#93672 - bahtul - Thu Jul 20, 2006 4:28 pm
Hi guys,
I just like to ask what are the pros and cons on flashing your ds vs buying a passme card. So far here is what I have listed (correct me if I am mistaken, thanks ^_^)
Flashing
Pros
No need to buy a new hardware
No need to carry an additional cartridge
Prevents DS from bricking once installed
Cons
Loosing your original FW (unless its reflashed with the original FW)
Risk of tampering your warranty (same as above)
Risk of bricking your DS
Decrease in sound (not sure if true)
Wifi incompatibility with some games (not sure, please confirm)
Need passme to initiate the flashing (borrow from a friend!)
Passme
Pros
Original FW is retained
No flashing required
Plug and play
Cons
Need to buy a new hardware
Lesser battery life compared to flashing (not sure if true)
I'm trying to decide if I should get a passme or just flash my ds. Thanks again
black ink please: mod
Last edited by bahtul on Fri Jul 21, 2006 3:23 pm; edited 3 times in total
#93673 - clone dad - Thu Jul 20, 2006 4:38 pm
to flash your ds without new hardware you will need version 3 or lower firmware. you'll also need a compatible wireless card.
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#93677 - bahtul - Thu Jul 20, 2006 4:54 pm
You're right! I forgot to add that in the list but you can always borrow one from a friend =D
#93681 - CubeGuy - Thu Jul 20, 2006 5:01 pm
Loosing your original FW
False- Your firmware can be restored, but FlashMe is a clone of the original anyway.
Risk of tampering your warranty
True - but you can always restore the original FW.
Risk of bricking your DS
True and false - If you follow the directions, it is very hard to brick your DS. But once FlashMe is installed, it protects itself from becoming bricked.
Decrease in sound (not sure if true)
False - My sound is indeed the same as my brother's unflashed Lite.
Wifi incompatibility with some games (not sure, please confirm)
False
Need passme to initiate the flashing (borrow from a friend!)
Well... true... but that's kindof a given.
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#93686 - Sausage Boy - Thu Jul 20, 2006 6:31 pm
If you have a newer DS, using a passme2 is far from plug and play. It's actually very inconvenient. With a NoPass device however, it's really easy.
But really, it's a bad pro for using passme, flashing is even more plug and play (after you're done), wouldn't you say? You only have to plug in one device.
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#93706 - tepples - Thu Jul 20, 2006 9:04 pm
Sausage Boy wrote: |
But really, it's a bad pro for using passme, flashing is even more plug and play (after you're done), wouldn't you say? You only have to plug in one device. |
You have to plug in four devices to install FlashMe: a NoPass, a GBA card, a screwdriver sized for the battery compartment, and a screwdriver sized for the SL1 pads.
_________________
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#93707 - Sausage Boy - Thu Jul 20, 2006 9:08 pm
Quote: |
But really, it's a bad pro for using passme, flashing is even more plug and play (after you're done), wouldn't you say? You only have to plug in one device. |
_________________
"no offense, but this is the gayest game ever"
#93712 - tepples - Thu Jul 20, 2006 9:18 pm
"After you're done" doesn't matter if one never gets done, such as if the DS owner is dead-set against jamming anything into the SL1 hole. My cousin is this way about his DS.
_________________
-- Where is he?
-- Who?
-- You know, the human.
-- I think he moved to Tilwick.
#93768 - bahtul - Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:32 am
Thanks for the reply guys. So as long as I follow the steps correctly in flashing my DS lite, I shoudn't have any problems whatsoever. If that's the case, then the only problem is finding the right flashme files ^_^ .
By the way, if I returned the original FW would they have any traces if I flashed my DS or not (except for the sticker on 1st DS)? Thanks again
#93769 - quadomatic - Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:34 am
bahtul wrote: |
Thanks for the reply guys. So as long as I follow the steps correctly in flashing my DS lite, I shoudn't have any problems whatsoever. If that's the case, then the only problem is finding the right flashme files ^_^ .
By the way, if I returned the original FW would they have any traces if I flashed my DS or not (except for the sticker on 1st DS)? Thanks again |
I was just browsing around, and I saw that there is a very good video on youtube for flashing dslite. You should check it out.
#93770 - tepples - Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:41 am
bahtul wrote: |
By the way, if I returned the original FW would they have any traces if I flashed my DS or not (except for the sticker on 1st DS)? |
When I flashed my DS and my other cousin's DS, I put the sticker across one of the LCD pot adjustment holes. I can move it back and install stealth or noflashme if I need to.
_________________
-- Where is he?
-- Who?
-- You know, the human.
-- I think he moved to Tilwick.
#93772 - bahtul - Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:49 am
@quadomatic
Sweet. I have seen the video as well. He did it in less than 2 minutes!
@tepples
Hhmm.. I have read somewhere in the forum that they did the exact same thing. They just placed the sticker back after flashing. Cool!
I'll try to see if I can flash my DS this weekend. Hopefully I can find the necessary flashme files. Btw is the official flashme site already up?
