Tutorial  Updated

Internal modchip - SAMD21 (Trinket M0, Gemma M0, ItsyBitsy M0 Express) Guide, Files & Support

Notice: I am not receiving notifications for this thread. I didn`t realise people were still posting in it.

Please please accept my apologies if I haven`t replied to tags etc... I have no idea what is happening. I`m subscribed to this thread but I am not receiving notifications. Please inbox me if possible. Or tag me in another thread.

Its amazing that people are still checking all of this out. I thank you for all of the help and support I have received in this thread over this year.

Cheers. Matty.


A video showing a modchip in action. Thank you once again to @metaljay for providing this. This is what you can achieve by fitting a chip!



Section 1. Gather your software.

Get your chip software from THIS THREAD.
Follow the flashing instructions there...




Section 2. Removing USB port and unneeded LEDs. (Adafruit chips only)
  • Next, we need to remove the USB port from the modchip. I recommend a heatgun or a rework station. Heat up until the USB port just lifts off the modchip.
  • Do the same for the LED just to the right of the USB port.
See picture:
20181031_110415.jpg


You are now ready to fit your device. Proceed to Fitting section.





Section 3. Fitting modchip to your Switch.
New Universal Method. All SAMD-based internal chips. If your chip is not supported and you cannot work it out, PM me.

Trinket M0.
Solder as laid out in the following picture

trinketfinal.jpg

==================================================
Rebug SwitchME M0. Use Trinket files.
Solder as laid out in the following picture

rebugfinal.jpg

==================================================
RCMX86 - Internal modchip version.
Solder as laid out in the following picture

RCMX86-Internal-Final.jpg


==================================================
Gemma M0. Use Gemma files.
Solder as laid out in the following picture


gemma final.jpg

==================================================
ItsyBitsy M0 Express. Use ItsyBitsy files.
Solder as laid out in the following picture

itsybitsyfinal.jpg




==================================================
Feather M0 Express. Use Feather files.
Solder as laid out in the following picture

feather_final.jpg




BUILD YOUR OWN FROM A QFP ATSAMD21E18. Trinket equivalent pins.
Flash Trinket bootloader using OpenOCD via serial pins SWDIO / SWDCLK. Fit a reset switch somewhere... Or going to power / wake (aka method 2). If building for external use, it is good practice to fit a third capacitor between 3V & GND. This is deliberately vague and ambigious, as this needs research and you need to know what you are doing.

Link for setting the Pi up with OpenOCD: HERE
Raspberry Pi OpenOCD image in downloads section or HERE
SAMD pi connection.png



Alternative Solder Points

Credit to @consolex for original pic. I`ve added alternative points to solder to:
Alternatepoints.jpg


Credit to @pyorin for this much tidier version showing the same info as the above one!
Alternatepoints2.jpg

s-l1600.jpg

alternative3v.jpg




Replacement Parts List

Ok... So you have damaged your switch soldering your chip in. Not to worry.

First things first, DO NOT BRIDGE THE CONTACTS HOPING TO REVIVE YOUR SWITCH. With resistors, you may possibly get away with this, but with the capacitors listed below, if you jump these points, you will make a nice short-circuit to the PMIC and / or the M92T36, killing them instantly. Don`t do it.

OK... I`ll list these parts with METHOD 2 & 3 TRINKET PIN NUMBERS and the values of the components they solder to.

TRINKET 3V (POWER SUPPLY) - 2.2uF 0402 size MLCC capacitor. Voltage unimportant as long as it is over 6.3v
TRINKET PIN 2 (POWER ON RESET - goes to pin 5 on M92T36)- 4.7uF 0402 size MLCC capacitor. Voltage unimportant as long as it is over 6.3v
TRINKET PIN 0 (VOL+) - 150R (150 ohms) 0201 Thick Film resistor. 50mW
TRINKET RESET (SWITCH POWER BUTTON) - 150R (150 ohms) 0201 Thick Film resistor. 50mW


I recommend RS components.

FAQ

Q - How do I boot the switch into APX (RCM) mode?

A - You need to short out pin 10 on the right joycon rail to GND with a jig or modded joycon or paperclip (not recommended... Buy a jig you cheap-ass gyppo). Once shorted out, hold down vol+ and power. The switch screen should be off... Plug into your PC and it should recognise a APX device. Well done. You are in RCM.

