R4DS starter pack

witnessmenow

This to help people get the most out of there R4(some of the stuff should work on other cards but i cant verify that) I was amazed by the amount of talk of R4 cards on boards but no real advice on how to use it best! So after many hours trawling the net, i've compiled a starter pack for the R4

EDIT:I've included more info on emulators

It includes:
1.The latest firmware 1.11 (has a better compatibility, download play now works in most games) and moonshell 1.71

2.A DLDI patching tool (DLDI-tool) including the R4 DLDI device patch (This is something you need to apply to a lot of homebrew applications to get them to work on your R4)

3.A NDS emulator for the PC, to try out homebrew apps before putting them on your R4 card

4.A video converter (Batch DPG v1.2) for watching video on moonshell.

5.A few emulators: Megadrive/genisis (JenisisDS 0.5)- works pretty good , never has sound.
SNES (SNEmulDS 0.5) - Works good, sound is a small bit glitchy
NES (NesDS) - Works very well

I've also included my own instructions for everything, I'm far from an expert but they might help!?

I only have a rapidshare link at the moment(sorry!) if anyone wants to host it somewhere else feel free. All the software is freely available (Ask if you want to know where i got anything or if you just don't like rapidshare!.....i'll post up the links for the software) its just so much handier if there all together!

I've tested and verified it all on a DS using a R4(bar the video converter)

You can get it here (its about 15mb and its a .zip file)
R4DS starter pack by witnessmenow

So let me know what you think, or if you've problems or suggestions or anything of that nature! Good luck!

Star Lord

Good work that man!
Maybe this could/should be stickied!?

Must definately come back to this when I actually get round to getting myself one of these cards!

Snake Plisken

Excellent thanks for putting this package together, I'm particulary interested in the PC emu, handy for trying apps

Snake

o1s1n

Great idea.

You may want to include this program. It's for getting the 3 in 1 ezflash to work. It's not included with the card and is very hard to find.

(this is the card I am on about. Lets you play GBA 'homebrew' (games are stored on the r4 and written to the other card when you want to play them)works as a memory expansion for the browser and also works as a rumble pak for games which have that feature)
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.2967

Here's the file. Just drop in onto your r4

http://www.mediafire.com/?1zdbao4ukgd

Once your r4 starts up, you can run the 3 in 1 program which will allow you to boot up the other card.

As for emulation, a new version of Jenesis has come out. Is that the one you included? I was using picodrive before I discovered that. Games are running at a great framerate.

Lameboy is also worth checking out. Most games are also running perfect on it. You can fit a LOT of them on too.

witnessmenow

Hey guys thanks for the replies! No problem! I've seen one person has downloaded it... how did you get on with it?!

@O1s1n: Ok cool i'll include the next version. Was thinking of getting a 3 in 1 myself!

The emulator are as follows:

Sega megadrive/genisis: JenisisDS 0.5 (its the newest version at the mo)

Snes: SNEmulDS 0.5

NES:Option 1: NesDS (doesn't have a version number, its the one where it runs an emulator on the ds) I recommend this one.

Option 2: NesDS(its an older version which converts NES games to .nds files on your pc, so theres no need for an emulator on the DS)

Wasn't even aware ther was a decent gameboy emulator! I'll include this in the next release aswell. I'll release a new version of this pack prob at the end of the month(when I'm settled in back in college!).

I'll also be starting a thread for best homebrew applications and games , where people can rate and review homebrew application that the find maybe share any info on what they had to do to get it to work, so keep an eye out for that!

o1s1n

Excellent

Lameboy can play GB and GB colour stuff. Perfectly. With sound. Which as I was saying, are tiny. In the tens of KB. So you can fit a pretty vast library of stuff on.

Actually a readme file with how to get skins working too might be a good idea. I've had a lot of people asking me how to do that.

Nice work anyway. I wish there had of been something around like this when I got my own r4. Would have saved me a lot of trouble.

Great forum for homebrew.

http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/

Loads of DS homebrew information

http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=27

witnessmenow

ooo were up at 3 downloads!! Yeah great idea o1s1n will definatly include the skin tutorial in the next one. I've only had the R4 for a week so i havent got bored of the other one yet! I second dcemu its where i got most of the stuff from. Some of the stuff is a bit crap at explaining how to get it to work though!

Yeah same with nintendo games the are about 256k so you can fit alot on! Still think i'll be needing a bigger sd card!

Was also thinking for the next one that i'll bring out an "On the go" version (as well as one in this kind of a format) where you literary just extract the pack and put it on your R4 , where everything is organized, DLDI patched and ready to go (completely idiot proof!) any comments (good or bad) or suggestions on this would be appreciated too.

KdjaCL

Do the emulators work?

