1.1) DS Card (Picture)
A DS Card is an emulator gadget that can be utilized to play homebrew video games on the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite. It is available in the size of an initial DS video game cartridge and is placed into the DS by means of the Slot-1 of the Nintendo DS console. There are numerous brand names of DS card made by various makers such as the R4, DSTT, EDGE DS and numerous others.
1.2) DS card elements
For a DS card to work, it will require 3 element: The DS card itself, a micro SD/ SDHC card and the DS card firmware.
The firmware is essentially the software application part of the system. It is a program that enables a DS card to run homebrew application on the Nintendo DS console.
The DS card is essentially the hardware part of the system. It includes the Integrated circuit (IC) and different other hardware element that enables the DS card the function as a physical adapter to connect with the Nintendo DS console.
The micro SD is the memory of the system where the firmware and homebrew appication are saved. It is essentially the RAM and hard drive area of the system. The micro SD can can be found in 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB and 32GB. Micro SD for 4GB and above are referred to as micro SDHC (Secure Digital High Capability).
1.3) Getting a DS card to work
The initial step to get the DS card to work is to get the DS card firmware. This firmware might in some cases be supplied in a disc however probably nowadays to be offered for download from the DS card makers website or from the reseller website (like us -> > NDS-Gear). The DS card firmware is generally in a.zip or a.rar file, which require to be unzipped (or unrar) utilizing the WinZIP or WinRAR program.
The next action is to move the unzipped DS card firmware and homebrew applications that you would wish to use the Nintendo DS console from the computer system into the micro SD. To do this, you will require a USB-micro SD adapter. Place the micro SD into the USB-micro SD adapter. Place the USB-micro SD adapter into the USB port on the computer system. The computer system will now identify an external memory drive which is the micro SD. Drag and drop all the DS card firmware and homebrew application into the root directory site of the micro SD. The transfer of the DS card firmware is now finished. Unplugged the micro SD from the computer system.
The micro SD can now be placed into the micro SD slot on the DS card, which is generally found on the leading corner of the DS card. The DS card is now a completely working system and can be placed into the Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS Lite console. Switch on the power on the Nintendo console and the DS card is now working and the user can begin playing homebrew appicaion that they have transfer onto the Nintendo DS console.
1.4) DSi card
A DSi card resembles the DS card other than it was developed to deal with the brand-new Nintendo DSi console. DS cards can just deal with the Nintedo DS and Nintendo DS Lite console. DSi card can deal with all 3 Nintendo DS consoles (DS/ DS Lite/ DSi).
2) What is an R4?
2.1) Intro
R4 is the most popular trademark name for the DS card. There a 30+ brand name of DS card that calls themselve R4. On NDS-Gear, we offer 2 out of 30+ of these R4 brand names, the R4v2 (R4DS) and the R4 SDHC.
2.2) R4v2 (R4DS)
2.2.1) History of R4v2 (R4DS)
The R4v2, likewise referred to as R4DS, is the initial R4 brand name DS card. R4DS represents ‘Transformation for DS’. The R4DS is among the very first exceptional DS card on the marketplace as it can immediately boot itself on the Nintendo DS console without the requirement a PassMe Gadget (type gadgets are placed into the DS slot and technique the DS into enabling anonymous DS code to range from the GBA cartridge slot completely DS mode). This made the R4DS less expensive, exceptional and incredibly popular compare to other DS card on the marketplace when it was launched in early 2007. It was thought about to be among the very best DS card when it initially came out in 2007. Since of its appeal, numerous other makers begin making clone copies of the R4DS and likewise calling their item ‘R4’, generating the 30+ brand names of R4.
The R4DS alter its name to R4v2 (Transformation for DS Variation 2) when it launch a non-spring crammed variation of the R4 card in late 2007. This was to eliminate spring system failure which was rather typical in the R4DS. Now just the non-spring variation R4v2 is offered on the marketplace.
2.2.2) R4v2 plan
The R4v2 plan features the R4v2 DS card itself, a blue protective case to secure the R4v2 DS card, a USB-micro SD adapter and a disc which includes the R4v2 firmware. R4v2 firmware can likewise be downloaded from the maker website. All this are included inside a blackish green paper product packaging box. The R4v2 plan does not consist of the micro SD which should be purchase independently.
