Emulators don't work

yes. 1.51, 52, 5xxxx or any other one above 1.50 WILL NOT run any of the homebrew applications.

if me having firmware 1.52 has anything to do with it

Yes.

[Terdinglage]

Is it at all possible to downgrade from a firmware? Just curious.

people are trying, but not at this time..

that must really suck that you updated and cant run fun stuff on your psp

I recently read on another psp site that some people who are expirementing with ways of connecting your psp to memory sources besides just the duo have found that using their methods it is possibly to convert 1.5+s to even a 1.00 without any problems. They havent's released any work yet though but hang in there, seems there is hope.

link is www.psp-hacks.com