Written on Feb 24th, 2007 by Dave
Posted In: Sony PSP Hacks, Sony PSP News, Sony PSP Wallpapers
Windows Vista Custom PSP XMB Theme
As this week of XMB customising draws to an end, here is a Windows Vista style XMB theme that I’ve been working on. Suitable for 3.03OE custom firmware users, this XMB theme takes my previous Vista theme and improves it substantially.
Update: 8:15am 25/02/08 : Recompiled to fix duplicate settings icon. Please redownload if you have a duplicate icon for photo and theme settings.
[Digg It!]
The icons are now 32bit, meaning they retain some transparency. This has allowed the creation of a Vista’esq style border around each icon, that allows the background and XMB wave effect to show through.
This theme also includes a custom XMB wave effect, made to match the included background. The wallpaper is a mashup of a number of wallpapers floating around on QJ.net, which in turn have come from DeviantArt.
This pack includes the wallpaper, wave effect, battery and volume graphics, and the XMB icons. To install, copy the contents to the vsh/resource directory once you have booted your PSP up into the recovery menu and selected the advanced > Toggle USB (flash0) option.
Note: This does require you write to your PSP’s flash memory, so can result in a brick if you are not careful. Whilst every effort is made to make sure this will not happen, I cannot be held responsible for any mishaps you might have. Always back up your files first, and make sure you know how to recover your PSP from a partial brick. This theme has been tested on a PSP running 3.03OE-C, any other firmware should proceed with caution. 3.10OE users, you will brick your PSP using this theme.
Download : PSPCulture Windows Vista PSP XMB Theme.
If you like this theme, please Digg It!.
114 Comments, Comment or Ping
Kotzekocher
Very Nice!
Feb 25th, 2007
mr man
have you got a link to that background please i cant find it anywhere?
thanks..
Feb 25th, 2007
Hipac
I just downloaded it and it looks AWESOME as i have windows vista on my computer
Feb 28th, 2007
Dave
Mr Man, if you simply want the background, download the pack, extract, and copy the 01-12.bmp file into the photo directory on the memory stick. You can then simply browse to it and ’set as wallpaper’.
Feb 28th, 2007
ollie
where do you put it on ur psp
Feb 28th, 2007
Kevin
Hey i have a suggestion… maybe if you could hook up a few more background pics… by the way it rocks amazingly, but you know maybe if you could do a few different pictures and make a new realease of the 01-12.bmp. I think it would be tight, especially with the picture you have now, if you made 12 total to cycle through on months.
Mar 2nd, 2007
Dave
ollie, you need to connect your PSP via the recovery menu and copy the files into vsh/resource.
Kevin, good idae, I’ll look into it. Biggest problem is high-res backgrounds don’t work for multi-depth bitmaps.
Cheers
Dave
Mar 3rd, 2007
James
I love the theme, but after I installed, I don’t have an icon for the web browser or the location free plaer. am I the only one that has had this problem?
Mar 5th, 2007
jjq5662
how do u connect your psp in revorey mode please help
please list steps i rlly don’t want to mess this up!!!! thanks……………………….. by the way your theme is pretty sick
Mar 5th, 2007
jjq5662
by the way i have 3.11 is that ok
Mar 5th, 2007
Dave
jjq, unfortunately these custom XMB themes can only be used if you have the custom firmware 3.03OE. As you have 3.11, you cannot downgrade to this firmware version, so you are stuck with your standard PSP interface.
Hopefully a downgrader will be made that will allow you to fully customise your PSP at some point, but for now you are stuck with what you have got.
Mar 5th, 2007
Will
Does this work for firmware 1.0, 1.5???
Mar 6th, 2007
ish420ism
i saw the rip off on the other site. The original is much more apealling. it’s focked up when ppl steal your credit.
Mar 9th, 2007
hasso
is this will work with 1.5 firmware ??? plz answer !
Mar 12th, 2007
chase
will someone tell me why this semi-bricks my 3.03OE-C?
Mar 14th, 2007
Dave
chase, explain exactly what happens to your PSP? I develop these themes on a PSP with 3.03OE-C and have no problems. Are you using non-standard gameboot/coldboots etc?
Mar 14th, 2007
Joey
does anybody have the html for the background/pic? beacause whenever I send it to my pictures folder from the downloader, it keeps saying corrupted data
Mar 19th, 2007
nauj
hey i dont now how to put on my psp
Mar 20th, 2007
Jack
how do i get it n my psp?
