M3i Zero Firmware Upgrade and Driver Installation Guide

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M3i Zero Firmware Upgrade and Driver Installation Guide

November 10th, 2010 Pauline Leave a comment Go to comments

Important:

Please note that not every M3i Zero needs firmware fix!

Please follow the M3i Zero Driver Setup Guide to setup the card first.

If you get the error message like this :

An error has occured. Press and hold the POWER Button to turn the system off. Please refer to the Nintendo DSi Operations Manual for details.

Please check the firmware version of your DSi or 3DS according to these two steps:

Click SETTING (with the Tool Icon) on the main menu
Check the right hand corner of the top screen which says VER 1.x

Then choose the correspondent firmware fix guide below to upgrade your M3i Zero to be compatible with your DS console.

DS Compatibility

The following consoles are supported: DS, DS Lite, DSi, DSi XL & 3DS.

For DSi & DSi XL, the supported firmware versions are: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.4.1 & 1.4.2.

For 3DS, the supported firmware versions are: 1.0.0 & 2.0.0 – 2.

Preparation (Checklist Before Installation)

Hardware

1 x DS Lite / DSi/DSi XL/ 3DS
1 x M3i Zero Card (Slot-1)
1 x USB Micro SD memory card reader
1 x USB firmware writer
1 x Micro SD/SDHC Memory Card

Software (Please Click the Driver / Firmware Name for the Latest Download)

Firmware Fix for DSi V 1.4.3	M3i_Zero_G003_Update_SH2
Firmware Fix for 3DS V2.0.0 – 2 & DSi V 1.4.2 / V1.4.3C	F_CORE_V1.8.2
Firmware Fix For 3DS firmware	M3i_Zero_G003_Update F_CORE_v1.7.2
Firmware Fix For DSi Firmware 1.4.1	M3i Zero Core data file V1.6.1
Driver / Kernel	System V4.9a X System V4.9 X System V4.8f X
Official Website	www.m3adapter.com/

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Installation

Please upgrade the M3i Zero firmware first before installing the driver if you want to use the M3i Zero on the DSi with the latest compatible firmware.

Format a microSD /SDHC Memory Card
Firmware Fix
M3i Zero Driver Setup Guide

Format a Micro SD/SDHC Card

Using Windows XP/Vista/7 Format Tool
Using Panasonic Memory Card Format Program
Using Mac Memory Card Format Tool

Using Windows XP/Vista/7 Format Tool

After inserting the microSD into the card reader, go to My Computer.
b) Right click the driver representing the microSD memory card.
c) Choose Format

d) Click Start to format the memory card in FAT32

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Using Panasonic Memory Card Format Software

Note:
If your memory cards have capacity bigger than 32GB, please download the SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Cards Format Software.
If your memory cards have capacity equal or smaller than 32GB, please download the SD/SDHC Memory Cards Format Software.

Detailed guide is available from the SD Association here. [http://www.sdcard.org/consumers/formatter/]

Insert SD/SDHC Memory Card into reader/writer.
Click on [Start], point to [All Programs] -> [Panasonic] -> [SD Formatter VX.X], and click on [SD Formatter VX.X].
1. “X.X” means the version number of SD Memory Card Formatting Software.
2. If “User Account Control” window is displayed on the screen, please click on [Arrow].
The main window is displayed on the screen.
Select the target drive by drive list and check SD/SDHC Memory Card size.
Click on [Format].
After clicking on it, confirmation window is displayed on the screen. Here, if [OK] is clicked, this software executes the format operation. On the contrary, if [Cancel] is clicked, this software cancels the format operation and returns to the main window.
The following status window is displayed on the screen during the format operation.
Note: [Cancel] on this window is available only if either “FULL (Erase ON)” or “FULL (Erase OFF)” is selected as format type option. If “QUICK” is selected as format type option, this button is not available.
After the format operation completion, click [OK] and remove the Memory Card from your PC.
Reinsert the memory card to the PC to start using the memory card.

