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<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><u><b>Updating your firmware/loader - specific updating guides for every card</b></u><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
You should always run the very latest loader/firmware on your card. This ensure the highest compatibility with games, the latest features, bugfixes etc.
This is an easy thing to do..
For the most part it's as simple as downloading the archive at the very top of the category for your card, then extracting the files and folders onto the root of your microSD, SD, inbuilt memory, etc.
If you're still unsure how to update your particular card, this guide will give specific instructions.
A few bits of terminology:
<b>Firmware -</b>
Firmware is (in the flashcard context) the card's system flashed onto read-only memory on the card.
The updating process is potentially dangerous, but only really if you do it wrong.
Since the data is flashed onto the card, you don't need to keep files on the external/useable all the time.
<b>Loader -</b>
The software that runs your card. Sometimes (wrongly) called firmware, it can also go by 'menu', 'system', 'OS', etc.
It is not dangerous to accidentally use the wrong loader or put it in the wrong place, so don't worry about getting it wrong, it can't hurt.
<b>Archive -</b>
An archive file is a single file (zip, rar, 7z, gz etc) that holds many compressed files within itself.
To extract files from archives, you need a program that can handle them. Most modern OSes (Windows XP and Vista for instance) can natively handle them, just open them like a folder.
For other Windows versions, try WinRAR (www.rarlabs.com), it can handle pretty much all archive formats.
I try to use zip archives for most/all of my files to ensure compatibility.
<b>Root - </b>
The root of a drive or memory card is the 'base' or 'top' of the drive, ie. not inside any other folders, right at the top.
The cards and their upgrade instructions:
<b>M3 Perfect (aka M3 Lite, M3 Professional)</b>
First download the latest correct firmware archive: Read 'M3 Firmware guide - What files to use and how to update' in the M3 Perfect v35 category to find your correct version.
Once you have it, extract the firmware file from the archive and copy it to the root of your memory card. Then, boot the M3 in your DS.
You will be asked to update the firmware, press Start to do this. Once it is finished, delete the firmware update file from your memory card, it is not needed anymore.
Also download and install the latest M3 Game Manager to your computer.
<b>
M3 Real / G6 Real</b>
Download the latest loader archive from the M3 / G6 DS Real category.
The loader versions are multilanguage, The EuroUSA version contains English and other European languages (French, Spanish, etc). The Asian version contains most Asian dialects/languages (not Japanese). The Japanese version contains only Japanese.
Just extract the SYSTEM folder onto the root of your microSD card.
<b>NOTE:</b> If when you try to boot the card up and all you see is menu??? in red, you have a fake card. Read this for more info about it. In this case I strongly suggest you get a refund and
tell the seller they are selling fakes. If you want the card to work (it's actually a copied DSTT), use the loader on the fake website, listed on the page via the link above.
<b>M3 Sakura</b>
The M3 Sakura loader works on both the M3 Sakura card or the M3 Real.
The versions are multilanguage, The EuroUSA version contains English and other European languages (French, Spanish, etc). The Asian version contains most Asian dialects/languages (not Japanese). The Japanese version contains only Japanese.
Extract the SYSTEM folder, and the defaultx.nds and defaulty.nds files onto the root of your microSD card.
<b>R4 DS</b>
First of all, DON'T download the clone loaders for a legit R4 (or vice-versa).
Download the latest version from the top of the R4 DS category, corresponding to your card's language.
The cards are language-locked to the region they were produced for, so only the correct language loader will work.
If you are upgrading from an older version, first delete the file _DS_MENU.SYS from the root of your microSD card.
Then, extract _DS_MENU.DAT, _DS_MSHL.NDS and the folders _system_ and moonshl onto the root of your microSD card.
<b>R4 Clones (including ND1, N5, MARS, R4-III, R4 SDHC, R4 Advance, R4 Pro, NPlayer, R4 Deluxe, U2DS, etc etc)</b>
The R4 clones are poor quality ripoffs of the R4. Don't get them.
