PSP Noob

Just saw some reviews for FFVII:Crisis Core and it looks ace...I'm considering getting a PSP very soon...
I have a few questions first though...To run PSP ISO's on your PSP, is it just a case of updating to the correct firmware
and transfering the ISO's over...?
Or is there something more to it ?I can't seem to find a decent guide for tech-tards like myself...
(If possible could someone give me a link to one)...
Although my questions have probably been answered on RU before,
frankly I don't have the time to trawl through the sea of topics....Any help would be appreciated....
But please note if you offer help now, you're doomed to
answer my psp related questions for all eternity ;D

Here's a tutorial on how to upgrade firmware. http://www.wikihow.com/Upgrade-Your-PSP-Firmware

Should I upgrade to the latest firmware, or should I use custom firmware ?
Will Sony latest firmware allow me to play ISO's(FFVII Crisis Core mainly) or do I need to be using custom firmware ?When I have compatible firmware, is it a case of just transfering ISO's to a memory stick and playing them ?

I believe playing downloaded games requires a custom firmware.

Yes you need to have custom firmware not made by Sony, I don't think they support people downloading games and playing them without paying :P Then you can put the iso on a memory stick as you said and play them. Make sure you have a firmware that is compatible with most games, such as 3.77 for the Phat and I think the Slim uses 1.5. Have a look online for each custom firmware.

OK...I got a second hand PSP, and it's running firmware 3.1...Does anyone know, is the Lumines exploit the only way to downgrade....?
Or is there another ?

You need Custom Firmare, this is modifed system software that unlocks the PSP to run homebrew and ISO.If you have 3.50 use Lumines, 3.03 GTA LCS, 2.71 use HEND. If you have under then upgrade then down grade (example, you have 2.00, upgrade to 2.71 and downgrade; 2.80 upgrade to 3.03; 3.10 upgrade to 3.50).If you have higher than 3.50 or dont have GTA LCS/Lumines and higher than 3.03/3.50 (or slim), use Pandora's Battery

Replying to #7

Yeah thanks....
I upgraded to 3.5, so I'm just waiting to get my hands on a copy of Lumines
so I can downgrade to 1.5 and then go to custom firmware....I may make myself a pandora's battery in case of bricking anyway....

Replying to #8

You maybe sholdnt have did that, Lumines is hard to find, also what if for some magic reason a 3.30 downgrader came out that didnt need Lumines, then at 3.50 ur screwed but had you stayed at 3.10 you could upgrade to 3.30! Just an example...

Replying to #9

I can just get Lumines on amazon....