1. Filesystem
The standard formatting for MS is FAT16 for upto 2GB and FAT32 for anything beyond. (This trick is for 4GB and up, if your MS is 2GB or less and still experience slowlyness, skip this). The PSP can read FAT16 faster than FAT32, the problem is the PSP will format in FAT32 anything with more than 2GB, so you have to manually format it with a PC:
- Windows: insert your MS in you PC (with your PS or an adaptor). Go to your "Computer" folder, right click on the MS and select "format", under formatting choose FAT16.
- Linux (CLI): the command to format in FAT16 is "sudo mkdosfs -F 16 /dev/sdx", change sdx with your MS device number.
- Linux (GUI): install and run GParted, select your MS, right click on the primary partition (there should only be one anyway), select "format as" and "fat16", click on "apply".
- Mac: you can use Disc Utility. Sorry but I don't know how, don't use Mac.
Ok, after formatting with a PC you need to reconstruct all folders used by the PSP (PSP, VIDEO, PICTURE, ISO, etc).
It's a pain in the *** but I created a script to ease things a bit: http://sourceforge.net/projects/pspdirf ... z/download
2. CFW hack
Another option is to use a CFW that supports the "Speed up MS" hack, available in the latest ME, PRO and M33.
To enable open up the recovery menu: hold R-trigger when booting up, or enter by means of VSH menu (ME/PRO). The "speed up MS" option is usually under "Configuration".
3. ISO vs CSO
Most of the time using a CSO (Compressed ISO) slows down the system when reading from the Stick. CSOs can save up some space, but it really isn't worth saving some Megabytes if that means slowing down the system. Consider using uncompressed ISOs instead.
4. Defragmenting your MS
Although I don't really recommend this one you can defragment your MS for constant file reading, specially large files like ISOs or PSX games, again, I don't recommend it since fragmentation seem to affect HDDs more than flash memories.
5. Avoid too many files
Just like the title says, avoid putting too many files in your stick. This happens mostly on emulators, since ROMs are small in size people often download ROM packs with many ROMs just to end up playing a few. Consider deleting them and leaving only the ones you actually play.
6. CPU/BUS speed
This is a no-brainer but some people seem to forget about this. Setting the CPU speed to it's max capacity won't result in read/write speed up but will result in faster decompression of CSOs. Press select button to open the vsh menu where you can change the CPU/BUS speed.
Mixing all the above will give the best results.
7. Better MS and Fake MS
This is the last resource but is usually the best option. If none of the above works, or the results aren't what you expected you can consider buying a new Stick. The new HG Pro Duo are cheap and give an excellent performance in read/write. Also make sure the MS is not Fake, the best way too identify a Fake MS is by inserting it on your PSP, press triagle and select information. It should tell you if it's MagicGate supported or not, Fake MSs are not.
Here are some guides for telling if a stick is fake, take a look before buying anything, if you can I suggest to print them and take them to the store with you.
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/324446
http://www.elotrolado.net/hilo_como-dif ... ir_1002821
http://www.videogames.net.au/how-to-spo ... ory-stick/
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