Please follow these instructions to update your EZflash Vi for DSi v1.4.3.  Download the .nds fix file contained in our latest software package.  Copy the file to your micro sd card root alongside your game files.  Boot your EZFlash Vi in a non DSi v1.4.3 console, essentially anything that is not blocking the EZFlash from booting.  You should see the .nds update file on your games list, select it and follow the on screen instructions.

We have a video walking you through the process shown here.

The update displays like this after executing:

Most recent update:
June 29, 2011.
Nintendo DSi Menu Ver 1.4.3A
This update provides behind-the-scenes improvements to system performance.

There currently appears to be no noticable difference in system performance so it is widely believed the update exists for either 3DS compatibility or flash card blocking.

In the mean time, continue enjoying your DSi consoles with the 1.4.2 firmware!

-The DSCardWorld Team

There was some fear that it would once again block cards, but from all reports, it has not affected any cards that did already work with v2.0.0-2X.  This new release was just a hotfix for Ridge Racer that was experiencing repeated freezing even with the retail cartridge.

For now we cannot claim that any of our current cards have DSi v1.4.2 functionality.  The following cards will likely get updates in the coming couple of weeks as they are firmware flashable to counter such updates; the Acekard 2i, the EZFlash Vi, the M3i Zero, and the iEdge card.  Please do not update your DSi consoles until fixes are confirmed to be available.  You will likely not have a reason to update your DSi consoles in any case and you are always free to keep it at its current version.

-The DSCardWorld Team

The R4i SDHC is a new model that is compatible with v1.4.1. Currently there is no fix to make a V1.4 compatible with v1.4.1. The iEdge was the last card to get the update, but the Edge team took the time to create their own fix rather then copying the Acekard 2i fix, and released it concurrently with new menu software updates. As before the EZFlash Vi never needed an update.

As always, simply tap the game icon to gain access to the menu once the files have been loaded onto the micro sd card.  Currently our cards will show up as the following games.

“Alex Rider Stormbreaker”:

Acekard 2i
M3i Zero
R4i SDHC v1.4.1

“Shikakui Atama wo Maruku Suru DS Joushiki Nanmon no Shou”:

iEdge

“Tak and the Great Juju Challenge”:

EZFlash Vi

In August of 2009 Nintendo released a new firmware update to their DSi system that effectively blocked ALL flash cards from booting their custom firmware.  It took weeks to develop the workaround, but it’s been over a year since any update to the system has come up.  This update comes as somewhat of a shock to the community.  Hopefully users will recall what happened with the 1.3 to 1.4 update and refrain from updating their systems.  Here is the quote from the Nintendo Update Page

“September 7th, 2010

Nintendo DSi Menu Ver 1.4.1U

This update provides behind-the-scenes improvements to system performance.”

With the huge release of Pokemon Black & White, and the Nintendo 3DS Release Date announcement on the horizon community experts speculate that Nintendo is trying to clamp down control before moving forward.  There is also a Wii update that also blocks homebrew applications from running that was released simultaneously.  This is following on Sony’s new strategy for blocking custom run applications on their PS3 and PSP systems and seems to be an industry trend.

This new update was released on Sept. 7th 2010 as 1.4.1 and blocked the vast majority of cards including the Acekard 2i, M3i Zero, R4i, iEdge and the Supercard DSTWO.  It seemed like the EZFlash Vi and iPlayer safe, but Nintendo followed up the patch with 1.4.2 less than two days later which effectively blocks every card on the market.  Updates to the DSi are completely voluntary, only required for heavy online games like Phantasy Star and the DSiWare shop.  Users are encouraged NOT to update as it will render their flash cards useless.

There is no telling how soon updates and workarounds will be released until the developers have had time to investigate.  There is no known improvement to the DSi system, or function, this update merely blocks flash cards from operating.  Patience is required to allow the development teams time to analyze the problem and ensure their card’s future support, but as long as the update is ignored it’s business as usual.

As we get further details we will report them here.

Stay safe, and happy gaming,

The DSCardWorld Team

Should I buy the EZFlash Vi? ask some consumers. The EZFlash Vi card is one that has learnt from the past mistakes of regular Nintendo DS cartridges. The design and most of the architecture on the card is not only well thought out, but incorporates improvements from cards that have fallen short of its high standards in the past. For example, the original R4v2 card employed a spring mechanism which would cause mechanical problems for 2-3% of the cards owing to the spring being overused and ceasing to function. The EZFlash Vi incorporates a push-slot mechanism for this reason, and eliminates the potential problem.

The Micro-SD card slot on the EZFlash Vi is also ingeniously placed on the side of the card rather than the top of the card, which is traditional among other DS and DSi cards (except the M3i Zero, which was released after the EZFlash Vi and also used this design). This guarantees that a Micro-SD card cannot be dislodged during gameplay, as the top of the Micro-SD card would actually be inside the DS slot itself rather than resting on top. This also minimises the chances of someone accidentally losing the Micro-SD card.

The EZFlash Vi team has also ensured excellent dimensional control, where variation in size is nearly non-existant and is less than a tenth of a millimetre. This is of great important since variation in size can result in the Nintendo DS or Nintendo DSi console rejecting the card as it is difficult to slot in. This was a problem exhibited by earlier generation DSTT and N5 cards. It can also cause the connecting pins in the back of a Nintendo DS to fail to recognise the card. Thankfully, no such problem exists with the EZFlash Vi.

Firmware updates should not be a problem if bought from a reputable store, as good stores will pre-update the EZFlash Vi to the latest firmware version. If bought from a ‘lazy’ store and firmware is not upgraded, the user can do it themselves following instructions for updating the firmware to v1.4 on the official EZFlash Vi website. Great care is advised, however, as applying the firmware incorrectly can corrupt the DSi card.

The EZFlash Vi has a very old team working on software updates and compatibility issues with the card daily. Updates are released regularly (correct at the time of writing, July 2010) and the development team have been in existence since 200 and have been very responsive. The EZFlash team were also the first to have a workaround for the Nintendo DSi v1.4 update, a testament to their dedication and speed.

To summarise, the EZFlash Vi’s exceptional build quality and software make it an excellent choice for any DS or DSi user, and is also compatible with the newer DSi XL consoles as well. It would be a highly recommended card for any Nintendo enthusiast.

DS / DSi gamers can buy EZFlash Vi cards from DSCardWorld. Every card is tested prior to dispatch and customer service is on a 24 hour basis, which means that it’s impossible to receive a card that doesn’t work. With US based sales and support, this means a decision to buy EZFlash Vi cards from DSCardWorld is a pretty good one, dare we say so ourselves!