How to dump your own 3DS/DS games/saves.

There's three different ways to dump your own 3DS/DS games/saves.
(The tools used to dump 3DS/DSi games are not currently public.)

• WiFi
  • PROS
    • Only needs a Slot-1 card.
  • CONS
    • Needs WiFi set up to let the DS connect, which isn't always possible.
    • Needs you to run a server program on your computer, which might mean you need to dig around in your firewall settings.
    • Slow transfer speeds (hours for the larger games).
    • Will not work on a DSi/XL.
    • Does not work with any DSi games.
    -
• Slot-2
  • PROS
    • Can be done without wireless.
  • CONS
    • Requires a Slot-2 flash card in addition to a slot-1.
    • Won't work if the internal battery is dead.
    • Will not work on a 3DS/DSi/XL.
    • Does not work with any DSi games.
    -
• Hardware
  • PROS
    • Backs up any save.
    • Fast backup speeds.
    • Doesn't require a specific DS model.
    • Works on all known DS games AND current-known 3DS games.
  • CONS
    • Doesn't dump the ROM.
    • Requires you to buy some hardware.
    • Uses unsigned drivers, so you may need to fiddle with some windows settings to use it.
    • Does not work with DSi games.

-

Spoiler: WiFi

The tool used to dump games is Wood Dumper.

1. Transfer that file to your Slot-1 flash card.
2. Run it.
3. When it tells you to "Set a target card", take your Slot-1 flash cart out and put the actual game cart in.
4. Press A, and then look for an IP address on the top screen.
5. Go to your computer, and open Firefox3+, IE8+ or Chrome 5+.
6. In the address bar, type "ftp://", then the IP address listed on the DS, followed by a colon, then the number 21. For example something like ftp://192.168.2.4:21.
7. If in firefox you get a message that the port is blocked, you need to unblock port 21. If not, skip this step.
   • In the address bar, type "about:config" with no quotes and press enter.
   • Agree to the warning.
   • Right-click in the window and choose New -] String.
   • For the name, type "network.security.ports.banned.override" with no quotes.
   • For the value, use "21" with no quotes.
   • Restart firefox and try again.
8. Just press enter if it asks you for a username and password.
9. The screen that shows up should list the game as a file. Click it to start downloading it from the DS.

-

The tool used to dump game saves depends...
For 3DS saves, you will need DSaveManager.

For normal DS saves, the tool is NDS Backup Tool WiFi.
(For Heartgold/Soulsilver/Black/White, you need this tool.)
You will also need SmallFTPd 1.0.3.

1. Transfer both the program and it's .INI file to your flash cart.
2. Find your computer's internal/local IP address. In your start/globe menu, go to the "run" command. If you're on vista/7, you'd use the little white box near the bottom. Type in "CMD" and press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER. In the black box that comes up, type "ipconfig" and press enter. It'll list a series of four numbers as your IP(v4) address, like 192.168.2.3. Write those down.
3. Edit the .INI file that comes with the backup program. You can edit it with a text editor like notepad. Change the IP address to the one you found in the previous step, and change the port number from 21 to 8080. Change both the user name and password to "test" with no quotes. Save the changes.
4. You may need to go into your firewall or other security program and allow access on port 8080.
5. Open SmallFTPd.
6. Go to Settings - General, and set the port to 8080.
7. Go to Settings - Advanced, and check "use local IP".
8. Go to Settings - Users. Choose to add one, and make sure it's username and password are both "test" with no quotes. For "directories", use "c:\temp" (no quotes) as the physical path. Give the user permissions LRW.
9. Save the settings.
10. Click the play button, and the server should start.
11. Run the backup tool on your DS/Lite.
12. It should connect to your computer. If it does not, double-check your settings and security software.
13. Take your flash cart out of your DS.
14. Put the real game in your DS and then press A.
15. Press B to dump the save.

Spoiler: Slot-2

The tool used depends on which Slot-2 cart you have.

If you have an EZFlash 3in1 the tool to dump games (a.k.a. Rom Backup) and backup saves is NDS Backup Tool 3in1. By default this tool will back up to /NDS_Backup though this location can be changed in the included INI file. It works by copying the original DS game or save data to the 3in1, then after a reboot it copies the backup from the 3in1 to a Slot-1 flash cart. DLDI patching may be required if your flash cart does not support automatic DLDI patching.

