Neo TeAm Forum
NEO Team's Projects for the GBA/NDS/NDS lite => NEO Flash and Magic Key 1/2/3 help, FAQ/guides and discussion => Topic started by: Family Guy Fan on March 30, 2006, 01:06:09 PM
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Hey guys, i just received my Neo Flash through Fed Ex, but im having problems installing it, i did not come with instructions, but only a CD. Can anyone guide me through the Installation process or provide me a link to where i can install my NeoFlash, thanks.
Also i like the avatars here :)
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Just in case you weren't aware, you didn't buy the latest neoflash product. If you purchased the 1 gig set, that's a neoflash 1 gig cart + magic key 1. The patcher is no longer supported (i.e. won't play more recent nds titles).
Assuming you have a compatible, older ds system, you use gst-patcher 3.1 in order to patch clean dumps, before burning them to your flashcart using an application called Neo Power Kit. That patching program generates two files: one using a gba save and the other using a nds save.
The gba version stores the save on the flashcart itself. However, it can be unreliable since save data may be corrupted (hardware problem that was never resolved).
The nds version stores the save on the original ds cartridge you insert into the magic key unit. However, you have to match the size of the save (for the rom you are running on the flashcart) to the save size used by the original ds cartridge. It's more reliable, but can be a nuissance since you need to own several ds cartridges with varying save sizes, and swap them as needed. This is one site that has the save sizes for different carts:
http://www.retrocovers.com/advanscene
Both these programs (Neo Power Kit and gst-patcher 3.1) can be obtained from this link (at the bottom):
http://www.neoflash.com/forum/index.php/topic,875.0.html
The FAQ posts sub-forum has helpful guides (one for using Neo Power Kit) and troubleshooting tips. Once you burn the patched-rom (either the gba save or the nds save), then you just connect your cart and magic key (with original ds cartridge inserted) to your ds...
If you are interested in the more current neoflash products, that would be magic key 2/3. The FAQ I composed can be found here (including all the problematic areas since it's still being developed)
http://www.neoflash.com/forum/index.php/topic,1529.0.html
BruceG
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Aww i dont have the latest version, im a very big n00b at this, and well i didn't know, i wanted to burn Sonic Rush into my DS. Anyways i already have the patcher, i tried patching the game Sonic Rush, and it said to update the database, any help will be appreciated friend. Thank you.
Also may i ask why it is not supported anymore?
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The current hardware being developed is mk3 ie. neomax and mk32006. .In that too the compatibility is low, but it is being supported. your mk1 is toooo old.
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So MK3 uses the Slim Loader 3 right? is there anyway to buy the other parts seperate and still make it work?
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Whoa Whoa-I say you are in great shape.
The 1g cart is the only way(right now,at least)to run some of the larger roms,and also probably the least-owned piece of equipment for NEO.
I say-get the MK3 2006(under a hundred bucks),and you will be one of few people with the highest possible compatibility.
I imagine you were not looking to spend more cash,and I don't work for anybody here(i.e.-not trying to sell you anything),but if I had a friend looking to invest,that(1g NEO linker,2006 MK3)is what I would suggest to them.
I think the reason that that is not offered as a package is that Dr. NEO is really trying to decrease the hardware required through software.
But right now,it's the way to go,and you are 3/4ths there already.
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Well, you're in the same position as I was. Buy an MK2 or 3, and it comes only with the NDS slot part, which is all you need. Then, you can flash roms to an SD card, and install the latest Menu software onto your flashcart.
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Thank you for the help, i will buy the the MK3 so i can get my NDS working, thanks for the help guys. Can anyone recommend a site to buy this from?
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Divineo u.s.
I hope you got the 1g from divineo cn.(100.00 less than divineo u.s.)
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Yeah, Divineo is where I purchased my neo max system (haven't heard anything negative about them)
As Roger said, it depends on how much money you are willing to invest.. You have a 1 gigabit cart, which is compatible with the current mk2/mk3 technology (and is presently the only way to run 1 gig commercial roms at full speed using neoflash products). Buying a separate mk2/mk3 unit will give you access to the latest menu software...
If you want to return the neoflash linker set, there are numerous options:
There is a less expensive NeoMax kit (using the latest mk3 technology -- the main drawback here is the cart is only 512 Mb, and the mk3 itself has only 128 Mb internal flash space -- not very useful, considering most commercial roms are over 128 Mb.)
If you want another less expensive alternative, there is mk3 2006 as Roger said (using a neokey and a mk3 512). The main problem here is that the neo-key isn't an ideal substitute for a regular flashcart.. A neo-key can't hold much at all, and you can't play gba roms on your ds with a neo-key only (i.e. you need a regular flashcart)
Finally, for other non-neoflash products, there are viable alternatives to neoflash (supercard being very good value and m3 as well). If you want to run roms, these products are very good at that, with high compatibilty levels as well...
BruceG
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So the only i need to buy is a MK3 and i can use it with my 1024Mb flash cart? I just want to know which to buy. I already have all the accessories i think i need to this.
Slim Loader 3
Neo Flash 1024mb
USB Cables
so i just need MK3 and it wil work fine? I already know how to make the menu on the cart.
