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[Kvasir]

I don't mean to be a burden, but I have tried my best to do as much research as possible on the Supercard SD, as I have one coming to me in the mail in the next few days. I am also planning to get a 512 - 1024 mb card online for it (I already have a 128mb). However, the reason I am making this topic is for a little help, and I hope you can understand that as much as I have tried to understand everything, I am lost on a few things. These things are:

1.) When I get my Supercard, how do I update the firmware for it? I assume I have to put the .bin file on the card, but what do I do after that?

2.) I know how (somewhat, from what I've read) to use the patcher program for the Supercard SD, but is that the only program I will need to be able to run NDS/GBA roms?

3.) I already know how I will put FlashMe on my DS, I am going to use the Wireless Multiboot method, and I know how to do that. Once I do this, however, I have heard users mention that with the newest firmware the DS will boot straight into DS mode on the Supercard. What exactly does this mean? Will it still boot to a menu to choose and play whatever is on the card, or will it go straight to a game?

4.) Lastly, and somewhat related to number 3, can I put more than one NDS game on the card at a time, or mix and match with GBA games. And is it possible for each game to have it's own save file on the Supercard that will allow me to save normally?

This is what I can come up with in regards to topics I am having trouble with at this time, I hope I am not upsetting anyone and look forward to help from the smart minds here at this forum. ;)

Thank you guys for your time.

[zektor]

I don't mean to be a burden, but I have tried my best to do as much research as possible on the Supercard SD, as I have one coming to me in the mail in the next few days. I am also planning to get a 512 - 1024 mb card online for it (I already have a 128mb). However, the reason I am making this topic is for a little help, and I hope you can understand that as much as I have tried to understand everything, I am lost on a few things. These things are:

1.) When I get my Supercard, how do I update the firmware for it? I assume I have to put the .bin file on the card, but what do I do after that?

2.) I know how (somewhat, from what I've read) to use the patcher program for the Supercard SD, but is that the only program I will need to be able to run NDS/GBA roms?

3.) I already know how I will put FlashMe on my DS, I am going to use the Wireless Multiboot method, and I know how to do that. Once I do this, however, I have heard users mention that with the newest firmware the DS will boot straight into DS mode on the Supercard. What exactly does this mean? Will it still boot to a menu to choose and play whatever is on the card, or will it go straight to a game?

4.) Lastly, and somewhat related to number 3, can I put more than one NDS game on the card at a time, or mix and match with GBA games. And is it possible for each game to have it's own save file on the Supercard that will allow me to save normally?

This is what I can come up with in regards to topics I am having trouble with at this time, I hope I am not upsetting anyone and look forward to help from the smart minds here at this forum.

Thank you guys for your time.

1> Put the firmware on the SD card, pop it in the SC, pop the SC in the NDS, turn it on, select the file from the menu, and when it prompts you to upgrade you hit A. Just be sure you are at full power...with your power supply plugged in for extra safety. Lose power while upgrading means certain death for the SC!

2> The patcher will be all you need...and some roms of course The patcher will open zipped romfiles too, so keeping them zipped is ok.

3> It will instantly boot to the SC menu, from which point you select your game. Holding SELECT while powering on will bypass this and enter the NDS main menu you are used to.

4> Of course! I have a mixture of GBA games, NDS games, GBA emulators, OGG and MP3 songs, and other junk. All selectable and loadable from the SC menu. Saves work the way they should. A save per game. NDS saves automatically. For GBA, you must go back to the SC menu to save your game (when you are done playing) It works great.

Welcome to the SCdev forums. Enjoy!

[Kvasir]

Thank you very much! I'm more confident now about what I'm doing =D

[m2pt5]

1> Put the firmware on the SD card, pop it in the SC, pop the SC in the NDS, turn it on, select the file from the menu, and when it prompts you to upgrade you hit A. Just be sure you are at full power...with your power supply plugged in for extra safety. Lose power while upgrading means certain death for the SC!

Run .bin firmware upgrades in GBA mode. It doesn't seem to matter for .scu updates.

[Kvasir]

Okay, everything should be arriving by the end of this week. I have continued to research everything I can about how the Supercard works and what I can and cannot do with it.

