Homebrew DSi Downgrading - The Complete Guide

[I pwned U!]

I cannot get the computer that I am using to detect my DSi XL. I had an invalid geometry error at first, later had a CRC error, and now it does not detect my DSi XL at all when it is inserted and then booted to the bootrom screen. Here is my current setup:

Spoiler

I also set up this other mod for enabling game backup and save data backup/restore apps. Could this somehow be causing a problem?

Could it also be the computer's SD card slot? I do not know how to tell whether or not it supports reading eMMC chips running in single data-line mode.

 

[Cid6.7]

My son upgraded his DSi to 1.4.5u which blocked his AceKart2 from working.
If I do this mod can I downgrade to another version so that his card & games loaded onto the card work again..?
Thanks.

 

[leerz]

can I use my flashcart to load biggest Looser?
also, with all these development, downgrading titles, would it be possible to install a different region title.

say converting the dsi 1.4j to dsi 1.4u

I have several J dsi's hanging, and I've been wanting to make some progress with this, unfortunately, seems like flashcarts does not work.

(i'm using a dsi enhanced enabled cart / acerkard2i)

 

[T3GZdev]

im attempting this now.
i have some wires soldered to an micro SD card adapter, but the pads on the DSiXL looks to small. ordering some smaller tips.

i was able to get the console ID.

edit: the DSiXL im trying this with is on 1.4.1U.
would you recommend updating, buying sudoku, then doing the mod?
or do the mod the copy sudokuhax from my other DSi(has sudokuhax already)

 

[Gadorach]

im attempting this now.
i have some wires soldered to an micro SD card adapter, but the pads on the DSiXL looks to small. ordering some smaller tips.

i was able to get the console ID.

edit: the DSiXL im trying this with is on 1.4.1U.
would you recommend updating, buying sudoku, then doing the mod?
or do the mod the copy sudokuhax from my other DSi(has sudokuhax already)

You're going to need to buy Sudoku on the DSi you're trying to hack, as the console must be licensed to run it. Update, buy Sudoku, and then solder in the connector. Be careful, and do not solder to the resistor array, use the regular point. You will probably need to scrape the solder-mask from the point first. Use liquid rosin flux when you're soldering, and clean the area with rubbing alcohol and some cotton swabs when you're done. This is sensitive work, be careful, it's easy to break these consoles. I broke my first one when I was tracing the data and clock points in order to find better solder spots for everyone to use, and I have 9 years of soldering experience. Anyway, good luck, and get pretty close to the smallest tip you can find.

can I use my flashcart to load biggest Looser?
also, with all these development, downgrading titles, would it be possible to install a different region title.

say converting the dsi 1.4j to dsi 1.4u

I have several J dsi's hanging, and I've been wanting to make some progress with this, unfortunately, seems like flashcarts does not work.

(i'm using a dsi enhanced enabled cart / acerkard2i)

DSi-enabled carts will not work, you need the original game or an original raspberry pi model A or B. Not much has be done as far as research in region changing is concerned either, so I can't answer your question at this time.

 

[I pwned U!]

Does anyone have any advice for my problem?

I cannot get the computer that I am using to detect my DSi XL. I had an invalid geometry error at first, later had a CRC error, and now it does not detect my DSi XL at all when it is inserted and then booted to the bootrom screen. Here is my current setup:

Spoiler

View attachment 37196 View attachment 37197

I also set up this other mod for enabling game backup and save data backup/restore apps. Could this somehow be causing a problem?

Could it also be the computer's SD card slot? I do not know how to tell whether or not it supports reading eMMC chips running in single data-line mode.

 

[Gadorach]

Does anyone have any advice for my problem?

Two things come to mind immediately. Those wires are very thick for this work, and stranded. Though they have their uses, their internal impedance will give you problems in this case. I would recommend on using solid-core 30AWG wire, I personally use Kynar-coated wires for my work. Keep the wire length to no longer than 10-12cm (about 4 inches), or the air's electrostatic interference will corrupt the data. Also, your CLK point looks bad on your SD card, barely attached, and you've soldered to the resistor array on the DAT0 point, which I do not recommend as the RA is very fragile. Next, you have a lot of exposed wire on the board side, that invites even more interference, which can easily corrupt your reads and writes. As much as I'd like to make a tutorial and post videos on exactly how to do what I'm describing, I have to study for, and do, my end-term exams right now. After next week is over, I'll have a week off that I can help people out in, when I'm not working with @Wolfgange to figure out how to solve some issues with filesystem writing under sudokuhax. Until then, get some solid-core 30AWG wire and redo the connections.