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Using Mac Memory Card Format Tool

Plug your memory card reader into a USB port on your Mac. Insert the microSD / microSDHC card into the memory card reader's microSD / microSDHC slot, and the microSD / microSDHC card will mount on your Mac desktop.
In an open Finder window, single-click "Applications" in the Side-Bar and scroll down to find the Utilities folder. Find Disk Utility in the Utilities folder and double-click the "Disk Utility" application to launch it.
In the opened Disk Utility application, single-click to select the microSD / microSDHC card in the left-hand Drives column. Then, single-click to select the "Erase" button in the top row of radio buttons. Select the format MS-DOS (FAT) to format the microSD / microSDHC card on the "Volume Format" pop-up button. When you have finished selecting the formatting options, click "Erase."
A new dialogue box will pop up in "Disk Utility," asking if you are sure you wish to erase the microSD / microSDHC card. Caution: Erasing the microSD / microSDHC card will permanently erase any files. Make sure you have backed up any file you wish to keep. To continue with the formatting process, click "Erase."
Once the microSD / microSDHC card has been erased, it will mount on your Mac desktop just as any other removable drive.

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M3i Zero Firmware Fix for DSi V 1.4.3 & 3DS V 2.1.0 – 4 Via Console

Note:

Risk-free: flash card will not be damaged even the upgrading process is not successfully.
Sufficient power of the console: please make sure that the power of the console is sufficient and prevent moving the console during the updated process.
The following update is carried on a DS Lite.

1. Unzip the firmware (M3i_Zero_G003_Update_SH2 ) and driver ( System V4.9a X) downloaded (using Winrar) on your PC

a. Winrar can be downloaded from www.download.com by searching for Winrar at the Search.

b. Unzip the files mentioned under the Software Preparation above, you will have one folder and one file as follows.

- M3GUpdaterPlus_143.nds

- SYSTEM

2. Copy these two unzipped filesto the root of micro SD/SDHC memory card.

3. Plug the Micro SD/SDHC into the M3i Zero. Insert the M3i Zero with the micro SD/SDHC into the slot 1 of the DS Lite. Turn on the DS Lite.

4. Firstly, you will see the WARNING – HEALTH AND SAFETY message. Touch the touch screen or press button A to continue.

If the icon comes with the following icon, good for you. YourM3i Zero has been flashed to 1.4.3.
If the icon comes with the name ALEX RIDER STORMBREAKER THQ which means your m3izero card supports up to DSi (XL) v1.4.1 or Disney/Pixar Finding Nemo Escape to the Big Blue THQ which means your m3izreo card supports up to DSi (XL) v1.4.2 , please touch the touch screen or press button A to continue and follow Step 6 to go on the upgrade.

5. Please select the language you want.

6. Wait for the M3i Zero to load.

7. Please choose the My Card in the following menu.

8. Click the file “M3GUpdaterPlus_143.nds”

9. Click the picture SLOT – 1.

10. Please wait for M3izero card to load.

11. Please press the Start button for twice.

For the following steps, please just leave the console alone on a flat area.

12. Firstly, the data will be erased.

13. Then the machine will write the data.

14. Thirdly, the console will verify the data.

15. Fourthly, you will get the screen as follows.

16. When the get the screen like this, it means you have successfully upgraded the M3izero card to be compatible with Nintendo 3DS. Please restart the DS Lite.

17. When you restart the DS Lite, the icon will become the following one. Congratulations, the card has been successfully upgraded to 1.4.3.

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M3i Zero Firmware Fix for 3DS V2.0.0 – 2 & DSi V 1.4.2 / V1.4.3C Via Firmware USB

Note:

All machines are upgradeable: even your machine has already been in firmware 1.4.2. And no need to find another bootable machine to perform the upgrading process.
Risk-free: flash card will not be damaged even the upgrading process is not successfully.

Unzip the firmware ( F_CORE_V1.8.2 ) and driver ( System V4.9a X) downloaded (using Winrar) on your PC
1. Winrar can be downloaded from www.download.com by searching for Winrar at the Search.
2. Unzip the files mentioned under the Software Preparation above, you will have one folder and one file as follows.
  
  F_CORE_V1.8.2 System V4.9a X
  
  F_CORE.DAT SYSTEM
Select all the unzipped files and copy them to the root of microSD memory card
Insert Micro SD/SDHC card into the M3i
Put the upgrade cable into the M3i. The shinny metal contact of the cable, i.e. the side with the ARROW on it, should face the BACK of the M3i.
Plug the USB port into your PC, or anything that has a port that will give it power
The M3i should blink for about 15~20 seconds. After it stops blinking, your M3i is flashed.

