This is a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions Knowledge base from our customers compiled by our support team for your reference. The answers here should cover most issues experienced by you but if you have any additional questions you are most welcome to contact us.
Clicking on any of the question links below will scroll you down the page to the relevant section with the answer.
General Questions
Further information regarding our Shipping and Returns policies are available in more detail at our dedicated Shipping & Returns Page.
Sony PSP, Pandora Battery, Magic Memory Stick, Custom Firmware etc.
Nintendo DS, R4, DSTT, Acekard etc.
Answers
How long does it take for delivery?
If your mailing address is within the UK, delivery typically takes 2-3 working days from the postage date. These figures are for our Standard shipping method, 1st Class or Airmail. When checking out, there are shipping time estimations next to your available shipping options. If you are an international customer delivery may take up to 2 weeks.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we ship to most destinations worldwide.
How much does shipping cost?
Do you ship internationally?
We offer an attractive flat rate for Standard worldwide shipping by 1st Class or Airmail on all our items irregardless of how many items or how heavy your order is. Flat rate shipping is charged at £1.99. Faster shipping methods are available at varying rates depending on the weight of your order.
How do I arrange for a return?
Arranging for a return with us is a simple and stress free process. Rest assured we will process and help you return your product as quickly as possible. To do so, simply contact us by email with your 4-digit order number. We will provide further instructions within 24 hours regarding your request. If have returned a product to us to be replaced, we typically arrange for replacements within 2-3 working days of receipt of your order. However, in circumstances where your item is not available in stock, we may wait for a replacement to arrive for you from our suppliers or offer you a refund instead.
What is your Price Match Promise?
We offer a price match promise on all the products at our store. That means that if you have seen the exact same item elsewhere at a cheaper price, we will match or beat the price for you. Simply contact us with a copy of the link of where you have seen that product and request for a price match on your order. Our support team will review the link you have provided us with and match or beat the price. Price match requests will be approved at the sole discretion of the staff at BargainPile.Net and are dependant on other factors at the time of the request.
How do I know if my PSP is compatible with the PSP Pandora Battery & Magic Memory Stick v8?
Please visit out Pandora Battery Compatibility Guide at the following link:
How do I downgrade my PSP?
Step 1: Insert the supplied Magic Memory Stick into the Memory Card Slot on the bottom left of your PSP. If you have ordered a High Capacity Duo Packs, ONLY the 1GB memory stick is the Magic Memory stick.
Step 2: Hold down the L-trigger shoulder button on your PSP while inserting the Pandora Battery securely into the battery bay on the back of your PSP. Take extra care to ensure that the connecting pins on the battery are pushed into the PSP battery bay pins. Please ensure that the battery is securely connected throughout the installation process. If it falls out or becomes loose, the installation will be interrupted. If this happens, start the installation over.
Step 3: Your PSP will switch on automatically. Wait about 5 seconds and the memory stick status indicator LED at the bottom left of the PSP will flash. The installation menu will load after a few seconds. You can now release the L-trigger shoulder button.
Step 4: The first option in the menu will show “Install 5.00 M33” Press X at this option to Start Installing Custom Firmware.
Step 5: Leave the installation to run. This takes about 3-4 minutes. When it has completed, a message will appear prompting you to press X to shut down your PSP.
Step 6: After shutting down your PSP, remove the Magic Memory Stick and the Pandora Battery. Insert your regular Battery and Memory Stick before turning your PSP on. Your PSP will now be running Custom Firmware.
How do I unbrick my PSP?
Follow the exact same steps as outlined above for Installing Custom Firmware. For certain unbricking procedures, nothing will display on the screen even though the LED flickers. You will have to carry out the installation blind. At each step, wait until the LEDs at the bottom left stop flashing before proceeding to the next step.
I have followed the instructions above but no installation menu loads. Also the LED at the bottom left of the PSP does not flash. What is wrong?
This indicates that the Magic memory stick is not booting correctly. Check that the PSP is able to detect the memory stick properly. Usually this can be done by removing and reinserting the memory stick. If it still does not work, it is likely that the software on the memory stick has become corrupted from physical damage or shock during delivery. To solve this problem, you can simply make the Magic memory stick again yourself or send it back to us for it to be checked. Making a magic memory stick is very simple. Simply email us for a complete set of instructions on how to do it yourself in less than 10 minutes. If you have tried the kit on another PSP and it works but not on yours, it would mean that your PSP is not compatible with the kit.
If this has occured on a bricked PSP, you must also consider whether or not your PSP is bricked or if it has a more serious hardware issue instead.
Why is my PSP not turning on automatically when I plug in my Pandora battery?
Check that the battery has been charged for at least 4 hours. You must ensure that it has charged properly by checking that the power LED indicator is a bright orange. Also check that the battery pins at the top right of the battery are securely connected to the pins on the battery bay of the PSP. Try pushing the bottom of the battery upwards into the PSP bay pins. We recommend that the battery is charged regularly (every few weeks) to ensure that the battery cell is able to hold charge. If it has been charged properly, it is likely that your PSP is the newer 3000 brite models. You can also try using the battery on another PSP if you have access to one.
Where do I save my CSO or ISO files on my Memory Stick?
Copy your ISO or CSO files directly into the ISO folder on your memory stick. Do not save them in any subfolders. Note that it is illegal to download/backup and make copies of games you do not legally own. Please do so at your own risk.
Where do I save my Homebrew Applications and PS1 ROMS?
