Howto: buy and install Fieldrunners while staying on firmware 2.61
With the hurried up release of the Fieldrunners VHBL port to firmware 2.61, many questions got left unanswered. The most frequent one is: “how the heck can I buy the damn game and stay on firmware 2.61, since the PSN constantly asks me to update to firmware 3.00???”
I hear you guys. Keep in mind that this release wasn’t planned at all, and just happened because Sony proactively patched the game with firmware 3.00, a bold move on their end which happens extremely rarely (I’m still baffled today at the amount of game exploits that apparently got patched with this firmware, I had never seen this in 7 years, and was definitely not expecting Sony to actually care that much about psp emulator exploits).
So let’s start with the basics. First of all, if you upgraded to firmware 3.00 (or above, if you’re a guy from the future… no, please don’t kill me, I’ve never seen this boy, and the Connors have moved out of the city a while ago anyway), you can stop reading here, this is not for you. The exploit will not work for you, and there is no way to downgrade your Vita. You can buy Fieldrunners if you want because it’s a fun game, but it will not let you run VHBL, TN Hen, or any emulator or hack. End of Story.
Now, if you’re on 2.61, you might run into a very different issue: you need to purchase the game from the PSN (and/or install it to your Vita), but the Vita keeps asking you to upgrade to 3.00 in order to access the PSN or connect the device to anything. If you’re tempted to update to firmware 3.00 and see what happens, read the paragaph above, once again.
Buying the game
Several solutions exist to buy a game from the PSN for your Vita while keeping your Vita to a lower firmware. One of the solutions involves a PS3 and OpenCMA, and we describe it here: http://wololo.net/2013/04/17/lower-ps-vita-firmwares-for-dummies/. This is usually the first solution that we recommend, and we suggest you give it a try if you have a PS3. However, several people have reported that this does not work for them, as the Fieldrunners game does not appear for them to be transferable from the PS3 to their Vita.
Another solution seems to have proven successful, and involves famous proxy tool Charles Proxy. Credit goes to megaman781 for the tutorial, please do thank him in this thread if this helped you
- Download Charles proxy free trial here
- start Charles, start new session, click Help on the top part and click “local ip address”, make note of that IP.
- on your Vita connect to your Wifi and click on it to change some settings, go to Advanced settings, scroll down to where it says Address and input the IP address you got from Charles, on Port type 8888, go down and press ok.
- Now go back to Vita Settings, system update, update using Wifi, you’ll see something come up on Charles on the left plane, right click on it and “Save All” to desktop.
- Go to the file you saved on you desktop and open it with notepad or something like that, scroll to the right and every time it reads “3.00” just change it to whatever your actual firmware is, example. 2.61. Once you are done with that save the file and exit. Go back to charles.
- On the left pane once again right click on the “http://fus01…” and go all the way to the bottom where it says “Map Local” click on it then click on Choose and look for the File you saves earlier to you desktop, click ok.
- On the vita go back to settings then press Update and try to update through Wifi, if everything is fine it should tell you, you have the latest Firmware
- You should then be able to access the PSN, run the content Manager assistant, etc… good luck 🙂
Installing the exploit
Here’s a great video from the Z explaining how to install the exploit and how to run it
Installing and running homebrews
The initial release of the exploit two days ago had a bug with the homebrew installation process. Frostegater released an update (and we announced it here), which fixed that. The update includes menu “138”. How to install homebrews with this menu is explained in this video from The Z (again 🙂 ). The video was made for firmware 2.12, but is still valid with this new VHBL release
Where to download homebrews?
We have a huge database of PSP homebrews here. However in order to run on VHBL, PSP homebrews need to be correctly “packaged”, and the process can be tedious. Instead, you can check SMOKE’s huge list of vita-compatible homebrews here. All downloads are made to run “out of the box” on VHBL
Any risks sticking with GOLOR?
hello, just got ps vita 2.61 looks like was late 4 fieldrunners, coz it looks that there’s no way to access store without update, tried that charles proxy but had no luck. what is better to wait a bit or just update to 3.00?
If i run Fieldrunners VHBL i can play psp games?
thanks
Not with VHBL…
Hm maybe he mean the field runner game??
It pretty fun game on mobile
And the exploit is start as soon as you start the game
It won’t work for me on firmware 2.60. Should I try updating to 2.61 in order to get this exploit? I already have the Arcade Pool exploit. Is it worth the risk?
No, if you are at 2.60 with vhbl running, I would say this is not worth the risk.
Thanks for the quick reply. I was considering it, but I don’t mind pressing a few buttons to activate the exploit.
