Hacking A LOT of questions

[Uncle_Iroh]

Hey all!
I'm new here, and a complete newcomer to the Nintendo (3)DS side of things. I have purchased a refurbished 3DS XL from Nintendo and a retail cart of Pokemon Omega Ruby. The 3DS hasn't arrived yet so I'm not sure what firmware it will come with, but assuming I play Omega Ruby, I guess its system version will be updated to whatever is required for that.
I intend to use a Gateway card sometime in the future (not my no. 1 priority, which is why I didn't bother to buy used 3DS <4.5). I've been reading up, and am aware that a new exploit supporting system versions up to 9.2 is imminent. Given that, I have a couple of questions:

1) I get that I should avoid all system updates as possible, and should thus disable SpotPass. Do I need to disable WiFi entirely? Or am I allowed to use the regular online functions of Pokemon such as wonder trading and events? In other words, is the minimum firmware required to run a game enough to access online content within the game (not eShop and the like)? I'd really prefer to be able to use my 3DS to the fullest ASAP.

2) Is there any point to buying a Gateway card right now, before the next exploit is released? I.E. something along the lines of being able to backup the NAND without an exploit, so that I can freely update now, but get back later if required. (I fear the answer may be no.)

3) I also intend to use a DS flashcart. Are there any advantages of using a dedicated DS cart like the DSTwo over the DS cart that comes with the Gateway (GBA emulation isn't of prime concern to me)? Since the launcher.dat procedure has to be re done everytime a DS game is run, I'm assuming it is possible to run DS Roms AND the launcher file on the same cart.

4) Most of these questions will probably be moot if my 3DS comes with system version 9.4! Does anyone know what system versions refurbs come with? It's a Black/Black XL model.

5) I hear that the Sky3DS cart has an exploit for 9.4, even though it doesn't support MultiRom. In the worst case, is Sky3DS a viable alternative?

6) There appears to be a bit of an inconsistency in the FAQ regarding NAND restore. First it says "It's possible only through hardware method.
If you want to modify your console to do hardware NAND backup and restore, you can check these threads:
"

Then it says "
Can I restore a NAND backup made using software tool?

Yes.
But only a NAND backup from your own 3DS. "
SO which is it?

Thanks a lot in advance!

 

[Vengenceonu]

1. Disable Wi-Fi entirely if you have no need for online features in games or don't plan to enter the eshop. The 3DS can (without asking you) pre-download the latest update via wifi and regularly prompt you to update it. If you play online games then turn on all the Parental controls so you don't update. If you try to enter the eshop it will require you to update.
2. Yes you can backup the Nand with a Gateway card BUT since the newly released 9.2 exploit isn't out yet, you can't access GW mode where the backup Nand feature is.
3. The DS card that comes with Gateway only works up to firmware 6.2 so it will be useless to you. Get a Ds cart specifically for that purpose. The Dstwo is the premium DS card so if you want all the bells and whistles then get it. If you just want to play DS games, then get an R4i gold 3DS card (NOT DELUXE EDITION). Don't expect Gateway to do anything about DS game compatibility. They strictly focus on 3DS compatibility.
4. Idk, ask in the 3DS noob paradise thread.
5. Sky3DS supports all firmwares and it is not an exploit, it's a 1 to 1 card that pretends to be a legit card. Sky3DS does support multirom but it's not fast. It takes 10 seconds to switch to the next game so having a bunch of games on it can be a hassle. It's done via a physical button on the back that you press to switch. Sky3DS is for those who want to play region-locked retail 3DS games. Thats it. No eshop games, No region free, no CIA's, No Hacks, No nand Backups, etc. If your okay with that then get a Sky3DS.
6. You can only restore a NAND through the Hardware method with a Nand Specific to that console, you can't share nand backups. You can DUMP a Nand via hardware AND software method though.

 

[Thomas12345]

1) To be safe, you should disable wifi entirely while in sysnand. Some people have gotten updates with wifi on even though they've deleted all their internet settings (ex with Nintendo Zone). Once you enter Emunand, you can turn on wifi (and then shut it off when you turn off the 3DS, cuz it'll reboot into sysnand).

2) No, the only reason you might want to buy GW now is that the price might increase or run out of stock when 9.0-9.2 support is released

3) The blue DS card that comes with GW won't work on newer firmwares. If you have a DSTWO, just use that. Assuming that your firmware is low enough for the blue card to work, you just have to put your .nds roms on it and you should be able to play it

4) it will likely come with a supported firmware version (<= 9.2)

5) Sky3DS supports up to 31 games currently. GW has been saying they'll release the new update "soon", in "a few days", "around the corner" for weeks now, and still no update, so yes Sky3DS is a good alternative for the time being.

6) Different 3DS's have different NAND. So you cannot take your friend's NAND backup of his 3DS and expect it to work on your 3DS.

