What is it?
Vita Half-Byte Loader is a homebrew loader for the Playstation Vita. It runs on the PSP emulator embedded on the Vita.
This is the official VHBL download page for people who own a copy of one of the following PSP Games: Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (US/EU), Monster hunter Portable 2ndG (JP), Monster hunter Freedom 2 (EU), and Monster Hunter Portalble 3rd (JP). If you don’t own one of these games, go back to the VHBL page to see if we have a version of VHBL working with a game you own.
This version of VHBL is compatible with firmware 1.80 and below. If you try to run this on Firmwares above 1.80, it will most likely fail.
Check the VHBL page for more details on this tool.
Downloads
- VHBL R160 for Monster Hunter Freedom Unite and Monster Hunter Portable 2ndG (US/EU/JP) (Recommended, this is the most extensively tested version)
- VHBL R160 for Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (JP)
- VHBL R160 for Monster Hunter Freedom 2 (EU)
How to Install and Run HBL on Monster hunter Freedom Unite
- It is *strongly* recommended that you turn of all wireless connections on your PS Vita, and that you use OpenCMA on your PC instead of the regular CMA. This is recommended because otherwise your console has a way to force you to upgrade the firmware even before you get a chance to use the exploit.
- Extract the HBL archive matching your version of the game in your CMA PSP Savedata folder. It is a folder on your PC named PSSAVEDATA/[lots of random characters here]. If you don’t know where it is, check your settings in CMA
- Connect your PS Vita to the PC through the CMA, it should give you the possibility to copy the savedata from your PC to the Vita. If not, you probably extracted it in the wrong folder. (Note: You will also want to install some homebrews with a similar technique, read the section below)
- To run HBL, start the game, and the savegame should load automatically. Once you reach the main menu, click on “Download” and select “yes” to whatever question is being asked. At this point, VHBL should start. See the video below for a more “visual” explanation
How to Install and Run Homebrews
Installing homebrews on the PSP was an easy task. On the Vita, until better solutions are provided, it’s quite a pain in the ***.
The CMA will only let you copy savedata, and will not recursively browse folders.
To address this, HBL comes with a tool that can extract archives with a specific structure.
Packaging the homebrew for installation on the Vita:
1) download PSP homebrews from your favorite website
2) extract the homebrew somewhere on your hard drive, and with your favorite utility, zip it again with the store setting (no compression), in a file that you will name “INSTALL.ZIP” (uppercase is important). If your compression tool does not have compression options, I recommend 7zip.
3) take any PSP savedata (but not the one used for HBL!), and add the “INSTALL.ZIP” to that folder, in your PC CMA folder. so your PSP Savedata will look something like this:
in folder PSSAVEDATA/1a2b3c4def5678/UCUS12345000/ (or something like this) you will have the following files:
– ICON0.png
– PIC1.png
– DATA.bin
– PARAMS.SFO
– INSTALL.ZIP
On this page you will find several pre-packaged homebrews that have already been prepared to run with VHBL.
Installing:
1) run OpenCMA on your PC, and CMA on your Vita
2) copy the previously packaged SAVEDATA (see above) with your homebrew in “INSTALL.ZIP” on your Vita
3) run HBL (how to run HBL is explained in the previous section)
4) navigate with the HBL menu to the SAVEDATA folder, then go to the folder you just downloaded (in my example, UCUS12345000), and click cross or circle on it
5) At this point, the HBL menu should ask you if you want to install the homebrew. select yes, and wait until HBL is done extracting your homebrew
6) The homebrew is now installed, and you can run it by going to the GAME folder, if everything went well, a new subfolder with your homebrew has been created here, and you can run the homebrew
Need more help? Check our forums for more downloads and tutos
More
OpenCMA is strongly recommended to install if you want to use VHBL. Open CMA is a tool by Virtuous Flame that allows you to copy files from and to your vita without being connected to the internet. This is useful, especially if you don’t want Sony to forcefully update your firmware.
Looking for homebrews that run on VHBL? Check this thread with dozens of tested and pre-packaged homebrews.
Alternatively, check this list which contains a series of homebrews that have been tested on this specific version of VHBL.