#93813 - dualscreenman - Fri Jul 21, 2006 12:36 pm
Last I checked, the site is up, but the pictures/downloads are broken.
Look for the first link in the stickied thread entitled: "FlashMe for the DS Lite? It's here." That should be an authentic flashme.
_________________
dualscreenman wrote: |
What about Gaim DS? Gaim pretty much has support for all IM programs. |
tepples wrote: |
"Goshdammit, the DS is not a Gaim-boy! It's a third pillar!" |
#93824 - bahtul - Fri Jul 21, 2006 3:22 pm
Thanks guys. I guess flashing would be the better option instead of buying a passme. ^_^
#93826 - dualscreenman - Fri Jul 21, 2006 3:42 pm
Edit: nevermind.
_________________
dualscreenman wrote: |
What about Gaim DS? Gaim pretty much has support for all IM programs. |
tepples wrote: |
"Goshdammit, the DS is not a Gaim-boy! It's a third pillar!" |
#93928 - HyperHacker - Sat Jul 22, 2006 12:31 am
A lot of your original statements are incorrect.
Flashing
Pros
No need to buy a new hardware
You need a way to run homebrew to flash.
No need to carry an additional cartridge
You still need a GBA cart of some sort.
Prevents DS from bricking once installed
Cons
Loosing your original FW (unless its reflashed with the original FW)
How is this a con? You can keep the warning screen if you want, and everything else is the same.
Risk of tampering your warranty (same as above)
Risk of bricking your DS
If you do it right the risk is very, very small.
Decrease in sound (not sure if true)
I've heard this happens to some Lites, but it didn't happen to my Phat.
Wifi incompatibility with some games (not sure, please confirm)
Using any wifi game would corrupt the firmware (but you could restore it) on old versions of FlashMe. This isn't a problem with the latest version.
Need passme to initiate the flashing (borrow from a friend!)
Passme
Pros
Original FW is retained
Again, don't see why you'd care...
No flashing required
Plug and play
With PassMe, hardly. With NoPass, yes.
Cons
Need to buy a new hardware
Lesser battery life compared to flashing (not sure if true)
You should be able to remove the adapter after starting up. NoPass especially shouldn't use more power than a DS card if any at all after starting up.
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#93937 - darkfader - Sat Jul 22, 2006 1:18 am
I wouldn't say incorrect but just that he gave too little information to base a choice on.
#93949 - tepples - Sat Jul 22, 2006 2:21 am
HyperHacker wrote: |
Flashing
Pros
No need to buy a new hardware
You need a way to run homebrew to flash. |
Unless you live in a town that already has an in-person DS scene.
Quote: |
Cons
Loosing your original FW (unless its reflashed with the original FW)
How is this a con? You can keep the warning screen if you want, and everything else is the same. |
Because FlashMe is based on DS firmware v3, you lose the bugfixes in newer firmware v4 and later that are unrelated to anti-piracy and anti-homebrew changes. It's like a PSP user on 2.60 downgrading to 1.50 and losing the web browser.
Quote: |
Risk of tampering your warranty (same as above) |
My 10-year-old cousin claims that FlashMe will kill his warranty because the Nintendo service center will notice that the SL1 hole sticker wasn't mechanically applied.
_________________
-- Where is he?
-- Who?
-- You know, the human.
-- I think he moved to Tilwick.
#93961 - outphase - Sat Jul 22, 2006 2:42 am
tepples wrote: |
HyperHacker wrote: | Cons
Loosing your original FW (unless its reflashed with the original FW)
How is this a con? You can keep the warning screen if you want, and everything else is the same. |
Because FlashMe is based on DS firmware v3, you lose the bugfixes in newer firmware v4 and later that are unrelated to anti-piracy and anti-homebrew changes. It's like a PSP user on 2.60 downgrading to 1.50 and losing the web browser. |
Such as?
#93964 - tepples - Sat Jul 22, 2006 3:09 am
outphase wrote: |
tepples wrote: | Because FlashMe is based on DS firmware v3, you lose the bugfixes in newer firmware v4 and later that are unrelated to anti-piracy and anti-homebrew changes. |
Such as? |
I am not entirely sure that such improvements in newer versions of the DS official firmware exist, but they could include improvements to the battery efficiency of the DS dashboard program, better touch code in the calibrator and PictoChat, more stable connections in PictoChat and DS Download Play, etc. There has to be some difference between firmware v1 and v3 and between v4 and v5.
_________________
-- Where is he?
-- Who?
-- You know, the human.
-- I think he moved to Tilwick.
#94005 - Dan2552 - Sat Jul 22, 2006 1:03 pm
tepples wrote: |
outphase wrote: | tepples wrote: | Because FlashMe is based on DS firmware v3, you lose the bugfixes in newer firmware v4 and later that are unrelated to anti-piracy and anti-homebrew changes. |
Such as? |
I am not entirely sure that such improvements in newer versions of the DS official firmware exist, but they could include improvements to the battery efficiency of the DS dashboard program, better touch code in the calibrator and PictoChat, more stable connections in PictoChat and DS Download Play, etc. There has to be some difference between firmware v1 and v3 and between v4 and v5. |
someone should make a v5 available to download then so we can update our DSs (I personally don't need flashme, I still have my MML)
#94226 - HyperHacker - Sun Jul 23, 2006 10:45 pm
Whatever the changes are, they can't be too major. V1 worked fine for me before flashing and FlashMe (based on V3) works fine now.