Thanks again guys for the help.
(http://www.neoflash.com/img/2005-MK3-256.JPG)
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Whoa Whoa-I say you are in great shape.
The 1g cart is the only way(right now,at least)to run some of the larger roms,and also probably the least-owned piece of equipment for NEO.
I say-get the MK3 2006(under a hundred bucks),and you will be one of few people with the highest possible compatibility.
I imagine you were not looking to spend more cash,and I don't work for anybody here(i.e.-not trying to sell you anything),but if I had a friend looking to invest,that(1g NEO linker,2006 MK3)is what I would suggest to them.
I think the reason that that is not offered as a package is that Dr. NEO is really trying to decrease the hardware required through software.
But right now,it's the way to go,and you are 3/4ths there already.
My friend can you give me a link to where i can get this MK3 2006?
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http://ic2005.com (http://ic2005.com)
You can buy all the Neo-Flash products from there.
Or go here to see all the shops
http://www.neoflash.com/shop.htm (http://www.neoflash.com/shop.htm)
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Im sorry about the last post, i can actually buy, but in the view for my problem which is i bought the old version of neo flash, can i just buy the Magic Key 3 and use it with my 1bg neo flash?
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ok most people with the 1 Gig GBA flash cart that have the MK1 do buy the MK3. Thats because the allready have all the stuff they need.
You Can buy a MK3 from the shops above ;)
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Yes.You CAN use your 1024 Cart with any MK3.
I had a more in-depth post for ya,but it was waaaay too long.
To the point:you will have a little bit of extra"stuff"if you get the MK3 2006.(512)Throw it away if it bothers you.Or get another MK3 later,start a second set-up for 2player........
You will have the gear I have(paid for every bit of it,worth every penny-as I said,I'm not selling you anything),and I am a really freaking happy dude lately.
The reason I suggest NEO(just figured this out)is,in the long run,I think it will be the easiest(i.e.-no patching)and most versatile equipment out there.
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ok most people with the 1 Gig GBA flash cart that have the MK1 do buy the MK3. Thats because the allready have all the stuff they need.
You Can buy a MK3 from the shops above ;)
Is this the one you are talking about? or the 2006?
(http://www.neoflash.com/img/2005-MK3-256.JPG)
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Yes.You CAN use your 1024 Cart with any MK3.
I had a more in-depth post for ya,but it was waaaay too long.
To the point:you will have a little bit of extra"stuff"if you get the MK3 2006.(512)Throw it away if it bothers you.Or get another MK3 later,start a second set-up for 2player........
You will have the gear I have(paid for every bit of it,worth every penny-as I said,I'm not selling you anything),and I am a really freaking happy dude lately.
The reason I suggest NEO(just figured this out)is,in the long run,I think it will be the easiest(i.e.-no patching)and most versatile equipment out there.
Thank you as well friend.
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Ok i understand that you have a Neo-Kit. One that first came out with a Magic Key 1.
If you buy the Magic Key 3 that will still work.
The Magic Key 3 2006 includes a Neo-Key.
So you would only get another GBA flash cart with room only for the menu.
If you allready have a Neo-Ket which includes the 1 gig GBA cart.
I would recomend you buy the Magic Key 3. (which is that picture above)
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Ok i understand that you have a Neo-Kit. One that first came out with a Magic Key 1.
If you buy the Magic Key 3 that will still work.
The Magic Key 3 2006 includes a Neo-Key.
So you would only get another GBA flash cart with room only for the menu.
If you allready have a Neo-Ket which includes the 1 gig GBA cart.
I would recomend you buy the Magic Key 3. (which is that picture above)
That is all i needed to know, thank you, and sorry about my confusion, since i dont want to buy something outdated again. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED ME OUT HERE.
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Thats ok. And we are here to help.
If you have more questions please ask :)
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What does the DS card in the MK3 do?
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Ok. The Magic Key 3 (MK3) Has the DS card in it for 2 reasons.
1 - Able to rip the card to the SD card.
2 - Ables the any game to be played. The MagicKey 3 boots in DS mode and looks for the menu on the GBA Flash cart. The Menu then looks for the SD card.
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Since you don't have flashme installed, you need an original ds cartridge inserted in the magic key or it won't boot.
Another purpose, as Boblen mentioned, is to rip original game cartridges to the SD card.
If you are ADDING to your existing 1 gig neoflash set, you can purchase a magic key 2 or magic key 3 unit separately. You also need a SD card and a SD card reader for writing files onto the card (this information is all in the FAQ link I provided previously).
The mk2 unit has no internal flash memory for running roms.
The mk3 units sold separately have either 256 or 512 Mb of internal flash (for storing and running roms).
The internal flash may not be as important to you, since you already have a 1 gig neoflash cart. However, roms have the highlest compatibility levels if they run on the mk3 internal flash (Roger can tell you that since this was recently tested).
You don't really need a mk3 2006 at all (it includes a neo-key device -- it's not required since you already own a neo-cart).
BruceG
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Awesome thanks guys for the help, im understanding now, well im going to order it and start gaming thanks to you guys, see ya later.