[Guide] Flashme

[FrozenIpaq]

Flashme Tutorial/FAQ for NDS (Not NDSL)

The Following guide and FAQ will help you better understand Flashme and how to flash your Nintendo DS

What is it?

Flashme is a firmware patch for your Nintendo DS Handheld system that allows you to execute files from your NDS Flashcart without the requirement of additional hardware (passme/passkey). Like the PSP, the DS has firmware, but it is just not as upgradable as upgradable. The firmware was hacked by homebrew developers and then patched by developers in which they allowed homebrew files to be executed off of the GBA flash cart/adapter that you are using. In the past you had to use a passme device injunction with your flashcart/adapter. Now, if you flash (write to it with the firmwarepatch) your DS fimrware will be changed to allow the homebrew files and thus potential harm to your DS if you fail to follow the flashing procedures.

In short: Flashme is a .nds file that you launch from your Nintendo DS and once you follow the procedures laid out below in the guide, your NDS will no longer require the Passkey/Passme device to execute homebrew files from your GBA cart.

Is it harmful?

Yes, it can be, but I've flashed my DS and the room for error is minimal, thus the chances are very minimal. If you are familiar with the PSP, you would know that in order to update your PSP (Flash a new update to your previous firmware)you must follow specific instructions when updating or else your PSP will "die". The Flashme installation can "kill" your NDS as well. Although, only a few have "killed" their PSP's, and even fewer have "killed" their NDS's.

The only harm is turning the NDS system off early (during the update process) or loose battery power.

To avoid any harmful issues:

1) Connect your DS charger to your DS when in use, unless you believe your NDS has enough power, but it is always good to be safe, so connect that power cord!

2) When flashing the firmware, you are required to remove the battery cover, thus the potential of the battery falling out is high, secure the battery in anyway you want. (I just placed pressure on the battery so it would not fall out).

3) Do not turn off your NDS during the flashing process!! The flashme program will inform you when it is safe to shutdown, so if they don't tell you..don't

Note: Although, there have been reports of the flashing procedure stop at 100% and not completely finish and thus "killed" the NDS. This issue is extremely rare, and I am not aware of it happening to anyone, as it is not discussed much.



Installation Guide

Step-by-step instructions!!



Required Materials:

-Flashcart of some sort

-Passkey 1 or 2 (depending on your NDS version)

-NDS Handheld

-Retail Game

-This guide

-Screwdriver (small Phillips)



1)Download the desired Flashme file:

There are two versions of flashme currently that both delete the requirement for Passkey, but one deletes the Health Warning Screen. Downloads:

[Deletes Health Warning Screen Version]

[Does not delete Health Warning Screen Version]

If the following downloads do not work, please refer to the bottom of this page for the proper downloads: [Here]

2) Now that you have it download (.nds file), copy it to your NDS.

Note: Some flashcarts require you to use software to patch the files (for my cart, it is M3 Game Manager). These just simply patch the game file so it is playable on your NDS. If such software did not come with your cart, then you might not need to.

3) Once copied to your NDS, turn your NDS over so you see the battery cover.

4) Remove the battery cover, DO NOT REMOVE THE BATTERY
http://xs.to/codes.php?f=Removin2gba...h=xs63&d=06025
5) Next, remove the square pink sticker to the top left of the battery area. I used a flat head screwdriver to remove it, worked like a charm.

Courtesty of Dspassme.com

The hole you see in the above pic is where you will place your metal screwdriver, this connects the two SL1 pads located in the hole, thus allowing us to successfully flash the NDS firmware!!

6) Now, place a flat-head screwdriver in the hole that just discovered! (The hole the pink square was covering)


Note: DO NOT PLACE IN ANY OF THE TWO HOLES BENEATH THE ONE YOU UNCOVERED

7) Hold your battery securely in place and the screwdriver

8) Flip your DS screen-side up

9) Turn your DS on and run the Flashme file you installed on your Flashcart earlier (.nds format)

10) When you first start the program it will give you details concerning the flashing and a key-entry to enter (XBXB).



From here on, do not turn off your NDS until told to do so by the program!!

11) After you entered the key you will see a number with a % symbol next to it. This means that you are currently attempting to flash your firmware

12) If you can not get the progress of the percentage to move at all, it means that you are not connecting the two SL1 pads located in the hole that you have your screwdriver in…

Note: It took me a few times to get the right position, so just move it slightly around until the progress moves.

13) When it is complete, it will then tell you it is safe to turn off..so do so J

Enjoy your new firmware.

