[WIP] Extended Pandora Bootmenu

[Hellcat]

Hi folks!

For some time now I am working on my very first "real" thing for the PSP
It's an extended bootmenu for use on a magic Pandora memorystick.

Key features:

• Choose to boot firmware from memory stick, internal flash or the original Pandora mainmenu
• Fix flash1:/ (the one holding the settings and config) by formatting it and creating all directories
• Launch an additional application (PSPFiler or such) with working access to the real flash0:/
• Launch custom firmware installer (OE / M33) with working flash0:/ access, so it can install the CFW straight from a Pandora boot without the need to downgrade to 1.50 first, no matter of the current state (and version) of the internal flash.
• The paths to execute for flash0-app and CFW installer can be set with the buildin filebrowser
• You can configure a default option that is automatically executed when the WLAN switch is set to ON at startup. (By default there is no action taken)
• Access flash0:/, flash1:/ or memory stick via USB (straight from the menu)

I hope you find this usefull, tell me what you think

[ >> DOWNLOAD v0.86t2 << ]

Spoiler for Full README:

Extended Pandora (pre)Bootmenu
by ---==> HELLCAT <==---

========================= ============
Leave comments and suggestions here:
[WIP] Extended Pandora Bootmenu
========================= ============

What is it?
----------------
This adds a new bootmenu to a magic memorystick of the Pandora battery with some new functions and abilities.

Key features:

* Choose to boot firmware from memory stick, internal flash or the original Pandora mainmenu
* Fix flash1:/ (the one holding the settings and config) by formatting it and creating all directories
* Launch an additional application (PSPFiler or such) with working access to the real flash0:/
* Launch custom firmware installer (OE / M33) with working flash0:/ access, so it can install the CFW straight from a Pandora boot without the need to downgrade to 1.50 first, no matter of the current state (and version) of the internal flash.
* Access flash0:/, flash1:/ or memory stick via USB (straight from the menu)


Known issues/bugs
----------------------
* The boot from the internal flash doesn't work too well....
If you boot from the internal flash, using the option in the menu, the UMD drive errors out and does not work, programs may fail to load and you might get a lockup after the Sony intro.
However on recent CFWs there are workarounds: In the recovermenu configuration set "Skip Sony Logo" and "Hard reset on homebrew" to "ENABELED", that almost solves anything (UMD works again after first program launch).

Furthermore, due to the IPL, the PSP has been initialized from, this can only boot 1.50, CFWs and a few 2.xx FWs.
Higher (original Sony) firmwares will fail to boot.

There has to be a better way of rebooting the PSP, it just needs to be found.
I am currently using sceSysconResetDevice() to do it. scePower_0442D852() has been reported to be cool, but that's not available on 1.50


Installation
-----------------
Just copy the installer EBOOT to /PSP/GAME or /PSP/GAME150 on your memstick, and run it - done :-)

All you need is a plain Pandora Magic Memorystick, no need for an already installed firmware on the stick, the installer takes care of everything.
Just be sure the 1.50 UPDATE.PBP is still in the root directory of the stick if you want to install with full firmware booting from stick.

If you already have a firmware propperly booting from your memstick, or you are upgrading from a previous version of the bootmenu, the installer gives you the option to install without firmware setup, only the required bootmenu files will then be installed.


Usage
----------
Well, I don't have to explain how to use a menu, do I?
Nevertheless, some usefull info:

* Access to the real flash in general:
If you run a custom app, or a CFW installer, from this menu, after your application (or the installer) has started, wait a few seconds before actually using it and letting it access the flash!
This is because the flash emulation is disabled with a slight delay to give the starting app the chance to load additional modules from the (emulated) firmware before the emulation gets disabled and the app would no longer be able to load modules (since they might no longer be available).

* Custom application to be started with access to the real flash0:/ (and flash1:/ and all the others)
Default path for EBOOT to launch is:
<yourmemstick>:/PSP/GAME/MAINT/EBOOT.PBP
The path can be configured, by pressing O or [] while the option is selected. O will let you choose any program from /PSP/GAME and [] will let you choose from /PSP/GAME150.
This application can then be started with the "Launch app with flash0:/ access" option from the menu.
A few seconds after your app has been started you are then be able to access the flash of your PSP using this program.
Very usefull to perform file operations with tools like PSPFiler from a Pandora boot.

* CFW installer
Default path for EBOOT to launch is:
<yourmemstick>:/PSP/GAME/CFWUPDATE/EBOOT.PBP
The path can be configured, by pressing O or [] while the option is selected. O will let you choose any program from /PSP/GAME and [] will let you choose from /PSP/GAME150.
This menu lets you start a CFW installer (OE or M33 or whatever) also with flash emulation disabled, so the install WORKS.
No need anymore to downgrade to 1.50 first, and then run the CFW installer from there.
Like with the app above, give the PSP a few seconds before starting the installation to let the flash emulation get propperly disabled.

