Hacking EZ-FLASH Junior TestFlight

bbsan2k · Aug 24, 2020

I‘m not sure I understand what is the point in writing back the RTC register..
Granted you have the „correct“ time in the RTC after setting it up internally - but I would have assumed the game just saves an offset (when game started) and use all other date options relative to this offset...

aaaaaa123456789 · Aug 24, 2020

bbsan2k said:
I‘m not sure I understand what is the point in writing back the RTC register..
Granted you have the „correct“ time in the RTC after setting it up internally - but I would have assumed the game just saves an offset (when game started) and use all other date options relative to this offset...

It just makes some things easier, and it's well-defined behavior. (Note that the RTC can never have the correct time and date, because it doesn't even store a full date. The actual MBC3 RTC is very different from the RTC you see in the firmware's settings menu.)

NieDzejkob · Aug 24, 2020

EZ-Flash2 said:
@aaaaaa123456789 @NieDzejkob
We store some RTC data at the end of the RTC game's save file. It records the offset from the last start of the game to the first start of the game.

For example, 2020-08-24 15:00:00 the first time you start the game, this value is 00 00 00 00 00 (Seconds Minutes Hours Days Control)

2020-08-24 15:04:55 You start the game again, the value is 55 04 00 00 00

2020-08-24 15:09:18 You start the game the third time, the value is 18 09 00 00 00

How do you know how much you should advance the RTC while resuming the game, compared to the data saved in the savefile? Do you look at the modification date in the filesystem?!

pakoska · Aug 24, 2020

EZ-Flash2 said:
@NieDzejkob
We did a new firmware update by using the tools you provided. Please check if it is still not working properly

Other Prism players can upgrade this firmware for testing as well!

I have a problem with this update. After applying it, the startup stuck at osinit message. Maybe I updated the flash with the wrong ezgb.dat file? There is a way to restore the flashcart?

Thanks id advance

limpbiz411 · Aug 24, 2020

pakoska said:
I have a problem with this update. After applying it, the startup stuck at osinit message. Maybe I updated the flash with the wrong ezgb.dat file? There is a way to restore the flashcart?

Thanks id advance

the latest beta is no good, go back to the previous one

Grbb · Aug 24, 2020

Why is EZ-Flash wasting time on a frigging romhack when there's so much improvement to do on the Jr., like support for OFFICIAL hardware like the Super Game Boy, QoL improvements and more essential features? It baffles me.

Shadow#1 · Aug 24, 2020

Grbb said:
Why is EZ-Flash wasting time on a frigging romhack when there's so much improvement to do on the Jr., like support for OFFICIAL hardware like the Super Game Boy, QoL improvements and more essential features? It baffles me.

Because there was more demand by the community for prism

limpbiz411 · Aug 24, 2020

Grbb said:
Why is EZ-Flash wasting time on a frigging romhack when there's so much improvement to do on the Jr., like support for OFFICIAL hardware like the Super Game Boy, QoL improvements and more essential features? It baffles me.

guess you have to play it to find out

Grbb · Aug 24, 2020

Shadow#1 said:
Because there was more demand by the community for prism

Sure of that? I see more demand everywhere (even outside this forum) for savestates, cheats, Quality of Life improvements and SGB support. 4-5 guys playing a romhack is not "demand". EZ-Flash, you should put your priorities right, watch the reviews the Jr. is getting everywhere (e.g. Youtube), none of them even mention this romhack but DO mention the lack of essential features like those just mentioned, people watch THOSE reviews to help decide to buy your product or not.

limpbiz411 · Aug 25, 2020

Grbb said:
Sure of that? I see more demand everywhere (even outside this forum) for savestates, cheats, Quality of Life improvements and SGB support. 4-5 guys playing a romhack is not "demand". EZ-Flash, you should put your priorities right, watch the reviews the Jr. is getting everywhere (e.g. Youtube), none of them even mention this romhack but DO mention the lack of essential features like those just mentioned, people watch THOSE reviews to help decide to buy your product or not.

ez flash jr. wont ever have save states, or cheats.

