Hacking Firmware question re: Pkmn Moon.

[Einzelherz]

I intentionally keep my systems on the oldest firmware as possible. My 3dsXL is currently still on 7.2.0-14U, which I think A link between worlds forced me into. I got Pokemon Moon for xmas and it wants to update to 11.0.0-14U.

I'm not currently using any CFW or flashcards (frankly the 3ds stuff is very complicated compared to my previous experience) but I'd hate to be locked out from being able to mess with it in the future. It seems that right now 11.x is unbreakable, but is it likely that that's just a matter of time? Or are there other options that I just don't understand?

 

[Majickhat55]

Well my opinion would definitely be to downgrade to 2.1 and install A9LH (Not sure what Homebrew works on your current firmware, so you may have to update to 9.X before downgrading to 2.1). It's always better to be safe than sorry especially if you may want to explore them in the future. As of right now, after updating to 11.X the only way to downgrade it with a hardmod or another 3DS. (there is another way but only if you already own specific DSiware which I assume you don't so I won't mention it). No one can predict the future so it's hard to say if another method will surface that will allow downgrading from 11.X with one DS and just HomeBrew. If you want it, get it now or take the chance at forfeiting the opportunity entirely(?).

 

[KanterZ]

Install Arm9loaderhax now before you do anything so you'll be "safe".

 

[Cuphat]

It would be a real bad idea to upgrade to 11.0, as 11.0 makes it way harder to CFW your 3DS.

On 7.2.0-14, you'll have an easy time, really. This guide is solid as hell, follow it now to get A9LH + Luma CFW installed. You'll need a torrent client for some of the magnet links in the guide. Here's where you'd start: https://3ds.guide/decrypt9-(browser)

Once installed fully, your 3DS will basically operate normally on the latest firmware, but you'll have permanent access to CFW/homebrew.

 

[Einzelherz]

Thank you guys for the thorough replies. I'm going to attempt to understand it all and give it a swing!

 

[Einzelherz]

I keep getting "an error has occurred" on the first step of trying execute decrypt9 through the browser. I've tried all four links in the guide and have cleared the savedata as well.

 

[WaterBotttle]

I keep getting "an error has occurred" on the first step of trying execute decrypt9 through the browser. I've tried all four links in the guide and have cleared the savedata as well.

How many times have you tried, some of the browser exploits can be unstable.

 

[Einzelherz]

Might be a better idea to start from here: https://3ds.guide/get-started

I did. I got up to the decrypt9 part already.

Verified that my SD card was MBR and I checked it for errors. I'm on an original XL with firmware between 7.0 and 8.0 and I have a browser.

 

[WaterBotttle]

I did. I got up to the decrypt9 part already.

Verified that my SD card was MBR and I checked it for errors. I'm on an original XL with firmware between 7.0 and 8.0 and I have a browser.

Sorry about that misread the version you were on, cart updates to newer versions can remove the browser.

Browser exploits crashing is common, how many times have you tried ?

 

[Cuphat]

Did you happen to get The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition back when it was available? If you have that on your 3DS, you could update to 11.0.0 and still be able to downgrade with DSiWarehax.

Otherwise, if you are unable to get the browser exploit to load into Decrypt9 (I'm assuming you've tried copying Launcher.dat and Decrypt9WIP.dat to your SD again to make sure it didn't get corrupted?) it's possible that you may need a cartridge containing a firmware between 9.0 and 10.7. From there you could use soundhax and downgrade to 9.2 and be able to launch Decrypt9 from the homebrew launcher.

 

[Einzelherz]

Is it not uncommon to have to try the browser hack a dozen or so times? Should I try another SD card?

 

[Deleted-379826]

Is it not uncommon to have to try the browser hack a dozen or so times? Should I try another SD card?

Sometimes it surely can take a while and I really doubt the SD Card is a problem. Whatever you do, don't give up! This certainly is the way to go!

 

[Einzelherz]

Sweet. The whole reason it wasn't working is because I'm illiterate and I put the two dat files into the files9 directory, not root. Yay for reading comprehension!

 

[Cuphat]

Sweet. The whole reason it wasn't working is because I'm illiterate and I put the two dat files into the files9 directory, not root. Yay for reading comprehension!

Haha, glad you got it working. Sometimes it's the really simple, dumb mistakes that cause a lot of problems. Good luck and let us know if you need any more help.

 

[Einzelherz]

I'm on section Vi, step 20 on https://3ds.guide/installing-arm9loaderhax. When I try to reboot without the SD card inserted, nothing happens. The power light blinks on and then back off. Step 21 was already completed earlier in the process at section III, step 2.

I don't really understand what CTRNAND is so I'm not sure if I've managed to somehow set it up accidentally?

 

[KanterZ]

I'm on section Vi, step 20 on https://3ds.guide/installing-arm9loaderhax. When I try to reboot without the SD card inserted, nothing happens. The power light blinks on and then back off. Step 21 was already completed earlier in the process at section III, step 2.

I don't really understand what CTRNAND is so I'm not sure if I've managed to somehow set it up accidentally?

press select while booting up

 

[Einzelherz]

I figured it out. I neglected to paste the binary to the CTRNAND folder in the main directory of FBI.

Thank you to everyone who helped me!

 

[Cuphat]

I don't really understand what CTRNAND is so I'm not sure if I've managed to somehow set it up accidentally?

Just for some clarification, CTRNAND is the main partition of the NAND (system memory) that the 3DS uses.

Glad you seem to have gotten everything set up. Enjoy your Pokemon Moon as well as your CFW'd 3DS.