely to be hackable unless stated otherwise.

(TODO: Are all new PSTVs safe?)

==== HENKAKU ====

This is what allows everything else to work. To set it up, make sure you're on
3.60 (if not, see further up), open up your browser, and go to the following
site.

http://go.henkaku.xyz/

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/

==== CONFIGURING HENKAKU ====

As of version 9, configuration is done in the official settings app instead of
in molecularShell. Most important is the unsafe homebrew toggle, required to be
enabled for some utilities. Also version spoofing for PSN (version should be
3.65 as of time of writing).

==== 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:

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

Guide:

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

For Adrenaline you need "ux0:adrenaline/adrenaline.skprx" (no quotes) under the
*KERNEL section and *after* the one for loading gamesd.skprx, and you may also
need to delete and reinstall the bubble. After that it should work happily.

It's also possible to format an SD card on Linux with the following:
- Install DOS filesystem tools (dosfstools package on Debian/Ubuntu, sub in as
  needed for different distros)
- Get your SD card's device file (dmesg will tell you when it's plugged in) it
  will be something like /dev/sdX
- Make doubly sure it's correct, as what you specify _will_ be overwritten!
- Now run the following commands as root:
# dd if=zzImage.img of=/dev/sdX
# mkfs.vfat -F 32 -I /dev/sdX

Done!

==== USB STORAGE ON PSTV ====

TODO: Document. It's likely different.

==== UTILITIES ====

molecularShell comes with HENkaku, it's a basic file browser, VPK installer and
FTP server.

MaiDumpTool (Vita pirating), Adrenaline (PSP/PSX pirating) and CTManager
(custom themes) have their own section. Other homebrew:

- VitaShell
  https://github.com/TheOfficialFloW/VitaShell/releases
  Just an improved molecularShell, notably allows you to access the SD card via
  USB. Recommended to use instead. Requires unsafe homebrew for some functions.

- 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: PSTV unblacklisting, what else?

==== PSN ====

Note: PSN is currently broken so none of this applies.

I repeat: Do NOT update under any circumstance! You are hosed if you do.

As mentioned, PSN may or may not work. But you can create and link an account
and will need to do this to set up Adrenaline. With a PS3 it is also possible
to use as a middleman for the PS Store if you want digital copies of games and
PSN is blocked on the Vita.

https://hackinformer.com/PlayStationGuide/PSV/olderfirmwareguide.html

Be aware being able to access PSN does not allow you to bypass game firmware
requirements or PSN regional lockout.

==== PIRATING ====

Install MaiDumpTool, this allows for installing pirated games/DLC, and also
dumping your own. Make sure unsafe homebrew is enabled when using this tool.

https://github.com/LioMajor/MaiDumpToolEN/releases

Look up "Mai Torrent" to find a game collection. I'd be hazed for linking it.

To install a game, extract the ZIP, then copy the GAMEID folder and any _patch
and _addc folders to ux0:/mai then in MaiDumpTool install the game, then patch
and DLC if applicable. If a game has DLC you will also need to switch the game
loading method to 5 or 6, which is needed depends on the game.

TODO: Document Vitamin for the few games that require it. I have no experience
with the tool.

==== ADRENALINE ====

Note: If your Vita is not activated, it is not presently possible to do so, and
this is a requirement to download the PSP bubble.

Note: Some additional steps are necessary if using SD card replacements. Check
the relevant section after installing Adrenaline.

Before starting, make sure you have a PSN account set up on your Vita, refer to
PSN section. Also make sure unsafe homebrew is enabled as the installer tools
require it (Adrenaline itself doesn't).

Next, use this tool to activate your Vita if necessary, and obtain a PSP demo
to inject Adrenaline into.

http://gekihen.customprotocol.com/en/project/ePSP-Bubble-Installer

Then run the actual Adrenaline installer on it.

https://github.com/Freakler/vita-AdrenalineEasyInstaller/releases

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: I had to do a partial Vita activation before the bubble downloader would
be able to activate it properly. Only had to do "Games" and "Video" activation.
"System" wanted me to update the system first.

==== 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/

==== MULTI-ACCOUNTING ====

I haven't tried this but it might be helpful for people wanting to bypass the
PSN region lockout.

https://gbatemp.net/threads/v3-60-how-to-swap-between-different-psn-accounts-without-formatting-using-henkaku.436414/

==== 3.61 AND OVER ====

Not worth it. But if you're really stuck, there is ARK for PSP game pirating
(only available up to 3.63, very limited compared to Adrenaline) and VHBL (PSP
homebrew loader).

==== 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.