Hacking 2DS softlocks or crashes when trying to launch anything from the home menu

[IC_]

I recently bought an old 2DS with a broken touchscreen and it boots to the home menu, but when I try to open to open anything the 2DS will softlock get a luma error like on the attached picture. I tried updating luma to the latest version but no change. Is there anything I can do to fix it if I can't access anything like FBI or homebrew launcher?

 

[Majickhat55]

Seems like your home menu is corrupted. Try to boot in recovery mode and update your DS even if you're on the latest firmware.

 

[IC_]

Do I need an internet connection to update from recovery mode?

 

[Majickhat55]

Do I need an internet connection to update from recovery mode?

Yeah you do. Otherwise, you can find someone to dump a clean homemenu.cia (or find one on a warez site) for you and install it through Godmode with a mod_HomeMenu script...

 

[IC_]

I can't connect to the internet with this 2DS, trying to open system settings will softlock the system like with any other title

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Wait, can I use my working 3DS to dump a working home menu?

 

[Majickhat55]

I can't connect to the internet with this 2DS, trying to open system settings will softlock the system like with any other title

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Wait, can I use my working 3DS to dump a working home menu?

More than likely it would dump it "as is" so I don't think it would help. You can always try it though and see. Throw that script in gm9/scripts and run it. When it prompts you, select "grab .CIA".... When it's done run the same script again and when prompted select "Install".

 

[IC_]

Should I do a NAND backup before installing the .cia?

 

[Majickhat55]

Should I do a NAND backup before installing the .cia?

I would. The script prompts you to anyhow...

 

[IC_]

I installed the home menu dumped from my working 3DS and nothing changed

 

[Majickhat55]

I installed the home menu dumped from my working 3DS and nothing changed

You can try a CTRNAND transfer....... As per the guide. https://3ds.hacks.guide/ctrtransfer.html

 

[TurdPooCharger]

I installed the home menu dumped from my working 3DS and nothing changed

Does the o2DS crashes when using it without an SD card?

 

[IC_]

Does the o2DS crashes when using it without an SD card?

Yes it does the same thing without the SD card

 

[TurdPooCharger]

Yes it does the same thing without the SD card

Turn on the o2DS and hold (Select) to access Luma3DS v#.# configuration.

Check what version you're running.

• v7.0.5 or older, you have arm9loaderhax
• v7.1 - v9.1, you have boot9strap
• We'll worry about updating 3DS firmware and custom firmware later.

If you have v8.0 or newer...
Boot to HOME Menu and try to quickly access Rosalina menu by pressing L-shoulder + Down (d-pad) + Select. Turn off the WiFi in System configuration... → Toggle wireless. See if the o2DS crashes without WiFi.

 

[IC_]

I updated luma to 9.1 and I have b9s

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It crashes without wifi

 

[TurdPooCharger]

I updated luma to 9.1 and I have b9s

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It crashes without wifi

Turning off the WiFi was to check if the WiFi module became loose from the motherboard. o2DS will not boot or work correctly if it's not securely connected. You may still need to open it and look.

***

1. Take an SD card and copy everything off it onto a computer.
2. Reformat the card as FAT32 + 32 KB cluster size with Windows File Explorer or guiformat.
3. Check the (empty) card in a Full Write + Verify Test with H2testw. Do not skip this step.
   
4. If the card passes, delete the *.h2w test files.
   
   • If an error was reported, stop the test. Replace the faulty or fake card. Go back to step 1 or 2.
   • A failed card can brick the o2DS in step 6.
5. Build a test custom firmware setup. You may use the archive found here.

Assuming you don't have a backed up SysNAND *.bin image file because you bought this o2DS used.

6. CTRTransfer with Old 3DS or 2DS - 11.5.0 - EUR - CTRTransfer.​

 

[IC_]

Turning off the WiFi was to check if the WiFi module became loose from the motherboard. o2DS will not boot or work correctly if it's not securely connected. You may still need to open it and look.

***

1. Take an SD card and copy everything off it onto a computer.
2. Reformat the card as FAT32 + 32 KB cluster size with Windows File Explorer or guiformat.
3. Check the (empty) card in a Full Write + Verify Test with H2testw. Do not skip this step.
   
4. If the card passes, delete the *.h2w test files.
   • If an error was reported, stop the test. Replace the faulty or fake card. Go back to step 1 or 2.
   • A failed card can brick the o2DS in step 6.
5. Build a test custom firmware setup. You may use the archive found here.

Assuming you don't have a backed up SysNAND *.bin image file because you bought this o2DS used.

6. CTRTransfer with Old 3DS or 2DS - 11.5.0 - EUR - CTRTransfer.​

There's no wifi card and antenna it's just an atheros chip

 

[TurdPooCharger]

There's no wifi card and antenna it's just an atheros chip

!!! Wait, you opened the o2DS and did not find these?

 

[IC_]

!!! Wait, you opened the o2DS and did not find these?

Yes there's just an atheros chip in the spot where the wifi card should be

 

[TurdPooCharger]

Yes there's just an atheros chip in the spot where the wifi card should be

Okay, so you have a newer production model o2DS with baked in WiFi module like this.

Spoiler: o2DS motherboard [S](late models)[/S]

Edit - This image may in fact be early models without the WiFi board and antenna. Pictures of new model o2DS motherboard are scarce.

This is new info to me as that part is a concern for o3DS, o3DSXL, and o2DS.

Yah, continue with the SD card check and CTRTransfer instructions.

 

[IC_]

I can't format with 32KB cluster size

FSCTL_ALLOW_EXTENDED_DASD_IO OK
ClusterCount=62828
FAT32 must have at least 65536 clusters, try to specify a smaller cluster size or use the default