Here’s a small tutorial on how to easily fix most problems with your R4. In case you don’t know, the R4 is a slot-1 flashcart for the Nintendo DS. This handy piece of plastic acts as a game cartridge, and allows people to play homebrew (games written by programmers not working under a game company), as well as export the game data on their existing, commercial carts to the R4. For instance, I carry around an R4 with 20 games on it, some homebrew, and others I dumped from my commercial cartridges. The files are added via computer by using a microSD card (often found in one’s camera), and made playable my firmware made by the flashcart’s developers. For the latest firmware for any flashcart, go to Linfox Domain. That’s enough background information, here’s the tutorial:
Ok, here’s a guide I posted on the R4DS-Forums a while back, with simple solutions to most R4 problems.
Also, when I say firmware, that means the kernel.
My R4 won’t boot. It says it needs the DS_MENU.DAT.
You need to extract the files inside of the “English” folder onto the root of the microSD card. It should look like this:
“_System_”, “DS_MENU.DAT”, “_DS_MSHL.NDS”. Then the folders for your games, etc.
My R4 boots, but gets stuck at the “Loading…” screen.
This can stem from many different things. You may have bought a fake. Check here or here to see if you bought a fake card. If you were scammed, e-mail the company and ask for a refund. This problem could also be caused by a bad microSD card. It could be corrupted, or too big (2GB is the limit, folks). Try a different one, and that may well solve your problem. Also, try deleting the _DS_MENU.SYS file (it may be hidden, go to the root of your microSD card, Tools>Folder Options>Show Hidden Files). Thanks Shelleson! If your microSD card isn’t detected by the computer and R4, your contacts have been worn out and you need a new microSD card (Thanks Asuri)
My video I converted will only play for a few seconds.
Use BatchDPG to convert video, SUPER seems to have a problem with converting DPGs.
My microSD card is 2GB, but only shows 1GB.
Use this to set it back.
My DS is having trouble connecting to the internet.
Check out this thread.
How do you activate certain cheats for games? Like for TetrisDS, I only get a ‘Cheat(y)’ button, not a ‘Cheat’ button beside it like some of my other games.
You probably have the CHEAT.dat and the urscheat.dat. Delete the latter.
Are you using Narin’s Cheat Database?
Narin’s Cheat Database is so huge. It contains almost every game ever released for NDS, thus there are so many cheats inside the CHEAT/USRCHEAT.DAT file. R4’s cheat system has a limitation, if there are too many cheats in a cheat file, then it can’t display the bottom cheats
There’s nothing you can do but use R4 Cheat Code Editor made by Yasu and move the desired game up to the top of the list. Google around for it. However, some games may not play correctly when using the patch by Yasu. (thanks Narin)
Some games freeze and won’t boot up.
You probably have a bad ROM. Due to legalities, we can’t post where to download ROMs on the forums, but I’m sure most of our members would be glad to point you in the right direction, if you contact them with a PM or e-mail.
The online play for some of my games isn’t working.
Update your firmware to the latest version, found
here. Delete the _DS_MENU.sys file before you upgrade. Also, try different or untrimmed ROMs.
Is there anyway to save space on my microSD card?
Use the NDS Tokyo Trim software, found here.
I updated my firmware, and now my R4 won’t work.
You may have a clone/scam/fake. See here.
My save file is full.
See here.
I have a Chinese R4, but want it to be in English.
See here or here.
My Pokemon Diamond/Pearl ROM won’t work with my Wii.
Sadly, this can’t be fixed. See here for more details.
My R4 didn’t come with a CD.
They usually don’t anymore. Just download the correct firmware from here (thanks AndreXL) or from Linfox Domain.
I want to take my ROM and .sav file from my real cart to my R4.
See this page. Thanks Ryupower!
Help! Nintendo has modified the DS Lite so it won’t recognize my R4!
See this topic: http://www.r4ds-forums.com/viewtopic.php?f…=cobalt+trouble
The DS doesn’t recognize my R4!
