Homebrew Micro SD died, A9LH N3DS XL, don't have the latest backup, but I do have the OTP file, am I OK?

duffmmann · Oct 1, 2016

So like the title said, my micro SD card died, not entirely sure why, I was transferring some files (just adding in more boot animation, I know I should have used the network transfer tool, but that was giving me issues too) using my PC, when suddenly it stopped being recognized by my PC altogether and the 3DS naturally gives me a black screen as if no sd card were in there, again it's A9LH so that's to be expected if the sd card died or whatever. Not sure why this happened, my fingers were a bit sweaty, would be pretty dumb if thats what destroyed the card, but I wouldn't be all that surprised either.

Anyway, I didn't have the latest and greatest backup on my PC, it had actually been a few months at this point, but I do have A backup, and I also have my OTP file and my Sysnand - A9LH (as well as the other NANDs you had to make when you first built A9LH).

Do I have enough files here for my 3DS to function again with a new micro SD card or am I fucked? I'm ok with losing game data and entire games, that's not gonna kill me. But I'd be devastated if I can't get my 3DS back again.

Dylanvh · Oct 1, 2016

You should be fine, just put the luma folder and the arm9 payload for it onto the new micro sd and it should boot.

mysamdog · Oct 1, 2016

Yes, your 3ds is fine. Just drop all the files for luma on a new microsd. Your saves and games will be gone. Also, try cleaning off the contacts on the microsd with isopropyl alcohol and let it evaporate. I had something similar happen to a microsd I was using, but cleaning it off fixed it.

duffmmann · Oct 1, 2016

Thanks everyone, this is all very relieving. I was in need of a larger storage micro sd card anyway, guess this is just speeding up that process. I have tried isopropyl alcohol, though I didn't really let it evaporate, more like I just wiped it with the alcohol, I'll try it again, let it evaporate over night and give it a check in the morning.

Even if that doesn't work, I'm just relieved I'm not shit out of luck here. Also a good learning experience in terms of making more regular backups too.

hacksn5s4 · Oct 1, 2016

duffmmann said:
Thanks everyone, this is all very relieving. I was in need of a larger storage micro sd card anyway, guess this is just speeding up that process. I have tried isopropyl alcohol, though I didn't really let it evaporate, more like I just wiped it with the alcohol, I'll try it again, let it evaporate over night and give it a check in the morning.

Even if that doesn't work, I'm just relieved I'm not shit out of luck here. Also a good learning experience in terms of making more regular backups too.

if you keep puttign the sd out and plugging it in you will wear the contacts

Manurocker95 · Oct 1, 2016

Well, you are f*cked with the data as it's restored in the Nintendo 3DS folder but for booting the system just download again luma and a9lh.bin and put them in the new sd card. It should work without any problem. As other people here said, try to clean the old sd so it may be work again.

sp3off · Oct 1, 2016

When the console is already hacked on A9LH, you just need Luma and the arm9loaderhax.bin file, but one thing is you lose everything (when i say everything it's games and saves)

duffmmann · Oct 1, 2016

Manurocker95 said:
Well, you are f*cked with the data as it's restored in the Nintendo 3DS folder but for booting the system just download again luma and a9lh.bin and put them in the new sd card. It should work without any problem. As other people here said, try to clean the old sd so it may be work again.

I'm ok with that. Plus I do have a backup, its old, but it will have a fair amount of my games, so at the end of the day, whatever, I lost some data and games. I can redownload the games, and there wasn't any game I was heavily invested in lately on my 3DS anyway. I suppose I was a bit in Majora's Mask 3D, but I've already beaten that game before on the N64, so really I'll be alright. Definitely disappointed, but it could be so much worse.

Am I correct in understanding that my OTP file isn't actually necessary anymore, was that only needed for the A9LH installation? For some reason I thought it was crucial even after you did hax.

Whatever, initially I was freaking out, now I'm just relieved, thank god this didn't happen after putting in hours into Pokemon Moon.

DinckelMan · Oct 1, 2016

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think if you already have A9LH installed it's pretty much permanent, as all the files you need in order to launch it are unified for everyone

Roboman · Oct 1, 2016

duffmmann said:
Am I correct in understanding that my OTP file isn't actually necessary anymore, was that only needed for the A9LH installation?

You don't need the OTP for any more hacks available at the moment. Hold on to it though, if anybody finds another use for it (and not just the hash) you don't want to re-downgrade to 2.1 to re-dump it

Manurocker95 · Oct 1, 2016

duffmmann said:
I'm ok with that. Plus I do have a backup, its old, but it will have a fair amount of my games, so at the end of the day, whatever, I lost some data and games. I can redownload the games, and there wasn't any game I was heavily invested in lately on my 3DS anyway. I suppose I was a bit in Majora's Mask 3D, but I've already beaten that game before on the N64, so really I'll be alright. Definitely disappointed, but it could be so much worse.

Am I correct in understanding that my OTP file isn't actually necessary anymore, was that only needed for the A9LH installation? For some reason I thought it was crucial even after you did hax.

Whatever, initially I was freaking out, now I'm just relieved, thank god this didn't happen after putting in hours into Pokemon Moon.

Next time do a back up once per month or so to avoid this kind of situations. You had bad luck this time.

kublai · Oct 1, 2016

What program can you use to make an image of your microsd in case this happens so you can restore it? Also will emunand still be intact with making an image?

Manurocker95 · Oct 1, 2016

kublai said:
What program can you use to make an image of your microsd in case this happens so you can restore it? Also will emunand still be intact with making an image?

With a9lh you normally use sysnand so copy-paste is enough. You don't need to do that. If you have an emunand (lessHax/MenuHax or a9lh + emunand) you need to extract/dump the emunand.bin using emunandTool on the PC and the SD Card connected or Decrypt9 on the 3DS, and then, restore (after making the proper partition) it on the new SD.

Homebrew Micro SD died, A9LH N3DS XL, don't have the latest backup, but I do have the OTP file, am I OK?

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