Hacking Hardware Homebrew Project DS Lite Bricked after trying to install the TV Out mod

[Wokann]

Like I said, this is the 2nd time this happened. After buying a new BIOS chip the first time, it worked fine, so it's definitely a firmware issue.

I can buy another BIOS chip and try again. One thing I noticed, in the instructions you wrote earlier:


I installed flashme_v8a_noauto to my flashcart, but I may not have ran it on the DS to flash the CFW. The instructions on the site were pretty vague on this. I will try this when I try again on the new BIOS chip.

Thank you for all of your help.

So you just put flashme_v8a_noauto.nds into r4, but not ran it? and haven't short the SL1?
Then you use dsbf_dump.nds to dump firmware and applied tvout.ips into dumped firmware?
And then used fwmanager.nds to flash patched firmware with SL1 short?

 

[MikeyLORR]

So you just put flashme_v8a_noauto.nds into r4, but not ran it? and haven't short the SL1?
Then you use dsbf_dump.nds to dump firmware and applied tvout.ips into dumped firmware?
And then used fwmanager.nds to flash patched firmware with SL1 short?

Yes, I believe this is what I did.

 

[Wokann]

Yes, I believe this is what I did.

THAT is exactly where the problem is.
TVout patch is based on flashme cfw.
What you did is appling tvout patch on offical firmware. This borken your offical firmware.
And why failsafe function doesn't work is clear now. No flashme, so no failsafe.

 

[MikeyLORR]

THAT is exactly where the problem is.
TVout patch is based on flashme cfw.
What you did is appling tvout patch on offical firmware. This borken your offical firmware.
And why failsafe function doesn't work is clear now. No flashme, so no failsafe.

That makes sense, that's my fault for not following it correctly
I ordered another BIOS chip, I'm gonna try it again and do it right this time, I will let you know what happens.

 

[TheStonedModder]

Doesn't work... I'll have to buy another BIOS chip. I have no idea what I did wrong both times to cause this, I followed these instructions exactly. Do these instructions seem off to you?

Does the cart at least boot into a black menu/blank screen without error?

If so, the card is updating. Leave it like that for like 10 minutes (idk how long it should take so longer is better)

I’ve fixed 2 unbootable cards this way

 

[MikeyLORR]

THAT is exactly where the problem is.
TVout patch is based on flashme cfw.
What you did is appling tvout patch on offical firmware. This borken your offical firmware.
And why failsafe function doesn't work is clear now. No flashme, so no failsafe.

Hello again, I finally got another BIOS chip (it took a long time to ship). I tried installing v8a_flashme_noauto.nds onto my DS, but it doesn't seem to work. It's getting stuck on the loading screen (When I select it in the R4 menu, the top screen just says "loading", and the bottom screen is just black). I'm not sure if I'm doing anything wrong. I double checked the hash of the file and it's correct. I'm able to open any other game on my R4.

 

[Wokann]

Hello again, I finally got another BIOS chip (it took a long time to ship). I tried installing v8a_flashme_noauto.nds onto my DS, but it doesn't seem to work. It's getting stuck on the loading screen (When I select it in the R4 menu, the top screen just says "loading", and the bottom screen is just black). I'm not sure if I'm doing anything wrong. I double checked the hash of the file and it's correct. I'm able to open any other game on my R4.

you can try to install other kernel such as ysmenu into r4, or install twilightmenu++ to boot v8a_flashme.nds

 

[MikeyLORR]

you can try to install other kernel such as ysmenu into r4, or install twilightmenu++ to boot v8a_flashme.nds

I tried both ysmenu and twilightmenu++, and both don't seem to work on my flashcart. When I start the flashcart it has the "Menu?" error. I'm using an R4 SDHC Gold Pro 2018

 

[Wokann]

I tried both ysmenu and twilightmenu++, and both don't seem to work on my flashcart. When I start the flashcart it has the "Menu?" error. I'm using an R4 SDHC Gold Pro 2018

that means you don't put correct r4 kernel file into sd card. you may ask where you bought this r4 flashcart to get it or try kernel file from internet.
Also, you mentioned above that you could still play the other games, which means you at least had the r4 kernel at the time. Did you delete the original kernel files when you tried to install ysmenu or twilightmenu?
try back to the original kernel file into your sd card, and follow the install guide for twilghtmenu. use the normal r4 to boot twilightmenu and boot flashme.nds in twilightmenu.

