Hacking Can somebody please give me a brief explanation about the following...

[terns21]

Hi... you could say am a newbie in the 3ds scene though i know a a lot about the psp scene. So here goes, just bought a new 3dsxl and i think its already in al9h and luma (like I said, I think), i can already install games thru FBI and is already playing games on it. But I was inform here to update my cfw to b9s, and before I do, I'd like to ask some questions...

1. What is AL9H? What does it do? What is its benefit? How do I know if my system is in AL9H?
2. What is Luma? What does it do? What is its benefit? How do I know if my system is in Luma?
3. What is B9S? What does it do? What is its benefit?

I'd like to know all this stuff before I can even think of tinkering my system.

 

[Oleboy555]

this is all copied from 3ds.guide:

Spoiler: 3ds.guide

What is Homebrew?
Homebrew usually refers to software that is not authorized by Nintendo. It allows you to run homebrew games, tools like save editing and backup, and emulators for various older systems.

In most cases, running homebrew on your device is 100% free using just the Nintendo 3DS Sound app. There are also various other exploits in commercial games and the browser to get homebrew running.

What is Custom Firmware?
Custom Firmware (“CFW”) enables you to use more advanced hacks that userland homebrew can’t easily do. For instance, signature patches let you install unsigned titles that appear right on your HOME Menu.

CFW can be easily set up on any console that is on 11.4.0 or lower.

What does this guide install?
This guide has the end goal of taking a completely unmodified 3DS from stock firmware to boot9strap powered Custom Firmware. On some versions, it utilizes homebrew as a stepping off point, but Custom Firmware is still the goal.

boot9strap is the newest and best method of launching Custom Firmware that gives us nearly full control of the system only milliseconds into boot, which is similar to the effect of BootMii for the Wii. It gives us even earlier control than arm9loaderhax did, and, unlike standard sighax, boot9strap uses an NDMA overwrite exploit in order to gain Boot9 code execution. This means that any console running boot9strap is capable of dumping the console unique OTP (OTP.bin), the ARM11 bootrom (boot11.bin), and the ARM9 bootrom (boot9.bin).

The benefits of boot9strap over other Custom Firmware launch methods are numerous, and as such it is recommended to use this guide over any other that relies on outdated software (such as menuhax + rxTools, arm9loaderhax, or even normal sighax).

For information on how boot9strap works, please see this presentation by SciresM.

For a list of each of the calculated sighax signatures (the platform boot9strap is built on), see this gist.

What can I do with Custom Firmware?

• Play all game cards and eShop games, regardless of region
• Customize your HOME Menu with user-created themes, badges, and splash screens
• Use “ROM hacks” for games that you own
• Take gameplay and application screenshots
• Backup, edit, and restore saves for many games
• Play games for older systems with various emulators, using RetroArch or other standalone emulators. (Works best with a New Nintendo 3DS)
• Install homebrew titles to your system, and have them appear on your HOME Menu
• Dump your game cards to a format you can install, and play them without needing the card
• New 3DS only: stream live gameplay to your PC wirelessly with NTR CFW
• Run many old Nintendo DS flash carts that were blocked long ago or never worked on Nintendo 3DS
• Safely update to the latest system version without fear of losing access to homebrew

What do I need to know before starting?

• Before beginning the guide, you must know the risks of 3DS hacking: EVERY time you modify your system, there is always the potential for an UNRECOVERABLE brick. They’re rare, but still a possibility so make sure you follow ALL directions EXACTLY.
• If you have already hacked your 3DS before to get an EmuNAND setup, and would like to move the contents of your previous EmuNAND to your new SysNAND CFW, you should follow all instructions and restore your existing EmuNAND when prompted once you reach Finalizing Setup.
• This guide will work on New 3DS, Old 3DS, and 2DS in all regions on firmware 11.4.0 or below.
• If everything goes according to plan, you will lose no data and end up with everything that you started with (games, NNID, saves, etc will be preserved).
• Keep your device plugged in and charged throughout the entire process to avoid data loss or damage from an unexpected power-off!
• Your SD card should be MBR, not GPT (the SD card that comes with your device will be MBR by default).
• If you need to format a brand new SD card, you can use guiformat and set to an Allocation Unit Size of 32K.
• The 2DS is essentially identical to the Old 3DS in terms of software, and that any steps which say “Old 3DS” also apply to 2DS.