Mar 21st, 2007
Dave
To install, you need to connect your PSP to your PC using the Recovery Menu (firmware 3.03OE only). Select the advanced option then the Flash0 option. Copy the rco files into the vsh/resource directory. Make sure your back up your files first.
If you are not using 3.03OE then you cannot use these themes.
Mar 21st, 2007
Dr Haisook
What’s going on in here?
Mar 25th, 2007
Dave
Don’t worry Dr Haisook, the guy was upset that I got angry after he took my icons and made a theme out of it. The only credit I got (no link to original release or this website) was my name against the name of the person who made the icons.
Apparently spending 5 or 6 hours making the icons doesn’t count in his view.
Comment deleted as beig told ‘I’ve acted like a 10 year old’ isn’t the constructive kind of comment I like on this site.
Mar 26th, 2007
pj1115
Dave, I’m sorry I acted like that, I really am.
The fact is that the whole idea of my theme was to piece together a more authentic look by taking the best parts from other themes and putting them together.
The whole point about using your graphics was simply because I though they were the best I had ever seen in any PSP theme, full-stop. I really admire your work.
Again, I apologise for my actions, I should have asked permission first. In future works I’ll be sure to try and credit everyone involved as much as I can, AND ask permission first (if I end up using someone else’s work, that is).
I hope we can be on stable terms.
Thanks, pj1115.
Mar 26th, 2007
Dave
PJ, no worrys. I apologise if I’ve said anything to offend you or upset you (here or anywhere else). You caught me at a bad time, and I probably over-reacted to the situation. Its no excuse, but its all I’ve got.
I’m really glad you like the graphics, they did take a long time to put together (although nothing like the time spent on the Duranium R2 icons or the Mac Aqua theme I’m currently working on as a private XMB theme for someone).
Anway, I’ve seen you’ve help contribute to a couple of other posts on here, and I hope you continue to do so.
Regards
Dave
Mar 26th, 2007
RockmanNeo
It looks great! Could you add vista font to make it complete?
Apr 8th, 2007
Pt
i have firmware 3.30 will it work on that and if so how do you put it on the psp step by step instructions
Apr 9th, 2007
Dave
Pt, sorry, 3.30 users cannot use custom XMB themes. You need to wait for a downgrader to get back to version 1.5, and then upto 3.03OE to use these themes.
Apr 9th, 2007
Pt
do you know when a 3.30 downgrader will be released
Apr 12th, 2007
Dave
Pt, don’t know is the answer to that. It depends on when someone finds an exploit that will allow the relevant access to the PSP system files to allow a downgrader to be created.
Apr 12th, 2007
JR
yo..im on 3.30oe-a and i installed ur 01-12.bmp but 2 icons (the web browser and location free player) are big white squares..i have this problem with some other 01-12.bmp’s aswell..is there any chance you could resize the background as resized ones work.
If its too mch hassle then no worries il go n pester someone else
nice theme
Apr 18th, 2007
Mike
Can you update this with the hacked 3.10 Topmenu Plugin? Thanks!
Apr 26th, 2007
Kase
i’m new to all theis and it just got to me by suprise to see the vista theme you have done. well if its not too much to ask but i’m unsure on how to connect to my pc using the recovery menu through the psp. is is okay if u can help me with a step by step procedure.
many thanks Kase!
Apr 30th, 2007
wez
there is a few problems with my psp, i accidentally erased my recovery files and i dont have the custom fw update, i have 3.30 right now but i dont have the recovery stuff, can someone help me?
Apr 30th, 2007
Kase
ok the thing is that i have found out how to go to the recovery menu after quite some time and i just found out that my system is just a 3.03 without the OE bit. is it still possible for me to this theme?? because i cant find the flash0 option! please help anyone! thanks Kase!
Apr 30th, 2007
Dave
Kase, if you are on 3.03 then you are in luck - see this article on the 3.03 downgrader
Wez, 3.30 has no recovery options. 3.30OE (Open Edition) does. You can only have got to 3.30OE if you first downgraded your PSP to 1.5. 3.30 itself cannot be downgraded.
