Hacking Just got a fresh N3DS on 9.9.0. Any recommended advice?

[b0rd2dEAth]

Hey guys!
So I just got a New 3DS XL and its currently on OS 9.9.0. I want the Homebrew Channel and softmodded features/abilities on my device and I've read around a bunch of different tutorials, but at this point I'm not sure what route is best. Some people say to downgrade and go to 9.2.0, then go to a CFW, others say to update to 10.5 or 10.7 and use Browserhax.. I want to be able to play games that I own online that may require the system update (like MH4U). Do you guys think I should downgrade to 9.2.0 then update to a CFW? Is there a CFW for 10.7? Or should I update 10.7? Please let me know your thoughts and advice. Thanks!

 

[FTRBND]

You should try this tutorial. It downgrades to 9.2 to install emunand then downgrades to 2.1 to get OTP and install A9LH. https://github.com/Plailect/Guide/wiki (just be sure to install aureinand)
Most CFW work on emunand as 10.7.

 

[CrispyYoshi]

I second following the Plailect tutorial. Follow it all the way through the end of part 5, getting A9LH [exploit] CFW [custom firmware] set up on your sysnand [internal chip storing operating system data].

 

[MattKimura]

Follow the guide linked above, but don't feel like you HAVE to continue passed step 3. Going any further is optional and sets up Arm9loaderhax. You don't NEED it, and it's up to you if you want to set that up. It gives a very small benefit, which can be big to some.

Edit: Do whatever you want lol

 

[b0rd2dEAth]

Thanks a lot for the quick reply! I'll look into that tutorial. Im not too worried about bricking the device since I can still return it, but I do want to transfer my profile from my other 3DS at some point.

You should try this tutorial. It downgrades to 9.2 to install emunand then downgrades to 2.1 to get OTP and install A9LH. https://github.com/Plailect/Guide/wiki (just be sure to install aureinand)
Most CFW work on emunand as 10.7.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

thanks everyone for your replies! I'll work through the tutorials and then post my results asap!

 

[FTRBND]

thanks everyone for your replies! I'll work through the tutorials and then post my results asap!

If you encounter ANY error or are afraid of continuing or have doubts, feel free to ask.

 

[Margen67]

I second following the Plailect tutorial. Follow it all the way through the end of part 5, getting A9LH [exploit] CFW [custom firmware] set up on your sysnand [internal chip storing operating system data].

I third Plailect's guide.

 

[dubbz82]

Follow the guide linked above, but don't feel like you HAVE to continue passed step 3. Going any further is optional and sets up Arm9loaderhax. You don't NEED it, and it's up to you if you want to set that up. It gives a very small benefit, which can be big to some.

Edit: Do whatever you want lol

Lets agree to disagree. Faster boot times, 100 percent boot rate, freeing up space on your SD card, and the ability to fix certain types of hard bricks? Not exactly what I'd write off as a small benefit, although to be clear, yes this does take a bit of extra time to set up.

 

[Wolfvak]

Lets agree to disagree. Faster boot times, 100 percent boot rate, freeing up space on your SD card, and the ability to fix certain types of hard bricks? Not exactly what I'd write off as a small benefit, although to be clear, yes this does take a bit of extra time to set up.

The only real benefit which is absolutely valid is the faster and 100 percent boot rate.

"freeing up space on your SD card" is slightly valid because if the guy is in for piracy then he most likely has a 32gb+ sdcard. 1.2/1.9 GB of space aren't going to do much of a difference.

"ability to fix certain types of hard bricks" this is valid as well, but most bricks actually come from messing with FIRM, not CTRNAND. If you are messing with sysNAND's CTRNAND or FIRM then you either know what you're doing or are extremely stupid.

@b0rd2dEAth : If you worked hard to get it, wait some time, get menuhax in there. If you can get another one, just YOLO the fuck out of that n3DS and get a9lh in there.

 

[Deleted User]

Plailects guide is pretty good! If you do continue on to set up Arm9LoaderHax, let me warn you now, if it's going over the top of your head and giving you a headache, take a break. My OTP + Arm9LoaderHax took me about 2-4 hours. Make sure you follow ALL directions and DON'T do anything without being instructed to or your 3ds will perma- brick

 

[b0rd2dEAth]

Alright, all good so far. I'm now on 9.2.0 and got the Homebrew Channel. I was looking over Step 5 and was wondering if I should use AuReiNand or CakesFW. Also, for this step, do they both do the same thing?

 

[Deleted User]

Alright, all good so far. I'm now on 9.2.0 and got the Homebrew Channel. I was looking over Step 5 and was wondering if I should use AuReiNand or CakesFW. Also, for this step, do they both do the same thing?

AuReiNand does so much more- pick that

 

[b0rd2dEAth]

AuReiNand does so much more- pick that

Alright cool, sounds good! Kinda giving the device its first full charge at the moment so I'll have to pick back up with the steps as soon as its complete. Thanks!

 

[Temarile]

I followed the guide too and it's working pretty damn good. I use AuReiNand. I was getting sick with menuhax. I wanted to show my cousin something and I had to reboot 3 times before I got it to load the home Menu.

 

[Jiro2]

You should try this tutorial. It downgrades to 9.2 to install emunand then downgrades to 2.1 to get OTP and install A9LH. https://github.com/Plailect/Guide/wiki (just be sure to install aureinand)
Most CFW work on emunand as 10.7.

*Sigh*. Another newbie being told to use a9lh.

You absolutely do not need a9lh in order to get the benefit of custom firmware and to play pirated games, use homebrew, or almost anything else. Menuhax+9.2+CFW is fine for that, and installing a9lh is dangerous.

 

[Margen67]

installing a9lh is dangerous.

Source?

 

[mgrev]

I third Plailect's guide.

I fourth the plailect guide

 

[Temarile]

I fourth the plailect guide

I fifth Plialects guide

(is that how it works?)

 

[b0rd2dEAth]

alright I ran into a couple issues on step 3.

1. Open CakesFW (This can sometimes take a few tries)
2. Go to "Select Patches"
3. Activate the "Enable EmuNAND" and "Disable Signature Checks" patches, then press Start to continue
4. Select "Boot CFW" to enter RedNAND (you must launch CakesFW from the Homebrew Launcher every time you want to boot RedNAND)

Im getting boot error when I click Boot CFW. anyone know what might be causing this issue?

Edit: Alright, resolved the issue. Accidentally downloaded an older version of CakesFW which had bullet points that also had to also be checked off or else it would return a boot error. Once they were checked off the application then told me it was outdated.

 

[FTRBND]

alright I ran into a couple issues on step 3.

1. Open CakesFW (This can sometimes take a few tries)
2. Go to "Select Patches"
3. Activate the "Enable EmuNAND" and "Disable Signature Checks" patches, then press Start to continue
4. Select "Boot CFW" to enter RedNAND (you must launch CakesFW from the Homebrew Launcher every time you want to boot RedNAND)

Im getting boot error when I click Boot CFW. anyone know what might be causing this issue?

Edit: Alright, resolved the issue. Accidentally downloaded an older version of CakesFW which had bullet points that also had to also be checked off or else it would return a boot error. Once they were checked off the application then told me it was outdated.

It's normal for the boot to take a few tries. It is why you should install a9lh, then you will have 100% boot rate and boot CFW (cakes) right from start without going in hbl.
I would've recommended you start with aurei since it's easier to use but continue that way throughout the guide