GBA SharkPort Tutorial


This walthrough can be used for those who have for any reason lost their original instruction manual... or simply feel that this guide will better explain certain funtions in the application
And I'll have this posted twice for good measure (2nd notice for this at very bottom) If you need ANYTHING clarified for you on how to use a certain part of the application, please feel free to PM me, or a more knowledgeable member... alternately you may post further questions right here in the courtesy desk... and I or a knowledgeable member will assist you further

Recent updates:

• Screen Shots
• How to revive your dead gameshark sp (At very bottom of this post)
• Final add-ons & screen shots
• Solution for those still encountering problems accessing the online data base even after installing the patch Omen posted (added to downloading section)
• Manual use of the Gameshark sp
• Solutions to frequently asked questions
• Layout Improvements to the FAQ
• Categorized sections into individual posts for easier reference
  

Upcoming updates:

Pending

I'm creating this to answer as many questions as I can in the
use of the PC Gameshark sp application. Many of these
instructions may be found in the instruction manual for the GSA
sp.

Quick clicks,
INDEX
Getting Started
Managing Gamesaves on your sharkport program
Managing codes on your sharkport program
Downloading codes via the sharkport application
Manually managing codes on the Gameshark SP Product
Member Submitted Questions and Answers FAQ
Reflashing your Gameshark SP product
Credits

Getting Started

• Connect the USB cable to both the computer & the GBA via
the link cable socket (where you'd hook a link cable for any
multiplayer game)

• Turn on the GBA with the gameshark turned on as well.

• Then select the PC application (making sure it's been
installed onto your computer already), and run the application.

I'll use my computer images to help with the guide:
Anything circled in red will help guide you pending on the section you are in....
In my case I have the icon (circled) on my desk top, in other cases you'd go to
start-->programs---> and find it from there


The window should pop up, and it'll be basically a split screen;
the list on the left side will be what's contained in the Pre-
entered or downloaded codes/saves that are stored in the PC.
The listing on the right will show the codes that you currently
have stored in your gameshark cartridge. (see below)




Now that we have opened up the program it's time to explain
the major specifics on the selections, features and buttons.

GAMESAVES:
To Restore a save file from the computer to the GBA, or from
the GBA to the PC

1• Click the GAME SAVES button on the bottom middle of the
right side section of the window (Immediately above the
UPDATE button.) (See below)



• The left listing will show those saves that are stored in the PC,
(whether it be preloaded or downloaded), and the right will
show the save you currently have stored in your game. As indicated below

Restoring saves to the GBA

• (1)Choose the corresponding title that matches the game you
have inserted in your GBA , and double-click on the matching
title. highlight the gamesave and then click on the
(2)COPY-->GBA button at the very bottom left corner.
(3) The save should transfer to the GBA
(4)Then click on the UPDATE button on the lower right side to complete the
transfer.
see below for a graphical display

Transfering a game saves from the GBA to the PC

• This is a fairly simple process. All you need to do is click on
the game title that appears on the right side window, and
highlight the save file.

• Then click on the COPY-->PC button to transfer a copy of the
save to the PC.

• Click the UPDATE button to coplete the process.

NOTE: I have not used the game save download feature as
of yet, If anyone knows the specifics on downloading saves
then PM me and I can add it to this, or if a mod feels like doing it
then so be it

CODES:
Restoring codes to GBA gameshark & copying GBA
gameshark codes to PC

Restoring codes to the PC

• First with the program initiated, click on the CHEATS button on left (Immediately above the UPDATE button)
This is usually the default menu you arrive at when you load the application

• On the left side the list from the PC data base will be
displayed, & on the right side the codes stored in you GBA
gameshark will be displayed.

Restoring codes from the
PC into the GBA gameshark.

(1)• Double Click on the matching game title for which you'd like to use codes on. The list of codes should drop down.

(2)• Then, check off all those codes that you intend to use.

(3)• Click on the COPY--> GBA button to copy the codes to your GBA gameshark

(4)• Click the UPDATE button to complete the add-ons.

Below is a screen shot to help walk you through getting PC codes onto you Gameshark

Copying codes stored in your GBA gameshark into your computer

• Simple yet again as with the gamesaves. Just basically click
on the game title and click on the COPY--> PC button to tranfer
a copy of your codes into the PC. Be sure to click on the
UPDATE button to complete it.

