Hacking Confused about DSi XL behaviour

[Flicker]

Hello, everyone!

So, I wanted to give both my nephews a DS. I got a really good deal on a used DSi XL, so I looked for another used DSi XL so both nephews would have the same version and there would be no fight.

So I've got the two DSi XL here, I'll call one Blue and the other Black. Blue is on version 1.4.1U. Black is on version 1.4U.

I have 3 different flashcarts here: R4iTT (came with Blue), R4i3d (came with the 3DS I bought for myself, a long time ago - never used it) and R4i drive (got it from a friend). Apparently they're all clones, and their website don't exist anymore.

Thing is, all 3 work with Blue, but none of them work with Black. The message that appears is "An error has occurred. Press and hold the Power Button to turn the system off." etc etc.

So, I'm not very knowledgeable with these things, but if they work on a DSi XL on version 1.4.1U, shouldn't they also work on another DSi XL with an older version (1.4U). Or am I failing to see something here?

Thanks in advance for any insight you all might have.

 

[NightScript]

Do any other cartridges work on your other DSi?

 

[Flicker]

Do any other cartridges work on your other DSi?

Yes, it runs original games (tried a few of them).

 

[Flicker]

Someone suggested to update the DSi, but that'll bring it to the latest version (1.4.5 I think). That would lower the chances of the carts to work, right? Especially since they're clones and I might not find updated kernels to them anymore.

 

[migles]

blue having the firmware higher, most likely there is a issue with the contacts...
does not make sense the cards not working in a lower firmware version

 

[Flicker]

blue having the firmware higher, most likely there is a issue with the contacts...
does not make sense the cards not working in a lower firmware version

Would they be listed on the main menu, though? By "not working", I mean when you run it, "An error has occurred" message appears. It's not like it's not detecting the cart. Also, original carts work without any problem. Any other clue? I'm really puzzled by this.

I can take pictures/make videos if necessary.

 

[Alexander1970]

Hello.
The "An error has occurred" when booting a flashcart means,that Nintendo had changed the firmware and tell them to block your card(s).In most cases its up to FW 1.4.5.
You have a chance when you said your FW(s) are1.4.1 to get an NEWER kernel (thats some like the operating system for your Flashcart) for your Flashcart.Please don´t update the DSi(s) to 1.4.5 !!!

 

[Flicker]

Hello.
The "An error has occurred" when booting a flashcart means,that Nintendo had changed the firmware and tell them to block your card(s).In most cases its up to FW 1.4.5.
You have a chance when you said your FW(s) are1.4.1 to get an NEWER kernel (thats some like the operating system for your Flashcart) for your Flashcart.Please don´t update the DSi(s) to 1.4.5 !!!

I figured as much, but what doesn't make sense is that an OLDER version is blocked, but not a newer. Can the firmware 1.4U on the DSi block the flashcarts, but not the firmware 1.4.1U?

I'll make a video when I get home. Maybe I can't see something.

 

[migles]

Hello.
The "An error has occurred" when booting a flashcart means,that Nintendo had changed the firmware and tell them to block your card(s).In most cases its up to FW 1.4.5.
You have a chance when you said your FW(s) are1.4.1 to get an NEWER kernel (thats some like the operating system for your Flashcart) for your Flashcart.Please don´t update the DSi(s) to 1.4.5 !!!

takes like 30 seconds to read the thread dude

 

[Flicker]

Here is the video I recorded with both DSi, using one of the carts:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/4vFVMW2ma5XE79Wb8

 

[Kwyjor]

Feeling adventurous? Since you've got two units and an an abundance of flashcarts, I believe you should be able to start up HaxxStation on one DSi, and use that to send a flashcart launcher to the other DSi. At least that way you might be able to rule out any obvious hardware problems.

 

[Flicker]

Feeling adventurous? Since you've got two units and an an abundance of flashcarts, I believe you should be able to start up HaxxStation on one DSi, and use that to send a flashcart launcher to the other DSi. At least that way you might be able to rule out any obvious hardware problems.

