Differences in Devices?

moviecouple · October 30, 2005, 01:52:17 AM

Can someone explain the differences between these different devices that are out there for the DS? Trying to get them straight in my head.

Flashme
Superpass
Passkey
MK 2
MK 3
Neo Max
Supercard SD/CF
M3

sneef · October 30, 2005, 01:23:56 AM

Quote from: "moviecouple"Can someone explain the differences between these different devices that are out there for the DS? Trying to get them straight in my head.

Flashme
Superpass
Passkey
MK 2
MK 3
Neo Max
Supercard SD/CF
M3

Flashme - Not a device. a firmware modification allowing you to run code from the GBA slot without a passthrough device.

Superpass - supercard's branded version of a passthrough device
Passkey - a passthrough device (allows you to run DS code from the GBA slot)
MK2 - A Ds-slot device from neoflash. lets you run DS roms and save them to the device (accepts SD/MMC cards)
MK3 - same as above, but with built in flash memory (256 or 512mbit)
Neo Max - not sure.. i think it's a bundled kit with neoflash + MK2/3
Supercard SD/CF - GBA flash carts that run using SDRAM instead of normal flash memory. The games are stored on SD/CF cards, and then copied to the SDRAM for play. (GBA Mode). In NDS mode, with the latest firmware, the DS code is STREAMED directly from the SD/CF card, allowing for games larger than 256mbit (the supercard only has 256mbit SDRAM)
M3 - An answer to the supercard from the makers of the GBA Movie Player (whose media player supercard 'borrowed'). M3 claims to do all the same things that supercard does. there are many posts about this if you search.

sneef · October 30, 2005, 01:29:34 AM

to clarify the differences: passkey/superpass - no difference except packaging. and be aware that if you have a 'newer firmware' DS, you would want to get a passme with new cpld code. superpass only supports the original firmware so far.

Neoflash/neomax - in case you didn't know already, it is the most expensive solution for running DS backups. M3 is second. Superpass is cheapest (and i would say the best, but i wouldn't want to start another "m3 is better, no, supercard is better.." argument)

moviecouple · October 30, 2005, 01:59:33 AM

Thanks for the clarification. Now... what is a neoflash?

One other thing. If I am not able to get an older NDS Pure White system (Hint hint)... is there anything that I would be able to use on one of the newer versions?

sneef · October 30, 2005, 02:36:03 AM

if you aren't able to get the older firmware white DS, you can use a 'passme 2' which is a passme with an updated CPLD (to work on the newer firmwares). but you will need to have a GBA cart with SRAM save (like a x-rom 512, or EZFA, or something like that) in order to use it with the new DS. This means that supercard is not suitable (it has no battery-backed SRAM type save).

you CAN, however, use one of these other flashcarts with the new passme to install FLASHME on the newer DS. Then you will be able to use supercard. But keep in mind that not all games are flashme compatible (for instance, i can't run lunar: dragon song with flashme, i have to use passme).

so hopefully you'll get a white DS with OLD firmware . hint hint.

neoflash is just a repackaged XG2 flash cart. (a GBA flash cart that was already on the market).

It was packaged with a passthrough device (like passme), and sold to run NDS roms. Until recently, it only supported pre-patched roms released by Golden Sun TEam. Until supercard's clean-dump patcher forced them to also release a patcher.

moviecouple · October 30, 2005, 12:37:26 PM

Thanks for the info. Let's just hope that I am able to get my hands on a Pure White NDS with the older Firmware

... fingers crossed!

memyselfandi · October 30, 2005, 01:18:25 PM

that's not possible(i think)

StormB · November 11, 2005, 06:36:02 PM

Quote from: "sneef"if you aren't able to get the older firmware white DS, you can use a 'passme 2' which is a passme with an updated CPLD (to work on the newer firmwares). but you will need to have a GBA cart with SRAM save (like a x-rom 512, or EZFA, or something like that) in order to use it with the new DS. This means that supercard is not suitable (it has no battery-backed SRAM type save).

Can you explain why a passme2 won't work without an SRAM-save device?

I would have thought the passme2 would pass control to boot a GBA-type image from the supercard. The supercard would pick this up and load the image from the SD/CF card?

I'm sure you're right - I just don't understand why it wouldn't work (ie, why does it use/need an SRAM to boot when the SC can just load from SD/CF once it has control)?

Cheers,

Will

sneef · November 11, 2005, 07:51:49 PM

my information is now outdated. since that post, cory1492 posted a method using supercard (no need for a battery backed sram cart)

cory1492 · November 12, 2005, 08:41:36 AM

PassMe2 works differently than PassMe did and requires code to jump to in the SRAM (they blocked the old method of just jumping to a GBA address and running DS code, but PM2 jumps to GBA SRAM address which apparently wasnt blocked and then does some things and then jumps to the GBA cart address as PM1 used to)

skydra · November 12, 2005, 10:14:38 AM

is there any point in using flash me without having a compatible wifi card?

m2pt5 · November 12, 2005, 01:19:49 PM

Quote from: "skydra"is there any point in using flash me without having a compatible wifi card?

Yes. It lets you run DS homebrew and ROMs from a flashcart / SuperCard without needing to run WiFiMe / use a PassMe.

And you can use either WiFiMe or PassMe to install FlashMe, unless you have a DS with the new firmware, in which case you'll need a PassMe2.

Edit: You don't even need to flash to run the downloadable wireless demos. They're already "signed code". Passthrough devices simply let you run "unsigned code" (i.e. homebrew.)