DOWNLOADING CODES FROM THE INTERNET

Please keep in mind that current owners of the Gameshark sp MUST download the patch posted in This Topic in order to access the online cheat database... Follow the instructions given and install it...

A common error received by users when trying to update their codelist is due to using the wrong internet button, the following image displays the correct button to press in order to access the online database.



For Those Still Unable to Connect The SharkPort Application To the Internet Even After Installing the Patch

If for anyreason it doesn't work for you after everything else you can always try this:

Uninstall the sharkport applicaton... and download the installation file from This Topic and install that... Then install the patch for the internet connection failure again, and then register it using the Test account info.... It worked the 1st time for me when I did that... hopefully it'll help all the same for you :)

Manual Use of the Gameshark SP


Adding a new Game
Boot up your GBA and wait for the game list to appear...
At the very top you will see ADD NEW GAME
Scroll up to it, and press The B button...
Enter the title of your game, by using the D-pad to scroll through the letters, numbers, spaces... etc.
(Use the L+R buttons to back up or move foward in the title Entry)

Once done press the Start button to continue on


Manually entering Codes
When you initially finish entering the game title you'll automatically be taken to a screen to enter the master code (This code MUST be entered for all others to work properly)

For other codes[/b]
When you wish to enter a new code you may do so by scrolling to the bottom of the game entry, and select ADD NEW CHEAT (accessible by pressing the B button. Enter the title of the cheat as you would when entering the game title (see instruction on how enter the game title).
When done press the START button to continue to the code entry screen...

In the code entry screen you will notice to the right side that there'll be a text box showing:

1234
5678
90AB
CDEF


Use the D-pad to navigate to the proper letter or number in the box and press A to enter the numerical or alphabetical character into the 12-digit entry...
Press the start button to add the code (it'll be added into the box at the bottom left)

If the code consists of more than one line, then Continue to do this until you've finished entering the code...

When the entry is complete press the select Button to finish.

To save the new entries back out of the game entry & press the start button to load the game... the GS will save the changes automatically.

Turning codes on & off
Very simple application,
Simply press the A button and the cheat name should start flashing
If you wish to turn the code off before booting the game then simply press the A button again


Deleting Game & Code Entries
Scroll to the game title (or code entry) you wish to delete, and press the select button... It'll ask you to confirm your decision... Say yes... back out of the game entry and press start to load the game & save the changes.

------------------------------------------------------------------
Frequently Asked Questions


This new section is dedicated to answering some frequently asked questions regarding problems encountered while using the Gameshark sp manually

My gameshark only takes 8 characters per line what do I do?

Maybe not verbadem in context but I have seen numerous questions similar to this one. If your gameshark only accomodates eight (8) characters (letters or digits), then you're either using the DATEL version of gameshark or you're attempting to somehow use the codes on a competitor product. Keep this in mind, as it's been mentioned in the past on multiple occaisions, that the DATEL model, (which is in the form of a colorless transluscent cartridge, with a blue GS logo sticker on the front) is no longer supported here, and due to both this models's and the competitor's code entry format, none of the official gameshark codes listed either here or in the archives, will work. Please avoid discussion of these products since we cannot offer support for these, or any other competitor products.


Whenever I try to load my gameshark, I see the nintendo logo and then get nothing but a blank white screen, what happened?
-OR-
I boot the GBA with the GS sp turned on but it skips directly to the game, what do I do?


Well before I go into anything else first:

1: Make sure that all connections are sucure. (Game in gameshark, gameshark in GBA)
2: Make sure gameshark is on.
3: While turning on your GBA, hold down the two buttons on either side of the gameshark labeled "PRESS TO REMOVE."
4: Continue to hold down these two buttons until the gameshark main screen shows.

If these gameshark screen never apears, or it freezes up, return the gameshark or reflash the gameshark. If all this fails to yield results, then continue reading...
From my own experience this most likely means you somehow killed your gameshark. This usually happens when you attempt to load an obscenely huge number codes, or simply something froze it as you tried updating the data in it, etc. Your best option is to simply return the product and either exchange it for a new GS or get a refund.
----> BUT if for any reason you're unable to return it and you must buy a replacement then keep the dud and refer to the REFLASHING tutorial below.