2.2.3) Benefit of R4v2
The R4v2 still have the fastest loading efficiency of any DS card on the marketplace despite the fact that it was among the earliest DS card launched. The R4v2 likewise have numerous other functions which was developed by the R4v2 advancement group and are now a requirement in other DS card. These functions consists of the capability to play mp3 music, view videos and check out e-book on the Nintendo DS console. Presently the R4v2 is likewise the most affordable DS card on the marketplace. It is likewise rather a steady card and has a really low failure rate (less than 1%). Other R4 brand names have a failure rate of 4-10% and the actually bad ones can reach 20%.
2.2.3) Disadvantage of the R4v2
The R4v2 can just take micro SD with 2GB memory size or listed below. More recent DS cards can now take micro SD with memory size upto 32GB. The R4v2 likewise have some video game compatibility concerns whereas a few of the very best more recent DS cards have 100% video game compatibility.
2.3) R4 SDHC
2.3.1) History of R4 SDHC
The R4 SDHC is among 30+ R4 brand names that follow the R4v2. Unliked the majority of the other 30+ brand names which are undependable, unsteady and rubbished, the R4 SDHC has actually shown to be a great DS card. A few of the advancement employee of the initial R4v2 is now working for the R4 SDHC developmental group.
2.3.2) R4 SDHC plan
Extremely comparable to the R4v2. Includes the R4 SDHC card itself, a blue protective case, a USB-micro SD adapter. Does not featured a disc consisting of the R4 SDHC firmware as the R4 SDHC maker made it offered to download online. Factor for this is since the firmware is continuously being upgraded and its much easier to supply a download service. All this are included inside a blackish green paper product packaging box with the trademark name R4 SDHC composed on it. The R4 SDHC plan does not consist of the micro SD which should be bought independently.
2.3.3) Benefit of R4 SDHC
The benefit of R4 SDHC is that it has the ability to take micro SDHC with memory of upto 32GB, for this reason its name. It likewise have 100% video game compatibility and has all the basic functions offered in the R4v2 such as the capability to play mp3 music, view videos and check out e-book on the Nintendo DS console. The R4 SDHC is likewise a really steady card with low failure rate (less than 1%). An excellent jake of all trade DS card.
2.3.4) Disadvantages of R4 SDHC
R4 cheat database is restricted compare to the cheat database of the very best DS brand names on the marketplace. Does not have a few of the functions of more recent DS cards.
3) Solutions to typical R4 Issues
3.1) Fising the R4 ‘Filling …’ Screen Issue
Most likely the most typical issue with the R4DS Card, despite whether you are utilizing the R4v2 or R4 SDHC, is the “Loading …” mistake. Most of individuals presume that this is since their adapter is broken, and instantly panic or send their card back. Nevertheless, this is not typically the case if you have actually purchased a real item. The most typical issue is that you have the incorrect software application for your R4 adapter. Visit our Software application Download page for assistance identifying what type of card you have, and links to software application downloads for the R4v2 and R4 SDHC.
3.1.1) 6 Actions to Fix the “Loading” Issue
3.1.1.1) Make certain you have actually downloaded the ideal software application. For assist with this, please visit our Downloads page here.
3.1.1.2) Make certain the software application is put inside the root directory site of your Micro-SD card – the ‘base’ or very first directory site of your Micro-SD card. What your Micro-SD card’s files must appear like, can be seen listed below.
3.1.1.3) Offer your Micro-SD card a fast tidy (a great blow or 2, as the card contacts can be conscious dirt).
3.1.1.4) For maximum efficiency, do not overload your Micro-SD card. The rest of your Micro-SD card’s memory is required to keep your card running in suggestion leading shape. As a guide, we advise filling your Micro-SD card to no greater than 60% complete. That indicates that for a 1GB card, we just advise filling it approximately 600MB filled with applications and video games. For a 2GB card, we advise just filling it approximately 1.2 GB complete, and so on.
3.1.1.5) Make certain the Micro-SD is card lowered totally into the DS adapter (guarantee excellent contact in between Micro-SD card and R4 adapter). In a really little minority of cases, the Micro-SD needs to be brought up a bit if the ‘click’ in between the Micro-SD and the R4 card triggers them to misalign. This is more typical with the R4 SDHC than with the R4, however is however a non-issue.
