Homebrew Noobiest of noob questions

[MadonnaProject]

Hi guys, I am completely new to the scene. I have done a lot of reading over the past 4-5 days and I have come across a few options available. This is what I understand to be the two options so far:

1. CFW on the 3ds. This basically allows us to install home-brew and CIA of official and non-official origin. However there is a higher chance the non-official CIA will get us banned when played online.

2. New soundhax and home-brew option. This allows only the use of signed and official CIA and is best as there is a lesser chance of being banned.

Apart from these two options is there any other advantage to someone of using the CFW over the Soundhax option? if there is could you please let me know what I should go with?

Thanks in advance. Hope this wasn't too noob for all you experts.

 

[Somebody Whoisbored]

1. Yes, CFW patches signature checks so that the 3DS never checks that a CIA is official. The chances of being banned with a homebrew CIA is pretty much 0%. Just don't make it obvious (like setting it as your favorite title)

2. Soundhax alone does not allow signed CIAs to be run, although it is a gateway to using another exploit called fasthax, which gives the user those privileges.

I would highly recommend CFW and A9LH. If you ever want to do so, follow this guide. This is the bible in this community. Also, NEVER, I repeat, NEVER USE A VIDEO GUIDE. Not only are they pretty much always out of date, but they are a lot more sketchy. One video guide bricked hundreds of 3DSs because they inputted an additional file that shouldn't of been there.

On a final note, you are starting to have a grasp of the homebrew lingo and such, good job. Remember, we were all noobs at one point! Hope you have success.

 

[MadonnaProject]

1. Yes, CFW patches signature checks so that the 3DS never checks that a CIA is official. The chances of being banned with a homebrew CIA is pretty much 0%. Just don't make it obvious (like setting it as your favorite title)

2. Soundhax alone does not allow signed CIAs to be run, although it is a gateway to using another exploit called fasthax, which gives the user those privileges.

I would highly recommend CFW and A9LH. If you ever want to do so, follow this guide. This is the bible in this community. Also, NEVER, I repeat, NEVER USE A VIDEO GUIDE. Not only are they pretty much always out of date, but they are a lot more sketchy. One video guide bricked hundreds of 3DSs because they inputted an additional file that shouldn't of been there.

On a final note, you are starting to have a grasp of the homebrew lingo and such, good job. Remember, we were all noobs at one point! Hope you have success.

My Gosh that was a better reply than I would have ever expected. If you are any indication this community is very friendly. I just wanted to ask you for your opinion. As I already bricked a 3ds (and I think I know the video you mean), I am extremely uncomfortable in trying to install CFW at the moment. Would you agree as such that for the time being I install the home-brew channel using soundhax and then install FBI which is a legit CIA Installer? I think that should do me for the time being really.

Also once I install CIA files through FBI would I need to run soundhax overtime or could I just boot the CIA files directly?

Thanks for such a good reply again and I await your advice on the matter.

 

[Somebody Whoisbored]

My Gosh that was a better reply than I would have ever expected. If you are any indication this community is very friendly. I just wanted to ask you for your opinion. As I already bricked a 3ds (and I think I know the video you mean), I am extremely uncomfortable in trying to install CFW at the moment. Would you agree as such that for the time being I install the home-brew channel using soundhax and then install FBI which is a legit CIA Installer? I think that should do me for the time being really.

Also once I install CIA files through FBI would I need to run soundhax overtime or could I just boot the CIA files directly?

Thanks for such a good reply again and I await your advice on the matter.

Although you could do that, there are two kinds of signed CIAs, and only one of them you could install without CFW. Games that come in bundles (not in cartridge but installed in the 3DS already) are specially signed so that they can be played on every device. This is called a 'Legit CIA'. This is to simplify the process on Nintendo's part, as they don't need to create a signature for every bundle manufactured. Other CIAs (even if they are from the eShop and signed) are console specific and will not be accepted by your 3DS. There are not a lot of these bundles, so there are also not a lot of Legit CIAs. You can find the list somewhere if you want but there will not be many. Theoretically, you could install CFW without A9LH, but that is usually more dangerous than the A9LH installation itself. A9LH acts as a defence for possible screw ups, acting as a way around a possible brick. Without this, using CFW tools on a non-A9LH 3DS is very dangerous, as there is no protection.

