Flashme
From EZ-Flash Wiki
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Introduction
Flashme is the name given to a modified version of the DS firmware made by Loopy, a GBA emulator author of great repute and one of the main forces behind SNESDS. Flashme allows your DS the ability to run unsigned code via the GBA port without the need of a passme device/WifiMe. It also installs a failsafe feature into the firmware in case of malware messing it up. As well as this Flashme removes the RSA signature check so you can boot Wireless MultiBooting (WMB) homebrew NDS files.
Should you so desire it is able to get rid of the warning/health and safety message that appears when the DS starts up, this version is known as normal version with the "stealth" version being the version that leaves the health and safety screen intact.
There are also some very early custom firmwares available too but they are more of a curio at this stage than anything else.
The homepage for flashme and one custom firmware is here: Flashme homepage
The other slightly more advanced firmware called FWNitro is available here with direct downloads here.
There was issues with the NDSlite and brightness settings but that is now resolved and all bundled (both flashme for original DS models and the lite) into one package, head to the Flashme homepage to grab it, should you have a Nintendo DS with v5 or above firmware (see EZPass 2 for checking methods) you may also be able to use flashme to add the variable brightness levels otherwise found in the DSlite models.
The catch is to be able to run flashme on your DS it requires you to have a method of running homebrew available to you e.g. a passme or WifiMe. After running Flashme however these methods are no longer necessary which is nice as passme devices drain the battery fairly quickly not to mention most are fairly bulky.
Installation
First read this through and make sure you understand what you have to do before starting and always use the latest version of flashme.
Installation is a simple matter with the most complex step being you having to open the DS's battery compartment and short a connection on the DS's mainboard known as SL1 for which there is a hole leading to it behind the battery cover (most people use some tin/aluminium foil or a screwdriver), be wary when flashing a DS lite as the SL1 is near to other critical components which will cause your DS to power off if you should short them with SL1. To prevent this many people use a nail or some such covered in electrical tape save the end that does the shorting.
As this is an EZFlash wiki the install methods covered here will be for the EZ1/EZ2, the EZ3 and the EZ4 anyone else here is a good guide and install method: dspassme.com's guide
EZ1/EZ2 and EZ3
The EZ1/EZ2 can not run DS homebrew easily at the minute, do not despair however as you can stil easily run flashme, there are a few methods available to you but the following way will probably be the most hassle free method, this technique works well on the EZ3 too although you can use EZManager 2.09final and above an simply burn the flashme rom to the 256 section.
1) Download FlashMe v7 and ndsloader.bin
Drag and drop flashme.nds onto ndsloader.bat
Write flashme.ds.gba to the NOR (256Mbit) side with EZManager 2.09AA
Write DS loader 1.03 to the cart
Note: this workaround will also work with noflashme (flashme uninstaller) and other homebrew software.
Simply burn this to the cart once again making sure that patch type is set to none if you use EZClient, the added bonus of this is you can use a loader with your and so have multiple DS roms on your cart and flashme is a small program you can realistically leave it there and be able to run flashme on a friends DS (you will find many people wish to rid themselves of the health and safety screen).
Another method is:
2) Rename the flashme file flashme.gba and burn that to your cart making sure EZClient does not patch the rom in any way and you do not use a loader: uncheck the use loader option in the "system config" pulldown menu and in the section where you can enter a name for your rom make sure patch type is set to none.
EZ3 other methods.
3) Rename the flashme.nds file loader.bin and burn it to your EZ3 as a loader.
4) Involves the use of EZF3me (see EZ3 article) if you are not willing to use a GBA headered version or an EZManager past 2.09 final.
Having used one these methods continue using the instructions below.
EZFlash IV/Lite/Deluxe/Compact
See the EZ3 instructions on how to create the flashme.ds.gba (1). Copy the file to your mini/microSD card directly, do not load the file to the mini/microSD via EZ4 Client, it will not work
Having done this continue using the instructions below.
Now you have flashme on your cart somehow and you are about to run it, you will likely have heard about a risk (and there is some) but it will all be over before you know it.
Beforehand it is wise to have the battery cover off and the little red and white sticker in the top left corner removed, it is greatly advisable to have your DS have the power supply plugged in.
Insert Passme variant into DS (if you are using a Passme 2 make sure it is set correctly up beforehand) and your cart and turn on your DS. If there is no loader flashme should come up right away if there is you will have to navigate to it.
You will then see a intro screen where you can follow the on screen instructions.
You will be instructed to press x,b,x,b to start the flashme process.
You will then be instructed to short the SL1 contact (most people use aluminium foil, a paperclip, a small screwdriver or a flat headed nail, DSLite users frequently find a taped up piece of flat headed metal works).
Once contact is successful a percentage count will start to rise in the bottom right hand corner, once this is above 5% you are free from risk anymore and should you lose power somehow you should be able to get back using the instructions later in the article.
Continue shorting SL1 until the percentage hits 100, should you lose the connection just keep trying until the numbers rise once more.
After hitting 100% you should get a flash successful message and you can breathe a sigh of relief: you are finished.
DSLite users you may accidentally short your DS and cause it to lose power, simply try again until it is done. <NB: there should be better instructions than this for DSLite users, as it can make the DS unusuable if it powers off during the process>
usage
Flashme introduces 2 new startup button presses to your DS: Holding select will send you to the DS menu, you can then select an original DS cart or if using the EZ4 you can select the GBA loader. Holding A,B,X and Y will force flashme (GBA slot) booting (use when not using the DS loader on your EZ1/2 or some homebrew that does not have PASS added to the header).
troubleshooting/known issues
As with any modification there is risk involved however very few people have ever had any problem (if you lose the SL1 connection just short SL1 again and it will continue). The main problem faced is loss of power during flashing but provided you are careful and keep the battery and the charger in at once there is next to no risk save an errant thumb on the power button.
Early versions of Flashme used space in the firmwares memory chip which at the time was unused. When the first WIFI enabled games (Mario Kart DS, Tony Hawks American SK8Land etc) came about the "unused" section of the firmware was written to by these games which caused the flashmed DS to become a (temporary) brick.
Flashme's authors/maintainers had advance knowledge of this and flashme V5 was made which did not interfere with the wifi settings/features introduced. If upgrading from a flashme version V4 and below the SL1 connection had to be shorted again (flashme upgrades are normally simply a matter of burning the new flashme.nds version to your cart and waiting ten or so seconds).
Should you come unstuck and somehow lose power provided you are above 5% when it happens you should be able to easily recover it (adapted from a post by Bass Rokka over on GBAtemp): (Following procedure may take 1-10 times or more to get to work! Do not give up after the first attempt!)
- Hold: a + b + start + select
- Power on
- Once you believe you are fully powered up - let go of those buttons
- A normal gba cart (I.E. the EZ1/EZ2/EZ3 provided you burnt the flashme rom correctly) it should just load up automatically.
-continue as normal.
Although an EZFlash wiki this may help someone:
If you are using the supercard you will not be able to see any menu (or anything for that matter) - but for good measure press A a couple of times to see if you can launch the flashme program (if using supercard - be sure to only have 1 file (flashme one) on the memory card), if it works it will take a couple of seconds and then the Flashme screen will appear out of the darkness.
