Hacking GBA Super SD Card not working on AGB-001

[dysphoria]

>inb4 buy an ezflash omega

Anyway, I got a Super SD Card for various reasons. My GBA SP and DS Lite recognize the cart without any issues, however, my original GBA (AGB-001) can't read it. It's stuck on "not find the SD", despite the SD being correctly inserted. All the original files are intact, and I even tested another compatible 2 GB, with the original and the new SCFW firmwares, but it's the same thing. The AGB-001 is the only GBA I have where the Super SD Card isn't working on .

 

[Nikokaro]

My GBA SP and DS Lite recognize the cart without any issues, however, my original GBA (AGB-001) can't read it

Well, isn't it enough that it works with these two? As they say in english "grasp all lose all". And then the older model is notoriously bad for the eyes , not being backlit. Then are you sure that this older model works properly, using normal cartridges? Otherwise it could be that the AA batteries do not provide enough power to read the Supercard SD; a guess..... I don't know....

 

[dysphoria]

Oh, I like to have all my portables working perfectly even if they aren't my main one lol. So I tend to worry if one model has issues playing a game. And I was also interested to use this for the multiplayer, but the DS doesn't have the link port.

My GBA perfectly reads other carts, both legit and repros. I was even able to finish Emerald in a repro cart, hehe. Needless to say, I also cleaned the contacts.

I didn't consider the batteries, I'm using Daiwekala rechargable batteries, 9900mAH. I will try with another brand and see if it works. Just in case, is this Super SD Card flashcart really compatible with the original model?

 

[SylverReZ]

>inb4 buy an ezflash omega

Don't ever buy a SuperCard SD, the cart is riddled with so many issues. While it is possible to flash Metroid Maniac's custom firmware to fix certain games that didn't run the first time, I still don't recommend it.

The EZ-Flash Omega DE is a lot more stable in terms of battery life and compatibility-wise; although, a bit pricey, it's totally worth the effort picking up.

 

[OmDRetro]

Oh, I like to have all my portables working perfectly even if they aren't my main one lol. So I tend to worry if one model has issues playing a game. And I was also interested to use this for the multiplayer, but the DS doesn't have the link port.

My GBA perfectly reads other carts, both legit and repros. I was even able to finish Emerald in a repro cart, hehe. Needless to say, I also cleaned the contacts.

I didn't consider the batteries, I'm using Daiwekala rechargable batteries, 9900mAH. I will try with another brand and see if it works. Just in case, is this Super SD Card flashcart really compatible with the original model?

This one I understand. All GBA variants(incl. clones) should work with the SuperCard SD out-of-the-box. It doesn't make sense if it doesn't since base functionality should be the same for each one.

• Have you tried providing more time for the SuperCard SD to load up by entering multi-boot mode?
  • Enter multi-boot mode by pressing START + SELECT simultaneously while the Gameboy logo is shown and you'll hear a tiny jingle along with the disappearance of the Nintendo logo at the bottom.
  • Wait for about 4 to 5 secs(possibly longer)
  • Press A afterwards.
• Have you tried wedging in a piece of paper on the underside of the board elevating it enough to have proper contact with all the GBA pins? Some users reported that their SuperCard SD works well after

Don't ever buy a SuperCard SD, the cart is riddled with so many issues. While it is possible to flash Metroid Maniac's custom firmware to fix certain games that didn't run the first time, I still don't recommend it.

The EZ-Flash Omega DE is a lot more stable in terms of battery life and compatibility-wise; although, a bit pricey, it's totally worth the effort picking up.

EZ-Flash Omega DE does not work on the EXEQ GameBox SP so that doesn't sound like a solution when this cart actually provides an additional option for those who use clones

 

[SylverReZ]

EZ-Flash Omega DE does not work on the EXEQ GameBox SP so that doesn't sound like a solution when this cart actually provides an additional option for those who use clones

The EXEQ GameBox SP is a GBA clone, but a terrible clone that is mostly a hardware emulation box in the formfactor of a GBA SP. Yes, it can run some GBA games; although rather poorly. Don't expect it to run every flashcart, of course.

 

[OmDRetro]

The EXEQ GameBox SP is a GBA clone, but a terrible clone that is mostly a hardware emulation box in the formfactor of a GBA SP. Yes, it can run some GBA games; although rather poorly. Don't expect it to run every flashcart, of course.

It is not. There are multiple variations of these clones and the ones that can read the K-Card(GBA-to-SD) are emulation consoles or part emulation/Hybrid units. The EXEQ GameBox SP cannot read the K-Card. The clone you're referring to is different and boots into a file explorer view if booted without any cartridge inside. The EXEQ GameBox has a glob top (AKA a System-on-Chip / GBAoC). I was also able to dump its BIOS.

Any proof that it is an emulation unit?

 

[dysphoria]

This one I understand. All GBA variants(incl. clones) should work with the SuperCard SD out-of-the-box. It doesn't make sense if it doesn't since base functionality should be the same for each one.

• Have you tried providing more time for the SuperCard SD to load up by entering multi-boot mode?
  • Enter multi-boot mode by pressing START + SELECT simultaneously while the Gameboy logo is shown and you'll hear a tiny jingle along with the disappearance of the Nintendo logo at the bottom.
  • Wait for about 4 to 5 secs(possibly longer)
  • Press A afterwards.
• Have you tried wedging in a piece of paper on the underside of the board elevating it enough to have proper contact with all the GBA pins? Some users reported that their SuperCard SD works well after

Tried both, but I had no luck... Even left the GBA in multiboot mode by 5 minutes, but it's the same, it doesn't recognize the SD.

