ROM Hack [Tool] Universal Card Manager

[Cyrox]

Welcome!

The Universal Card Manager makes it - as the name already says - possible to maintain various flashcards.
At first it only supported the SuperCard DS2 and was known as "SuperCard DS2 Manager", but I expanded it so that it is able to work with different flashcards.
It also has a german support thread (→deutscher Supportthread).

Screenshots
(of version 1.1.0b):

Spoiler: View

Features:

• Install and update your flashcard's system files
• Version overview and comparison
• Package manager: makes it possible to install and uninstall different software packages like homebrew or e.g. SuperCard DS2 plugins
• Repository support to expand the offered packages
• Check for new 3DS firmware versions (automatically at start if wanted)
• Change your (µ)SD's icon and label

The program gets the systems' version information by either using static information (written in separate files) or by parsing the flashcard's official website ("dynamic mode").
The dynamic mode ensures that you are most of the time using the newest version since it gets the version information automatically from the official site.

List of currently supported flashcards/types
(every green colored flashcard uses the dynamic mode):

• SuperCard DSTWO
• SuperCard DSONE
• Acekard 2i
• Original R4
• M3 Simply
• Acekard 2i
• Gateway 3DS (experimental!)
• Generic 3DS (Ninjhax)

Spoiler: System requirements

• Windows XP or newer
• Robocopy (preinstalled since Windows Vista)

Spoiler: How to install Robocopy on Windows XP

1. Download Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools
2. Use 7-Zip (or another software) to extract the installation program
3. Extract rktools.msi
4. Copy robocopy.exe to "%WINDIR%\System32"

Current version: 1.1.5b - 23/12/2014

Download (MD5: dc806e38bbb6be244638bcdccb8035e4)

Show changelog

 

[Cyrox]

Repository system - build your own repository!

The program's packages are of course expandable!
You are able to build your own repository and host packages that the Universal Card Manager can install.
A package can be everything* which possibly is useful for a flashcard, examples are: 3DS and DS Homebrew applications, themes/skins for specific flashcards, plugins, cheat files and so on.

*Rules and onditions:

• I will not integrate a repo that hosts copyrighted content.
• In case of doubt, read the license.
• Only offer direct download links.
• Please keep the files you host updated since nobody wants to use outdated things.

To interact with your repo, UCM needs a specific INI structured file which tells it information about the packages and is placed on a server:

Repo file syntax:

Spoiler: View

[UNIQUE_PACKAGE_NAME]
URL_DOWNLOAD=http://www.download.url/package.zip
URL_INFO=http://www.example.url/package.html
VERSION=vX.XX;DD/MM/YYYY
CATEGORY=<AllowedFlashcard(s)>:<Category>
DESCRIPTION=A package that makes it possible to...
SOURCE=\<Source1>|\<Source2>|...|\<Source<N>>
DESTINATION=\<Destination1>|\<Destination2>|...|\<Destination<N>>

Explanation of the keys
(the keys need to be in the right order):

URL_DOWNLOAD:

The download URL (direct link).​

URL_INFO:

URL to the official site of the package/project.​

VERSION:

Version and date in the exact format like above, if the package does not have any version take "v1.0" as default.​

CATEGORY:

<AllowedFlashcard(s)>: The flashcard short form(s) (like "SCDS2") allowed/compatible to use this repo​

<Category>: Like: Plugin, Homebrew, Cheatfile or Theme​

DESCRIPTION:

A short description about the package.​

SOURCE:

The copy source(s). The root directory of the package is "\".​

If more than one copy source is used, divide with "|".​

If specific files need to be copied the syntax is: \<Source>:<File1>/<File2>​

DESTINATION:

The destination(s). The root of the SD card is "\". Syntax matches with sources.​

​

The following programinternal environment variables are usable:​

%SCDS2:Plugin%: Plugin directory of the SuperCard DSTWO.[/INDENT][/INDENT]
[INDENT=1][INDENT=1]%SELECT%: The user can select the destination folder.[/INDENT][/INDENT]
[INDENT=1][INDENT=1]%ALL:Homebrew%: The user is asked if the predefined homebrew folder will be used.

