A quick update has been released for ARK-4 , the custom firmware designed for PSP consoles and the ePSP module integrated into the PlayStation Vita .

ARK-4 presents itself as a modern, improved and updated custom firmware, offering an easy-to-use experience yet packed with exclusive features.

Successor to the well-known PRO and ME , today it is the most complete Custom Firmware for PSP, combining the features of classic firmwares with new and unique functions.

This new update features a full translation of the XMBControl module , improving the accessibility of the interface for users of different languages.

Additionally, XMBControl and Custom Launcher now share the same translation files, making language management and adaptation much more consistent and efficient.

The Custom Launcher has been further optimized to automatically detect and use the console’s system language. Finally, missing translations have been added, thus improving the overall user experience of the firmware.

Characteristics

Heavily updated core system from traditional CFW with new unique features.
Inferno 2 driver compatible with all formats (ISO, CSO, ZSO, JSO, CSOv2 and DAX).
Popcorn controller for custom PS1 games. Compatible with PopsLoader V3 and V4i.
Built-in Stargate No-DRM engine, fix many anti-CFW games. Compatible with npdrm_free and nploader.
Support for PSP game plugins, PS1 game plugins and VSH (XMB), including the ability to enable and disable plugins per game.
Region Free Playback of UMD Video on all PSP models. Change UMD player region dynamically.
Compatible with all PSP models on firmware 6.60 and 6.61.
Compatible with all PS Vita models on firmware 2.10 to 3.74, both official and via Adrenaline.
Compatible with 6.60 Testing Tool Firmware and Testkit Unit.
Compatible with 6.60 Development Tool Firmware and Devkit Unit.
It can be fully installed and booted on the memory stick via Time Machine.
It can be used to restore any PSP model using Despertar del Cementerio Version 10 in combination with a Pandora or Baryon Sweeper battery.
Minimalist: Only 6 files installed on the PSP flash, CFW extensions are installed on the memory stick.
Resistant to software bricks, easy to recover from bad configurations with a new and improved Recovery app.
Custom game launcher with built-in game categories, file browser, FTP server and client, modernized look and more.
Fully configurable via XMB.
Compatible with PRO Online and Xlink Kai.
Compatible with Legacy Homebrew via eLoader and Leda. Compatible with KXploit format.
Compatible with cIPL and Infinity 2 bootloaders for permanent CFW.
OTA Updates. Fully updatable via internet.

PSP Installation

Online installer for PSP

Move or copy the folder ARK_01234inside the directory /PSP/SAVEDATA/.
Move or copy the folder ARK_Loaderinside the directory /PSP/GAME/.
Run ARK Loader . This tool will install the ARK modules to the PSP’s flash memory and boot the CFW.
At this point, ARK will run as a temporary CFW (Live CFW), meaning that ARK Loader will need to be run every time the console is turned off or restarted.
To convert ARK to a permanent CFW, you can use cIPLor Infinity, along with the full Installer for a complete permanent experience.

Permanent CFW via cIPL

New version of cIPL: Works on commercial models (1K, 2K, 3K, Go and Street) on 6.61.
cIPL Classic: Works on Pandora compatible models (1g and older 2g) on 6.60, 6.61 or 6.60 Testing Tool.
DevTool cKBOOTI: Works on DTP-T1000 devkit units on firmware 6.60 Development Tool.
The installer will choose the correct version based on the model.
Move or copy the folder ARK_cIPLto /PSP/GAME/and run the program.
Press the corresponding button on the installation page to install or remove the cIPL patch.
Warning: Unlike the classic cIPL, the new cIPL method cannot be easily uninstalled. To restore the official IPL, use ChronoSwitch to reinstall firmware 6.61.

Permanent CFW via Infinity 2

Works on all PSP models with firmware 6.60 or 6.61.
Copy or move the file EBOOT.PBP(or EBOOT_GO.PBPrenamed if EBOOT.PBPusing a PSP Go) from the folder Infinityin your ARK download to the /PSP/GAME/UPDATE.
Run the Infinity application using Official Firmware to start the initial installation.
Run Infinity a second time to configure autostart by selecting ARK within the Infinity application. Run the ARK CFW again to enable it. ARK will now be automatically enabled on startup.

