DS Firmware
From CycloDS
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The Nintendo DS firmware is a program stored on a 256 KB flash memory chip inside every Nintendo DS system.
Nintendo updated the firmware in mid-2005 to prevent homebrew and piracy. The new firmware requires new methods to run unauthorized code. The CycloDS is one of those new methods, and works extremely well. Please note, checking the firmware version is only necessary if you plan to flash your DS. This is not necessary when using a CycloDS Evo. This page is maintained for those who would like to flash their DS or are just curious about which firmware they have on their DS.
[edit] Firmware Versions
| "old" firmware, works with PassMe, PassMe2, NoPass and WifiMe |
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| "new" firmware, works with PassMe2 and NoPass only |
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| Chinese firmware |
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Checksum is located at offset 0x6 in firmware.
v1-v3 are the old firmware versions supported by first generation passthroughs, WifiMe and the original PassMe. The newer PassMe2 and NoPass devices work as well.
v4-v6 are the new firmware versions that block WifiMe and the original PassMe. PassMe2 and NoPass work with these.
DS units that have this firmware include all pink, light blue, and red DSs, as well as some newer silver and electric blue ones.
DS Lite also has firmware that works like these new versions, with the addition of the brightness control feature.
FlashMe works with v1-v5 once you get it to boot in DS mode (v5 flash recently confirmed).
[edit] Checking the Firmware Version
Different firmware versions have different behaviors if a DS Game Card or Game Boy Advance cartridge is ejected during Pictochat [1]. To determine your DS firmware version, follow these steps:
No.1 Way:
- Insert an authentic Nintendo DS Game Card into SLOT-1, or a Game Boy Advance cart into SLOT-2, of your Nintendo DS.
- Turn on DS (hold Select+Start if you have autostart enabled in the settings).
- Enter Pictochat.
- Enter any chat room.
- Eject the Game Card or GBA Cart from the DS.
No.2 Way(non working if firmware is v.1):
- Turn on DS (hold Select+Start if you have autostart enabled in the settings).
- Enter Pictochat.
- Enter any chat room.
- Close Nintendo DS and observe color of the screen.
Result:
- v1: Pictochat hangs
- v2: two grayish blue screens
- v3: two dark green screens
- v4: two golden yellow screens
- v5: two magenta screens (DS lite units have this)
- v6: two dark blue screens (un-confirmed new DSes have this)
- iQue: two dark green screens
As FlashMe is based on the v3 firmware, FlashMe will behave like v3 (two dark green screens).
