Hacking Should I ditch Gateway for CFW?

[Scorchy]

Hello, I have 4.1 sysNAND O3DS (bought it solely for GW long ago) with both Gateway and rxTools on latest emuNAND. I installed rxTools recently for GBA games and also discovered CIAngel, freeshop... hehe... and I realized my Gateway would now be completely useless since I only play CIAs now since it's alot more hasse-free to use than .3ds. And also, since rxTools doesn't need a Card to boot and has almost no restriction I now prefer it over GW.

But my question is, can CFW do everything Gateway do and is there any advantage of Gateway over CFW? I noticed there's no cheat plugins for CIAs which is not a big issue but it's still something GW had over CFW. Is there any other reasons beside that to keep Gateway? Otherwise I'll just sell my Gateway and keep CFW.

Thanks!

 

[astronautlevel]

The only main issue with CFW is cheats as you said; however, NTR supports cheats (though not as many as GW).

Also, you should look into switching to arm9loaderhax - it's a bit of a pain to setup, but you can boot into CFW instantly, like the system was stock. Here is a very well written guide: https://github.com/plailect/Guide/wiki

 

[metroid maniac]

Gateway's only good for running .3ds files nowadays.

If you don't want to do that then use CFW.

 

[Scorchy]

The only main issue with CFW is cheats as you said; however, NTR supports cheats (though not as many as GW).

Also, you should look into switching to arm9loaderhax - it's a bit of a pain to setup, but you can boot into CFW instantly, like the system was stock. Here is a very well written guide: https://github.com/plailect/Guide/wiki

Is NTR another CFW? Would I have setup a whole new CFW only for cheats?

I've been looking for instant boot, that would be great since I won't use Gateway anymore, but I don't really know arm9 CFW, how hard is it to install compared to rxTools and is it as safe as rxTools? I heard you needed to update to 9.2 or something to use it, if it's true I'd be a bit scared to leave my 4.1 sysNAND :o

 

[astronautlevel]

Is NTR another CFW? Would I have setup a whole new CFW only for cheats?

NTR is sort of like a CFW, but you basically run it on top of an existing CFW as a CIA.

I've been looking for instant boot, that would be great since I won't use Gateway anymore, but I don't really know arm9 CFW, how hard is it to install compared to rxTools and is it as safe as rxTools? I heard you needed to update to 9.2 or something to use it, if it's true I'd be a bit scared to leave my 4.1 sysNAND :o

It's more difficult to install (you can read over the guide for details) but it's actually much more safe than rxTools. Once it's installed, you don't have to worry about keeping your sysnand downgraded - arm9loaderhax runs before the firmware boots so it doesn't matter what version you're on.

Also, the CFW that is frequently used with arm9loaderhax (arm9loaderhax is just an entrypoint, like the DS profile), Luma3DS, still receives active updates, whereas rxTools hasn't received an upgrade in a long time, and will probably break in a future firmware update.

 

[evandixon]

I recommend using Gateway and Luma using this guide:
https://gbatemp.net/threads/tutorial-using-luma3ds-with-gateway-on-v2-a9lh.431691/

 

[Scorchy]

It's more difficult to install (you can read over the guide for details) but it's actually much more safe than rxTools. Once it's installed, you don't have to worry about keeping your sysnand downgraded - arm9loaderhax runs before the firmware boots so it doesn't matter what version you're on.

Also, the CFW that is frequently used with arm9loaderhax (arm9loaderhax is just an entrypoint, like the DS profile), Luma3DS, still receives active updates, whereas rxTools hasn't received an upgrade in a long time, and will probably break in a future firmware update.

And will it keep everything from my current sysNAND (GBA games and saves) and emuNAND too? I wanna try it out but it looks like it's easy to mess up and end up with unrecoverable brick, the guide looks a bit complicated. It'd be better with a video maybe.

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I recommend using Gateway and Luma using this guide:
https://gbatemp.net/threads/tutorial-using-luma3ds-with-gateway-on-v2-a9lh.431691/

What's the point of using both? For Gateway cheats?

 

[Skyshadow101]

And will it keep everything from my current sysNAND (GBA games and saves) and emuNAND too? I wanna try it out but it looks like it's easy to mess up and end up with unrecoverable brick, the guide looks a bit complicated. It'd be better with a video maybe.

No, you have to choose 1 NAND to use. Emunand seems like the better option. I don't think you can backup GBA saves either. So just go with emunand if it has your nnid. And a9lh is very easy to install. Just follow the guide to the letter and you will be fine.

Sent from my Browser on a New 3DS XL with A9LH

 

[astronautlevel]

And will it keep everything from my current sysNAND (GBA games and saves) and emuNAND too? I wanna try it out but it looks like it's easy to mess up and end up with unrecoverable brick, the guide looks a bit complicated. It'd be better with a video maybe.

You'll lose the things on your SysNAND, but if you don't have too many GBA games you can back them up with Decrypt9 beforehand.

 

[Scorchy]

You'll lose the things on your SysNAND, but if you don't have too many GBA games you can back them up with Decrypt9 beforehand.

I see, but if there's no sysNAND how does it work then? Say, I want to install a custom GBA VC, normally you install it on both sysNAND and emuNAND but how do you do it on A9LH? You just install it to your main nand and it works instantly?

I only have one GBA game save I want to keep but I think I can back it up and restore with Decrypt9 GBA VC Tool so it's not much of an issue.

