Is your router using WPA encryption for its security? The DS only supports WEP encryption, so if you want it to work you have to change the security setting on your router.

The instructions is dependant on your router, so you gotta check your manual for that. As for the tightness in SLOT-1, I think it's normal so the card doesn't slide out so easily after ejecting it.

Zorocaster is right, as some flashcarts are not evenly flat as some of the chips are slightly above level with the plastic casing. Or maybe lennon_81000 left his DS in a cold place, which caused the metal SLOT-1 casing to shrink

You'd probably be getting biased reviews if you're asking here in the first place. This is a Nintendo forum anyway. I'll try to offer what I can from a non-biased standpoint.

First of all, how old is your son? If he's still well below the age of puberty, the DS might probably suit him better. Most DS games appeal to a wide range of gamers, especially the younger ones where as the PSP's audience is directed at mature and older people. It depends on him on what games that he's aiming for too, and coincidentally the DS has a bigger library of games compared to the PSP.

The DS offers novelty in most games due to its touchscreen, mic and various accessories that can be attached to it. Some gamers might not value such features, preferring traditional factors such as impressive graphics and processing power. In terms of those, the PSP definitely excels. The visual and aural quality far exceeds the DS with its wide high resolution screen and better speakers and built-in media player, but the DS can go places where games have not ventured much with its unusual capabilities.

In terms of price, the DS is cheaper than a PSP. The former ranges about a rough RM500 to RM600 for a new box Lite set where as the latter can easily exceed RM600 for a Slim and Lite. It's been a while since I got my DS, so my estimation might not be entirely accurate.

Both companies have released future revisions to their consoles, with the update of the DS Lite called the DSi that will be released on the 1st of November in Japan. Sony too recently released their new PSP-3000 model. This decision should be left up to your son, but as you are bearing the costs of the console that he wants you might want to expect more better grades for a PSP.

There should be hinges that hold the crystal case onto your DS. A few of them should be visible on the sides.

MY NDS is a Japanese unit as well, you can change the language in the firmware menu. As for the charger, just buy a stepdown transformer from any hardware electronics shop.

The Japanese firmware has the English language included as well. Here's a small guide for you to change it:

1. Boot up NDS (without any cartridge).
2. Touch lower screen.
3. Touch the DS icon on the middle lower screen.
4. Touch the spanner icon.
5. Touch the globe icon.
6. English should be at the top left.

The third party chargers can be used as well, but don't expect them to last as long as the original DS charger. You can buy a USB charger as well, I'm getting mine tomorrow

I assumed that you were mentioning about the normal DS or DS Lite.

As what the others have already said, the language can't be changed, and you're only allowed to play DSi games based on your console's region, the normal DS games do not apply. Congratulations on your sister winning one though

Funny, memory cards usually don't die prematurely. If you can detect the card but can't read its contents, try running CHKDSK on it. Instructions in short for XP, not sure if it's still valid in Vista:

1. Go to Start, and then Run.
2. Type cmd and click OK.
3. Type "chkdsk x: /f", where x is the drive letter of the card.
4. Let it run, and see if it still works after everything is done.

If it still doesn't work, try formatting it with Panasonic SD Formatter. And if that fails too, it's probably time to get a new one.

If other readers can't detect your memory card as well, ever tried plugging it to another USB port?

The contents of the memory card are already probably damaged by now, but you can try fixing it with the instructions I gave you above?

Your card is damaged, based on the symptoms. This is clearly a hardware problem, even if you can get it working back again it won't be reliable as more problems would probably crop up in the near future.

You might want to send the card back to your manufacturer for lifetime warranty if possible, or you can buy a new one. I'd want to recommend Kingstons manufactured from Japan, they perform much better than their Taiwan counterparts.

This post has been edited by colinwong89: May 8 2009, 01:56 AM

You should be able to source for parts online, but shipping would most probably your main deciding factor... Since you have to get a new set, how about modding your DS to a set of better ones?

I remember someone was selling a USB charger around here, check around.

Below RM15 I remember. I'm not sure about the charging time, but beats carrying the transformer around for my Japan DSL

You can, with the additional RAM pack and the official browser, or the homebrew Bunjalloo. It's very slow, doesn't load most websites properly, no Flash support, but it can be used when you have no other alternative.

This post has been edited by colinwong89: Jan 23 2010, 12:22 PM

Try to get it off Ebay, screw drivers like those are quite rare. Most shops don't carry it, let alone know what it is.