The reason why yours isn’t working is because for some reason the R4’s metal contacts are not contacting with the DS’s contacts.
This is a somewhat common problem.
To fix it:
1. Remove the small screw from the r4ds.
2. Remove the back and remove the main chip.
3. Tear a small piece of paper off of something and fold that piece but make sure its not very large (you just want the chip to sit a little bit higher).
4. Put the piece of paper onto what is now the front-back side on the place where the contacts used to be sitting on the r4ds and put the chip on top of it, making sure its aligned to the front.
5. Finally sit the back of the r4 on`top of it, snap it together and finally screw it back together.
6. The contacts should now be bulging out just a little bit and they will now make better contact with the DS contacts and it should work.
I tried this when my R4 wasn’t working and it fixed the issue for me… this process should fix it permanently; I have been using my modified R4DS for about a month now with no problems.
In addition to these methods listed above, re-formatting your microSD card with the Panasonic Re-Formatting Utility(info and URL found here). If problems continue, get a new card reader. If they still persist, your card may have finally bitten the dust, and a new one is necessary.
That’s the main ones I believe. If I missed any important one’s, please post and they will be added.
-John
June 26, 2008 at 10:57 pm
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July 5, 2008 at 5:54 pm
[...] Check out this thread on buying legitimate R4’s. For information on the R4, click here. One little added tip: Don’t buy these off of Amazon. More often than not, you’ll find [...]
July 30, 2008 at 5:13 pm
[...] Many flashcart sites are down, trying to avoid legal fire from Nintendo. To get your firmware, see this post. Nintendo has filed a lawsuit in Japan, in attempt to slow down the rampant flashcart usage over [...]
August 1, 2008 at 12:21 pm
[...] Remade the Post “Simple Solutions to Your R4 Problems” Here’s the link! It’s much easier to read, with links that actually work. If any links are broken, [...]
August 2, 2008 at 3:46 am
why cant i put my call of duty4 cheats on my r4ds and see the cheat button?
August 3, 2008 at 9:11 am
Read the instructions.
/facepalm
August 5, 2008 at 12:41 am
[...] would be a great idea to port to the NDS as homebrew, for people who use flashcarts such as the R4. Be sure to check this browser based game out [...]
August 6, 2008 at 9:36 pm
THANKS ALOT. I thought I had a dead r4 but dissasembling the thing and putting paper behind it fixed it. If I hadn’t found this guide, would have wasted time and money returning it. Thanks again.
August 18, 2008 at 11:02 am
[...] there’s always a converter available here. These two converters really helped me out when cross-posting information from the blog to GBATemp and [...]
August 23, 2008 at 10:53 am
when i plug in the r4 stick nothing shows.
why is that?
my r4 didnt come with a cd either.
but i cant click on your links. my firefox wont let.
August 23, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Get a new card reader.
-John
August 25, 2008 at 1:10 am
Good ideas. Added links on my site
September 8, 2008 at 12:43 pm
[...] done and it works great read down till it says the ds does not recognize my r4 heres the link Ever had trouble with your R4? Try these easy solutions. « Charging Complete thanks will be nice [...]
September 11, 2008 at 7:47 am
no
September 11, 2008 at 7:50 am
tt M3 R4 or action replay is better
September 11, 2008 at 9:51 am
M3 is the same thing, and the AR can’t play games….
So the R4 is best.
-John
September 20, 2008 at 7:47 am
my computer doesnt regenise my micoroDs!!!
September 20, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Have you tried using a different MicroSD adapter?
