Install Custom Firmware 5.03 GEN-C on PSP 3000, 2000 TA-088v3 via ChickHEN R2

The GEN Team has released Custom Firmware 5.03 GEN-C for PSP 3000 / 2000 with motherboard model TA-088v3. In this PSP guide you’ll learn how to install custom firmware 5.03 GEN-C on PSP 3000/2000 TA-088v3. Once you’ve installed CFW 5.03 GEN-C on your PSP, you’ll also be able to run games on PSP that require firmware 6.10.

IMPORTANT

  • This PSP guide is for partially-hackable PSPs only (PSP-3000 & PSP-2000 TA-088v3). If you’re not sure about your PSP motherboard model use this guide to find out:
  • How to: Check PSP Motherboard Model

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  • If you have official firmware 5.50 installed on your PSP, STOP NOW! PSP OFW 5.50 has patched the TIFF exploit used to install chickHen hack so, you can NOT run chickHen on OFW 5.50.  If you can’t install ChickHen it means you can NOT hack PSP and install custom firmware 5.03 GEN-C on your PSP.

If you have PSP 1000 / PSP 2000 with Mother lower than TA-088v3, means you’ve a fully hackable PSP, this guide is NOT for you. Please navigate to this guide:

How to Install Custom Firmware on PSP 1000 & 2000

PSP 3000, 2000 TA-088v3 users please continue reading.

We will install PSP custom firmware 5.03 GEN-C via ChickHEN R2. So, there’s no danger of bricking your PSP unless you fail to follow the instructions carefully. Chances of bricking PSP 3000 and 2000 are quite real as compared to PSP 1000 which is completely hackable. If you’re not clear about any step you better ask it.

Prerequisites

A PSP-3000 or PSP-2000 with TA-088v3 motherboard model.
Download CFW 5.03 GEN-C: Mirror 1 | Mirror 2

How to Install Custom Firmware 5.03 GEN-C on PSP

It’s always good to backup your Saved Games Data first.

In order to install CFW 5.03 Gen-C on PSP we need to install ChickHEN R2 on PSP first. So, the guide will be splitted into two Steps:

  1. Install ChickHEN R2 on PSP
  2. Install Custom Firmware 5.03 GEN-C on PSP

Let’s begin..

  1. Install ChickHEN R2 on PSP

    First of all your need to Install ChickHEN R2 on your PSP. We have a comprehensive guide for that:

    How to install ChickHEN R2 on PSP

    When you’re done with running ChickHEN R2, come back to this guide and continue to installing CFW 5.03 GEN-C.

  2. Install Custom Firmware 5.03 GEN-C on PSP

    NOTE: PSP 3000, 2000 TA-088v3 are partially hackable which means after installing CFW if by any chance you turned OFF your PSP or Battery goes empty, you’ll need to reinstall CFW because after reboot your PSP will be back to Official 5.03 firmware

    Assuming that you’ve successfully run the ChickHEN R2 on your PSP. Now it’s time to install PSP Custom Firmware 5.03 GEN-C.

    • Extract the CFW_5.03_GEN-C.zip file to your computer.
    • Connect your PSP to your computer via USB. PSP Memory Stick will appear as a removable device.
    • Go to the extracted CFW_5.03_GEN-C folder and copy the PSP folder to the Memory Stick root. (Confirm to replace if asked)
    • Now disconnect the PSP from computer.

    • On your PSP’s XMB (Home Screen Menu) go to Game > Memory Stick and run the 5.03 GEN-C Updater by press the ‘X’ key on PSP to install the custom firmware 5.03 GEN-C.
      Important: If this is NOT the first time you are going to install 5.03 GEN-C CFW (you turned OFF your PSP or Battery goes empty, you’ll need to reinstall CFW), hold the L trigger (Left shoulder button) when running the updater.
    • Once the installation is done, press the X button your PSP will Reboot.
    • Now on your PSP XMB go to:

      Settings > System Settings > System Information.

      The system software should be 5.03 GEN-C.

Voila! You’ve successfully installed Custom Firmware 5.03 Gen-C on PSP.

