Homebrew Help a newb? I’m confused about steelhax.

Noneofmany

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Ok. So I just screwed up my new 3ds XL trying to get steelhax to work like it used to before what I presume was an update caused failure. I had installed the subwars home brew launcher for ver. 11.8 (I think) via this () method and accessed it once to make sure it worked.

It did indeed work and it came with all the stuff I needed like jksm and the free store etc.

Then, when I needed it. I launched it again and found it just crashed. Realizing my 3ds updated while I wasn’t looking I reinstalled the system for 11.9. I opened it, saw none of the previous programs (just the steelhax installer). I tried installing it, and it just failed.

So I tried installing FBI and JKSM manually. They appeared in the home brew menu and also promptly crash when I try to open them.

Following that I went through a series of attempts to bring my 3ds back to it’s pre update state and ended up ruining it (long story).

Now I have a new one and I need to know three things:

1. What’s the best home brew launcher to install? I prefer subwars/steelhax because it actually came with the programs I wanted (JKSM, FBI, Free store etc.) but now when I install it all it has in it’s menu is the steelhax installer that fails when I launch it!!! What happened? Did I somehow mis-remember what I installed?

1. I really want a launcher that has those things pre installed. I was never able to get FBI or JKSM installed and working manually. They worked when they were installed as part of the sub wars “package” though. Is there a launch system that comes packaged with JKSM, FBI, the free store etc? What one should I use?

2. If an update occurs and wrecks the launcher I’m using will de-updating to the version it worked for fix the problem? That is can I just leave the home brew the same and just use some de-update system to return it to the way it was before?

3. Is it possible to completely back up my 3ds? Top to bottom so I can just use a saved copy of everything on the system like a system image on a PC to go back to if something doesn’t work.

If any of you are just using home brew to use the basic JKSM/free store stuff and know an easy reliable way to do it I would love your imput.

I’m kind of desperate now since I have been fooling around with this problem for mo this with no resolution. I really just want to use JKSM for God’s sake! But so far it’s been a no go.

Sorry this is a long question but please help. I just can’t seem to get this right.
 

Dracari

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why do people fall for videos? they can quickly get out dated! , i'd recommend going to https://3ds.hacks.guide/ and going from there, its about as newb friendlly as a text guide can be,

-------------
going with CFW vs Userland hax, Rosalina (part of luma CFW) can set anything as the Homebrew Menu launcher, (i have it personally set to the AR Games system title)
using "Userland Hax" you cant reasonably use FBI/JKSM (permissions/access level)where you have full control with CFW.

There isnt often a OFW update that breaks Luma, and theres protections in place to keep an OFW Update from breaking everything (Overwriting B9S etc.)

and Yes, again needing B9S you can use the utility "GodMode9" to make a full "NAND" dump to take a bit for bit image of the internal flash storage of your 3DS.
 

Noneofmany

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why do people fall for videos? they can quickly get out dated! , i'd recommend going to and going from there, its about as newb friendlly as a text guide can be,

-------------
going with CFW vs Userland hax, Rosalina (part of luma CFW) can set anything as the Homebrew Menu launcher, (i have it personally set to the AR Games system title)
using "Userland Hax" you cant reasonably use FBI/JKSM (permissions/access level)where you have full control with CFW.

There isnt often a OFW update that breaks Luma, and theres protections in place to keep an OFW Update from breaking everything (Overwriting B9S etc.)

and Yes, again needing B9S you can use the utility "GodMode9" to make a full "NAND" dump to take a bit for bit image of the internal flash storage of your 3DS.


Are B9S and Luma / Rosalina the same thing? Does B9S come with JKSM, GodMode9, FBI and other stuff pre-installed.
Is there a preferred way to install it (preferably with pictures)?

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

Forgot to mention. I would prefer JKSM over checkpoint. If B9S comes with checkpoint instead can I just install JKSM using FBI afterwards?
 

blahblah

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Follow the 3DS.Guide guide. You will end up with GodMode9, FBI and other essential Homebrew. You can install JKSM if you want to. It's just a homebrew app like any other, install using FBI after completing the guide.
 
