How to Connect PSP to the Internet

The Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) is widely hailed as the best portable gaming device ever made. While the worldwide sales figures of the PSP are only half those of Nintendo DS, it has faster and more memory, a higher-performing processor, and a bigger screen. Early on, when the PSP was first released in North America, in March 2005, there was a vast surge in complaints about the PSP’s ability to connect to the internet through Wi-Fi. Even after making a connection, there was no built-in way to browse the internet. Some games provided a workaround to enable internet browsing and other individuals were able to hack into the code to add additional functionality, but neither of these methods were satisfactory to most users.

The new generation of PSP has solved the browsing problem through modifications in the device itself or through firmware upgrades. Security has also been vastly improves. The first PSP units carried only support for the easily-hacked WEP security protocol. New upgrades now support the superior WPA security protocol as well.

Internet Connection Requirements

A few requirements are necessary before a PSP can connect to the internet via a wireless network. A wireless internet service must already be in existence. This includes:

Broadband ISP Subscription – Broadband connections are required for a wireless network. Today, “lite” broadband service can be purchased for about the same price as dial-up service.
Modem – Either a DSL or cable modem is required, depending on the type of broadband service.
Wireless Router or Access Point – Most home networks use a combination router/access point. Many businesses have a hard-line router with a separate access point attached.
Desktop PC or Laptop – A fully functioning computer, connected to the network via hardline is necessary for configuring the wireless router.
Upgraded PSP – Either the newer models or the older models with firmware/software upgrades make connecting to the internet much easier. If your PSP doesn’t have system software version 2.0 or later, then a software upgrade is needed.

Gathering Home Network Data

To connect the PSP to a home wireless network requires important codes for the wireless network system. The information required from the wireless network includes:

SSID – This is the name of the wireless network. It appears during wireless network detection scans and is needed to connect to a specific network.
Security Protocol – The exact security protocol used on the wireless network. For the PSP, security must be one of the following: none, WEP, WPA-TSK (TKIP), WPA-PSK (AES)
Security Key – The password that allows entry past the wireless security system.

If any of this information is unknown, it will have to be retrieved through the router. The router setup and information screen can be accessed through any computer, preferably one connected by a hard line Ethernet cable. If any wireless settings are changed, the Ethernet cable will ensure the computer remains connected to the wireless network as the setting change completes. See the instructions of your exact brand/model wireless router to access the settings.

Simple PSP Internet Connection

How to Connect PSP to the Internet

Once you have all the required information from the wireless network, turn on the PSP. Also, either on the top or the side of the PSP (top for PSP 2000/3000, side for PSP 1000) is a WLAN switch. Make sure this is set to “On.” From the main screen on the PSP, go to the Settings icon and then choose Network Settings. On the next page, select Infrastructure Mode.

On the next screen, you will usually choose [New Connection]. Choose this now and remember the X button is always Enter and the O button will take you to the previous page. It is not recommended to edit an existing connection unless you are sure of what you are doing. If connections exist that you do not need, they can be deleted by highlighting and pressing the triangle button. Highlight delete, press the X button, and when asked if you want to delete the connection, highlight Yes and then enter. The connection will be deleted.

After choosing [New Connection], the WLAN Settings page will display and ask how you want to find a connection. For most home purposes, choosing Scan is the easiest way to go. Highlight scan and follow the instructions to continue. The PSP will scan the airwaves and proved a list of available access points and signal strength of each point. Select the SSID of the network you wish to connect to and press X to Enter.

You have an option of changing the SSID on the next screen but this is a superfluous step. Press the right directional button to continue. The next page is the WLAN Security Setting page. Choose the security protocol of the wireless network, the choices being: None, WEP, WPA-PSK (TKIP), WPA-PSK (AES). Press the right directional button after highlighting the proper selection.

The following page provides for entry of the security encryption key. Press the X button to enable the on-screen keyboard. Enter the password using the keyboard. Note that a maximum of 8 asterisks will appear when entering the password, even if the password is longer than 8 characters. The remaining characters are being entered as you use the keyboard but they are not shown on the screen. Press the right directional button to continue.

On the Address Settings page, select Easy and press the right directional button for the next page. It is possible to enter a new name for this wireless connection. The default name is the SSID. It is recommended to keep this name unless there is another name that is less confusing such as “Home,” “Office,” or “Dad’s House,” for example. The next page is a review of the settings. Press the right directional button and on the next page press X to save the settings. Run a test on the following page to make sure the connection is enabled. If done properly, after the test, it will say Internet Connection Succeeded.

Advanced Connections

There are some cases where the simple internet connection will not suffice. This is true if you want to use a T-mobile hotspot or use Buffalo, Inc AOSS functionality. For either of these, continue as before and choose [New Connection]. To use a T-Mobile Hotspot, select Use Wireless Hotspot and continue. The rest of the process will be automated. If you do not already have a subscription to T-Mobile Hotspots, an additional charge may apply.

If you have a wireless router or access point manufactured by Buffalo, Inc., you can use their automatic AirStation One-Touch Secure System (AOSS) by choose Automatic on the WLAN Settings page. After making the choice, the PSP and router will complete the work for you.

If your PSP requires a static IP address because of the complexity of the network, choose the correct SSID after scanning or entering it manually. After entering the security password, select Custom from the Address Settings page. Next, select either Manual or PPPoE depending on if a user name and password is required to log on to the network. These settings should be changed or input only by advanced users who know the proper address settings.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 6:45 am and is filed under Internet. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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