Hacking Switch does not work reliably when on RCM mode (not AutoRCM)

[mvmiranda]

Hey everyone!
I'm facing a very weird issue with one of my Switches and I need some advises.

First, let me explain in detail the issue and what I have done so far.

The console is running SXOS and had AutoRCM enabled. Two weeks ago I let the battery run out and the console died!
It was not being recognized by TegraRcmGUI nor the dongle worked with it... almost as if the battery was completely depleted.
I let it charge overnight (approximately 12 hours or so) and it worked fine with my dongle.

Since I was experiencing with another Switch's battery, I turned this first one off and used its battery on the other Switch. I forgot it turned off and guess what! It stopped working again!
This time a whole day of "charge" didn't help it until yesterday night when I, out of the blue, tried unplugging the battery and plugging my USB-C cable to my computer. It worked fine and I was able to remove the AutoRCM and the console was back to life! Since it was too late I let it aside and went to sleep!

Today morning I tried turning it on normally (sysNAND) and it booted fine. I tried the RCM mode, to enter the CFW, and the console does not get recognized by the dongle or the computer.

Bottom line is whenever I put the console in RCM mode I cannot make the dongle or my computer to recognize it.

Did you guys ever see this before?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Hayato213]

Possible damaged USB C port.

 

[mvmiranda]

Possible damaged USB C port.

There's nothing too "apparent" when I look at the USB C port...
Is there any way to test it?
Maybe soldering some wired to the data lines and testing a cable?

 

[Hayato213]

What jig you have? the one that 3d printed from ebay or the one from like a kit?

 

[mvmiranda]

What jig you have? the one that 3d printed from ebay or the one from like a kit?

From a kit. I have a Xecuter SX Gear one.

 

[Hayato213]

You able to charge it and dock it in dock mode?

 

[mvmiranda]

You able to charge it and dock it in dock mode?

I haven't tested the dock but it charges fine.
Also, yesterday night, after I unplugged the battery, the TegraRcmGUI application recognized it fine (could be a coincidence, though.)
Will test it docked later today and report back!
Thx for your advises so far!

 

[mvmiranda]

You able to charge it and dock it in dock mode?

Hey!
I was able to, finally, test the Switch after coming back from some days of work.
I can confirm the Switch does charge and works on dock mode.

After I tested the dock mode I used the dongle to boot it into CFW a couple of times.
On the third time I was testing the CFW boot it jammed and didn't work anymore, though I could still boot it in normal mode fine.
Since I was stuck with RCM not working I thought about testing charging and docking it again. It still worked successfully (normal mode only).

Tried again booting into CFW after docking and I'm still stuck with the RCM not working.

Bottom line is, everything seems to work (charge, dock, normal turn on) but the RCM to boot into CFW is somewhere between very erratic to not working at all.

This is so weird!

 

[mvmiranda]

@Hayato213, do you have any other tips for me?
Or any other users who have experienced this before?

Thanks!

 

[Hayato213]

@Hayato213, do you have any other tips for me?
Or any other users who have experienced this before?

Thanks!

Have you try using a Kosmos CFW pack just to make sure it can boot into CFW?

 

[mvmiranda]

Have you try using a Kosmos CFW pack just to make sure it can boot into CFW?

I can boot into SXOS, ATM or any other CFW normally, when RCM works
The problem is that when I enter RCM (the console is not in AutoRCM) it gets unresponsive, like if it was stuck or whatever.
Like, it works once, twice at most then it gets stuck. Neither the PC or dongle makes it boot any CFW.
If I turn off and turn on normally, dock mode and charging works...

I'll give it a shot with the Kosmos CFW pack, just to be sure and reply back here

Thx a million for your willingness to help me so far!

 

[Undwiz]

maybe a battery calibration issue ? I am no expert but I think there is a way to calibrate the battery.. but of course you would have to get into rcm to do so...

or maybe the switch for some reason is not completely shutting down. unplug the battery for 15 mins plug it back in then try sending a payload.

 

[mvmiranda]

maybe a battery calibration issue ? I am no expert but I think there is a way to calibrate the battery.. but of course you would have to get into rcm to do so...

or maybe the switch for some reason is not completely shutting down. unplug the battery for 15 mins plug it back in then try sending a payload.

I have done it already... Same issue.
Back when I was really stuck with AutoRCM I thought it was the battery.
I opened the console up, unplugged the battery I put another good one from another console. Still the same issue.

This is so F'ing werid...

 

[crow132]

try launching stock fw, then connect your switch to your pc, does it get recognized? does a device alert called nintendo switch pops up when you do it?

 

[mvmiranda]

try launching stock fw, then connect your switch to your pc, does it get recognized? does a device alert called nintendo switch pops up when you do it?

Yup!
On normal stock FW the console works for charging, dock also works on my TV... I'm not really sure the PC beeps when I plug the console in it but it certainly charges. Also, for obvious reasons TegraRcmGUI doesn't recognize it

 

[crow132]

Yup!
On normal stock FW the console works for charging, dock also works on my TV... I'm not really sure the PC beeps when I plug the console in it but it certainly charges. Also, for obvious reasons TegraRcmGUI doesn't recognize it

but its important for it to beep, or at least to appear in windows 10s device manager

for example, my usb c is partially damaged, the system can dock, but i can't send any payload to the system neither it gets recognized by my PC. (though my port damage was done by installing the internal modchip)

 

[Hayato213]

I can boot into SXOS, ATM or any other CFW normally, when RCM works
The problem is that when I enter RCM (the console is not in AutoRCM) it gets unresponsive, like if it was stuck or whatever.
Like, it works once, twice at most then it gets stuck. Neither the PC or dongle makes it boot any CFW.
If I turn off and turn on normally, dock mode and charging works...

I'll give it a shot with the Kosmos CFW pack, just to be sure and reply back here

Thx a million for your willingness to help me so far!

Looks like problem is your port. Easy way out of this problem is getting a modchip.

 

[subcon959]

Try a different usb cable. It might sound weird but the same cable can work fine for months and suddenly stop working just for that one device.

 

[crow132]

Try a different usb cable. It might sound weird but the same cable can work fine for months and suddenly stop working just for that one device.

try that too, for sure

 

[mvmiranda]

but its important for it to beep, or at least to appear in windows 10s device manager

for example, my usb c is partially damaged, the system can dock, but i can't send any payload to the system neither it gets recognized by my PC. (though my port damage was done by installing the internal modchip)

Looks like problem is your port. Easy way out of this problem is getting a modchip.

Huummm!
You guys seem to be correct regarding the USB port!
I have just tried the switch on my PC and it beeps but doesn't appear on Windows 10 device manager.

I plugged another known working Switch and it beeps, appear on device manager and my windows 10 tell me my Nintendo Switch device is ready.