Hacking Port Cover For Hard Mod?

[SnowBird]

In preparation to hard mod my 3DS (for NAND dumping/flashing) I went and looked up a couple tutorials on the web about it. something that struck me as odd was in the end of the tutorial they would leave the port (the one that they added to the outside of the 3ds for NAND access) uncovered. This seems weird to me because shouldn't there be concerns about ESD and the fact that you have connections directly to the motherboard now outside the console? So my question really is, is it a good idea to get something to cover that port on the 3DS or is this not necessary. Also, if this is a good idea, where would i be able to find a cover for this (I plan on using a standard 4 pin fan cable).

 

[gamesquest1]

if you used a micro USB port you could get something like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/25-Pcs-An...over-Micro-USB-Port-Ear-Jack-DK-/281630786049

but it will probably have to be a home made sort of thing if your using something like a fan connector.

 

[tbb043]

You could always cover it with a piece of electrical tape if you can't find something to fit, but I wouldn't worry about it. Ports go uncovered all the time. Usually if they are covered it's just to keep dust out or make it look neater.

 

[SnowBird]

Is there something more recommended then a fan connector? I dont want to use a micro USB port because i know someone is going to think that it is actually for connecting VIA usb and then bad things will likely happen.

 

[gamesquest1]

Is there something more recommended then a fan connector? I dont want to use a micro USB port because i know someone is going to think that it is actually for connecting VIA usb and then bad things will likely happen.

yeah i dont suggest using a usb port, heard 2 stories so far of fried nand's when people have just plugged them into a normal USB cable, it depends where you put the port tbh, you can fit a mini jst port under the battery cover if your worried about it getting stuff stuck in it like this

that way its always covered up unless you need it

 

[SnowBird]

Ok, I like this idea, thank you for the help.

 

[mrbits]

yeah i dont suggest using a usb port, heard 2 stories so far of fried nand's when people have just plugged them into a normal USB cable, it depends where you put the port tbh, you can fit a mini jst port under the battery cover if your worried about it getting stuff stuck in it like this

that way its always covered up unless you need it

How come that only seems to have 2 connectors? I am interested in putting a nand access port in a similar location

 

[gamesquest1]

How come that only seems to have 2 connectors? I am interested in putting a nand access port in a similar location

it has 4, there is just 2 holes in the plastic that are there to keep the connector plugged in secure, that make it look weird.....the 4 lines going down are the pins inside the connects, they aren't joined up or anything

 

[Jaitsu]

When you guys mention the USB port frying the board, that doesn't apply to this mod: https://gbatemp.net/threads/3ds-xl-nand-access-via-usb-mod.363245/ does it? That chip effectively acts as a safety barrier, correct?

 

[mrbits]

it has 4, there is just 2 holes in the plastic that are there to keep the connector plugged in secure, that make it look weird.....the 4 lines going down are the pins inside the connects, they aren't joined up or anything

Oh I see, it's a male connector rather than a female one. I was thinking you'd usually have a female one in there, but I guess whatever fits best

 

[The Real Jdbye]

When you guys mention the USB port frying the board, that doesn't apply to this mod: https://gbatemp.net/threads/3ds-xl-nand-access-via-usb-mod.363245/ does it? That chip effectively acts as a safety barrier, correct?

That has the SD card reader built in, and is the best way to do NAND mods. Most people don't do it that way though, because it's more work, and there's very little space to work with so you have to use a tiny MicroSD reader that will fit (and it also has to be able to read MMC). A switch is also required to be able to disconnect one of the pins from the SD card reader to allow the 3DS to boot correctly when the reader isn't in use.
It's designed to be used with a regular Micro USB, so you can use your phone charging cable, camera cable etc. A lot more convenient and safe

 

[Jaitsu]

That has the SD card reader built in, and is the best way to do NAND mods. Most people don't do it that way though, because it's more work, and there's very little space to work with so you have to use a tiny MicroSD reader that will fit (and it also has to be able to read MMC). A switch is also required to be able to disconnect one of the pins from the SD card reader to allow the 3DS to boot correctly when the reader isn't in use.
It's designed to be used with a regular Micro USB, so you can use your phone charging cable, camera cable etc. A lot more convenient and safe

Yeah, I've been thinking about doing a hard-mod, and that definitely seems like it'd be worth the extra effort... even if my soldering skills could use some work. Oh well, at least the really tightly-spaced pins are on the reader, not on the board; on the board they seem pretty decently spaced and accessible.