Hacking EFA-Linker 512 - Driver installation problem

Deleted User · Sep 21, 2007

PLEASE HELP.

Hi, I'm having trouble installing the driver for my new EFA-Linker 512. Mind you that I am using it as a GBA flash card only and not using it as a SLOT 2 DS card - just using it for GBA games/software.

I received my EFA-Linker 512 today. I downloaded the "EFA Client V2.83 DS" from www.efa.cc and proceeded with the installation just as I had done with other GBA Flash cards (I've owned the F2A 256 and the Flash2Advance 256 in the past).

I plugged the included USB cable into the flash cart and then plugged the USB end into the USB 2.0 slot on my ThinkPad.

- Windows found new hardware
- I click 'install from a specific location'
- I browse to the directory called 'EFA_Driver' which was included as part of the 'EFA Client V2.83 DS' rar.
- Windows comes back with the msg that 'the hardware could not be installed because the wizard can not find the necessary software.'

I'm browsing the the directory that has the drivers in it, so what gives?

So I also downloaded 'EFA_Client V2.62 DS' - same thing happens.

I also tried downloading 'EFA_Client V1.0' which I got from Jandaman's site, which is where I bought the EFA-Linker 512.

I got partially through the driver selection the first time, but then when it asks for the driver selection for a second time (which is apparently standard for this per the EFA FAQ here: http://www.efa.cc/faqe.htm) The wizard failed to find anything in the Drivers folder.

However, after getting the first driver to work, the green light on the card now glows.

Client 2.83 "sees" the card as a 256 sized card, not a 512, which is what it is. But other than 'searching' for the card, the Client will not do anything without just freezing or giving me no response. (Client 2.62 responds the same way.)

Clent 1 does not see the card at all

So, I'm at a loss of what to do.

Thanks for any help!

Here's an update on this.

After trying to install EFA client 2.83-DS, as well as 2.62 (apparently the last version before DS support was added) AND version 1.0...

The only progress that I have made is that the green light on my EFA 512 now glows when plugged into either of my two USB 2.0 ports on my Thinkpad.

Here is how I got to where I am

Originally I first attempted to install 2.83 - Windows didn't recognize the drivers at all. I tried a few times, choosing advanced install and pointing windows to the EFA_Drivers folder for the file. Attempting to use the client results in the client not seeing the card at all

Then I tried to installed 2.62 - Again, nothing from windows as far as recognizing the drivers. Again, install fails, client does not see card.

When I asked Jandaman (where I got the cart) about my problem, they suggested that I use the driver that they have hosted on Jandaman's product page for EFA 512, which is the 1.0 version of the driver.

So I try to install the 1.0 version of the client, it works PARTIALLY - as the EFA FAQ indicates it will recognise the driver and install it but then it asks you to select the driver twice in the install process - but the second time around I am presented with a choice to either use efa.inf or oem35.inf (both of which are located in windows/inf folder). But after I select EFA.inf, as the EFA FAQ suggests me to do, it fails.

So after the partial install of 1.0 - the green light began to glow. The 1.0 client did not see the card - BUT NOW the 2.83 and 2.62 clients DO see the card - but think that my 512 card is a 256 card - but still refuse to do anything other than sync the clock - can't write roms, format card - nothing.

So I'm now trying to remove all traces of the drivers from my machine before I try to reinstall. I've gone to Control Panel/System/Hardware/Device Manager and uninstalled the EFA driver that's under the USB section at the bottom of the list. I've also gone into the windows/inf folder and removed the EFA.PNF & EFA.INF file from there as well as removing the OEM35.PNF & OEM35.INF files (I removed OEM35 files b/c that was the option in the 1.0 istall process that was presented to me in the second driver selection - the option that I did not pick).

How else can I fully remove all components of these drivers from my system so that I can try again. And when I try again, which driver should I shoot for? Mind you, I am only using this for GBA use.

This problem is driving me NUTS. Thanks for your time in reading this and thanks for any help - bc I NEED IT!!

Here's another update on this. I wrote an email to Jandaman - explaining the my situation as I did in the post above.

He informed me that since I have the EFA-Linker 512 Simple that the only version of the driver that is compatible is the 1.0 driver, b/c the Simple version lacks the RTC functionality - which is not listed on the EFA-Linker 512 Simple's product page found HERE.

The 1.0 driver is also found on that page. I thought that my attempts to install the 2.83 and 2.62 drivers were somehow messing with the proper and successful install of the 1.0 driver.

So I tried to install the 1.0 driver on my roomate's computer, since there's no other GBA drivers or anything on his machine.

The 1.0 Driver installation was successful, however the 1.0 client does not see the card at all. The green light on the cart does glow though. I've also let the card charge connected to a PC for over 8 hours and I have also let it sit in my GB micro while the GB micro charged for over 5 hours.

Can anyone think of anything that might be getting in the way of my being able to use my EFA 512? or should I just ask for a refund at this point. If the refund is the case, then i think I'm going to stay far away from EFA Brand. My older F2A 256 card and my EZ Flash advance 256 never gave me problems like this.

