How to connect your PSP to your computer

This tutorial will explain how to connect your PSP to your computer, in order to transfer any kind of files to the PSP. This is the most common operation needed in order to transfer photos, music, videos, games or any other kind of media to your PSP. This tutorial is written assuming that you have absolutely no experience with PSP or even connecting any other device with USB connection to your computer.

Prerequisites

1. PSP
2. Computer with USB connection
3. USB-Mini cable
4. Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Duo Pro card

Step 1 ~ Insert Memory Stick into your PSP

On the left side of your PSP is a Memory Stick Duo slot covered with a protective rubber. Open the slot by taking off the rubber cover, and be careful - cover doesn’t come off all the way - it’s attached to the PSP body. Now insert Memory Stick Duo into the slot, with the card facing bottom of the PSP (connectors should be facing you). When you hear clicking noise, meaning that Memory Stick Duo card has safely been locked in to the slot, close protective cover.

If this is the first time you have inserted that Memory Stick Duo in to your PSP, it is possible that it will be necessary to format the card in order to use it. If so, turn on your PSP and head to the System settings option in the Settings menu. If you are absolutely sure that you are using that Memory Stick Duo for the first time and that you have no information on it, select Format Memory Stick option, and confirm when asked do you want to format.

Step 2 ~ Connect USB-Mini cable to PSP and computer

On the top side of your PSP there’s a mini USB connector where you should connect the mini part of the USB cable you prepared earlier. Other end of the USB cable goes to USB connector on your computer. When you have connected both ends of the USB cable, power up your PSP if it is turned off (it doesn’t matter if it was already powered on). Now head to USB Connection option in the Setting menu. Second or two later, you should be prompted on your computer that new device has been connected.

Step 3 ~ Browse PSP on your computer

If you have completed previous two steps, your computer should assign PSP a drive letter and it should appear in Windows Explorer (or your favorite file manager) as new drive (just beneath your Hard Disks in folder list). The drive letter assigned to your PSP could vary on the number of the drive letter you already got assigned. It should probably be the last drive. Now browse to PSP (newly assigned drive letter) and open it. You should see a folders like these:

MP_ROOT
MUSIC
PICTURE
PSP
VIDEO

If some folders are missing do not worry. This is just an example and not all folders are required in order for your PSP to work normally. If some folders are missing, they can be created manually, or your PSP should do so when you format your Memory Stick.

Conclusion

Voila! Your PSP is now connected to your computer, and you are ready to transfer files to your PSP!