GBAtemp: AceKard in house!

ozone · Nov 23, 2006

QUOTE(ozone @ Nov 22 2006 said:
Anybody tried DSorganize?

Extreme Coder · Nov 23, 2006

The thing is, if AceKard would have taken some time to debug their software, or maybe even implement it seamlessly in Windows(like Explore2FS for example, which allows you to view and modify files in ext3 partitions). All the bugs mentioned so far, could be fixed with some more work on their software.
I'm feeling kinda sympathetic now for the AceKard

OSW · Nov 23, 2006

QUOTE(stinkingbob @ Nov 23 2006 said:
Yep. Acekard seems like a winner to me. For the one and only one poster who said that the AceKard was cool, go ahead and buy it and spend 30 minutes trying to figure out how to use the darn thing. I bet you won't and I bet you would probably start a topic on this forum to get help for it.... But seriously, I think that Shaun should stop spending so much time on the AceKard now. Preliminary tests already reveal that the AceKard does not live up to its expectations. Its futile to do further testing on the card when there are so many inconveniences with it. From the posts I have read so far from Shaun and Costello, AceKard will never beat out DS-X. Before, I stated that Shaun would rate Acekard at 4.5/10. I change that to 3.5/10.

Anyways, someone posted:
***********
"Not complaining but I think it may be unfair to judge the cart before release and with possibly (apart from the language) different software/OS features.
It may be easier to not format your card with English instructions and software, though I won't be surprised if it isn't...

I know a few people were unhappy with the early review of the DS-X and are still waiting for the promised follow up review. And that was a final retail sample (I know this AceKard is too, but not an English final sample)"
***********

Well, if you are a company, wouldn't you want to send out a damn near perfect working copy of your product to a reviewer?? Why would you send something that is half complete?
Something that is so complicated to use? No, AceKart is not worth it, even if it cost $50.
Lastly, no one was unhappy with the DS-X review. They were being critical because the DS-X had a fixed amount of memory so they couldn't store 20+ games on it. Basically, they vented and in doing so, said the ds-x was not worthy of the price and that they would wait for other slot 1 solutions to come around. Well, here it is: the Acekard! Gotta love it, right.
b.

you idiot, they are releasing english versions shortly!
Acekard has claimed 100% as long as the format for ds games doesn't change (meaning ALL future games will work too)thats right surely i must not repeat this a gallizion times 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
the save system could be a bother, but as costello corrected, it does indeed remember the save type selected, so this is only a once input, hardly a problem.

from what i gather, homebrew is bad due to no-one having developed to format (meaning no DSorganise to that insistant dude), but the "team" has released a modified version of moonshell that works on acekard, so u at least have some basic media functions.

QUOTE(digital_sin @ Nov 23 2006 said:

a stand alone software that has to be used to manage the cart is really REALLY annoying. that's what you get from using your own file system.

the ds-x has limited memory, but the upside is it's just drag and drop, wherever there's internet (which is EVERYWHERE), and wherever there's a PC nearby, you can just upload new stuff on it. it doesn't even matter what OS is it. that's a big plus for me.

Click to expand...

man, many other carts use software to transfer (and patch) roms to the cart, which is partially similar. DS-X has the merit you suggest, but it has many flaws too. ds compat is good but not great. limited memory. Mega Expensive. Think about it. not everyone is rich.

and to the dude predicting a 3.5 rating. surely a card with 100% compatability (including future games) is worthy of at least a 5/10

this cart is intended primarily for playing ds games. My only concern at the moment is the single cart download play. For the extras, a slot2 cart would be a wise choice.

What a rant!

The END

EDIT: I also look forward to hearing more of micro ninja, although it may be aout of my price range /_\

stinkingbob · Nov 23, 2006

OSW,
what you are basically saying is to ignore the AceKard's crappy OS, the crappy save file system, the user-unfriendly UI, the time and process involved in writing a ROM to the SD mini card,etc all because the Acekard boasts 100% compatibility(which has not been proven yet). Do you honestly think that when it is translated into English that the Company will make any improvements tot he flashing software?? I really don't think so cuz as Costello said, you get what you paid for. And you see, that is the point I was trying to make. Yes, DS-X costs more, but in reality, not a whole lot more considering that you get a drag and drop capability, compatiblity with Mac OX, flexibility, ease of use such that, you don't even need instructions, and great customer/tech support, to name just a few.
So, now, with the AceKard, OSW, tell all the GBAtemp readers where do they go for tech support? I bet you can't.

