FlashMe
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FlashMe is a firmware modification for the Nintendo DS.[1] One of the main reasons for using it is its ablility to execute homebrew DS applications and games. It also enables the DS to play ROM images, though this is not encouraged by the creators. It also adds other functionality to the DS, such as a failsafe recovery program.
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[edit] Features
[edit] Running homebrew
FlashMe allows users to run homebrew stored on a slot 2 storage device without the need for a passthrough device like the PassMe or NoPass. FlashMe is not required for a slot 1 storage device such as the R4DS or the M3 Simply.
[edit] Download Play
FlashMe will enable the DS to run homebrew sent to it using the DS Download Play/WMB function.
[edit] Backlight
If you have FlashMe or higher, the backlight will glow brighter as you press SELECT to return to the main menu of the DS.
If FlashMe is installed on a newer Nintendo DS, it will enable the 4 step brightness adjusting feature of the DS lite. The newer DS can be identified by having firmware version 5 or above.
[edit] Health and safety screen
FlashMe can remove the health and safety warning screen. Users can choose which version of FlashMe to install. The normal version which removes the screen, and the stealth version which keeps the screen.
[edit] Firmware recovery
If the DS firmware is damaged after installing FlashMe, it can be fixed using the recovery mode in FlashMe, accessible by holding Start+Select+A+B at power on. The firmware can be damaged by malicious or badly written software. There are currently two bricker programs that can damage the firmware and can be fixed with flashme, which are known as Taihen and r0mloader. Taihen is presented as hentai slideshow (really a trojan horse). This resulted in it being named Taihen, which is an anagram of hentai, but at the same time, is roughly Japanese for "trouble" or "terrible".
[edit] Uninstallation
The "NoFlashMe" software is also provided by the authors to uninstall FlashMe. This however is very risky as the original firmware does not include the failsafe code, and therefore if the DS powers off during the final ~10% of the NoFlashMe process, it is unlikely that the DS can be recovered except through the use of PPFlash.
In addition, the original NoFlashMe file provided by the authors contains a copy of the original DS firmware. This is known to cause issues when it is used on a DS Lite, such as the inability to use Pictochat and errors with DS Download Play. An unofficial modification called NoFlashMe Lite was created that fixes this problem.
Due to the potential dangers of NoFlashMe, many users who wish to get their DS systems replaced or repaired by Nintendo opt to merely install FlashMe Stealth, the version that leaves the Health and Safety screen intact, before sending it in.
[edit] Installation
To use the FlashMe method, the following items will be required:
- A homebrew running tool
- A homebrew storage device
- A screwdriver to open up the battery cover
- A thin, electrically conductive object (toothpick with the tip wrapped in aluminum foil, bent paperclip, etc)
Once these items are obtained, following this simple guide or this more detailed one[2] to successfully flash the DS and enable it to run homebrew code. A more recent and up-to-date tutorial can be found HERE.
New slot 1 passcard devices are a homebrew running tool and storage device combined and usually use micro or mini Secure Digital cards.
Some shops will install FlashMe for a nominal fee.
[edit] DS Booting Order with FlashMe
Settings > Options > Startup set to Manual Mode
- No buttons: Look for PASS/DSBooter, then show firmware menu.
- Select: Skip "look for PASS/DSBooter".
Settings > Options > Startup set to Auto Mode
- No buttons: Look for PASS/DSBooter, then look for DS Game Card, then look for GBA Game Pak, then show firmware menu.
- B: Look for GBA Game Pak before DS Game Card.
- Start: Skip "look for DS Game Card" and "look for GBA Game Pak".
- Select: Skip "look for PASS/DSBooter".[1]
[edit] Bugs
Sleep mode does not work properly when playing ROMs stored on a slot 2 storage device. There are a few known methods to fix this problem:
- Inserting any official game cartridge/NoPass/PassMe (1 or 2) into slot 1.
- Inserting a device such as the Dummy Card in slot 1. Such as one made by EWIN 3 available for around $2.
- Using a slot 1 storage device to play ROMs.
- Opening up the DS and soldering a piece of wire between pins 1 (GND) and 7 (IRQ) of the slot 1 socket. This is normally shorted by the contacts inside a DS card and so, by doing this, you are simulating a card being inserted. [2]
It should be noted that this is not because of an issue with flashme, but an issue with the DS hardware itself, which uses two of the card slot pins to keep a circuit going during sleep mode.
An additional issue is the inability of FlashMe to boot the Max Media line of products by Datel product or similar devices. The Max Media Dock for instance can be booted only with the included slot-1 NoPass device known as the Max Media Launcher (sometimes found with a sticker of Max Media Player on it). In addition, the failsafe recovery mode of FlashMe will not work on an MMD.
[edit] Risks
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This new passthrough method is not without risks, however. In order to successfully overwrite the firmware, the write-enable contacts (SL1) need to be short circuited to allow writing to the first 512 bytes of the firmware. The SL1 contacts are located next to the battery under the square red and white sticker on the original Nintendo DS, and on the very left of the holes on the DS Lite. Removing the sticker on the original DS voids the warranty. The flashing process is halted if the SL1 contact is no longer shorted. If the power is turned off before the first 2 to 5% of the flashing process, the Nintendo DS will fail to run and is most likely non recoverable unless the first block (100 bytes) has been written (see lower right hand corner of the screen when flashing). If the DS loses power during the process and the first 100 bytes of the firmware was flashed, holding the Start, Select, A, and B buttons will boot FlashMe from a GBA cart in a failsafe mode. This will run the bare minimum of what is needed to start the DS. Examples of what aren't started are the sound and the touch-screen.
However, the process has been made easy and efficient, and is now a lot safer to perform than it used to be. More information about flashing a Nintendo DS, and about homebrew code for the Game Boy Advance and DS can be found on the GBA Development forums.
The main problem with this method is related to the fact that the modified firmware is slightly bigger than the original one. When Nintendo adds more functionality to the firmware, (such as the wifi parameters) it breaks compatibility with the current version of FlashMe. Users of version 4 (and lower) of FlashMe encountered firmware corruption with wifi enabled games. Newer versions of FlashMe (versions 5, 6 and 7 as of this writing) were shuffled around and recompressed to be compatible with wifi-enabled games, such as Mario Kart DS.
[edit] Notes
- ^ FlashMe version 7 now supports the Nintendo DS Lite.
- ^ The detailed guide is not for the current version of FlashMe. The display progress has been moved upward and changed to a percent instead of bits.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- FlashMe on 1emulation - Includes a full tutorial with downloads, pictures, and more.
- Official FlashMe website -> Reopened -> Downloads broken
- PHWiki:FlashMe -> Downloads for all three versions at bottom of page
- gameboy-advance.net has a list of compatible cartridges
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| Storage devices | GBA flash cartridge · GBA Movie Player · DSLink |
| Booting tools | FlashMe · NoPass · PassMe · WiFiMe |
| Homebrew programming | Moonshell · DSLinux · libnds · PAlib |