Q - What glue should I use?
A - Only glue if necessary! Ideally if your soldering is of sufficient quality and your wire is thin enough, you don`t need glue. I use a bit because I am OCD. Anyway, use Epoxy. It`s what I use. Gives you some working time, is solid. Superglue makes a mess DO NOT USE SUPERGLUE. The only thing super about it is how it melts things. Epoxy won`t stick to the shield long-term, so bear that in mind. Pure Acetone will remove epoxy. Acetone tends to remove / melt anything to be warned. CHECK YOUR GLUE WON`T GO CONDUCTIVE OVER TIME - LOOKING AT YOU SCAMSUNG! The combination of heat cycles and absorbing of moisture can turn adhesive into a high-impedance connection!

Q - What size wire should I use?
A - I use AWG40 magnet wire or AWG30 Kynar. AWG40 goes onto components easier... And if you snap it, chances are the wire will snap and not the trace / component.
A2 - You can also use AWG30. I recommend Kynar wrapping wire but any will do. Looks nice, good resistance to elements, tidy. Nothing thicker than AWG30. You are just causing yourself more headaches. Trust me.

Q - Is AWG40 thick enough?
A - Yes. AWG40 is good for around 90mA.

Q - which methods do you recommend?
A - Connect all the straps...

Q - how do you recommend to set it up?
A - Fusee Suite. Search for Fusee Suite or go to link at top of this OP.

Q - My switch is flat and won't turn on.
A - Have you got the charger connected? Disconnect it or your switch won't boot! Boot to a payload (SX loader/Hekate), reconnect charger and leave on the payload menu and charge. Leave for 15 minutes and switch will start normally. It will continue charging one booted.

Disclaimer:
You have only yourself to blame. This voids warranty. This may or may not get you banned from online services. If it does, you got yourself banned. I`m not responsible if you kill your switch / your first-born with any of this in this post. I`m not infalliable. I`m partly senile. Do your own research. Kids, get bill payers permission before you attempt even using a screwdriver.
NUTSHELL: Don`t come having a go at me because you fooked your £300 console up. I`ll do my best to help you though if you do, Just don`t blame me.

Credits to Quantum-Cross, Atlas44, @Ninoh-FOX , @jcrorxp , @tecfreak, @mooglazer, @subcon959, @64Dp128k, @mikeleuskaldunak, @M-O-B, CTCaer, @evilsperm, @consolex and everyone else for valuable input.


IF YOU REQUIRE SUPPORT, IF YOUR CONSOLE ISN`T WORKING CORRECTLY... PLEASE POST A HIGH RESOLUTION PICTURE OF YOUR INSTALL. You might think it isn`t your soldering, but in all cases with the new methods, it is bad soldering. So, please post a picture.


A BRIEF WARNING - PLEASE READ
THIS MOD IS NOT FOR THE FEINT OF HEART. WE ARE SOLDERING TO TRACES AND COMPONENTS ON THE FRONT SIDE OF THE BOARD TO SAVE HAVING TO REMOVE THE BOARD AND SOLDER TO TESTPOINTS. IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING, OR THINK YOU ARE GOING TO STRUGGLE, PLEASE PLEASE SOLDER TO THE TEST POINTS NOTED IN THIS AND OTHER THREADS (YOU WILL NEED TO REMOVE THE MOTHERBOARD). DOUBLE - TRIPLE CHECK EVERYTHING. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!
Good soldering skills are needed!
A magnifying glass is needed!
Good soldering iron needed - ideally with a 0.3 conical tip. No more than 30w!
SECURE YOUR WIRES PRIOR TO SOLDERING. Stick them down with double-sided tape.
Only use glue if you need to and glue wires after soldering. Don`t glue the solder to the component!
Put the tiniest amount of glue on the PCB mask only. Never on components. Use a cocktail stick for more glue control!!!
Take a look at alternative solder points to get you out of the sh*t if you do rip something off the board
If you aren`t the best at soldering, then think very carefully about connecting to pin 6 capacitor (the one in these new methods). If you rip this pad, you WILL NEED TO REMOVE YOUR BOARD and run from a testpoint.
 

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remanifest

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I'm brand new here, but would be willing to pay for someone to perform this mod for me in the USA. I don't have any faith in my abilities to solder items that small. I can remove the USB port before shipping the trinket + switch to you.

