Popsloader is a custom firmware plugin created by Dark_AleX, the main man behind the M33 firmwares. This plugin allows you to load your PSOne POPS games using any of the different firmware POPS versions from 3.00 to 3.72. Note: This guide has been written specifically for 3.80 M33-3 series firmware and above.
Although Popsloader takes time to install, it's well worth it for the increased compatibility with PS1 games. Here is a step-by-step guide for those new to Popsloader.
NONE of these steps write to flash! Everything described in this guide is SAFE!
Installation Guide
1. Connect the PSP via USB and enable the USB connection.
2. Download [url}http://exophase.com/files/psp/380m33popsloader_v2.rar]Popsloader[/url]. Extract the archive and copy the seplugins folder to the root of your memory stick. (X:\seplugins, if X is the drive letter of your PSP).
3. Download PSARDumper. This extracts required data from a firmware update. To install, simply extract the archive then copy the "newspsardumper" folder over to PSP/GAME on the memory stick.
4. Download the firmware update that corresponds to the version of POPS that you would like to install. Compatible firmware updates range from 3.00 to 3.72. Additionally, download links to all firmware update EBOOTs are [url}http://forums.exophase.com/showthread.php?t=2886]available here[/url].
5. Copy the downloaded firmware update, named as EBOOT.PBP, over to the root of your memory stick. (X:\EBOOT.PBP, if X is the drive letter of your PSP).
6. Navigate to the Game menu on your PSP and launch PSARDumper. Once launched, press square to begin extracting decrypted firmware files.
7. After a few minutes, the process should complete and your PSP will return to the XMB.
8. Once again, connect the PSP via USB and enable the USB connection.
9. Look for an F0 folder on the memory stick. Inside, copy the following files to the seplugins/popsloader folder, depending on the firmware update used:
3.00 - 3.03: kd/popsman.prx, kd/meaudio.prx, kd/pops.prx, vsh/module/pafmini.prx
3.10 - 3.30: kd/popsman.prx, kd/pops.prx, vsh/module/pafmini.prx
3.40 - 3.72: kd/popsman.prx, kd/pops.prx, vsh/module/pafmini.prx, vsh/module/libpspvmc.prx
Once you've copied the files, make sure to add a version prefix at the end of the filename. i.e. if you used firmware 3.40, then rename popsman.prx to popsman340.prx, pops.prx to pops340.prx, and so on.
After you've done this, the F0 folder on your memory stick can be safely deleted. Simply repeat steps 4 - 9 to install another pops version.
10. Now enable the plugin. To do this, boot your PSP into recovery mode by holding R when turning the power switch on, then enter plugins, and enable popsloader.prx. Exit recovery mode.
11. Congratulations! Popsloader is now installed and ready to use!
The first time you run a PS1 game that has no popsloader settings, the plugin will display a menu to select the version of pops you wish to use. To change the specific pops version for a game that already has popsloader settings, hold the R Trigger while selecting the game from the XMB Menu.
Guide based on [url}http://forums.exophase.com/showthread.php?t=1553]Tenshigami's Popsloader guide[/url] for 3.30 and 3.40 OE.
fonte: exophase.com @ forums
tradução PT-PT para breve
PS: testado por mim com 100% de sucesso em 3.90 m33-3... usei dumps de firmwares US e funcionou (o meu FW é europeu)
não vos aconselho é a usar dumps japoneses, embora estes devam funcionar na mesma, não corram riscos, principalmente em versões acima da 3.40