Cheers
Dave
Apr 30th, 2007
Kase
thanks dave that realy helps! but the thing is that my psp is currently running on the software of 3.03 OE-A according to when i checked it last time! is there by any chance that the vista theme can be install onto my system cause its too good trust. if there is can you help me with a step procedure please if it not too much to ask!
many thanks Kase!
Apr 30th, 2007
Dave
Kase, I’ve never tried the themes on 3.03OE-A, all I can suggest is you backup the topmenu_plugin.rco on flash0 somewhere safe and then copy across the vista one and see what happens. If it doesn’t work, simply reconnect back to the recovery menu and replace the topmenu_plugin.rco with the backed up one.
I can’t see why it won’t work, but 3.03OE is nice and safe and so long as you back up your original files, you should have no problems.
I’d also suggest upgrading to the latest 3.40OE firmware at some point, as its had a few improvements made and serveral fixes to the softwre that 3.03OE-A does not have.
Cheers
Dave
May 1st, 2007
Kase
alright dave thanks hope it works but i no its too much and that, the thing is i dont have the flash0 option in the recovery menu. i going to try the suggestion that u have made and hope for the best.
many thanks Kase!
May 1st, 2007
cholo
wher is the recovery menu & the vsh/resource on the psp
May 15th, 2007
Dave
Cholo, the recovery menu is available if you have custom firmware 3.03OE through to 3.40OE. Access is via a hard reset, reboot with right shoulder button pressed in.
If you are running a standard Sony firmware version, you do not have access to the recovery menu, and you cannot use custom themes.
May 15th, 2007
Kase
hello agen dave! i’m now using the 3.03 OE-A custom firmware for the psp at the moment. i tried installing the custom themes but i could find the option O and ths vsh/resource file in the recovery. may u please help??
thanks Kase!
May 21st, 2007
dom
where is Recovery Menu (firmware 3.03OE only)? what is Recovery Menu (firmware 3.03OE only)? i really want 2 download this theme because i’ve been trying 4 months to get a theme. please help me.
May 25th, 2007
Dave
dom : Read This
May 26th, 2007
dom
watz good dave? its dom again. iight look i tried 2 download the 3.40 firmware but i couldnt start it up on my psp. it said that the game couldnt be started on my psp. where do i go from here?
May 27th, 2007
Saajid
Can this be used on 3.40 OE-A firmware, if it cant and someone has 1 similar to this (preferably the background) for 3.40 can someone email it to me on saajid@saajid.co.uk please.
Thank you.
Jun 3rd, 2007
Dave
Saajid, I’ll convert the theme into a 3.40OE version for you when I get a moment.
Cheers
Dave
Jun 4th, 2007
bubba
hey i just installed the theme, looks GREAT!! theres just a couple things, the icons for the internet browser and locationfree player do not show up. they still work, theres just nothing there but words. did i do something wrong? i ran it on 3.03 OE-C.
Thanks
Jun 5th, 2007
Dave
Bubba, it seems some PSP’s have an issue with free space and writing the themes to flash0. Try deleting the topmenu_plugin.rco off your flash0 first, and then repalcing it with the one from the theme, this sometimes sorts the issue.
If it doesn’t, try using the dummy japanese font to free up some space on the flash0 - you can find the dummy fonts in Innercy’s circaDome theme (info here : CircaDome).
Jun 5th, 2007
jean
i cant get mine to work and my psp is a 3.03 OE-A
Jun 24th, 2007
aeris
hi Dave, do you still have the converted XMB Themes for 3.40oe-a?
Jun 26th, 2007
imran
what is a firmware and why cant i put it in do i need to have a different model . what kind of model in the psp do u need to put the theme
Jun 27th, 2007
Dave
imran - Firmware is the term used to describe the software that is embedded within the PSP to give it its functionality.
Every PSP made has a firmware, and its what makes the PSP work. Only certain custom firmware versions (Sony releases new official firmware versions every so often) have the ability to use custom XMB themes.
These firmware versions are created by the community, not Sony. Official Sony firmware releases do not allow you to use homebrew software or customise the look of you PSP.
The recent 3.50 downgrader means that all PSP’s to date can be downgraded to firmware 1.5 (one of the earliest released by Sony) and then upgraded to the latest Open Edition firmware version (3.40OE), created by a user called Dark_AleX. This will then allow the PSP to use custom XMB themes.