 

[MikeyLORR]

that means you don't put correct r4 kernel file into sd card. you may ask where you bought this r4 flashcart to get it or try kernel file from internet.
Also, you mentioned above that you could still play the other games, which means you at least had the r4 kernel at the time. Did you delete the original kernel files when you tried to install ysmenu or twilightmenu?
try back to the original kernel file into your sd card, and follow the install guide for twilghtmenu. use the normal r4 to boot twilightmenu and boot flashme.nds in twilightmenu.

Thank you for the help. I was looking at a different page for the instructions. I got Twilight Menu++ to open on my R4. I tried running v8_flashme, but when I start flashing, it just stays on 0%. I'm shorting the SL1, and I know it should work because it worked when I tried fwmanager. Could it be a software issue?

 

[Wokann]

Thank you for the help. I was looking at a different page for the instructions. I got Twilight Menu++ to open on my R4. I tried running v8_flashme, but when I start flashing, it just stays on 0%. I'm shorting the SL1, and I know it should work because it worked when I tried fwmanager. Could it be a software issue?

Perhaps the short circuit of SL1 is still not functioning properly? I also conducted a practical test, and it can indeed be raised to 100% normally.

 

[Skelletonike]

I've bricked several DS Lites back in the day while replacing the screens, that reminds me I need to buy some more fuses, still have a couple of broken ones I need to fix someday.

 

[SylverReZ]

I've bricked several DS Lites back in the day while replacing the screens, that reminds me I need to buy some more fuses, still have a couple of broken ones I need to fix someday.

I'm not sure what it is, but it's common to find second-hand broken DS Lites as compared to DS fats which work. They seem to revolve around the ribbon cables from my experience.

 

[Skelletonike]

I'm not sure what it is, but it's common to find second-hand broken DS Lites as compared to DS fats which work. They seem to revolve around the ribbon cables from my experience.

That too, in my case the ones I broke was because as soon as the screen touches the board, it's dead on arrival.

 

[MikeyLORR]

Perhaps the short circuit of SL1 is still not functioning properly? I also conducted a practical test, and it can indeed be raised to 100% normally.

I have good news and bad news.

The good news is, I was able get the short to work after soldering the SL1. I was able to patch flashme, and then continue with the firmware patch. I was able to get it all done with no problems. After that, I hooked up the TV out hardware (I'm using the Rhotronix 2.0 board). The bad news is, it looks like this:

I tried a few different things like changing the input on my TV, unplugging and replugging all cables, and making sure everything was inserted correctly. If you look closely, the color looks normal for about 2 or 3 frames before going back to this. Do you think I should try to change something with the hardware or software?
Either way, I'm really glad I got this working in some capacity, and I'm very thankful for all of your help so far.

Also, this is the AV cable I am using: https://a.co/d/cxo2LNT

 

[Wokann]

I have good news and bad news.

The good news is, I was able get the short to work after soldering the SL1. I was able to patch flashme, and then continue with the firmware patch. I was able to get it all done with no problems. After that, I hooked up the TV out hardware (I'm using the Rhotronix 2.0 board). The bad news is, it looks like this:
View attachment 553778

I tried a few different things like changing the input on my TV, unplugging and replugging all cables, and making sure everything was inserted correctly. If you look closely, the color looks normal for about 2 or 3 frames before going back to this. Do you think I should try to change something with the hardware or software?
Either way, I'm really glad I got this working in some capacity, and I'm very thankful for all of your help so far.

Also, this is the AV cable I am using: https://a.co/d/cxo2LNT

It may be related to the hardware motherboard for video output. When I purchased the video output motherboard, the device was offered in versions with and without a 75r terminating resistor, with the latter being said to be suitable for older TVs. This suggests that different TV devices may require different output settings for proper functioning.
You can try using a modern LCD TV to test your current video output board.

 

[MikeyLORR]

It may be related to the hardware motherboard for video output. When I purchased the video output motherboard, the device was offered in versions with and without a 75r terminating resistor, with the latter being said to be suitable for older TVs. This suggests that different TV devices may require different output settings for proper functioning.
You can try using a modern LCD TV to test your current video output board.

I used an LCD TV and it works perfectly. Unfortunate that it doesn't work on a CRT, maybe I can look into getting a new board. Regardless, it finally works now. Again, thank you so much for all of your help!