Make sure you get the exact loader for your specific clone, there's a good chance you'll break it if it finds something wrong.
Download the latest correct loader. Extract all the files you find onto the root of your microSD card.
<b>M3 Simply</b>
The M3 Simply is an official clone of the R4, so the instructions are identical to those of the R4 DS (above). Just get the loader from the M3 Simply category instead.
<b>iTouchDS</b>
Download the latest loader archive from the iTouchDS category.
The loader versions are multilanguage, The EuroUSA version contains English and other European languages (French, Spanish, etc). The Asian version contains most Asian dialects/languages (not Japanese). The Japanese version contains only Japanese.
Extract the iTouch folder, and file boot.xxx (the extension 'xxx' is different for each language) onto the root of your microSD card.
<b>AceKard</b>
If you want the original loader ('1.15'), download that archive then extract the system folder onto the root of your card.
If you want the newer (and probably buggy) akmenu 4.07, download that archive then extract the system folder, and akmenu4.nds onto the root of your card.
<b>
AceKard RPG</b>
Download the latest loader ('menu') archive from the AceKard RPG category.
Then, extract the __rpg folder and akmenu4.nds onto the root of the onboard flash, not the microSD card.
<b>AceKard 2 / 2i</b>
Download the latest loader ('menu') archive from the AceKard 2/2i category.
Then, extract the __ak2 folder and akmenu4.nds onto the root of the microSD card.
<b>A Guide to Installing 1.4 FW can be found by clicking <a href="http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=175031" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>
<b>DS-X</b>
Simply connect your card to your computer, then download and run the Updater App from the DS-X category.
<b>DS Link</b>
Download the latest loader for your language, then extract _DSLINK_.nds onto your card.
Also download the latest software for your computer.
<b>EZ5</b>
Download the latest firmware ('kernel') archive from the EZ Flash category.
Then, extract ez5sys.bin and the moonshl folder onto the root of the card.
<b>eWin2</b>
Download the latest firmware from the eWin2 category, and extract EWIN_UPDATE.DAT onto the root of your card.
Then, depending on your current version - press L+R+Up or Start to update (try both).
Also download and install the latest software for your computer.
<b>G6 Flash (aka G6 Lite)</b>
Download the latest firmware ('kernel') for your card's language from the G6 Flash (G6 Lite) category.
Extract both g6verify.sys and g6loader.sys onto the root of your card, then boot up the G6 in GBA mode.
Choose the 'G6update' icon to update the system.
Also download and install the latest G6 UDisk Manager for your computer.
<b>CycloDS Evolution</b>
Just download the latest version archive from the CycloDS Evolution category, then extract the update file, update.evo, onto the root of your microSD.
Then boot up the card, and it will update the firmware automatically (follow the prompts).
<b>
DSTT (TopToy DS)</b>
Download the latest loader from the DSTT (TopToy DS) category for your language.
Then, extract the TTMenu folder and TTMENU.DAT onto the root of your microSD card.
<b>EDGE</b>
Download the latest loader from the EDGE categiry for your card's language.
Then, extract the EDGE folder and EDGE.DAT onto the root of your microSD card.
<b>Datel Games 'N Music</b>
There are no updates to this, as far as I know.
<b>N-Card and all clones (including N-Card, DS Fire Link aka Firecard, DSLinker, MK5, Ultra FlashPass EX)</b>
There are two parts to updating these cards, a firmware (aka 'menu') and a loader (aka 'xmenu')
First, download the firmware archive from your respective card's categories (with the same name, except for the MK5 which is in the Neoflash category).
The latest firmware version will be in an archive with a 1.xx version number. Download that one. Inside you will find an .nds file called udisk.nds (if not udisk, then something with 'menu' or 'upgrade' and the version number '1.xx').
Extract this nds file onto the root of your card, then run it like a game. This will update the firmware.
