r4 card

[ZL1]

i have a original r4 upgrade revolution for ds and whatever firmware i use the ds does not detect it. how can i fix it?

 

[zxr750j]

Clean the contacts is the first step. If the wrong files are on the sd-card it will give an error message. If it does nothing it's probably dead...

 

[Apache Thunder]

First off what kind of DS? 3DS? DSi? or a DS Lite or DS Phat? Some cheaper R4 clones used thin PCBs so you may need to do the "paper trick" to make it make proper contact in the card slot for 3DS/DSi.

 

[ZL1]

Clean the contacts is the first step. If the wrong files are on the sd-card it will give an error message. If it does nothing it's probably dead...

the ds works with other games i got and yeah it does nothing for the r4 now but a few years back the r4 card did work. u reckon i should just buy another r4?

Post automatically merged: Jan 17, 2025

First off what kind of DS? 3DS? DSi? or a DS Lite or DS Phat? Some cheaper R4 clones used thin PCBs so you may need to do the "paper trick" to make it make proper contact in the card slot for 3DS/DSi.

it is a ds lite. this r4 card did used to work a few years ago but now it shows nothing when i put it in. other games work on the ds

Post automatically merged: Jan 17, 2025

Clean the contacts is the first step. If the wrong files are on the sd-card it will give an error message. If it does nothing it's probably dead...

where can i find the proper files for a original r4?

 

[SylverReZ]

where can i find the proper files for a original r4?

Do you have a photo of the flashcart? There's no such thing as an 'original' R4 card nowdays, the team doesn't exist anymore and the majority of flashcarts with the R4 branding are in-fact 'clones'.

 

[ZL1]

Do you have a photo of the flashcart? There's no such thing as an 'original' R4 card nowdays, the team doesn't exist anymore and the majority of flashcarts with the R4 branding are in-fact 'clones'.

yeah ok ill send a picture hold on

Post automatically merged: Jan 17, 2025

Do you have a photo of the flashcart? There's no such thing as an 'original' R4 card nowdays, the team doesn't exist anymore and the majority of flashcarts with the R4 branding are in-fact 'clones'.

here you go!

 

[SylverReZ]

One on the left (being the R4 without 'Upgrade' branding) is an Original R4: https://sanrax.github.io/flashcart-guides/cart-guides/r4ds/
Note that the Original R4 will only accept 2GB or below microSD cards, larger capacities such as 4GB SDHC or above will not work.

The R4 Upgrade card is not an official R4 card. It's a clone of the R4DS, also known as the R4-III. You can find the kernel here: https://sanrax.github.io/flashcart-guides/cart-guides/r4upgrade/

 

[ZL1]

the wood kernel download on the website doesent work

 

[SylverReZ]

the wood kernel download on the website doesent work

Works just fine for me, same with the other links.

If the links don't download the file then try restarting your browser or use a download manager like JDownloader.

 

[ZL1]

Works just fine for me, same with the other links.

If the links don't download the file then try restarting your browser or use a download manager like JDownloader.

do i have to have a game for the r4 to work or can i try it without cuz im using a 2gb sd and im not seeing anything on the ds

 

[SylverReZ]

do i have to have a game for the r4 to work or can i try it without cuz im using a 2gb sd and im not seeing anything on the ds

If you have the kernel files on the microSD card, then the cart will function as intended. But you'll need to preload some games to use it. A folder will need to be created on the root of the microSD (as in not in any other folder, but the top-level), call it something like "Games" then copy all of your DS ROMs (.NDS) into that folder.

 

[ZL1]

have i done this right?

 

[SylverReZ]

have i done this right?

Yes, you have done.

 

[ZL1]

Yes, you have done.

i think my r4 card may be broken then as it is not working

 

[SylverReZ]

i think my r4 card may be broken then as it is not working

Try putting a piece of paper behind the cart, or, slide a thin piece of card underneath the contacts. The contacts on them are a bit too short, so it doesn't make a good connection with the gameslot.

 

[ZL1]

Try putting a piece of paper behind the cart, or, slide a thin piece of card underneath the contacts. The contacts on them are a bit too short, so it doesn't make a good connection with the gameslot.

ok ill try that

Post automatically merged: Jan 25, 2025

Try putting a piece of paper behind the cart, or, slide a thin piece of card underneath the contacts. The contacts on them are a bit too short, so it doesn't make a good connection with the gameslot.

when you say a small piece of paper do you mean between the ds and cartidgre

 

[SylverReZ]

when you say a small piece of paper do you mean between the ds and cartidgre

Front of the cartridge or underneath where the pins are located.

https://wiki.gbatemp.net/wiki/Solving_Acekard_2i_Contact_Issues

 

[Deleted member 117573]

@ZL1, did you get this cart working (one pictured on right of your photo)? I have this cart also and use YSMenu at the following link: https://sanrax.github.io/flashcart-guides/cart-guides/r4upgrade/
@SylverReZ linked it above. Once you have it on your microSD it should boot fine. If your cart works like mine you will be able to delete the _R4__III.DAT file as it should not be needed for this cart.

Also you should clean your contacts with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol

 

[SylverReZ]

@SylverReZ linked it above. Once you have it on your microSD it should boot fine. If your cart works like mine you will be able to delete the _R4__III.DAT file as it should not be needed for this cart.

Note that you can load any "_DS_MENU.DAT" file as long as "_R4__III.DAT" is present on the card. Try deleting "_R4__III.DAT" from the card, and if it boots just fine, then it's a r4-dsl.net cart. It's recommended to replace it when installing the kernel as a newer bootstrap is already present.

 

[Deleted member 117573]

I actually have one of each. A r4dsl.net cart that needs the _R4__III.DAT and the r4-dsl.net cart that does not need it. Using r4bootstrap (as _ds_menu.dat) by @Apache Thunder I am able to use a 4 GB SDHC microSD, but using nds-miniboot (as _ds_menu.dat) by @asiekierka it will only work with a 2 GB microSD. Not sure why as I used the same DLDI to patch both bootstrap binary files