1. Download the tool from the link above and extract the NDS and INI files to the root of your flash cart.
2. (Optional) If you want to change the destination folder of the backup you can edit the INI file with your favorite text editor.
3. Make sure an EZFlash 3in1 card is in Slot-2 before you run the tool or it will give a warning and shutdown.
4. Follow the on screen instructions to swap the flash cart for an original game.
5. From here follow the on screen instructions. Backups are temporarily written to the EZFlash 3in1.
6. The DS should shutdown after a backup operation has completed.
7. Swap the original game for the flash cart and run the tool again to retrieve the backup from the EZFlash 3in1.

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If you have a Slot-2 flash cart with DLDI support like the Supercard Supercard, M3, or older model EZ4 (the newer models and kernels with SDHC support do not have DS mode and thus no dumping tools) you want Wood Dumper Slot-2

1. Download the tool and DLDI patch it for your Slot-2 cart.
2. Transfer it to your Slot-2 cart and run it.
3. Put the game you want to dump into your DS, and press A.
4. When it's completed you will find a DS rom with a datestamp in the root of your card.

-

For the save data of Heartgold/Soulsilver you need this tool for a 3-in-1.
There's another tool that works with other Slot-2 carts, but it's experimental for now, use it at your own risk.

Spoiler: Hardware

One piece of hardware is the NDS backup Adapter+ (plus, not normal). Unlike the original adapter (and other models) this supports newer games with various hardware changes, including Pokemon Heartgold and Pokemon Soulsilver, as well as 3DS games.
This device works by actually sticking a DS game cart into it, and then putting it into a USB port on your computer to back up or restore the game/save on it. It comes with the required software and a manual for using it, but this review includes more detailed instructions as well as information on getting the 64-bit drivers working if needed.

A second device is the NEO SMS4.

One final note: piracy is bad, don't do it. These programs and instructions were created for the legal owners of DS games to backup the games and save data.


Many thanks to Xastabus and FAST6191 for filling in the missing information.

 

[Vinnymac]

I have never backed saves up the ways listed, I have always used: http://wiki.gbatemp.net/wiki/ReinMoon
Good to know there are other ways

 

[Janthran]

Does Wood Dumper only work on a DS/Lite or can I use my 3DS?
I'm getting an error. :/

 

[Rydian]

Does Wood Dumper only work on a DS/Lite or can I use my 3DS?
I'm getting an error. :/

Most reports I've read indicates cart swapping doesn't work on a DSi or 3DS, I've tried once or twice with various programs only to end in failure, but one or two people have claimed it works for them.

 

[Janthran]

Does Wood Dumper only work on a DS/Lite or can I use my 3DS?
I'm getting an error. :/

Most reports I've read indicates cart swapping doesn't work on a DSi or 3DS, I've tried once or twice with various programs only to end in failure, but one or two people have claimed it works for them.

Any videos on that, or just random people saying it works?

 

[Rydian]

Does Wood Dumper only work on a DS/Lite or can I use my 3DS?
I'm getting an error. :/

Most reports I've read indicates cart swapping doesn't work on a DSi or 3DS, I've tried once or twice with various programs only to end in failure, but one or two people have claimed it works for them.

Any videos on that, or just random people saying it works?

The person who was making the in-DS save editor for pokemon games said it worked for him so there was some credence to that, but I never saw any proof and nobody else seemed able to get it working.

 

[hapse]

Kudos for making this thread backup'd my pkm black save

 

[rehevkor]

Apparently the rudolph's 3in1 dumper is out of date and produces bad dumps of modern games. Am I right in thinking the Wood Dumper is incomatible with the 3in1 (text files have not been explicit)? I've not been able to get it to work either way.

Not been able to get wifi dumping to work, apparently my router dislikes it.

Any better way to dump with a 3in1?

 

[Rydian]

The best up to date dumpers for DSi games and such aren't public.

For the router issue, you may need to check a setting in your router to allow devices to communicate across LAN, with some it's disabled by default to help prevent the spread of worms.

No clue on the 3-in-1, don't have the device myself (or a DS/Lite). Been wondering if anybody else is willing to take up this guide...

 

[loco365]

The best up to date dumpers for DSi games and such aren't public.