Then, the loader ('xmenu'). Because all the clones share the same firmware/loader, they can be used intechangeably. So, the latest xmenu for one will be the latest for others.
Currently, the latest xmenu is v2.56, and this is in the MK5 package, in the Neoflash category. Download the MK5's xmenu (2.xx) archive, then extract xmenu.dat onto the root of your card.
<b>Ninja X9TF</b>
Download the latest loader available for your language from the Ninja category.
Then, extract the TFSYSTEM folder and loader.nds onto the root of your microSD card.
<b>R6 (R6 Gold, R6 Silver, R6 Xtreme)</b>
Download the latest loader archive from the Neoflash category for your language.
Then, extract all files and folders (except the .txt files) onto the root of your card.
<b>Supercard</b>
Download the latest firmware version for your memory card type from the Supercard category. To update, copy the firmware file to the root of your card and run it like a game.
If the firmware file inside is a .bin file, you can just use it to update, and you're finished.
If the firmware file inside is a .scu file, you need to upgrade in steps. Find the most recent firmware that you can that uses .bin, and update to that.
Then, get the next version after that one, and update to that, then the next one, etc until you're at the latest version.
Don't forget to download and install the patching software for your computer.
<b>Supercard DS ONE</b>
Download the latest loader version for your language and version (either SDHC or non-SDHC, look for the SDHC logo on the Supercard's label) from the Supercard DS ONE category.
Then, extract the SCSHELL folder and the MSHFORSC.NDS file onto the root of your microSD card.
If you have a non-SDHC version, you should also update the card's firmware. Download the 'firmware_update' archive in the second block of files in the category, for the language of your card.
Then extract the nds files from the archive onto your microSD card. Then, just run it like a game. Once it is finished, you can delete the upgrade file.
<!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->
<!--sizeo:2--><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--fonto:Arial Black--><span style="font-family:Arial Black"><!--/fonto-->No Credit should be given to me, apart from bringing this to your attention.. ALL CREDIT GOES TO linFoxDomain.com<!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
You should always run the very latest loader/firmware on your card. This ensure the highest compatibility with games, the latest features, bugfixes etc.
This is an easy thing to do..
For the most part it's as simple as downloading the archive at the very top of the category for your card, then extracting the files and folders onto the root of your microSD, SD, inbuilt memory, etc.
If you're still unsure how to update your particular card, this guide will give specific instructions.
A few bits of terminology:
<b>Firmware -</b>
Firmware is (in the flashcard context) the card's system flashed onto read-only memory on the card.
The updating process is potentially dangerous, but only really if you do it wrong.
Since the data is flashed onto the card, you don't need to keep files on the external/useable all the time.
<b>Loader -</b>
The software that runs your card. Sometimes (wrongly) called firmware, it can also go by 'menu', 'system', 'OS', etc.
It is not dangerous to accidentally use the wrong loader or put it in the wrong place, so don't worry about getting it wrong, it can't hurt.
<b>Archive -</b>
An archive file is a single file (zip, rar, 7z, gz etc) that holds many compressed files within itself.
To extract files from archives, you need a program that can handle them. Most modern OSes (Windows XP and Vista for instance) can natively handle them, just open them like a folder.
For other Windows versions, try WinRAR (www.rarlabs.com), it can handle pretty much all archive formats.
I try to use zip archives for most/all of my files to ensure compatibility.
<b>Root - </b>
The root of a drive or memory card is the 'base' or 'top' of the drive, ie. not inside any other folders, right at the top.
The cards and their upgrade instructions:
<b>M3 Perfect (aka M3 Lite, M3 Professional)</b>
First download the latest correct firmware archive: Read 'M3 Firmware guide - What files to use and how to update' in the M3 Perfect v35 category to find your correct version.
Once you have it, extract the firmware file from the archive and copy it to the root of your memory card. Then, boot the M3 in your DS.
You will be asked to update the firmware, press Start to do this. Once it is finished, delete the firmware update file from your memory card, it is not needed anymore.