_________________
I'm a PSP hacker now, but I still <3 DS.
#94231 - MelGibson - Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:27 pm
I recently flashed my DSLite (Japanese Marine Blue) and reported no sound drop....Actually this is not correct (anymore)... Even though the sound did not drop I think that it changed... I have the feeling that Music stayed at the same level.. but SoundFX are louder now.
When I checked first time I tested Mario Kart DS playing from real Card. Only started it up quickly and didnt experience it..
But now I think that some games sound different.. because Sound and SFX are not "mixed" correctly in Loudness... SFX are a littlebit louder... Its just a minor glitch.. And can live with it....
Regards
Mel
#94233 - Sausage Boy - Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:35 pm
I really think this sound thing is imagination. I have no idea how the firmware could actually change mixing settings. It seems very unlikely to me.
_________________
"no offense, but this is the gayest game ever"
#94286 - HyperHacker - Mon Jul 24, 2006 7:05 am
Games could be relying on the firmware to set audio levels, and not bothering to adjust them. Though I think then we'd see all sorts of problems with FWNITRO.
_________________
I'm a PSP hacker now, but I still <3 DS.
#94326 - tyraen - Mon Jul 24, 2006 12:01 pm
I think there could be plenty of small differences. One reason for Nintendo to use newer firmware is for changes in the hardware. They may be using a newer revision of the sound chip (I have no idea), or even stupid things like different pots or voltages in certain places, who knows. These things might require small tweaks in the firmware...
#94344 - tepples - Mon Jul 24, 2006 1:57 pm
Is the sound amplifier volume in any way related to the screen brightness?
_________________
-- Where is he?
-- Who?
-- You know, the human.
-- I think he moved to Tilwick.
#94348 - MelGibson - Mon Jul 24, 2006 2:14 pm
I think this issues should result in a firmware collection site or something like that.
Where ppl can upload their dumped firmwares and so i can be compared an examined by the experienced ppl.
So please ppl with unflashme'd DS's dump on upload your firmeware ! :D
#94487 - HyperHacker - Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:57 am
I could send you my brother's V1 and possibly his friend's V3, if I can sneak their DSes away long enough. That is, if the firmware dumper works on GBAMP.
tepples wrote: |
Is the sound amplifier volume in any way related to the screen brightness? |
I think so. I recall people saying they put Lite firmware on an old DS (or vice-versa) and trying to change the brightness just made the speakers click.
_________________
I'm a PSP hacker now, but I still <3 DS.
#94541 - MelGibson - Tue Jul 25, 2006 7:26 am
Having the unmodified Firmwaredumps of a V1 and V3 would be great.
Would be nice to include if its the US/Euro/Jap Version of the DS.
You can upload then to http://www.rapidshare.de/ or something like that for everyone.
#94809 - HyperHacker - Wed Jul 26, 2006 6:41 am
Or I could use a host that doesn't suck. ;-)
So where would I get such a firmware dumper?
_________________
I'm a PSP hacker now, but I still <3 DS.
#94895 - tepples - Wed Jul 26, 2006 7:37 pm
If DSLinux supports your CF card, try pepsiman's technique.
_________________
-- Where is he?
-- Who?
-- You know, the human.
-- I think he moved to Tilwick.
#94902 - HyperHacker - Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:07 pm
Great, now I just need to sneak the things away from them. The other kid hasn't even brought his over lately, so V3 might take a while.
_________________
I'm a PSP hacker now, but I still <3 DS.
#94939 - MelGibson - Wed Jul 26, 2006 11:17 pm
Thanks for the effort :D
#95287 - HyperHacker - Fri Jul 28, 2006 4:28 pm
Oi, WTF? When I send WifiMe to his DS with the GBAMP inserted, it just boots into GBA mode, even though it boots into DSLinux on mine. O_o
_________________
I'm a PSP hacker now, but I still <3 DS.
#95315 - tepples - Fri Jul 28, 2006 6:22 pm
HyperHacker wrote: |
When I send WifiMe to his DS with the GBAMP inserted, it just boots into GBA mode, even though it boots into DSLinux on mine. O_o |
If NDSMP can't find _boot_mp.nds, it boots to the internal firmware in GBA mode. Have you chkdsk'd the CF card?
_________________
-- Where is he?
-- Who?
-- You know, the human.
-- I think he moved to Tilwick.
#95349 - HyperHacker - Fri Jul 28, 2006 11:11 pm
Yes, and defragged too. I can start up DSLinux on mine, shut down, pull the card out, put it in his, and it won't boot.
_________________
I'm a PSP hacker now, but I still <3 DS.