Note:

LED blinks – in progress
LED lights off – no power or complete
LED lights on – error (no "f_core.dat" or wrong file etc.)
Upgrade In Progress
If the LED light turns RED (without flashing), it means the update is unsuccessful. Please repeat the whole process from step 1 after you checked the following: Possible Reasons For Upgrade Failure
- Put the upgrade file into sub directory, not the root directory, and the firmware writer can not detect the upgrade file.
- USB port can not provide a stable power, please change a stable USB port.
- There are too many disk defragments in the MicroSD memory card, which needs to be formatted before upgrade. For memory card formatting, please refer to the guide under Format a MicroSD/SDHC card above.

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M3i Zero Firmware Fix For 3DS v1.0.0 Using Firmware USB

Note:

All machines are upgradeable. And no need to find another bootable machine to perform the upgrading process.
Risk-free: flash card will not be damaged even the upgrading process is not successfully.

Unzip the firmware (F_CORE_v1.7.2) and the driver System V4.9 X )downloaded (using Winrar) on your PC
1. Winrar can be downloaded from www.download.com by searching for Winrar at the Search.
2. Unzip the files mentioned under the Software Preparation above, you will have one folder and one file as follows.
Select all the unzipped files and copy them to the root of microSD memory card
Insert Micro SD/SDHC card into the M3i
Put the upgrade cable into the M3i. The shinny metal contact of the cable, i.e. the side with the ARROW on it, should face the BACK of the M3i.
Plug the USB port into your PC, or anything that has a port that will give it power
The M3i should blink for about 15~20 seconds. After it stops blinking, your M3i is flashed.

Note:

LED blinks – in progress
LED lights off – no power or complete
LED lights on – error (no "f_core.dat" or wrong file etc.)
Upgrade In Progress
If the LED light turns RED (without flashing), it means the update is unsuccessful. Please repeat the whole process from step 1 after you checked the following:
Possible Reasons For Upgrade Failure
- Put the upgrade file into sub directory, not the root directory, and the firmware writer can not detect the upgrade file.
- USB port can not provide a stable power, please change a stable USB port.
- There are too many disk defragments in the MicroSD memory card, which needs to be formatted before upgrade. For memory card formatting, please refer to the guide under Format a MicroSD/SDHC card above.

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M3i Zero Firmware Fix For 3DS V1.0.0

Important: if you want to update you M3izero on your 3DS, you will need to use a DS Lite console or a DSi consoleto update your M3izero. Please take note, the firmware is different from the driver.

Unzip the files downloaded (using Winrar) on your PC
1. Winrar can be downloaded from www.download.com by searching for Winrar at the Search.
2. Unzip the driver (System V4.9 X ) and firmware ( M3i_Zero_G003_Update),you will have ：

System V4.9 X	M3i_Zero_G003_Update
SYSTEM	M3GUpdaterPlus_142.nds

Select the folder (SYSTEM) and file (M3GUpdaterPlus_142.nds),then copy them to the microSD memory card
Plug in the Micro SD/SDHC to the M3i Zero. Insert the M3i Zero with the microSD into the slot 1 of the DS console. Turn on the DS console.
Firstly,you will see the WARNING – HEALTH AND SAFETY message. Touch the touch screen or press button A to continue.
Then the icon with the name ALEX RIDER STORMBREAKER THQ will displayed . Touch the icon or press button A to continue.
Please select the language you want.
$E:\Laura\guides\Flashcards setup guides\edited flashcarts\M3i Zero\firmware upgrade without using firmware USB\IMG_3203.JPG$
Wait for the M3i Zero to load.
Please choose the My Card in the following menu.

$E:\Laura\guides\Flashcards setup guides\edited flashcarts\M3i Zero\firmware upgrade without using firmware USB\IMG_3211.JPG$
Click the file “M3GUpdaterPlus_142.nds”
$E:\Laura\guides\Flashcards setup guides\edited flashcarts\M3i Zero\firmware upgrade without using firmware USB\IMG_3213.JPG$
Click the picture SLOT – 1.
$E:\Laura\guides\Flashcards setup guides\edited flashcarts\M3i Zero\firmware upgrade without using firmware USB\IMG_3214.JPG$
Please wait for M3izero card to load.
$E:\Laura\guides\Flashcards setup guides\edited flashcarts\M3i Zero\firmware upgrade without using firmware USB\IMG_3231.JPG$
Please press the Start button for twice.
$E:\Laura\guides\Flashcards setup guides\edited flashcarts\M3i Zero\firmware upgrade without using firmware USB\IMG_3262.JPG$