Credits and example repository:

• http://modmii.de/ - Team ModMii hosts different emulators (repo file: http://modmii.de/SCDS2M.repo)
• [BUILTIN]: http://www.supercard.sc - all SuperCard DSTWO plugins

If you want to host a repo file, post the URL here or send me a PM so that I can register it in the program's online configuration!

 

[Cyrox]

Updated the program.
Any feedback?

 

[DjoeN]

Once i figure out where i left my DS flashcarts i will try it out

Ok, figured out you don't need it

It's a great program to configure your SD with the correct OS, i do however miss some stuff
- Format SD
- I still use mu Supercard "DS One i" would be cool to include the cart
- I still use my old DS and DS(i), would be nice to include the bigger carts from that era (CycloDS Evolution / CycloDS Evolution I / EZ Flash V (I) / M3 I Zero
- More Emulators would be cool to

 

[AdowTatep]

I Liked it! I can post it on my portuguese flashcard blog?

Do you have some official site where you allways update the files? Or it will be here? So i can put there

 

[The Real Jdbye]

Looks nice, the only thing missing is ROM/save game management.

 

[OuahOuah]

Very cool

 

[DragonFireXY]

Could you add sky3ds support?

 

[Reecey]

By the way wicked tool, I used it on my DSTwo card, excellent!. Is it possible to get anymore homebrews on the "Packages" page cause I'm sure there is 100's more out there. Great work though buddy

 

[W4T4R1]

Very useful program!!

 

[Cyrox]

First: Thank you all for your feedback!

I updated the program again.
As written in the changelog, I had to change the program's save behavior to prevent double named keys in the ini file of the SD card.
Therefore, the systems installed with the older program version are not recognized anymore.
Hope this does not happen again.


@DjoeN
Good suggestions.

Added the SuperCard DSONE(i), more will be added soon I think.
Since I am not an owner of this card, please check if all the needed system files are correct.
I simply added all version types mentioned on this site. If there is any problem, tell me.

Ok, figured out you don't need it

What do you mean exactly with this point?

@AdowTatep
Yes, you can. But please don't mirror/reupload my program.
The UCM has a built-in update check so that no one misses any program update.
Download link changes everytime, so you can simply refer to one of the official threads (this one or ngb.to/t2024 where the download link is posted).

@DragonFireXY
The problem I have with SKY3DS is it's missing ability to use homebrew.
So no, it won't be added. Every flashcard that I (will) add should have some basic homebrew functionality, sorry.

@Reecey
Yes, it is expandable. A small documentation for the repository system follows.
It is build in the fashion of that everyone can make a repo (best are the homebrew devs themselves) and send me the URL so that I can add it to UCM's online config.

----

Normally, I reply with '@' so that I don't have to quote every single post. This is a bit different here, I think the '@' sign is used here to name a user.
Is there any possibility to reply automatically with a direct link to the post?

 

[DragonFireXY]

First: Thank you all for your feedback!

I updated the program again.
As written in the changelog, I had to change the program's save behavior to prevent double named keys in the ini file of the SD card.
Therefore, the systems installed with the older program version are not recognized anymore.
Hope this does not happen again.


@DjoeN
Good suggestions.

Added the SuperCard DSONE(i), more will be added soon I think.
Since I am not an owner of this card, please check if all the needed system files are correct.
I simply added all version types mentioned on this site. If there is any problem, tell me.


What do you mean exactly with this point?

@AdowTatep
Yes, you can. But please don't mirror/reupload my program.
The UCM has a built-in update check so that no one misses any program update.
Download link changes everytime, so you can simply refer to one of the official threads (this one or ngb.to/t2024 where the download link is posted).

@DragonFireXY
The problem I have with SKY3DS is it's missing ability to use homebrew.
So no, it won't be added. Every flashcard that I (will) add should have some basic homebrew functionality, sorry.