You may also be interested in:

5.03 GEN-C NOTES:

  • Compatible with the PSP-3000 and PSP-2000 v3 official firmware 5.03
  • Play backups of games that REQUIRE PSP firmware 6.10 and above
  • Reading UMD that that REQUIRE PSP firmware 6.10 and above
  • Reading UMD / ISO games protected against the custom firmware. Playing UMD / ISO games protected against the custom firmware.
  • Play PS1 games
  • GEN VSH MENU available (SELECT)
  • Recovery in VSH Recovery available in VSH available
  • Reading Reading Homebrews

KNOWN BUGS:

  • VSH menu is mixed up
78 comments… add one
mh2538 December 27, 2009, 10:40 am

I upgrade my PSP to this version but i can run into recovery mode.
What i must to do?

Skmy December 30, 2009, 11:30 am

I got gen-c on my psp (TA-085v1). ISO and CSO files worked great. However I can’t go into recovery mode in order to use activate CWcheats. Is there any way to get into recovery mode? (I held the R tab while switching on the power)

BobtheCow June 1, 2010, 8:44 pm

Press SELECT and you can see the Recovery Mode

Nothing September 25, 2010, 9:33 am

where and when i will press select to get into recovery mode?
i cant go into the recovery mode coz i receive some error like 80020148..

Soma January 9, 2010, 6:29 pm

incredible work

Ezri January 15, 2010, 2:53 am

THANKS LOADS!

Elice January 17, 2010, 6:43 pm

This article is great.

choimee February 2, 2010, 3:54 pm

thank you soo much it helps a lot

wow4o February 5, 2010, 12:52 pm

WANT THE WALLPAPER WITH THE LADYBUG…the ONE WITH PURPLE BACKGROUND
PAYING A LOT :D: D:D !

Josh February 8, 2010, 9:16 am

Hey I actually installed cfw before in the firmware but I want to install this too is it okay if I install this as well?

BAL February 24, 2010, 9:18 am

Can anybody please tell me how to downgrade my psp 6.20 to 3.5

kate March 12, 2010, 11:29 am

one question…
i installed all this..i was able to play my iso/cso games…until i turned off my psp… when i turn it on again i have version 5.03
not gen-c on my psp…
so…i must do this procedure every time when i turn my psp on…??

BobtheCow June 1, 2010, 8:45 pm

No, unless you turn it off completely(by holding the POWER button for 5 seconds), your CFW doesn’t disappear

vic March 29, 2010, 7:25 am

my psp motherboard model is TA-090 v2 is it compatible with this software?

the version u were offering is TA-088v3 is it desame thanks hope for your reply.

VICTOYO March 29, 2010, 3:38 pm

GREAT APPLI REALLY WORK THANKS BRO

dect April 20, 2010, 10:03 pm

hi, by doing i’ll be deleting the chickHen gif right? is that okay?

BobtheCow June 1, 2010, 8:46 pm

No Problem

virusb00n April 21, 2010, 11:54 am

Hey. thx very much, now i can play game for free~

rudresh May 1, 2010, 2:30 pm

hy i’hv got psp 3001 V5.03 nd installed chickhenR2 nd also firmware gen-c successfully on my psp but i’m not able to play the downloaded games iso/cso. pls give me some solution for this prob.

gameboy328 December 26, 2011, 1:28 pm

hay ok chickhan r2 in succses & to put cfwloader for chickhan in your psp & run ! Now to play iso/cso file games!

rudresh May 2, 2010, 8:42 pm

motherboard model TA-090v2.

Ankuna June 9, 2010, 12:27 am

TNX ALOT YOUR SITE IS MY SAVER 😀

dz/dt July 16, 2010, 8:56 pm

Hello there,

I stumbled across this useful post as I want to upgrade my PSP 3000 from 5.03 GEN A (full) to 5.03 GEN C.

I have some doubts in going ahead with the said process.

Firstly, do I need to UNINSTALL the GEN A firmware? And how do I do that?

Or do I just completely shutdown/take out the battery of my psp and run ChickHEN R2 and then Gen C by following the steps in this post?

Thanks for your help and I hope to hear soon!