I have created a checklist of sorts for myself come time to do everything, and I would appriciate any corrections of mistakes I have made in the process:

[ ] Install Crucial SD Card Reader
[ ] Format Kingston SD card for use with Supercard (necessary? or does XP do it anyway upon first read?)
[ ] Load Supercard SD firmware update onto Kingston SD card (where?)
[ ] Insert Kingston SD card into Supercard SD
[ ] Insert Supercard SD into Nintendo DS
[ ] Insert AC power source into Nintendo DS
[ ] Power on the Nintendo DS
[ ] Select GBA mode from main menu (? still not sure if I need to do it via WiFiMe or this way...)
[ ] Press A to upgrade SCSD firmware
[ ] Once finished, power off Nintendo DS

[ ] Supercard SD firmware update COMPLETED

[ ] Eject Supercard SD from Nintendo DS, then Kingston SD card from Supercard SD
[ ] Load FlashMe_patched.nds onto SD card (where?)
[ ] Insert Kingston SD card into Supercard SD
[ ] Insert Supercard SD into Nintendo DS
[ ] Change RT2500 driver to FireFly driver
[ ] Start WMB.exe with -data WiFiMe on PC
[ ] Remove battery cover from Nintendo DS
[ ] Remove pink sticker from battery compartment
[ ] Insert AC power source into Nintendo DS
[ ] Power on the Nintendo DS
[ ] Go to 'Download Play' Option
[ ] press button sequence to begin FlashMe install
[ ] Short SL1 until install sequence complete without losing power
[ ] Once finished, power off Nintendo DS
[ ] Replace Battery Compartment door

[ ] FlashMe firmware update COMPLETED

Please let me know if any of these steps are wrong, what needs to be corrected, and especially if I am missing steps. Thanks again, guys.

P.S.: Say the SD card doesn't get here before or in time with the Supercard. I have a 16mb SD card here already, but it's been used in a digital camera. Can I use it with the Supercard just to do the SC firmware update and FlashMe update? And if so, are any other steps necessary (such as formatting, etc.)

[pixie]

I'm not familiar with WifiMe, but I think you need to do that before updating the SC firmware. Not sure though.

And it doesn't matter if you run the SC firmware update in GBA or NDS mode, I ran mine in NDS mode and it rebooted into GBA before patching.

And the 16mb one will work fine, I used a camera as a card reader for a while before I got a real card reader. Don't expect to fit many games into it though ;o

[zektor]

Your memory card should be formatted already, but just in case you may want to format it again in Windows using FAT (NOT Fat32) You can select FAT in the dropdown dialog when you format. The Supercard firmware update should go on the root of the card, although I think it can be anywhere as long as you can navigate to it. Not to sure on this one, I always put it on the root, upgrade, then delete the file since afterward it is no longer needed. Same goes for flashme itself. Other than that, looks like you have your plan set. It looks like a slew of instructions, but when you finally do it, you'll just be like "Duh, that's it?"

[Kvasir]

hehe, I probably will. Thank your for the info, guys. I've gathered a ton of info so far, and I'm making a user guide for people like me that covers just about every aspect of the Supercard... Hopefully it will help!

[bitblt]

First of all understand the DS will not run DS code on the SuperCard until a PassMe is inserted, or FlashMe is installed.  Otherwise, you will only be able to run GBA code when you boot the SuperCard in GBA mode.  You can go ahead and test your SuperCard with some GBA games though.  You can even upgrade the SuperCard firmware in GBA mode (web site recommends it), but you will not benefit from the upgrade until you get the DS to boot the SuperCard in DS mode.

So with the SuperCard firmware upgraded we want the DS to boot the SuperCard in DS mode.  If you have a PassMe/SuperPass handy, insert it (with a ds game) into the DS slot before power up and . . . behold the dual screen SuperCard logo as the DS boots in DS mode.  Only then can you install FlashMe, as the firmware update file is DS code.  Once FlashMe is installed PassMe is only needed for "brick" recovery.

If you do not have a PassMe but you do have a Ralink RT2560 PCI card, you can get the DS to run DS code via the WiFiMe method. The procedure for geting WiFiMe working is a small project in itself.  But once you have the drivers installed, and the Ralink working, and the WMB.exe started correctly, you can get the DS to run DS code by selecting 'Download Play'.  Once WiFiMe is working you can go ahead and run homebrew DS code, specifically FlashMe.

