If it came with 4.01 already installed, you might have problems with that. It is possible you have a TA-088v3 motherboard which cannot be downgraded at this time-even with a pandora battery.
There is a TA-088v3 indentifier program that was released, however you need a psp already running custom firmware to use it.
So aside from taking the psp apart to check the motherboard there is not an alternative. I imagine that in due time that motherboard will have the capability of being hacked.
I don't have one at the moment-however a google search of "TA-088v3 identifier" will yield you the same results. Again, you need a psp already running custom firmware in order to use that identifier program.
In the meantime, you are pretty much stuck. I would take the psp back to wherever you got it from-get your money back, and then buy a used one from craigslist or the like. Better yet, get a used one that has already been modded-there are plenty of them out there.Some even come with extras (games,memory sticks,cases,etc.) That way, you save yourself the hassle of having to attempt making a magic memory stick, and subsequently having to purchase a pandora battery.
Another option is to locate someone in your area that does psp modding and see if they can run the pandora on your psp-Usually people that do that only charge anywhere from $10-$20 for the service,if they can't get your psp running custom firmware, then in most cases, there is no charge.
i got my PSP SLIM 2000 desember'08
and it has the software version of 4.01 too..T.T
i tried to bring my PSP to be downgraded to some stores..and it could not..
how about u'r PSP? can it be downgrade?thanks...