Where can i find the DATA.BIN?
it’s impossible to download the vhbl for freedom unite!
link expired
Mirrors for you:
1: VHBL R160 for Monster Hunter Freedom Unite and Monster Hunter Portable 2ndG (US/EU/JP)
2: VHBL R160 for Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (JP)
3: VHBL R160 for Monster Hunter Freedom 2 (EU)
Okay so, I followed all the steps to install snex9x to no avail. I unzipped install.zip loaded my roms and then rezipped using store compression. Now when I navigate to that file on vbhl and I click on the save…instead of it asking me to install homebrew it just opens the folder with icon, pic, data, params files in it….
Install.zip is in the folder, it is all in caps..and it was zipped using store compression. what did I miss?
Nevermind I got it. I saved it as INSTALL.zip instead of INSTALL.ZIP. I’m a noob.
hi,can someone explain me how should i download books on psvita to read it with bookr?thx
Ummm..I have a little question.
After installing the apps into ms0/PSP/GAME, is there any way to delete it? Thanks a lot!!!
ps explorer
Can I delete it with PSPFiler??
try it
The thing that worries me is can we not use wifi on the vita even when we are not using VHBL at the time? Or do we need to never put wifi on again? If so that means we cant use the store or webbrowser. I’m really not sure. What do you guys think?
Prometheus v2 installs and runs. I was able to load an iso into the INSTALL.ZIP but the loader wont read from that sorce. If someone could edit prometheus v2 to read from this sorce ms0/psp/game/ maybe it would work.
it will not work. it requires kernel access.
…
Hey gys i have a problem with preparing HB’s. I use resisstance savedata and there are these files:
icon0.png
icon1.pmf
pic1.png
data.bin
param.sfo
the install.zip
and snd0.at3
but when i start vhbl and go to the savedata folder it does not install it. I cant even the the install.zip
need really help
*see
capital letters only.
They are written with capital letters i am just a little bit lazy (writing this on my vita)
Can anybody tell me if the game has been patched or pulled yet?
It is pulled from the psn
YAY! Not pulled yet where I live! Just bought it!
If i do the VHBL and connect to the internet after will it be bricked/banned/anything bad?
Could i request Master boy if it works? or some kind of GBC emulator?
Hi Did you see Emu master that is gbc for 180 vhbl vita
Masterbhoy works too. Check the compatibility list or use the hombrew preparer.
Does anyone know why my emu isn’t copying to my memory card?
dont use the right analogue stick when in vhbl menu it closes vhbl!!
also i can confirm that deadalusx64R777Modded works on vhbl tried super smash bros, LoZ Majoras Mask, LoZ Orcarina of Time they work well :))
If u used the option that the xo^[] -buttons can be contrlolled with the 2nd stick and pull it up it will close because the triangle button closes vhbl
The Pre package for gPsP doesn’t work can anyone help me to get it work VHBL won’t install the the zip.
zip it again with the *store* setting (no compression), in a file that you will name “INSTALL.ZIP” (uppercase is IMPORTANT!!! CMA will refuse to copy the file otherwise)
i dont anderstand what to do here?
My SNES9xTYL isn’t saving or to the system but it isn’t because of this. The system says “copying” and the bar fills but my memory usage remains the same. Why :(?
I didn’t get it either. I followed all the instructions using 7zip. I then switched to winrar and it worked perfectly.
gotta love when nothing works
Is there a way to keep both the savedata for monster hunter freedom unite and vhbl together, or i have to switch between them both?
is it the Monster hunter Freedom 2 essentals (full game) for eu? to download from pss to work with vhbl
Can someone please give me a quick little tut on how to install the vHBL? When I goto the CMA folder I don’t see a PSSAVEDATA or anything..
VHBL isnt detecting the INSTALL.ZIP…
It must be in capital( BIG ) even the .zip
Still can’t figure it out or view all the comments here
where do i put roms for snes? like how to copy
How do I know what files are compatible with this VHBL
using PSPlorer homebrew I was exploring files on the vita and found that monster hunter freedom unite was being stored on disc:0 in the psvita in game format [PSP_GAME]
[UMD_DATA.BIN] I was able to extract the files to my PC by copying them so the save data folder and then using CMA to transfer to the PC. Hopefully I will be able to take the files from any psp cso/iso and copy them to disc:0 directory
I am trying this with metal gear acid right now…
Well I was able to put the contents of metal gear acid in the INSTALL.ZIP file and transfer it as a savegame but vhbl would not extract it so now I guess I need a file explorer for vhbl that will extract zip files….it was worth a shot.