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WiiHomebrew+Snes

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Are B9S and Luma / Rosalina the same thing?

no. B9S is the hack that lets you install Luma. Luma and Rosalina aren't the same thing either, Rosalina is a built in options/tools sort of menu for Luma (Kind of like the VSH on PSP I guess).

Luma is a CFW (Custom Firmware), doesn't come installed with any of those apps.

the 3ds.guide as others have mentioned will help you install Luma and any other apps you need. If you want to replace an app (such as JKSM instead of checkpoint) just find the .cia file and download that instead.

Aaaand this has probably already been ninja'd XP GL hacking :)
 
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Noneofmany

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no. B9S is the hack that lets you install Luma. Luma and Rosalina aren't the same thing either, Rosalina is a built in options/tools sort of menu for Luma (Kind of like the VSH on PSP I guess).

Luma is a CFW (Custom Firmware), doesn't come installed with any of those apps.

the 3ds.guide as others have mentioned will help you install Luma and any other apps you need. If you want to replace an app (such as JKSM instead of checkpoint) just find the .cia file and download that instead.

Aaaand this has probably already been ninja'd XP GL hacking :)

Thank you for the clarification. I’ll try the B9S thing, but if there’s a simpler / safer way to use JKSM and/or check point (which is all I really care about) without it I’d probably prefer that. It’s starting to sound like there isnt one though.

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

Follow the 3DS.Guide guide. You will end up with GodMode9, FBI and other essential Homebrew. You can install JKSM if you want to. It's just a homebrew app like any other, install using FBI after completing the guide.

Thank you. I went to the link Dracari provided and it has the step by step guides I’ve somehow been missing this whole time. You were referring to the same site right?
 

blahblah

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Thank you for the clarification. I’ll try the B9S thing, but if there’s a simpler / safer way to use JKSM and/or check point (which is all I really care about) without it I’d probably prefer that. It’s starting to sound like there isnt one though.

You just install the CIA of JKSM with FBI. It doesn't get simpler or safer than that.

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

Thank you for the clarification. I’ll try the B9S thing, but if there’s a simpler / safer way to use JKSM and/or check point (which is all I really care about) without it I’d probably prefer that. It’s starting to sound like there isnt one though.

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



Thank you. I went to the link Dracari provided and it has the step by step guides I’ve somehow been missing this whole time. You were referring to the same site right?

Yes, same site.
 
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Noneofmany

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You just install the CIA of JKSM with FBI. It doesn't get simpler or safer than that.

That’s where I keep getting so confused. I knew I needed to use FBI to install it but no matter how many times fiddled with different folders and stuff I couldn’t get FBI or JKSM.

I think I need a guide to the most basic task of installing a homebrew launch point and putting CIAs and other modifications in their proper place in the SD cards root menu. It’s this more basic stuff that I have a hard time finding instructions on or examples of.

Basically need to know how to go thru the following steps.

1. Have regular new 3ds XL, unaltered.

2. Make it capable of launching the homebrew menu.

3. Put FBI on it

4. Use FBI to install the JKSM CIA

But I have tried this several times, and each time I make the folders in the root menu and organize the CIAs and what not into them on the MicroSD card’s root menus it just doesn’t work.

I can get the homebrew launcher working fine, but after that there’s not much info about adding applications to the homebrew menu without already having FBI installed and working. Again, there’s no guides and no examples of the proper folder structures and files I need to add FBI manually.

I just know I’m missing some very basic understanding of where to put the files on my 3ds card. If I already had FBI on it then there’s guides to that but I’ve even when I got it to appear in the homebrew menu.


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



Yes, same site.

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

Sorry. I meant to say I can get it (FBI) to appear in the homebrew menu, but it just crashes when I open it.
 

Noneofmany

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It won't work through homebrew anymore because you updated. You need CFW.

