Hacking Taking the plunge this weekend !

[Switcherooo]

Ok guys,
in advance I want to thank everyone for your help & I also have been a long time lurker and want to say I appreciate all the info & work that has been put in!

Now back to my questions!

I’m planning on finally hacking my virgin 2.3.0 fw switch this weekend. Help me get the steps right plz!

1) achieve RCM mode: my plan is to mod right joycon with a reed switch soldered to the pins inside to retain factory appearance.

2) after getting into RCM mode backup NAND & Keys.

3) install atmosphere: planning on using my pc to inject the payload. I’m wanting to use retroarch for old favorites and homebrew menu. Pirating new games isn’t on my list of needs so NSP support should be good enough.

4) install some kind of DNS blocker so I can use the online functions of the homebrew menu ? Or should I stay completely offline ?

5) update via ChoiDujour in order to play my Mario game. (I have purchased a bunch of game carts... from my research it’s looking like they may be unusable if I’m updating via choidujour because I need to disable the GC reader so it doesn’t get updated ?)

6) this part is where I get a little confused: once updated via choidujour I HAVE to have auto RCM enabled ? Because if it boots through the stock bootloader it will burn fuses ?
And if I’m using autoRCM, I have to keep the switch awake all the time & charged otherwise it could drain the battery and “brick” the console ?

7) is there some kind of safeguard so I cannot boot and burn fuses ?

8) if some new features come out and I want to downgrade back to 2.3.0 I would just Restore my nand from the RCM menu ?

I know it’s a lot and I know the info is out there, I’m just hoping someone with experience can help steer me in the right direction.

Thanks everyone !!

 

[Draxzelex]

Ok guys,
in advance I want to thank everyone for your help & I also have been a long time lurker and want to say I appreciate all the info & work that has been put in!

Now back to my questions!

I’m planning on finally hacking my virgin 2.3.0 fw switch this weekend. Help me get the steps right plz!

1) achieve RCM mode: my plan is to mod right joycon with a reed switch soldered to the pins inside to retain factory appearance.

2) after getting into RCM mode backup NAND & Keys.

3) install atmosphere: planning on using my pc to inject the payload. I’m wanting to use retroarch for old favorites and homebrew menu. Pirating new games isn’t on my list of needs so NSP support should be good enough.

4) install some kind of DNS blocker so I can use the online functions of the homebrew menu ? Or should I stay completely offline ?

5) update via ChoiDujour in order to play my Mario game. (I have purchased a bunch of game carts... from my research it’s looking like they may be unusable if I’m updating via choidujour because I need to disable the GC reader so it doesn’t get updated ?)

6) this part is where I get a little confused: once updated via choidujour I HAVE to have auto RCM enabled ? Because if it boots through the stock bootloader it will burn fuses ?
And if I’m using autoRCM, I have to keep the switch awake all the time & charged otherwise it could drain the battery and “brick” the console ?

7) is there some kind of safeguard so I cannot boot and burn fuses ?

8) if some new features come out and I want to downgrade back to 2.3.0 I would just Restore my nand from the RCM menu ?

I know it’s a lot and I know the info is out there, I’m just hoping someone with experience can help steer me in the right direction.

Thanks everyone !!

Each number doesn't really respond to a question but I suppose I can leave a comment or something for each one...