 

[MadonnaProject]

Although you could do that, there are two kinds of signed CIAs, and only one of them you could install without CFW. Games that come in bundles (not in cartridge but installed in the 3DS already) are specially signed so that they can be played on every device. This is called a 'Legit CIA'. This is to simplify the process on Nintendo's part, as they don't need to create a signature for every bundle manufactured. Other CIAs (even if they are from the eShop and signed) are console specific and will not be accepted by your 3DS. There are not a lot of these bundles, so there are also not a lot of Legit CIAs. You can find the list somewhere if you want but there will not be many. Theoretically, you could install CFW without A9LH, but that is usually more dangerous than the A9LH installation itself. A9LH acts as a defence for possible screw ups, acting as a way around a possible brick. Without this, using CFW tools on a non-A9LH 3DS is very dangerous, as there is no protection.

I see, is there a way I can maybe use some sort of a "loader" like we have on the Wii U to load roms *.3ds files or other types of CIA files?

 

[Somebody Whoisbored]

I see, is there a way I can maybe use some sort of a "loader" like we have on the Wii U to load roms *.3ds files or other types of CIA files?

Not as far as I am aware of. By the way, what method did you use to attempt a 3DS A9LH install?

 

[MadonnaProject]

Not as far as I am aware of. By the way, what method did you use to attempt a 3DS A9LH install?

By following a youtube video. Later found out the guy had an american file in the package he uploaded. However luckily I replaced it with the EU version however I got stuck when I got to the browser injection step (which strangely enough a lot of other people did also).

 

[Somebody Whoisbored]

By following a youtube video. Later found out the guy had an american file in the package he uploaded. However luckily I replaced it with the EU version however I got stuck when I got to the browser injection step (which strangely enough a lot of other people did also).

That was probably your problem. These people really don't know what they are doing, and sometimes even modify the files to include their name (why even copy it?). The A9LH install is actually quite safe. I've done like 6-7 A9LH installs, and they have all been a complete success. If you ever change your mind, I sent the link to the official (as it gets) guide.

 

[MadonnaProject]

That was probably your problem. These people really don't know what they are doing, and sometimes even modify the files to include their name (why even copy it?). The A9LH install is actually quite safe. I've done like 6-7 A9LH installs, and they have all been a complete success. If you ever change your mind, I sent the link to the official (as it gets) guide.

Do you know of a video that you feel is thorough and works? Otherwise I am going to use the guide link you sent. You should make a video haha.

 

[Somebody Whoisbored]

Do you know of a video that you feel is thorough and works? Otherwise I am going to use the guide link you sent. You should make a video haha.

No, I don't. Even if I did make a video (I have considered it), it would soon be out of date, just adding to the confusion. I'm instead taking a different approach, and making a tool to speed up following the guide I sent you. It will simply detect what files you need and put them all where they are needed. Just trying to pitch in . Good luck on the A9LH install!

 

[HyperT]

My Gosh that was a better reply than I would have ever expected. If you are any indication this community is very friendly. I just wanted to ask you for your opinion. As I already bricked a 3ds (and I think I know the video you mean), I am extremely uncomfortable in trying to install CFW at the moment. Would you agree as such that for the time being I install the home-brew channel using soundhax and then install FBI which is a legit CIA Installer? I think that should do me for the time being really.

Also once I install CIA files through FBI would I need to run soundhax overtime or could I just boot the CIA files directly?

Thanks for such a good reply again and I await your advice on the matter.

Are you sure it was actually a brick?
O3ds/2ds/n3ds?
What happens when you power on with sdcard in/out?

 

[MadonnaProject]

No, I don't. Even if I did make a video (I have considered it), it would soon be out of date, just adding to the confusion. I'm instead taking a different approach, and making a tool to speed up following the guide I sent you. It will simply detect what files you need and put them all where they are needed. Just trying to pitch in . Good luck on the A9LH install!

