Hacking R4i Gold 3DS RTS won't read SD card

[Pokeformers10]

Some time ago, I bought an R4i Gold 3DS RTS. I used it for NTRBoothax and then flash restored the card to its original settings. I was able to play DS games after that for a while, then it suddenly just stopped working without me fiddling with it at all. Once I started it up, the card would show black, then white, then black again. The same thing happened without having an SD card inside.

Through my previous forum post, I was able to learn that my R4 card had a problem with reading the SD card. The SD card itself is fine, as my PC is still able to read it. The kernel is the right one, because I used the same kernel to play on the card for quite some time before this happened. URL on the card: r4ids.cn

Things I tried so far:

* Formatted the SD card fully, and tried different kernels, including the safer wood 1.64. Formatted SD card by just PC and via formatting software like Samsung SD Formatter.
* Used different SD cards (2GB, 4GB and 8GB), none of which gave me a different result
* Used the R4 card in a DS and another 3DS
* Physically opened the R4 and carefully cleaned the SD card part with a q tip and 70% alcohol

It seems that on the website, it's said that the card is supposed to not work after flashing NTRboot on it, but then I am confused as to how I was able to restore it back and play games again on it after using it for NTR?

If someone has any ideas or solutions to this, please let me know.

If you need further information, let me know as well.

Thanks!

 

[BaamAlex]

It seems that on the website, it's said that the card is supposed to not work after flashing NTRboot on it

Dude...you know that in this card is an internal switch to switch between ntrboot and ds mode.

 

[TurdPooCharger]

Dude...you know that in this card is an internal switch to switch between ntrboot and ds mode.

He should have kept posting in his original thread to avoid confusion.

• R4i 3DS RTS Goes Black After White Screen Loads

His is the previous model that doesn't have the switch. Since @Pokeformers10 tried basically everything except test the resistors with a multimeter, I think his best course of action to get a replace flashcart, R4i Gold 3DS Plus, or settle with TWiLight Menu++.

 

[BaamAlex]

It is an r4i gold 3ds rts. I have the same card

 

[Pokeformers10]

I thought the SD card not reading was a different issue hence I made a different forum. Sorry. But yes, I have tried everything mentioned in my previous forum. Yet I am still unable to find the cause of the issue here. So far, the seller had told me that cards that are used for NTRBoothax do not work afterwards. But I was able to install NTRboot, flash restore my card, and play games on it for a while. If it had stopped working right after flashing NTR, I would understand. But why did it just stop working without any interaction? There doesn't seem to be any dirt inside, as I have cleaned it with alcohol, and I did not tamper with the inner workings of the card prior to cleaning it...

 

[BaamAlex]

used for NTRBoothax do not work afterwards.

Ntrboothax can be removed...

 

[Pokeformers10]

Ntrboothax can be removed...

I have flash restored my card. Is that not enough to remove NTRBoothax?

 

[TurdPooCharger]

I have flash restored my card. Is that not enough to remove NTRBoothax?

• If you see the Konami Digital Entertainment banner in HOME Menu, your flashcart isn't in NTRboot mode. It's in DS mode.
  
• If you already checked your SD card with H2testw, have it formatted in FAT32 + 32 KB cluster, and placed the __rpg folder and _DS_MENU.DAT file on the root of the card, then the problem is neither the card itself nor the kernel.
  
• You were instructed to clean the SD slot with rubbing alcohol and toothbrush. A q-tip doesn't have the reach to get into the inner cavities of the card slot unlike a toothbrush's bristles.
  • It's generally not advised to use cotton swabs as the strands can snag and rip off the SMD/SMT components. That's why with a q-tip you use dabbing motions and not swiping, but for this application, a toothbrush is a better cleaning tool.
    
  • But I digress. Let's assume dirt and dust contamination isn't the cause of the card reading failure for the sake of continued discussion.

As was mentioned before, your next recourse in salvaging the flashcart is to test those resistors with a multimeter. I don't know how else to put this, but your flashcart's fault lies in its hardware. If you cannot determine if any of those resistors are bad or are not able to fix it with a replacement SMD resistor & soldering, the best advise anyone can tell you is to either get a new flashcart or go with TWiLight Menu++.