Hacking Acekard 2i won't read on Nintendo DSi (1.3u)

[backseatdog]

Hello, I'm not sure what the problem is.

I have an Acekard 2i and it will not read on my friend's nintendo dsi (firmware 1.3u). It works perfectly on my nintendo ds lite and even on my nintendo 3DS. But when I put the cart into the dsi, it will not even read. It says no cart is inserted. The dsi works perfectly with real cartridges.

I don't think it is a contact issue either. Should I update the dsi? Will that work?

I'm using an acekard 2i with all the latest updates (i'm pretty sure, got it from acekard's front page) and I even use the panasonic formatter on the microsd. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[tatripp]

I don't know the solution but updating the dsi is not what you want to do. Maybe you have to update the firmware on the card. It is weird that it works with a 3ds but not a dsi. I think there is a thing called a phantom hack that allowed it to be played on my dsi, but i'm not sure.

 

[s4mid4re]

If it's working on a 3ds, it's already supposed to support up to dsi v1.4 (or something close to that), even without updating the cart.

I believe it is a contact issue. Have you tried these solutions?

 

[backseatdog]

I don't know the solution but updating the dsi is not what you want to do. Maybe you have to update the firmware on the card. It is weird that it works with a 3ds but not a dsi. I think there is a thing called a phantom hack that allowed it to be played on my dsi, but i'm not sure.

Can you link me to where I should go to find the update on the card?

If it's working on a 3ds, it's already supposed to support up to dsi v1.4 (or something close to that), even without updating the cart.

I believe it is a contact issue. Have you tried these solutions?

I really don't think it is a contact issue, but I will give it a shot, thank you.

 

[Janthran]

Sounds like a contact issue to me.

 

[Another World]

if it works in 2 systems but not the 3rd, its a contact issue. especially because you said it works on the 3ds, which means it is updated enough to work on the 1.3 dsi firmware.

just slip in a thin bit of magazine paper behind the pcb.

-another world

 

[backseatdog]

Oh god, I have to eat my words. The paper trick worked, but I had to fold two pieces of printer paper for it to work.

The problem is, the acekard is for a child. I know they will eventually pull on the paper and then it won't read again and I won't be around to help her. Any ideas to make sure that doesn't happen.

EDIT:

Oh god, nevermind again, I don't even need the paper trick.

I figured out how to do it. I just put in the cartridge and turn on the dsi. The menu will show no cartridge, but if I then move the cartridge upwards very carefully as to not dislodge it, like maybe a fifth of a centimeter upwards, it will load up onto the system.

Will doing this have any negative effect on the cartridge or dsi?

 

[s4mid4re]

Oh god, I have to eat my words. The paper trick worked, but I had to fold two pieces of printer paper for it to work.

The problem is, the acekard is for a child. I know they will eventually pull on the paper and then it won't read again and I won't be around to help her. Any ideas to make sure that doesn't happen.

EDIT:

Oh god, nevermind again, I don't even need the paper trick.

I figured out how to do it. I just put in the cartridge and turn on the dsi. The menu will show no cartridge, but if I then move the cartridge upwards very carefully as to not dislodge it, like maybe a fifth of a centimeter upwards, it will load up onto the system.

Will doing this have any negative effect on the cartridge or dsi?

I don't think there's any negativity in doing so, but if it's for a child, I don't think it'll be so wise making him/her touch the flashcart while in the dsi.

If you want a semi-permanent solution for the contact issue, you should try the other methods on the tk_saturn's thread (mostly the second method, which raises the contact portion of the ak2i by inserting some material under the contacts). I doubt anybody will be touching there.

 

[exangel]

Although this can be a little risky as it can cause your cart to get stuck if the tape is too thick, i had to use a piece of scotch tape on my first Ak2i's label side after a couple months when I started to get freezes due to contact issues, in addition to the piece of paper I had originally put between the cart and PCB.
I only had issues with using that cart on my DSi XL. The sliding the cart out thing slightly worked at first too, but eventually if there was any kind of flexing on my DSi XL unit during game play I was likely to have my game freeze also.

After a couple of these physical "patches" it's better to try to obtain a new cart than making it thicker every time. If you make it too thick not only can it get stuck, but it can cause the internal contacts in the cart slot to bend and be less likely to read other carts & legit carts in the future, My second AK2i unit and all the other DSi-compatible carts I wound up collecting had solid build quality and didn't require modification.

edit: clarity