[DS] NDS/GBA Flashing/PassMe discussion

Anyone used the Extreme Flash Advance II set?
I'm curious about it, since it doesn't require one of those lame linkers to write or dump ROMs--you just copy them over onto it like a traditional flash disk. The main thing I'm concerned about is its battery--that is if it needs to be plugged into the PC to charge or if it can draw from the handheld.

Looking at grabbing it, since the 1Gb model is ~100 USD.

As a note, I do not have a GBA (just the NDS), nor am I interested in acquiring a PassMe as I do not need DS gameplay capability at the time.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I'm sure this is an intensely stupid question, but why do these things need batteries? Isn't it the same memory technology as USB pendrives? They don't seem to need batteries.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

It depends on the type of flash cart, but it needs batteries to protect its volitale memory (your save data), much like the NES, SNES, etc carts do. It doesn't quite work the same was as USB drives do.

Double Post:
I found something new an interesting while checking out some DS wikis.

Quote:

MK4-mini is a DS booting device from the NeoFlash with NoPass functionality. It is physically the same size as an original DS game card, does not require an original DS game card and does not need to be programmed.

MK4-mini has a switch on top so you can boot into GBA mode without taking it out of the DS slot. It also has a built in 2M EEPROM save chip, and can store game saves depending on which patcher you use.

Unlike the MAX Media Launcher, the DS sleep function should work with the MK4-mini in the DS slot.

NoPass is a bit different than PassMe technology. It's built like a NDS cart.

http://wiki.pocketheaven.com/MK4-mini

I was speaking idiomatically.

But you'd still need a GBA cart (Like NeoFlash) for it to get DS roms from, right?

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Yeah Sir VG, MK4 mini is sort of a test for MK4-SD version.

FELIPE NO

Just for anybody's curiosity who wants to test stuff:

http://www.ic2005.com/html/2005/show-49.htm - NEO MK4-Mini ($50)
http://www.divineo.com/cgi-bin/div-us/dd-ds-pssc - Passcard (NoPass system, alternate to the item above) - $25

The biggest difference between the two is that the MK4 has some RAM in it and supports brightness adjustment. But with either one, you will need a GBA flash cart.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

So I've worked out how to flash a DS Lite off by heart. It's really simple when you know how.

Put the supercard and passcard/superkey/whatever in your DS. Take battery cover off, give your DS power from your charger. Turn on your DS. Run flashme.nds, press XBXB, stick a flathead/cigarette-style tinfoil into the gap to bridge SL1 to SL2. Wait about a minute. When it's at 100%, you're done. Take everything out and enjoy not needing a pass-anything/key-anything in your DS slot.

But the Superkey which has been released on the 15th of June bypasses the flashing process entirely, so it's not like you're obligated to do it. Then, patch a .nds rom with the Supercard software client, export it to your desktop (it'll create two files), stick them on an SD card, stick that into your Supercard, and run it on your DS.

That's basically it, from what I can understand. I might be importing (from america) a Superkey and mini SD Supercard. I'll worry about getting a mini SD card itself once these have arrived. Then I can either 1) Flash my DS Lite, which means it can't be bricked in the future (redeemed useless) or 2) Keep my DS Lite unflashed, and play titles with the use of the Superkey.

This is not without it's high price tag, though. Especially for importers (which is most people, since this isn't stuff play-asia or lik-sang sell) but I can't wait to play Zoo Keeper on my DS. I mean, $33 for a used DS title which I can play in gf's arcade? No thanks.

Thanks to dgemu, I'm not going to be short of games to try out. I already have my future play-asia purchases lined up.

How ya doing, buddy?

Nobody answered my question

Does the M3 work on a GBA?

There's nowhere I can't reach.

yes, it works on everything except pre-gba

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Sifting through all the techno babble that I don't understand... when playing these roms, is it still possible to play online?

I have a DS lite, I'm assuming there are less options available for that right now.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

While I've personally haven't tested anything online based, I see no reason why it shouldn't, unless you are using old versions of FlashMe (FlashMe writes to the BIOS of the DS, as does something related to online functions, and older versions of FlashMe clashed with this). As long as you don't reflash your cart or change your DS, your friend code remains the same as well.

Granted this is all speculation.

I was speaking idiomatically.

