Hacking The M3 Sakura FAQ

[Styles420]

I threw the unaltered JP version on my English M3 just to see what it did (looking for clues for an attempt at hex editing/reverse engineering) - it said 'No system file found' as expected. After (unsuccessfully) trying a few things involving copying and replacing some files with the hacked older version, I opened the g6loader.jp and .eng files from the hacked version, and the .jp from the new, and noticed the similarities - compare the old .jp to the new, after the header section the files looked identical as far in as I looked. I haven't been able to get a complete comparison between the two to see all the differences yet, but the header only had three or four changes. Maybe this will help? (Probably the translation team has already discovered this though...) I am way too far behind on my programming abilities, so it will take me a while to get caught up and figure out anything really useful... won't stop me from trying though.

[EDIT] I tried switching the headers, thinking maybe, just maybe, that would switch out the region lock. It got rid of the 'no system file' message, but left me with two black screens. I didn't really think it would be that simple, but it does clear up one thing (which I'm sure the translation team already knew) - English carts look for the .eng file, and 6gdsloader is the main system file.

To those of you who have had some luck reverse engineering these files, what software/settings did you use? I've tried with ADA Pro and was able to get some things to disassemble, but I don't know if I used the proper file format - it did detect some ARM code, but that doesn't mean it was correct, since it will probably find 'valid' code bytes in any format used - but that doesn't mean they are actually valid. Care to offer any suggestions?

 

[AXYPB]

I noticed that the video playback bug was fixed in the MoonShell 2 beta. I've been meaning to bring it up, actually.

Shame that the homebrew problem still hasn't been completely addressed.

 

[thedicemaster]

Enabling Download Play disables cheats and prevents Soft Reset from working (I believe this is a problem with many flashcarts, if not all of them)

this is not a problem.
it's like complaining about your car not going forward because the handbrake is on.

the whole purpose of downloadplay mode is to disable any patching/memory modifying to the rom to enhance compatibility.

 

[Densetsu]

Enabling Download Play disables cheats and prevents Soft Reset from working (I believe this is a problem with many flashcarts, if not all of them)

this is not a problem.
it's like complaining about your car not going forward because the handbrake is on.

the whole purpose of downloadplay mode is to disable any patching/memory modifying to the rom to enhance compatibility.

Makes sense to me, but it's just something that others have "complained" about. That's one more "con" I can remove from the list

BTW one more post and you'll be 1337!

 

[Toni Plutonij]

Enabling Download Play disables cheats and prevents Soft Reset from working (I believe this is a problem with many flashcarts, if not all of them)

this is not a problem.
it's like complaining about your car not going forward because the handbrake is on.

the whole purpose of downloadplay mode is to disable any patching/memory modifying to the rom to enhance compatibility.

Makes sense to me, but it's just something that others have "complained" about. That's one more "con" I can remove from the list

BTW one more post and you'll be 1337!

Yeah, I mentioned that several times, and I wanted to say it here again, Download play options is made in a way that it removes any "software additions" to ROM at booting, so it would be started as clean as it could get..

It's not a con. it's a feature!

And thedicemaster, very nice comparison to the car!! It would be just like that!

 

[KH-Roms]

Uh, Densetsu, have you tried Index Picture option in DSM Encoder?
And what's the minimum resolution for the BMP file? thx.

 

[Densetsu]

Uh, Densetsu, have you tried Index Picture option in DSM Encoder?
And what's the minimum resolution for the BMP file? thx.

I've updated my post with the answer to your question, so check it out under the DSM Encoder heading.

 

[KH-Roms]

Yeah! It's awesome. And the video bug also fixed in your dpg version. No more 3sec click in the beginning.
The last time I tried it using Kingston Jap 4GB with firm 1.12+1, the DPG still having problem. thx.

 

[AXYPB]

What exactly is the difference between DSM and DPG?

 

[Toni Plutonij]

From what I know, DSM used to have a smaller size, but lower quality..I don't know if that was changed with the latest DSM encoders..But it was overall, a worst format then DPG..

 

[mc_B3oWoLF]

Hurray!)
nice news, thanks!)))
I'm looking forward to getting new skin-source files & English version of Sakura 1.34 to translate it!)))
(Hope, the "FW" will finally be hacked

)

Densetsu3000, Thanks again for a great review!)))

Upd. As far as I understand, the source files of the MoonShell2 Skin could be Sakura 1.34 compatible (It's 1st glance opinion, not a fact.. just saw that skins in Moonshl2 and Sakura folders are of equal sizes. (BUT I MAY BE WRONG!!!)
Unfortunately, I was wrong(((

 

[Densetsu]

What exactly is the difference between DSM and DPG?QUOTE(Toni Plutonij @ Jan 15 2009, 06:06 AM) From what I know, DSM used to have a smaller size, but lower quality..I don't know if that was changed with the latest DSM encoders..But it was overall, a worst format then DPG..