I'm trying to use some existing codes for a game but they aren't working, what's the deal?

Well there are several psossibilities for why this could be happening.
--Above all make sure the (M) code is entered properly, usually if there's an error in the master code, then none of the codes will work properly.--

--Be sure that the code entries for each and every one of your codes are typo free... if there are any mistakes in the code entries this can cause glitches or bring undesired effects.--

--Also your game might be a different version than what was used to hack the original codes. If this is the case, then until Omen can obtaing the version in question there's not much that can be done



Does GameShark SP work with Game Boy Micro or the Nintendo DS?
The gameshark SP was designed purely with the GBA sp in mind. We can only assume that it'll work as long as the console can play GBA games. However, what has been confirmed is that you will not be able to use the sharkport application, since the USB cable that comes in the package was designed to link to the link cable port of the GBA SP. The Nintendo DS lacks the link cable port necessary,and the GBA micro will require a link adaptor to link up with the older GBA sp models.


Can the Gameshark sp be used to cheat on game boy color games?
No, because the gameshark sp was designed only to recognize GBA games. It is not backwards compatable with the previous gameboy generations, and the older GBC gameshark is not supported.

I recently bought a gameshark sp model and I notice it does not come with the sharkport PC application, why is this?
The newest release of the gameshark no longer includes the sharkport PC application, as the GBA era is now starting to come to a close... While the Gameshark sp will continue to be produced while Nintendo still releases games for the GBA, the sharkport will no longer be included in the packaging.

Currently the only way to obtain the application is to download it via the GBA code request/status forum, however, without the USB cord that came with the previous GS sp models, users of the newest model will be unable to use it to import codes into their GS.

As a final note the new models comes in the form of a black, belt hook cartridge



If these don't provide you the answer to your dilemma then by all mean simply ask as you normally would :) This is mainly to kick start your memory of some possible causes based on my own previous experience...



MadCatz Product FAQs
Also be aware these are questions that have been resolved by Madcatz Tech support in the past. While some of the questions covered in this thread are also covered in the upcoming page, there are also several that are presently not and are best explained by those with official knowledge of the product:

MADcatz produced solutions to Frequently asked questions

Reflashing your Gameshark

Managed to kill your gameshark? Well you have two choices: A get a replacement, reflash the dud, and keep the new one as a back up, OR get a friends gameshark and use theirs to reflash yours.... Just follow the below instructions to reflash the gameshark you killed...

Make sure both GS's are turned to the on setting when reflashing...

Insert Working GS into GBA --> Insert dud into working GS --> Insert game into dud

As you turn on the game you need to hold down
L+A+Start

It'll ask you whether you wanna program the dud, say yes, it should clone the programming of the working GS into the dud... turn the dud off then on as it instructs, and BAM, you're done...

For additional information, you may refer to the madcatz produced solution to this problem:

I used too many codes and now my Gameshark SP does not work. Can this be fixed?

and to evaluate some additional options to those listed here

Credits, and other helpful links

Hopefully this guide helps concerning all questions on how to use the GBA sharkport application, as well ask questions concerning compatability of gamesharks, and questions concerning general use. If you need ANYTHING clarified for you on how to use a certain part of the application, please feel free to PM me, or a more knowledgeable member... alternately you may post further questions right here in the courtesy desk... and I or a knowledgeable member will assist you further

Special thanks to:
Omen, the GBA hacker
Calmage5x

for contributing to the making of this walkthrough, and myself for starting it....

Hope this answers your questions :)


Also you may find THIS thread useful for questions corcerning problems involving sharkport functions



UPDATE: A PDF reference version can be download for offline reference

EDIT 2: LINK RESTORED
http://www.freewebs.com/kyuubianaconda/GBA...%20tutorial.pdf

simply click it and then use the 'save' option in adobe reader to download

EDIT 3: July 25, 2009
The PDF version of the FAQ has been updated to include updated screen shots and new content. Click here to access the revised FAQ:
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/3025/gsspsharkport.pdf

An update to the main content will follow later