 

[Uncle_Iroh]

1. Disable Wi-Fi entirely if you have no need for online features in games or don't plan to enter the eshop. The 3DS can (without asking you) pre-download the latest update via wifi and regularly prompt you to update it. If you play online games then turn on all the Parental controls so you don't update. If you try to enter the eshop it will require you to update.
2. Yes you can backup the Nand with a Gateway card BUT since the newly released 9.2 exploit isn't out yet, you can't access GW mode where the backup Nand feature is.
3. The DS card that comes with Gateway only works up to firmware 6.2 so it will be useless to you. Get a Ds cart specifically for that purpose. The Dstwo is the premium DS card so if you want all the bells and whistles then get it. If you just want to play DS games, then get an R4i gold 3DS card (NOT DELUXE EDITION). Don't expect Gateway to do anything about DS game compatibility. They strictly focus on 3DS compatibility.
4. Idk, ask in the 3DS noob paradise thread.
5. Sky3DS supports all firmwares and it is not an exploit, it's a 1 to 1 card that pretends to be a legit card. Sky3DS does support multirom but it's not fast. It takes 10 seconds to switch to the next game so having a bunch of games on it can be a hassle. It's done via a physical button on the back that you press to switch. Sky3DS is for those who want to play region-locked retail 3DS games. Thats it. No eshop games, No region free, no CIA's, No Hacks, No nand Backups, etc. If your okay with that then get a Sky3DS.
6. You can only restore a NAND through the Hardware method with a Nand Specific to that console, you can't share nand backups. You can DUMP a Nand via hardware AND software method though.

First, thanks a MILLION for replying so quickly.
Second, I have a few follow up questions
1) Even if the 3DS does download the update, it won't apply it on its own, right? So if I screw up and allow the download, its still not the end of the world, right?
Also, All in game online features will work without the latest update, right?
2) This probably has no answer, but has there been any timeline discussed on when the exploit will be released?
5) What exactly is a 1 to 1 card? I just saw a video of the switching, I think it's alright. Does it at least provide the ability to dump roms, or is it only for downloaded roms?
6) Sorry about that, I appear to have mis read it.

7) What exactly is CIA? From what I understand, its an alternative to roms, it appears as a downloaded game as opposed to a cart, its decrypted, and presumably a little smaller in file size. What are the real advantages/disadvantages to it vs roms?

 

[thorasgar]

Refurbed systems generally come updated to the latest firmware. It all depends when Nintendo refurbed the system and boxed it up for shipping. Just wait and see. Given that I would not buy a gateway until you know for sure. Good luck!

1. No you still have to accept it but you will be nagged.
2. There are over 600 pages of timeline speculation, have fun reading them, or not.
5. 1:1 is an exact copy of the game. No modifications. Sky does not dump roms
7. You have the major advantages. Cia files reside on the internal SD card if the 3DS so you can pop out the gateway and play them until you exit Gateway mode.

 

[Vengenceonu]

First, thanks a MILLION for replying so quickly.
Second, I have a few follow up questions
1) Even if the 3DS does download the update, it won't apply it on its own, right? So if I screw up and allow the download, its still not the end of the world, right?
Also, All in game online features will work without the latest update, right?
2) This probably has no answer, but has there been any timeline discussed on when the exploit will be released?
5) What exactly is a 1 to 1 card? I just saw a video of the switching, I think it's alright. Does it at least provide the ability to dump roms, or is it only for downloaded roms?
6) Sorry about that, I appear to have mis read it.

7) What exactly is CIA? From what I understand, its an alternative to roms, it appears as a downloaded game as opposed to a cart, its decrypted, and presumably a little smaller in file size. What are the real advantages/disadvantages to it vs roms?

1. No, it won't update until you press "Yes" when it asks "Do you want to update?". If it ever predownloads all you have to do is press B and it will go away, but it pops up everytime you turn on the 3DS so it can get annoying hence avoiding it all together is the best option.
2. All they've said is soon, in a few days, and around new years. It can come out in 5 minutes or even a week. No one knows.
3. Its emulating (pretending to be) a real card. There is no exploit, its just pretending its legit. This means it doesnt have any kernal/userland permission to do things like homebrew, CIA Downloads, custom Gui's, etc. All it can do is play games.
4. CIA (CTR-Importable-Archive) is the format of games installed onto the 3DS (like when you buy digital games). Normally 3DS games come in .3DS format that you put on your micro SD to play. Using CIA's, you can put them on your SD card instead to install themes from the eshop, retail games converted to CIA, eshop games, game hacks, etc. straight onto the console itself. Basically it's a bunch of cool shit that is cool to have.

 

[Uncle_Iroh]

okay, the CIA does sound awesome.

So the only way to get roms for the Sky3DS is to download them illegally? Also, does it support regular functions like save file backup?

Also, using wifi with all parental controls only in game is safe, right?