When I have time, I'll try encoding the same video on both DPG and DSM formats, but I probably won't post a YouTube video of it because you probably wouldn't be able to see the difference unless you were actually looking at them both side by side with your naked eyes. I'll borrow my brother's DS Lite and play the DPG on his and the DSM on mine at the same time to compare them.

*EDIT*
I encoded a DPG and DSM file from the same raw video, and both files were exactly the same size down to the last byte. From what I can tell, the quality is the same as well. Other than the option of being able to add an index image to a DSM file, DSM and DPG formats seem exactly the same to me in quality.

 

[Densetsu]

Sorry for the double post, but this is completely different from my post above.

I have translated all of the new lines in 1.34, and I have a fully-translated, fully-working Sakura 1.34 running on my flashcart right now. These are NOT the final translations because I have already fixed the text that doesn't fit on the screens (see Screenshots 3, 5, 6). Screenshot 6 also says "M3 M3 Sakura NDS Settings." I have since fixed all of these errors, so the final translation looks better than what you see in the screenshots.

Spoiler: Screenshot 1

Spoiler: Screenshot 2

Spoiler: Screenshot 3

Spoiler: Screenshot 4

Spoiler: Screenshot 5

Spoiler: Screenshot 6

Spoiler: Screenshot 7

Now it just needs to be unlocked for other regions

*EDIT*
I have finalized the English translation and it's about as good as it's going to get. All text fits within the buttons, and there are no more errors. I'll post updated screenshots later, and maybe a video.

 

[Beige]

Great screens and news. Hopefully Styles knows where he is going by this point, because I think M3 is trying to throw us around by this point.

 

[kobykaan]

Nice work on the translations Densetsu3000

 

[Styles420]

I have a bit of a clue, but I'm no expert... just a trial-and-error programmer with a fair amount of persistance. I'm not giving up anytime soon, but I don't want to get anyone's hopes too high just yet.

I have been comparing the 6gdsloader.* files from the asian and japanese versions of sakura, as well as their equivalents in touchpod - hopefully a pattern will emerge that will enable me to use parts from the current English touchpod to modify the current sakura files, to create an English sakura loader... Believe me, you guys here at GBATemp will be the first to know if I figure anything out.

Hopefully I will get more done tonight - I kinda passed out on the keyboard last night due to a long night at work. But now I found a hex editor that does hex comparisons, which are much better to work with for this type of thing than windiff - thanks goes to SeaofTea for that tip

 

[Densetsu]

M3 Sakura v1.34 English Screenshots
M3 Sakura v1.34 Demo Video
M3 Sakura v1.34 Details
M3 Sakura v1.34 Reverse-Engineering Thread

I have finalized the translation for the firmware. Everything is in English except for the Dual-Boot screen (I think it's an image, but I haven't been able to locate it in the firmware). Here are the screenshots.

Spoiler: Loading Screen

Spoiler

[titleual-Boot Screen]

This is the only screen left with Japanese text. It can't be modified in the same way all of the other text was modified.

Translation:
?????????????
???
The system you select will become default.

??????????????
???????
This system selection menu will not show next time.

??????????????
??????????????
?To access this menu again, press the A button while booting.

Spoiler: Initial Setup

Spoiler: GBA Settings

Spoiler: Select GBA Cheat File

Spoiler: NDS Settings 1

Spoiler: NDS Settings 2

Spoiler: Select NDS Cheat File

Spoiler: Cheat Selection Screen

Spoiler: NDS-GBA Linkage Screen

Spoiler: System Menu

Spoiler: GUI Settings

Spoiler: Language Settings

Spoiler: Save File Restore Menu

Spoiler: Image Display Mode Settings

Spoiler: Text Display Mode Settings

 

[Toni Plutonij]

*sends a kiss to Densetsu3000 (but manly kiss, not some girly chick thing!!)

Man I wish I had a Japan flashcart!!
Great work Densetsu3000, as always!!
You are confirming your Ninja status with every post you make!

And also, thanks for info on DPG and DSM formats, I see they changed and improved it with the latest developments!

 

[Densetsu]

*sends a kiss to Densetsu3000 (but manly kiss, not some girly chick thing!!)

Man I wish I had a Japan flashcart!!
Great work Densetsu3000, as always!!
You are confirming your Ninja status with every post you make!

And also, thanks for info on DPG and DSM formats, I see they changed and improved it with the latest developments!

I'm never washing my cheeks again!

 

[kobykaan]

*sends a kiss to Densetsu3000 (but manly kiss, not some girly chick thing!!)

Man I wish I had a Japan flashcart!!
Great work Densetsu3000, as always!!
You are confirming your Ninja status with every post you make!

And also, thanks for info on DPG and DSM formats, I see they changed and improved it with the latest developments!

I'm never washing my cheeks again!

I Guess you was tying your shoelace at the time LOL!