ConsoleSource.com Blog

The DS-Xtreme development tema have just made available a firmware update for the DS-Xtreme. This new firmware update dubbed version 1.1.0 has some great new changes, added features and a redesigned UI which looks great. Please download the DS-Xtreme v1.1.0 firmware here.

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This update brings software version to 1.1.0, and hardware version to 1.0.1.

Software Change-log:

+Multiple skin selection/support (Holding B during startup forces system backup skin to be loaded)
+Entirely new skin!
+Scroll-bar widget

-New loading and top screen
-Cosmetic change to App loading transition
-Previous (1.0.x) skin is now available as “OS10″

+ “Preset” directories searching option
+ “SkinApps” Skin engine based applications support
+Sudoku, Pwng, and Calculator examples

* Instant boot MBR handling bug fixed
* Instant boot LED handling bug fixed
* Better eeprom emulation mode detection
* Fixed an issue with graphics engine display quality (line skipping)
* Dpad release events are now properly placed into event queue

Hardware Change-log:
* Resolved QKIN timing issue

- Changed default IO state on CPU bus which should help improve reliability all-around.

+ Addition
* Bug fix
- Change

The R4 DS team have just released a new firmware update for the R4 Slot-1 NDS Backup Solution. This new firmware version 1.06 boasts a number of welcome changes. The R4 v1.06 firmware update can be downloaded here.

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Update R4 v1.06 kernel 2007-1-27 Changelog

1. Hiding the display of those files and directories with “Hiding” attributes
2. Using L button as same as touching the screen to adjust the brightness
3. Narrowing the display for transitional Chinese characters
4. Background light should be turn off while closing DS in save mode
5. Soft reset included (L+R+A+B+X+Y) or touch the soft reset button with R to switch on/off this function
6. Decreasing possibility to triforce boot screen and noise caused by using soft reset
7. Improving the technique to issue of freezing menu while using soft reset
8. Add feature of large text size in eBook
9. Soft reset for multimedia will be applied on Moonshell 1.6 Official release

ConsoleSource.com will begin shipping the latest solderless PS2 Mod Chip offering from the DMS Team on February 1, 2007. We will be receiving enough stock in our initial shipment of DMS4 EZI S.E. PRO to fulfill all pre-orders and enough for regular stock as well. If you have not yet placed your order then please do so quickly while supplies last. Please note that we do not have an ETA as of yet on the DMS4 EZI S.E. Lite.

Two variations of the DMS4 EZI S.E. PRO will be available. The first is the DMS4 EZI S.E. PRO Solderless Mod Chip which is compatible with PS2 versions 5 to 11. The second package is the DMS4 EZI S.E. PRO Solderless Mod Chip w/ PSTwo Case which is compatible with PS2 versions 5 to 15.

The M3 DS Simply and the R4 Slot-1 All-In-One NDS Lite Backup Solution are now back in stock. All pre-orders will ship today and tomorrow and there will be plenty of each the DS Simply and the R4 for regular stock once all pre-orders have been fulfilled. Place your orders today for the M3 DS Simply and the R4 NDS Backup Unit at ConsoleSource.com.

Today Team Xecuter revealed the design for their new PlayStation3 venture known as the PS3 Hyperdrive. Keeping in line with Team Xecuter quality the PS3 Hyperdrive design is stunning not to mention infinitely practical. The Hyperdrive will allow you to use any hard disk drive with your PS3 and connect the same hard drive to a PC via USB. We don’t have an ETA as of yet but we can hardly wait to get our hands on the goods.

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PS3 Hyperdrive design is finished. This is a product that will enable you to connect any size HDD both whether its sata or ide*(still being added not tested completely yet) using a plug and play system so you can maximise your storage space and minimize your hard drive costs. You can also connect the Hyperdrive to your PC via USB for doing whatever you wanna do with the data without any fuss. Its a very simple plug and play system. Here are the features and a preview pics are attached.

Features:

1. Supports 2.5″ and 3.5″ SATA HDD (Also working on built in IDE support)
2. Switch for SATA HDD (2.5″/3.5″) w/ LED
3. Switch for select output interface for PC (SATA or USB) w/ LED
4. Special SATA female(Hyperdrive) to Male(PS3) connecter with custom plug-lock design, easy install and just plug and lock.
5. Release lock button for disconnecting Hyperdrive with PS3
6. Molex power source input.
7. Easy to install HDD inside the HyperDrive.
8. Built-in cooling fan.

Source: Team Xecuter

If you loved the M3 DS Simply then show the NDS R4 some love. The R4 cartridge is physically identical to the M3 DS Simply in fact they are produced by the same factory. Initial quantities are limited so if you want in on the R4 revolution then place your order today.

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The R4DS Cartridge is a DS SLOT-1 flash cart. This amazing little device matches the original DS cart size. It is a complete solution with no need to purchase any additional components or deal with any messy software and truly a easy media enhancer for DS and DS Lite.

• Original DS cart sized device
• Drag and drop files, NO software required
• Play in SLOT-1 without Passcard or Flashme
• Supports TF(MicroSD) capacity up to 4GB(32Gbit)
• Supports DS sleep mode
• Supports FAT16/32 File System
• Supports Screen touch sensitive
• Compatible clean Rom, homebrew and moonshell
• Compatible all version of DS
• Intuitively upgradeable custom operating system.