1. RCM stands for Recovery Maintenance Mode so saying RCM mode is redundant. Its similar to saying HIV virus, PIN number, or LAN network
2. Backup the NAND and boot0/boot1; most people do not make a backup of the latter and only do the NAND. The keys are completely optional for a number of reasons. Not all tools require keys and the ones that do use non-console-specific ones that you can find online. The console-specific ones are only needed for hacdiskmount
3. You cannot "install" Atmosphere; the CFW is loaded via a temporary exploit that is lost upon reboot/shutdown. Its more accurate to say you are running/loading Atmosphere.
4. You can setup a custom DNS server such as 90DNS or delete all Wi-Fi settings and enable Airplane Mode for maximum offline protection. Bear in mind some homebrew require Internet connection such as the Homebrew Appstore and the network installation feature of Tinfoil, DZ, etc.
5. ChoiDujour is a Windows client that patches the firmware on your computer. I believe you are referring to the homebrew application ChoiDujourNX which installs firmware files located on the SD card. You also only need to worry about the gamecart slot being updated if you are updating your firmware from below 4.0 to above 4.0. This is because there is an update for the slot in firmware 4.0 that renders retail cartridges unusable on firmwares below 4.0. ChoiDujour/ChoiDujourNX automatically create a patch that breaks the gamecart slot on firmwares 4.0 and above in order to prevent it from being updated
6. AutoRCM is a type of brick; it prevents the console from booting up without using the Fusee Gelee exploit of sending a payload via USB while the console is in RCM. ChoiDujourNX enables it by default since the stock bootloader will burn fuses if it detects you running a firmware lower than the fuse count. You also do not need to keep the console awake all of the time with AutoRCM enabled. You can keep it in sleep mode when you are not using it. You can also turn off a console with AutoRCM installed by powering down the console from RCM; any shutdowns performed from Horizon when AutoRCM is installed causes the console to reboot into RCM
7. As explained earlier, the stock bootloader burns fuses so ChoiDujourNX installs AutoRCM by default to prevent you from using the stock bootloader. You will then have to substitute a bootloader/payload that does not burn fuses. Such examples are Hekate, ReiNX, Fusee, and SX OS V1.2+ (V1.0 doesn't prevent fuses from being burnt and V1.1 doesn't bypass the fuse check). That being said, if you wish to protect the fuses, do NOT remove AutoRCM
8. You can downgrade your firmware by either restoring a rawnand and boot0/boot1 of the firmware you wish to go to or you can use ChoiDujourNX to downgrade your firmware

 

[Switcherooo]

Each number doesn't really respond to a question but I suppose I can leave a comment or something for each one...

1. RCM stands for Recovery Maintenance Mode so saying RCM mode is redundant. Its similar to saying HIV virus, PIN number, or LAN network
2. Backup the NAND and boot0/boot1; most people do not make a backup of the latter and only do the NAND. The keys are completely optional for a number of reasons. Not all tools require keys and the ones that do use non-console-specific ones that you can find online. The console-specific ones are only needed for hacdiskmount
3. You cannot "install" Atmosphere; the CFW is loaded via a temporary exploit that is lost upon reboot/shutdown. Its more accurate to say you are running/loading Atmosphere.
4. You can setup a custom DNS server such as 90DNS or delete all Wi-Fi settings and enable Airplane Mode for maximum offline protection. Bear in mind some homebrew require Internet connection such as the Homebrew Appstore and the network installation feature of Tinfoil, DZ, etc.
5. ChoiDujour is a Windows client that patches the firmware on your computer. I believe you are referring to the homebrew application ChoiDujourNX which installs firmware files located on the SD card. You also only need to worry about the gamecart slot being updated if you are updating your firmware from below 4.0 to above 4.0. This is because there is an update for the slot in firmware 4.0 that renders retail cartridges unusable on firmwares below 4.0. ChoiDujour/ChoiDujourNX automatically create a patch that breaks the gamecart slot on firmwares 4.0 and above in order to prevent it from being updated
6. AutoRCM is a type of brick; it prevents the console from booting up without using the Fusee Gelee exploit of sending a payload via USB while the console is in RCM. ChoiDujourNX enables it by default since the stock bootloader will burn fuses if it detects you running a firmware lower than the fuse count. You also do not need to keep the console awake all of the time with AutoRCM enabled. You can keep it in sleep mode when you are not using it. You can also turn off a console with AutoRCM installed by powering down the console from RCM; any shutdowns performed from Horizon when AutoRCM is installed causes the console to reboot into RCM
7. As explained earlier, the stock bootloader burns fuses so ChoiDujourNX installs AutoRCM by default to prevent you from using the stock bootloader. You will then have to substitute a bootloader/payload that does not burn fuses. Such examples are Hekate, ReiNX, Fusee, and SX OS V1.2+ (V1.0 doesn't prevent fuses from being burnt and V1.1 doesn't bypass the fuse check). That being said, if you wish to protect the fuses, do NOT remove AutoRCM
8. You can downgrade your firmware by either restoring a rawnand and boot0/boot1 of the firmware you wish to go to or you can use ChoiDujourNX to downgrade your firmware

Awesome ! Thank you !

