Hacking FAT Error & Getting an Acekard in the UK

[doodler]

Hi,

I've got a DS Lite and my Acekard 2 has just stopped working - the DS recognises it but when I try to load it, I just get "FAT error".

The microSDHC works in my friend's AceKard so I'm pretty sure my AceKard is dead.

I have a few questions and would be very grateful for some help:

1) Will an Acekard 2i work on my DS Lite or do I need to stick with an Acekard 2?

2) If I decide to buy a 3DS XL, will the same Acekard 2i work with that, and will I be able to play my old DS Lite games on it?

3) Where can I buy an Acekard in the UK? Google found acekardshop.co.uk and r4shop.co.uk - does anyone have any experience of these shops?

4) Are there any problems getting an Acecard sent to the UK if I bought one online from a shop abroad?

If not, are there any sites that are more recommended than others and have any UK people had recent experience buying an AceKard from abroad?

Hope you can help!

Thanks,

doodler

 

[Rydian]

1 - Yes, the 2i works just fine on older models, though it displays itself as a different game instead of Acekard (it does this to help fool the DSi/3DS into running it).

2 - Maybe. The AK2i stopped getting updates to make it work on later systems, so it only currently works up to a certain firmware version on the 3DS/XL, it doesn't work on the latest firmware. If you're going to get a 3DS, we suggest a different cart.
http://gbatemp.net/t290097-which-flash-cart-should-i-get

3 - Never used those. The UK banned flash carts, so just because a shop has a .uk domain doesn't mean it's actually in the UK, most shops simply import them to the UK.
http://shoptemp.net/ Use shoptemp to find shops and read reviews on them.

4 - Customs might intercept the package and destroy/keep it.

 

[Another World]

its been a VERY long time since i read about a FAT error. how old is your 2? what color is the PCB?

none of your answers are going to help fix the ak2, i was just curious =)

-another world

 

[doodler]

1 - Yes, the 2i works just fine on older models, though it displays itself as a different game instead of Acekard (it does this to help fool the DSi/3DS into running it).

2 - Maybe. The AK2i stopped getting updates to make it work on later systems, so it only currently works up to a certain firmware version on the 3DS/XL, it doesn't work on the latest firmware. If you're going to get a 3DS, we suggest a different cart.
http://gbatemp.net/t290097-which-flash-cart-should-i-get

3 - Never used those. The UK banned flash carts, so just because a shop has a .uk domain doesn't mean it's actually in the UK, most shops simply import them to the UK.
http://shoptemp.net/ Use shoptemp to find shops and read reviews on them.

4 - Customs might intercept the package and destroy/keep it.

Hi Rydian,

Thanks for your helpful response

I've had a look at the link for 'which flashcart should I get'. Based on the info given on that page, it seems the R4 doesn't have much functionality and the Supercard DSTwo is probably a little expensive for my needs. Out of the other two cards, based on the results in the page about 'battery life', it seems the Acekard 2i gives almost twice the battery life of the R4i Gold. Given that I don't yet have a 3DS and don't yet have firm plans to get one in the near future (more of a passing thought that I may upgrade to one at some point in the future!), it seems like I might be better off sticking with a new Acekard for now. I'm thinking also the fact that I'm already familiar with Acekard 2 and AKAIO will help rather than having to learn how to use a different flashcard!

Shoptemp has been helpful too (I think!) so thanks for pointing me in that direction

The UK store with the most reviews is http://shoptemp.net/shop/cheapr4i-uk-and-europe-online-store.html?revpage=2 although there haven't been any reviews since August 2011.

If anyone has used this shop more recently, I'd be very grateful for opinions!

Their wesite says "Ship from UK warehouse for UK customers, Arrive in 2~5 business days." Am I right in thinking that this gets around the risk of customs intercepting the parcel?

its been a VERY long time since i read about a FAT error. how old is your 2? what color is the PCB?

none of your answers are going to help fix the ak2, i was just curious =)

-another world

Hi Another World

You're right, my Acekard 2 would be rather old now I guess! I certainly bought it long before there was any problem with buying them in the UK, although I can't remember how long ago I bought it.

I'll have to admit to not knowing what a PCB is so I'm afraid I can't say what colour it is!

 

[Foxi4]

If you recently updated to the latest firmware (meaning the one that changes the icon to a pony - forgot the name of the game), it's likely that your Acekard is entirely functional, it just has issues with your SD card. One of the Acekard 2i's I updated suffered from the same issue and it took several formats before it got to load from the SD, and even that was sluggish. Do try using a different, preferably 2GB or smaller SD card and report your findings.

 

[doodler]

If you recently updated to the latest firmware (meaning the one that changes the icon to a pony - forgot the name of the game), it's likely that your Acekard is entirely functional, it just has issues with your SD card. One of the Acekard 2i's I updated suffered from the same issue and it took several formats before it got to load from the SD, and even that was sluggish. Do try using a different, preferably 2GB or smaller SD card and report your findings.

My flashcard is an Acekard 2, not 2i - does this still apply? I don't think it had a pony icon - just said Acekard on the white Nintendo loading screen.

 

[Foxi4]

Nevermind then. I just wanted to point out that the latest firmware has issues with certain SD cards...

...but you can always try re-formatting?

 

[doodler]

I have a few SD cards with games on so I've tried different SD cards but still get the same FAT Error message. However, the cards work in my friend's Acekard 2 just fine!

Would re-formatting help?

 

[Foxi4]

...probably not, but it doesn't hurt to try before you choose to discard your flashcart.

 

[doodler]

True! I guess that's a job to try tomorrow then Thanks for your suggestion

 

[Rydian]

I'm thinking also the fact that I'm already familiar with Acekard 2 and AKAIO will help rather than having to learn how to use a different flashcard!

AKAIO and Wood (R4/R4i Gold software) were made from the same base, so they work almost exactly alike. In fact, Wood can use AKAIO's skins since they use the same interface.

 

[doodler]

AKAIO and Wood (R4/R4i Gold software) were made from the same base, so they work almost exactly alike. In fact, Wood can use AKAIO's skins since they use the same interface.

Would you recommend R4i Gold rather than Acekard then?

 

[Rydian]

At this point, yes. The Acekard has been slow in updating for a while, and still hasn't put out an update for the latest 3DS firmware.

 

[doodler]

So if I got an R4i Gold, would my existing save games work? I'd hate to have to start all my games again!

 

[porkiewpyne]

So if I got an R4i Gold, would my existing save games work? I'd hate to have to start all my games again!

Saves are interchangeable between carts afaik

 

[doodler]

Saves are interchangeable between carts afaik

Thanks for your reply, that's a relief!