Source: http://www.r4ds.com/index-en.htm

The QKIN issue affected some of the DS-Xtreme units shipped in the 4th batch. Details regarding the issue can also be found at http://news.ds-x.com.

To Find out if you have the Qkin Issue:

Determining if your DS-Xtreme is affected by the "QKIN" issue is a bit complex since it exhibits various symptoms. The safest way to find the "QKIN" bug will require you to do the following steps:

1. Remove any Card Reader or USB Mass Storage Device from your computer. Also only connect your DS-Xtreme to the back of your PC (not through a hub or front USB ports on the PC)
2. Format your DS-Xtreme to FAT (also known as FAT16) using Windows Format or Swissknife.
3. Download the Update Tool (Win32) and follow the instructions from this thread to Update your unit to 1.0.2.
4. Unplug & Replug the DS-Xtreme. Run the Update Tool and click the "Find Device" Button. After you done so, verify if it says "Firmware 1.0.2" under "Current Firmware".
5. Get DSOrganize 2.3 Grey and copy it’s ".nds" file from the archive to the root of your DS-Xtreme.
6. Unplug your DS-Xtreme from the Computer and launch DSOrganize.

After you’ve done these 6 Steps, you will need to verify the following statements:

• (S1) SSOrganize was unable to launch and I had 2 White Screens when attempting to launch it.
• (S2) When I plug my DS-Xtreme into my PC the filename of DSOrganize has changed or I see new "weird" files on the DS-Xtreme.
• (S3) When I change the LED values in the Settings and restart the DS-Xtreme (power cycle) the values are not saved.

If you can answer "Yes, that’s exactly what I experience" to S1, S2 and S3, you should retry at least once the 6 Steps mentioned above. If you still can reply to S1, S2 and S3 "Yes" after doing the 6 Steps twice, you most likely have a unit that is affected by the "QKIN" bug.

If you encounter any variation of issues then mentioned here you should head to the Support Tracker and have your issue looked into by DS-X Staff

If you have it, Now we must fix the issue:

We are happy to report that we now have a full stable fix for the qkin problem. This is an FPGA logic update which fixes a known hardware issue affecting many users. We are releasing this fix as a public beta. We will move towards a final release if no serious issues are found.

As this is a hardware logic update, it will take slightly longer to apply then a normal firmware update, and the progress bar will proceed more then once. It is important that you leave your usb cable connected until a message box appears telling you that the update has completed. The LEDs will turn off during the update, and will turn back on when the update is complete. After the update, the updater will still report the firmware version as 1.0.2, this is normal.

With this release, our firmware version stays at 1.0.2, and the hardware version is brought up to 1.0.1. The next release of the updater tool will be able to show the firmware and hardware versions separately.

Before applying the update, users who have been affected by the qkin problem should format their DS-Xtreme, and it is recommended to copy the 1.0.2 skin folder, available below, back onto the device.

We would like to take this time to again thank everyone for their patience with us as we developed this fix, and also to apologize for the inconveniences this bug has caused. We would also like to thank all of the users who helped us in resolving the issue, especially those users who sent us their devices for analysis, and all of the initial beta testers."

If you have any questions or issues you can contact the DS-X support team at http://support.ds-x.com and enter a support ticket into their tracker.

Download the new updater HERE

Download the 1.0.2 skin folder HERE

The M3 Team has released updated firmware for the M3 Simply DS. This new version adds skinning support for the OS menu.

You can download the new firmware here.

With all the reports circulating of breaking wrist straps and Wiimotes slipping out the sweaty grasps of many gamers and flying through TV screens and windows we decided to take action of our own. We have just added to our product lineup high quality silicon sleeves for Nintendo Wiimotes which will guarantee a sure grip on the goods should your wrist strap break. Available in a range of colors to suit your style.

Always ahead of the curve the XCM team has just revealed their new Multi-Component cable version 2 which fully supports Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2 and Nintendo Wii. Switching between sources/consoles is accomplished a sliding switch integrated into the cable. This cable is an update to the v1 Multi-Component cable which supports PlayStation 2, Xbox and Xbox 360.

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CM presents to the gaming media a first view at the upcoming XCM multi-component cable which will support Xbox 360, Wii, PS3 and PS2 formats. At the flick of a switch gamers can toggle between their console displays, a great set-up if PS2 owners can’t bear to completely part with the ‘old generation’ and also ideal for those with a mixture of ‘next generation’ systems. The sheer quality of this versatile cable will optimize any textures and gaming visuals, making it a must-have for all gamers.

Source: XCMLive

In addition to offering the M3 DS Simply adapter on its own ConsoleSource.com has add a 1GB and 2GB bundles. The M3 DS Simply with 2GB Micro SD Card retails for $134.95 and is available beginning January 9, 2007. For $99.95 you can order the M3 DS Simply with 1GB Micro SD Card which is full in stock and shipping.

If you already own a M3 Lite Pro MicroSD adapter or a M3 Perfect Micro SD adapter and you simply need additional MicroSD media we now offer 1GB MicroSD and 2GB MicroSD media at rock-bottom prices.

Our 4th batch of DS-Xtreme have arrived and all pre-orders will be shipping today and tomorrow.

Regular stock of M3 DS Simply has arrived all pre-orders will be shipping today and tomorrow. If you haven’t yet placed your order for this hot Slot 1 solution get going!

After being closed from Dec 23, 2006 until Jan 1, 2007 our shipping operations resumed today. All orders placed after 10am EST December 22, 2006 will begin shipping today.