So, here’s my dilemma:
I’ve been on 2.02 with UNO for a long time using a PSN account that is now banned unfortunately because of use on a CFW PS3. It’s looking like the only way for me to get FieldRunners is to upgrade to 2.61 (using the For Dummies guide) then use charles proxy to buy on PSN. Only questions I have is will I be able to create a new PSN account when I’m on 2.61 and use charles? If not, I’ll just stay and 2.02 with UNO and wait until TN-V4 is released.
Hello everyone, I have a psvita 2.60 with the exploit VHBL arcade darts, and I am looking forward to the TN-V4, now I wanted to ask if the TN-V4 will be compatible with arcade darts, if not upgrade to 261 and buy Fieldrunners.
Yes, my understanding is that TN-V4 will be ported to ALL previous exploits (FW 2.61 and below) and will also include a new, yet to be announced exploit for 3.00. So you have 3 options: stay on 2.60 and use darts, upgrade to 2.61 and use fieldrunner or upgrade to 3.00 and use the yet to be named game.
TNV4 is coming out for Gamocracy?
thanks friend for the clarification, I think I’ll stay at fw 2.60 with darts and wait for the TN-V4
Hi All, I downloaded CharlesProxy for Mac,
and it seems to work, initially.
If I say update using wifi, it comes back and says
You already have the latest version.
However, if I then try to connect to the PSN it returns,
“You must update the System Software”
Any ideas?
Which firmware is your Vita on?
i’m on 2.11
I believe this proxy trick only works on 2.61. (It generally works for a short period of time after each update, but only on the immediate prior firmware. i.e. whenever we get a 3.01, users of 3.00 will probably be able to use this method for about a week)
whatever my name says.
Wow, that worked for me!
Nice idea 🙂 Very creative!
Didn’t expect the Store to let me in 🙂
Adice: You don’t chose the PATH in Charles, but the actual FILE.
Then you don’t continue from the screen that tells you “there’s a new firmware available” but you go BACK to settings and let the system check for update again. THEN it will tell you, that it’s already on 2.61
Can’t tell for lower firmwares – maybe the Shop then realises, it’s a fake or something
I think you’re just too excited. could you check again that you actually made it inside psn store before you comment?
I already downloaded the game, installed VHBL and stuff. Some software is already running (SNES emu f.e.), but SCUMM VM, VIta FTP and other homebrews don’t work. they crash with an error… dunno why.
does it matter if I use another port such as 8887, 8885, etc. rather than 8888? ‘coz I’m having a problem with that 8888 port. It’s already in use, that ddi-tcp. I heard it had vulnerabilities and I dont know how to get it off. Of course, I’m out of the topic here. I cant make charles proxy work and I’m not sure if it has something to do with ports. Although I managed to make it work on the “you have the latest firmware part” but I still can’t access psn or atleast sign in to my psn account. What do you guys think?
If I can at least sign in to my psn account in vita, all the games from my download queue should start. I queued it from my download list at the psn web store.
charle proxy This works in Firmware 2.60.?
Well… thanks to me because I have found the charles proxy solution first when it was released 😀
not working for 2.06 (was apache overkill vhbl) 🙁
How i can use PSP games in vita? What is steps?
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Faith in humanity meter:
. [.] . . . . . . . . .
Great, you just dropped it a point -_-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd7T_g9nYV8 ?
Does this still work? As of now i cant access psn, it asks for the update, but thats just me.
So. That worked just fine on 2.61. Thanks wololo for the hint. VHBL is running, some stuff is working. But f.e. SCUMMVM or Vita FTP or DUKE Nukem all just crash with a vita-error message.
Any advices?
*** PLEASE HELP ****
I have gotten the Ps Vita to think that 2.61 is the latest firmware but when I go to by field runners from the store it says “This Service Is Under Maintenance”
Thanks In Advance
***
the eur store is corently undermant – Im with ofw 3.00 and it say the same .
Omg I don’t believe it! It works! I have an idea not sure if it would work but here goes… What use Charles proxy and download a kernel exploit from psn like UNO or w.e on 2.61 would that work or no? Btw thank you for sharing this
UNO isn’t the kernel exploit, it is simply using a kernel exploit that was available on 2.02 and below. Also, the UNO user exploit doesn’t work above 2.02 either, so neither UNO nor the 2.02 kernel exploit will function on 2.61
I haven’t bought a vita game in a long time so I was wondering if newer vita games force you to update to higher frimware to play newer games. I don’t want to lose my UNO exploit but I want to but project diva f when it gets localized next year.
They WILL force you, yes. Just bought Rayman and it forced me to 2.61
Thank you. Now I have to buy a new vita.
*buy field runners
What the f*** Content manager is now trying to force me to 3.0 suddenly…
Any Custom Content manager still workin?
Try open cma
Now it says I need to update to 3.00 again. Can someone make a video about this so I can see how it works or just explain it better please thank you.
