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[jelbo]

ATTENTION TO EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO TRY THIS MOD: Read the update on the bottom of this post first.

From an anonymous source I've found a way to mod an R4 DS into an M3 Simply. I can't confirm it since I don't own either an R4 DS or M3 Simply, but I trust my source completely.

A little background info for the newcomers. R4 DS and M3 Simply are basically the same product. The difference on the PCB seems to be only one contact that is connected on the M3 Simply and isn't on the R4 DS. Without this contact bridged, M3 Simply firmware is blocked on the R4 DS, as seen in this pic:


(original image from Scorpei.com)

Bridging it by soldering should turn your R4 DS into an M3 Simply and allow M3 firmware. It should also work the other way around; disconnect the contact on an M3 Simply will turn it into an R4 DS. Ofcourse the sticker will remain original
update: It seems the bottom connector is used for the language. Bridged means English, not bridged is Chinese. I've updated the picture below.

Image:

(original image from GBATemp.net)

Don't ask me questions about this hack, I've stated all I know in this post.

It does raise some questions to me though. What if R4 and M3 are just the same company and this whole thing isn't really a competition but made to somehow generate more sales in some way I don't understand? It's pretty interesting. If this hack truly works it'll be great for R4 DS users since you can always decide later on to switch over to M3 And save 5 bucks :yayds:

Oh, don't hold me responsible for any damage it may do to your R4..

/update:

It seems that GBARl.it has some official word from M3, as well as some speculation/info I don't understand:

M3 DS simply & R4 is same our produts .
We sell the M3 DS simply .
And our Factory sell the R4 .

We will release the M3 DS real & G6 DS later .
Any information , we will inform you .

Best Regards

Source @ GBARl.it

Also, a picture of Moonshell I've seen before, indicating it uses the R4 TF driver:



IMPORTANT INFO:

I've been contacted by yet another individual who wants to remain anonymous, this time someone different though. Apparently the R4 producing 'factory' is aware of this mod now and are 'most probably' - according to the individual - altering the PCB to make this mod not work anymore. Apparently R4 has stopped producing and shipping R4's and M3S'es from January 8th till 20. The reason for the individual contacting me is to warn users who may want to mod their R4's M3S'es, because if you attempt it on the newer models, it may not work. So, be warned.

[sneef]

What if R4 and M3 are just the same company and this whole thing isn't really a competition but made to somehow generate more sales in some way I don't understand?

well, it has been done before.  I'm not saying that is what they are doing, but there have been other instances of a company perceived as "high end" producing a "low-end" market product under a different name to take the market share away from their competitor.  

The idea is that they then control both markets, making money from each.

there are also lots of instances in business of a company releasing a product with certain features crippled, that costs no less to produce than their high end product, simply to cater to (or to create) two distinct markets.

Then again, R4 may simply be a different seller of the same OEM product.  Like cyclo-DS or whatever that repackaged supercard is called.

[jelbo]

What if R4 and M3 are just the same company and this whole thing isn't really a competition but made to somehow generate more sales in some way I don't understand?

Then again, R4 may simply be a different seller of the same OEM product.  Like cyclo-DS or whatever that repackaged supercard is called.

Yeah, the e-mail posted on GBARl.it kinda confirms that; "We sell the M3 DS simply. And our Factory sell the R4."

[KINGOFNOOBS]

Its funny really, The M3 team is trying to dominate the slot one market. If they release R4 and M3. People will buy M3 simply to 'support the small guy' and people will buy M3 to 'support m3'. Then eventually M3 real will come out and all the people who bought R4 and M3 will buy that, so its like double the fanbase.

[sneef]

oh. heh. i didn't notice that part. sorry

[PharaohsVizier]

So I was right, it was a glob of solder.

Jeez I so want one of these carts.  If anyone wants to sell theirs, cuz they have both or something...  PM me.  

[bitblt]

I just want to say I think this is a damn cool discovery. So, if I ever want one of these card I guess I should purchase the less expensive R4DS.

[Zygarth]

Does anyone have the guts to take the test?

[sneef]

I was going to purchase the R4, seeing as they are just about the same, but then when i added up shipping, etc, I realized it was just about the same to get m3 ds simply from realhotstuff, and it has a nice shell, so I went with that.

if RHS starts carrying R4, then i'll feel that disgusting feeling of having made a silly purchase. :S

[Gleasonator]

So THAT'S what the solder is for. I have the guts to test it, but I have neither. XD I may get the R4 and built a switch in it to complete or disable the circuit.

Now... what's that extra chip for... hmmmm...

[PharaohsVizier]

Lol thats an awesome idea, use a switch.

[zakaie]

Actually, the process doesn't have to be so 'gut-wrenching' or 'risky' as people make it sound.  There are highly pure-silver conductive pens out there that will make the bridge with (which dries in 10 minutes at room temperature) and are quite reversible.  

People have been using them quite some time in modifying their motherboards for overclocking (Google search 'pencil mods') or other various things (eliminating vDroop, etc).  When users have to RMA the modified motherboard for other problems, they just remove the silver conductive ink and send it back to the manufacturer for repairs.

I'm sure that it would work fine (at the mere cost of about ~10 USD).  I still wouldn't recommend it for pure newbies in the field of electronics (since if you solder the wrong things, you could mess crap up).  However, if the circuit board is the same and one version has the circuits bridged and the other version doesn't... then it should be relatively fine to try.   Only speculation though... but just in case you wanted to try and you didn't want to go out and buy a $50 to $100+ soldering kit.

[Hi]

It's to risky for me, that's all I know. The most soldering, bridging, hardware hacking, and opening I've ever done is installing flashme, and that was scary enouph thankyou very much!

[joedodgy]

the first blob (vs the 3rd for the m3/r4 switch) is probably the english/chinese version toggle.

see pictures here:

english? m3 vs r4: "http://scorpei.com/pictures_M3&R4/PCB_front(big).jpg"
chinese? m3 vs r4: "http://www.winsunx.com/images/r4b.jpg"

i'll remove the blob later and see if it refuses to boot the english firmware.. can save another $5 on the chinese version if thats the only difference.

[PharaohsVizier]

Interesting...

I don't even think you need to solder, I think if you just tape down some tin foil, it'll work.  It should work with any bridge in the connection.