R4 cards have stopped working

[ianpwilliams]

I've had two R4 SDHC cards for a while now (one with a 2GB Micro SD card, and one with a 4GB Micro SD card). They've always worked in the past, but now they won't work for me at all.

I recently connected the DS Lite to a WiFi connection to download puzzles for Layton & Pandora's Box and Picross (both original games), so I'm wondering if the DS Lite downloaded an updated firmware to stop the cards from working? There wasn't an option to update the firmware or anything, or any message, so I don't know. I downloaded the latest R4 software I could find (v3.07), but it still doesn't work.

It's really annoying, because I genuinely only want to be able to play some of the great homebrew games out there, like Powder in particular. I used to try playing commercial games on R4, but save corruption was too common, so I decided to just buy commercial games pre-owned instead.

Does anyone know how I could get these R4 cards working again?

[alukadoo]

Back-up all your files first , try formatting your mircosd card with this Panansonic formatter. Download here

If it still doesn't work , you may get another flashcart like : Acekard 2i , Supercard DStwo . R4 is outdated .

[ianpwilliams]

Thanks, I'll try that. Even if the R4 cards are outdated, they still worked fine for me until now.

Out of interest, does the DS have firmware updates when you go online, like the PS3 and Xbox 360? And if so, could that be the reason for the problem do you think?

[alukadoo]

Thanks, I'll try that. Even if the R4 cards are outdated, they still worked fine for me until now.

Out of interest, does the DS have firmware updates when you go online, like the PS3 and Xbox 360? And if so, could that be the reason for the problem do you think?

Yep , Nintendo just announced a new firmware v1.4.1 to block flashcarts , there is not much difference between update the firmware or not ..

[ianpwilliams]

That's a shame. Might have to look for newer cards then.

[ianpwilliams]

Back-up all your files first , try formatting your mircosd card with this Panansonic formatter. Download here

If it still doesn't work , you may get another flashcart like : Acekard 2i , Supercard DStwo . R4 is outdated .

Will those cards work despite the firmware update?

[ianpwilliams]

It's actually a DS Lite, but thanks, I'll check that link out. It seems that you can't buy cards like these in the UK anymore.

EDIT: My nephew actually managed to get one of the cards working again, although I'm not sure how.

[WinterMute]

The DS does not have firmware updates when you go online, only the DSi and the DSi updates aren't automatic. Apparently 3DS will have automatic updates though :/

Fixing flashcards that are no longer recognised is usually just a matter of cleaning the card contacts and/or replacing the SD card. Sometimes they just die though.