First steps with 2nd hand Vita

[zew]

I just purchased 2nd hand Vita PCH-1104 running on firmware version 3.55. It is still activated with previous owners account. I bought the Vita to replace my old and tired PSP 1000 to play PSP and emulator games offline. I tried to find information in this forum but more I read makes me more confused how should i proceed.

Of course I would like to do factory reset and create my own PSN account and activate Vita with that, but if I understood correctly reactivating my Vita without updating the firmware to 3.61 is not so piece of cake. I also don't have access to a PS3. So am I able to reset and activate my Vita without updating to the latest firmware? I am still waiting for the memory card to be delivered, do i need it for this?

I guess next step would be updating fw to 3.60 with HENkaku Update Server and then use HENkaku hack to launch homebrew?

Any help will be appreciated. Vita seems to be much more complicated than old PSP and I don't want to make mistake by doing something wrong.

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[fate6]

Before I say anything else, No without a PS3 you can not activate your Vita on your account.

Anywhoo yep just update to 3.60 with the DNS thing and run HENkaku after you have gotten your memory card since your 1k Vita will not be able to run HENkaku without it.
For PSP game you then need Adrenaline or ARK both of which need a base "legit" from PSN PSP game which is where you will find your problem again, without your account being active I don't think any PSP game even demos will run.
Not sure tho so you could try installing a PSP demo from IDU mode but make dang sure you do not enable the wifi as in IDU mode the Vita auto updates the moment it finds an update tho leaving the HENkaku DNS should keep it thinking 3.60 is latest but I have never tried it.

Simply put for Vita games and homebrew you are fine but for PSP you need a PS3 to activate the system for use on your account.

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[zew]

Thank you fate6 for answer.
So i think I will try to find PS3 somewhere. Is there any limitations of model or firmware, or can I activate my Vita with any PS3 (fat,slim...)?
Should I do factory reset and account activation before I update Vitas firmware to 3.60 and install HENkaku?

[fate6]

1) Factory reset Vita.

2) In initial setup sign in with your account

3) Login on a fully updated PS3(can be CFW, just needs PSN access) with the same account and download any PSP game or demo(I use the Echochrome demo)

4) On a computer install and run QCMA

5) Connect Vita to QCMA then once connected unplug the USB cable and without closing any errors plug in the cable to the PS3

6) close any errors and it should bypass the firmware check and let you copy stuff from the PS3!

One you copy over the game it will also activate the system!

[zew]

Thank you a lot. Now I understand the process and hopefully soon be able to use my Vita as I planned.