Also download and install the latest M3 Game Manager to your computer.
<b>
M3 Real / G6 Real</b>
Download the latest loader archive from the M3 / G6 DS Real category.
The loader versions are multilanguage, The EuroUSA version contains English and other European languages (French, Spanish, etc). The Asian version contains most Asian dialects/languages (not Japanese). The Japanese version contains only Japanese.
Just extract the SYSTEM folder onto the root of your microSD card.
<b>NOTE:</b> If when you try to boot the card up and all you see is menu??? in red, you have a fake card. Read this for more info about it. In this case I strongly suggest you get a refund and
tell the seller they are selling fakes. If you want the card to work (it's actually a copied DSTT), use the loader on the fake website, listed on the page via the link above.
<b>M3 Sakura</b>
The M3 Sakura loader works on both the M3 Sakura card or the M3 Real.
The versions are multilanguage, The EuroUSA version contains English and other European languages (French, Spanish, etc). The Asian version contains most Asian dialects/languages (not Japanese). The Japanese version contains only Japanese.
Extract the SYSTEM folder, and the defaultx.nds and defaulty.nds files onto the root of your microSD card.
<b>R4 DS</b>
First of all, DON'T download the clone loaders for a legit R4 (or vice-versa).
Download the latest version from the top of the R4 DS category, corresponding to your card's language.
The cards are language-locked to the region they were produced for, so only the correct language loader will work.
If you are upgrading from an older version, first delete the file _DS_MENU.SYS from the root of your microSD card.
Then, extract _DS_MENU.DAT, _DS_MSHL.NDS and the folders _system_ and moonshl onto the root of your microSD card.
<b>R4 Clones (including ND1, N5, MARS, R4-III, R4 SDHC, R4 Advance, R4 Pro, NPlayer, R4 Deluxe, U2DS, etc etc)</b>
The R4 clones are poor quality ripoffs of the R4. Don't get them.
Make sure you get the exact loader for your specific clone, there's a good chance you'll break it if it finds something wrong.
Download the latest correct loader. Extract all the files you find onto the root of your microSD card.
<b>M3 Simply</b>
The M3 Simply is an official clone of the R4, so the instructions are identical to those of the R4 DS (above). Just get the loader from the M3 Simply category instead.
<b>iTouchDS</b>
Download the latest loader archive from the iTouchDS category.
The loader versions are multilanguage, The EuroUSA version contains English and other European languages (French, Spanish, etc). The Asian version contains most Asian dialects/languages (not Japanese). The Japanese version contains only Japanese.
Extract the iTouch folder, and file boot.xxx (the extension 'xxx' is different for each language) onto the root of your microSD card.
<b>AceKard</b>
If you want the original loader ('1.15'), download that archive then extract the system folder onto the root of your card.
If you want the newer (and probably buggy) akmenu 4.07, download that archive then extract the system folder, and akmenu4.nds onto the root of your card.
<b>
AceKard RPG</b>
Download the latest loader ('menu') archive from the AceKard RPG category.
Then, extract the __rpg folder and akmenu4.nds onto the root of the onboard flash, not the microSD card.
<b>AceKard 2 / 2i</b>
Download the latest loader ('menu') archive from the AceKard 2/2i category.
Then, extract the __ak2 folder and akmenu4.nds onto the root of the microSD card.
<b>A Guide to Installing 1.4 FW can be found by clicking <a href="http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=175031" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>
<b>DS-X</b>
Simply connect your card to your computer, then download and run the Updater App from the DS-X category.
<b>DS Link</b>
Download the latest loader for your language, then extract _DSLINK_.nds onto your card.
Also download the latest software for your computer.
<b>EZ5</b>
Download the latest firmware ('kernel') archive from the EZ Flash category.
Then, extract ez5sys.bin and the moonshl folder onto the root of the card.
<b>eWin2</b>
Download the latest firmware from the eWin2 category, and extract EWIN_UPDATE.DAT onto the root of your card.