EZ-Flash2 · Aug 25, 2020

If the product has a feature or will have a feature, then I would include it in the list of product features. If the product doesn't have this feature, it won't appear in the product listing.

If I'm going to add save-states or cheat functionality, why don't I just come out with another new product like the competition instead develop value-added functionality on an old product without new incoming?

What makes you think that EZ-FLASH should add unlimited new features to an already cheap product for free, while competitors can differentiate the price range by the number of features?

This is just my personal complaint about some of the reply in the thread and does not represent our development plans.

At last, If a feature is added to an existing product, it's a surprise from the team to the users, not because the user demanded us for it!

EZ-Flash2 · Aug 25, 2020

NieDzejkob said:
How do you know how much you should advance the RTC while resuming the game, compared to the data saved in the savefile? Do you look at the modification date in the filesystem?!

here is the structure of the rtc data

0x0 Seconds
0x4 Minutes
0x8 Hours
0xC Days
0x10 Control
0x14 Seconds
0x18 Minutes
0x1C Hours
0x20 Days
0x24 Control
The above is the sum total of the time since the game was first started. two sets, same value. （timecount），
0x28 (4bytes) is the timestamp of last game start time.（last Timestamp）
when start game again.
basetime = (nowtime - last Timestamp) + timecount

RetroKarl · Aug 25, 2020

Wow, I had no idea that the CEO of EZ FLASH was called Grbb from Venezuela O.o, that shocks me. I mean, if he is not, he really sounds like the boss giving orders :rofl2:

Just Kidding

@Grbb By "reviews", you are talking about the dozens that just update, try a couple of games and try to use their SGB?, but didn't mention ANY of the several bugs that for MONTHS thanks to @EZ-Flash2 (dev team) and the community here, are now fixed

It's not just to fix Prism, but as we all read from both developer teams, by fixing this is more likely that we will have a more reliable and accurate RTC, saves and maybe even optimize for the future features that they have planned, which can lead also to a great compatibility for exporting/importing saves from/to other platforms. Myself, I'm not into HackRoms, but trust me, there is a Huge community in GB-GBA.

Thanks for the hard work @EZ-Flash2, and thanks for all the fixes that we have so far. Cheers mate

pakoska · Aug 25, 2020

limpbiz411 said:
the latest beta is no good, go back to the previous one

Thanks for the info! But, How can I back to the previous release if the flashcard don't go more than the initos message?

RetroKarl · Aug 25, 2020

pakoska said:
Thanks for the info! But, How can I back to the previous release if the flashcard don't go more than the initos message?

Hi @pakoska, try deleting everything from the microSD, and use the files from Firmware 4 and Kernel 1.04e from the official web (ezgb.dat & Update_FW4.gb). If it lets you boot into the system, flash this Firmware (Update_FW4.gb). If you don't get luck with that, then try the same, but with the Firmware and Kernel from comment #405. Hope this helps. Cheers mate

burgoyne · Aug 25, 2020

RetroKarl said:
Hi @burgoyne , are they modded consoles? or original ones?

Well, you can try to reformat, use the files of the FW-Kernel that is installed now, and copy just a little amount of games to the microSD to test. *IMPORTANT* Every file that you copy to the microSD card, make sure that if it is compressed, NEVER copy it from the ZIP-RAR-7ZIP file, always extract it first to your PC, and then to the microSD, it can lead to issues with files.

Also, create a folder with the name "SAVER" in the root of the microSD card. Make sure you are using batteries that are in a good shape.

If you get it working at least once, install the FW&Kernel from the comment #405, make sure that you never press any button during the installation. And after it is over, turn off the console, and then on.

If your consoles are not modded it's very weird to have this issue with that amount of consoles. Are you sure that your microSD cards are from a reliable seller (AKA Original)? Because I don't know in the US, but here Sandisk-Kingston there are a lot of copies of this brands if you don't know where you're buying.

Thanks for the reply. I just reformatted my microSD (I have 3 different 16GB cards that are all authentic) and added the files from post 405. I added one GB game, and one GBC game to their respected folders. I also added an empty folder named "SAVER" to the sd root.