Yes I guess it wasn’t questions but more steps that I wanted to confirm before I started.

So what is the battery drain issue I keep reading about in regards to RCM ? (I’m on 2.3.0 ) When it is in sleep or powered off will it still charge ? Or only while booted into the OS?

I will be updating from 2.3.0 so I’m assuming I will be removing GC compatibility but from your notes it seems this is automated from within choidujourNX

I noticed you didn’t mention atmosphere, does that mean it doesn’t have the fuse check / protection built in yet like some of the others ? (I do like the simplicity of SX os but it doesn’t seem easy to get in Canada, the retailers here don’t have it or don’t have any idea when they may get it.

And it also seems that any time I was connecting to a new wifi network there would be a brief moment before I setup 90DNS that I may get banned ?

 

[Draxzelex]

So what is the battery drain issue I keep reading about in regards to RCM ? (I’m on 2.3.0 ) When it is in sleep or powered off will it still charge ? Or only while booted into the OS?

People believed turning the console off from Horizon while it had AutoRCM installed turned it off which is now false. As explained earlier, this causes the console to reboot into RCM which drains battery at a rate of about 5% per hour. I also forgot to mention that charging a console in RCM with AutoRCM installed is much slower than if you charge it in RCM without AutoRCM installed; all other charge rates are unchanged with or without AutoRCM.

I will be updating from 2.3.0 so I’m assuming I will be removing GC compatibility but from your notes it seems this is automated from within choidujourNX

Not exactly. ChoiDujour/ChoiDujourNX build a hekate.ini that has a launch configuration that prevents the gamecart from being updated. Meaning you will have to launch any CFW using that launch configuration otherwise it will be updated. ReiNX however protects the gamecart differently. Instead of an .ini file, you create an empty file named 'nogc' in the ReiNX folder which automatically disables the gamecart slot thus preventing it from being irreversibly updated.

I noticed you didn’t mention atmosphere, does that mean it doesn’t have the fuse check / protection built in yet like some of the others ? (I do like the simplicity of SX os but it doesn’t seem easy to get in Canada, the retailers here don’t have it or don’t have any idea when they may get it.

CFW do not have fuse protection because they run in the OS; bootloaders are the only hack that deal with the fuses since they are loaded around the time the fuses are supposed to be checked. Atmosphere uses its own bootloader named Fusee. Some might it confusing when CFW share the same name as their bootloader such as SX OS or ReiNX.

And it also seems that any time I was connecting to a new wifi network there would be a brief moment before I setup 90DNS that I may get banned ?

Yes. The Switch even has hidden network settings that are activated when you are near a Nintendo Hotspot.

 

[ZachyCatGames]

-snip-

 

[Switcherooo]

People believed turning the console off from Horizon while it had AutoRCM installed turned it off which is now false. As explained earlier, this causes the console to reboot into RCM which drains battery at a rate of about 5% per hour. I also forgot to mention that charging a console in RCM with AutoRCM installed is much slower than if you charge it in RCM without AutoRCM installed; all other charge rates are unchanged with or without AutoRCM.
Not exactly. ChoiDujour/ChoiDujourNX build a hekate.ini that has a launch configuration that prevents the gamecart from being updated. Meaning you will have to launch any CFW using that launch configuration otherwise it will be updated. ReiNX however protects the gamecart differently. Instead of an .ini file, you create an empty file named 'nogc' in the ReiNX folder which automatically disables the gamecart slot thus preventing it from being irreversibly updated.