Jun 28th, 2007
Kase
dave i cant get the vista theme to work on my firmware 3.03 OE-A which really hurts cause i really
want the theme. please please is there any way you can convert it to the version the suits my firmware?? if so please help me by either e-mailing to me! (koolkay-2@hotmail.co.uk)
many thanks, Kase
Jul 12th, 2007
andreea
how do i put the theme into my psp ?? what program do i need ????help me …..
Jul 14th, 2007
andreea
how do i put the theme into my psp ?? what program do i need ????help me …..
Jul 14th, 2007
chris
any1,after i put the theme into the psp,it works,put my old wallpaper is stretch n the theme like blue , grey etc theme disappeared?y?
Jul 25th, 2007
JULI
IS IT POSSIBLE TO DOWNGRADE 3.51???
Jul 28th, 2007
steve
hey dave I need help on everything. I have a recovery menu its actually called UPDATE. It has Eboot. w.e. But I can’t find advanced options and I don’t know what to do from then on. Please help
thanks.
Jul 31st, 2007
dan
hey like can anyone tell me how i can geta theeme for version 3.52? like i really like these themse but i woudl like to install them and i dont know anything about psp like nothing so i need details but if ya can help me here is my email
bestfootballplayer17@hotmail.com
thanks
Jul 31st, 2007
Dave
Dan, firmware 3.52 cannot use custom themes, you need to wait for a downgrader to become available for your firmware version.
Only PSP’s with firmware 3.50 and below can be downgraded at the moment. See : Firmware Options
Jul 31st, 2007
Dave
Steve, sounds like you are looking at the standard XMB menu option rather than actually entering the recovery mode of a custom firmware.
What firmware are you currently using?
Jul 31st, 2007
n
i am completlty clue less please help me
Jul 31st, 2007
dan
it said 3.52 was downgradeable \>.> whereis the download to downgrade it?
Jul 31st, 2007
Dave
dan, it doesn’t, read it properly please.
Jul 31st, 2007
dan
hehe sorry = ) well ya think there will be one anytime soon
Jul 31st, 2007
Dave
Dan, I’m sure an exploit will be found in time, but theres no real way of knowing when - it could be tomorrow, it could be three months from now, it could be twelve months from now. It may be this firmware, it may be a later one that Sony will no doubt release. There really is no way of knowing.
Aug 1st, 2007
dan
ok cool , sowith 3.52 not even luaplayer will work >.>
Aug 2nd, 2007
dew
can some one help me when I dwnloaded the 3.03 OE-A frimware install to my psp and when I use it on my psp it said the game canot be started so can someone help me please
Aug 6th, 2007
NICOLAS
how do we putthe psp on the recovery menu ??
Aug 8th, 2007
dew
it is cool
Aug 10th, 2007
Barts_706
Hi,
I would also like to ask about running this on 3.40OE firmware. I like this theme, have experimented with many others, but this is one of the coolest.
Would you be as kind as to provide some explanation on how to run this on 3.40OE?
Kind regards,
Barts
Aug 10th, 2007
Dave
For those of you struggling with how to install these themes, check out this post here : Install XMB Icons. It talks you through all the steps you need to get a customer theme installed on your PSP (assuming you are using firmware 3.03OE - 3.40OE). I’ve yet to convert the themes for 3.52M33.
Aug 10th, 2007
Barts_706
Dave,
I tried to install this theme on 3.40OE and it does not boot. I don’t see any hint in the article you are pointing to on how to get it running on my firmware. If there is some way to adapt this theme, just give me the link to a tutorial or anything and I’ll handle it from there.
Kind regards,
Barts
Aug 10th, 2007
Barts_706
Okay, got the version for 3.40 from here :
http://forums.maxconsole.net/showthread.php?t=58752
Aug 10th, 2007
the postman
does anyone know who that girl in the picture is?
Aug 12th, 2007
ACI3
can you brick your psp by doing this?
Aug 12th, 2007
ysolja
hey dave is there any downgrader for 3.52
Aug 21st, 2007
Uzii
heyy i have 3.51 n i wanted to upgrade it to 3.52M33\
BUT IT DOESNT WORKK!!!
Aug 30th, 2007
ECO
i am new on this, i love the theme but i got 3.70, can any tell me step-by-step cuz i dont want to brik my psp, my e-mail is: ec_1313@hotmail.com
plzz!
Sep 13th, 2007
ANON GUY
Dave, I also got 3.70. can you convert this for 3.70?
