How to flash the M3i Zero

While the R4 for the DS Lite was the most common, undoubtedly the most respected was the lineup from the M3 development team. When the DSi rolled around it took them a little longer to come out with an update to their high quality M3 DS Real. The extra development time shows in the quality of the M3i Zero package and the breadth of its features. The one feature that managed to get so much attention was the ability to flash the firmware of the M3i Zero independent of a DS console via use of an usb cable.

The ability to flash the firmware of a card becomes increasingly important in lieu of Nintendo's custom card blocking measures. If Nintendo releases an update for the DSi and it is applied before the appropriate countermeasure from the M3i is released, then the user will be unable to access the card to flash it without use of a secondary console. Learning how to take advantage of the unique flexibility of the M3i's firmware will help future-proof such a valuable card.

The M3i Zero comes with everything to get started, the usb flashing cable, and the usb micro sd adapter, except a micro sd card, which will be required to hold the menu software. The M3i Vendor will have those available if one Is needed. The final piece is to get the necessary files.

Step 1.

Go to the manufacture's website found on the M3i Zero packaging, or from the vendor's download page. Then download the firmware kernel F_Core.DAT and the menu software M3 Sakura folder. If they are in a .zip or .rar format they will have to be unpacked first.

Step 2.

Format the micro sd card in FAT32 or MS-DOS, preferably using Panasonic Formatter. Copy all of the files into the root of the micro sd.

Step 3.

Insert the micro sd card into the M3i Zero, be aware that it will have be seated quite deep in the micro sd card slot.

Step 4.

Along the right side of the M3i card (when looking at the label) there is a tiny slot. Insert the USB flashing cable with the double gold line contacts facing the back of the card.

Step 5.

Plug the USB end into the computer, or a USB power plug as the M3i only needs a flow of power to flash its firmware.

Step 6.

A red light on the back of the card will start flashing. Wait until it is done (about 20-30 seconds) and your M3i will be flashed with the latest firmware. If there is no light flashing, or the red light is solid. Remove the micro sd card and the usb cable from the M3i and reinsert them. The M3i Zero will not be harmed by improper flashing, simply try again until it works.

Repeat the process if required. All M3i Zero cards from quality vendors like http://www.dscardworld.com come preflashed for the current DSi version 1.4u.

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