Hacking Battery Dead on Arrival

[Tybalt1212]

I very recently received an EZ Flash 3 in 1 GBA Version from gamersection.ca. Its behaviour clearly points to its battery power being depleted. (GBA Exploader asking to set it every time I boot it up, save states not working.) Below is a transcript of the e-mails I sent to them, along with their response to the first one. (I'm still waiting for a response to the second.)

Me:

I recently purchased an "EZ Flash 3 in 1" from gamersection.ca. It arrived this past thursday, and I learned yesterday that the behaviour it exhibits indicates that its internal (and non-replacable) battery was already depleted upon its arrival, rendering it incapable of retaining save-states. Am I eligible for a return?

Gamersection:

Hello,

Did you allow the battery to recharge for at least an hour or two before trying a save? Is there any error message that appears when trying to save? What tool are you using to transfer files from your slot1 cart to teh ez-flash 3in1?

Me:
QUOTE

From all I've read, the battery in this device is not rechargeable, but it has been in the DS (even while recharging the DS) for quite some time. No error message appears, as the save state will remain until the DS is powered off (which is the only way to exit a GBA game). I've used both AKAIO's built-in 3-in-1 support and GBA Exploader - it was GBA Exploader's behaviour that confirmed that the battery is indeed depleted. (It asks "May I set this Slot2 expansion pack for GBA Exploader?" every time I start it. According to all sources, this occurs only when the battery is depleted, and the device's behaviour when handling saves is consistant with that diagnosis). Thank you for your help.

Their ignorance of their own product is frankly disgusting, and I'm more than a little PO'd that it seems that they won't be giving me a return. I should be able to install a new battery myself, but that's not the point. So has this happened to anyone else? How did the store you bought it from respond?

 

[Chris_Skylock]

I just received a re-stocked EZ Flash 3in1 plus but my friend who bought the last set, which were stocked for a long time by RockSoft, might have a problem. Though I hope it wasnt for the battery.

She didnt mentioned any problems you mentioned to me but she mentioned she cant play Pokemon Ruby and Emerald. So it might be just a patch.

Regards,
Chris

PS: The one who sold you might not want to give you a return. check first their return policy.

 

[Eternity`]

Yep, i received one with the battery doa. Replaced my battery and it works wonders!

-Eternity

 

[how_do_i_do_that]

If your trying to play pokemon, you have to RTC patch it before you can play.

See if your game requires patching first before claiming a hardware problem.

There is the topic on this with the 3in1 here:
http://ezflash.sosuke.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=5342

The patch listed inside that:
http://nds.cmamod.com/ez5/gbaldr/pokepatch_3in1.zip

If your gba expansion is not a 3in1, there are more universal patches available here:
http://bubbz.pocketheaven.com/?system=gba&section=patch

There is also the download section here:
http://gbatemp.net/index.php?dlcategory=28

 

[Searinox]

Do not worry about dead battery. With a little skill you can exchange it yourself. I've never had a dead battery because I never STAYED with the original battery. Always bought some longlife coin battery to replace the originals.