Changes include:
- Automatically boots flashcart if inserted
-Hold Select to boot the default NDS menu

FAQ’s

Question: Can I uninstall Flashme?
Answer: Yes, although you will use the “fail-safe” feature that you were given with the first installation of Flashme
Question: Do I need a retail game to play .nds files?
Answer: No, you do not
Question: When I turn on my NDS, it is stuck on a white screen, what do I do?
Answer: Just shut off your NDS and unplug the flash cart, replug it in and start the system up!


Credits:
dspassme for original instructions on installation and installation files!!

[VicViper74]

Excellent tutorial there!!

I just ordered a M3, and this is just what I needed.

I have few questions for you just to clarify something (yes, your tutorial is very clear, however, don't want to brick my DS...just being careful here~)


1. now, when you place flat-head screwdriver to 'connect' two SL1 pads, do you place the screwdriver so it 'fits' the 'center divider' (or the cut in the middle) of two SL1 pads,

or

do you place the screwdriver so it 'connects' two separated SL1 pads by the cut in the middle?

If I remember correctly from the PassMe site, SL1 pad looked like a circular metal with a cut in the middle... and my question is do you fit into that cut or make an intersection with the cut, thus connecting two separated parts?

2. And once you placed the flat-head screwdriver and execute the command, do you have to place AND HOLD the screwdriver until it says everything is completed?

or until the number thing on the bottom starts to roll??


Seriously, i would be traumatized if I brick my DS for being careless when I have everything in my hands to enjoy the ultimate DS scene... and just want to make sure I understand everything thoroughly.

Thank you once again for this excellent tutorial and will appreciate if you could answer those two questions.

Thanks!!

[FrozenIpaq]

Excellent tutorial there!!

I just ordered a M3, and this is just what I needed.

I have few questions for you just to clarify something (yes, your tutorial is very clear, however, don't want to brick my DS...just being careful here~)


1. now, when you place flat-head screwdriver to 'connect' two SL1 pads, do you place the screwdriver so it 'fits' the 'center divider' (or the cut in the middle) of two SL1 pads,

or

do you place the screwdriver so it 'connects' two separated SL1 pads by the cut in the middle?

If I remember correctly from the PassMe site, SL1 pad looked like a circular metal with a cut in the middle... and my question is do you fit into that cut or make an intersection with the cut, thus connecting two separated parts?

2. And once you placed the flat-head screwdriver and execute the command, do you have to place AND HOLD the screwdriver until it says everything is completed?

or until the number thing on the bottom starts to roll??


Seriously, i would be traumatized if I brick my DS for being careless when I have everything in my hands to enjoy the ultimate DS scene... and just want to make sure I understand everything thoroughly.

Thank you once again for this excellent tutorial and will appreciate if you could answer those two questions.

Thanks!!

Sorry I didn't see these questions earlier :O

Flashme has a built-in fail-safe feature. I myself do not know if I place the flat head screwdriver between the pads because I had to readjust it several times for it to work, but I think in the end it had to be in the split.

When you start up the program and begin the process you have to place the screwdriver and hold it in the hole until the progress reaches 100%, but the only irritating part is to find the correct position. Once found the progress is rather steadily and if you do happen to disconnect the two pads, do not worry. Flashme would stop the update process if the connection is not present, and it will not brick your DS because you just lost the connection.

The only way you can brick your NDS is if you lose power, so just make sure you have full battery power and your battery won't fall out. this is the only user-related problem that can brick the DS with this method.

[VicViper74]

thanks man!!

[grimmyx]

Alright. Thanks to your great guide Fronzen, i successfully installed flashme! WOOOO HAVING FUN ALREADY

[RedDeath]

I'll buy one soon and I plan to have fun then

[Brins0]

I am having serious problems finding a copy of the "Flashme.nds" file...

It appears that the main site that EVERYONE directs you to (http://ds.gcdev.com/dsfirmware) is offline, and i can't find any other trustable sources...

Would anyone be kind enough to direct me to a copy from a respectable site, thx...

Edit: Found it in the files section, would be wise to notify people about it to save them the trouble i've had, thx...

[iball®]

Dammit, I just want to find someone here in Germany who will let me borrow their Passkey so I can install FlashMe on my DS. Once FlashMe is installed then there's no more need for a PassKey.
Really, all I want to do is to be able to backup my MarioKart DS and Animal Crossing DS saves. Already have a EFA Linker II to save them to.

[poppyseed]

I am having serious problems finding a copy of the "Flashme.nds" file...

It appears that the main site that EVERYONE directs you to (http://ds.gcdev.com/dsfirmware) is offline, and i can't find any other trustable sources...

Would anyone be kind enough to direct me to a copy from a respectable site, thx...

Edit: Found it in the files section, would be wise to notify people about it to save them the trouble i've had, thx...

