Hacking Original R4 still stuck on "Loading" screen

[Sono]

I know, this question has been asked a countless times, but I *still* can't get my original R4 booting. I have formatted the SDCard with Panasonic SDFormatter, I have tried out various kernels, but it's just stuck there on the black and white "Loading..." screen.

Also, if I take out the cartridge on this "Loading" screen, I get an "SD/TF card error" message

fyi, I have a 128M SDCard

 

[VitaType]

I guess the "Original" in the title should refere to the fact you don't use a successor to R4 like R4i.
But are you sure it's actually original and not a copy (i believe there where some fakes back then from the R4 which actully worked using modified kernels)

 

[Sono]

I guess the "Original" in the title should refere to the fact you don't use a successor to R4 like R4i.
But are you sure it's actually original and not a copy (i believe there where some fakes back then from the R4 which actully worked using modified kernels)

I have even disassembled my R4, and I'm 100% sure it's original The ROM is set to autoboot, the banner is invalid (why need a banner when you autoboot anyways?), and even the PCB matches with the ones I found on the internet, so I think it's safe to say it's really an original R4

 

[Deleted-379826]

Well I mean if you do not have the sdhc version than its because your SD card is over 2 gb (SOME 4 gb are compatible)

 

[Sono]

Well I mean if you do not have the sdhc version than its because your SD card is over 2 gb (SOME 4 gb are compatible)

fyi, I have a 128M SDCard

 

[Deleted-379826]

Alright alright! Mb

 

[VitaType]

This is the kernel which came with my R4 it was working with my R4, but it's really old.
If your R4 isn't working with this the kernel isn't your problem.
Probably the contacts between your R4 and the microSD? Have you tried original gamecards?

Link to kernel: http://filetrip.net/dl?utvMWJd8nU

 

[Sono]

This is the kernel which came with my R4 it was working with my R4, but it's really old.
If your R4 isn't working with this is isn't the kernel.
Probably the contacts between your R4 and the microSD?

Link to kernel: http://filetrip.net/dl?utvMWJd8nU

Thanks, I'll try the kernel shortly

Well... the pins are unbent, in perfect condition, but there's a tiny bit of rust where the pins are soldered on the board, but I'm 100% that the electric flow is unaffected by it!

 

[Sono]

This is the kernel which came with my R4 it was working with my R4, but it's really old.
If your R4 isn't working with this the kernel isn't your problem.
Probably the contacts between your R4 and the microSD? Have you tried original gamecards?

Link to kernel: http://filetrip.net/dl?utvMWJd8nU

The R4 makes contact with the SDCard, but it looks like it's thinking that the SDCard is inserted :/

It's behaving very weirldly... If I boot without SDCard inserted, it still shows "Loading...", but if I pop it out of the cartridge slot, it writes out "COULDN'T FIND _DS_MENU.DAT".
If I boot WITH SDCard inserted, AND pop the cartridge out, it either prints out either "Couldn't find the SD/TF card" or "SD/TF card error"

 

[VitaType]

Is the microSD formarted with Fat16 or FAT32 and not with something diferent?

 

[Sono]

Is the microSD formarted with Fat16 or FAT32 and not with something diferent as NTSF?

Oh god, please no NO NTFS!

It's formatted FAT32 by Panasonic SDFormatter

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Is the microSD formarted with Fat16 or FAT32 and not with something diferent?

I used the paper trick, and it looks like it now softlocks when I pop the cartridge out, so I think it means it now can read the file, but somehow it reads corrupted data, so it crashes :/

 

[VitaType]

Hm, no idea, sorry.
My packaging says www.r4ds.com is the offical domain, but no idea if the sold it.
Probably you can find some information there...

 

[Sono]

Hm, no idea, sorry.
My packaging says www.r4ds.com is the offical domain, but no idea if the sold it.
Probably you can find some information there...

I think the card is too SLOW for the R4 It's like class -4, idk... It took me a whole minute to copy everything over

 

[Returnofganon]

I would say try formatting to fat16 aka fat. Maybe try the wood kernel? I think that the r4 may not like your sd card. Have you tried it with different sd cards?

 

[xD-FireStriker]

have you fixed this yet? i have had this problem before.
I have had this happen randomly as well as after a firmware update or adding roms.
have you tried blowing on the pins of the card and sd card as well as the ds cart slot and the sd slot on the R4

The only differences here is i had a clone card if i am not mistaken, I haven't taken it apart but its just safe to say its a clone.

 

[Sono]

have you fixed this yet? i have had this problem before.
I have had this happen randomly as well as after a firmware update or adding roms.
have you tried blowing on the pins of the card and sd card as well as the ds cart slot and the sd slot on the R4

The only differences here is i had a clone card if i am not mistaken, I haven't taken it apart but its just safe to say its a clone.

Well, I doubt this is a clone I have even disassembled it to see if it's legit, and it looks the same as the original one, so I think it's safe to assume it's original
Yes, I tried blowing on everything, even tried the paper trick, nothing works. Also, iirc the original R4 can't have firmware upgrades

 

[xD-FireStriker]

Well, I doubt this is a clone I have even disassembled it to see if it's legit, and it looks the same as the original one, so I think it's safe to assume it's original
Yes, I tried blowing on everything, even tried the paper trick, nothing works. Also, iirc the original R4 can't have firmware upgrades

Paper trick? that could be usefull how do you do that?

Anyway good luck i hate it when a r4 stops working, do you have a old firmware that you can roll it back to?
btw when i say firmware i think i might be taking about kernel idk i just call it firmware

 

[Sono]

Paper trick? that could be usefull how do you do that?

Anyway good luck i hate it when a r4 stops working, do you have a old firmware that you can roll it back to?
btw when i say firmware i think i might be taking about kernel idk i just call it firmware

Yes, in flashcart terminology the stuff on the SD is called the kernel.

Also, the paper trick is when you take your cart apart, and put a not-so-flat piece of paper under the contacts in between the PCB and the casing, so it'll be more likely for the pins to have contact (I think flashcarts are a bit thinner than regular DS carts)

 

[xD-FireStriker]

ok didnt know that i will know for next time
my old one was a r4 sdhc i still have it i need to find the kernel for it because i lost the box lol hope i can get it working
gl on fixing you one have your tried a different micro sd card?

Edit: i knew it was a clone website was r4sdhc.com lised under clones

 

[Sono]

ok didnt know that i will know for next time
my old one was a r4 sdhc i still have it i need to find the kernel for it because i lost the box lol hope i can get it working
gl on fixing you one have your tried a different micro sd card?

Edit: i knew it was a clone website was r4sdhc.com lised under clones

My second smallest SDCard is 4GB, so that's out of context