Heya please help quick, I am trying to download Luma from GitHub and it is not working it just gives me an error when I try to click or download the file. This is the page I am going to. Is there anywhere else I can get luma?

https://github.com/AuroraWright/Luma3DS/releases

 

[Somebody Whoisbored]

Heya please help quick, I am trying to download Luma from GitHub and it is not working it just gives me an error when I try to click or download the file. This is the page I am going to. Is there anywhere else I can get luma?

https://github.com/AuroraWright/Luma3DS/releases

I believe the repo is down. Some hacker *cough* asshole *cough* hacked their account. Here: https://astronautlevel2.github.io/Luma3DS/builds/Luma-1eb18c17.zip Note, I have not confirmed that this is legit but I believe it is.

 

[MadonnaProject]

I believe the repo is down. Some hacker *cough* asshole *cough* hacked their account. Here: https://astronautlevel2.github.io/Luma3DS/builds/Luma-1eb18c17.zip Note, I have not confirmed that this is legit but I believe it is.

Thanks, is it in the HAX, 3DS, LUMA3DS folder? I am only meant to use the LUMA3DS.3dsx file right? not LUMA3DS.smdh file? Also do you have a verified Lum file perhaps?

 

[Somebody Whoisbored]

Thanks, is it in the HAX, 3DS, LUMA3DS folder? I am only meant to use the LUMA3DS.3dsx file right? not LUMA3DS.smdh file? Also do you have a verified Lum file perhaps?

I believe the guide says the arm9loaderhax.bin -> sd root. And I do have a verifiable bin but it will take a few minutes

 

[MattKimura]

Oh you already asked this question on another site, where I gave my answer.

 

[slaphappygamer]

In defense of the OP, the threads were created at the same time. The OP was looking for a quick response. It's all good. Second opinions are great. Now the OP is steered in the right direction. Aside from the video guide, the OP was smart enough to not use the provided files. It was a close call. No disrespect here, we all have to start somewhere.

 

[MadonnaProject]

I believe the guide says the arm9loaderhax.bin -> sd root. And I do have a verifiable bin but it will take a few minutes

first of all @matthappy - thank you, your advice really got me started in the right direction. Secondly @slaphappygamer thank you also for understanding, when it comes to these things as much advice as one can get is useful. It actually ended up getting me to somebodywhoisbored,.

Finally, @somebodywhoisbored I cannot even begin to thank you enough for the advice and the help. I have finally been able to put CFW on the 3ds which I was crapping myself about. I have installed the first CIA and they work. Now I am trying to download 3ds games to see if they work. Could you advise me how to use files with *.3ds extensions? Are there loaders for them? How does one use games not in CIA format?

 

[Somebody Whoisbored]

first of all @matthappy - thank you, your advice really got me started in the right direction. Secondly @slaphappygamer thank you also for understanding, when it comes to these things as much advice as one can get is useful. It actually ended up getting me to somebodywhoisbored,.

Finally, @somebodywhoisbored I cannot even begin to thank you enough for the advice and the help. I have finally been able to put CFW on the 3ds which I was crapping myself about. I have installed the first CIA and they work. Now I am trying to download 3ds games to see if they work. Could you advise me how to use files with *.3ds extensions? Are there loaders for them? How does one use games not in CIA format?

There is a command line program to make a 3ds into a unsigned CIA. I believe it is called makerom. I'll look up the link in a bit. Note that you will need to make everything yourself: banner, music, icon. The tool accepts png and mp3. And I am happy to help, I like to help people out when I can.

Here's the link to all 3ds making tools: https://github.com/d0k3/3DS-Tools-Collection

 

[MadonnaProject]

There is a command line program to make a 3ds into a unsigned CIA. I believe it is called makerom. I'll look up the link in a bit. Note that you will need to make everything yourself: banner, music, icon. The tool accepts png and mp3. And I am happy to help, I like to help people out when I can.

Here's the link to all 3ds making tools: https://github.com/d0k3/3DS-Tools-Collection

Thank you so much once again. Are you on steam by any chance? or xbox live? or PSN? If you PM me you details it would be a bonus as I'd have made a friend AND got a CFW 3ds, woo hoo.