Tutorial  Updated

How to convert an R4i Ultra (r4ultra.com) clone into a legit Acekard 2i using a hacked 3DS

upload_2017-6-10_4-17-40.png
This cart is an Acekard 2i clone that shares the same bootloader with the AK2i, even the physical connection issues are the exact same as the AK2i ones (faulty connection, wobbling cart). You can use the official Acekard bootloader updaters with it and they work just fine. I read it online a few months ago that this flashcart was actually made by the same people that made the Acekard 2i, and that the only reason AKAIO doesn't work on it is that @Normmatt implemented some code that checks if it's running on a clone. Even though AKAIO doesn't support clones, there is a leaked version that was made for this cart, which I believe is version 1.4.x, and there is also an official AKAIO release, 1.8.1a, made for this cart that could be found in the official website of the clone cart. To quote:
Another World said:
the r4 ultra was made by acekard and the original menu was coded by acekard. the r4 ultra is a rebranded ak2i. norm did indeed make akaio 1.8.1 work on it, by the request of team acekard. any reasons other than that are none of the business of the general public. its up to norm to give reasons. i'll just confirm that it is official.

-another world
Click to expand...
Crystal the Glaceon said:
It's more of a Clone made by The Acekard Team.
It uses pretty much uses very similar hardware.
Click to expand...

However, if you tried to swap the AKAIO loaders with more recent ones, they wouldn't work.

So, today I was trying to make a loader for my flashcart so that I could run it on my old DSi, that is on firmware 1.4.5, using the newly released HaxxStation exploit. While I was using Decrypt9 to dump the flashcart, I noticed a menu called "NDS Flashcart Options". I messed around with the options, and when I tried to "Restore AK2i bootrom", the cart was not properly recognized anymore, even though I was restoring my own backup of the cart's flash.
upload_2017-6-10_4-26-35.png

Before giving up on the cart and throwing it away, I asked online for a dump of a legit Acekard 2i made using Decrypt9, to see if that could revive the cart. And to my surprise, the results were better than expected. Not only the cart was brought back to life, it was now being recognized as an official Acekard 2i, both by the official firmware and by AKAIO.
Cl84sjh.png

After years of trying to use more modern firmwares with this cart, I could finally convert it into the cart it is cloned from, by pure accident. Had I not bricked the cart I would have never find this out.

Download link for "ak2i_flash.bin":
https://mega.nz/#!EoBAwQJY!4ec5DO8bAeKLjAS1UIjue7NqfW7KseRhpLPgulAbEto

Keep in mind that this file is for carts that are detected as HW=81 in Decrypt9 or in Acekard's updater. If you have a legit Acekard 2i detected as HW=44, please post your flash file in the thread.

You just have to put this file in your 3DS's SD Card's root, and run Decrypt9 using A9LH or boot9strp to restore the legit Acekard 2i's flash into your clone. You can now use the latest AKAIO and treat it like a legit Acekard 2i.

Thanks to @YourLocalMudkip for providing the Acekard 2i flash file.
 
Last edited by some1ne,
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Smiths

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driverdis said:
So, why would the AKAIO source code be part of this? Software/programs have nothing to do with DS hardware itself so AKAIO should be free to work on and release without messing with the parole conditions whatever they are. Is there a timeframe you can share for when the conditions can be met so everyone here can have an idea on how long it will be before AKAIO without checks can be worked on/released or is it more likely that it will never be released with the clone checks removed?
Click to expand...

New Zealand is such an odd place. They think Norm's profits from AKAIO were used for the DSXL which was used in the subsequent.......issue...... with authorities and there are some notes in the AKAIO source (confessions, if you will)

I'll reach out to him though he's not that happy with me with I sheeped --- err, ratted -- him out
 
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some1ne

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Smiths said:
New Zealand is such an odd place. They think Norm's profits from AKAIO were used for the DSXL which was used in the subsequent.......issue...... with authorities and there are some notes in the AKAIO source (confessions, if you will)

I'll reach out to him though he's not that happy with me with I sheeped --- err, ratted -- him out
Click to expand...

Is this "livestock" case just a joke or just a way to hide something else?
 
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Smiths

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Some1CP said:
Is this "livestock" case just a joke or just a way to hide something else?
Click to expand...
i screw with Norm. it's our thing.

it makes him feel useful.

I honestly don't know if agreement with Acekard from back in the days of AKAIO says we really can't release a build without clone detection. I'll ask Normmatt.... when he wakes up from his MDMA party
 
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Smiths said:
i screw with Norm. it's our thing.

it makes him feel useful.

I honestly don't know if agreement with Acekard from back in the days of AKAIO says we really can't release a build without clone detection. I'll ask Normmatt.... when he wakes up from his MDMA party
Click to expand...
Had to google what MDMA was so I did and was promptly greeted with several pictures of Carrie Fisher...
RIPRIPRIP in space, Carrie :P
I will pray for Norm so he doesn't end up an old washed-up Sci-Fi junkie living in a van down by the river.
 
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Smiths said:
Norm is under probation for "livestock-related" crimes in his native land of New Zealand. He is barred from touching Nintendo DS hardware as part of his parole (don't ask,but let's just say a DSXL was used in committing the crime with the sheep).
Click to expand...

A livestock related crime... using a DSXL ?
LOL :D
I really hope this is just a joke! :toot:
 
HamBone41801

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Normmatt said:
Sorry guys my parole states I can't work on anything NDS related. :rofl2:

Main problem is AKAIO doesn't work with latest tool chain... and I don't care enough to go and track down why.
Click to expand...
did... did you shove a ds up a sheep's ass...? Remind me never to cross you.
 
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Did anyone ever upload a HW ID 44 original dump? I have a HW ID 44 clone I would like to convert into a legit one.
 
SkyDX

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Sorry for double-posting, I just wanted to say that apparently some HW ID 44 clones don't like being reflashed or I'm doing something wrong. I tried to flash mine with a legit HW 44 backup and while the flashing started it displays "verify failed at xxxxxxxx" eventually always freezing at 12% "verify failed at 00003E00", ah well.
 
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Hi.

I'm following the tuto with my official AK2I, but when is restore, say me " cartride is not AK2i ", but ntrboot say me " Ak2I h81"
 

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