Well, I took the plunge and have downgraded my UK PSP from firmware 2.6 to firmware 1.5, using the final beta version of the downgrader that came out over the weekend.

I was slightly hesitant in performing the downgrading procedure as most of the instructions I read stated that the downgrade process could only be performed on PSP’s that had been upgraded from firmware 1.5/2.0, and not PSP’s that came from the factory with firmware 2.5/2.6 already installed, such as my own PSP.

But, having read plenty of reports that the downgrader working for factory PSP’s with 2.5/2.6, I decided to bite the bullet and downgrade.

So how did I do it?

The first step was to download the final beta release of the downgrader (or downdater as it appear to have been called). I then obtained a copy of the dump files from a PSP that has firmware 1.5 installed. These files are easily available on the web, so if you need them a quick search should get you results.

I then pretty much emptied my PSP’s Memory Stick Pro Duo of its contents, installed the eLoader (v0.9.7) and copied across the downdater eboot file (into /PSP/GAME/DOWNDATERTEST/) and copied the firmware 1.5 dump to the root directory (into /DOWNDATER). The 1.5 firmware dump should contain two folders (DUMP and PRX) and two files (inputfl.bin and outputfl.bin).

I then fired up Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, and then loaded the eLoader. The only thing in the menu was the downdater. I should mention at this point I had a fully charged battery, and also had the PSP plugged into the AC adapter. The PSP was not connected to the PC via the USB cable.

With fingers crossed, I pressed the button to start the process and away it went. Screen went black and the Memory light flickered like mad for a minute or so. Most of the instructions that I have read say that after a few minutes you need to turn your PSP back on. I found that after a few minutes I had a blue screen with a variety of languages stating that the system information was corrupt and needed to be refreshed, press ‘O’ to continue.

I pressed ‘O’ and was taken through the system setup process, entering a name for the PSP, time, date etc. When complete, I got a message saying the UMD could not be read. I popped the power off and dropped the battery out and left the PSP for 5 minutes.

Battery back in, PSP powered up and I’ve got one slightly different PSP to the one I had half an hour ago. A quick check of the system info shows the PSP now has firmware 1.5 installed.

So now begins the process of researching what does and doesn’t work on firmware 1.5. I’ll keep you updated with my findings.