For the router issue, you may need to check a setting in your router to allow devices to communicate across LAN, with some it's disabled by default to help prevent the spread of worms.

No clue on the 3-in-1, don't have the device myself (or a DS/Lite). Been wondering if anybody else is willing to take up this guide...

I do have a 3-in-1, but I have heard DS dumping is a pain because it copies part of the rom to the memory, then it copies it to the flashcard, then you keep swapping back and forth and it's a tedious task.

It'll be nice when people can do Rom Dumping with a R4i Save Dongle.

 

[rehevkor]

3in1 dumping is tedious but seemed to be the best option. I have temporarily stripped security and the firewall settings from my home router and it now seems to be dumping.. fingers crossed.

 

[Snailface]

3in1 dumping is tedious but seemed to be the best option. I have temporarily stripped security and the firewall settings from my home router and it now seems to be dumping.. fingers crossed.

Total agreeance.
I've used the Wifi & 3in1 method and I much prefer the 3in1.
Wifi dumping is about 1MB/minute so a 128 ROM takes two bloody hours. Of course, that's best case scenario if the router doesn't act up.

 

[rehevkor]

Just finished a dump of a 256 mb game via wifi and it was surprisingly fast. Took under half an hour.

But still, the 3in1 method would have involved a lot less faffing about.

 

[Gregthree]

With thee gov't cracking down on the filesharing sites, I guess its time to backup my own. My quesion is, how long does it really take. I tried using Wood Dumper last night and after 6 hours I only got to 7 MB using Fire Fox. Is there a setting I am missing.
Greg

Correction. I rebooted the computer and had mujch better times. I see it does not like usingt he computer and dumping at the same time. I redid it and within 5 minutes I had 8MB dumped of the same game. SO it wasnt the program.

Next Correction. I am still having issues. I left my NDS and PC this morning at around 8 AM with 8 MB downloaded. Returned at 12:30 with 16MB downloaded. The only thing different is the I had outlook running. so what gives. Am I learning that no programs can be running while dumping. Can I use another PC to dump but will I still have problems because it is going thru the same router. I need to get up to speed on this. Anybody with info.

GOT IT

As it all turns out, I had the wrong version. Make sure you get the right version. I thought I did. It was r30. But I went back to Filetirp and started over. This time it was the correct wooddumper. I also had the best luck with ffirefox. Games DL fast.

 

[Pong20302000]

when i dump games i use wifi

wood dumper R85

and if part of data is missed / loose connection

you can get it to scan what part is missing and it will continue
or fix the underdumped header

 

[tomagig]

I have a DSi and original DS, using my DSi is there any way to backup the rom of my games to the SD card? Also is it legal to play my ROMs on my computer is I have bought the game first hand?

 

[Rydian]

You can't use the SD card slot with any sort of homebrew or flash cart, at all.

It's not legal to download ROMs like that. It's (supposedly) legal to back up your own, but as for playing them that's even more iffy. We've never heard of anybody getting in trouble for just that, though.

 

[isaac52]

So can i use this for kid icarus uprising's save file?

 

[Ashrow]

Okay, somebody run this by me and tell me where I screw up, because apparently I'm too stupid to follow simple instructions. I have a DS Lite, an Acekard 2i running the latest AKAIO, and an EZflash IV with its latest firmware.

1. I download Wood Dumper from DS-Scene at http://www.ds-scene....588f268dd71d1f0
2. I patch it with the DLDI patch for an EZ flash IV I got at http://chishm.drunkencoders.com/DLDI/
3. I put it on my Acekard, in a little folder I have filled with other apps as well. The folder path reads E://Apps/ind-wdr25.nds.
4. I insert both cards into my DS Lite, and boot up the Acekard.
5. I go to Apps and boot up the Wood Dumper Slot 2.
6. I switch DS carts like it says, and press A.
7. It sits at "card id: blahblahblah secure area ok" forever.

And that's it. No error messages, or anything of that ilk. What am I doing wrong?

 

[eggsample]

What for is EZ flash? Wood dumper is just for DS games and uses Slot-2 only.
Read full info and manual and do not use EZflash - it's useless.

 

[Chaz.]

All I can say is that NDS Adapter+ is actually amazing. Not had one problem and updates piece of cake. and for the price I paid it was well worth it. I reccomend it over the other 2 ways as it is so much more simpler.