Edit: Posts edited together, duplicates deleted. Don't double and/or triple post!

- Ace

harmonf · Dec 10, 2007

Hey Jive,

I just read what you've been going through. I just got the exact same Cart from the exact same place and am having the same problems getting the drivers installed. I already own a EFA 256 and have never had any problems with it. I got the 512 as a gift and when trying to get it setup for someone am unable to get any drivers installed.

Maybe it's something with all 512's? Have you tried contacting Jandaman?

Thanks

Fred

thdia · Dec 20, 2007

I had the same problem here with my 256Mb!
Now it's fixed ( I followed all the steps mentioned, including the second request for software installation) and it went ok.
BUT, I can´t set date/time on the gba boot menu and it´s killing me with pokemon games!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
can anyone send me the software for a version with clock sync? (think it's v1.1 or above)

ps: ALL the links and sofwares that I tried for 2.6,2.61,2.62 and the new ones for DS did not work

MadBob · Dec 20, 2007

Please note though that the EFA cartridge has to be removed from the GBA before the software is able to detect it. If it's inserted while connecting, the software gets confused, thinking that the cartridge is a 256mbit, when it in fact is a 512mbit, which no games on it, when there actually is, so remember to remove it before connecting to the software.

aandnota · Feb 1, 2008

hey jive,

i just bought the efa-linker 512 and i'm having the same exact problem. after scouring the internet in search of help and especially after reading your post, i'm just going to write jandaman and ask for a refund. also, i'm going to recommend that they not carry this specific product anymore.

cheers.

can anyone recommend a good flash cart/linker? specifically for development. i hear good things about the flash2advance, but i can't seem to find any for purchase. gameboy-advance.net has a good review, but all of their listed resellers are out of stock.

help....

sepinho · Feb 1, 2008

If youve just recently bought your EFA Linker, its probably not a manufacturing fault, but a marketing one. Ive had the same thing happen to me: I had ordered an EFA Linker 512 from DX, only to find out that its really the so-called EFA Linker Simple. The difference between both is that the Simple is lacking the RTC. This leads to the "problems" you guys were describing:

a) you can only use version 1.0 of the EFA Client, because all the later version seem to only work with an RTC-enabled EFA Linker (read: not the Simple)
b) to play Pokemon or Boktai, you need to patch the ROMs, because there is not hardware clock in the flashcart that you could sync.

arctic_flame · Feb 1, 2008

Can you post the link to those drivers?

Shinji · Feb 1, 2008

I managed to find
http://www.jandaman.com/Merchant2/files/efasimple.zip
From Gbarl.it

QUOTE said:
Louc002 to use a new boot loader on the EFa linker you can downlaod the newer software I think it is efa2.83-DS and copy the EFABoot file from that flodr to the EFA simple folder and then you can write the roms to the cart with the new loader. And you can try to remove al usb devices you have pluged in to get better cart detection. I still wonder if using a separate PCI usb card could fix things up?

Source

Hopefully this helps y'all with what sepinho said.

foob · Feb 3, 2008

I also got this card from DealExtreme.
I first tried the 1.0 client and driver (once I found it; the product came with no software). Happy to report no problems as far as installation goes.

Later versions of the software that I scoured the net for (specifically: 2.61, 2.62, 2.7, 2.83) would detect the card as a 256mbit card instead of the 512 which it is, as Jive3D stated. However, pressing the Sync Clock button with these later client(s) seemed to work on the card (?). At least I got no complaints from the software. I am still uncertain whether or not it comes with a real-time clock. I haven't tried any of the Pokemon games.

Those are my observations so far.

I'm under the impression I need EFA_Client 2.3 or earlier (but not as far back as 1.0) to use this card to its fuller updated capabilities with no issues, however http://www.efa.cc are no help (they don't seem to answer my mail) and their website is close to useless (no download links working).

It's a shame because I think the hardware itself is good, build quality of the cart is superb; the cart feels real solid in the hand, no creaky seams, and seems to use quality components. It also comes in the most unusual, '70s dated-looking yet expensive-to-manufacture-compared-to-a-standard-box box I've ever seen in a product of this type.

The card is incredibly good value when bought from DelayExtreme

but the software issues (namely, finding updated software to exploit the full capabilities of the card (if they exist) really put a damper on things.

I am using it fine (once i learned to check the "Use Loader" button to get more than one game on there

but a more updated client that works with it (without detecting it to be 256mbit) would be nice, to take advantage of the updates that were offered with the client (if they indeed work with this model).

If not, well, it was some nice time wasted

Supah Eirian · Feb 3, 2008

The cart you got from Jandaman is the EFA Simple 512, the same one I got. The software download from Jandamans site gives you everything you need, you have to use the client 1.0 from his site. When you plug it in, it will come up as an unrecognized device if the drivers aren't working. Right click on My Computer and go to Device Manager. Find USB devices, and hit the plus sign to display all of your USB devices. If you find one called EFA Simple, then you know you have the drivers installed. If not, select the device with the yellow exclamation mark. Then use the installation wizard to install the driver from a specific location. The download from the site has 2 drivers.... ONE DOESN't WORK!!! I think the bottom one on the list of 2 worked for me, I can't remember. That should get the cart to work. Let me know if you have any questions!!!

