This morning I was reading a popular UK discussion forum. On it, I came across a query with regard to opening RAR files. However, there were a few lines that lept out at me…

I have purchased a R4 card for use in my daughters DS.
I installed the software on it successfully and managed to transfer some .nds files from a friends micro card. These games play fine.
I also managed to download one game successfully but ever since then I have tried 3 different DS game sites and…

And then it goes into the RAR file problem.

So, basically, they are downloading illegal game copies to put onto an R4 card. For the uninitated, this is a hardware device that allows SD cards to be placed into a Nintendo DS. The R4 card is fine by itself, but it’s how it’s used that is the issue. It’s normally used for “home brew” hacking – placing emulators and own software onto the device – or for holding mass collections of pirated games. I know, I work with people who do this regularly.

I’m sure there are legitimate games that can be downloaded and placed on an R4 card, which is why I decided not to report this post to the forum adminisators. Instead I simply replied…

Please tell me these aren’t illegal game copies.

Without wanting to sound preachy, I’m tired of having to pay extra for my games simply because I don’t feel the need to steal them.

I get my point over, and the poster gets a chance to state that these were legal games. Great.

Except, my post is pulled. The adminstator said..

Your comments seem a little harsh, the OP asked a question about RAR file formats – it did not involve any request for help to download something illegally.

Obviously, I’ve replied back, pointing out much of the above, but I’m guessing nothing will come of it. Why are we so accepting of this? As I said in my response, why should I be paying, probably inflated prices, due to piracy? Why is that acceptable and, say, shop lifting isn’t? We really seem to have our priorities wrong.

I recently upgraded my Netbooks memory from 1GB to an astonishing¹ 1.5GB (which is the maximum). This is not only a fiddly job as the memory slot is on the underside of the motherboard (and there’s no way of accessing it from underneath) but it will invalidate your warranty. So proceed with caution!

Having said all that, it wasn’t as difficult as I though. Register Hardware have an excellent article on how to do it.

The only deviation I found was that my AA1 has an HHD, rather than an SSD. In this case, ignore the instruction to remove the SSD connector. The HHD appears to be connected to the motherboard, so you will also need to remove the daughterboard on the right-hand side of the case first. This is just a further 3 screws (but they’re more of those that are in very tightly, so remove them carefully).

The memory itself was a single 1GB module that I bought online for approx. £12. The other 512MB is actually built onto the motherboard itself and can’t be changed.

1. obviously, there is a little sarcasm here [↩]