@Reecey
Yes, it is expandable. A small documentation for the repository system follows.
It is build in the fashion of that everyone can make a repo (best are the homebrew devs themselves) and send me the URL so that I can add it to UCM's online config.

----

Normally, I reply with '@' so that I don't have to quote every single post. This is a bit different here, I think the '@' sign is used here to name a user.
Is there any possibility to reply automatically with a direct link to the post?

Ok I understand.

 

[DjoeN]

@DjoeN
Good suggestions.

Added the SuperCard DSONE(i), more will be added soon I think.
Since I am not an owner of this card, please check if all the needed system files are correct.
I simply added all version types mentioned on this site. If there is any problem, tell me.

Great, but there is one problem:

As you can see in Screenshot 1 it unzipped like this

Then when i go into that directory it shows this (Screenshot 2)

And then i come into the director like it should be in the root of the SD

While it should be like this:

BUT it isn't your fault, it is Supercards, the zipped it like that :/

DjoeN said: ↑

Ok, figured out you don't need it ​

What do you mean exactly with this point?

You don't need your flashcart by hand right away to try out this program
Put in MicroSD into your computer, and you can start prepping it for your flashcart (if it's supported)
You do need you flashcart to see if everything works

 

[Cyan]

I moved your thread out of 3DS Flashcarts and custom firmware.

It's a tool for manage NDS flashcarts, and should go to NDS sections. I guess it will have more view in the 3DS section as it's the current gen console.
But as you listed the 3DS flashcarts as experimental (at least gateway, which doesn't really require any setup except copying lastest .dat on root) I moved it to 3DS Tools/Utils section.

 

[DjoeN]

- An option to place the correct latest cheat file would be cool to

 

[Cyan]

latest cheat option would require to maintain a cheat database.
I updated it recently (two games) but I may not have used the latest one, or users might have updated it since then.

 

[OuahOuah]

I only know one place to have a "recent" database : http://gamehacking.org/vb/threads/5938-NDS-Cheat-Database-Update-Usrcheat-08-15-2014
Not so recent though :/

 

[Cyrox]

I updated the program again.
Also, as seen in the 2nd post, I published the documentation on how the repository system of the program works so that hopefully the program gets some more community hosted packages!

Great, but there is one problem: [...]

I did not check the zip archive's structure.
Normally, the program searches for the archive root and then starts to copy. Since they put an "&" in the subfolder's name, it is programmatically and automatically not possible to determine where the root folder is.
So I had to give copy instructions for the DSONE downloads in the UCM's online configuration. Should work now.

It's a tool for manage NDS flashcarts, and should go to NDS sections. I guess it will have more view in the 3DS section as it's the current gen console.
But as you listed the 3DS flashcarts as experimental (at least gateway, which doesn't really require any setup except copying lastest .dat on root) I moved it to 3DS Tools/Utils section.

Yes. I did not know where the best place to post this is, so thanks for moving.

There are more NDS than 3DS cards supported by the program, but this is because there are (far) more NDS flashcards out there.
GW3DS is not listed as experimental because of the (simple) setup. The "experimental" is related to the automatic version parsing feature (dynamic mode).
If GW e.g. completely changes the website design, the program won't be able to fetch the version information unless I update the regular expression patterns.

Another problem is that they often have non-direct links to filehosters like zippyshare for fresh updates (a workaround is planned).
Currently, the first entry the program parses on http://www.gateway-3ds.com/downloads/ luckily is a direct download link (http://scmods.com/gateway/GW_OMEGA_2.7.zip).


The mentioned cheat database seems to be the most recent one.
The problem is that there is no direct download. Unfortunately, one needs to register to download...

 

[DjoeN]

No need to register to download the usrcheat downloader
This windows program will let you always download the latest cheatcode database in usrcheat.dat format

 

[Cyrox]

Yes, but it would not be so nice to be dependent on another program.
However, the downloader seems to use a direct link (otherwise it wouldn't work without a JS engine or similar methods).
Maybe there is a way to find this URL.