 

[astronautlevel]

I see, but if there's no sysNAND how does it work then? Say, I want to install a custom GBA VC, normally you install it on both sysNAND and emuNAND but how do you do it on A9LH? You just install it to your main nand and it works instantly?

I only have one GBA game save I want to keep but I think I can back it up and restore with Decrypt9 GBA VC Tool so it's not much of an issue.

At the end of the guide, you copy your EmuNAND to your SysNAND and then get rid of your EmuNAND. So yeah, you just install the game once on SysNAND and it works.

 

[metroid maniac]

I see, but if there's no sysNAND how does it work then? Say, I want to install a custom GBA VC, normally you install it on both sysNAND and emuNAND but how do you do it on A9LH? You just install it to your main nand and it works instantly?

I only have one GBA game save I want to keep but I think I can back it up and restore with Decrypt9 GBA VC Tool so it's not much of an issue.

A typical a9lh CFW setup uses only the sysnand.

You install the GBA game on sysnand, and it just works.

 

[evandixon]

What's the point of using both? For Gateway cheats?

Not only cheats, but it gives you the option to use *.3ds files whenever you want (after a console restart). I use it periodically to try out ROM hacks.

 

[Scorchy]

At the end of the guide, you copy your EmuNAND to your SysNAND and then get rid of your EmuNAND. So yeah, you just install the game once on SysNAND and it works.

Thanks, you really helped, I think I will just follow this tutorial to the word and install A9LH, apparently it even supports DSTWO so I would be able to keep it in my 3ds, sell my Gateway and never need any other cartridge ever . You seem to know this very well so if I need any help with the setup I'll just PM you, do you have any public messaging app so I can contact easily? :3

Not only cheats, but it gives you the option to use *.3ds files whenever you want (after a console restart). I use it periodically to try out ROM hacks.

I see, well NTR cheat plugins seems to be enough for most popular games and I don't want to have to deal with a .3ds ever again (my MM3D .sav got corrupted when I was using .3ds, couldn't finish it.. ), I'll just get sell my Gateway.

 

[astronautlevel]

Thanks, you really helped, I think I will just follow this tutorial to the word and install A9LH, apparently it even supports DSTWO so I would be able to keep it in my 3ds, sell my Gateway and never need any other cartridge ever . You seem to know this very well so if I need any help with the setup I'll just PM you, do you have any public messaging app so I can contact easily? :3

You can PM me directly on GBATemp, or on Discord (I'm astronautlevel#3876).

 

[The Catboy]

If you don't care about the .3DS support or easily set up cheats, I seriously suggest switching to a free CFW.
Gateway is always out of date, still uses out of date things like emuNANDS, A9LH support is crap, ect.
I suggest checking out my thread!
http://gbatemp.net/threads/faq-what-cfw-is-best-for-me.428509/

 

[evandixon]

(my MM3D .sav got corrupted when I was using .3ds, couldn't finish it.. )

Converting .3ds/.3dz files to card 2 fixes that issue.

I'll just get sell my Gateway.

I'd recommend keeping Gateway around, unless you really need the money. IMO it's much easier to use ROM hacks with it.

 

[Scorchy]

Converting .3ds/.3dz files to card 2 fixes that issue.

Really?? I mean I still had the .sav but everytime I run it with a MM3D .3ds it says corrupted save, it happened with Smash Bros too but when I come to think of it I only tried my save with a different rom, I didn't used the geniune one which was .3dz with a custom header I think. How do you convert to card 2?

I'd recommend keeping Gateway around, unless you really need the money. IMO it's much easier to use ROM hacks with it.

Well I have no interest in rom hacks, I have enough normal games to play, I don't have time to play Rom hacks xD. And I know I won't need Gateway so keeping it and having to install their new updates every times is kinda annoying for me. It's a waste of money to keep it for me.

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If you don't care about the .3DS support or easily set up cheats, I seriously suggest switching to a free CFW.
Gateway is always out of date, still uses out of date things like emuNANDS, A9LH support is crap, ect.
I suggest checking out my thread!
http://gbatemp.net/threads/faq-what-cfw-is-best-for-me.428509/

Thanks! This post looks really complete and it's exactly what I need, I know nothing about CFW beside rxTools since I always used Gateway. I'll read this and make my decision.

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You can PM me directly on GBATemp, or on Discord (I'm astronautlevel#3876).

Ok, perfect, I'll PM you on Discord if I need any help

 

[The Catboy]

Really?? I mean I still had the .sav but everytime I run it with a MM3D .3ds it says corrupted save, it happened with Smash Bros too but when I come to think of it I only tried my save with a different rom, I didn't used the geniune one which was .3dz with a custom header I think. How do you convert to card 2?



Well I have no interest in rom hacks, I have enough normal games to play, I don't have time to play Rom hacks xD. And I know I won't need Gateway so keeping it and having to install their new updates every times is kinda annoying for me. It's a waste of money to keep it for me.

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Thanks! This post looks really complete and it's exactly what I need, I know nothing about CFW beside rxTools since I always used Gateway. I'll read this and make my decision.

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Ok, perfect, I'll PM you on Discord if I need any help

If you need help, you can also PM me or comment on my thread. If there's one thing I am good at, it's CFWs!

 

[evandixon]

How do you convert to card 2?

See this thread for download link and general information:
https://gbatemp.net/threads/how-do-i-convert-card-1-save-to-card-2.382432/