I also tested the flashcart pressing L+R, everything is okay until it checks de SD. On my SP and DS, the tests go well. I haven't try with brand new AA batteries yet, so maybe it's that.

 

[Kaoid]

Don't ever buy a SuperCard SD, the cart is riddled with so many issues. While it is possible to flash Metroid Maniac's custom firmware to fix certain games that didn't run the first time, I still don't recommend it.

The EZ-Flash Omega DE is a lot more stable in terms of battery life and compatibility-wise; although, a bit pricey, it's totally worth the effort picking up.

If anything the best use for the Supercard SD is it's DS mode. With edo's SCSFW, it'll even run Twilightmenu++ and ironically, GbaRunner3.

https://gbatemp.net/threads/scsfw-s...m-firmware-for-supercard-all-variants.663797/

You do need a way to boot it in DS mode though, either a Passkey/Superkey, NoPass on a DSTT & R4 or Flashme on a DS

 

[SylverReZ]

If anything the best use for the Supercard SD is PASSME. With edo's SCSFW, it'll even run Twilightmenu++ and ironically, GbaRunner3.

https://gbatemp.net/threads/scsfw-s...m-firmware-for-supercard-all-variants.663797/

You do need a way to boot it in DS mode though, either a Passkey/Superkey, NoPass on a DSTT & R4 or Flashme on a DS

FlashMe is a lot more preferred for booting GBA flashcarts if anything else. Bricking your DS whilst installing FlashMe is very rare, as long as it has a full charge.

 

[Tsila]

Me too i have the old SupercardSD (bigger sd card) and i can't make it run game on original GBA agb-001. Works great on NDS, SP and Micro thought. Tried doing Start+Select then wait and continue but same result.Tried different batteries to rule out power issue but same. Tried cleaning and adding paper but same. I use SuperFW by the way. Tried SCFW but same result too. Here are videos of what is happening

 

[dysphoria]

I don't think we have the same issue. Mine doesn't even read the SD Card, it's like if it's not inserted.

 

[SylverReZ]

I don't think we have the same issue. Mine doesn't even read the SD Card, it's like if it's not inserted.

View attachment 478568

If you have an SD card that is SDHC, then it'll not work with the SuperCard. It can only support 2GB or less.

 

[dysphoria]

If you have an SD card that is SDHC, then it'll not work with the SuperCard. It can only support 2GB or less.

As I stated in my first post, I'm using the stock 2 GB card that comes with it, as well with another compatible SD card. It can't be read only when inserted into an AGB. It works normally when inserted into a GBA SP or DS.

I also flashed the cartridge with SCFW to use a larger SD card, but the same thing happens.

 

[dysphoria]

Here are more strange details about this case:

First of all:

• My AGB is completely fine, it can read both repro and original games without any issues.
• The pins are clean.
• Yes, I'm using a compatible 2GB SD card.
• I flashed SCFW, then reflashed the stock firmware, and flashed SCFW again.
• The SD cards I tested are not corrupted.
• The cartridge is not defective, as it works perfectly in both the GBA SP and the DS.
• I’ve tested another SuperCard SD as well.

This time, I tried putting the console in multiboot mode for around 10 to 15 minutes. Then, I ejected the SD card and reinserted it. After rebooting, SCFW “recognized” the FAT system. However, it displayed an alert stating that the kernel couldn’t be loaded. All the files are in their correct locations, I immediately verified this on other consoles and PC.

After a few restarts, the firmware finally recognized the kernel, but... gibberish. As if there were corrupted files on the SD card. Yet again, I checked the SD card on both a PC and the SP, and everything is on their place.

I haven't found any other people with this issue, as most reviews and videos show that the AGB can, in fact, read the Super SD Card. My theory is that the AGB might not be providing enough energy to run the SD reader. But, I've already tested it with brand new batteries and nothing changed.

Just in case, this is the board of this specific Super SD Card.

 

[Sakitoshi]

clean the cartridge connector in the gba, a pin must be making poor contact. regular game carts may not care, but the supercard sure does.

 

[dysphoria]

clean the cartridge connector in the gba

• The pins are clean.

Needless to say, I also cleaned the contacts.

I already did that...

 

[Sakitoshi]

did you in the gba itself?
that's what i meant. the gba, not the supercard.
based on the evidence, that is the only other cause for the issue. take the gba apart and examine the cartridge slot carefully, maybe there is some corrosion or something else that cannot be seen at first glance.
i have 2 agb001, one early model and one late model and both have no problem reading any flashcart, both were modded by myself and have different screen kits and not even that causes problems.

 

[dysphoria]

Yes, I cleaned both the console and cartridge contacts, isopropyl alcohol and a toothbrush... The thing is, it's not that the cartridge isn't being read correctly, it's that the SD reader is not recognized when it's inserted in the AGB. As if there's no SD card present. And no, the SD reader itself isn't dirty or is the problem, because I don't have that issue in the other consoles.

The other thing is that it's possible the console isn't getting enough power to turn on the SD reader. I'm using 1.2V NiMH batteries, and I also tried 1.5V alkalines, but the same thing happens. Sadly, I don't have the DC adapter or the official rechargeable batteries to try it that way.

Pictures of my console pins.

 

[Sakitoshi]

yeah, looks fine.
i'm still thinking that it must be a hardware problem. maybe a capacitor or some other component. in the pictures your gba has a red led, is that usually the case or were the batteries low?
i ask because a worn power switch can cause power issues. so you can check that, not only to try and solve this issue, but because it's good practice to clean the power switch and can even make your batteries last a little bit longer too.
your supercard works elsewhere without issue, so it can't be that.
i also have a supercard (among other flashcards) and works without issue with my 6 gbas and ds lite.