I am curious about your statement where you said that the ds-X has many flaws to it. You listed price. But price is not considered a "flaw" with the unit itself.
Then you listed its limited memory. Again, the DS-X comes standard with 512Mb. This was well known to the public months before its release. So, this is cannot be considered a "flaw" with the unit. Next, you listed compatibility as a flaw. Well, you are correct with this as a "flaw" of the unit. HOWEVER, firmware update 1.0.2?
fixed almost all of the compatibility issues with roms.
So, tell the gbatemp readers, what other flaws WITH THE UNIT ITSELF have you noticed or have had first hand experience with, OSW?
I want to know. I have the ds-x and the compatibility for me is 100% with Roms. But maybe you know someting more than the rest of us do, so I would like for you to share these flaws you mentioned about.

To date, the only slot 1 device with the great features is the ds-x. And it is not mega expensive as OSW purports. Again, if you get the AceKard, you have to pay for internationsal shipping, then you have to pay for the mini-SD card itself, then you have to pay for the mini-SD card-SD card adapter(if it wasn't included with the mini-SD card). All in all, the price will be just about the same as if you bought a ds-x!

And yes, I am still guessing that Shaun will give the AceKard a 3.5 rating. Compatibility isn't everything. You have to take into account other factors as well as it relates to the overall gaming experience from start to finish.
B.

jpxdude · Nov 23, 2006

The fact that the DS-X required windows to update is a glaring flaw to their original claims :-P They should have drag and drop updates!

To be completely honest, as long as the AceKard works as it should, I don't care about the how the OS looks, Unless you spend more than 30 secs at a time on the OS screen (I can't see why!), then its just a precursor to your backup's and 'brew.

The proprietary file system should ensure stability in the game without slowdown or freezing, and it's already been proven that sav's CAN be exported and set accordingly. I look forward to the review, but will probably wait until I see a working english release client. If the chinese release client can't be fully translated and understood, then the review will probably not cover functionality fully and without a varying degree of bias.

If the claims from the chinese forums are true, I'd take this ANY DAY over a DS-X. Who wants to pay a premium for blinking lights and limited storage? Chop the DS-X price by half and remove the lights, then I'd consider it a somewhat worthwhile purchase.

pte · Nov 23, 2006

There will never be a product that is perfect for everyone, the DS-X needs updates, the memory can't be upgraded but you can also see that they have put time and effort in it.

The AceKard is the modern Chinese version of a Slot 1 solution, there isn't an English version out so drop the retarded speculation, mmkay? None of them are perfect, if you think the product suits _you_ the best just buy it. If there is a product that doesn't suit your needs it doesn't mean it is a bad product.

jpxdude · Nov 23, 2006

An English version of the AceKard has already been announced soon, so I don't see where the retarded speculation came from. It's logical that if something isn't fully understood, then there will be a certain degree of bias when trying to explore it.

Like you said, there are no perfect solutions on the market, but I never refered to any as being bad. Infact the DS-X is one of the best solutions out there, especially for anyone new to the scene, with its only misforgivings being its price IMO. Storage is adequate, and support seems great.

AceKard has a lot to live up to, it won't be for everyone, but for those looking for a cheap, workable solution, that doesn't compromise stability and performance in backups, then it 'could' fit the bill. Let the reviews roll!

DjoeN · Nov 23, 2006

That's why i wait

maybe flashkit makers should consider to release first an english version instead of chineese

Should make reviewers more happy and should avoid misinformations in reviews cause of chineese language.

kobewan · Nov 23, 2006

Well, I had high hopes for the AceKard but its not looking very good right now. Pretty much the only good things that it has going for it are "it could technically be a slightly more expensive ($10 or so) alternative to just buying the DS Browser, while providing some extras (such as the indicated complete compatibility)"

Some questions : --- Can you post your results for trying it in Wine?

--- I seem to remember something about them having a custom built Moonshell for it, any idea how that is? How are you supposed to transfer your media files back and forth?