TA-082/086 NOTE:
-------------------
TA-082/086 users that never downgraded their PSP before:
You DO NOT NEED to downgrade with the original Pandora function and you DO NOT NEED to patch your idstorage since this will install a 1.50 compatible IPL that also runns fine on TA-082/86! (All credits for this, and I mean 100% all, go to "moonlight" at the PS2DEV forums!!! I only implemented/copied it into my code.)


Credits
------------
*
Of course to the makers of the Pandora!
Team N00bz and C+D
The Prometheus Project

*
Helpful people on ps2dev and QJ forums

*
Team WildCard
for their publically released source of their OE/LE versions
Some of the functions would've never been implemented in this without the ability to look at, and learn from, their code.

*
Tyranid
for his PRXTool
Without that one it would have been WAY harder to trace down the function to disable the flash emulation/redirection in the Pandora boot.

*
Moonlight from the pspdev forums
for the custom IPL and its installer

*
well, and a bit for me and myself
for slamming together whatever I got - I learned much about the PSP internal stuff while trying to make this....



HAVE FUN!
---==> HELLCAT <==---

Note about MaxSafe:
Most of you wanted to see MaxSafe support by this menu (as am i).
Well, I checked, it's more easy than you think *lol*

Simply install MaxSafe - done!

Once MaxSafe is installed, choose "Go to Pandora mainmenu" from the extended menu and you will come straight into the MaxSafe menu, that will then offer you all of the original Pandora functions as well as the MaxSafe functions.


NOTE FOR 3.80-M33

If you're on 3.80-M33 (or higher) and you get an error in the installer about loading kstuff.prx, please use the attached replacement kstuff.prx and replace the existing one with it.

This one is supposed to work on 3.80-M33, if not, please let me know!

[Mr305]

my WLAN switch is always on. May be, could the auto boot be disabled?

Looks Great. Will try ASAP.

[xpack]

Great, just unbricked and buying a new battery this will be a definite for me too have... cant wait

[Seven_]

secks. Very nice, and very useful too.

[Mr305]

Usb-flash0 might be a bit controversial but for "Good" uses its OK.

[Hellcat]

Thanks everyone

Originally Posted by Mr305

my WLAN switch is always on. May be, could the auto boot be disabled?

Yes, I was already thinking about config options, maybe I'll make the default choosable (incl. to disable it).

Originally Posted by Mr305

Usb-flash0 might be a bit controversial but for "Good" uses its OK.

It's supposed to be for cases when you flashed a wrong file and that killed your PSP, but you could recover by editing, restoring the original or deleting the file and similar cases.
You don't have to completely flash the PSP if a "simple file operation" would do the job
And IMO from the PC this is more easy to be done as with PSPFiler, for example.

[grit]

This is really cool!

I was waiting for something like this..

Now, if you could add options to backup and restore idstorage it we would have the ultimate tool!

Keep it up!


EDIT: Is this compatible with MaxSafe? If it is then the idstorage management is done..

[MániácX]

Very useful program. Will use when have the time
Thanks.

Can you PM me the source, please? I would like to change some stuff for personal use (eg. The EBOOT paths, more options, ect.). I will not release it.

If not, thats fine. I'll just hex it.

Thanks anyways!

[_dysfunctional]

Originally Posted by MániácX

Very useful program. Will use when have the time
Thanks.

Can you PM me the source, please? I would like to change some stuff for personal use (eg. The EBOOT paths, more options, ect.). I will not release it.

If not, thats fine. I'll just hex it.

Thanks anyways!

lol.

[Sakyr]

Great i've been waiting for this!!! Thx alot man!!! Grats to you hope to see updates soon

[Redbeard46]

Is this compatible with maxsafe?

[Anti-QuickJay]

Originally Posted by MániácX

Very useful program. Will use when have the time
Thanks.

Can you PM me the source, please? I would like to change some stuff for personal use (eg. The EBOOT paths, more options, ect.). I will not release it.

If not, thats fine. I'll just hex it.

Thanks anyways!

Hex it then lol.

[Flamingwolf]

I wouldn't give the source to anyone if you want it to stay private. Just look what happened to Pandora. >_>

Originally Posted by Mr305

my WLAN switch is always on. May be, could the auto boot be disabled?

Looks Great. Will try ASAP.

Same here. Do you think It's possible if you made a version that if the WLAN switch is on, it will boot to NAND?

That would be great, as I only have 1 battery and I would rather boot to 3.52 then 1.50. =D

[Greyone]

wow this beats the harley g mod

[Jungle-Cat]

Since it use a reserved 512mb stick for pandora, It could use with some filling! But i'll wait for a more polished release, since I really cbb doing this right now!

[Flamingwolf]

Well, Since this came out with the option to boot from NAND, I tried to get my only battery pandorized. Bad idea. Now I can only boot into service mode, and I don't have a card reader/extra battery and my PSP doesn't seem to like charging/turning on with just the charger plugged in.....

GAYSAUCE!!!

[Pspbricker]

You just need to add idstorage flash and backup, and simple ipl flash and this app will truly own.

[Bubbletune]

You mentioned you where creating this lots of times in your posts, and now it finally there! Amazing work man!

[Moose]

This is cool, thanks.

