Hacking 3DS unbricking progress

[krisztian1997]

I decided to create a new thread with the our progress of unbricking the 3ds because there are several threads talking about this and its very hard to find anything by now in the threads.
So far we found a way to lock a normal card and it acts exactly like a bricked 3ds, doesnt shows up in windows explorer, cant write to it using any other tools or format it. All what we need now is someone willing to test our code on a bricked 3ds. Our code can be found at https://github.com/krisztian1997/3dsunbricker , its based on Roland's library with some custom code made by ryuga and me (thanks Coto for the CRC16 algo)
Forgot to mention, hardware mod is needed, we are using an Arduino to test our code on a SD card, but its exactly the same wiring like the one for nand dump except that DAT3 is also needed for CS. You need an arduino to can communicate with the eMMC controller directly, also some ways to reduce your voltage to 3v3 because arduinos I/O use 5v, the easiest and best way is to get a SD card shield, or if you cant get one, another good solution is an voltage divider with resistors, like this or this
Progress so far: Unbricking is possible now, there are around 10-13 confirmed unbricking with the raspi and 3 with the arduino

 

[krisztian1997]

RaspberryPi

Use this repo if you own a raspberry pi, the readme has a detailed description how to do it https://github.com/bkifft/RPU

Arduino

This repo is for arduino owners, while the code works perfectly, if you use a resistor based voltage divider, it wont work because the eMMC chip needs a perfect clk line and data lines (square-ish signals, what cant be achieved with resistors) https://github.com/krisztian1997/3dsunbricker

 

[ryuga93]

Yes,we really need testers for the code on a bricked 3ds.The code is quite safe now as I have successfully perform lock and unlock force erase about 8 times on my SDHC card.

 

[Habbert]

Yes,we really need testers for the code on a bricked 3ds.The code is quite safe now as I have successfully perform lock and unlock about 8 times on my SDHC card.

So after a "unlock" we would be able to flash our NAND.bin like normal and un-brick the 3DS?

 

[ryuga93]

So after a "unlock" we would be able to flash our NAND.bin like normal and un-brick the 3DS?

If the "unlock" or more precisely force erase succeed then it is a must.Each time I test it on the SDHC card and lug it in my pc a pop up asked me to format the card.So, I have formated the card about 8 times now...

 

[crazyace2011]

so when the 3ds bricks the sd card is unusable?

 

[Habbert]

so when the 3ds bricks the sd card is unusable?

no, they basically did to a SD card what gateway did to the NAND of a 3DS. (Probably because they don't have a bricked 3DS to test on)
Then they tried to find a method to reverse it.
This method should also work on a bricked 3DS.

 

[crazyace2011]

I see. this is a stepping stone in the direction in hopes to unbrick the 3ds. so someone needs to have a good sd card and load the files that they have given us a link to boot the 3ds and hope that it unbricks the system?

 

[Habbert]

I see. this is a stepping stone in the direction in hopes to unbrick the 3ds. so someone needs to have a good sd card and load the files that they have given us a link to boot the 3ds and hope that it unbricks the system?

no, they used a SD card to simply simulate a bricked 3DS`s nand.

 

[crazyace2011]

I understand that. I said that they need someone with a bricked 3ds and a good sd card and the files that they gave a link to so that person with a bricked 3ds can test and see if it unbricks their system. I understand that they used a sdcard to test the unbricking process as they don't have a 3ds to test it on that is bricked.

 

[Habbert]

I understand that. I said that they need someone with a bricked 3ds and a good sd card and the files that they gave a link to so that person with a bricked 3ds can test and see if it unbricks their system. I understand that they used a sdcard to test the unbricking process as they don't have a 3ds to test it on that is bricked.

Someone with a bricked 3ds will need to solder wires inside the 3ds, and hook it up to a computer and preform the same method they used to "unlock" their test SD card.

Bricked 3DS`s cant use the SD card that is inside the 3DS...

 

[crazyace2011]

sorry I forgot that step.

is there a certain order the files need to be sent to the 3ds? all at once? what program to use the files?

 

[krisztian1997]

sorry I forgot that step.

is there a certain order the files need to be sent to the 3ds? all at once? what program to use the files?

Those are the source code what needs to be flashed on an arduino/avr, not just send them to a 3ds

 

[ASUS]

What is necessary to test?

My 3ds is briked.

 

[krisztian1997]

an arduino for now, and wires soldered to the 3ds nand data/clk/cs lines.

 

[Bug_Checker_]

Spoiler

I decided to create a new thread with the our progress of unbricking the 3ds because there are several threads talking about this and its very hard to find anything by now in the threads.
So far we found a way to lock a normal card and it acts exactly like a bricked 3ds, doesnt shows up in windows explorer, cant write to it using any other tools or format it. All what we need now is someone willing to test our code on a bricked 3ds. Our code can be found at https://github.com/krisztian1997/3dsunbricker , its based on Roland's library with some custom code made by ryuga and me (thanks Coto for the CRC16 algo)
Forgot to mention, hardware mod is needed, we are using an Arduino to test our code on a SD card, but its exactly the same wiring like the one for nand dump except that DAT3 is also needed for CS.

Egads, for god sakes, Please be careful people who dare try this. If you don't take voltage precautions, you will NOT be able to recover from fried hardware(both arduino and more importantly 3ds). Only freeduino and arduino due(maybe others) work with 3.3volts. The hardware of the 3ds (regular and xl) MAY survive but it is a bigger risk than ANYTHING that has been done software wise so far. A software fix is possible but a piece of hardware that is fried just smells aweful. Good luck. Be absolutely positive you are correct about your voltages.

 

[kyogre123]

krisztian1997 is a special "model" of arduino required for this? Is any arduino circuit safe to use? Is it recommended to use a voltimeter to check the output voltage? I think there should be a dummy proof guide for this.

 

[ryuga93]

Egads, for god sakes, Please be careful people who dare try this. If you don't take voltage precautions, you will NOT be able to recover from fried hardware(both arduino and more importantly 3ds). Only freeduino and arduino due(maybe others) work with 3.3volts. The hardware of the 3ds (regular and xl) MAY survive but it is a bigger risk than ANYTHING that has been done software wise so far. A software fix is possible but a piece of hardware that is fried just smells aweful. Good luck. Be absolutely positive you are correct about your voltages.

You can buy a SD card module which able to convert to 3.3v.Something like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SD-Card-Module-Slot-Socket-Reader-For-Arduino-ARM-MCU-NEW-/140717254516

krisztian1997 is a special "model" of arduino required for this? Is any arduino circuit safe to use? Is it recommended to use a voltimeter to check the output voltage? I think there should be a dummy proof guide for this.

Currently the code works with arduino UNO,the microcontroller of AT328P.Getting a voltmeter or multimeter ready is always a must when it comes to circuit.

 

[krisztian1997]

kyogre123

Bug_Checker_
You need a voltage divider or a SD card shield, I also mentioned that in the first post now and added 2 schematics what I found on the internet. I tested the 2nd one personally and the voltage is correct. There is no dummy proof intructions right now because no one tested it on a 3ds to see if SPI still works. If someone sucesfully unbricks an 3ds, then I or someone else will write a dummy proof guide or a tutorial how to do it correctly (soldering skills will be still needed)

 

[R4iFanboi]

People with limited skills might want to adopt a wait and watch approach. Let this solution be tested by more experienced people and let this evolve.

Good job guys, those who are working on this! I don't have a bricked 3DS but this shall help a lot of people out there.