From what I gather, using the PassCard or the SuperKey allows you to play online, because those don't change anything of the DS kernel. PassKey 1 and 2 do, though, so you won't be able to play online.

Not sure if multiplayer works anyway.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

I just got my M3 CF + PassKey 2 for my DS Lite. However I am having issues with the M3's built-in emulation. All of the DS roms I converted to my CF card run perfectly fine but I can't get anything else running - GBA/GBC/GB roms do not work at all, and I've tried a handful of Japanese PC-Engine roms to no avail. Is there something I'm missing or probably doing wrong?

FELIPE NO

You need to patch the GBA roms to cooperate with the supercard, apparently.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

OK I'm a fool. GBA roms + anything else that's not a DS rom must be run in GBA mode (press start at the main menu if you're in DS mode).

I know that to even get emulators running on a portable system is an amazing feat in and of itself, but as far as playablility goes, the PC-Engine emulator runs slow as hell, if it will run the roms at all. I'm also disappointed that GBC roms are not supported (if I'm not mistaken?), only GB mono/GBA roms will run.

Edit: Upon further review I've found that playing with the Passkey2 inserted is a huge pain in the ass, almost to the point where it's unplayable. The thing is just very poorly designed, with the DS card exposed and hanging at a slight angle underneath the system. It makes the DS Lite much heavier and is prone to popping out from the DS slot entirely, freezing your game and forcing you to reinsert it and restart.

I am definitely going to run Flashme and be rid of this monstrosity.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Shaolin, you can also use a NoPass device (as mentioned earlier in the thread). It's the same size as a NDS cart but works like a PassMe. I haven't tested either one, but they look really cool.

I'm thinking of getting one myself because I agree, using a PassMe/PassMe2 is a pain in the ass. It's just an alternative if you don't want to flash your system.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Bump.

So is the MaxMedia dock basically a Flash Cart?

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by nabhan

Bump.

So is the MaxMedia dock basically a Flash Cart?

Uh, I'm not sure but I don't think so. I wouldn't get one because they only fit the original DS so you'll never be able to get yourself a DS Lite if you wanted to, you know, in the future.

I have a supercard at the moment, and while it sticks out I don't really care. It isn't that much of a problem, and since I'll be buying any games which I really enjoy, it's a good investment.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Sorry, prepare yourself for a n00btacular post...(I can't help but be a n00b here, I'm so confused)

I want to play DS ROMS on my DS (Version 2), and I don't want this passkey or whatever thing sticking obtrusively out of my DS all the time, which means I want to flash the firmware..?

Basically, what are all the names of the equipment I'll need to flash and them play ROMS on my DS? I'm looking for the most compatible, big card by the way. Oh, and how do you transfer the ROMS from your computer to the DS?

/n00bness

I was speaking idiomatically.

You'll still need some type of PassMe device initially to flash your DS.

As for what's compatible, I don't have the "absolute" best DS cart though. I'll leave that to somebody else. As for how you transfer, it depends on what you get. Either you'll have some device to plug your GBA cart into via USB, or a flash cart device.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Muzza

Sorry, prepare yourself for a n00btacular post...(I can't help but be a n00b here, I'm so confused)

I want to play DS ROMS on my DS (Version 2), and I don't want this passkey or whatever thing sticking obtrusively out of my DS all the time, which means I want to flash the firmware..?

Basically, what are all the names of the equipment I'll need to flash and them play ROMS on my DS? I'm looking for the most compatible, big card by the way. Oh, and how do you transfer the ROMS from your computer to the DS?

/n00bness

Use a PassCard, it has the same size as a DS card and it's compatible with all DS models.

That, or a SuperKey. Haven't tested either yet (mainly because of a fun lack of DS hardware to try them out with) but I've heard good things about 'em.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Muzza

Basically, what are all the names of the equipment I'll need to flash and them play ROMS on my DS?

Supercard mini SD
mini SD card
mini SD adaptor
mini SD reader
Superkey/Passcard
Software program

As for names, that's basically what you need.

Most amazing jew boots

I ordered my PassCard 3 and G6 Lite today. Cost me a grand total of £80.

This had better be worth it.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Any reports on the PassCard 3?

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Krelian

I ordered my PassCard 3 and G6 Lite today. Cost me a grand total of £80.

This had better be worth it.

Krelian, on average, how many NDS games would you say you can fit on the G6?

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.