[FaT3oYCG]

Originally Posted by MániácX

Very useful program. Will use when have the time
Thanks.

Can you PM me the source, please? I would like to change some stuff for personal use (eg. The EBOOT paths, more options, ect.). I will not release it.

If not, thats fine. I'll just hex it.

Thanks anyways!

ye could you release the source or something becuse i would like to personalise it f not ill either hex it like maniacx or just make my own from scratch

thanks anyway and good release

[elver]

could someone upload a dump of this working, mine just hangs with all LEDs on.

[Hellcat]

Originally Posted by grit

Now, if you could add options to backup and restore idstorage it we would have the ultimate tool!

Is this compatible with MaxSafe? If it is then the idstorage management is done..

It should be compatible, yes.
Didn't have time really look at it so far, if they have the dumper and restorer as seperate files, I could simply call them.
If not, I'll talk to the makers for some CoOp I, as well, think that MaxSafe should be called from this.

Originally Posted by MániácX

Can you PM me the source, please? I would like to change some stuff for personal use (eg. The EBOOT paths, more options, ect.)

Uh, the source is way to messy at the moment *lol*.
I'm planning on implementing some options for those things and once it's finished (and the code cleaned up a bit ) it's likely I release it anyway.

Originally Posted by Flamingwolf

Well, Since this came out with the option to boot from NAND, I tried to get my only battery pandorized. Bad idea. Now I can only boot into service mode, and I don't have a card reader/extra battery and my PSP doesn't seem to like charging/turning on with just the charger plugged in.....

GAYSAUCE!!!

You could boot the FW from the memstick and run the battery creator from there to restore your battery.
What do have currently installed in your flash? What happens when you try booting it?

Originally Posted by Pspbricker

You just need to add idstorage flash and backup, and simple ipl flash and this app will truly own.

I am working on IPL flash as part of the "Launch CFW installer" option - If wanted I could make it a seperate option.
For idstorage I hope to be able to call MaxSafe, have to look at it....

Originally Posted by FaT3oYCG

ye could you release the source or something becuse i would like to personalise it f not ill either hex it like maniacx or just make my own from scratch

Like said, once a first version can really be called "finished" and I polished the code a bit, it's most likely I'll release the source to the public as well.
I myself learned much for doing this by looking at some other source codes and adapt what I've seen to my one.
So it would only be fair....

[Davee]

Woah! Thats awesome!!

[Coolj]

Originally Posted by FaT3oYCG

or just make my own from scratch

Lol

[iwantanimac]

Looks great. Will surely use this once i get my Pandora setup.

[grit]

Originally Posted by Hellcat

It should be compatible, yes.
Didn't have time really look at it so far, if they have the dumper and restorer as seperate files, I could simply call them.
If not, I'll talk to the makers for some CoOp I, as well, think that MaxSafe should be called from this.
...........
.........

Thanks for your reply.

I can't wait for the gold release!


On a side note:
Are you aware of a pandora's module called PREREST (made by a japanese dev) that let's you chose the nandimage you want to use to restoration from a list of existing nandimage backups?
Something like this would be a great addition to your app.
The downside of the module I mentioned is that it actualy *moves* the selected file from a folder to the root of ms (heavy file managing can lead to corruption). IMHO, renaming the file instead of moving it would work better and safer.

[Hellcat]

I just had another success *yay*.
With this you will be able to launch a CFW installer straight from Pandora - no need to downgrade to 1.50 first.
Downside: The CFW installer does not install a propper 1.50 IPL, resulting in a brick that doesn't even bring the backlight of the PSP on before crashing!

I included moonlight's (from the ps2dev forums) custom IPL and its installer for a test in my code.
After letting that run and install moonlight's patched IPL the PSP booted flawlessly into the CFW that was installed directly over an original $ony 3.52

Even more lucky side effect: with moonlight's patched IPL, TA-082/086 users would not have to patch their idstorage to be able to install a CFW!
Isn't THAT cool?


I am now waiting for moonlight's permission to use his code....

Originally Posted by grit

Are you aware of a pandora's module called PREREST (made by a japanese dev) that let's you chose the nandimage you want to use to restoration from a list of existing nandimage backups?
Something like this would be a great addition to your app.
The downside of the module I mentioned is that it actualy *moves* the selected file from a folder to the root of ms (heavy file managing can lead to corruption). IMHO, renaming the file instead of moving it would work better and safer.

That's a good suggestion, I'll look into this!

[_dysfunctional]

Originally Posted by FaT3oYCG

ye could you release the source or something becuse i would like to personalise it f not ill either hex it like maniacx or just make my own from scratch

thanks anyway and good release

lol + rofl.

[PSPCONMAN]

Thanks! This is awesome! I will be looking forward to future releases! Is there a possiblity of it becoming easier to install?

[Hellcat]

Originally Posted by PSPCONMAN

Thanks! This is awesome! I will be looking forward to future releases! Is there a possiblity of it becoming easier to install?

I hope so
I'll do whatever comes into my mind to make it as easy possible as possible for the final to be installed.