Umm. I thought a homebrew launcher like steelhax was a custom firmware. Also, are you saying it was possible to to do it with just a launcher but on later updates it’s not? If so, is there a way to de-update back to that point?

Do I need to install a CFW first, then a launcher? Is there a particular CFW that I need?
 

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Umm. I thought a homebrew launcher like steelhax was a custom firmware. Also, are you saying it was possible to to do it with just a launcher but on later updates it’s not? If so, is there a way to de-update back to that point?

Do I need to install a CFW first, then a launcher? Is there a particular CFW that I need?
Homebrew access ≠ CFW

If you are using homebrew-only you only have userland access - only the access that normal games have. i.e. you can't install software (what FBI does), or bypass signature checks (to play pirated games). Homebrew applications that worked with userland-only access were a lot more common when you had to be below a certain firmware for CFW, so people on higher firmwares had to be satisfied with homebrew access only. But now that CFW is available to everyone, homebrew application developers aren't going to make sure their apps work on userland-only access. If an app you want to use crashes, then you'll just have to either live without it, or install CFW.

You could think of it like userland is only being able to run software on Windows safe mode, but with CFW you can edit the operating system to let it do whatever you want. On 11.2 or less, that userland access let you gain higher access and install CFW (and also do all the things you could do with CFW, like use FBI, if for some reason you didn't want to install it and be able to access it easily and permanently), but higher firmwares access through userland is blocked.

To install B9S (the access point for CFW) and Luma (the common CFW), you simply need to follow https://3ds.guide. You can most likely do it for free, or it may cost you around $2 to do.
 
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Noneofmany

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Homebrew access ≠ CFW

If you are using homebrew-only you only have userland access - only the access that normal games have. i.e. you can't install software (what FBI does), or bypass signature checks (to play pirated games). Homebrew applications that worked with userland-only access were a lot more common when you had to be below a certain firmware for CFW, so people on higher firmwares had to be satisfied with homebrew access only. But now that CFW is available to everyone, homebrew application developers aren't going to make sure their apps work on userland-only access. If an app you want to use crashes, then you'll just have to either live without it, or install CFW.

To install B9S (the access point for CFW) and Luma (the common CFW), you simply need to follow https://3ds.guide. You can most likely do it for free, or it may cost you around $2 to do.

Well I think you just explained about million things I had been wondering about.

Considering how complicated the B9S is would you recommend fredminer as an alternative?

Also, when I’m reading the instructions on 3ds.hack.guide and others it keeps telling me to remove my sd card to get file info from it or change things. Can’t I just use the 3ds online connection WiFi thing in management options? I thought people were just doing so managment via WiFi now.
 
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blahblah

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Well I think you just explained about million things I had been wondering about.

Considering how complicated the B9S is would you recommend fredminer as an alternative?

Also, when I’m reading the instructions on 3ds.hack.guide and others it keeps telling me to remove my sd card to get file info from it or change things. Can’t I just use the 3ds online connection WiFi thing in management options? I thought people were just doing so managment via WiFi now.

Please, just throw away everything you think you know. B9S is a component of a modern 3DS hack 'package'. Fredminer is a method used to install CFW on a 3DS. Fredminer is not an alternative to B9S, Fredminer is used to install B9S. B9S is used to load Luma3DS, the custom firmware for your 3DS. Luma3DS will make FBI work. Each component matters, but the guide covers all.

Just follow 3DS.Guide. Start from the start and just do it. Once you are done, everything will work.

I recommend doing as the guide says. You can use the dumb WiFi file transfer thing, but that's slower than doing as the guide says. DO NOT use any guide other than the 3DS.Guide guide. Follow it and it alone. Follow it to the letter and you'll be done in about a half hour, start to finish.
 
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Quantumcat

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Well I think you just explained about million things I had been wondering about.

Considering how complicated the B9S is would you recommend fredminer as an alternative?

