SUMSFUN - Clever maths games for your child's PSP
PlayStation, PLAYSTATION, and PSP are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. "Memory Stick" is a trademark of Sony Corporation. Flash is a trademark of Adobe.

Disclaimer: Please note that advice on this site may be out of date or just plain wrong. Please proceed carefully and if in doubt see the official Sony instructions.

CONNECTING TO THE INTERNET

IMPORTANT. SUMS software is stored locally on the memory stick of the PSP - so you do not have to connect when you are using SUMS.

You might be connecting to the internet for one of the following reasons:
a) To enable Flash (only needed on PSP versions older than the Slim and Lite)
b) To upgrade your firmware version so that your system can support Flash (very old PSPs)
c) To browse the internet.

In the first two cases, the instructions given elsewhere on this site will have taken you to the first page of creating a 'Connection'. If you are not already being prompted for a connection, go to Network Settings on the top level menu and then select Infrastructure Mode.

If you already have a Connection setup, then simply press it to connect. You can then continue to do whatever you need to - i.e. enable Flash, upgrade your firmware, or browse the web.

If not, then you need to create a connection.

The easiest method (and the only one covered here) is to use a WIRELESS NETWORK. If you don't have one in your home, why not visit one of the thousands of WIRELESS HOTSPOTS that are already set up in public locations.

A number of steps follow.

a) ENTERING THE CONNECTION NAME

This normally already has a default name, like Connection1. Unless you plan to use different networks at different times, why not just accept the default name.

Now use the right arrow key to move on. You should get to a screen called WLAN settings.

b) WLAN SETTINGS

If you have a home wireless network then you already know the settings. If it is a third party wireless setup (e.g. in a shopping mall) then the information is usually supplied to you, possibly when you pay for time on the service.

There are an initial three options as follows.

Scan.

This will look for the SSID of local networks (e.g. OFFICE). Aparently SSID stands for Service Set Identifier. It is a simple name that identifies which wireless network you are to connect to - that is, it prevents you logging onto your neighbour's wireless network by mistake.
Enter manually

Use this if you know the name of your network and want to simply type it in.
Automatic

Use if automatic setup is supported by your wireless network.

Assuming you use Scan, the PSP says "Scanning. Please wait ...". The chances are that the next message is as follows.

"A connection error has occurred. The WLAN switch is not turned on."

All that this means is that you need to look on the bottom of the lefthand side of the PSP and slide the metallic switch a few millimetres upwards. If you try using Scan now, and assuming you are in reach of one or more wireless networks, you will be asked to "Select the access point to be used."

Press enter (X) to select your network.

c) Entering the SSID
 At this point your SSID should have automatically been entered, but if not you may be asked to enter it. If so, you at a text entry screen - see picture below.

Use the lefthand arrows to move about. Once you are in the rectangle with the letter you need, simply press enter (X) which will move through the letters or other options in order. Once you have the one you want highlighted, press the transparent button at the very top, right of the PSP. So, if your SSID name is OFFICE , go to the MNO6 rectangle, then press the X key three times, and the tranparent button once, and you have the 'M' etc.

Once you have entered the name you want, move to the ENTER rectangle (green, at the top of the entry screen) and do X.
d) WLAN Security Settings
 There are 4 possible types of security: None, WEP, WPA-PSK(TKIP), WPA-PSK(AES). Assuming that there is some security set, you will next be asked for the WEP Key or the PSK key. Essentially, this is the password to the network. Once again, you need to go to the feared text entry screen and type in the Key.
e) Saving the settings
 Once you have entered the SSID and the key (password) then you are asked to save the settings. Now at last you can test the connection. The PSP tells you whether you have been successful or not.