Hacking Question Is it OK to just update microSD software on 3.00 Switch?

Dinzy

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That's true, but I'm not going to order a 4GB sd card if I have a spare 64GB on hand.

That is not what he is saying. You can use 32GB cards and below as exfat or 64gb and above as fat32 without the update. FAT32 has a max size of 4GB per file. Homebrew would be fine without that in most cases. The only issue would be video files or perhaps any emulator that uses full ISOs of DVD size.
 
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DocAmes1980

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I know you can't transfer files over 4GB, but lets say you have a 6GB file and try the following:

Split the file into two 3GB parts
Copy both parts onto the SD card
Combine both parts back into the 6GB file

Aside from that being a tedious task, would it be doable?

No. The FAT32 filesystem has a file size limit of 4GB.
 

edepot

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It would be helpful if people just try getting the microSD update without updating the firmware. I think it is possible and read somewhere about it being possible.
Also most people are missing a big point. If you have a microSD greater than 32GB and format it as FAT32, you can only use 32GB. So if you have a 256GB microSD and format it as FAT32, you can only use 32GB of it and lose 224GB.
At least that is according to the SD Association (we are not formatting hard drives, but SD cards):
wwwDOT
sdcardDOT
org/downloads/formatter_4/faq/#faq01

So the solution is to use exFAT, which requires a software update (not firmware update). Someone did it before, just need confirmation the steps to get it right.
 

Jacobh

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It would be helpful if people just try getting the microSD update without updating the firmware. I think it is possible and read somewhere about it being possible.
Also most people are missing a big point. If you have a microSD greater than 32GB and format it as FAT32, you can only use 32GB. So if you have a 256GB microSD and format it as FAT32, you can only use 32GB of it and lose 224GB.
At least that is according to the SD Association (we are not formatting hard drives, but SD cards):
wwwDOT
sdcardDOT
org/downloads/formatter_4/faq/#faq01

So the solution is to use exFAT, which requires a software update (not firmware update). Someone did it before, just need confirmation the steps to get it right.

From another thread I believe the update is packaged with the firmware. So there are multiple versions of each firmware package: one with Exfat and one without. The update installs whichever based on whether you've ever used an exact card.

What this means is it is unlikely you can get the download without upgrading to the latest firmware at this point.
 
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Kohmei

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Also most people are missing a big point. If you have a microSD greater than 32GB and format it as FAT32, you can only use 32GB. So if you have a 256GB microSD and format it as FAT32, you can only use 32GB of it and lose 224GB.
FAT32 can support partitions up to 2TB, it's just that Windows does not allow you to format anything as FAT32 if it's larger than 32GB. But you can use a 3rd party tool and do it, and you can use all the space just fine.
 
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edepot

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Just asked SciresM on the matter. Getting the SD update WILL ABSOLUTELY also force an update to the latest firmware.

That is a bummer. Does that mean a DNS server could be setup to give info 3.00 is latest firmware, but pass along the request to Nintendo for the SD update? That way you can keep your 3.00 firmware, but still get the exFat update installed. I think some person confirmed the SD update is not part of the firmware, and the firmwares are mostly the same, except for gaps left for the exFat software update module.
 

Justin20020

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Did I understand right, that the switch will format a FAT32 sd card to exFat and needs because of this connected to the internet? What if I format the card to exFat via Windows?
 

enarky

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Did I understand right, that the switch will format a FAT32 sd card to exFat and needs because of this connected to the internet? What if I format the card to exFat via Windows?
FAT32 is perfectly fine. You only need an update for exFAT support, if your card is formatted exFAT or unformatted.
 
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PolloDiablo

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3.0.0 brought exfat support, what are you talking about?
I thought that was the case. But now I have my doubts :unsure:... If I update my Switch to 3.0.0 with Pokken? Would it be able to use exFAT? or that driver doesn't come with the update the game provides and can only be obtained via an online update?
 
D

Deleted-355425

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I thought that was the case. But now I have my doubts :unsure:... If I update my Switch to 3.0.0 with Pokken? Would it be able to use exFAT? or that driver doesn't come with the update the game provides and can only be obtained via an online update?

When 3.0.0 was released the patch gave sdxc support and these cards could be used if you download the other actual sdxc enabler/liscence to use it on top of the 3.0.0. They were 2 separate pieces of software. So no pokken will not install the actual mem card patch.
 
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ihaveahax

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I'm pretty sure exFAT support has been here since day-one. it's only installed in network updates, and only when you insert an exFAT-formatted microSD.
 

PolloDiablo

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When 3.0.0 was released the patch gave sdxc support and these cards could be used if you download the other actual sdxc enabler/liscence to use it on top of the 3.0.0. They were 2 separate pieces of software. So no pokken will not install the actual mem card patch.
Thanks for clearing that up. So basically, the only way to use sdxc cards would be if someone finds a way to inject the license with homebrew. But I don't know if that would be even possible.
 
D

Deleted-355425

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Thanks for clearing that up. So basically, the only way to use sdxc cards would be if someone finds a way to inject the license with homebrew. But I don't know if that would be even possible.

I’m sure they will,
 

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