You will never be able to load ISOs and CSOs on VHBL because it does not use the PSP kernel. Same for specific homebrews that use the kernel for speed optimization, like snes9xTYL MECM.
Hi, ive already had homebrew installed via Super Collapse. Then i updated and have everything ready. Since super collapse, i installed a hefty portion of my space for emulation. Now, my question is is my homebrew/emulation for super collapse still “there” for 1.80? do i need to format and start over. Or reinstall. Didnt want to reinstall if its already “there”
It should work with your existing files, no need to reinstall 🙂
Thanks. Just would like to say I appreciate what’s being shared around here. Lots o ppl appreciate it whether we post or not. Remember, we’re out there! 🙂
So do I need another psp save data other than monster hunter to install homebrews? meaning i need to put another psp game on my psp, create a save file, then transfer that file to my pc to put the homebrew in it, then transfer it back?
Well i got a pre packaged homebrew working so hopefully i can just find more of those 🙂 thanks btw this is awesome
What do i need to open that CMA file, been at it for hours.
NO luck on my end, must have tried 50 times the same way then another 50 different ways including using the eu and japan files. Right when vhbl is supposed to come up, nothing. I have no idea what I’m doing wrong. Too bad there isn’t a step by step A-Z video tutorial just in case I’m leaving something out or doing it the wrong way.
This is weird, tried previous versions of VHBL, never had a problem running them or installing emulators.
On this version, I can get to VHBL menu inside MHF2 but when I browse to the folder that contains my Install.zip its not their!! so I cant install my emulators.
I know these install.zips have worked without any problems on previous versions of VHBL. I even tried rebuilding the install.zip with INSTALL.ZIP and INSTALL.zip (using store option) but still, they are not visible in VHBL’s Menu under ms0:/psp/savedata/uces003100000
it just displays Data.Bin, Icon0.png, icon1.pmf, param.sfo, pic1.png and snd0.at3
Anyone else encountering same problem?
I have got the same problem trying to install DaedalusX64 R777
Not sure if it’s patched yet but Monster Hunter Freedom Unite is still on the store I’m downloading it now I’ll try it out and report back.
I am thinking it is not patched. I don’t see how they could have patched anything so quickly (in particular the game, which would require at least 2 or 3 days of QA), unless they are deploying a silent firmware patch somehow (but again, in such a short amount of time, that sounds unrealistic from QA point of view)
wololo hi, thanks for all you do for the scene of the vita, I’m using the vhbl for monster hunter game, when I run the save and entered the vhbl and I dirigo the savedata folder to find the desire to run homebrew , but the problem I find is that there appears install.zip file and convert it to zip effect uncompressed and add it to the folders as indicated in the tutorials, but I could help because I do not see the file install ? …. thank you very much
You could make the file visible install.zip, what I did was use of cuaquier savedata psp game but with the U.S. region since it fetches monster hunter game is American, for example ULUS10507DATA00, and that’s how I could make visible the install.zip file and then install homebrew …. I hope this solution works for them. regards
the homebrew i try to install will not show up even when i make it a zip and store… and name the file INSTALL.ZIP plz help
ok im about to give up, i dont know whats wrong.
i have vhbl running, but when i try to copy the INSTALL.ZIP to my vita by putting it in another save data folder, it doesnt install in the vhbl. and i noticed that when i try to copy over the new data from the computer to my vita, the file on the computer with the emulator on it is 19mbs and the one on my vita is 198kbs, after i overwrite it, the file on my vita is still 198kbs. i dont know what to do
Please take a screenshot of the contents of your savedata folder (the one that has the INSTALL.ZIP) and post a link here.
http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g325/iveraivalice/InstallScreenshot.jpg
This is the screenshot of my folder during the manual creation of the INSTALL.ZIP file, the original save data was made using a ps vita homebrew preparer which also didnt work. the bottom screenshot is what the file shows, no matter how many times i copy the same file and overwrite.
it seems the install file just wont copy to my vita, and my vita never says anything is wrong when copying, it completes no problem
im just gonna mention that i am trying to copy over the gpsp kai that was downloaded from the download list here, and tried to use a ps vita homebrew preparer that i found on a few youtube videos. i have also tried ziping the file myself many times with no compression, being named almost every combination of install, (INSTALL.ZIP, INSTALL.zip, install.zip, install, INSTALL) none have worked, I have tried deleting the save data from the cma and putting it back in, instead of overwriting, i did the same with the vita save data when copying it over, and i tried editing the file in the cma folder with cma closed, then reopen it. i am also using open cma. just so you have all the info, thank for the assist wololo i appreciate all you do for us, and neuron and everyone else
Your problem is that the file is named INSTALL.ZIP.ZIP instead of INSTALL.ZIP. There is an option in windows to show filename extensions, you should use that.
