Power Writer
From PHWiki
F2APowerWriter is the official software for flashing Flash2Advance Ultra carts. The latest version is v2.61 build050505.
PowerWriter allows users of Flash2Advance Ultra carts to flash their carts, backup original games, run multiboot files on the GBA, and more.
The latest version of PowerWriter comes with the latest CIZ multi-rom menu (v2.70) built-in, so no external file is required to store more than one rom on the cart at once. However, the user can also configure the client to use a specific menu instead of the built-in one, so for instance one can use an older version of CIZ or use the "GBA Loader 3.3" which also works on the Flash2Advance Ultra. Downloads for all of these loaders can be found in the External Links section.
If the user attempts to add additional roms to a cart that's already full, PowerWriter will delete as many roms as it needs to off the end of the compilation in order to fit the additional roms. However, this sometimes corrupts the roms, making it easier to simply reflash the entire cart in the first place.
One can erase the contents of the cart from PowerWriter, although it is also possible to erase the cart by pressing Select+A while the GBA is linked to the PC via PowerWriter. This also brings up some testing options for cart diagnostics.
PowerWriter also has the ability to import and export lists of roms on the user's hard drive so that he doesn't have to manually re-add every rom each time he wishes to reflash the cartridge. However, if a rom in a list is moved to a different location, the entire list could possibly become corrupt.
An additional function specific to F2AU carts is DieHard. This uses the two physical buttons on the cart as a sort of "savestate" system, in which progress can be saved for one game using one button combination, while a different button combination returns the player to that exact spot. Not all games work with it however, and almost no homebrew is compatible. Most of the time, PowerWriter will simply refuse to patch a game it senses will not work. However, if the user gets a compatible game working with DieHard, he can use PowerWriter to backup the DieHard data to the PC and restore it to the cart as well.
External Links
- Unofficial Support Page and Forum - contains downloads for drivers, software, GBA loaders, and manuals. Forum currently closed due to lack of space and funding.
- dark420bishop's Unofficial FAQ - concerns both the hardware and software of F2AU carts
