This tutorial is for backing up LEGITIMATE, PAID-FOR items, not decrypting them or anything of the sort. This is only for backing up PSN purchases in the SAME FORM that you get them from PSN. No file conversion at all.
Please note: any games not installed through MediaGo before Sony removed the ability to download an install games through the application, cannot be installed through MediaGo. However, if you install a game using PSN > PSP download (yes, it still works. The Playstation Store will give you an error when you initially open it, but you can still
If you are having trouble copying games from your PS3 (or even playing PS3 games after they've been installed) due to error code 80029751, log into https://account.account.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com and turn off 2-Factor Authentication in your security settings. Log out of the Playstation Network on your PS3, and log back in with your normal password, rather than its Device Setup Password.
Be sure to turn 2FA back on after you're finished copying.
Sidenote: if you install PS3 games while 2FA is enabled, you may get the error code mentioned above when you try to play them. It'll probably give you some kind of message about making sure you're logged into the PSN account that purchased the game. Might be a good idea to install PS3 games with it off. At least during the "Activating..." step.
After I'm done backing up my PSP library, I'll update this with my findings.
September 19, 2021 Update: Sony closed the PSP store for good back in July. You can no longer purchase PSP games on the device itself, however, your Download List is still available, and should you choose to relive internet in 2006, you can totally activate a new system and install games that way. The PS3 Download List also works, for now. You should still be able to purchase PSP games through the PS3 and Vita stores for installation on the Vita, but I'm not sure if you can download them on the PSP or PS3. The final game for Vita shows up in my PS3 download list, but the download icon is greyed out, so...
For Media Go-Installed Games:
1.) Copy the game folder from \Media Go\PSP\Games on your PC to where you want to keep it, copy the MediaGo\AutoBackup\PSP\Licenses folder to the same place. This will backup ALL of your licenses for ALL games, DLC, and Themes you've used Media Go to install (I typically just copy all the files from this folder to ms0:/PSP/LICENSE whenever I have to restore games, as choosing to delete them in the XMB also deletes their license file on your MS).
For games downloaded straight to your PSP from the PSN, it's pretty much the same, the license file's just in a different place: copy the game's folder to where you want to keep it, then find the license file for the game on your MS (should be in PSP/LICENSE).
Themes are NOT backed up on your PC, whether you use Media Go or DL direct to the PSP, and must be backed up from the PSP's memory stick from PSP/THEME. The license file is still backed up to PC if you use Media Go, though
2.) Now, on your PSP, open the VSH Menu and change your USB DEVICE setting to Flash 2 and connect your PSP to your computer using a USB cable, navigate to your PSP's drive letter and open it. You should see a file named act.dat.
3.) Copy the file named act.dat to the same folder where you've copied your game folder(s) and license(s).
Now you have everything you need in case Sony decides to abandon PSP support on the PSN (which they will eventually. You know they will), or if it should go down again due to whatever unforeseen circumstances may arise.
To put the game(s) back on your MS, all you do is copy the game folder to ms0:/PSP/GAME, copy the license file(s) to ms0:/PSP/LICENSE.
If for some reason you need to restore your act.dat file, just follow the directions in Step 3 to change your USB device to Flash 2 (make sure you have write access to the drive, PRO CFWs have an option to block changes to flash1, 2, and 3, I believe), and copy/overwrite act.dat on your PSP.
After this there is no need for MediaGO, Sony, or anything else to re-install your games, themes, and DLC, and there should be no risk of a brick, as flash2 only contains the act.dat file. It works on my PSP-2000, at least. It's also a way to re-activate your PSP without Sony locking you out of PSN for 7 days (they do that if you use the Activate Device option 5 times or more in the entire LIFESPAN of the PSP). No need to even use the Activate option if you use this method. And MediaGo will read the PSP as activated as well.
Theoretically, you should also be able to use this method to "activate" a new PSP, as well, thus bypassing Son'y account device limits
Also, always having a copy of your license files on your MS removes MediaGo from having to sign into PSN (which it can no longer do) to copy the games to your MS. It'll simply copy them if the license file is on your memory stick.
For Media Go-Installed Games:
1.) Copy the game folder from \Media Go\PSP\Games on your PC to where you want to keep it, copy the MediaGo\AutoBackup\PSP\Licenses folder to the same place. This will backup ALL of your licenses for ALL games, DLC, and Themes you've used Media Go to install (I typically just copy all the files from this folder to ms0:/PSP/LICENSE whenever I have to restore games, as choosing to delete them in the XMB also deletes their license file on your MS).
For games downloaded straight to your PSP from the PSN, it's pretty much the same, the license file's just in a different place: copy the game's folder to where you want to keep it, then find the license file for the game on your MS (should be in PSP/LICENSE).
Themes are NOT backed up on your PC, whether you use Media Go or DL direct to the PSP, and must be backed up from the PSP's memory stick from PSP/THEME. The license file is still backed up to PC if you use Media Go, though
2.) Now, on your PSP, open the VSH Menu and change your USB DEVICE setting to Flash 2 and connect your PSP to your computer using a USB cable, navigate to your PSP's drive letter and open it. You should see a file named act.dat.
3.) Copy the file named act.dat to the same folder where you've copied your game folder(s) and license(s).
Now you have everything you need in case Sony decides to abandon PSP support on the PSN (which they will eventually. You know they will), or if it should go down again due to whatever unforeseen circumstances may arise.
To put the game(s) back on your MS, all you do is copy the game folder to ms0:/PSP/GAME, copy the license file(s) to ms0:/PSP/LICENSE.
If for some reason you need to restore your act.dat file, just follow the directions in Step 3 to change your USB device to Flash 2 (make sure you have write access to the drive, PRO CFWs have an option to block changes to flash1, 2, and 3, I believe), and copy/overwrite act.dat on your PSP.
After this there is no need for MediaGO, Sony, or anything else to re-install your games, themes, and DLC, and there should be no risk of a brick, as flash2 only contains the act.dat file. It works on my PSP-2000, at least. It's also a way to re-activate your PSP without Sony locking you out of PSN for 7 days (they do that if you use the Activate Device option 5 times or more in the entire LIFESPAN of the PSP). No need to even use the Activate option if you use this method. And MediaGo will read the PSP as activated as well.
Theoretically, you should also be able to use this method to "activate" a new PSP, as well, thus bypassing Son'y account device limits
Also, always having a copy of your license files on your MS removes MediaGo from having to sign into PSN (which it can no longer do) to copy the games to your MS. It'll simply copy them if the license file is on your memory stick.
