R4 SDHC not getting past "Loading..." screen

I just got my R4 SDHC 2gb today. I spent over two hours trying different firmwares, both for real and fake R4s, and nothing has happened. I've read many threads over the internet, and I've tried what was suggested, but none of it worked.

So yeah, does anyone have any ideas on what might fix this?

 

There are loads of threads on this site alone - trying to get the R4 to work. A summary of what has been found is shown below.

The biggest issue with the R4 is the number of different cards all needing different firmware's (38!).

The general rules to eliminate most issues are,

1) Format your micro SD with Panasonics SD formatter (free use Google to find) and use it each time you change the firmware.

2) Download your firmware and extract it straight on to the SD (not onto the PC then transfer)

3) Try the available firmware's - http://www.linfoxdomain.com/nintendo/ds/ hosts them all, start with the likely candidates and work your way through

4) Ensure the SD is seated correctly in the R4 before putting into the DS

5) At this stage do not add any roms - get it past the loading screen first.

6) Unless it specifically says - the unit can take up to 2GB micro SD's, if it says SDHC then it can take up to 16GB (currently the highest available)

7) Ensure the clock is correctly set on the DS - this upsets some R4's

8) Try formatting the SD to Fat 16 not Fat32

 

Thanks, it's past the loading screen now.

Except now, it's freezing when I hit "Game Directory".

 

Only two things left

1) still the wrong firmware - several are similar and can part boot the card.

2) put a piece of thin card or paper to push the contacts of the R4 and DS together - they fail if they have power issues.

If all else fails try going to www.gbatemp.net and go to forums / R4 and look at YSMenu - it should work on all R4's