Can someone who did this and it worked for them can you explain what I put for 3.000.000 if I am on 2.61
Thanks
2.610.000
Just do “replace all” from 3.00 to 2.61
that’s it. Take care not to stay online with Content manager! Was hard to find the original 2.61 Content-Manager-Files again 😉
Hopefully ScummVM will work someday with this. Anyone knows if this is even possible with 2.61 and the fieldrunner VHBL?
@ GotYourSix:
If you are on 2.61 (and ONLY on 2.61) and you got the Charles Proxy installed, do the following:
1.) Select network settings on VITA
2.) Set the Proxy-Server to your PCs IP-Adress
3.) Set the Port to 8888
4.) Start Charles Proxy
5.) Select “Update via Wifi” (The Vita will then go through your Wifi Proxy – your PC. (Your PC needs wifi for this)
6.) Watch what happens in Charles Proxy – A line will show up, saying something like “http://feu01.psp2.update.playstation.net”
7.) Right click this line and choose “save files”
8.) Save the folder onto your desktop
9.) open the folder onto your desktop and go into all folders till you reach the file called something like:”psp2-updatelist.xml%3fver=0261000…”
10.) Open this file with Editor
11.) Do a search and replace for ALL “3.00” and replace it with “2.61” – you can let the replace-function do it
12.) Save the file
13.) Right click the like inside Charles Proxy again
14.) Choose the lowest option “Map Local”
15.) Select the file on your desktop you just saved via the “choose” button
16.) close your Update-Settings in Vita
17.) Open the “Update via Wifi” option again
18. Voilá, it should tell you, that you are up to date.
I do all this but it does not tell me that I am up to date.
Good job guy ! Tank you very much ^^
THANK YOU SO MUCH MAN
Damn. I got it to think that 2.61 was up to date but now when I go to PSN it say Service Is Down For Maintenance. Thank You so much for helping though.
When is the release of TN-V for fw 3.0 ???? Is it possible to play iso psp games ??? Sorry, it’s my first time try to hack on the ps vita
At this time Tn-v4 is not released yet . you have to wait ,so that total noob (or someone else) relese a new game for the vhbl for the ofw 3.00,or above (for people like me ,who does not have any exployt) and then he will relese his “tool” the tn-v4 with wich you would play iso and cso.
After wasting 6 hours of my life I finally got everything working. Thank any who helped me. And also its not really a wastes now that I got home brew enabled.
Is there any way I could use the Charles Proxy on ofw 2.60? Is it possible to update only to 2.61 and not 3.0 so I can use this trick?
I have everything setup including 138 menu but there is one problem. I dont know how to install homebrew to 138 menu. If someone could right out the instructions for 2.61 it would be very appreciated.
I’m having a problem with actually putting the game on my vita, I connect it to my ps3 and then when i go to the content manager and select my ps3 and go to applications, it says that there is no content on the ps3. Can anybody help?
Thanks for replying ModzLink, I saw the video and did everything that you said but when i tried downloading the game it says “Preparing to download… Please wait.” and it has said this for about 5 minutes
This method only be effective in a short time. Because sony
also have https authentication. After several days, PSV need https authentication. We can not change anything.
The VHBL exploit works great now that I finally figured out how to use charles proxy now I gotta figure out how to get installed homebrews to run everytime I install them from wMenu I cant run them when I click on the homebrew it bounces back up to the three dots (go back) option.
nvm im an idiot finally realized I had the bugged vhbl fixed and running good
I’ve spent the last 2days trying to install a simple homebrew but when ever i check the install folder in 138 menu i see nothing am i doing something wrong..
what homebrew are you trying to install? mayb i can help. i just got mine fixed today
Snes9xTYL what did you do??
To install a homebrew:
You need the INSTALL.ZIP (try to save it like I wrote it – and not “install.zip” For me, capital only seems to work for some reason…
Save this file in an existing PSP mini savegame-folder, wich is NOT fieldrunners and NOT the VHBL folder
Inside the Zip there should be a FOLDER, containing the EBOOT.PBP
If everything’s correct, you will find the file. Unless you got the first VHBL release, not having the 138- Menu. If you do so, install the new menu first
Ohh a PSP mini i saved it in a PSP game save file and not a mini thank you 🙂
Half success!!it was the file extention which was not in capital but still not installing 🙁 i’ll give it another try but at least i can see it now
If I do the Charles Proy thing, I will be able to be in the PSN in my FW 1.81?
everything has worked, but out of nothing the content manager assistant asks me to update the system software in order to proceed.. What shall i do?
You need to install an older Content manager (2.6X Version), then install Custom Content manager and NEVER let the content manager run when you are online.
Made the same mistake and it updated itself to 3.00 – the Custom Content manager will still work with 3.00, but of course only, when your Vitas firmware is at 3.00 too.
Only way is to deinstall 3.00 and manually install an older version and the custom manager, because otherwise it will recognise your Vita to be outdated.