CFW do not have fuse protection because they run in the OS; bootloaders are the only hack that deal with the fuses since they are loaded around the time the fuses are supposed to be checked. Atmosphere uses its own bootloader named Fusee. Some might it confusing when CFW share the same name as their bootloader such as SX OS or ReiNX.

Yes. The Switch even has hidden network settings that are activated when you are near a Nintendo Hotspot.

Ah ok !! That helps a ton !!

So I can just keep my switch charged as I would normally, and worst case scenario... if it were to completely run out of battery.. can I just charge it and bring it back ?

Nogc seems the safest way, I wonder if there is a patch that would add that to atmosphere?

So you happen to know if Fusee bootloader has any type of fuse protection baked in ?

And I had no idea about the Nintendo hot spots !!! That’s wild !!

Have you been banned? Or have you had luck with the dns blocker

 

[ZachyCatGames]

So you happen to know if Fusee bootloader has any type of fuse protection baked in ?

It does

 

[Switcherooo]

-snip-

Pardon my ignorance ... what is -snip- ?

 

[Draxzelex]

So I can just keep my switch charged as I would normally, and worst case scenario... if it were to completely run out of battery.. can I just charge it and bring it back ?

Yes.

Nogc seems the safest way, I wonder if there is a patch that would add that to atmosphere?

You would use the patches from here: https://gbatemp.net/threads/i-heard-that-you-guys-need-some-sweet-patches-for-atmosphere.521164/

Have you been banned? Or have you had luck with the dns blocker

My Wi-Fi settings have been deleted except for one time I went online to test something out but I had 90DNS enabled. Once a game with online support that interests me comes out, then I'll find out if I'm banned or not.

 

[ZachyCatGames]

Pardon my ignorance ... what is -snip- ?

I "deleted" my post. You can't actually delete posts so usually when people want their posts removed they just replace the whole post with -snip-

 

[Switcherooo]

Yes.

You would use the patches from here: https://gbatemp.net/threads/i-heard-that-you-guys-need-some-sweet-patches-for-atmosphere.521164/
My Wi-Fi settings have been deleted except for one time I went online to test something out but I had 90DNS enabled. Once a game with online support that interests me comes out, then I'll find out if I'm banned or not.

Awesome !!

Would I be correct in assuming you are using SX pro ? I wish it were easier to find in Canada, the dongle rather than a pc to boot is pretty slick.

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

I "deleted" my post. You can't actually delete posts so usually when people want their posts removed they just replace the whole post with -snip-

Lol ok awesome !! Sorry man !! Silly question

 

[Draxzelex]

Awesome !!

Would I be correct in assuming you are using SX pro ? I wish it were easier to find in Canada, the dongle rather than a pc to boot is pretty slick.

Nah, I find it silly to pay for piracy so I get by with a paperclip and a USB-C cable I bought from Amazon. I haven't even splurged on an SD card yet as I have plenty of 32 GB SD cards lying around that I got for free.

 

[Switcherooo]

Nah, I find it silly to pay for piracy so I get by with a paperclip and a USB-C cable I bought from Amazon. I haven't even splurged on an SD card yet as I have plenty of 32 GB SD cards lying around that I got for free.

Which bundle are you using ? And I agree, I just like the streamlined nature of the dongle but I guess once it’s in autoRCM, you shouldn’t need a computer.

 

[ZachyCatGames]

SX OS is literally just Atmosphere with DRM lol

 

[Switcherooo]

SX OS is literally just Atmosphere with DRM lol

Yup, I don’t like anything they have done to be honest besides the dongle, they are sleazy in my opinion. But that’s off topic and a lot of people love their work so can’t bash them too much.

 

[Draxzelex]

Which bundle are you using ? And I agree, I just like the streamlined nature of the dongle but I guess once it’s in autoRCM, you shouldn’t need a computer.

I pretty much use everything since I routinely test stuff for various reasons.