--- Costello, you mentioned previously that "it doesn't support file fragmentation". Is that why those lines with "free space" popped up in the manager? Can you still write a same size or smaller ROM to those free spaces, or so you need to reformat to make use of them?

--- Also, have you found any ROM that doesn't work? Even if there was a single one that didn't, it would waste their claims.

So far, looking pretty bad in my eyes. No download play is not good for them. How can we be sure that there is no patching? Would a hex editor be able to open the AKFS files?

OSW · Nov 23, 2006

stinkingbob, no need to start a flame war! i was just stating my opinion. Although you have made some good points - ie. its true i have no first hand experience (although my thorough research should account for somethin

), you should be carefull first about the flaws in your argument. i'm sure even you have no expeince with acekard and thus cannot make a fair comparison with ds-x, the product you suggest you own and obviously own bias to.

Not to mention such a comparison is not fair, considering the differing GOALS of the two products. One is intentionally well rounded. The other aims for perfect DS compatability (which IS what i have EMPHASIZED obviously). both products seem to achieve their goal well.

for one, this unit uses "microsd" rather than "mini-sd" a mistake you repeated multiple times.
ds-x does not have 100% compatability (you obviously don't own "backups of every game" or if so haven't tried them all)
price is a flaw. i never specified it was with the unit itself, rather, it is a flaw of the sale. even so, my point was clearly recognisable (ie. flaw = downside)
The way you treated this also suggests that you are so wealthy that price is not an issue. well it aint like that for me and many others. I'm a teen student with no job and the associated income. no pocket money (and neever did get any). Thats right Intelligent, but with little money. DS-X is beyond my reach, but it is obvious that i understand its flaws well enough to not desire the item either.

likewise, it isn't a "flaw" that the unit was not in perfect form for gbatemp to review.

my post was never meant to be fully pro acekard, if you actually read it, or any other posts i've made in these forums, i raise some points against it too.

I believe everyone is entitled to an opinion and i support your right......
.....but just to emphasise my superiority, at this moment, i have posted exactly 2x you post count.

Peace out bro.

CronoTrig · Nov 23, 2006

Does AceKard have GBA support?

Costello · Nov 23, 2006

I would like to clear up the "patching" debate
The roms are copied straight to the MicroSD, the data is NOT modified. The client DOES NOT modify the roms.
I found out by transferring some roms on my MicroSD, then transferring back from the microSD to the PC, and doing a data comparison. The rom files are exactly the same in every case. So that's true, it doesn't patch the games.
But what's the point of this, knowing that download play doesn't work in most games? What's the point of "not patching" the games if it doesn't do anything different and doesn't even support download play? I'm not saying there's no point, I'm saying I don't see the point. Perhaps someone could explain

Now I'll run more tests!
- I'll try some homebrew apps
- I'll try to use the acekard client under Wine (I doubt it'll work though since it uses devices)
- What can you do with "free space" in the middle of the cart.

Edit: my results so far
- 0 of the 8 homebrew I tried worked (DS Organize, NDS Mail, BeUP, NesDS, Moonshell latest version, PicodriveDS, SnezziDS, SnemulDS)
- I can't format my microSD card anymore, whenever I try I get that message ("divide by zero error") like I posted a few posts before

And yes webez it can still patch on the fly, that's absolutely right. I still don't see the point.

webez · Nov 23, 2006

They can still patch on the fly. The rom will remain unchanged on the microsd

Noobix · Nov 23, 2006

Hehe I just want to know if it runs EVERY DS rom like it claims!!!

Oh well not long to go now before the English version is out...hopefully that'll be enough time for them to sort out "problems" like skinning the interface, etc.

trebus · Nov 23, 2006

I remember there's an option in the manager to install moonshell. You gotta check around for it as the Acekard moonshell is the only one that works.

Potentially, the OS, Horrible Game Manager and so on does seem to detract the qualities of it. But the reviewers can't read chinese so it also poses as a detractment to the Acekard. But to counter the points is that the AceKard is built for DS games and looks like it can play any and all DS games as soon as they are released. The OS you just need it to be fast and responsive not pretty and you just need to use it to play games. Ninjapass X9TF cannot play the latest games without updating it as it needs a list of settings for each games.

