PSVita hacks - info and faq

[yanazake]

This is a topic with only info about what has been found and done in the PSVita. This thread HAS NO LINKS FOR A VITA CFW, and such thing does not exist yet.


That said, let's see the list.


Q: Is there any CFW (Custom FirmWare) for vita already?
A: No, there is not. Didn't you read the line in red at the top of

Q: What is that Genesis game running on Vita then?
A: It is a small homebrew, called HALF BYTE LOADER.
Actually, the Genesis games were run through on the PSP emulator called PicoDrive, using the unreleased HBL, which already been integrated with savedata exploits found inside the Vita's PSP Emulator.
and because of that, the Vita can run in USER MODE (not PSP MODE), means ability to load homebrews, and so on.

Q: What is PSP mode?
A: It's an emulation of the PSP system, running in the PSvita system. It's pretty much like the PSX compatibility on PSP and DS compatibility on 3DS.

Q: Does that mean I can run PSP iso backups on my PSVita?
A: Not yet, the HBL only supports some homebrews.

Q: What is that screen with crappy models of dolphins?
A: It is a bug of sorts. It's a Debug screen, not something created by a hacker. If you ever see this screen on your psvita, you should contact customer support - it seems there is no known way to return yor psvita to a working state when that screen shows up.

Q: Can that be used for an exploit/cfw?
A: Too early to tell, but it's likely it won't.

Q: How can I access the recovery menu in PSVita?
A: Turn OFF your PS Vita (Press Power Button for 10 seconds), now press and hold "R" + Power + PS (PlayStation Button). Wait until it shows the recovery menu screen. It is highly recommended that you DO NOT try to use this if you don't know what you're doing.

Q: Can I transfer files to my Vita without internet? (ie: "My internet went down/I don't have internet/my internet is too slow")
A: Yes, you install the provided software, Content Manager Assistant, and patch it with OPENCMA. It won't ask for internet connection after it's patched.

Q: How can I find out more info about my handheld?
A: Besides navigating to the System settings and then system information, while there you can press and hold L + R + left + Square for a few seconds [not on the analog] and then start. It shows some information about the hardware, firmware and other stuff. Works for PS3 and PSP too, but since it has been found recently, no one knows yet how useful can that info be.

Q: Do I really need the memory card to play any game?
A: Not all of them, but probably most. Also, it stores DLC content and other data, like music. That said, it's not NEEDED, but highly recommended to have one, no matter the size.

I belive that's all the available info as of 13/jan/2012 - If there's anything new or anything I missed or messed up, please post here. Glad to be of any help.
Also, since this will help new people, it would be wise to sticky it or move to a better place if need be.

[meganova]

Q: What is that Genesis game running on Vita then?
A: It is a small homebrew, called HALF BYTE LOADER. It loads some homebrews in PSP MODE. The same goes to the "Hello World" screens on PSvita - They're running in PSP mode.

Actually, the Genesis games was run through on the PSP emulator called PicoDrive, using the unreleased HBL, which already been integrated with savedata exploits found inside the Vita's PSP Emulator.

and because of that, the Vita can run in USER MODE (not PSP MODE), means ability to load homebrews, and so on.

Also, since this will help new people, it would be wise to sticky it or move to a better place if need be.

Not necessary, but keep updating this thread, and it may get stickied if there are more info added, until then.
(unless other mods think otherwise )

[Milady]

I must agree with meganova, the thread should probably remain unstickied for a while until it contains more substantial information.

[yanazake]

Thanks for that info, Meganova. I'll fix it.

Anyway, it's still a good place to send people curious about the vita, or newbies seeking info - it's everything known up until now neatly organized in one topic ;p

[gezegond]

Thanks yanazake for the info's. I so want to get a Vita, but am not sure if it's worth the costs yet. If it gets hacked, that's another story...

[Slacker Magician]

I'll be sure to post anything I see on new sites.

and because of that, the Vita can run in USER MODE (not PSP MODE), means ability to load homebrews, and so on.

You can already run homebrew with total access to the Vita's resources?

[meganova]

You can already run homebrew with total access to the Vita's resources?

No, not yet. The User Mode only give you "little access" on the Vita(or PSP), like running homebrew games or apps that doesn't require kernel access.

[Slacker Magician]

No, not yet. The User Mode only give you "little access" on the Vita(or PSP), like running homebrew games or apps that doesn't require kernel access.

Is there is more hardware access than through the PSP emulator?

[meganova]

Is there is more hardware access than through the PSP emulator?

Nope, AFAIK.

[yanazake]

I have a question about Sony and downloadable releases overall. Are they usually MUCH cheaper? I saw a commentary saying something related to games for phones, their price, their popularity... I wonder if the downloadable games are going to have good prices~

[Archean_0]

I have a question about Sony and downloadable releases overall. Are they usually MUCH cheaper? I saw a commentary saying something related to games for phones, their price, their popularity... I wonder if the downloadable games are going to have good prices~

well sony does like money...
and from what i've seen on the PSN, you'll only be saving $5 here and there [most PS3/PSP titles drop significantly after 3 months anyways--maybe the vita will follow suit?]

[Slacker Magician]

well sony does like money...
and from what i've seen on the PSN, you'll only be saving $5 here and there [most PS3/PSP titles drop significantly after 3 months anyways--maybe the vita will follow suit?]

Vita titles are supposed to be $50 at max (in the US).

At Yanazake: Stuff off the PSN can only be tied to a certain number of accounts, and I don't know how many times you can download it :\. You may as well get a real copy when you can. Archean 0 is also right about the price dropping, if you wait a month or two the price will be down a good chunk.

[Archean_0]

Vita titles are supposed to be $50 at max (in the US).

At Yanazake: Stuff off the PSN can only be tied to a certain number of accounts, and I don't know how many times you can download it :\. You may as well get a real copy when you can. Archean 0 is also right about the price dropping, if you wait a month or two the price will be down a good chunk.

its Archean_0 actually--the line hides the under_score, but its ok

as far as PSN download limits--I know it used to be 5 console/psp downloads, but they keep changing their ToS [terms of service] | judging from this thread--> [http://community.us.playstation.com/...rt=0&tstart=0] I'd say the limit of 5 per account [any applicable system] still stands. [its hard to find information on sony's own website--fancy that]

as for multiple accounts--the vita only allows one account per system [http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/a...per-vita.aspx]
and ps3/psp systems have been cut from 5[?] to a lower # [either 2 or 3 (2 psps and a ps3 or 2 ps3s and a psp)]

===
by the way Shardnax--Hyperdimension Neptunia is a great game

[yanazake]

Hey, I've got another question, that's probably worth mentioning.

The psvita has games that NEED a memory card to be inserted for them to work, like uncharted. Question is, WHICH of the cards? The mini memory stick-like that's the rage for the vita, or the gamecard look-alike that's inserted on the top? What's the difference between those two? Some kind of "ram memory" expansion?

[meganova]

The bigger card is for the commercial games(and have space for game save, and.. patches?), and the other one, like a memory stick is to store any downloadable content such as music, video, game DLC or anything of the like.