76w ago - Over the weekend PlayStation Vita developer
Virtuous Flame has made available OpenCMA, an open-source homebrew application that prevents the
PS Vita Content Manager from connecting to the Internet to bypass online and the latest OFW checks.
OpenCMA r1 for PS Vita /
OpenCMA r2 for PS Vita /
OpenCMA r3 for PS Vita /
OpenCMA r4 for PS Vita /
OpenCMA r4 for PS Vita (1.80 Fix) /
OpenCMA r4.5 for PS Vita (Unofficial) /
OpenCMA r5 for PS Vita /
OpenCMA r5 for PS Vita (Mirror) /
SVN /
YifanLu's OpenCMA GIT
To quote, roughly translated:
Open CMA by Virtuous Flame prevents the PS Vita Content Manager Assistant from connecting to the Internet. The PS Vita comes with a system to copy save files that requires you to be connected permanently to the Internet.
This system is here to force you to update the Vita when a new version is available. In addition, it might be inconvenient for you to be constantly connected when you want to copy your files from and to the Vita. This patch is here to help you with this situation.
Installation:
- extract the archive in your CMA folder (program files/Sony/Content Manager Assistant by default)
- quit the CMA if it is running on your PC
- execute "run.bat" (you need to run it in "Admin mode" on Windows 7
- That's it, now the CMA should run without requiring to be connected to the Internet
Changelog:
Finally, from
wololo (linked above): I tested it myself, and it works fine, although Virtuous Flame told me it might still be unstable. It is not yet guaranteed that this tool will be enough to prevent the console from upgrading its firmware without your consent, but hopefully this should help.
As a reminder, if you want to keep using the CMA normally, a firmware upgrade is compulsory every time Sony says so. Since every firmware upgrade comes with a new license and a new Terms and Conditions contract, it means that Sony can progressively change the contract you agreed with when you initially bought your Vita, and entirely lock you out of some core features (such as backing up the games you bought and your save data to your PC) if you refuse the new contract.
The OtherOS lawsuit in the US has also shown that Sony can remove any feature they want from the system you bought, and not be afraid of any legal consequences. This patch is also useful for these kind of unfair situations.
From
jd8531 (via wololo.net/2012/09/07/release-open-cma-1-80/):
We knew it was awful when firmware 1.80 rolled out disabling Open CMA. Everyone hard at work has made a new patch to fix all the problem and it works!
This release has some new features as well as some bugs but it's working. To use this you MUST have the official CMA already uninstalled. You can download the patch here (wololo.net/downloads/index.php/download/1252). All credit goes to Virtuous Flame for his new version and special thanks to chesethief and ind3x-gosu from the forums with helping me on this.
HOW TO INSTALL
The following tutorial by me and is also included in the download with more details and troubleshooting (just follow Jd8531's tutorial text file).
1. Download the patch and extract the files to your desktop
2. Run "CMASetup"
3. After installation open the folder openCMA_vita_180 and copy everything to where the official CMA is installed at -->(C:\Program Files (x86)\Sony\Content Manager Assistant).
4. Run (<-DOUBLE CLICK)the "set.dll" file (run everything as administrator)
5. Then Run the batch file named "run"
6. It should load everything within the window and it'll install CMAWatcher and CMADownloader in that same folder.
7. Run "CMAWatcher", it should open and close quickly (you might not even seen it open)
8. After that let it rebuild the database if needed
9. You are all done!
I was able to successfully copy psone, psp game saves ect without internet on either the PC or VITA with no error. Sorry mac users this is so far windows only and something is in the works. You can find the /talkforums thread here (wololo.net/talk/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=13999), and enjoy a youtube video showing it working below:
Other files related to VHBL, etc... still need to be tested but this is still good news for everyone who uses open CMA regularly. If you are having errors you can try replacing the psp2-updatelist.xml with these specific ones or the second set of steps in the Tutorial:
Note: DO NOT close CMA on your computer while it is running on the Vita or you will have to install everything again.