 

[Ace212]

1. *A9LH (Arm9LoaderHax) was a widely used homebrew entrypoint before B9S (Boot9Strap) released. It allows for arm9 code execution on near boot, after the bootrom has been locked. This used to be the earliest form of code execution we could achieve.
2. Luma3DS is a CFW (custom firmware) for the 3DS, that patches the Official 3DS firmware to add features and remove unwanted ones (Such as application signature checks, meaning we can install homebrew as titles on the home menu)
3. B9S (boot9strap) is the currently used homebrew entrypoint, that replaces A9LH. It's much easier to set up than A9LH in my opinion, but isnt much different from A9LH to the end user. The difference is that with it, we are able to gain the earliest form of code execution on the 3DS, even earlier than A9LH, as it exploits the 3DS' Arm9 Bootrom (aka Bootrom9, or Boot9) to gain Arm9 code execution.

If you are needing to ask what A9LH or Luma is, you more than likely do not have it installed on your system. You can check by turning off your 3DS, and turn it back on while holding select. If a text menu pops up, you have Luma installed, if not, you don't.

If you would like to install Boot9Strap and Luma3DS on your system, please follow http://3ds.guide. It is a very easy to follow guide.

 

[TheCyberQuake]

1. Simply put it's an exploit that gives us code execution at boot, allowing us to run a cfw at boot. If you have this installed you will have a file called arm9loaderhax.bin on the root of your sd card
2. Luma is a custom firmware, or cfw. The main purpose of cfw is to patch out security checks to allow us to install and run unsigned/fakesigned content, i.e. installing games and homebrew. You can hold select on boot and if you have Luma a config screen will appear.
3. B9S is another exploit that gives code execution at boot, but earlier in the boot process than a9lh. This one essentially gives us full control over the system. You'll have a file called boot.firm on your sd root if it's installed.

 

[Byokugen]

this is all copied from 3ds.guide:

Spoiler: 3ds.guide

What is Homebrew?
Homebrew usually refers to software that is not authorized by Nintendo. It allows you to run homebrew games, tools like save editing and backup, and emulators for various older systems.

In most cases, running homebrew on your device is 100% free using just the Nintendo 3DS Sound app. There are also various other exploits in commercial games and the browser to get homebrew running.

What is Custom Firmware?
Custom Firmware (“CFW”) enables you to use more advanced hacks that userland homebrew can’t easily do. For instance, signature patches let you install unsigned titles that appear right on your HOME Menu.

CFW can be easily set up on any console that is on 11.4.0 or lower.

What does this guide install?
This guide has the end goal of taking a completely unmodified 3DS from stock firmware to boot9strap powered Custom Firmware. On some versions, it utilizes homebrew as a stepping off point, but Custom Firmware is still the goal.

boot9strap is the newest and best method of launching Custom Firmware that gives us nearly full control of the system only milliseconds into boot, which is similar to the effect of BootMii for the Wii. It gives us even earlier control than arm9loaderhax did, and, unlike standard sighax, boot9strap uses an NDMA overwrite exploit in order to gain Boot9 code execution. This means that any console running boot9strap is capable of dumping the console unique OTP (OTP.bin), the ARM11 bootrom (boot11.bin), and the ARM9 bootrom (boot9.bin).

The benefits of boot9strap over other Custom Firmware launch methods are numerous, and as such it is recommended to use this guide over any other that relies on outdated software (such as menuhax + rxTools, arm9loaderhax, or even normal sighax).

For information on how boot9strap works, please see this presentation by SciresM.

For a list of each of the calculated sighax signatures (the platform boot9strap is built on), see this gist.

What can I do with Custom Firmware?

• Play all game cards and eShop games, regardless of region
• Customize your HOME Menu with user-created themes, badges, and splash screens
• Use “ROM hacks” for games that you own
• Take gameplay and application screenshots
• Backup, edit, and restore saves for many games
• Play games for older systems with various emulators, using RetroArch or other standalone emulators. (Works best with a New Nintendo 3DS)
• Install homebrew titles to your system, and have them appear on your HOME Menu
• Dump your game cards to a format you can install, and play them without needing the card
• New 3DS only: stream live gameplay to your PC wirelessly with NTR CFW
• Run many old Nintendo DS flash carts that were blocked long ago or never worked on Nintendo 3DS
• Safely update to the latest system version without fear of losing access to homebrew

What do I need to know before starting?