Also, when I’m reading the instructions on 3ds.hack.guide and others it keeps telling me to remove my sd card to get file info from it or change things. Can’t I just use the 3ds online connection WiFi thing in management options? I thought people were just doing so managment via WiFi now.
Most of the time you need to change files around the console will be off, so it will be a pain to keep turning it on and off to use the WiFi transfer. There's also the small but real risk of the WiFi transfer corrupting your files. This is only an inconvenience most of the time (if a movie corrupts and you have to transfer it again), but with installing stuff on your system's memory, if you get unlucky it could cause a brick and you'd need to get an ntrboot-capable DS flashcart to fix it.

As above, Fredminer is just one of the ways you can install B9S.
 
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Noneofmany

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Please, just throw away everything you think you know. B9S is a component of a modern 3DS hack 'package'. Fredminer is a method used to install CFW on a 3DS. Fredminer is not an alternative to B9S, Fredminer is used to install B9S.

Just follow 3DS.Guide. Start from the start and just do it. Once you are done, everything will work.

I recommend doing as the guide says. You can use the dumb WiFi file transfer thing, but that's slower than doing as the guide says. DO NOT use any guide other than the 3DS.Guide guide. Follow it and it alone. Follow it to the letter and you'll be done in about a half hour, start to finish.

Thank you. I think I know what to do now that the Fredminer thing is cleared up.
 

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Most of the time you need to change files around the console will be off, so it will be a pain to keep turning it on and off to use the WiFi transfer. There's also the small but real risk of the WiFi transfer corrupting your files. This is only an inconvenience most of the time, but if you get unlucky it could cause a brick and you'd need to get an ntrboot-capable DS flashcart to fix it.

Ehhhhh....the only brick-risk part is the B9STool part, and B9STool validates its integrity before allowing the user to flash.

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

Thank you. I think I know what to do now that the Fredminer thing is cleared up.

Excellent!
 
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Noneofmany

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Most of the time you need to change files around the console will be off, so it will be a pain to keep turning it on and off to use the WiFi transfer. There's also the small but real risk of the WiFi transfer corrupting your files. This is only an inconvenience most of the time (if a movie corrupts and you have to transfer it again), but with installing stuff on your system's memory, if you get unlucky it could cause a brick and you'd need to get an ntrboot-capable DS flashcart to fix it.

As above, Fredminer is just one of the ways you can install B9S.

Thank you. I couldn’t tell if turning off the system was fundamental to the process or if it was just being done to avoid WiFi. Now I know why.

I must have ended up on the site about Seedminer without realizing that that’s just the recommended method of injecting the CFW for 11.9. Confusion ensued.

I take it that if I decide to get a bigger SD card I should do that before I muck around with all this.
 
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Quantumcat

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Thank you. I couldn’t tell if turning off the system was fundamental to the process or if it was just being done to avoid WiFi. Now I know why.

I must have ended up on the site about Seedminer without realizing that that’s just the recommended method of injecting the CFW for 11.9. Confusion ensued.

I take it that if I decide to get a bigger SD card I should do that before I muck around with all this.
Yep, easier to start with what you mean to use long term.
 

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So I tried installing FBI and JKSM manually. They appeared in the home brew menu and also promptly crash when I try to open them.
[...]
I really just want to use JKSM for God’s sake!

The simple answer: assuming you downloaded the latest version of JKSM, then you need jksm.xml in the same folder as jksm.3dsx. That will let you run JKSM from the Homebrew Launcher without having to use Fredminer to install B9S – but you definitely won't be able to run FBI or install anything in .cia form. (Running JKSM is pretty much the only thing you can do without installing B9S.)
 
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blahblah

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Thank you. I couldn’t tell if turning off the system was fundamental to the process or if it was just being done to avoid WiFi. Now I know why.

I must have ended up on the site about Seedminer without realizing that that’s just the recommended method of injecting the CFW for 11.9. Confusion ensued.

I take it that if I decide to get a bigger SD card I should do that before I muck around with all this.

If you get a bigger SD card, you just copy everything from your old one to the new one.
 

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