Great pack.


kdjac

lee_baby_simms

Hey thanks for this witnessmenow, i really appreciate it.

I'm playing the first ever Metroid, works perfect! Ah the memories.

KdjaCL

megadrive emu works no sound but playing Sonic you can sing along

Sensible wont work seems only certain games work.


kdjac

o1s1n

KdjaCL wrote:

megadrive emu works no sound but playing Sonic you can sing along




kdjac

Have you used any of the snes emulators? The inclusion of the sound makes them very glitchy. Leaving the sound out of the megadrive ones got them running really well. Framrate wasn't the best with pico though. I can't believe how good Jenesis is.

Hopefully they'll sort out the sound with later releases. Still though, I'm happy. Means I can finally put my Nomad away

KdjaCL

Seems fine with Snes one on DS lite playing ISS Deluxe and it sounds fine, no notable glitches.

The R4 is now the greatest thing ever.


kdjac

witnessmenow

Now@10 downloads!

Sorry should have stated this.

Genisis/megadrive emulator - tested with streets of rage 2
Video ran perfectly. This emulator never has sound.

Snes emulator - tested with f-zero, ninja gaiden trilogy(is really a nes game)
F-zero:Video ran perfectly. Small skip in sound every 10-15 seconds, definatly managable.
Ninja Gaiden:Perfect nothing to report

NES emulator - tested with Super mario 2, Mike Tyson punch out and megaman
Super mario 2 and megaman:Perfect nothing to report
Mike Tyson: Gameplay was fine but the text was all messed up.

The emulators are in early stages but there definatly promising!

@lee_baby_simms: no problem! I didn't write any of the programs so its the developers you should be thanking! I tried to include the original website in all the readme's.

Any one have feed back on the readmes how they could be improved?

Anyone get the video convertor to work?

KdjaCL

witnessmenow wrote:

Any one have feed back on the readmes how they could be improved?

Unzip the roms before putting them into the SNES folder


kdjac

witnessmenow

KdjaCL wrote:

Unzip the roms before putting them into the SNES folder


kdjac

Cheers exactly the type of feedback i need, im sure theres loads of mistakes like that in them!

The readme has been edited for the next version

DonFred

Would anyone recommend the R4 that play.com are selling its called Game n Music? Appreciate any comments

Snake Plisken

don't bother I've read elsewhere it doesn't work very well I think its in the current argos book as well, I recommend you get the real R4 to many issues with those Games n Music things

Snake

herobear

so basically the nds is simply the coolest thing EVER!!
woo!
all you people are amazing! cant wait to get my r4(its on its way)

im...LOST

I was thinking of doing this exact same thing!

Would you mind if I posted it over at Wiffy.ie?

I'll give you all credits of course!

witnessmenow

Sure , no problem. Was just looking around wiffy.ie yesterday actually and seen you were talking about doing it!

DonFred

Where is the best place to get a R4 thing thats easy enough to use? Dont want to spend a lot on it in case I cant get it to work. Cheers lads
Getting bored of my DS and need to inject some life into it

witnessmenow

DonFred wrote:

Where is the best place to get a R4 thing thats easy enough to use? Dont want to spend a lot on it in case I cant get it to work. Cheers lads
Getting bored of my DS and need to inject some life into it

Doodlebug - From r4 post in the bargain alerts forum wrote:

Was helping someone to order this today - here is a summary of the cheapest deals found for the R4 card and a 2GB MicroSD card (All in stock right now):

2GB MicroSD

www.shop4memory.com €33

www.7dayshop.com €25.60

www.mx2.co.uk €19.59

R4 Card

dealextreme €30.72
($41.95) (P&P free) (Price has gone up since we first heard about this site - but still good!)

ConsoleUp €33.83

gameyeeeah €32.55
($35.95) (+ P&P $5.50)

Went for dealextreme & mx2, total = €50.31

Hope that helps! Git 'em while they're hot!

You will get it to work , were here to help! Am going to put a On-The-Go version of this pack where you do nothing but drag the contents of a whole folder onto your micro sd (everything will be patched and ready to go!). Will probably upload that and a new version of the orginal type pack (1.1 oooooo!!!!) next week. Changes for the new one will include:
1.Original Gameboy Emulator - Lameboy
2.Tutorial on how to skin the interface
3.General improvements to the readmes and such (noticed a few are fairly skimpy on the info, guess i kinda rushed them!)
4.Who knows, maybe more!! If i find more things i think are useful(Keep posting more suggestions!)

Will try post links to the extra material and such so people who downloaded the first pack dont have to download the next one.

People here obviously cant help you with one major aspect of an r4 (its against the rules & the law for that matter!) but there's plenty of place on the net that can! It's almost too easy!:rolleyes:

DonFred

So basicially I have to buy first a R4 card then a memory card separtely MicroSD??

o1s1n

DonFred wrote:

So basicially I have to buy first a R4 card then a memory card separtely MicroSD??

