ROM Hack 3DS rom's memory disappeared?

[iamj0j0]

I'm used to backing up NDS save files by copying the ".sav" files from the microSD and pasting it onto my desktop, but I had no idea what to do with my RF4 rom because it didn't create a ".sav file". It was just "v.runfa-2.3ds" and there was no "v.runfa-2.sav." I assumed that the save memory went straight into the ".3ds" file, so I just backed up that and continued to replace the ".3ds" file onto my desktop repeatedly over time.

Today, I decided to pick up my 3DS and play RF4 after two months , but I couldn't boot up Gateway Mode, so I was like "eh, there's probably a new gateway update anyway. I'll just replace the launcher.dat file onto my sd card and try again." I did so, but before I booted up gateway mode, while my microSD was still connected to my laptop, I copied the ".3ds" file and replaced it with the old file. I've done this multiple times before, so I didn't think much of it. Anyway, I booted up gateway mode and everything went fine, but as soon as I booted up Rune Factory 4, something was wrong. It showed a message like "Thank you for purchasing this game." It was like the first time I played it; there were no save files or anything. Everything I spent my time on for hours and hours were gone. I have no idea what happened.

Afterwards, I was like "oh no, it must have corrupted or something" so I went straight to the file I just saved beforehand and when I put it back into my microSD and tried to reboot it, the game still did not have my save file. What did I do?

Can anyone help me try to possibly get my data back or let me know what happened at least? I don't know what I did wrong, and is there any way I can prevent this from now on?

 

[Garro]

ROMs saves are created and stored in the console's SD with the Game ID as name, I can think of two possible reasons why you lost your save, you might have accidentally deleted it when you updated your launcher.dat, or you forced shut/the battery died while you was playing the game (Gateway writes the save when you go to sleep mode of exit from the home menu, if the battery dies Gateway doesn't write the sav file).

And also, a friendly advice, never assume things if its related to Gateway or you might do something you will regret later.

 

[iamj0j0]

If I deleted it when I updated my launcher.dat, what can I do so that it won't happen again. Never update my launcher.dat again or..? There was nothing different from the usual update. Is there any way of backing it up so this won't happen again or am I just going to have to hope for the save file to never get deleted again. If it wasn't because of the launcher.dat, if the 3DS shut down while I was playing the game, would everything be lost or just everything before the last save?

Thanks for the advice. Assumptions will be avoided as best I can from now on.