Sep 13th, 2007
junior
dude, this is old school now u can change xmb woth the with the 3.71 ver
Sep 14th, 2007
Dave
Those of you on 3.70 or 3.71, you’ll need to look into downgrading your PSP using the Pandora battery and installing a custom firmware version (3.70M33). Without the custom firmware, there is no way toi install these themes.
Sony may open up the ability to install custom themes at some point, as they have introduced themes into the latest firmware version. Until that happens, custom firmware is the way to go.
Sep 14th, 2007
Tomohawk
hi can u give me a link for a downgrader 4 my 3.71 firmwere
thx
Sep 16th, 2007
sffsdfsd
were can i get the official xmbs
Sep 18th, 2007
terminator
Is it possiable to make this Theme compatiable with the new 3.71 Firmware, so It can be easily installed using the new built-in “Theme” feature which is in the new firmware which will also hopefully eliminate the risk of “Bricking” your PSP?
Sep 19th, 2007
t
can any one make a psp vista theme for me and make into a ptf file so i can put into my theme folder on firmware 3.71 please email me on nick92hinton@hotmail.com
Sep 22nd, 2007
Bapes$
hey a vista theme can be found on psp-vault.com in main downloads have fun
Oct 4th, 2007
nGoc
nOobs. all of you’s
Oct 20th, 2007
mman
Wat on earth is the “recovery menu?”
Oct 20th, 2007
Dave
mman, recover ymode is what you get when you install one of the Custom Firmwares on your PSP. It essentially gives you lots of options on the way your PSP runs that Sony never give you.
Oct 20th, 2007
nGoc
geez people..
fisrt off you can only downgrade 3.71 with “pandoras battery” dont be lazy.. search it up on google or sumthin.
recovery menu can only be accessed if u got a custom firmware. if u dont noe whether u got it or not, check, in the psp menu go to settings > system settings > system information. if it says “oe -?” or “m33″ or sumthin after the number, then u got it.
Oct 26th, 2007
mad
which folder do i save it in on my firmware version 3.71
Oct 28th, 2007
David
How can I Download windows vista?
Nov 5th, 2007
Albert
Can anybody tell me the models name in that pic?
Nov 8th, 2007
PSP FREAK
Anyone knows whos the model in the background??
Be much obliged
blueboy_em15@hotmail.co.uk
Nov 20th, 2007
naisioxerloro
Hi.
Good design, who make it?
Nov 29th, 2007
Jake Blakey
Hi can you please make 1280×1040 i would love that for my laptop screen it looks amazing
Nov 29th, 2007
Marc
How can i download put to my psp cool background it hard for me, i cant find anything eles i almost doing this 30 mins. how?
Dec 1st, 2007
lanne
cannot download the file…
Dec 3rd, 2007
y?
am i only able to do dis by usin my pc…
…or can i |
\/load it usin my psp????
also i think it wud luk nice in blak blu n red 2gether!
Dec 18th, 2007
Dave
y?, yes, you will need your PC to install this theme, as you need to access the flash0 via the recovery menu (custom firmware only).
Dec 18th, 2007
CokeZ..
whos the girllll!!???the background!! please help
!
Dec 20th, 2007
Paul
I tried to do this thing were you write the info into your vsh/resource directory, and now my mchine wont start up…the sony logo in the beeginning just freezes…Im running 3.71M33, any help please??
even made a backup of my old vsh/resource, and replaced the files, with no luck!!
Dec 21st, 2007
edgar
how do u add theme to the psp i got lost
Dec 30th, 2007
jag
i need that background image in high resolution . Can some 1 please help by sending the original image or the link to download it???????? plzzzzzzz
Jan 3rd, 2008
Brance
dude,wtf i keep saving this onto theme and it wont work,for some cases,you have to save themes onto game but that wont work,help
Jan 12th, 2008
Dave
Brance, what firmware are you using, this theme is for 3.03OE only, and requires access to the recovery menu and flashing the system. It isn;t designed for 3.71 and the official Sony themes.
Jan 12th, 2008
Justwannaknow
Who is that girl? O.o
Jan 15th, 2008
pwnage
Tell me the name of that girl plz ::))
Jan 16th, 2008
Matt
As many people have requested the original background, could you give us the link or the model’s name? btw could you please send me it at sendletterstome@gmail.com Thanks for the theme btw
Feb 13th, 2008
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