Newbie guide for newbies trying to Homebrew an up to date 3DS. Using PowerSaves and Ocarina of Time.
So I'm a newbie at this whole Homebrew thing. I actually just got started with it this week (because I wanted to hack Monster Hunter Generations). It's a very scary process to look at when you've got no experience, and I held off so long because I was sure I'd end up bricking my system.
But with the help of some people on this site, and various other sites, I managed to figure it all out. The problem I had when trying to understand all this, is that most people give you answers as if you already know just what you're doing. And a lot of people were basically telling me to use existing Homebrew software to update my new system, completely ignoring the fact that I've never done anything like this before.
So I wanted to share my newbie guide on getting started. I posted this in a thread for APM's MHG editor, and a lot of people have responded to me to thank me for how helpful it was. I just wanted to share with others who might be having trouble getting started.
So, start off going here: http://smealum.github.io/3ds/
Download the Homebrew Starter Kit and unzip it into the root of your 3DS SD card. It will put a file in the root and make a 3DS folder with other stuff.
Remember to unzip the contents of the Starter folder, not the folder itself.
Also get JK's Save Manager: https://gbatemp.net/threads/release-jks-savemanager-homebrew-cia-save-manager.413143/
Again, unzip it to the root and it will put everything where needed. Same as before, you want the contents, not the folder it's all in in the zip.
Assuming you're using Ocarina of Time, you need: https://github.com/yellows8/oot3dhax/releases
Now, put your OoT in your Powersaves and back up your save.
It goes in C:/Users/<Your User Name>/PowerSaves
On http://smealum.github.io/3ds/ use the Otherapp/robpin tool. Put in your system type (old or new) and the version. Hit download ropbin. It will give you a file, you don't need to save it, just keep it up for reference.
In the zip for the OoT hack, there will be a couple of folders with PowerSaves files. There's two sets, I used the bottom. You may have to try the other if it doesn't work. Go to the folder for the country your system is for, and in it find the file that matches the ropbin file that you have for reference.
Copy that file to the directory of your PowerSaves backups. Copy the name of the backup you had made, then delete/rename it, and paste the name as the new name for the file you grabbed from the OoT folder.
Then when you load up PowerSaves, you restore that file back to the cart.
Then, with your SD card back in your system, load up OoT on your 3DS. Hit A to get to the start, load up the hacked save, and when everything is loaded on screen in the game, hit A. This will boot the Homebrew.
This last part has to do with exporting your MHG save specifically:
Once in the Homebrew, put your MHG cart in, and go down the list to JK's save program. Select ExtraData, and export. Give it a name and export it.
Now you can pop your SD card in your computer, and run the MHG editor and just load up the exported file, which will be under the SD:/JKSV/ExtData/<Game Name>/<Save Name you choose>
Once you're done, save, then pop the SD back in and just do the same, except Import the extradata.
But with the help of some people on this site, and various other sites, I managed to figure it all out. The problem I had when trying to understand all this, is that most people give you answers as if you already know just what you're doing. And a lot of people were basically telling me to use existing Homebrew software to update my new system, completely ignoring the fact that I've never done anything like this before.
So I wanted to share my newbie guide on getting started. I posted this in a thread for APM's MHG editor, and a lot of people have responded to me to thank me for how helpful it was. I just wanted to share with others who might be having trouble getting started.
So, start off going here: http://smealum.github.io/3ds/
Download the Homebrew Starter Kit and unzip it into the root of your 3DS SD card. It will put a file in the root and make a 3DS folder with other stuff.
Remember to unzip the contents of the Starter folder, not the folder itself.
Also get JK's Save Manager: https://gbatemp.net/threads/release-jks-savemanager-homebrew-cia-save-manager.413143/
Again, unzip it to the root and it will put everything where needed. Same as before, you want the contents, not the folder it's all in in the zip.
Assuming you're using Ocarina of Time, you need: https://github.com/yellows8/oot3dhax/releases
Now, put your OoT in your Powersaves and back up your save.
It goes in C:/Users/<Your User Name>/PowerSaves
On http://smealum.github.io/3ds/ use the Otherapp/robpin tool. Put in your system type (old or new) and the version. Hit download ropbin. It will give you a file, you don't need to save it, just keep it up for reference.
In the zip for the OoT hack, there will be a couple of folders with PowerSaves files. There's two sets, I used the bottom. You may have to try the other if it doesn't work. Go to the folder for the country your system is for, and in it find the file that matches the ropbin file that you have for reference.
Copy that file to the directory of your PowerSaves backups. Copy the name of the backup you had made, then delete/rename it, and paste the name as the new name for the file you grabbed from the OoT folder.
Then when you load up PowerSaves, you restore that file back to the cart.
Then, with your SD card back in your system, load up OoT on your 3DS. Hit A to get to the start, load up the hacked save, and when everything is loaded on screen in the game, hit A. This will boot the Homebrew.
This last part has to do with exporting your MHG save specifically:
Once in the Homebrew, put your MHG cart in, and go down the list to JK's save program. Select ExtraData, and export. Give it a name and export it.
Now you can pop your SD card in your computer, and run the MHG editor and just load up the exported file, which will be under the SD:/JKSV/ExtData/<Game Name>/<Save Name you choose>
Once you're done, save, then pop the SD back in and just do the same, except Import the extradata.