$E:\Laura\guides\Flashcards setup guides\edited flashcarts\M3i Zero\firmware upgrade without using firmware USB\IMG_3236.JPG$

For the following steps, please just leave the console alone in a flat area.
Firstly, the data will be erased.
$E:\Laura\guides\Flashcards setup guides\edited flashcarts\M3i Zero\firmware upgrade without using firmware USB\IMG_3266.JPG$
Then the machine will write the data.
$E:\Laura\guides\Flashcards setup guides\edited flashcarts\M3i Zero\firmware upgrade without using firmware USB\IMG_3269.JPG$
Thirdly, the console will verify the data.
$E:\Laura\guides\Flashcards setup guides\edited flashcarts\M3i Zero\firmware upgrade without using firmware USB\IMG_3274.JPG$
Fourthly, you will get the screen as follows.
$E:\Laura\guides\Flashcards setup guides\edited flashcarts\M3i Zero\firmware upgrade without using firmware USB\IMG_3276.JPG$
If the screen displays such information that means you have successfully upgraded the M3izero card to be compatible with Nintendo 3DS. Please restart the game.
$E:\Laura\guides\Flashcards setup guides\edited flashcarts\M3i Zero\firmware upgrade without using firmware USB\IMG_3274.JPG$
When you restart the M3izero, the icon will became this one with the name Disney/Pixar Finding Nemo Escape to the Big Blue THQ.

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M3i Zero Firmware Fix For DSi Firmware 1.4.1 Using Firmware USB

Note:

All machines are upgradeable: even your machine has already been in firmware 1.4.1. And no need to find another bootable machine to perform the upgrading process.
Risk-free: flash card will not be damaged even the upgrading process is not successfully.

1. Unzip the firmware ( F_CORE_V1.6.1 ) and driver ( System V4.9a X) downloaded (using Winrar) on your PC
  1. Winrar can be downloaded from www.download.com by searching for Winrar at the Search.
  2. Unzip the files mentioned under the Software Preparation above, you will have one folder and one file as follows.
    
    F_CORE_V1.6.1 System V4.9a X
    
    F_CORE.DAT SYSTEM
Select all the unzipped files and copy them to the root of microSD memory card
Insert Micro SD/SDHC card into the M3i
Put the upgrade cable into the M3i. The shinny metal contact of the cable, i.e. the side with the ARROW on it, should face the BACK of the M3i.
Plug the USB port into your PC, or anything that has a port that will give it power
The M3i should blink for about 15~20 seconds. After it stops blinking, your M3i is flashed.

Note:

LED blinks – in progress
LED lights off – no power or complete
LED lights on – error (no "f_core.dat" or wrong file etc.)
Upgrade In Progress
If the LED light turns RED (without flashing), it means the update is unsuccessful. Please repeat the whole process from step 1 after you checked the following: Possible Reasons For Upgrade Failure
- Put the upgrade file into sub directory, not the root directory, and the firmware writer can not detect the upgrade file.
- USB port can not provide a stable power, please change a stable USB port.
- There are too many disk defragments in the MicroSD memory card, which needs to be formatted before upgrade. For memory card formatting, please refer to the guide under Format a MicroSD/SDHC card above.

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M3i Zero Driver Setup Guide

Unzip the file (System V4.9a X)downloaded (using Winrar) on your PC
1. Winrar can be downloaded from www.download.com by searching for Winrar at the Search.
2. Unzip the files mentioned under the Software Preparation above, you will have ：
Select all the unzipped files and copy them to the microSD memory card
Copy your own files, including music, movies, pictures and other data to the Micro SD/SDHC memory card.
Plug in the Micro SD/SDHC to the M3i Zero. Insert the M3i Zero with the microSD into the slot 1 of the DS console. Turn on the DS console.
For DS & DS Lite, you will see the WARNING – HEALTH AND SAFETY message. Touch the touch screen or press button A to continue.
For DSi or DSi XL, you will see the following icon with the name ALEX RIDER STORMBREAKER THQ. Touch the icon or press button A to continue.
Wait for the M3i Zero to load.
Congratulation if you have come this far as you have successfully set up your M3i Zero. There you go. Enjoy your DS with the multimedia functions.