Hacking DS-X and Zelda:PH Compatibility

[DBlaze]

I'm starting to think team ds-x is kinda leaving

Why don't they just make it a bit open source so users can fix things themselves

@ kazumi;

I got pokemon ranger running with fw 1.1.2

 

[kazumi213]

But surly then the games would work on older versions of the firmware?


You're right, I was saying that under the assumption that Pokemon Ranger was not working on 1.1.2 as reported on Scorpei's Compat. list. However, as reported by DBlaze, Pokemon Ranger is working on 1.1.2. Given Zelda and SimCity aren't working on 1.0.2 either, hence my first statement: is not a size-only issue. The games are performing some kind of check related to EEPROM access. Competitors could just have removed that check upon on-the-fly patching process when loading the ROM, but I don't know.

Pokemon Ranger on Scorpei's Compat. list (scroll down a bit)

@ kazumi;

I got pokemon ranger running with fw 1.1.2

Thanks DBlaze. Could you confirm there are no saving issues? On 1.0.2 and 1.1.0 save corruption error happens after:

1. You play Pokemon Ranger and save your progress.
2. Next game you play is NOT Pokemon Ranger and you save your progres on it. Try let's say Mario Kart (just modify your symbol to test it quickly).
3. You play again Pokemon Ranger.

When Pokemon Ranger try to access the save you made on step 1, the error message appears and your save is deleted.

 

[jesterscourt]

I hope the forum and others becomes overrun with threads just like this. DS-X Makers... WAKE UP! Time to support your current client base, or else this forum will go straight to hell with complaints. On the topic of the official forums, deleting the threads, locking them, warning, banning... It just leads to more people being upset.

DS-X makers, do something about it.

Fix you damn problems in a timely manner AND keep US up to date about how you are going about doing so.

It's not that hard.

Everyone else can seem to be able to do it, why do you have to be different, you're no longer a market leader, so it's not to stave off competition... We want to like you guys, honestly. Well, most of us do anyhow.

 

[KirbyPink]

But surly then the games would work on older versions of the firmware?


You're right, I was saying that under the assumption that Pokemon Ranger was not working on 1.1.2 as reported on Scorpei's Compat. list. However, as reported by DBlaze, Pokemon Ranger is working on 1.1.2. Given Zelda and SimCity aren't working on 1.0.2 either, hence my first statement: is not a size-only issue. The games are performing some kind of check related to EEPROM access. Competitors could just have removed that check upon on-the-fly patching process when loading the ROM, but I don't know.

Pokemon Ranger on Scorpei's Compat. list (scroll down a bit)

@ kazumi;

I got pokemon ranger running with fw 1.1.2

Thanks DBlaze. Could you confirm there are no saving issues? On 1.0.2 and 1.1.0 save corruption error happens after:

1. You play Pokemon Ranger and save your progress.
2. Next game you play is NOT Pokemon Ranger and you save your progres on it. Try let's say Mario Kart (just modify your symbol to test it quickly).
3. You play again Pokemon Ranger.

When Pokemon Ranger try to access the save you made on step 1, the error message appears and your save is deleted.

I´ll give it a try. Hell, it´s just gunna take 5mins to check anyway. I´ll come back with reply soon.

 

[KirbyPink]

So...freaking...much...intro...text...awful...

Step 1. Get past the boring intro text ive seen 7th times already
Step 2. Normal Save
Step 3. Run a diffrent App and save
Step 4. Run Pokemon Ranger and see if save is still there

Aight here goes...

NOPE!!!
Save file STILL gets corrupted.

 

[kazumi213]

So...freaking...much...intro...text...awful...

Step 1. Get past the boring intro text ive seen 7th times already
Step 2. Normal Save
Step 3. Run a diffrent App and save
Step 4. Run Pokemon Ranger and see if save is still there

Aight here goes...

NOPE!!!
Save file STILL gets corrupted.

As I reported on DS-X forum WAY before the 1.1.2 (latest) release, the problem is the save compression. Under 1.0.2 and 1.1.0, uncompressing the save before Step 4 and using that instead didn't produce error message.

It seems to me the problem is due to a bug when uncompressing the save to read it (load the save). This bug is trigered when the compressed save has a certain (big) size (above 25 kilobytes which is the maximum save compressed size I've seen working, Mario Kart).