Then, depending on your current version - press L+R+Up or Start to update (try both).
Also download and install the latest software for your computer.
<b>G6 Flash (aka G6 Lite)</b>
Download the latest firmware ('kernel') for your card's language from the G6 Flash (G6 Lite) category.
Extract both g6verify.sys and g6loader.sys onto the root of your card, then boot up the G6 in GBA mode.
Choose the 'G6update' icon to update the system.
Also download and install the latest G6 UDisk Manager for your computer.
<b>CycloDS Evolution</b>
Just download the latest version archive from the CycloDS Evolution category, then extract the update file, update.evo, onto the root of your microSD.
Then boot up the card, and it will update the firmware automatically (follow the prompts).
<b>
DSTT (TopToy DS)</b>
Download the latest loader from the DSTT (TopToy DS) category for your language.
Then, extract the TTMenu folder and TTMENU.DAT onto the root of your microSD card.
<b>EDGE</b>
Download the latest loader from the EDGE categiry for your card's language.
Then, extract the EDGE folder and EDGE.DAT onto the root of your microSD card.
<b>Datel Games 'N Music</b>
There are no updates to this, as far as I know.
<b>N-Card and all clones (including N-Card, DS Fire Link aka Firecard, DSLinker, MK5, Ultra FlashPass EX)</b>
There are two parts to updating these cards, a firmware (aka 'menu') and a loader (aka 'xmenu')
First, download the firmware archive from your respective card's categories (with the same name, except for the MK5 which is in the Neoflash category).
The latest firmware version will be in an archive with a 1.xx version number. Download that one. Inside you will find an .nds file called udisk.nds (if not udisk, then something with 'menu' or 'upgrade' and the version number '1.xx').
Extract this nds file onto the root of your card, then run it like a game. This will update the firmware.
Then, the loader ('xmenu'). Because all the clones share the same firmware/loader, they can be used intechangeably. So, the latest xmenu for one will be the latest for others.
Currently, the latest xmenu is v2.56, and this is in the MK5 package, in the Neoflash category. Download the MK5's xmenu (2.xx) archive, then extract xmenu.dat onto the root of your card.
<b>Ninja X9TF</b>
Download the latest loader available for your language from the Ninja category.
Then, extract the TFSYSTEM folder and loader.nds onto the root of your microSD card.
<b>R6 (R6 Gold, R6 Silver, R6 Xtreme)</b>
Download the latest loader archive from the Neoflash category for your language.
Then, extract all files and folders (except the .txt files) onto the root of your card.
<b>Supercard</b>
Download the latest firmware version for your memory card type from the Supercard category. To update, copy the firmware file to the root of your card and run it like a game.
If the firmware file inside is a .bin file, you can just use it to update, and you're finished.
If the firmware file inside is a .scu file, you need to upgrade in steps. Find the most recent firmware that you can that uses .bin, and update to that.
Then, get the next version after that one, and update to that, then the next one, etc until you're at the latest version.
Don't forget to download and install the patching software for your computer.
<b>Supercard DS ONE</b>
Download the latest loader version for your language and version (either SDHC or non-SDHC, look for the SDHC logo on the Supercard's label) from the Supercard DS ONE category.
Then, extract the SCSHELL folder and the MSHFORSC.NDS file onto the root of your microSD card.
If you have a non-SDHC version, you should also update the card's firmware. Download the 'firmware_update' archive in the second block of files in the category, for the language of your card.
Then extract the nds files from the archive onto your microSD card. Then, just run it like a game. Once it is finished, you can delete the upgrade file.
<!--coloro:#FF0000--><span style="color:#FF0000"><!--/coloro-->
<!--sizeo:2--><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--fonto:Arial Black--><span style="font-family:Arial Black"><!--/fonto-->No Credit should be given to me, apart from bringing this to your attention.. ALL CREDIT GOES TO linFoxDomain.com<!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