• Before beginning the guide, you must know the risks of 3DS hacking: EVERY time you modify your system, there is always the potential for an UNRECOVERABLE brick. They’re rare, but still a possibility so make sure you follow ALL directions EXACTLY.
• If you have already hacked your 3DS before to get an EmuNAND setup, and would like to move the contents of your previous EmuNAND to your new SysNAND CFW, you should follow all instructions and restore your existing EmuNAND when prompted once you reach Finalizing Setup.
• This guide will work on New 3DS, Old 3DS, and 2DS in all regions on firmware 11.4.0 or below.
• If everything goes according to plan, you will lose no data and end up with everything that you started with (games, NNID, saves, etc will be preserved).
• Keep your device plugged in and charged throughout the entire process to avoid data loss or damage from an unexpected power-off!
• Your SD card should be MBR, not GPT (the SD card that comes with your device will be MBR by default).
• If you need to format a brand new SD card, you can use guiformat and set to an Allocation Unit Size of 32K.
• The 2DS is essentially identical to the Old 3DS in terms of software, and that any steps which say “Old 3DS” also apply to 2DS.

^ THIS GUY, deserves a medal

 

[terns21]

Tnx a lot.. now I get it.. A9LH is a homebrew entry point while luma is the name of the CFW. Thanks!

 

[Oleboy555]

Tnx a lot.. now I get it.. A9LH is a homebrew entry point while luma is the name of the CFW. Thanks!

yes! but a9lh is outdated! use b9s instead!

 

[BlastedGuy9905]

Hi... you could say am a newbie in the 3ds scene though i know a a lot about the psp scene. So here goes, just bought a new 3dsxl and i think its already in al9h and luma (like I said, I think), i can already install games thru FBI and is already playing games on it. But I was inform here to update my cfw to b9s, and before I do, I'd like to ask some questions...

1. What is AL9H? What does it do? What is its benefit? How do I know if my system is in AL9H?
2. What is Luma? What does it do? What is its benefit? How do I know if my system is in Luma?
3. What is B9S? What does it do? What is its benefit?

I'd like to know all this stuff before I can even think of tinkering my system.

IN A9LH??? IN LUMA??? WHAT?! Also, A9LH, not AL9H. A9LH and B9S are 2 different types of ways to make a CFW work. A9LH takes over the Arm9 chip, B9S takes over the BootRom. B9S 1.2 is the newest version of these methods. Use that one. It works with a special version of Luma (the CFW), or the normal (yet unstable) version of Luma 8.0-Rosalina. Go to 3ds.guide for more info.
IMPORTANT NOTE: THE SYSTEM WON'T COME PREINSTALLED WITH A CFW, DUH! You can't have a system "in" Luma nor A9LH or B9S. They are hacks, do you expect them to give the system to you pre-hacked? Before making a thread, refer to the noob thread (it's in the sticky thread part of this section), goddamnit.

 

[terns21]

Before making a thread, refer to the noob thread (it's in the sticky thread part of this section), goddamnit.

Why even bother replying if you are already pissed to begin with? And sorry for sounding so dumb, duh....

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IMPORTANT NOTE: THE SYSTEM WON'T COME PREINSTALLED WITH A CFW, DUH! You can't have a system "in" Luma nor A9LH or B9S. They are hacks, do you expect them to give the system to you pre-hacked?

So here goes, just bought a new 3dsxl and i think its already in al9h and luma (like I said, I think), i can already install games thru FBI and is already playing games on it.

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

If you are needing to ask what A9LH or Luma is, you more than likely do not have it installed on your system. You can check by turning off your 3DS, and turn it back on while holding select. If a text menu pops up, you have Luma installed, if not, you don't.

When i bought the system (second hand), its already hacked that is why i can install games thru FBI, am just not sure what A9LH and Luma is and what they do, I think mine uses A9LH since i can see a file of that name whenever i go to micro sd card management.

Anyway, Thanks a lot!

 

[BlastedGuy9905]

Why even bother replying if you are already pissed to begin with? And sorry for sounding so dumb, duh....