Where in the files section?

[FrozenIpaq]

Where in the files section?

http://files.ds.qj.net/cgi-bin/cfile...0,0,0,0,51,565

Although I'm not too sure it is the latest version

[st.jimmy]

will the retail game work normally after use?

[poppyseed]

http://files.ds.qj.net/cgi-bin/cfile...0,0,0,0,51,565

Although I'm not too sure it is the latest version

Not seeing it under than link. Any further info?

[FrozenIpaq]

will the retail game work normally after use?

Yes, just hold select and flashme shall boot up the NDS menu like normal.

poppyseed, that link works for me. Go to the top of this forum where the links are in the top right and click files, then search for Flash in the search box and you shall find it

[poppyseed]

Thank you, I got it. Hopefully it's the right one. FlashMeV3.zip.

Thanks!

[st.jimmy]

Thank you, I got it. Hopefully it's the right one. FlashMeV3.zip.

Thanks!

get flashme v5, that version works with wifi games.

[akzion]

I have a little question, cause I want to mod the FW but I don't want to lose my WFC settings and my personal friend code.
At the moment I play online with Animal Crossing and Mario Cart, and my friend code was generated by the DS+Game Card (original, obvoiusly) combination.
So here's the question:

if I mod my FW using flashme, my friend code will be lost and I have to generate a new one or will it remain the same?
it will be a disaster if I lose my friend code, I don't want to send a new code to all my friends who already registered me

thnx

[Viral_Weaponry]

i dunno if it erases the friend code, but my wfc settings stills ok, and i flashed a very very few times, even with different firmwares.

[Shilo]

WOW! Great guide!

[zforsten]

One question: If I already have Flashme installed and just want to update it, I DON'T need a Passkey, right? It will work without it because of the installed Flashme, right?

Thanks...

[zforsten]

Will I ever get an answer for my question... :Cry: :Cry: :Cry:

[peanutismint]

Will this FlashMe Mod work with the new DSlites? I only ask because I just bought one and, well, it looks pretty simple. There was no sticker under my battery lid, but there is a hole with what looks like a jumper pad that can be bridged via the screwdriver head?

[brain_stew]

Flashme does work with the DS Lite but make sure you get the new DS Lite beta firmware or you won't be able to change the brightness levels. Also, I've heard a lot of reports about bricked DS Lite's so be VERY careful.

[MrViewtiful]

So after I do this Mod I wont need my Passkey to use my flash cart anymore right? I dont like having so much crap stick out of my system. Thanks in advance.

[FrozenIpaq]

So after I do this Mod I wont need my Passkey to use my flash cart anymore right? I dont like having so much crap stick out of my system. Thanks in advance.

Correct. That's the whole point of Flashme

[MrViewtiful]

Awesome... Awesome to the max. Im getting my DSLite this week along with my G6, so Im going to love this. Thanx for the great Tutorial, I understand it completely... I just hope I dont neglect my baby (the psp).

Seemed to much easier on the GBASP.. all you hadda do was stick the flash cart in... meh.

[taiyoh]

Does the Supercard Mini SD work with flashme and does the passkey come with the packaged cart or do i have to buy it seperately...also, can someone give me a link to the ds lite flashme beta???? :icon_bigg

[FrozenIpaq]

Does the Supercard Mini SD work with flashme and does the passkey come with the packaged cart or do i have to buy it seperately...also, can someone give me a link to the ds lite flashme beta???? :icon_bigg

1) All NDS capable carts can load Flashme
2) There should be a new flashme that works on both the NDS and NDS Lite (v7 I think)
3) If you buy a NDS Lite, you will have to buy a Passkey 2 (I recommend M3's Passkey 2).
4) Passkey devices are sold separately in most cases, depends on where you buy from (it usually is bought separately and is not packaged with the flashcart)

[MrViewtiful]

Sorry to be a pickled pair, but I just want to be sure: The .nds file you attatched in this thread, thats the one I need for my DS Lite right? I dont need to look for the flashme v7 or anything or is that it?

[FrozenIpaq]

Sorry to be a pickled pair, but I just want to be sure: The .nds file you attatched in this thread, thats the one I need for my DS Lite right? I dont need to look for the flashme v7 or anything or is that it?

Thanks for reminding me :o I will need to upload v7. When using flashme, always download the most recent version. v7 works on NDS lite and is the safest bet for Lite users. You can find it at dspassme.com

EDIT: It seems the link leads to v7 (it leads to the same place as v7) Since I linked to the dspassme site's download link, it should be updated whenever a new firmware version (of flashme) is released

[MrViewtiful]

Thats was a quick reply, thanks! I was just at that site I didnt realize you linked to there lol.