It would probably have something to do with editing the save data from your console, which requires that you have HBC installed, then use a certain homebrew program to extract the save data associated with Ranch. From there it would be a matter of possibly having to decrypt the save, and then look for where the pokémon data was stored. Then it's a simple matter of converting those sets of data into .pkm files and I would assume you know what to do with those.

Also, why an R4 if I may ask? It's not nearly as good as any other card worth that money...

>>188
So there's no way to make Ranch think you're using the same game that uploaded to it? Oh well...

I have HBC, but I don't follow developments for it. Do you know a program that extracts saves?

I got the R4 from a friend who had 2. I'm not very knowledgeable about flashcarts tbh...

Anyway, thanks. =]

>>189
http://www.wiibrew.org/wiki/SaveGame_Manager_GX

I would try using something like this to copy out the save data, then from there use a hex editor to try and locate where in the save structure they store the pokémon data.

Actually, you know what? I'd ask the gurus over at Project Pokémon if they haven't already messed around with Ranch any. It's certainly worth a shot.

Final note: I'm not entirely certain how Ranch determines what game originally deposited a pokémon, but I would guess it's just checking the ID and SID along with gender and game version, so if you change the ID and SID values for a save game you already have then it might fool it into letting you withdraw them. Actually, let me try that over the next day or so if you can't find anything else- this intrigues me...

>>190
Pokesaving a ROM to be like the game that deposited them was my first idea, but I don't know the SID for that game. I have some Pokemon from it on my remaining games, if there's any way to find the SID from them...

I searched around Project Pokemon and it seems that no one has tried editing Ranch saves. http://projectpokemon.org/forums/showthread.php?5507-Ranch-Save-File-Editing

Apparently no one's tried the other thing either.
http://projectpokemon.org/forums/showthread.php?6654-Question-about-My-Pokemon-Ranch

Tell me if you have any success.

>>191
According to the second thread, he's got no small amount of experience with Ranch in particular, and you should be able to do it just fine, and according to my own tests, it works just fine. I took my retail Diamond, which I already have a large amount stored for, and loaded in a new save file, then verified that Ranch recognized it as a new trainer. I then modified the trainer name, ID, and SID to match my old name, and just like that Ranch decided I was the owner of all those pokémon again.

The SID of a pokémon's original trainer is stored along with that pokémon's data, so all you have to do is examine the PKM data from one of the remaining pokémon from your old save, then change your ID and SID to match. It would probably also be a good idea to match the name, gender, and version you're using as well if possible, and to do it all on a retail cart, since flashcards tend to have difficulty communicating with the Wii.

>>192
Fantastic! Thanks so much! My pokemon shall be rescued.

Actually, someone HAS been editing Ranch saves.

It's meeeeeee

I'm actually close to finishing a java program that will allow you to import/export pokemon data from/to Pokesav, change the ranch trainer data (to allow another game to withdraw them), etc. I'll be sure to post it up here if people want when I'm done ♥

Posting a screenshot of it so far. Wish I could just edit old posts, damn. :S

Also, if anyone knows a coded implementation of the Pokemon storage format, I'd love to know it. I tried writing one based on Bulbapedia's page, but it never worked. Is Pokesav open source? I might be able to grab it from there. Until then, I'm stuck with using eggs to show all pokemon, and you'll have to know the order your ranch has them in.

>>209
COM hasn't released source for pokesav as far as I am aware, but you'd probably have a good chance of getting help from the guys working on PPSE. Do you have an alpha release available by any chance?

Not yet, no. I'm about finished with the Trainer Manager, so all that's left (for now) are a few relatively simple things (change box to one depositor) before I release what I have thus far.

If I can figure out where the ranch level is, I can also allow the size to be messed with, as well as things like auto-999 pokemon so you can get a legit Mew without having to do the multiple save files like I did (I duped a couple of Misdreavus@Rare Candy boxes until I maxed out the Ranch). Plus, it would be nice to be able to store as much as you want from the get-go. But, that'll be after the beta.

>>212
Sign me up for that beta! I'd love to get the chance to see how you're doing this, so if you need testers, you've got one ready and willing!

Question: have you managed to get the game to accept a modified save yet, or are you still working on deciphering the data structure right now?

Oh, just a side note in case you ever wanted to try to link up to the Wii with your R4. The games on the R4 will literally freeze when you try to do a wireless connection to the Wii.

In fact, the only flashcart that works in Wii-link mode is the CycloDS, I believe. My EZ Flash 5i/5+ doesn't work with it, and this is one of the better flash carts out there. So the only way to get pokemon off of the Wii with a flashcart would be to dump the pkm files from the game itself and add them back into the game you want.

>>214
Nope, most flashcards that aren't junk (i.e. NOT R4 / M3 / EZ-V) can link to the Wii. I have used my Acekard 2 with AKAIO on multiple occasions for PBR linking, but my R4 can't do it at all. I believe GBATemp may have a compatibility list on the matter, but since YMMV you might as well try it anyways. Besides, with a flashcard and a 3in1 you can just restore your save to a commercial cart, so there's really not a problem, is there?

>>213

Yeah, I changed a Wurmple to a Nincada knowing Mimic via Pokesav (it's legal through Emerald's/FR's/LG's Move Tutors), and successfully retrieved it. I had a hunch that worked out first try: the first 20 bytes of the savedata.bin file are a standard SHA-1 hash of the rest of the file. If you tried any single-byte changes, that's probably why they didn't work. ;)

>>215

>implying the EZF5+ is pure shit despite having some of the best rom and dev compatibility

By your logic, the R4 running Wood R4 is better than the EZ5. The only reason the EZ5 doesn't have Wii Connectivity at this point is because no one has been assed to actually do it. But with the slot-2 cart, flashing the new save to the correct cart is pretty simple.

>>217
I'm sorry, but that's like talking about how awesome Linux is and then going on to lament the fact that you can't play realmedia because you can't be fucked to make your media player read them. Potential is one thing, actual capability is another.

I'm not saying EZ is bad, I was just listing it along with a few carts I know don't work with the Wii out-of-the-box. I know the slot-2 solution is great, and I use it myself lots for various reasons, but it's still damn convenient to not have to dick around with Rudolph's tools if I want to connect to PBR with a modified save.

>>221

Although your analogy is wrong, I understand your point.

I just noticed that the EZ5 kernal had a major update, so I'm going to use it and see if it works with Wii Connectivity yet or not.

Updated firmware to v15 and kernal to v2.0 RC16.

Game used: PBR:US
Control: Pokémon Soul Silver US original cartridge. DS detects and connects to Wii. PBR interface loads.

Pokémon Pearl: Detects Wii. Communications launch fails and DS hangs.
Pokémon Platinum: Detects and connects to Wii. However, DS' PBR interface launch fails and the DS hangs on a screen wipe.
Pokemon SS(J): Fails to detect wii. However, I am unsure if this is a property of regions or not.

I'll test it with My Pokémon Ranch, but I expect the same results. Improvements made: detects and connects to Wii. Improvements needed: initialization of downloaded software from Wii.

Platinum recognizes and connects to My Pokemon Ranch. Hangs just before Diamond and Pearl only message.