Update: OpenCMA PS Vita 1.80 Fix (via wololo.net/2012/09/10/updated-open-cma-fixes-errors/): A new version of the Open CMA for Vita 1.80 has been made to easily fix the errors a lot of people have been receiving. (This also fixes the music/video bug!)
You can download the newest version above or alternatively if you already have the other one installed you can replace the psp2-update.xml file with the correct one corresponding to your appropriate region at the bottom.
Tutorial for the new version:
- Extract the archive in your CMA folder (program files/Sony/Content Manager Assistant by default)
- Quit the CMA if it is running on your PC
- Execute "run.bat" (you need to run it in "Admin mode" on windows 7
- That's it, now the CMA should run without requiring to be connected to the internet
Its recommended that you do use open CMA when the vhbl files come out. Open CMA for those who do not know is the content manager to copy files to the vita and back but without any internet connection unlike the official Sony CMA. It will also not sneak a patch or do a forced firmware update on your device if one comes out and it will not send any data to Sony about whats being copied, edited, transferred or crashes.
Open CMA 1.80 (via wololo.net/2012/09/07/release-open-cma-1-80/): We knew it was awful when firmware 1.80 rolled out disabling Open CMA. Everyone hard at work has made a new patch to fix all the problem and it works!
This release has some new features as well as some bugs but it's working. To use this you MUST have the official CMA already uninstalled.
You can download the patch here. All credit goes to Virtuous Flame for his new version and special thanks to chesethief and ind3x-gosu from the forums with helping me on this. How to install:
The following tutorial by me and is also included in the download with more details and troubleshooting (just follow Jd8531′s tutorial text file).
1. Download the patch and extract the files to your desktop
2. Run "CMASetup"
3. After installation open the folder openCMA_vita_180 and copy everything to where the official CMA is installed at -->(C:\Program Files (x86)\Sony\Content Manager Assistant).
4. Run (<-DOUBLE CLICK)the "set.dll" file (run everything as administrator)
5. Then Run the batch file named "run"
6. It should load everything within the window and it'll install CMAWatcher and CMADownloader in that same folder.
7. Run "CMAWatcher", it should open and close quickly (you might not even seen it open)
8. After that let it rebuild the database if needed
9. You are all done!
I was able to successfully copy psone, psp game saves ect without internet on either the PC or VITA with no error. Sorry mac users this is so far windows only and something is in the works. You can find the /talkforums thread here, and enjoy a youtube video showing it working below:
Other files related to VHBL, etc... still need to be tested but this is still good news for everyone who uses open CMA regularly. If you are having errors you can try replacing the psp2-updatelist.xml with these specific ones or the second set of steps in the Tutorial:
Japan: http://www.mediafire.com/?8v8kf91h5kjx2nr.
US version :http://fus01.psp2.update.playstation.net/update/psp2/list/us/psp2-updatelist.xml
EU: http://www.mediafire.com/?x8epwbv6l25amq6
EDIT: All the errors seem to be related to the psp2-updatelist.xml file, so just replace that with one of these below corresponding to your appropriate region:
US: http://www.mediafire.com/?8v8kf91h5kjx2nr
UK: http://www.mediafire.com/?gwyky82s2jwlfy5
EU: http://www.mediafire.com/?x8epwbv6l25amq6
JP: http://www.mediafire.com/?8v8kf91h5kjx2nr
AU: http://www.mediafire.com/?gna6fs6f9f9o41j
SA: http://www.mediafire.com/?8hfohuwhc1wsho6
Update #2: Open CMA 5 (Compatible with all 2.00+ Firmware) by
Virtuous Flame is now available above with the details as follows:
What is Open CMA?
Open CMA is the content manager assistant to copy files to the Vita. Open CMA is the same as the official Sony version but modified, so that you can copy files without any internet connection unlike the official Sony CMA which requires a constant internet connection to the Sony Servers, something that can be inconvenient It will also not sneak a patch or do a forced firmware update on your device if one comes out and it will not send any data to Sony or their servers about whats being copied, edited, and transferred. Open CMA also does not collect data regarding crashes.