3.1.1.6) Reformat your Micro-SD to (FAT16/32) for optimum efficiency.
3.1.1.7) Usage just the following sizes of Micro-SD/ SDHC: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24 and 32GB. The R4 SDHC is untried for Micro-SD cards above 32GB and issues are reported for 6GB micro SD. For the R4v2, just utilize 2GB Micro-SD cards or listed below, as greater capability Micro-SDHC cards do not work.
3.2) Repairing the ‘There is no DS Card Placed’ Screen Issue
Among the more unusual mistake message which appears on the regular DS load page. It generally have the message that goes:
” There is no DS card placed” on the leading line and “There is no video game pak placed” on the bottom line.
In this case, the “There is no video game pak placed” is a quite basic message as it associates with the slot 2 of the DS which is empty – DS cards/adapters do not utilize that slot nowadays. Nevertheless, the “There is no DS card placed” message is fretting. There is numerous factors for this message, which can vary from dirt/ dust on the micro-SD card, corrupt micro-SD information, a defective R4v2 card/ micro-SD adapter, or the more severe and distressing misalignment of the DS slot 1 ports.
The dirt/dust issue on the micro-SD card can be quickly fixed by providing the micro-SD a great blow or 2. A corrupt micro-SD card’s information can be quickly repaired by reformatting it to FAT16 or FAT32. A malfunctioning R4v2 card and micro-SD must be exchanged with the seller – just e-mail them after the very first 2 alternatives do not appear to have actually worked, however, since about 99% of the time among those will repair it. For additional information, see NDS-Gear’s Frequently Asked Question page which offers some information on how to repair comparable issues.
Extremely seldom, a DS adapter can deal with one DS however stop working to deal with another and the stopped working adapter will show this message. In this unusual situation, a small flaw in the DS and the DS card might in some cases be excellent adequate that they practically misalign and are not able to interact with each other. Generally, the metal contacts do not touch each other all right. This is extremely unusual however possibly fretting as it might symbolize an issue with the DS console – in which case a various card which has a somewhat bigger style (the EDGE DS in specific has a rather tight fit, and would be perfect for individuals with this issue) would be preferable. This only occurs in less than 1% of cases, however, and it tends to be with old DS’s or well-used DS Lites.
Nevertheless, if the DS stops working with every DS card, then there is a guaranteed issue with the SLOT 1 adapter of the DS. If the DS is still under guarantee, it ought to be exchange instantly for a brand-new one. If your DS runs out guarantee, it is likewise possible to straighten the adapter pins in the SLOT 1 of the DS yourself (CAUTION: Doing this yourself will void the guarantee). You would require to really thoroughly peer into the slot where cartridges typically go, and utilize some thin, great tools to re-align any bent pins in the SLOT 1 adapter.
3.3) Not able to fill more recent video games of the R4v2
“‘ The save information can not be accessed. Please turn the power off and reinsert the DS card”
This is a mistake message on the R4 card which generally happens when the R4 firmware is obsoleted. The most typical cause for this message is when more recent DS video games which utilizes the ARM7 binary executable system file is packed utilizing out of date R4 firmware. This is an especially severe issue for the R4v2 which no longer release updates for their firmware.
If you are running any other DS cards besides the R4v2, get (or wait) for the current release firmware to come out and upgrade the firmware of the DS card. This must ideally repair the issue as the advancement group occasionally consist of repairs for video game compatibility concerns.
If you are running an R4v2, you can get the informal R4v2 software application like the Yasu software application which repairs numerous however not all of the issues.
Another service for this issue is to changed the ARM7 executable file with an older variation executable file that is identified by the R4v2 firmware. To do this, you will require the issue video game ROM, another ROM with the older executable files (Functions on the DS) and the software application to spot the executable files from the older ROM onto the more recent not working one.
R4DS-Forums appears to have a workaround if you are experiencing issues. Nevertheless, NDS-Gear can not and will not use assistance for any informal firmware/ software application utilized with your DS card.
GBATemp have actually likewise released a comparable if not similar workaround. Please keep in mind NDS-Gear can not supply assistance for this.
Please keep in mind – IF YOU LIKE IT, PURCHASE IT – DS cards are implied as multimedia gadgets and to backup video games that you legally own. Do not play video games that you do not currently lawfully own. Thanks for assisting the video gaming market!:–RRB-