I would think with these qualities, AceKard would get a low score but I can see that all these problems are of software and is fixable. Not to mention Acekard team is a new company and lack experience. What AceKard has is potential for the future and able to play any and all DS games, but with the software problems and so on it would be hard. Only time would tell if AceKard would probably be good.

kobewan · Nov 23, 2006

QUOTE(trebus @ Nov 23 2006 said:
Potentially, the OS, Horrible Game Manager and so on does seem to detract the qualities of it. But the reviewers can't read Chinese so it also poses as a detractment to the Acekard. But to counter the points is that the AceKard is built for DS games and looks like it can play any and all DS games as soon as they are released. The OS you just need it to be fast and responsive not pretty and you just need to use it to play games. Ninjapass X9TF cannot play the latest games without updating it as it needs a list of settings for each games.

Well, if AceKard does keep in the ~$40 price range, they could get a lot of customers buying it as a second card to go with their SCL/M3L/G6L even with all the obvious flaws. Download play may be fixed in the future, but I'm not counting on it right now. It's better for the so-far-unproven future 100% compatibility, and the ability to do things like using the Opera browser or any other game that will want Slot-1/2 interaction. For right now though... that's all that I would consider buying it for. Could be useful for something like playing multi-cart multiplayer with a friend who refuses to flash his DS.

CronoTrig, no Slot-1 card has GBA support and they most likely never will. webez, don't all no-patching solutions patch on the fly? From what I know, it will always be necessary until at least the RSA encryption is properly figured out.

Costello, thanks for clearing up the patching point and for continuing to test everything. One possible reason I can think of for not wanting to patch it is to have their 100% future compatibility (or, if they don't have it, to make people think they do).

EDIT : Could you try a homebrew that doesn't require fatlib? Just a simple .ds file?

Costello · Nov 23, 2006

NDSmail doesn't require fatlib (well you have an option not to use FAT which will also mean that your settings aren't saved).
But it still freezes randomly, on startup and when writing text, etc...
Also snezziDS doesn't use FAT, the snes roms are included in the .nds file, but for some reason the acekard OS refuses to load it (the load progress bar stops at 0%.)

gab10 · Nov 23, 2006

acekard support download play with some games

refer to
http://wiki.scorpei.com/index.php/AceKard_compatibility_list

QUOTE(kt6192003 @ Nov 22 2006 said:
Just a quick question. Is there a way to transfer m3 saves over to the acekard? I'd hate to have to start all of my games over again.

you can
acekard support sc save
you can change the save from m3 to sc format first
and edit as xxx.nds.sav

QUOTE(hirusho @ Nov 22 2006, 06:46 PM)this is complete list

KingMax 512MB 4
KingMax 256MB 4
PNY 1GB 3
PNY 512MB 3
PNY 256MB 4
Kingston 1GB 3
Kingston 256MB 4
Sandisk 2GB 14
Sandisk 1GB 13
Sandisk 512MB 13
Sandisk Ultra II 1GB 7
Apacer 512MB 3
Apacer 256MB 4
AData 512MB 4
Kingston 512MB (not supported yet)

3 is the fastest speed
prefer to use pny 1G,kingston 1G(pny oem)

Edited by staff: please do not triple post! thats what the "edit" button is for!
sorry
and it is a video of acekard with G6
http://youtube.com/watch?v=abp7s64foYE

gab10 · Nov 23, 2006

QUOTE(kt6192003 @ Nov 22 2006 said:
Just a quick question. Is there a way to transfer m3 saves over to the acekard? I'd hate to have to start all of my games over again.

you can
acekard support sc save
you can change the save from m3 to sc format first
and edit as xxx.nds.sav

gab10 · Nov 23, 2006

QUOTE(hirusho @ Nov 22 2006 said:
this is complete list

KingMax 512MB 4
KingMax 256MB 4
PNY 1GB 3
PNY 512MB 3
PNY 256MB 4
Kingston 1GB 3
Kingston 256MB 4
Sandisk 2GB 14
Sandisk 1GB 13
Sandisk 512MB 13
Sandisk Ultra II 1GB 7
Apacer 512MB 3
Apacer 256MB 4
AData 512MB 4
Kingston 512MB (not supported yet)

3 is the fastest speed
prefer to use pny 1G,kingston 1G(pny oem)

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