I've suggested a couple of times on the DS-X forum the implementation of an USER OPTION to disable save compression. I think that wouldn't be hard to code for the DS-X team.

 

[KirbyPink]

Question!
Why does it need to be compressed in the first place?

 

[kazumi213]

Question!
Why does it need to be compressed in the first place?

Because as someone at DS-X forum said, the DS-X is designed in a "technically sophisticated" manner.

I think this is only causing "technically sophisticated" problems. No, honestly, there is no real capacity issues that justifies the save compression. At 512 kilobytes per uncompressed save, that means reserving only 5 (lets's say 7) megabytes on the DS-X 4Gbit to hold saves for 10 games.

Also, I think that EEPROM-always-save-on-restart (even when there's nothing to save) implemented on 1.1.2 to guarantee EEPROM contents are written to a .SAV should be properly coded. That behaviour simply looks to me like a quick, crappy fix to solve the EEPROM problems.

 

[J_Devon]

I'm under the impression that the "DS-X Team" only consists of one or two members, who aren't even fully dedicated or able enough to support the product. Like they have a job and are doing some fixing every now and then in their spare time... if they feel like it (which seems to be never).

Edit:
The domains are registered to a Kevin Carter. He is Registrant, administrative contact and technical contact for the domain ds-x.com and ds-xtreme.com.

American company?:
Carter, Kevin [email protected]
Yu Stin Ki Pu 56
China, 726300
China
429387498374

He is obviously related to DS-X. Someone send him an email and ask what the @#%$! the DS-X "Team" think they are doing.

 

[kernelPANIC]

Well, I just tried to help a forum user who was asking for some advice on whether he should keep his DS-X or sell it to a friend. Perhaps I went a bit overboard with my reply, but I guess that forums are just a way to vent frustration sometimes... You be the judge:

And a few minutes later, my post was deleted (notice the time on my reply and rabid1's reply).

 

[lampiaio]

 Carter, Kevin [email protected]
 Yu Stin Ki Pu 56
 China, 726300
 China
 429387498374

You Stinky Poo? I hope it's just a coincidence...

 

[HBK]

DS-X fails 3 times in a row...guys, just get the R4. It's obvious the DS-X team isn't doing anything.

 

[drdeath25]

Anyone want to buy my 512MB DS-X for $65 shipped? I tried to post on their forum but they just delete and edit my posts even though i am not breaking any rules. DS-X team is well known for their customer support.

PM me with offers, i take paypal only, and have high ebay feedback rating.

 

[Mehdi]

solution = r4

 

[pbolmstedt]

 Carter, Kevin [email protected]
 Yu Stin Ki Pu 56
 China, 726300
 China
 429387498374

You Stinky Poo? I hope it's just a coincidence...

Srsly... This is the oldest joke ever. The joke's even been joked about in the DS-X forums the first time being almost a year ago (search for "carter kevin", etc).

 

[pbolmstedt]

I'm under the impression that the "DS-X Team" only consists of one or two members, who aren't even fully dedicated or able enough to support the product.

Bingo! Problem probably is, how many hours of coding does a sold DS-X unit pay for in the wages where the devteam is located? Two? And how many 16Gb units did they sell?
http://www.teamxodus.com/modules.php?name=...=article&sid=81

 

[AshuraZro]

Anyone want to buy my 512MB DS-X for $65 shipped?  I tried to post on their forum but they just delete and edit my posts even though i am not breaking any rules.   DS-X team is well known for their customer support.

PM me with offers, i take paypal only, and have high ebay feedback rating.

I seriously hope this is a joke.

 

[pbolmstedt]

Anyone want to buy my 512MB DS-X for $65 shipped? I tried to post on their forum but they just delete and edit my posts even though i am not breaking any rules. DS-X team is well known for their customer support.

PM me with offers, i take paypal only, and have high ebay feedback rating.

I seriously hope this is a joke.

No, it's legit. I checked it out, his eBay username is Hai Rei Ting.

 

[roflbean]

I'm just here to add my voice of regret for buying this product too. Especially in light of the last couple of weeks, and the price. Oh well. Live and learn I guess. At least I know a lot more about the scene now. Expensive way to learn though.

 

[h8uthemost]

DS-X fails 3 times in a row...guys, just get the R4. It's obvious the DS-X team isn't doing anything.

Why would you get an R4 now when there are much better carts out now. The R4 is cheap though.