Save problem w/PKMN Emerald

[Atrus010]

OK, so I've been playing Pokemon Emerald on VBA for a while, and there's hasn't really been any trouble during gameplay. However, I noticed once a while back that, after my progress was saved during the Emerald main quest, when I tried continuing from that point, it said that the save file was corrupted, but it loaded anyway. Not wanting to take any chances, I reloaded using the VBA save slots. Now, after beating the Champion, it says THE END, and I try to continue after it goes through the credits, and this time, it says "The save file has been erased due to corruption or damage," and my only option is to start a new game. Is there any way I can correct this problem, because I really do not want to start over now...Thanks very much in advance!!

[Atrus010]

Never mind, I deleted the file and am starting over, hopefully avoiding file corruption this time. Now I have a new question. I already set the save size to Options -> Emulator -> Save Type -> Flash 128K, because I'm playing primarily Pokemon games on VBA. Should I leave the save type as automatic, or should I go to Options -> Emulator -> Save Type -> Flash, as well? (I looked up the game info for Pokemon FR/LG/R/S/E, and they all say Flash 128K.) I want to avoid the error messages about my save game and corruption, etc. and be able to play the game normally. (I already got rid of one error message about some internal dry battery or something by clicking on Options -> Emulator -> Real Time Clock.) Thanks very much for your help!

~Atrus

EDIT: Oh, and btw, if anyone knows what the IPS file for PKMN Emerald is for, I'd appreciate any input--I don't know if I have to save that or not, or what it does, or anything. Thanks!

[Clements]

Automatic should be sufficient. You don't need an IPS patch for the game to work.

[Atrus010]

OK...I've read some of the posts about Pokemon FR/LG/E problems, and people have always responded suggesting changing the save type/ips/vba-over.ini...so you're saying that if I have it the way it is now, I won't need an ips for FR, LG, R, S, or E to avoid save game corruption?
(Sorry if I sound a little "slow," but I want to make sure I've got it straight before I start a new game and mess it up again. )

~Atrus

EDIT: Shoot! Final question, I think. I've got VBALink v.1.7.2 right now--can I d/l v.1.8 and use it with a save game/save state that was made during 1.7.2 gameplay?) I'm assuming, of course, that version 1.8 is VBALink--or is that JUST for regular VBA?

EDIT2: Well, I've already edited this about 4 times, why not go for another?...Quick question: While playing pokemon games using VBALink, I've been able to trade pkmn from, say, FireRed to LeafGreen. But I can't go into something like Mystery Gift or that one part of the PokeCenter that's wireless. Even when VBALink is set up normally for 2 linked virtual GBA's, it just says the wireless adapter is not connected. Is this a limitation of playing it on an emulator, or is there a way to get around it without doing damage to my save?