Still working perfectly for me got VHBL running then installed the SNES emu and downloading on my fiance’s now.
Thanks for the feedback, good to know. The game is still available on the store people, it’s the first time Sony’s been that kind to VHBL users, don’t let this opportunity slip
dude that completely solved my problem thanks so much man! i thought i wasnt gonna be able to enjoy the vhbl.
it seemed the extension (after turning on the ability to view it) was .zip so what i had been writing was INSTALL.ZIP.zip which is why it didnt work even when i tried just INSTALL, since the hidden extension made it INSTALL.zip after i manually changed the real extension to capitals it copied over and installed no problem. just as you said. hope this helps anyone else having similar issues too
woops, ment that to be up a few posts, you get the point though :p
Awesome, glad I could help 🙂
As a key note for the rest of you having issues with it finding your own created INSTALL.ZIP why don’t you just use the pre-packaged homebrew and install from that because you’re obviously not doing something correctly…
Using the pre-packaged stuff I have the SNES emu running perfectly on my VITA on the first try might I add, well first actual try I made a few mistakes not knowing where the stuff would be located and it not wanting to copy to my VITA…
Till I just copied the folder as it was named (SNES9X_TYL) selected it from HBL and it found the install/installed it right away.
As for those of you asking where you’re supposed to put the roms at that should be relatively simple once you’ve got it installed and you look at the directory it’s running from on the VITA already.
No matter what I try, every time I get the homebrew all set up in a game save file, then i click on it in VHBL, it does not say “Would you like to install” it just opens the file and shows the files like “Data.Bin” “ICON0.PNG” and others.
Does anybody know how to fix this?
Thank you in advance (:
i think this is the exact same problem im having, i beleive it is because the install file isnt coping with the save data when you copy it to your vita, judging from the file size after copying. not sure whats wrong
This is because your INSTALL.ZIP file should be named INSTALL.ZIP.
Not INSTALL.zip, not install.zip, not INSTALL.ZIP.ZIP
i did exactly wat u said, INSTALL.ZIP . but still cant see or install Nester_AoEX.rar, i can see only 3 files in vhbl. do u ve any solution? thank u.
Yeah, first, read the explanations again to make sure you really understood, and second (if you are still blocked), upload a screenshot of where you can only see 3 files, as well as a screenshot of the folder that contains the INSTALL.ZIP on your PC
http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r620/lattymadha/0a025074.jpg
http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r620/lattymadha/42d96693.jpg
and the file i downloaded is http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?6ns77ypl6b83rp7
thank you.
Based on the screenshot you did nothing wrong and yet cma refused to copy some files. I will try the file you linked to tomorrow and I will let you know.
I found that however I add the archive in 7zip, it doesn’t work. I had the same problem as you the first day it was released. I had set it to “STORE” and had all the right settings applied. The SOLUTION for me was trying it on Winrar.
hi wololo great job for all you are doing for the psvita homebrew scene , quick one i know it sounds stupid , but i have looked everywhere for the folder in step 3
n folder PSSAVEDATA/1a2b3c4def5678/UCUS12345000/ (or something like this) you will have the following files:
and i cant seem to find it at all, can someone help , i hae tried to do a search through the start bar/ other searches an cant seem to find any help by anyone is appreciated
i think 1st u should ve a saved file of MH to transfer that file to ur pc via CMA. then only u can see the folder u r looking for. Mine look like this (MHF2)\PS Vita\PSAVEDATAf3b211fb8f2d\ULES00851 and then u overwrite dat folder with one u downloaded. now copy back dat saved file via CMA in ur vita.
thanks i am trying that
Monster hunter 2 freedom united essentials samen as mont
sterhunter 2 freedom united?