PS1/PSX Games and Homebrew Applications are contained in a folder which has a file named eboot.pbp. The entire folder must be saved into the PSP/GAME folder on your Memory Stick.
Why do I get an Error Message every time I try to run my ISO/CSO files?
Assuming you have installed the custom firmware correctly, this error message is because the game you are trying to run will not run without a UMD in the Drive. You can bypass this error by Changing the “UMD ISO MODE” in the XMB MENU to M33 DRIVER. Alternatively, you can insert any Universal Media Disc (UMD) into the PSP drive and then run the ISO/CSO file.
How Do I bring up the XMB Menu?
You can bring up the XMB menu by pressing “Select” in the PSP main menu. There are a few variable settings in this menu which can be changed.
How do I get the Folders to appear in my Memory Stick?
The Folders required to save your homebrew applications and games can be created automatically by formatting your Memory Stick through the “Format Memory Stick” Function found in your PSP at; Main Menu-->Settings-->System Settings-->Format Memory Stick
How do I access the PSP Recovery Menu?
You can access it by turning on the PSP, then turning it off by holding down the power switch. Then turn it on again while holding down the R button.
Which Memory Stick must I use once Installation has been completed?
It is perfectly fine to use the Magic Memory Stick or your Normal Memory Stick. However, note that you MUST use your normal battery for regular operation.
How Many Times can I use the PSP Pandora Battery Kit?
The kit can be used as many times as needed. However, this is provided the contents and the configuration of the kit has not been modified. Also ensure that the battery is fully charged before being kept as it will be unable to hold charge if it is left in an uncharged state for too long.
How do I update my Custom Firmware?
By far the simplest way to update your Custom Firmware is by using the Network Update function available directly in your PSP menu. You must be connected to the Internet via a Wireless Access Point before you can run this application. Do not turn off your PSP during the update as this will cause a brick.
How do I revert back to Original Firmware?
If you want to revert back to Original Firmware, Simply repeat the installation process, except select the 2nd option, “Install 5.00 OFW” at Step 4.
How Do I install the required files for my Nintendo DS cart? (R4,DSTT,Acekard etc.)
Step 1: Download the required Operating System files for your R4. The website for your R4 model is written on the front of the box which your R4 came in. Please click over to the site and go to their download section. R4 operating system files are called kernels and should come in a compressed archive(.zip). Download the file in your desired language. If your cart is the R4 V2, the required files have been supplied in the CD-ROM that came in your R4 box.
Step 2: Once the file has been downloaded onto your computer, unpack the file. *You can use software such as Winzip or Winrar for this process
Step 3: Now copy the unpacked files directly onto your microSD card using the supplied microSD USB card reader. Please copy all the files onto your microSD card. There are multiple files and if you see one single folder only please click into the folder and copy the files in there directly onto your card. The files shown will vary depending on your cart model but as an example, the kernel for the R4 Version 3 has 5 files(2 Folders and 3 Files)
- 1. _system_
- 2. Moonshl
- 3. _DS_MENU.DAT
- 4. _DS_MENU
- 5. _DS_MNSHL.NDS
Once the files have been copied successfully remove your microSD card safely.
Step 4: Plug your microSD card into the back of the R4. Remember to observe the correct orientation of the microSD card as per the symbol on the bottom of the slot when you are inserting it.
Step 5: Now insert the R4 Revolution cart into your Nintendo DS/ DS lite. Ensure that it is inserted with the top (The side with the R4 Revolution label) facing the bottom of the Nintendo DS.
Now turn on your Nintendo DS and everything should be working fine!
Why does my DS screen hang/crash/jam when I turn it on with the cart plugged in?
There are many causes for this error. Listed below are the possible solutions to your problem.
- The most common cause of this error is that you have installed the incorrect operating system(kernel) onto your microSD. Please check that you have downloaded the correct files from the exact website download link that we provided you with in the manual. Kernels from other R4 models may not necessarily work and is very specific.
- This error can also be due to a connection problem between the microSD card and the cart pins. Check that your microSD card has been inserted properly into the R4 unit. You have to push it all the way into the R4 as it may not be read correctly if it isn’t. Also check that the Nintendo DS Slot-1 and the connecting pins of the R4 are not dusty. Dust can cause the connection to be intermittent causing it to jam. You can blow into the slot and at the connecting pins to remove some dust.
- Another cause is that the file system format of your microSD card is incompatible with the cart and therefore cannot be read. This issue can be rectified easily by reformating the microSD card on your PC/MAC to the correct file system. Please select the file system as FAT before formatting and remember to backup any important information before doing so as formatting will delete ALL information on the card. Once the format has been completed, reinstall the kernel operating system files and try it again.
- If you have tried all the steps above but your problem persists, please contact us so we can arrange for a return and a replacement.
How can I watch movies/play music on my Nintendo DS?
All carts we supply are capable of supporting media playback from your microSD on your Nintendo DS. Depending on which cart you have purchased, you can use different programs to do so. All R4 carts run Moonshell as the media player. You may require specific music and video formats to play from your cart. Further information regarding this can be obtained from the manufacturer websites or the product information page on our site. If you have difficulty finding this, contact us and we will find out for you.
Which carts are capable of running on the new Nintendo DSi?
We offer many carts such as the R4i, Acekard 2i and DSTTi(subject to stock availability) which all support the Nintendo DSi and SDHC cards up to 32GB. You can tell which carts support the DSi by the "i" at the back of their model names. Carts such as the R4, DSTT, Acekard, EDGE do not support the DSi.
|