Most of the R4 deals on sites have a microSD included with them.

DonFred

Ok lads is this ok an R4 with a 1gb Kington TF for 56.90euros from dealextreme??
Just about to buy it......

KdjaCL

DonFred wrote:

Ok lads is this ok an R4 with a 1gb Kington TF for 56.90euros from dealextreme??
Just about to buy it......

jebus it was 34 there with the card, i have 4 of them in our DSes that exact pack, as simple as drag and drop to setup and thats it.


kdjac

DonFred

Sorry that was in dollars, it actually cost me 42euros so please with that. wAs people complaining about why price went up but DS are selling like hot cakes now. Cant wait to get it now but probably wont be able to use it but I be back here!!

witnessmenow

Hey guys I've some of the stuff written up for the next pack was wondering will a few of ye give it the once over, see if it can be improved and stuff!

Oh and i've an email setup for this very cause , its included in the text files.

Cheers!

CrazyTalk

Prob gonna get one, they look damn good

witnessmenow

Hey guys just letting you know i'm still planning on putting up the next one on monday, just adding a few new things at the moment!

By the way if you can avoid never open your ds!! I only got my ds back yesterday from my brother ( i havent used it well over a year, was using my sisters one with the R4) I ordered a new housing of dealextreme as the hinge was broken and i replaced the old one , I charged the ds up and went to turn it on his morning... turned straight back off! After a good few times trying it eventually stayed on.... but the top screen displayed nothing! I've figured out that the turning on and off is a power fuse problem and i can either replace it or i can short it. But if any one has a bricked old style ds and they want to donate/sell there top screen that would be great! I can buy it off dealextreme but it wont be here for 3 weeks, and it mightn't even be a case of replacing it!!
I dont know if the ds was broken before i opened it but if some one does want to go against my warnings and open the ds , if you drop me a line i'll do my best to help!!

witnessmenow

Hey guys. Heres the packs i promised, would have had them up earlier but i forgot to include the 3 in 1 tool and i had it written all over the documentation that it was there! Anyways here we go!

R4DS Starter Pack V1.10 by witnessmenow

Updates since the last pack:

1. Major improvements on the readmes and the inclusions of a general readme which will tell you what
to do in the right order.

2. Added Original/Colour Gameboy emulator

3. Tutorials on how to install/make your own skins

4. Inclusion of 3 in 1 expansion pack tool

5. Tutorials on how to use cheat codes.

6. I actually mentioned the fact that the new firmware auto DLDI patches!




What the pack includes:

1.The latest firmware 1.11 (has a better compatibility, download play now works in most games)
and moonshell 1.71

2.A DLDI patching tool (DLDI-tool) including the R4 DLDI device patch (This is something you
need to apply to a lot of homebrew applications to get them to work on your R4)

3.A NDS emulator for the PC, to try out homebrew apps before putting them on your R4 card

4.A video converter (Batch DPG v1.2) for watching video on moonshell.

5.A few emulators:
Megadrive/genisis (JenisisDS 0.5)- works pretty good , never has sound.
SNES (SNEmulDS 0.5) - Works good, sound is a small bit glitchy
NES (NesDS) - Works very well
Orginal/colour gameboy (Lameboy) - Works very well

6.A tutorial on how to install new skins and instructions to make your own

7.The 3 in 1 expansion pack tool - A program to let you boot the 3 in 1 card from the R4 menu
(thanks to o1s1n @ boards.ie for this)

8.A tutorial on how to use Action Replay codes on your DS


And as i promised an On-The-Go v1.0 by witnessmenow

The latest firmware and moonshell
Snes, NES, Gameboy, Megadrive emulators

To install simply drag the contents of "MAIN" to the root of your micro sd.



As always i want to hear some feed back from you!! And ENJOY!!

Mr E

Outstanding work, witness... cheers!

o1s1n

Nice work! I'll be sure to direct any newbies to that file.

Oh, another important program, (If you included it, apologies) a rom trimmer! Using it allows you to fit quite a few more games onto a card.

When people originally dumped the game images to their computers, they also included the unused dead space which was on the card too.

Rom trimmers get rid of all that empty space.

cuts the size of most games down quite a bit. I fit about 3 or 4 more extra games on to a 1gb card with the space I've saved.

Bit late now I know...but I'm sure you can include it in your next release

http://www.mediafire.com/?3wgej4xcjzx

Just highlight the file you want to trim and the it'll output the trimmed file with _trim on the end of it.

witnessmenow

o1s1n wrote:

Nice work! I'll be sure to direct any newbies to that file.