When installing FlashMe with the PassMe or WiFiMe method, be sure the AC adapter is always connected.  Follow the procedures for shorting SL1.  DO NOT TURN OFF the DS after the upgrade has started.  If the progress indicator on the DS screen stops, DO NOT TURN OFF the DS, rather re-attempt to short SL1 until the progress indicator resumes.  Only after the progress indicator has reached "100% completed" will it be safe to shut off the DS power.  With FlashMe installed you can now boot the SuperCard in DS mode by holding A+B+X+Y when you power up the DS.

CHECK LIST:

[ ] Install Crucial SD Card Reader

should just plug and play and appear as Removable Disk in explorer

[ ] Format Kingston SD card for use with Supercard (necessary or does XP do it anyway upon first read?)

should come formated, if not,  format it as FAT not FAT32 or NTFS

[ ] Load Supercard SD firmware update onto Kingston SD card (where?)

root of SD card is fine

[ ] Insert Kingston SD card into Supercard SD
[ ] Insert Supercard SD into Nintendo DS
[ ] Insert AC power source into Nintendo DS
[ ] Power on the Nintendo DS
[ ] Select GBA mode from main menu (? still not sure if I need to do it via WiFiMe or this way...)

yes, best to upgrade SuperCard firmware in GBA mode

[ ] Press A to upgrade SCSD firmware
[ ] Once finished, power off Nintendo DS
[ ] Supercard SD firmware update COMPLETED

FlashMe install:
[ ] Remove battery cover from Nintendo DS
[ ] Remove pink sticker from battery compartment
[ ] Insert AC power source into Nintendo DS then

Depending if you will be installing FlashMe with the PassMe method, or with the WiFiMe method, the procedure will start different . . .

PassMe method . . .
[ ] Eject Supercard SD from Nintendo DS, then Kingston SD card from
[ ] Load FlashMe.nds onto SD card (root of SD is fine)
[ ] Insert Kingston SD card into Supercard SD
[ ] Insert Supercard SD into Nintendo DS
[ ] Insert PassMe (and ds game) into ds slot
[ ] Power on the Nintendo DS
[ ] Select FlashMe.nds file on SuperCard

WiFiMe method . . .
[ ] Change RT2500 driver to FireFly driver
[ ] Start WMB.exe with -data FlashMe.nds (on PC)
[ ] Go to 'Download Play' option on DS

FlashMe install continued . . .
[ ] press button sequence to begin FlashMe install
[ ] Short SL1 until install sequence complete without losing power
[ ] Once finished, power off Nintendo DS
[ ] Replace Battery Compartment door
[ ] FlashMe firmware update COMPLETED

Hold A+B+X+Y during power up to boot SuperCard in DS mode.

[Kvasir]

thank you very much, bitblt.

I have a few more questions for the guide I am writing:

- Do GBA Roms need to be patched with the Supercard Patching Program too?

- What are the current button press combos for FlashMe and the SuperCard?

These will probably be the final questions before I am able to finish the guide, which is a CHM file, about %50 written, and has just about anything (I hope) one would need to know. A lot of people are gonna get credits, I kid you not.

[karurosu]

yes, gba games need patching.

Combos:
InNDS mode:

Boot from GBA in NDS mode: A+B+X+Y while booting (not needed in SC firm 1.6)
Boot to menu: Hold select while booting
Boot to GBA in GBA mode: hold start while booting
Reboot to SC menu: L+R+A+B+X+Y

GBA mode:
L+R+Select+A: Normal save
L+R+Select+B: Real Time save

I don't remember the others for GBA

[Kvasir]

Thank you, also I came across this in the manual just now

"Preparing your Files

You have some choice so a general explanation will be given here.

01.  Create a folder on your desktop and call it "SuperCard Games" (or anything else you prefer).
    REMEMBER THIS FOLDER YOU WILL NEED IT LATER ON
02.  Place in this folder "rominfo.dat" and the font file "scfont.fon".

This folder will hold the games you plan to transfer to the SD/CF memory card."

I know where rominfo.dat is, but where is scfont.fon? or is that part of the manual outdated now?

I appriciate all the help, by the way.

[Rob_Threat]

you got it... scfont.fon is now passe.