Just to make sure I understand. What it does is put the flashcart software in the storage, so I could run it directly from there without the need to use the flashcart ever again?

 

[Kwyjor]

Just to make sure I understand. What it does is put the flashcart software in the storage, so I could run it directly from there without the need to use the flashcart ever again?

Using HaxxStation on one DSi just lets you run a launcher from Download Play on the other DSi, and the launcher will bypass any protections that might be present in the firmware. Like I said, it's just for ruling out any obvious problems – it's not a very convenient way to regularly access the flashcart.

You would need to install CFW to make any persistent changes – but since you have Flipnote Studio, that is an option if you want to use it.

 

[Flicker]

Using HaxxStation on one DSi just lets you run a launcher from Download Play on the other DSi, and the launcher will bypass any protections that might be present in the firmware. Like I said, it's just for ruling out any obvious problems – it's not a very convenient way to regularly access the flashcart.

You would need to install CFW to make any persistent changes – but since you have Flipnote Studio, that is an option if you want to use it.

Ok, so I don't need to make persistent changes. That's good. Less chance to screw things up.

I'm not really sure what to do with the info from that HaxxStation post. Also, apparently, the link for the flashcart launcher is not working.

 

[Kwyjor]

Like I said, this is an adventurous option.

I think you need DSPatch-GUI from https://gbatemp.net/threads/release-dspatch-gui.491707/ , a DS Download Station Volume 1 ROM, and a launcher .nds from https://www.odrive.com/s/23b9f39c-ae15-4c1b-8ff7-64344fa6f2d2-5939fc7f (linked in that other thread).

 

[Alexander1970]

Hello.

I have the same card as you:

It have the the YS Menu from

https://gbatemp.net/threads/retrogamefan-updates-releases.267243/

on it.And it don´t work on any of my DSis/XLs (all have FW 1.4.5E).Only the two who had CFW and TWiLightMenu on it.

It´s odd that it works on lower FW.But as i said DON´T update the DSi XL because then you have 1.4.5 on it and the flashcart works definetly not with it.

You can try an Firmware update for your flashcart (i don´t know if this is a good idea,maybe the cart won´t work no longer an both DSis XL).

http://old.r4wood.com/pages/R4iTT-Kernel.html
(please compare your card to confirm its 100% the same)

You can follow the suggestion from @Kwyjor

or you can put CFW and TWiLight on the second DSi XL (i don´t see in the video that he also have FLIPNOTE on it).If yes,this one unblocks your flashcart.

 

[larrypretty]

Hello.

I have the same card as you:
View attachment 161576


It have the the YS Menu from

https://gbatemp.net/threads/retrogamefan-updates-releases.267243/

on it.And it don´t work on any of my DSis/XLs (all have FW 1.4.5E).Only the two who had CFW and TWiLightMenu on it.

It´s odd that it works on lower FW.But as i said DON´T update the DSi XL because then you have 1.4.5 on it and the flashcart works definetly not with it.

You can try an Firmware update for your flashcart (i don´t know if this is a good idea,maybe the cart won´t work no longer an both DSis XL).

http://old.r4wood.com/pages/R4iTT-Kernel.html
(please compare your card to confirm its 100% the same)

You can follow the suggestion from @Kwyjor

or you can put CFW and TWiLight on the second DSi XL (i don´t see in the video that he also have FLIPNOTE on it).If yes,this one unblocks your flashcart.

Wow, such a old card, I haven't seen it years ,can it play games with good compatibility?

 

[Kwyjor]

Wow, such a old card, I haven't seen it years ,can it play games with good compatibility?

I think anything at this point that can run YSMenu from RetroGameFan's update ought to have the same compatibility.

 

[Alexander1970]

Wow, such a old card, I haven't seen it years ,can it play games with good compatibility?

Hello.
Yes the cart works without any issues thanks to YSMenu.

I think anything at this point that can run YSMenu from RetroGameFan's update ought to have the same compatibility.

Yes,that make it possible..

 

[Flicker]

I was able to install Hiya CFW + TWiLight++ Menu on it, and now I can run stuff from the SD Card. Thanks, people.