Complete installation on flash

This option allows you to install and use all ARK features on your console’s internal flash memory, completely eliminating the ARK_01234savedata folder or memory stick.
Copy ARK_Full_Installerto the folder /PSP/GAME/and launch it from ARK. This will install some additional files to the console’s flash memory.
If the Custom Launcher is not available (for example if you delete the ARK saved data or remove the memory card), PRO Shell will take its place.
When the folder savedatais not available, the default ARK path used to store settings will be ms0:/SEPLUGINS/.
Even if the files are stored in the console’s flash memory, those in the folder savedatawill still have priority in loading.

Time Machine and Cementerio Despertor

Time Machineallows you to boot the firmware 6.61entirely ARKfrom the Memory Stick.
Despertar del Cementerioallows you to recover a locked PSP when used in combination with Pandoraor Baryon Sweeper.
To install, DC-ARKyou need to format the memory stick leaving enough space for the boot sector. You can do this using PSP Tool. DC-ARK can be installed using a PSP or a PC (Windows, Mac and Linux).
On PSP you can run a CFW to install DC-ARK (ARK itself or any other).
Copy the folder ARK_DCinto the folder /PSP/GAME/and run the installer from the XMB.
Follow the instructions to install DC-ARK and create a magic memory stick.
On PC, you need Python 3 and run MagicMemoryCreator with administrator/root privileges.
On compatible models, you can use the Advanced VSH Menu to create a Pandora Battery.
Use a Pandora or Baryon Sweeper in combination with the new Magic Memory Stick to launch Despertar del Cementerio.
From here you can boot ARK from the memory stick, install firmware 6.61 with ARK on the NAND, or install the official 6.61 firmware.

On PS Vita

Standalone Installation (Official PSPEmu)

It works on firmware 3.60 to 3.74 and requires Henkaku/h-encore or any native hack.
If your console has not been activated with a PSN account, you need to install NoPspEmuDrm (you can use AutoPlugin).
Copy FasterARK.vpkfrom the folder Vita/Standalone/to any location on your PS Vita and install using VitaShell.
Open FasterARK and wait for the installation process to complete.
Both ARK and ARK-X bubbles will appear in the LiveArea.
Using the ARK bubble for PSP games and homebrews, you can play PS1 but with limitations related to audio playback.
Use the ARK-X bubble for PS1 games without any audio limitations.
Once ARK bubbles are installed, you can remove FasterARK.
To exit a homebrew game or application and return to the custom launcher, press + + + (on ARK-X use + + + or + + + for VitaTV instead ).
To exit a game or homebrew and return to the custom launcher, press L+R+Down+Start (on ARK-X use L2+R2+Down+Start or L1+R1+Start+Down for VitaTV).
NOTE: Some features are not available in standalone installations, mainly the official XMB and the Force Extra RAM setting (required for PRO Online).
NOTE: If you want to have an ARK bubble that runs on Official Firmware, you need to use ChovySign with a valid license instead. Instructions on Wiki.

Adrenaline (PSPEmu patched)

It runs on firmware 3.60 to 3.74 and requires Henkaku/h-encore and Adrenaline ( https://github.com/TheOfficialFloW/Adrenaline ).
(Skip this step if Standalone is already installed) Install the folder ARK_01234into the /PSP/SAVEDATA/.
Install the folder ARK_Loaderin the /PSP/GAME/.
Use Adrenaline Bubbles Manager to create an auto-launch bubble for ARK Loader: https://github.com/ONElua/AdrenalineBubbleManager/releases
Note: This does not permanently change Adrenaline in any way.

ARK Update

There are three ways to update ARK:

Option 1 : Use the System Update function in the XMB or the Network tab in the Custom Launcher to perform an OTA update. Requires your PSP/Vita to be connected to the Internet.
Option 2 : Copy the folder UPDATEto /PSP/GAME/and launch it.
Option 3 : Copy the folder ARK_01234and (on PSP) run again ARK Loaderto install the new flash0 files.