I tested this on 5 game boys with the same results for every one. All of these play other game carts without issue. I am using brand new AA batteries in each. When I power them on, I see EZ-FLASH, then Loading..., and then nothing happens. It just stays like that.
1. DMG with v3 IPS disaplay
2. Stock DMG
3. Stock DMG
4. GBC with frontlight display
5. GBC with frontlight display

The weirdest part is that previously when using the files directly from the site I got the cart to boot on one of the GBC's (specifically #5 from that above list). It booted, so I went to the update file and ran the firmware update. It said it was done and to power off my unit. I did that, turned it back on and it was still working. I edited the clock time (set to correct time), and then when I tried to go to the GB or GBC folder, it said file error (on both). After turning off the console, I cannot get the cartridge to boot anymore.

Because of this, I am thinking it has something to do with me setting the clock? Is there any data stored on the cart itself (and not the SD card) that could be causing the issue?

WiLLiW · Aug 25, 2020

Grbb said:
Why is EZ-Flash wasting time on a frigging romhack when there's so much improvement to do on the Jr., like support for OFFICIAL hardware like the Super Game Boy, QoL improvements and more essential features? It baffles me.

Because the developers are pokemon fans... maybe?

RetroKarl · Aug 26, 2020

Hi @burgoyne, Ok, that makes more sense with some modded systems (even tho, it's not normal). Well, in your comment #505, you mention "(tested on 3 DMG's, and 3 CGB's)" is there any chance that this third GBC is not modded? to try to install it on that one, and I think it will be Official FW4 Kernel 1.04e the files that you will have to use. Or do you have a GBA? Well, if you think that setting the time on the RTC could be the cause, try to remove the battery (ONLY IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING) check the voltage and after a couple of minutes put it back and try again to run FW4 K1.04. This should reset the RTC and give us some info if the battery is doing something weird. If you don't have an unmodded GBC or a GBA, then I think the best bet will be to run this on the Stock DMG'S,

If by a miracle you were able to run this with any of the ideas above, flash this FW4.

EZ-Flash2 · Aug 26, 2020

WiLLiW said:
Because the developers are pokemon fans... maybe?

The Pokemon series is my least favorite game series of all time!
Because for the past nearly two decades, I've needed to test them often, save progress, check rtc.....
I want to punch Dr. OAK in the face, when every time he shows up.... and the Mom. annoying.

burgoyne · Aug 26, 2020

RetroKarl said:
Hi @burgoyne, Ok, that makes more sense with some modded systems (even tho, it's not normal). Well, in your comment #505, you mention "(tested on 3 DMG's, and 3 CGB's)" is there any chance that this third GBC is not modded? to try to install it on that one, and I think it will be Official FW4 Kernel 1.04e the files that you will have to use. Or do you have a GBA? Well, if you think that setting the time on the RTC could be the cause, try to remove the battery (ONLY IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING) check the voltage and after a couple of minutes put it back and try again to run FW4 K1.04. This should reset the RTC and give us some info if the battery is doing something weird. If you don't have an unmodded GBC or a GBA, then I think the best bet will be to run this on the Stock DMG'S,

If by a miracle you were able to run this with any of the ideas above, flash this FW4.

Unfortunately all three GBC's have a front light mod. I re-downloaded the official FW4 kernel from ezflash and added it to a freshly formatted microSD. I added one GB rom and one GBC rom.

I removed the battery and it constantly read 3.02v.

After putting the battery back in, and the new SD, I got the same results on both stock DMG's. I then tried it on the front-lit GBC that it worked on once before. It worked! Unfortunately it said "battery dry" on boot. But anyways, I ran the ver4 .gb file, and then turned it off when prompted. When turning it back on (no battery dry error this time), I verified it was on ver4 (it was), and then I tried running the roms. They worked! I also tried it on my other GBC and my DMG with the IPS display, they worked as well. Setting the clock is also functioning.

The only thing I did different this time was when I was prompted on boot to enable the auto save feature, I selected no. Previously, I selected yes. Not sure why this would have caused an issue, but for now, I will just leave that off until I feel like figuring out that problem.

Thanks a lot for your help.

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