Zeeshan Ajaz August 10, 2010, 3:32 pm

Help !!!!!!!!!!!
I have PCP-2004, by mistake i install System Ver. 6.31, now I want to install 5.03 Hack, when i im going to install 5.03 the message appers “There is no need to update” please guide easiest way how could i convert my PSP system to 5.03

Tigrex1995 August 29, 2010, 9:34 pm

OMFG!!!!!! I rerplaced the folder and it deleted my old PSP thing which had files on it WTF how do I get them back Please help im so sad!

whackmeplease September 1, 2010, 11:49 am

hey thanks alot for this guide! 🙂

stonezz September 5, 2010, 9:54 am

i have version 6.31 on psp 3000 and i downloaded this version and it says there is no need to upload and wont let me do it ny ideas please? thanks

dartlee September 30, 2010, 8:56 am

hey i have issues with starting the files in my psp, after placing the genC file inside, i tried to run it but to no avail, keeps saying that my file is corrupted and cant run the gen-c updater. anyone with the same problem?!!

benjz72 October 20, 2010, 10:09 pm

hi everyone. i am NEW HERE ON THIS SITE.

i have already GEN-C AND 5.03 in my psp 3000. i cannot make open the chickHEN file to reboot. im doin it for long time until now no reboot was made.

can anyone help me on this matter. OR ANY IDEA WHAT TO DO ON MY PSP 3000?

thanks a lot!

Naymix October 26, 2010, 6:29 pm

It works with PSP-2004?

xarac November 14, 2010, 11:50 pm

hi i have psp 3003 version 5.03, i have done all the steps.. still when i put any game on my memorycard it says the file corrupt.. what is the problem can you help me out?

keira November 22, 2010, 1:36 am

hi… i have a psp-2006 w/ TA-088v3, i already upgraded it to 5.03 GEN-C (FULL) (originally 4.01). but i cannot enter to recovery mode since i’m following the procedure as post. which do u think is the best firmware for my model. can someone help me out? pls…

keira November 22, 2010, 1:43 am

what is the difference between 5.03 GEN-C and 5.03 GEN-C(FULL)? can somebody tell me…

tinaydesu December 5, 2010, 10:48 am

i tried installing MHU before i tried installing GEN-C. everytime i install GEN-C now my System Software is 5.03 MHU.
what’s wrong???

miduza123 January 8, 2011, 2:57 pm

hey…i’m new in here…i’ve got my new games lord of arcana…but it doesn’t matter…i have a v6.30 psp 3006 vibrant blue….is this update safe to my psp?

phash January 27, 2011, 6:07 pm

the hack is for real.

Sameer March 16, 2011, 1:27 pm

I have installed gen-c on my psp.
But, the screen of my psp is working very slow and seems like it is very slow after installation.
please help me!!!!!

Wnyke April 2, 2011, 9:29 pm

I used to have the same problem… just check the speed in the menu and put it back to normal…

azlankay April 4, 2011, 11:47 am

Still no way of unbricking psp 3000?

tonywearspuma June 12, 2011, 7:47 am

it says that the file is corrupted, what should i do?

LILR45 July 29, 2011, 1:19 am

Will this all work with psp update 6.39 if it doesnt how do i downgrade it to 5.03 i try to install it but it doesnt work it says ` The system software of your PSP ™System is version 6.39. THere is no need to update` HELP PLEASE

pop August 1, 2011, 1:33 am

HELP !! I’VE INSTALLED EVERYTHINGS BUT IT’S SAID VERSION 5.03 Gen-C (full) and when i’ve reboot it everythings gone

gameboy328 January 10, 2012, 7:08 am

its temporory software!

Hellboy June 5, 2013, 5:13 pm

If u want to update your PSP ver to 6.60 click on this site
http://us.playstation.com/support/systemupdates/psp/pc/index.htm

bryan September 3, 2011, 7:41 am

This problem has not been answered yet – Followed the instructions and I have the same issue as post #35 and others above. I assume that this mod is temporary and will be erased if you loose total power (battery removal, etc.) Is this correct? If so, it doesent seem practical.
Also when I loaded up an .iso, got an error message and was unable to play the game when I had this mod.
However, this instructions here are awesome.
PSP 3001

hamood912 September 24, 2011, 3:15 am

hey guys
now i followed each and single step all it says file corrupted what should i do and when i installed the chicken thing it still didnt work. please help me out
FYI:my psp model is 3001

gameboy328 January 25, 2012, 10:20 pm

you install chickhan r2?

