Installing the kernel

Installing the card kernel

The kernel is the menu software your flashcard loads from the microSD. Installing it is mostly a copy-and-paste job, but getting the right files matters.

1. Get the correct kernel
   Identify your card precisely, then download its official kernel package. Cards from different makers are not interchangeable, and a mismatched kernel is the top cause of a card that will not start.
2. Extract to the card root
   Unzip the kernel and copy its files and folders to the root of the prepared microSD. Do not bury them inside a subfolder unless the instructions say to.
3. Add your content
   Copy your .nds homebrew and backups into a folder on the card. Keeping games in one folder makes the menu easier to browse.
4. Eject safely
   Safely remove the card from your computer so the files finish writing, then insert it into the flashcard.