Install DC-ARK (Optional but RECOMMENDED)

TIP

While this step is optionnal to make Ark-4 permanent it is heavily recommended.
Having a memory stick with DC-ARK installed combined with the new cIPL we will install on the next step allow you to recover your console from a brick WITHOUT the need of additional hardware like a Pandora battery or a Baryon Sweeper!

WARNING

For PSP GO users, DC-ARK needs to be installed on a memory stick. You need either an original M2 card or M2 to microSD adapter. It cannot be installed on the internal memory of the PSP GO.

Downloads

Start by downloading the latest revision of the Ark-4 Custom Firmware to your computer. (You can use the one you downloaded on the previous step).

Ark-4 Custom Firmware (github.com)

Then download the 6.61 Official Firmware.

PSP 1000, 2000, 3000, E1000 (Street)

6.61 Official Firmware (Archive.org)

PSP GO

6.61 Official Firmware for PSP GO (Archive.org)

Rename the firmware update file

Rename the file to 661.PBP or 661GO.PBP for PSP GO users.

Copy files to the Memory Stick

INFO

For the purpose of this guide, we will assume that your PSP / Memory Stick has been assigned the drive letter X: by Windows.

Copy the ARK_DC folder to X:/PSP/GAME/

Copy the update 661.PBP or 661GO.PBP file to the root of the memory stick.

TIP

What we call root is the "base" of the memory stick, it should look like this:
X:/661.PBP (or X:/661GO.PBP for PSP GO users)

Install DC-ARK

WARNING

Make sure that you are currently running the 6.61 Ark-4 Live Custom Firmware. To verify, go to System Settings > System Version.
Refer to the Install Ark-4 Custom Firmware page to install and run the Ark-4 Live Custom Firmware.

Now go to the game list on your PSP.

Start the ARK DC Installer.

Press X to create a Magic Memory Stick.

Exit the installer.

You now have a Magic Memory Stick. Proceed to the next step to install new cIPL and make Ark-4 permanent.

INFO

A Magic Memory Stick is an essential tool to recover from a brick. To use it, you need a Pandora Battery or a Baryon Sweeper or by holding the Left Trigger when starting the console once you have installed the new cIPL.

Troubleshooting

If DC-ARK give you an error saying that it cannot write the IPL due to unsuffisant space do the following:

The Memory Stick need to have enough space for the boot sector. This is usually the case for legit memory sticks, but not such case for genericly-formatted SD cards. You can use PSP Tool to do so. There are ways to do this on PC via command line but we won't be covering that.

Download PSP Tool

Unzip it and place it on the GAME folder of your Memory Stick.
Path must be X:/PSP/GAME/PSP Tool/EBOOT.PBP

DANGER

This will remove all data on your memory stick so BACK IT UP FIRST!

Once you are in PSP Tool:

• select Memory Stick Options.
• Format Memory Stick.
• Yes.

Once done, you must install DC-ARK again.