Hacking Gonna buy an r4 flashcart... help me so I don't mess something up.

HelloDucki

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Alright, I'm fairly new to all this. And a SERIOUS disclaimer: I'm very very slow-minded. Seriously. I have researched and researched but all the instructions still don't explain enough for me to understand. I just wanna make this work, and I don't wanna waste my money only to find that I've made a mistake and I'm lost again.

I have 3 GBA SPs, a good computer, and I have a DS. I don't wanna get a 3ds or ds lite or whatever new new stuff they have these days. I like old stuff, I don't like new stuff. Done deal, don't give me 3ds suggestions unless you feel like I'm being impossible.

I have 2 Pokemon sapphire cartridges and 1 Pokemon emerald cartridge for GBA. 1 sapphire cartridge isn't recognized by DS so I am pretty sure it is not a retail cartridge its probably a fake one from china or something. This flashcart will only work for real retail cartridges right?

Anyways, I want to use an r4 flashcart and the GBA backup tool to make Emerald or Saphire ROMs. I know how to dump the ROMs into flashcart because I saw a YouTube video... but they used the GBA backup tool. How do I get that tool on the flashcart SD cart anyways? Is there some way to put that micro SD card into the computer or do I need some sort of adapter to connect the SD card to the computer and then I download GBA backup tool, then slide it in the folder for the SD card when on the computer?

Also... um... I heard that the GBA backup tool doesn't work anymore? Does it only not work for newer flashcarts? Can it still work with this old r4 and if so, which version will work? I don't wanna waste my money and buy this r4 for nothing!
 

HelloDucki

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Okay, I just found out that I can buy an r4-SDHC for Nintendo DS so okay I can just buy that one. But my question still applies, just instead with either an r4-SDHC or a regular r4, whichever one is more reliable and the GBA backup tool can work on. Thank you.
 

Sleet

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Are you asking about flashing gba roms to gba carts or just backing them up? I don't think the former is possible with gba backup tool. But I heard bootleg carts are reprogrammable so maybe. It will run on any card though so I'm not sure where you heard it doesn't. You can get an original R4 clone that will work on DS/lite only and you can put a great menu on it (called WOOD). But it only works with 2gb or less SD. Perhaps you should just get an R4iSDHC since it barely costs more and it'll work on more systems just in case you want that in the future.

Any card you get, you must download its software (kernel) and put it on you micro sd card using a usb or SD adapter. Same goes for GBA backup tool or other programs. Some of them must be put on the root of the card to work.
 

HelloDucki

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I want to put the GBA ROM on my computer, then go into VBA and mess around, then put it back into the gameboy. I don't need the GBA backup tool to do this? What can I use to do this? The "kernel" software?

Okay... so you are saying if I get an original r4 clone, it will work on my DS, and it will work with WOOD (which I have saved on my computer). I am only going to buy a 2gb SD anyways... so, that will work out if it want.

An r4iSDHC will work with old and new things... That seems like a better bet. Who knows if in the long run I decide to get newer things?

Okay, now you said any card you get, you must download its software (kernel). What software goes with r4iSDHC and where can I get that from?

And I have to buy a usb or SD adapter separately, probably? My computer has an SD card slot, but its quite big. It probably won't work for micro SDs right? So in this case, I can get either a SD adapter for micro SD cards or a USB adapter for micro SD cards... okay.

Thanks a lot for the information!

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Oh and one more thing! When browsing on nds-card(dot)com I see there are three r4iSDHC cards and they all say they can work on NDS... but what about GBA games? Which one can I use if I'm going to fetch the ROMs for Pokemon Sapphire or Emerald? I really am afraid to order the wrong one.
 

Gavin McDaniel

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Be very careful!!! Not many legit sites out there. I saw one on Amazon for $25. Don't know how good it works. Also it says it would work for the original DS and all of the newer models all the way up to the new 3ds XL. (I know that you do not like the newer one but I just wanted to tell you)
 
Last edited by Gavin McDaniel,

Sleet

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The kernel is the operating system basically. You can download the correct one for your card from the website that is printed on the sticker. All of them come with usb adapters.

I'm confused by what you want... if you want to play GBA roms on your DS and not cartridges then you need a DStwo or a gba flashcart like EZ flash iv. If you just want to transfer saves back and forth then you're set with any R4 and a DS/lite.

nds-card takes a few weeks by the way if you don't order faster shipping. Check out Modchipsdirect. There's also some cards on eBay.
 

HelloDucki

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Okay r4-SDHC can't launch gba games... but can it copy the GBA game save back into the GBA cartridge? I'm not looking to play the Pokemon Sapphire game through the flashcart. I want to use the flashcart to extract the ROM from the game cartridge, put it on the computer, play the ROM with VirtualBoyAdvance, and then put that new save BACK into the GBA cartridge. From there I will trade the new pokemon to Emerald or another Sapphire.

Also, on nds-card(dot)com the payment method is very weird.... does anyone know another legit site?
 

Gavin McDaniel

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Okay r4-SDHC can't launch gba games... but can it copy the GBA game save back into the GBA cartridge? I'm not looking to play the Pokemon Sapphire game through the flashcart. I want to use the flashcart to extract the ROM from the game cartridge, put it on the computer, play the ROM with VirtualBoyAdvance, and then put that new save BACK into the GBA cartridge. From there I will trade the new pokemon to Emerald or another Sapphire.

Also, on nds-card(dot)com the payment method is very weird.... does anyone know another legit site?

I don't know of any other legit sites. But stay away from http://www.r4-usas.com. It is a complete scam!!!
 

HelloDucki

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Alright, thanks for the site suggestions, I'll check them out. But which card do I buy?

There's all this r4i SDHC stuff for 3ds. Which one can I buy to do it with GAMEBOY ROMS?
 

Sleet

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Okay r4-SDHC can't launch gba games... but can it copy the GBA game save back into the GBA cartridge? I'm not looking to play the Pokemon Sapphire game through the flashcart. I want to use the flashcart to extract the ROM from the game cartridge, put it on the computer, play the ROM with VirtualBoyAdvance, and then put that new save BACK into the GBA cartridge. From there I will trade the new pokemon to Emerald or another Sapphire.

Also, on nds-card(dot)com the payment method is very weird.... does anyone know another legit site?
Okay, like I posted above if you just want to transfer saves from emulator to GBA cartridge then any R4 will do. Here's a link to a decent one on eBay that'll work on DSi and 3DS too.
 

HelloDucki

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OHH okay! I just saw your post. Thanks!!

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Okay, like I posted above if you just want to transfer saves from emulator to GBA cartridge then any R4 will do. Here's a link to a decent one on eBay that'll work on DSi and 3DS too.

Can I trust this one on ebay? like r u sure its legit? And wait, is this just selling the SD card or does it have EVERYTHING i need?
And will this work on a regular DS?? I dont have a 3ds or anything like that I just have the plain DS.
 
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Gavin McDaniel

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If your interested in that GBA slotting here it is http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0085...+sd+to+gba&dpPl=1&dpID=51XHnovbmmL&ref=plSrch

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

OHH okay! I just saw your post. Thanks!!

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------



Can I trust this one on ebay? like r u sure its legit?
And will this work on a regular DS?? I dont have a 3ds or anything like that I just have the plain DS.

Yeah that looks legit!!!
 

HelloDucki

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Sleet

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Okay thanks for the links! Now about that one on ebay... is it just selling an SD card or the flashcart, sd card, and adapter? I don't know how they look and I don't know the terminology so its hard for me to tell what they are selling.
It does not come with a micro SD card. It comes with a usb adapter to plug your micro sd card into your computer.
 

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