In General it:
1. Allows offline transfers on either PC or Vita.
2. Allows lower firmwares to transfer. (Open CMA 5 works on 2.00+ Only)
3. Disallows the sending of information to Sony.
4. No contact to Sony's servers.
5. Open CMA prevents CMA from auto updates or mandatory updates.
6. It also allows you to transfer anything black listed, it doesn't check their servers to confirm if its on the PSN.
7. Lets you copy Homebrew, ISO/CSO to use with an exploit with less errors.
How to Install VF's Open CMA 5
1. Download the latest verision of the Official CMA
2. Apply VF"s Open CMA 5 patch in the same folder as the official one
3. Run .bat and then setdll.exe
Plus the USB HDD into the PC and see if it is recognized... IT could be the HDD...
i'm not sure if it is useful, maybe it could be installed using charles or something?
http://pastebin.com/cggAwJbM
As a result, Sony has officially removed the Motorstorm Arctic Edge title from PlayStation Store.
To quote: "Ok, so, since the PSN maintenance is being postponed, there is no reason for me to not give the name of the game used by Teck4 for his exploit:
The Game is Motorstorm Arctic Edge, also known as Motorstorm Raging Ice in Japan. It is available for 19.99 euro on most European Playstation Stores, 15.99 Pounds in the UK, and for 3800 yen on the Japanese store.
Note for North American readers: that game, despite being available on the US Store, is marked as not compatible with the Vita in the US. People who have bought it in the US and tried to transfer it to their vita have failed as far as I know, which is why a few days ago I recommended people in the US to get a European PSN account.
Now what's next?
Well it's simple and stressful at the same time: I'm giving you guys a couple days to buy a copy of that game if you think VHBL is worth it (and assuming you trust that I'm not lying), and then I'll release the VHBL files. There are pros and cons to this "2 steps" release. The cons are that you have to trust me, and there's a possibility Sony actually patches/patched something without me knowing it, the pros are that I don't think Sony will remove the game from their store until they actually have something to patch, so I think this gives you guys a couple days to buy the game.
Or, you can wait until I release the files and other people confirm it works, at which point you run the risk that Sony patches the exploit and/or removes the game from the store before you can even buy it.
Now, let me be clear once again: buy the game if you want to play it, I have no way to guarantee VHBL will work for you, I can just tell that a few days ago this was confirmed to work by a few testers.
Also keep in mind that VHBL gives you no iso, no special access to the Vita hardware, just a limited PSP homebrew experience on your vita. If like me you think it's fun, then you might be interested. Or, if you think that 20 euros is a fair price for one of the best PSP games, then, well, just consider VHBL as a "bonus".
VHBL has been confirmed to work on firmware 1.61. If your console asks you to update to firmware 1.62 or something, I cannot guarantee it will still work. It is also recommended, after you bought the game, to be paranoid and disconnect your console from the network, and to install openCMA. Again, there are lots of unknown things going on with the Vita, it is impossible for me to tell if this will work for everyone.
As far as I know, there are 5 versions of this game out there. I ported VHBL to 4 of them, and I am sure the fifth one is vulnerable too, but I couldn't find any place selling or "distributing" it, so I couldn't port the exploit to it. That being said, it should be "doable" if somebody can get a copy, to port the exploit to that version as well.
Finally, for those who want proof, here's a video:
I want to thank the people who made this release go as smoothly as possible, especially Teck4 and Mamosuke, HBL devs (in particular m0skit0 and JJS, thanks for lurking on the scene for so long, you guys are the real deal!) the mods at /talk who have helped a lot over the past week, the handful of devs/testers who know how to keep a secret (you know who you are), but also the thousands of /talk users who, for some of them, have been knowing the game's name for several days now, and haven't leaked anything.
You guys are truly an awesome community, you can of course now go ahead and let your friends know, or brag about how you've known about the game for a while and hold the secret. It was so far an awesome experiment, let's hope the result will be worth it!"
Too bad my Vita will arrive in 9th March (international delivery) hopefully someone find another exploit by then.
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