Hacking *fake* new R4ds (update-II) slot-one cartridge

[thieves like us]

I recently received what appears to be the latest incarnation of the R4DS slot-one card. It was purchased from amazon.com (I needed one fast) for a friend.

Initial differences are as follows:
- firmware is different. they are now using a different encrypted firmware which is currently at 1.16 (english version). Firmwares are not compatible between this version and the older R4's
- the case has gone back to using a spring loaded micro ds slot
- this new version supposedly supports SDHC memory cards up to 4gb in size (however, I don't have one on-hand to test out)
- the chip on the pc board is larger, requiring a hole cut into the top half of the shell (underneath the sticker). additionally, a holographic sticker on the back of the cart marked as "2008" covers the screw to separate the halves of the shell.
- the vanes between the contacts are back.
- they have a new website (click here) for the new firmware

I'll take some pictures tonight and post them.

 

[SkH]

What the...??!!

Please post the pics, I'm curious about this...

Also, what box it was in? Not plastic?

 

[santorix10]

Well, I can't say this was unexpected...

Also, the site has nothing new on it.

Amazon.com link: Here

 

[CockroachMan]

Amazon sells R4?

Woah.. they really are! Flashcards are really getting popular.. well, it's nice to see the R4 team updating it, but I'm happy with my old one with regular micro SD.. 1GB is enough for me..

 

[Hit]

How come your post is in terrible quality for a news post

 

[fischju]

SDHC**

 

[BionicC]

The whois details for r4dsl.net and r4ds.com are completely different.

The whois details for r4dsl.net and dsn5.com are virtually identical.

My guess is you've been ripped off.

 

[janitormane]

Sounds like an EZV ripoff

 

[santorix10]

The whois details for r4dsl.net and r4ds.com are completely different.

The whois details for r4dsl.net and dsn5.com are virtually identical.

My guess is you've been ripped off.

Might be, since it looks like whoever just ripped the current R4 site. If the R4 team wanted a placeholder, I'd think they'd use an "Under Construction" sign.

 

[stonefry]

I don't think the R4 team would release a product with the same name that uses different firmware. How can you tell which firmware to put on it when a new version comes out?

 

[MaHe]

Dude, at least you could work on your spelling, if this is front-page news.

Anyways, as BionicC already pointed out, you've been ripped off.

 

[Costello]

Sorry jim this is not a real R4. I just asked the R4 guys.
Just a rip off (another device using the R4 name without authorization...)

 

[ThomasWii]

It better be a clone, i don't want updates for the r4 to stop.

 

[Exort]

Just wondering, even if it's not the real thing, does it actually works ?

 

[perimbean]

WoW! To think Amazon sells *fake* R4ds....

 

[jenngcia]

I'll guess it's third party on Amazon.

 

[thieves like us]

Just wondering, even if it's not the real thing, does it actually works ?

it appears to work just fine. the only thing that I couldn't do was use any of the firmware updates from the original r4ds.net website (you have to use the one from the site that I posted in my original post or from the enclosed disc).

btw, the packaging looks identical to the original R4DS packaging with the exception that it says "R4 - Upgrade II" on the front of the box. other than the fact that the *fake* (as people are labeling it) R4 cart itself came in a clear clamshell plastic case with no wriststrap. all of the packaging looked identical to what I've received before. even the mini-cd looked the same.

 

[Jay Boy]

I'd be interested to see the pictures.

 

[iq_132]

You can use the latest R4 firmware, you'll just need to decrypt it first.

 

[iisdev]

post deleted by author.
reason: CNET affiliation