ARK-4 v4.19.9 released for PSP and PlayStation Vita consoles

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Released as a quick update for ARK-4 , the Custom Firmware for PSP and ePSP consoles on PlayStation Vita consoles includes a whole host of unique and exclusive features.

ARK-4 features a complete rewrite and restructuring of the old code, with a more robust patching algorithm, the custom firmware works on any system based on version 6.6x of the original firmware (including all PlayStation Vita ePSP firmware).

Characteristics

  • Main system for executing unsigned code on any 6.60 kernel-based PSP device.
  • Inferno version 2 driver compatible with ISO, CSO, ZSO, JSO and DAX formats.
  • Popcorn controller for PSX games.
  • Stargate No-DRM engine.
  • Plugin support for PSP games, PSX and VSH (XMB) games, including plugins per game.
  • Compatible with all PSP models on firmware 6.60 and 6.61.
  • Compatible with all PS Vita models running firmware 2.10 and above.
  • Minimalist: Only 5 files installed on PSP flash, CFW extensions are installed on memory stick.

Installation

PSP

  • Place the folder ARK_01234inside the directory /PSP/SAVEDATA/.
  • Place the folder ARK Liveinside the directory /PSP/GAME/.
  • Run ARK Live Loader . This tool will install the ARK modules on the PSP Flash memory and start the CFW.
  • If using Infinity, place the file EBOOT.PBPfrom the folder Infinitylocated in the ARK download into /PSP/GAME/UPDATE(you may need to run it using OFW). This will allow you to use ARK permanently and triple boot with PRO and ME.

PS Vita

For those running Henkaku on firmware 3.60 .

  • Install an ARK-4 bubble for 3.60 using ArkFast: https://github.com/ONElua/ArkFast/releases
  • Replace the saved ARK data with the latest version.
  • Copy the file H.BINfrom the folder Vitabubbleto the ARK save data folder.

For in-game exploits on both PSP and PS Vita .

  • Considering the save data exploit, it is loaded H.BINfrom the save data path.
  • Copy all the files from the directory ARK_01234inside the game exploit save data folder:
    H.BIN, ARK.BIN, ARK4.BIN, FLASH0.ARK, MENU.PBP, RECOVERY.PBP, DATA.PKGand other extras.
  • Do not copy the file K.BINif running on older firmware.

Personalization

By installing plugins

Plugins can be installed by creating a text file renamed in PLUGINS.TXTwithin the /SEPLUGINS/ARK save data directory and/or folder.

  • Add a line of text for each plugin using the following format: game, ms0:/path_to_my_game_plugin.prx,  enabled pops, ms0:/path_to_my_psx_plugin.prx,1 vsh, ms0:/path_to_my_vsh_plugin.prx, true

Plugins can also be enabled on a per-game basis. For example, enabling lcscheatdeviceon GTA Liberty City Stories US Version:ULUS10041, ms0:/seplugins/lcscheatdevice.prx, on

  • You can use the keywords enabled, on, 1or trueto indicate that the plugin is enabled, anything else will disable it. You can use the keywords game, popor vshto run the plugin in the corresponding runlevel or the game ID for game specific plugins.
  • You can use the following keywords to tell ARK when the plugin is loaded: —- all/ always: if one of these keywords is used, the plugin will always load. —- umd: The plugin should only be loaded on retail games (UMD/ISO/PSN). —- homebrew: The plugin should only be loaded on homebrew. —- game: The plugin can be loaded on both retail and homebrew games. —- pops: Plugin is only loaded in PSX games. —- vsh: the plugin is loaded only in the XMB. —- game ID: if you specify a game ID (e.g. SLUS000000), the plugin will load only on that game.

By configuring ARK

  • Create a file SETTINGS.TXTusing the same format as PLUGINS.TXTto enable/disable some features of the CFW on different parts of the system.
    • For example, you can overclock to full CPU speed like this: always, overclock, on.
    • Another example, only overclock games and use power saving on VSH: game, overclock, on vsh, powersave, on.
  • You can use the same runlevels used in plugins to tell ARK when settings take effect ( all/ always, umd, homebrew, game, pops, vsh).
  • Configuration settings for ARK:
    • overclock: Use it for better performance at the expense of battery time. Set CPU/BUS speed to 333/166.
    • powersave: Use it for better battery life at the expense of performance. Set CPU/BUS speed to 133/66.
    • usbcharge: Enable USB charging wherever you want.
    • launcher: Replaces the XMB with a custom menu launcher.
    • disablepause: Disable the game pause feature on PSP Go.
    • highmem: Enable high memory on models above 1K. You should only use it on homebrew runlevels as retail games weren’t meant to use the extra memory and this can cause problems with cheat devices or other plug-ins that expect games to have their data at specific memory addresses.

Using custom launchers

You can also customize ARK using the “launcher” setting, which replaces the XMB with any custom launcher you have installed.

ARK includes a custom launcher, but many others have been created by members of the scene, some more beautiful, some with more features, some simpler, but all with personality, dedication and love from the community. Here is a list of all the most popular menus for ARK:

Note: Some of these menus have not been updated or supported by their developers for quite some time, they may not work well with modern ARK or real PSP hardware.

Changelog v4.19.1

  • Refactoring and cleaning up the rebootex module ( #60 ).
  • Fixed a case sensitivity issue in the plugin system.

Changelog v4.19.2

  • Fixed SystemControl API and SDK libraries.
  • Added the message “Merry Christmas!” in the custom launcher and in recovery, shown every December 25th.
  • Compiled using PS4 Linux.

Changelog v4.19.3

  • Improved the handling of the restore menu plugin to properly restore comments ( #57 ).
  • Fixed bug in plugin system where blank lines would be treated as EOF.
  • Added option to hide PIC0 and PIC1 in XMB ( #54 ).
  • Added option to disable text glow in custom launcher and recovery.
  • Unlock High Memory is disabled if UMD cache is enabled to prevent a crash.

Changelog v4.19.4

  • Fixed automatic device detection in ARK Live Loader.
  • Added easter eggs.

Changelog v4.19.5

  • Fixed VSH plugins not loading after pausing the game in PSP Go ( #18 ).
  • The recovery menu no longer deletes custom configuration lines.
  • You can now enable/disable DLC scan in custom launcher (previously always enabled).

Changelog v4.19.6

  • Several fixes and improvements to the custom launcher and recovery.
  • Fixed and improved the “Matrix” animation.
  • Added new “Hacker” and “BSoD” animations.

Changelog v4.19.7

  • Fix patch to allow user mode access to high memory.
  • Improved Matrix animation.

Changelog v4.19.8

  • Fixed the regression introduced in 4.19.7 where activating Inferno Cache and High Memory at the same time would cause a crash.
  • Fixes and improvements to the plugin system.
  • You can now configure custom firmware settings and plugins on the XMB (the changes will take effect the next time you start or restart the game).

Changelog v4.19.9

  • UMD Region Change is finally working! Now you can play region-locked UMD movies on any PSP model from any region. To change the region of the UMD, enter the recovery menu and scroll to the last option, choose your region and exit the recovery menu. Wait for the XMB menu to finish loading (the memory stick LED will stop flashing) and insert the UMD you wish to play.

Download: ARK-4 v4.19.9

Download: Source code ARK-4 v4.19.9

Source: github.com