Hardware EZ-Flash Omega DE - NOR Flash Issue

[kylemoores]

Hello,
I've encountered a few recent issues when using my EZ-Flash Omega DE. I bought it in February and it's been working great until now.
However, I've recently come into an issue when trying to load games on via NOR Flash.
Due to the length of the videos I've recorded, I've uploaded them as unlisted on YouTube.

PART 1 (VIDEO LENGTH = 10:55) (Basic Tests, plus safe mode menu test):


PART 2 (VIDEO LENGTH = 5:00) (Formatting Test):


Additional Notes (For context behind the issue and my own attempts to resolve the issue):

• This is an issue that has only just appeared when the last few days.
• Almost every time I move a game to the NOR Flash, the issue seems slightly different. Sometimes the game won't load at all, sometimes the game menu works perfectly but the game save won't load, sometimes I have a few graphical issues, yet sometimes very rarely the game will work with seemingly no issues at all (Only to break again after turning the GBA off and on)
• While I'm using the custom Simple theme, I've also tested with the stock set-up and the same issues occur.
• I've never shut down the GBA while formatting in the past, and I've made sure to wait around 5 seconds before shutting down my GBA after saving a game.
• The ROM files are probably not the issue, as I've replaced them with new ROM files before posting this.
• I have made sure the connector points are clean, using 'WD-40 Specialist Fast Drying Contact Cleaner'.
• The EZ-Flash cartridge hasn't been opened, so I haven't touched the board.
• I have used Mode-B to connect the EZ-Flash to send Pokémon to and from Pokémon Colosseum, XD, and Box: Ruby & Sapphire. However the cable I used was the official Nintendo branded one.
• The SD Card has been reformatted using FAT32. This is something I did when I got the EZ-Flash and once again when the issue started occurring.
• This EZ-Flash was specifically ordered from SenkoGames.

In conclusion, the Direct Boot works, but weirdly the NOR Flash loading seems to not be working. If someone has any idea on what's causing the issue, it would be greatly appreciated.


PS; Sorry for the background noise in the videos. My windows are open and my computer is on plus, I live near an main road so a lot of loud noises can get in. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

 

[EZ-Flash2]

At the moment I can only give a suggestion, when performing NOR FLASH (write, format) operations, it is best to plug in your GBASP power supply, because NORFLASH requires a lot of current when performing erase/write operations.

I'm not sure the status of the current battery installed in your GBASP, so I suggest you try formatting and writing to NORFLASH again after plugging in the power.

 

[kylemoores]

At the moment I can only give a suggestion, when performing NOR FLASH (write, format) operations, it is best to plug in your GBASP power supply, because NORFLASH requires a lot of current when performing erase/write operations.

I'm not sure the status of the current battery installed in your GBASP, so I suggest you try formatting and writing to NORFLASH again after plugging in the power.

Thanks for the response; although after trying what you've recommended, the NOR FLASH still fails to work. I've opened up the GBA SP and it seems to be using the Stock Nintendo GBA SP Battery.
To double check whether it's a power issue, I also pulled out my original GBA (Which worked fine before I made the switch to the SP), but the issue still occurred.

In addition to ensure the board and chips had nothing wrong, I decided to open up the EZ-Flash.

The only possible issue I can see, based on what I saw is a slight bit of possible chip damage on one of the back chips.
I have included images of the board so you yourselves can judge if there is anything out of the ordinary. With a close up image of the chip which looks slightly damaged (I've put a red ring around what looks to be chip damage).

As a side note, I know almost nothing about PCBs and can only really work on a basis of what I can see on the surface. So it might not be the problem at all.

 

[EZ-Flash2]

First of all, the chip marked with a red circle is S71, which is used for storing kernel and SRAM, and is not the same chip as the NOR-FLASH problem you encountered, which located at the right side of the main chip. The small wound on the chip only damages the resin used for protection.

Since you already tested with power plug-in and another device. the NOR-FLASH issue still persisted. But your direct-boot (PSRAM) is working fine, maybe there is a defect in the NORFLASH part. I suggest you contact your dealer for replacement.

 

[NickGarciaX21]

@EZ-Flash2
¿Cuál es la capacidad de almacenamiento de la memoria NOR, para saber cuántos juegos puedo almacenar en ella?

Si tengo varios juegos, ¿esto afectará negativamente su rendimiento o desgaste a largo plazo?

Post automatically merged: Nov 20, 2024

@EZ-Flash2
What is the storage capacity of the NOR memory, so I know how many games I can store in it?

If I have several games on it, will this negatively affect its performance or wear and tear in the long run?

 

[Localhorst86]

What is the storage capacity of the NOR memory, so I know how many games I can store in it?

256Mbit, which is 32Mbyte

If I have several games on it, will this negatively affect its performance or wear and tear in the long run?

NOR is a type of flash storage, and like all flash storage it has a limited number of write cycles before it eventually fails, that's usually in the 10- or even 100-thousand range. There should not be any concern about wear and tear in the long run, NOR only gets written to the moment you write a game to it - once it's on there, it only gets overwritten when you write a new game or delete the old one.
It's very unlikely you'll hit the storage's write cycle limit.

 

[NickGarciaX21]

Interesting, because I have 3 games in the Nor that exceed the amount you told me, and it works perfectly, the normal omega and the definitive edition use the same NOR?

 

[EZ-Flash2]

Interesting, because I have 3 games in the Nor that exceed the amount you told me, and it works perfectly, the normal omega and the definitive edition use the same NOR?

It does not exceed the amount, the total size of the norflash is 512Mbit, ie, 64MB.

 

[NickGarciaX21]

It does not exceed the amount, the total size of the norflash is 512Mbit, ie, 64MB.

Hi guys good morning, I wanted to ask you a question, you know I have a modded backlit GBA, with rechargeable battery, and I have a problem with the Ez Flash that I recently acquired, I know that having the backlit screen I have a larger battery drain on the console, but using an EZ flash also consumes extra energy,

How much extra power is needed for the Ez flash DE to work properly?

what happens is that when I go to turn it on this does not turn on, the battery is 3.7v 6.66Wh (1800 mAh), with its IC, it works with the Super Card and original games, but with the EZ several things happen, turn on the only way I get is with the residual energy of the failure to remove the cartridge and turn it back on, and functions such as writing the Nor, vibration and turning on normally is affected to the point of presenting drastic drops in power consumption (in my deduction)

I would be grateful if you could help me to find out what the problem is,

When using 1.5v AA carbon batteries, the cartridge works perfectly,

Previously I had another EZ flash with another problem, this one would freeze a few seconds after starting any game, this one would turn on normally.

I can determine that it is an electrical fault with the cartridge, even so with the Double AA batteries it works normally (I purchased the cartridge through Ali Express), this cartridge is possibly a refurbished cartridge, and they sent it to me as new, I don't know if they suddenly soldered one of the chips wrong.