September 30, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Hi, I wonder if you could give me some advice. I have had and successfully used R4 for past year. I have just downloaded a new game to play on ds but it comes up with ‘The save data could not be accessed. Please turn the power off and reinsert the DS card’ - Any ideas why or what I should do? By the way, at the same time I downloaded another game that does work fine. I am only a novice mum so not sure what to do. Please help. m.n.stokes@btopenworld.com
October 4, 2008 at 8:43 am
hi i really need help with putting the paper imy r4 chip can someone please help me my email is lil-miss-cute@hotmail.co.uk
October 4, 2008 at 9:14 am
hi there i really need help ive got the r4 card but no disc ive been and down loaded the new one 1.18 version but i cant access the dat files ca some one help please thanks donna my email address is donna_ducky@msn.com
thanks
October 5, 2008 at 11:09 am
Hi, i’m having the same problem of Michelle Stokes, but this has happened already twice with me, first I downloaded the game : Summon Night - Twin Age, and when I access it, the DS says: Could not access save file, please turn off the power and reinsert the DS card, and then I downloaded Megaman Starforce 2 Zerker X Ninja and it has happened the same thing! Please does anyone have any ideas? I’n reeeeeaaly in need of help, thanks in advance. OBS: I’m sorry if there is any error in this message, I am actually from Brazil and the mother language here is portuguese, but I do know a little english, so i’m sorry if there’s something wrong.
October 5, 2008 at 11:53 am
Hey, good news, i’ve just figured out how to solve the problem I had and that I left a request here, but to solve it it’s reeeealy simple, along with the NDS game file you downlod it’s gonna come a SVF file with the same name of the NDS one, put that file in the same place of the NDS and update your r4 to the 1.18 version, you can update it here : http://r4ds.cn/download/r4_v1.18_kernel.html there are two separate downloads, you’re all probably gonna download the english version so click on the download 1 and download it, then download 2, once they’re both completed select both of them, right click the mouse and select ”Extract files” the files will be extracted to the same case, copy all of the files in it and paste them in the in R4 SD card, there will be files of the same name but simply subtitute them, now turn on your DS and you should be able to play them.
October 5, 2008 at 3:22 pm
The NDS files I have, do not come with a SVF file. I have also tried swapping the ARM7.BIN file and neither solution has worked, I am having the “The save data could not be accessed. Please turn the power off and reinsert the DS Card.” more and more. Any help would be greatly appreciated…..
Ty
October 6, 2008 at 11:14 am
hi peaople i really need help so please email meon lil-miss-cute@hotmail.co.uk
October 8, 2008 at 11:19 am
i have an R4 and it come sup can;t find the save dats please reisert and sorry thiago i didn;t get wat thiago meant
October 10, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Ok heres the thing. I downloaded a game and suddenlly it stops after it says Nintendo and i got a black screen. Help! I really need this game! Email me at lawrence255@yahoo.com
October 13, 2008 at 5:20 am
Thiago,
Great response. It worked a treat. Props to you.
October 17, 2008 at 7:31 am
can someone please explain what tthiago meant im an idiot and need help
October 19, 2008 at 6:45 am
ALL links are broken!
October 23, 2008 at 4:10 pm
@ TIAGO:
Tnx man, really needed this. Only downloaded the download1. 2 is exact the same.
But now all my games work.
October 25, 2008 at 10:41 am
just bought a r4 sdhc from http://www.consolemodz.com works sweet love it and delivery only 3 days .how is everyone else getting on with them? have they given any trouble thinking of getting another one for my friend but i also eard about dstt .
October 30, 2008 at 1:42 pm
why won;t anyone explain to me i really need help when i download games in teh archive they have one file and its nds so please someone helop
November 6, 2008 at 8:18 pm
i cant get my cheat file to work
November 6, 2008 at 8:20 pm
and for some reason i cant find my system menu
November 6, 2008 at 8:36 pm
maybe someone should help this guy out
November 8, 2008 at 6:39 am
wen i download ds games most of them say cant find save file!!! what!!! what do i do its soooooo annoying!!! help please
November 10, 2008 at 10:01 am
I have a r4 but it doesn’t work, when I put the card inside the slot both screens turn blank and u can just see a faint version of the health and safety text on the bottom screen!
I’m sure that it is not a problem of the micro sd card because I tested it in another R4 card and I don’t have the problem there.
Could this be a problem of the contacts in?
November 15, 2008 at 3:51 pm
i got a r4 card it arrived today now what do i do
and my friends r4card dont work he puts the r4 card in his ds and it says there is no ds card inserted plz help me and him thx