This guide will cover installing ARK-4 on the PSP and general usage to cover the basics of this newer custom firmware(CFW). It is a successor to PRO and ME with additional features and being actively updated. Some quality of life features are added such as a custom launcher, file explorer, and an impressive plugin management system.
For further information, please see the ARK-4 wiki.
This guide assumes your PSP is on official firmware 6.60 or 6.61 before starting.
Refer to:
Chronoswitch to reinstall official firmware if you currently have permanent custom firmware installed like PRO with Infinity 2.
Updating the PSP to update to 6.60 or 6.61 official firmware if you currently are on a lower firmware.
Downloads
Installation
These next steps will install ARK as a temporary custom firmware meaning if you turn off your PSP you will have to launch the ARK Loader application to regain CFW functionalities. You can complete this step for the temporary CFW to try things out if you are unsure before making it permanent.
Connect your PSP or memory card to a computer to transfer the following files:
1) Download the ARK-4 file above and copy the ARK_01234 folder to /PSP/SAVEDATA/
2) Copy the ARK_Loader folder to /PSP/GAME/
Disconnect the PSP or memory card from the computer. On the PSP under the games list there will be a new application named ARK Loader
Launch ARK Loader and wait for it to install the custom firmware. The PSP should soft restart once complete and bring you back to the XMB. To verify if successful, go to Settings, System Settings, and System Information. System Software should say “ARK 4.xx.xx Live”.
You now have temporary custom firmware installed on the PSP. Going forward you can make it permanent or leave it and check out the features.
If your PSP turns off and you lose custom firmware, relaunch the ARK Loader application again.
Making ARK-4 Permanent
There are 2 different methods of making ARK-4 permanent depending on what model of PSP you are using.
1) Infinity – Compatible with every PSP model.
2) cIPL – Compatible with 1000, 2000, and some 3000 models on 6.61 firmware. Also with 1000 and some 2000 models on 6.60 or 6.61 using the classic cIPL installation.
Additionally, ARK-4 can be installed to the flash to run without a memory card. This is a full flash installation. It is not needed to make ARK-4 permanent.
1. Open the ARK-4 folder that was previously downloaded. Navigate to /PSP/Infinity/
Copy EBOOT.PBP to your memory card in /PSP/GAME/UPDATE/
If you have a PSP Go: Copy EBOOT_GO.PBP to /PSP/GAME/UPDATE/ and rename it to EBOOT.PBP
Please create the UPDATE folder if it doesn’t already exist.
2. Disconnect the PSP or memory card from the computer and on the PSP under the Game menu list there will be an application called Infinity 2.
Launch Infinity. Press X to install Infinity. Press X again to reboot the PSP when the installation is completed.
3. Launch Infinity 2 again after the PSP reboots. Press left on the dpad and select ARK-4 from the list. Once selected, press Home (PS button) and then X to exit Infinity 2.
4. Launch ARK Loader app again. It will reboot the PSP when complete. The PSP now has ARK-4 installed with Infinity 2.
