Hardware Replacing Pokémon Diamond Save Flash Chip

[Ralph367]

Ok so I tried removing some of the solder on the chip, since the original job I did was actually pretty sloppy, and the good news is it doesn't shut my console down anymore. The bad news is that my console isn't reading it at all and cleaning the pins with alcohol didn't help, so ig I killed it?

 

[skawo]

Sadly, depending on what you shorted, that may be the case.

 

[Pokemonfan6498]

what about later revisions

 

[Jayro]

@SylverReZ You have experience with these save chips right?

 

[SylverReZ]

@SylverReZ You have experience with these save chips right?

Found a similar equivalent to this flash chip in particular: https://www.winbond.com/hq/product/...serial-nor-flash/?__locale=en&partNo=W25Q40EW

 

[SpartanJohann117]

Hey all. I'm reposting this out of PMs as I think it's good for everyone to see.

The 25FW403 save chip (the one on that board) is privately produced by nintendo and another company. Instead you'll want to try looking into the ST M25PE40-VG. I'm not 100% sure if it works, but it's the right kind of chip (same capacity, pinout, etc) and it was used in iQue WiFi boards, which are compatible with cartridge save chips.

If that doesn't work, I've also got a list of DS cartridges you could use as donors (see attachment). It should be accurate, but you might want to check what save sizes that the games use first. If it's 512kb then you're good.

Hi, how are you?

I'm having the same problem with a Pokémon Diamond game I bought secondhand. But a friend who's an electronics expert helped me check the cartridge's condition... it was pretty beat up, with broken leads and contacts between the chips. However, after checking it, the cartridge could now be recognized by a DS console (it wasn't even recognized before).

My cartridge is Region "ESP" ..... it has the following distribution that I will attach in an image or file .... perhaps, I could guide myself by your same list of compatible games, to find a save chip? ... Or, knowing that the board had to be repaired on multiple tracks... is it better to transplant the RAM and ROM to another board that works correctly?

I would greatly appreciate your opinion and advice. Thank you very much.

 

[rvtr]

Hi, how are you?

I'm having the same problem with a Pokémon Diamond game I bought secondhand. But a friend who's an electronics expert helped me check the cartridge's condition... it was pretty beat up, with broken leads and contacts between the chips. However, after checking it, the cartridge could now be recognized by a DS console (it wasn't even recognized before).

My cartridge is Region "ESP" ..... it has the following distribution that I will attach in an image or file .... perhaps, I could guide myself by your same list of compatible games, to find a save chip? ... Or, knowing that the board had to be repaired on multiple tracks... is it better to transplant the RAM and ROM to another board that works correctly?

I would greatly appreciate your opinion and advice. Thank you very much.

Sorry for the late response. I would suggest moving the chips to a new board due to the condition it's in. Your cart is a C03-10 so thankfully it is pretty easy to find. Most brain age carts should have a suitable donor board, just make sure the board ID does match.

As for the save chip, you can buy replacements here.

 

[SpartanJohann117]

Please don't worry, I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my question.

In short, I'm very lucky... when I found out I could use another cartridge to donate its board and be able to repair my Pokémon, I truly felt very lucky... since I bought a small batch of cartridges and it comes with a Brain Quest game.

and today I uncovered it, as you mention it is the same Board... therefore, the only thing left to do is to try exchanging the Ram and the Rom... but, here I ask you a question... is it good if I try to use the same save chip that the original board already has? ... so as to rule out that the damage is due to the chip... maybe the damage to the board was deep?

If it turns out to be the problem with the chip... would you advise me to look for the RAM, another specific cartridge or is it better to buy it online?

Anyway, here's a photo of the comparison of the boards of both cartridges.

I would greatly appreciate any further advice. Thank you very much indeed.