____________

The EFA Simple DOES NOT have a RTC!!! Sorry

sepinho · Feb 4, 2008

Oops, sorry, I'd somewhat forgotten about this thread, or I would have answered earlier.
This is, where I found working drivers for the EFA Linker Simple: http://www.lurux.net/attachment/fk050000000001.zip (Courtesy of DX's forums) plus an allegedly working version of pogoshell (haven't tried it yet though): http://tearduct.wikispaces.com.

As ikenoi so rightfully stated, installation's a bitch (well, he/she put it into kinder words) and there's yet another problem: the driver doesn't work with NForce chipsets. If you're using an Nvidia-based mainboard, you're out of luck. Certainly didn't work on my Asus A8N-E, so I have to use my Centrino notebook for GBA flashing.

arttitude · Apr 10, 2008

Hy!
I installed the right driver -
http://www.jandaman.com/Merchant2/files/efasimple.zip
but when I start the EFA_Client.exe and push the Search button the program say: NO EFA Simple Card: ROM left:0.00Mbits.Ram left:0KBits. It's really annoying. This is the third computer where I tried it. Anyone can help me? Please!

oldskoolnesgamer · Apr 10, 2008

arttitude said:
Hy!
I installed the right driver -
http://www.jandaman.com/Merchant2/files/efasimple.zip
but when I start the EFA_Client.exe and push the Search button the program say: NO EFA Simple Card: ROM left:0.00Mbits.Ram left:0KBits. It's really annoying. This is the third computer where I tried it. Anyone can help me? Please!

Just keep trying more computers. Make sure your linker is plugged into a motherboard USB port (i.e. in the back, not the front). Apparently it doesn't like most common chipsets these days.

trikon000 · Apr 11, 2008

the EFA-Linker on jandaman and DX are the simple version (No RTC, real time clock). I uploaded the drivers for these in the download section, so when they stop selling those they usually take off the link to the drivers.

Worse case would be for you to buy a USB 2.0 PCI card and maybe a cheap usb 2.0 hub with independant power supply. This works for those with a nForce chipset on the motherboard, sometimes; seems to be version specific. the drivers are for xp. It also has problems with some SIS chipsets too.

The website for efa-linker is pretty much abandoned and spambots have taken over the forum there.

http://gbatemp.net/index.php?download=2078

foob · Apr 11, 2008

trikon000 said:
the drivers are for xp. It also has problems with some SIS chipsets too.

That's not good. I should mention the EFA worked fine for me on my Intel-based laptop with Vista.

I also have an nforce-based computer which I dared not try it on after all the nforce talk

but my experiences with the EFA were positive overall (aside from discovering I could only delete the last rom(s) on the cart to put a new ones on, but as far as I remember while mucking about with the Elink, that one doesn't allow random deletes either.

Not sure how common this is since I'm new to these carts.

QUOTE(trikon000 @ Apr 11 2008, 12:21 PM) The website for efa-linker is pretty much abandoned and spambots have taken over the forum there.

The website is utterly useless and their email support is consistent with that, shall we say

prviglupan · May 8, 2008

I have been trying to get the EFA software to work on my home computer which has an nvidia card in it and it would crash as soon as I would search for the card.

I thought I bought a bad product. Until I found this website and tried it on my work computer which has an Intel video card.

This is all old news but what I have found is that the EFA simple has an internal clock. It is accessible in the GBA loader by pressing select, when you do that you are able to change the year date and time. Now you can play your Pokemon games. Enjoy.

trikon000 · May 9, 2008

the nvidia problem is with the chipset on the motherboard not your video card.

That clock you found resets after you turn the gba off.

senateboy · Dec 16, 2008

i found the ini file that works with the driver on my laptop from a couple years ago... give me an email at

[email protected]

on aim str8senate is my screen name

shoot me an email and i will send you the one that worked with my 256k, the simple one didnt work....

arctic_flame · Jan 13, 2010

Huge and un-necessary necro post coming up, but did anyone ever get this working on a 64-bit and recent OS? (Vista/7) I'm going to assume no, as the support for these things is always sketchy at best.

raulpica · Jan 16, 2010

arctic_flame said:
Huge and un-necessary necro post coming up, but did anyone ever get this working on a 64-bit and recent OS? (Vista/7) I'm going to assume no, as the support for these things is always sketchy at best.

Was going to try it soon. As I need to backup the saves from my EFA 512. I'm pretty sure it won't work on 64-bit, but it should work on Windows 7 32-bit.

I'll give it a try and let you know.

EDIT: Just tried. It says that it should be for x64. Well, at least it should work in XP Mode.
EDIT2: Seems to work in XP Mode, but the software doesn't get the game list correctly :| Maybe it's because I'm using version 1.02 from Jandaman's site. Dunno. I'll try something else later.

Hacking EFA-Linker 512 - Driver installation problem

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