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ARK-4 e/CFW for the PSP and PS Vita.

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.


Join the PSP Homebrew Community Discord
We are located in the #ark-cfw channel


Installation Guide located in WIKI

ARK-4 WIKI


Table of Contents (Quick Links)

FEATURES:

  • Core system for unsigned code execution heavily updated from traditional CFW with robust patching algorithms and improved API.

  • Heavily optimized Inferno 2 Driver compatible with all known PSP formats (ISO, CSO, ZSO, JSO, CSOv2 and DAX).

  • Popcorn controller for custom PS1 games with support for external configuration files and anti-libcrypt protection.

  • Built-in No-DRM engine Stargate, fixes many anti-CFW games. Expandible via other NoDRM plugins.

  • Plugin support for PSP games and homebrew, PS1 games and VSH (XMB), including the ability to enable and disable plugins per-game.

  • Region Free playback of UMD Video on all PSP models. Change the region of your UMD drive on-the-fly.

  • Compatible with all PSP models on firmwares 6.60 and 6.61.

  • Compatible with all PS Vita models on firmware 2.10 up to 3.74 OFW or Henkaku, including support for the Adrenaline pspemu mod.

  • Compatible with 6.60 Testing Tool and 6.60 Development Tool firmwares for testkit and devkit units (inlcuding CEX2DEX converted units).

  • Updated cIPL compatible with all PSP models, including toolkits, for truely permanent CFW.

  • Can be fully installed and booted on memory stick via Time Machine.

  • Can be used to unbrick any PSP model using Despertar del Cementerio Version 10 in combination with a Pandora Battery or Baryon Sweeper.

  • Resistant to bricks, easy to recover from bad configurations, various recovery methods including being able to load DC via cIPL without any special device.

  • Custom game launcher with built-in game categories, file browser, FTP server and client, modernized look and more.

  • Built-in extensions allow the CFW to be managed entirely via the XMB.

  • Compatible with PRO Online and Xlink Kai.

  • Compatible with Legacy Homebrew via eLoader, Leda Plugin or the 1.50 Kernel Addon, including the classic KXploit naming format.

  • OTA updates. Fully updateable via the internet.

CFW Settings Advanced VSH Menu cIPL

Compiling ARK ( For Developers )

Build script will allow you to use the correct SDK that ARK was built with.
  • Docker container: docker pull docker.io/krazynez/ark-4:latest

These are utilized either with cloning the repo or using the Docker container

  • 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

Installation On PSP

The instructions are as follows:
  • Move or copy ARK_01234 folder into /PSP/SAVEDATA/ folder.
  • Move or copy ARK_Loader folder into /PSP/GAME/ folder.
  • Launch ARK Loader. It will install ARK modules on PSP Flash and boot the CFW.
  • At this point ARK will work as a Live CFW, meaning that ARK Loader will need to be run every time the console is turned off or rebooted.
  • To convert ARK into a Permanent CFW you can use either cIPL or Infinity, along with the Full Installer for a complete permanent experience.
Permanent CFW via cIPL
  • New cIPL: works with every retail model (1K, 2K, 3K, Go and Street) on firmware 6.61 or 6.60.
  • Classic cIPL: works with 1g and early 2g on firmware 6.60 or 6.61 as well as Testkits on 6.60 Testing Tool.
  • DevTool cKBOOTI: works with DTP-T1000 (devkits) on 6.60 Development Tool.
  • Installer will choose the correct version according to your model.
  • Move or 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.
Full Flash Installation
  • This allows you to install and use all of ARK's features on the console's internal flash memory, allowing you to entirely remove the ARK_01234 savedata folder or memory stick.
  • Copy ARK_Full_Installer to /PSP/GAME/ and run it from ARK. It will install some extra files into the console's flash.
  • If the Custom Launcher is not available (i.e. you delete the ARK savedata or remove the memory card), PRO Shell will take its place.
  • When no savedata folder is available the default ARK path used to store settings will be ms0:/SEPLUGINS/.
  • Even if files are stored in the console's flash memory, the ones in the savedata folder will still take priority in loading.
Time Machine and Despertar del Cementerio
  • Time Machine allows the ability to boot the 6.61 firmware and ARK entirely from the Memory Stick.
  • Despertar del Cementerio allows the ability to revive a bricked PSP when used in combination with a Pandora or Baryon Sweeper.
  • To install DC-ARK you must first format the memory stick leaving enough space for the boot sector. You can use PSP Tool to do this.
  • You can install DC-ARK either using a PSP or a PC (Windows, Mac and Linux).
  • On PSP you need to be running a CFW to install DC-ARK (ARK itself or any other).
  • Copy the ARK_DC folder to the /PSP/GAME/ folder and run the installer from the XMB.
  • Follow the instructions to install DC-ARK and create a magic memory stick.
  • On PC, you need Python 3 and run MagicMemoryCreator with admin/root privileges.
  • On compatible models, you can use Advanced VSH Menu to create a Pandora Battery.
  • Use a Pandora or Baryon Sweeper in combination with your newly created Magic Memory Stick to boot up Despertar 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

Installation On PS Vita

Standalone (Official PSPEmu)
  • Works on Firmware 3.60 up to 3.74, requires Henkaku/h-encore or any native hack.
  • Download and install NoPspEmuDrm (you can use AutoPlugin).
  • Copy FasterARK.vpk from PSVita/ folder anywhere on your vita and install using VitaShell.
  • Open FasterARK and wait for the install process to finish.
  • Both ARK and ARK-X bubbles will appear in Live Area.
  • Use the ARK bubble for PSP games and homebrew. It can play PS1 but with limitations related to sound playback.
  • Use the ARK-X bubble for PS1 games without any sound limitations.
  • Once ARK bubbles are installed, you can delete FasterARK.
  • To exit from a game or homebrew back to the custom launcher, press L+R+Down+Start (on ARK-X use L2+R2+Down+Start or L1+R1+Start+Down for VitaTV).
  • NOTE: Some features are not available in standalone installations, mainly the official Sony XMB and Force Extra RAM setting (needed for PRO Online).
  • NOTE: If you want to have an ARK bubble that works on Official Firmware you must use ChovySign with a valid license. Instructions in Wiki.
Adrenaline (Patched PSPEmu)

Updating ARK

There are three ways to update ARK:
  • Option 1: Use the System Update ( ARK-4 Updater ) feature in the XMB. Requires your PSP/Vita to be connected to the internet.
  • Option 2: Copy the UPDATE folder to /PSP/GAME/ and run it.
  • Option 3: Copy ARK_01234 folder and (on PSP) run ARK Loader again to install new flash0 files.

Changelog

Note: this is a simplified changelog, for a full version you can visit here: https://github.com/PSP-Archive/ARK-4/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md

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.

  • You may be shunned for not reading the Wiki.