Hacking PSA: Stop Worrying About MCU Bricks

[Deleted User]

Short Version: MCU bricks were patched out in 8.1 so it doesn't brick anymore through software. The only MCU(?) brick that can be done is closing an N3DS on 2.1 (which you shouldnt even do anymore)

Long Version: MCU bricks are pretty much impossible on 8.1+ fws (8.0 and below are still vulnerable, but you'd have to REALLY be trying to brick it). Version 8.1 added a set of security measures that made bricking the MCU much harder. The only known way you can even break the MCU is through invalid LED patterns, but even those were protected in 8.1. yellows8's MCU bricked 3DS was on a firmware below 8.1. So don't be afraid to make LED homebrew, or use it. It's perfectly safe, and all the effects will go away on a reboot.

Rave lights for everybody!

http://3dbrew.org/wiki/MCU

 

[Dionicio3]

Short Version: MCU bricks were patched out in 8.1 so it doesn't brick anymore through software. The only MCU(?) brick that can be done is closing an N3DS on 2.1 (which you shouldnt even do anymore)

Long Version: MCU bricks are pretty much impossible on 8.1+ fws (8.0 and below are still vulnerable, but you'd have to REALLY be trying to brick it). Version 8.1 added a set of security measures that made bricking the MCU much harder. The only known way you can even break the MCU is through invalid LED patterns, but even those were protected in 8.1. yellows8's MCU bricked 3DS was on a firmware below 8.1. So don't be afraid to make LED homebrew, or use it. It's perfectly safe, and all the effects will go away on a reboot.

Rave lights for everybody!

http://3dbrew.org/wiki/MCU

I don't think anyone was worrying anymore

 

[linuxares]

*checks date* I thought MCU bricking was long in the past. If people stop using old ass guides it's not an issue.

 

[Kioku]

I don't think anyone was worrying anymore

Much like brickway it rears its ugly head in every now and again.

 

[Dionicio3]

Much like brickway it rears its ugly head in every now and again.

Huh, I have never seen it lately

 

[wormdood]

Huh, I have never seen it lately

you must have missed it . . . it was like a week ago

 

[Termer]

Short Version: MCU bricks were patched out in 8.1

I assume you're talking about Luma3DS 8.1. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Dionicio3]

I assume you're talking about Luma3DS 8.1. Correct me if I'm wrong.

No, 8.1.0-whateverthisnumberwas

 

[Roboman]

I assume you're talking about Luma3DS 8.1. Correct me if I'm wrong.

3ds system firmware version 8.1
The official ninty one

 

[Termer]

3ds system firmware version 8.1
The official ninty one

All right

 

[hobbledehoy899]

Glad to hear that the 3DS can now finally be safely used as a police car.

 

[Asia81]

never cared of it

 

[Termer]

Glad to hear that the 3DS can now finally be safely used as a police car.

Weeooo Weeooo Weeooo!

 

[PabloMK7]

Glad to hear that the 3DS can now finally be safely used as a police car.

(BTW, I'm releasing a led library soon )

 

[The Catboy]

I am honestly guessing the fear of MCU bricks is a remnant from the A9LH days, since it was so easily accomplished. Although they were extremely rare even during the A9LH days, since everyone knew not to close their system(s) after only one person did it.

 

[hobbledehoy899]

(BTW, I'm releasing a led library soon )

Oh my fucking god, that's the best piece of 3DS homebrew in years!

 

[BL4Z3D247]

Um, who said they are "worried" about MCU bricks? Is this in response to someone posting a week ago that they bought a 3DS that was bricked and were trying to figure out if it could be an MCU brick so they didn't waste money on a compatible DS flashcart?

Also it's possible some people are still on a low enough firmware(ones that maybe haven't touched their consoles in a year or more) so they would still be eligible for the possibility of an MCU brick if they do it right. I still haven't seen anyone worried though.

 

[APartOfMe]

(BTW, I'm releasing a led library soon )

that's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen

 

[Sono]

You can't brick via "invalid LED patterns"... how can an RGB color be invalid?!

If there's any fatal error it's either in MCU_FIRM, or an unlocked lock when accessing MCU registers, or at some point Ninty forgot to turn off wifi interrupts before flashing, causing MCU_FIRM to be corrupted (and yes, this actually happened to my 2DS; the network connection gets lost at fixed intervals, and you can't exit sleep mode). I didn't analyze MCU_FIRM in detail yet, nor did I disassemble older mcu sysmodules yet, but I bet that the 2.0 sysmodule was already brick-proof

Also, on a sidenote... yellows8 said his 3DS died when playing with LED stuff, that's true... but when he gave me his "brick code" he also made a note on the battery not working on his 3DS (btw, I've known this for a very long time, I was just too lazy to announce it)

tl;dr: as long as you don't abuse something, and use code written by the researcher, you're 100% safe

 

[Aerocool]

When Nintendo actually did make stability updates for the 3DS