nds-bootstrap:

Thanks to the work of ahezard, Gericom, Apache, Robz8, _catcatcat, and shutterbug2000 and other contributors, we can now load NDS games from the SD card, without any flashcard/SLOT-1 card.

Don't expect high compatibility, but do expect many, many updates.

Compatibility listing:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LRTkXOUXraTMjg1eedz_f7b5jiuyMv2x6e_jY_nyHSc/edit#gid=0

The official Discord server for nds-bootstrap:
https://discordapp.com/invite/7bxTQfZ

The thread for the recommended loader (by Robz8):
https://gbatemp.net/threads/twloader-ctr-mode-nds-app.448375/

SRLoader for softmodded DSis (by Robz8):
https://gbatemp.net/threads/srloader-nds-app-for-dsi.472200/

If you're more of a forwarder person:
https://gbatemp.net/threads/nds-forwarder-cias-for-your-home-menu.426174/

Link to the releases page:
https://github.com/ahezard/nds-bootstrap/releases

Anti-Piracy patch list by Robz8
https://gbatemp.net/threads/ap-patch-preservation.477536/

Also, thank you to our testers:
Historian
JoshuaDoes
thejsa
Alerdy
PokeAcer

Spoiler: Videos

Also, a video thanks to Robz8:


And another thanks to Alerdy:

 

[Joom]

Are you referring to when you format a drive with cmd?

(Also, normally (with MicroSDXC cards) my computer only gives me the option to format with either exFAT or NTFS. However, I've never tried to use cmd to format the drive.)

Oh, yeah, that part's true. As a rule of thumb I keep a Parted Magic (there are torrents abound) USB handy in cases where I need to do proper partition management. Of course that's a bit over the top for something that should be simple, but it removes a lot of the headaches.

 

[Valery0p]

Online works perfect, no stutter no disconnects. The only issue i've gotten is the game crashed one time after a race.

Can you make a video the next time? Please?

 

[Garblant]

Choose the 32879 option. This is 32k.

Oh!

Welp. Time to format this thing once again...

 

[Squee777]

When I load Rosario vampire English translation it says cannot write data to memory backup. Would the new arm7 swap work? If not what can I do? It's the only thing keeping the game from working.

 

[Joom]

When I load Rosario vampire English translation it says cannot write data to memory backup. Would the new arm7 swap work? If not what can I do? It's the only thing keeping the game from working.

If the ARM7 patch doesn't work then all you can do is wait.

 

[RealityNinja]

64kb causes issues with GBA VC screen.

Ah... I don't have any issues with GBA VC, but... OK.
So it doesn't matter for nds bootstrap?

 

[drafael0220]

ty

 

[TheArcadeStriker]

Testing Mario Kart DS Multicard with a flashcard and bootstrap, it seems to connect properly in 0.3.1! (And even funnily, when you do something like change character in the bootstrap, the mini loading time seems to be also replicated in the flashcard user, probably for synchronization, and it's good because you can actually play multiplayer! (When you start the you will hear the start race music play in the flashcard but stay in a black screen while the bootstrap loads, and then it actually works well)
EDIT: It seems that after doing a race, it seems to disconnect because of desynchronization though.
Also, IIRC it can sometimes access the multiplayer menus with 3 connected games, but it doesn't seem to be able to play for now (I must test a bit more, and if the bootstrap is not the host, it will always desynchronize before the menu, and even then it may be a bit of a gamble).

 

[Giodude]

Can you make a video the next time? Please?

I'll record it with my phone is the opportunity ever comes back.

 

[TheArcadeStriker]

EDIT: You can set the donor ROM by pressing SELECT in a game (apparently), but I still can't see where you change the MPU settings for some games.

 

[WarioTails358]

EDIT: You can set the donor ROM by pressing SELECT in a game (apparently), but I still can't see where you change the MPU settings for some games.

this was on the GitHub page:

Spoiler

MPU settings added for

• Rockman ZX/MegaMan ZX
• Rockman ZX Advent/MegaMan ZX Advent
• Rockman Zero Collection/MegaMan Zero Collection

Advanced users, right after pressing A to launch a game, you can manually set an MPU region/size. This will not work if MPU settings for the above games are already added.

• No buttons: MPU region/size are set to 0.
• B: Region 1.
• X: Region 2.
• Y: Region 3.
  
  
• Left: Size is 1.
  
  
• Right: Size is 3145728 (3MB).

Also the Sonic Rush E3 Demo now boots and plays!

 

[TheArcadeStriker]

Advance Wars Days of Ruin stays in a white screen.

 

[vander263]

^A Guy said that you need to wait 11 minutes to it to boot

 

[TimX24968B]

If the ARM7 patch doesn't work then all you can do is wait.

Will things like mpu settings, donor roms/arm7 stuff become simpler to use in the future? I have no idea how any of that works and i have an early rom that whitescreens and one that crashes after selecting new game on the main menu. (It says the DS cart has been removed). someone please explain that last part to me, i have no idea what it means.

 

[TheArcadeStriker]

Will things like mpu settings, donor roms/arm7 stuff become simpler to use in the future? I have no idea how any of that works and i have an early rom that whitescreens and one that crashes after selecting new game on the main menu. (It says the DS cart has been removed). someone please explain that last part to me, i have no idea what it means.

Press select in the donor rom you want to use (eg MKDS), and select the Donor ROM option, and them load the game you want to play.

 

[TimX24968B]

Press select in the donor rom you want to use (eg MKDS), and select the Donor ROM option, and them load the game you want to play.

Where is that option? I do not see it under settings, and my twloader is up to date

 

[WarioTails358]

Guilty Gear Dust Strikers now loads but is very laggy.

 

[TheArcadeStriker]

Where is that option? I do not see it under settings, and my twloader is up to date

First check if your TWLoader is 3.1. You press SELECT button in the rom you want to use as Donor ROM, and then a menu should appear. Something that says "Set a Donor ROM" should be there, you select it (just push the A button in it, it doesn't do a sound or show anything), and then load the rom you wish to play.

 

[TimX24968B]

First check if your TWLoader is 3.1. You press SELECT button in the rom you want to use as Donor ROM, and then a menu should appear. Something that says "Set a Donor ROM" should be there, you select it (just push the A button in it, it doesn't do a sound or show anything), and then load the rom you wish to play.

Ok, thanks. What is the whole deal with all the mpu stuff? Do I need to worry about that with these roms?

 

[TheArcadeStriker]

Ok, thanks. What is the whole deal with all the mpu stuff? Do I need to worry about that with these roms?

Probably no. And for the games that do require specific settings for that (Megaman games), they are already configured.