Oh, another important program, (If you included it, apologies) a rom trimmer! Using it allows you to fit quite a few more games onto a card.

When people originally dumped the game images to their computers, they also included the unused space which was on the card too.

Rom trimmers get rid of all that empty space.

cuts the size of most games down quite a bit.

Bit late now I know...but I'm sure you can include it in your next release

http://www.mediafire.com/?3wgej4xcjzx

:rolleyes: Ah well, at least it will give me a reason to do a next one! I will include it in the next one but for now use o1s1n link or else its on the R4 website or its on the mini cd that came with the R4. Unless something big and new comes out i cant see me making another one of these for quite a while! My next plan is to maybe make better tutorials, online ones with pictures included. Was also considering a video tutorial or two, but to be honest theres loads of them on youtube so i prob wont bother! If anyone is having trouble with rapidshare let me know.. i can prob host the file on google pages but theres quite a low traffic allowance so i don't want it to be the main source.

On another note...Did anyone get videos to work? My computer doesn't even try convert it!

Anyone have any comments on the readmes or such?

o1s1n

:rolleyes: Indeed. It was one of those obvious things I completely forgot about.

I have videos working myself (Usually throw a couple of Simpsons or Family Guy eps onto a card in case of boredom) using that version of batchDPG so it should be fine.

Anyway, just going through your readme files and they all seem to be in order.

Once again, nice work!

red_fox

For a ROM Trimmer I use http://techsuki.net/nintendo-ds-rom-trimmer/ it's quite fast and easy to use, main advantage over the R4 one is batch prossesing.

fmul9798

Word of warning for those considering ordering from gameyeeah - don't...

I ordered 1 r4ds from dealextreme and 1 from gameyeeah. Dealextreme were excellent - no problems whatsoever.

Firstly, gameyeeah sent me my shipping notification. When the package finally arrived, the postage from the franking machine was 8 days after the shipping notification - in other words, it never shipped when they said it did.

The R4DS from gameyeeah was quite obviously second-hand or possibly a repaired one. It had heavy scratching on the microSD USB adapter, scratching on the cartridge itself (from inserting/removing from NDS), and also label wear at the point where someone would be trying to remove the card, and plastic peeling back.

I contacted gameyeeah, and was told that I have to send it back. Checked out the price of registered post to China for a package - _not_ cheap (registered, as I dont trust them now). As I paid by credit card, and I know that I am entitled to return shipping costs refund, I pointed this out to them. They are refusing to cover the return shipping costs of the r4ds. Nothing left now but to contact the bank and raise an issue with the transaction...

Buyer beware...

Mr Soft

excellent work from the OP, finally managed to get the Snes games going after checking out the pack. cheers

its great to be back playing NBA JAM TE!

konline

Great job, Witnessmenow. I really appreciate for sharing the NDS stuff.

kevin216

nice job, Witnessmenow this is going to save me a lot of money

richie.c

Here's a megaupload mirror for people who can't access Rapidshare.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=G60SHH65

milltown

Slightly OT, but I seem to remember seeing something about a button sequence that was basically ctrl-alt-del for the R4DS, to reset you back to the main menu.

Did I imagine it, or can anyone tell me what it is?

Ta.

subway

a+b+x+y+l+r

o1s1n

subway wrote:

a+b+x+y+l+r

Plus you have to make sure soft reset is switched on. It's a small red/green button in the top right corner of the r4 menu.

witnessmenow

a+b+x+y+l+r

Thats news to me cheers!! Have finally got my ds fixed and up and running (it was the ribbon cable between the top and bottom not the screen as i previously mentioned!) so ill be able to give this thread and the homebrew one a bit more attention!

milltown

Cool. Thanks Oisín and Subway.

5500

I ordered one from dx last week and it arrived yesterday,excellent so far and many thanks for the uploaded tutorials ect

machiavellianme

Slightly OT: Has anyone used a G6 real? http://www.divineo.cn/cgi-bin/div-cn/nds-g6r16 Its similar to the R4 but no extra microSD card is needed since it has its own on board memory. This also cuts out possible compatibility issues on the R4 as the cards may not be fast enough. If anyone has tried both, which would you recommend?

witnessmenow

I haven't tried the G6 but i've ordered 7 of these from dealextreme and none of them have had any problems with anything! I know it doesn't answer your question really but taught it might help!

animaX

I've tried r4, m3 and ds real. In my opinion, the g6 real is the best. No messing with sd cards, perfect compatibility and download play. Although i'm now tempted to try the cyclo ds!

Hellrazer

I bought a DS Fire card(Slot1) last week and it works a treat--identical to the M3.It has 1gb onboard and no patching of roms for them to work-Unlike the Supercard (slot2) that I had.

Theres a second one for sale on adverts at the minute--definately worth the 40 euros asking price.