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





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



When i bought the system (second hand), its already hacked that is why i can install games thru FBI, am just not sure what A9LH and Luma is and what they do, I think mine uses A9LH since i can see a file of that name whenever i go to micro sd card management.

Anyway, Thanks a lot!

You could've stated that it was second-hand. .-.
I thought it was a grammar typo, I thought you meant "can I" instead of "I can", since if you don't know what A9LH or B9S is, I thought it was a question.
Sorry for sounding rude, but the noob thread is literally on the first page and you shouldn't have created this thread, since almost everything is told there.

 

[terns21]

You could've stated that it was second-hand. .-.
I thought it was a grammar typo, I thought you meant "can I" instead of "I can", since if you don't know what A9LH or B9S is, I thought it was a question.
Sorry for sounding rude, but the noob thread is literally on the first page and you shouldn't have created this thread, since almost everything is told there.

No worries.

Sorry for making this thread.

 

[terns21]

What is an emunand and what is a sysnand? Can someone please explain them to me. Thanks

 

[GerbilSoft]

What is an emunand and what is a sysnand? Can someone please explain them to me. Thanks

SysNAND = the eMMC chip built into the 3DS. Size ranges from 943 MB to 1.8 GB depending on model.
EmuNAND = a clone of the SysNAND contents located on a hidden partition on the SD card.

Some years ago, EmuNAND was "standard" with hacked 3DSes, since modifying SysNAND was risky (could result in bricks). However, since the introduction of A9LH, EmuNAND has become less relevant. Nowadays, it's only useful for experimenting with low-level hacks without disturbing the main SysNAND, and if you have a Gateway cartridge, since Gateway has problems running on SysNAND. (Among other things, if you run Gateway on 11.3+ SysNAND, you will lose A9LH/B9S.)

 

[terns21]

SysNAND = the eMMC chip built into the 3DS. Size ranges from 943 MB to 1.8 GB depending on model.
EmuNAND = a clone of the SysNAND contents located on a hidden partition on the SD card.

Some years ago, EmuNAND was "standard" with hacked 3DSes, since modifying SysNAND was risky (could result in bricks). However, since the introduction of A9LH, EmuNAND has become less relevant. Nowadays, it's only useful for experimenting with low-level hacks without disturbing the main SysNAND, and if you have a Gateway cartridge, since Gateway has problems running on SysNAND. (Among other things, if you run Gateway on 11.3+ SysNAND, you will lose A9LH/B9S.)

Ah ok tnx, coz last night i tried checking if my system has luma CFW and saw that sysnand and emunand are marked X, and i don't know what they do or why they are even marked.

 

[terns21]

My version of Luma is 6.6 and using A9LH as entry point... if I update mine to B9S, do I have to follow this instruction?

If, before updating to boot9strap, you already had an EmuNAND setup and would like to move the contents of your previous EmuNAND to your new SysNAND CFW, now is the time to follow Move EmuNAND before doing this section.

 

[Lacius]

My version of Luma is 6.6 and using A9LH as entry point... if I update mine to B9S, do I have to follow this instruction?

Only if you have an emuNAND setup.

 

[terns21]

Only if you have an emuNAND setup.

How do i know if i have one? bought mine second-hand with cfw already installed.

 

[SRKTiberious]

Go into System Settings and don't touch anything, but just look at the bottom-right corner of the top screen.

Tell us what it says there.

 

[terns21]

Tnx everyone...just updated mine to b9s!

 

[Quantumcat]

IN A9LH??? IN LUMA??? WHAT?! Also, A9LH, not AL9H. A9LH and B9S are 2 different types of ways to make a CFW work. A9LH takes over the Arm9 chip, B9S takes over the BootRom. B9S 1.2 is the newest version of these methods. Use that one. It works with a special version of Luma (the CFW), or the normal (yet unstable) version of Luma 8.0-Rosalina. Go to 3ds.guide for more info.
IMPORTANT NOTE: THE SYSTEM WON'T COME PREINSTALLED WITH A CFW, DUH! You can't have a system "in" Luma nor A9LH or B9S. They are hacks, do you expect them to give the system to you pre-hacked? Before making a thread, refer to the noob thread (it's in the sticky thread part of this section), goddamnit.

Why bother replying if the OP has already been answered? Also, everyone else understood what he meant except for you. Maybe try reading a thread properly before answering next time, and don't answer unless you actually have something useful to contribute.