Kroft November 15, 2011, 5:09 pm

Hey there, if this aint the first time, so i need to install new GEN-C from the website again? or just by copy n pasting the file i had? because it says file corrupted when i just copy/paste it…

gameboy328 January 13, 2012, 7:32 am

first install chickhan r2 in psp on photo/picture put & turn psp & gone photo & open foldor now! & insalled & gone game not a cruppet this file

macgyver chan November 27, 2011, 1:51 am

help me please my psp3006 v6.30 was format every thing gone..what should i do and how to install and download again?

marky December 10, 2011, 5:49 am

i have psp 3000 and the version is 6.35 how to a iso games on it but the checkhen r2 is not working how do gonna do this pls help me?

gameboy328 December 28, 2011, 8:55 am

chickhen r2 work to version 5.03 & 5.50+ & not work 6.00+!

gameboy328 December 25, 2011, 8:49 am

hay admin plz help to how to install gen c on my psp 2006? & its work gen c on my psp 2006

andreas311999 January 1, 2012, 7:45 pm

i go to game<memory stick an then i try to install 5.03 GEN-C
but when i press ‘X’ psp tell me
<>
<>
What i should do

gameboy328 January 3, 2012, 9:53 am

hay first install chickhan r2 then photo & going game open the gen c open & press x to patch & detected your psp model & x to reboot ! Installed gen c!

psp3004owner January 21, 2012, 11:04 pm

I have a psp 3004 V5.03 with gen-c but every time I go to the ChickHen file to reboot It turns off. PLZ HELP!!!

gameboy328 January 23, 2012, 1:32 pm

its a temporary software

LobitoPSP January 24, 2012, 8:16 am

Hi there.. great tuto about psp. It works perfect. I download many ps1 games but only some of them works. Games as Parasite Eve2 or Dino crisis2 just they show the image, the trailer is there but after the presentation of Sony it comes a black. I thought it would take longer to start the game (as in other games) but nothing happens. I get into the menu but the ISO Video Mount is none and doesn’t changes, not even the m33 driver helps. How can I do? thanks in advance.

gameboy328 January 25, 2012, 10:02 pm

put gen c & second part is the install psp prometheus wish to ps1 all game support!
First install gen c ok! After prometheus! Ok!

daniel May 1, 2012, 12:45 pm

i have psp 3001 v 4.21 can i upgrade it??

owumi efe July 19, 2012, 12:12 am

how can I make a psp 1000 nd 2000 upgrade nd downgrade magic gate flash

Sampath from Sri Lanka August 22, 2012, 1:10 pm

Hey Tricky guy u always says thats a temporary software! so Is there any solution to make the software a not temporary one? Let me know please…

Sampath from Sri Lanka August 22, 2012, 1:41 pm

I did all d steps now my psp is not working! 🙁

mass ping tool September 18, 2012, 11:24 pm

i think you brick your psp :& ” there’s no danger of bricking your PSP unless you fail to follow the instructions carefully. Chances of bricking PSP 3000 and 2000 are quite real as compared to PSP 1000 which is completely hackable. If you’re not clear about any step you better ask it.”

Sarthak September 22, 2012, 4:46 pm

can i install custom firmware on PSP 3004 RR??

Crys January 20, 2013, 7:09 pm

The links you provided are dead, is there any other websites i can get these from

rana_shahidfaraz March 30, 2013, 11:37 pm

if somethings happened after i download this chiken software can i restore the settings of my psp??

Thanks April 11, 2013, 8:57 am

thanks a lot

MEee June 11, 2013, 9:59 am

I keep getting the data is corrupted every time i try to launch the updater, could someone please help me…

yukina November 30, 2013, 3:04 pm

hello.. Whenever I run the 5.03 GEN-C my psp 3000 always says “This game cannot be started. the data is corrupted.” can I get help with this problem? please?

NIGHTMAN January 8, 2014, 2:44 am

IT does not work. Anybody knows where must put the iso and cso files? I put in PSP/GAME path of memory stick and when open my psp machine and go to menu Game—> Memory Stick it apears only the “5.03 GEN-C” and nothing else. (I have run the chicken and gen-c before of course). I create a folder in PSP/GAME path with name ISO and put some iso and cso files there. It apeears in the menu Game—> Memory Stick like “Corrupted Data”
I THINK THAT 5.03 GEN-A works fine but i cant find the firmware clean from viruses so doesnt work after cleaning unfortunatelly.

key October 13, 2014, 7:24 pm

how to know that my psp have or not custom fiemwear?

Twisted January 22, 2018, 12:05 am

Hey greetings from 2018, I just wanted to know if this is compatible with my psp. Its ofw is 6.61. I didn’t want to try anything without at least asking.

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