POPSLoader Installation

POPSLoader Installation Guide

Which package?

Use the official POPSLoader 1.2.3 release for the currently released stable line. Its ZIP uses the legacy PS1_POPSLOADER/ root layout; it does not include PR #600's new Ember integration or its separate PSU.

The updated installation layout below is available now in the rolling Ember development package, merged through PR #600. Download PS1_POPSLOADER.zip or PS1_POPSLOADER.psu from the rolling prerelease. Do not mistake successful build tests for hardware approval.

Development ZIP deployment

Extract PS1_POPSLOADER.zip onto your storage device, retaining the directory names:

APPS/
  PS1_POPSLOADER/
    POPSLOADER.ELF
    POPSTARTER.ELF
    icon.sys
    list.icn
    copy.icn
    del.icn
    title.cfg
    APPINFO.PBT
POPS/                   RiptOPL-matched POPStarter files and device support
EMBER/
  ember.elf
  LICENSE-BETA.txt
  games/
    ExampleGame/
      ExampleGame.cue
      ExampleGame.bin
PS1_POPSLOADER.psu       alternative installation of the APPS application only

Copy APPS/PS1_POPSLOADER/ to the application location used by your launcher; alternatively import PS1_POPSLOADER.psu with a PS2 PSU-capable save manager. You do not copy the PSU as a directory, and it contains no nested folder: its PS2 save header is named PS1_POPSLOADER, with eight direct file entries. The ELF inside is POPSLOADER.ELF.

Place the POPS/ and EMBER/ trees at the supported device root, not inside the memory-card application save. The package includes homebrew and config assets, not proprietary Sony POPS.ELF, POPS.PAK, POPS_IOX.PAK, IOPRP252.IMG, PlayStation BIOS, or commercial disc images. Supply anything required from your own legally acquired sources.

Game formats

POPS/POPStarter uses POPS/<game>.VCD. Ember uses EMBER/games/<GameFolder>/<disc>.cue and matching .bin track(s), or other formats explicitly supported by the Ember version. The provided ExampleGame.bin is zero bytes and is not a playable demonstration game; replace or delete the example folder. Ember also requires your own 512 KiB EMBER/bios.bin, which is not redistributed.

Read the Ember Core page for settings, library scanning and current limitations. STATE.md remains authoritative for live compatibility.