AND DON'T SOLDER TO THE RESISTOR ARRAY UNLESS THE REGULAR POINT IS BROKEN, UNLESS YOU WANT A DEAD DSi!



PS. The modification you mentioned won't do anything bad to your DSi, and I intend to include it in the guide in the future, when I get the chance to update it.

PPS. Cleaning the contacts of the SD adapter with a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol can take away a lot of oxidation, which has fixed read and write errors for me in the past.

 

[froggestspirit]

I get the code 0000FE00 when I turn on the DSi (while in the SD reader, but not in the computer). When I plug it in the computer, it does not detect it.

 

[Gadorach]

I get the code 0000FE00 when I turn on the DSi (while in the SD reader, but not in the computer). When I plug it in the computer, it does not detect it.

That means your SD reader is incompatible with the required 1bit serial reading mode for interacting with the DSi's eMMC flash controller, assuming everything else is good. The only one I have that works is the reader in my Alienware M15x R2, and I tried 17 other laptops and 4 other desktops with all kinds of different readers in them, along with 6 different USB readers. You'll have to use the one linked to in the OP, or try your luck with other random USB readers I guess.

 

[froggestspirit]

That means your SD reader is incompatible with the required 1bit serial reading mode for interacting with the DSi's eMMC flash controller, assuming everything else is good. The only one I have that works is the reader in my Alienware M15x R2, and I tried 17 other laptops and 4 other desktops with all kinds of different readers in them, along with 6 different USB readers. You'll have to use the one linked to in the OP, or try your luck with other random USB readers I guess.

does it matter if it worked with 3DS nand mods? or does this one use a different mode? (I feel like my solder job was shoddy)

 

[Gadorach]

does it matter if it worked with 3DS nand mods? or does this one use a different mode? (I feel like my solder job was shoddy)

Like I said, "assuming everything else is good". Double check connections and keep wires below 12cm long. Buy a multimeter with continuity checking options if you haven't already!

 

[froggestspirit]

Like I said, "assuming everything else is good". Double check connections and keep wires below 12cm long. Buy a multimeter with continuity checking options if you haven't already!

it could be the wire length, I'll have to look into it when I get more time

 

[DinohScene]

On EU DSi's, Sudoku shows up as 4B344456.bin
Legends of Exidia as 4B4C4556.bin and Fieldrunners as 4B464456.bin

 

[Flame]

On EU DSi's, Sudoku shows up as 4B344456.bin
Legends of Exidia as 4B4C4556.bin and Fieldrunners as 4B464456.bin

lol.

i brought all three too.

 

[DinohScene]

Such a shame that Guitar hero isn't for sale anymore.

 

[loco365]

Got my DSi back from @Gadorach today after tons of delays and shipping issues, and it's a very well-done mod. Unfortunately, my laptop's SD slot won't read the DSi, but I do have a couple multi-reader laying around somewhere that I'll try here in a bit providing I don't fry the DSi first.

 

[Gadorach]

Got my DSi back from @Gadorach today after tons of delays and shipping issues, and it's a very well-done mod. Unfortunately, my laptop's SD slot won't read the DSi, but I do have a couple multi-reader laying around somewhere that I'll try here in a bit providing I don't fry the DSi first.

The DSi should be pretty much immune to those problems as long as you grab the files off of the internal SD card and save them somewhere safe. Also, there's like 800DSi points on there too, which you should use before the store gets shut down haha

 

[loco365]

The DSi should be pretty much immune to those problems as long as you grab the files off of the internal SD card and save them somewhere safe. Also, there's like 800DSi points on there too, which you should use before the store gets shut down haha

Eh, once No$GBA works properly, all the DSiWare will probably be dumped and can all just be emulated or something lol.

 

[Gadorach]

Eh, once No$GBA works properly, all the DSiWare will probably be dumped and can all just be emulated or something lol.

Almost all available DSiWare has already been dumped, actually. It's just having a software environment able to launch them as backups that's not available yet. Me and Wolfgange are working on a side project right now, so it won't be from us for a bit at least, but he's looking into it, and I'm doing some more hardware research to see what I can with the console from the I2C/USART/SPI busses.

 

[Deleted-369620]

Why exactly do you need the exploit games? Can't I use another game? I tried and got a ConsoleID