Obviously you'll need to have some rep on this board before I'd be willing to send my stuff to you...
 

FunThomas

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Hi @mattytrog,
i want to get back to dual boot with my trinket M0. I have flashed the latest files taken from:
https://gbatemp.net/threads/trinket-rebug-others-switchboot_uf2-fusee_uf2-modchip-software.526607/

for Trinket M0 with Part1 Dual Boot and Part 2 for Switchboot UF2

starting the samd21 Update mode with the Payload from first post
Put Part1 Dual Boot on USB Drive and after the usb drive gets reconnected i put part2 switchboot uf2 on it and then 12sec power -> off
and after a power on only with power i get into your hekate :-(
it seems there is still the perma_cfw, i have done this flashing 3 times and always boots to cfw directly

do you have any advice ?
 

mattytrog

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Hi @mattytrog,
i want to get back to dual boot with my trinket M0. I have flashed the latest files taken from:
https://gbatemp.net/threads/trinket-rebug-others-switchboot_uf2-fusee_uf2-modchip-software.526607/

for Trinket M0 with Part1 Dual Boot and Part 2 for Switchboot UF2

starting the samd21 Update mode with the Payload from first post
Put Part1 Dual Boot on USB Drive and after the usb drive gets reconnected i put part2 switchboot uf2 on it and then 12sec power -> off
and after a power on only with power i get into your hekate :-(
it seems there is still the perma_cfw, i have done this flashing 3 times and always boots to cfw directly

do you have any advice ?

Hmmm... Check in about in the switchboot menu. See what your straps say. See whats present.

Other than that, is autoRCM enabled? Double-check!
 
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FunThomas

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Hmmm... Check in about in the switchboot menu. See what your straps say. See whats present.

Other than that, is autoRCM enabled? Double-check!

Thx for the fast reply, i had AutoRCM not in mind ;-)

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

@mattytrog is there any way to get to switch recovery mode with the trinket m0 installed ?
 
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mattytrog

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Thx for the fast reply, i had AutoRCM not in mind ;-)

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

@mattytrog is there any way to get to switch recovery mode with the trinket m0 installed ?
ofcourse.

Press PWR to boot normally... Wait a second or so...
Hold down both vol buttons...
Keep holding... Eventually, you will enter recovery mode.
 
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FXDX

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Hello guys.
My first Trinket M0 + Xecuter SX OS file installation. Everything goes perfectly. I have attached below a RAR archive with everything you need for those who want to use TX payload.
Pin 3 goes to RCM_STRAP or pin 10 on the right jaycon rail. (Only for those who have the SX license and do not have an SX PRO (dongle) or SX Gear version) !!!

IMG_E6701.JPG IMG_6702.PNG
 

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Joseph111

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Hello guys.
My first Trinket M0 + Xecuter SX OS file installation. Everything goes perfectly. I have attached below a RAR archive with everything you need for those who want to use TX payload.
Pin 3 goes to RCM_STRAP or pin 10 on the right jaycon rail. (Only for those who have the SX license and do not have an SX PRO (dongle) or SX Gear version) !!!

View attachment 185176 View attachment 185177

You've left the Micro USB still attached to the trinket. Does that still work fine for you? Also, I can't seem to USB install stuff since it keeps saying device is not recognised, so I can't actually use stuff like NXMTP to explore my Switch content
 
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FXDX

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You've left the Micro USB still attached to the trinket. Does that still work fine for you? Also, I can't seem to USB install stuff since it keeps saying device is not recognised, so I can't actually use stuff like NXMTP to explore my Switch content
Yes, it works without a problem, but today i removed it the Micro USB, so that i can mount the back cover again. Also, i have restored the wires routes more aesthetically.
trink 1.jpg trink 3.jpg
 
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Joseph111

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Yes, it works without a problem, but today i removed it the Micro USB, so that i can mount the back cover again.
View attachment 185319 View attachment 185320

Ah interesting. Are you able to USB install stuff just fine by the way? My trinket works fine, just can't actually usb install stuff. As for updating the trinket, when I get home Matty told me what to do so I will try it.
 
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FXDX

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Ah interesting. Are you able to USB install stuff just fine by the way? My trinket works fine, just can't actually usb install stuff. As for updating the trinket, when I get home Matty told me what to do so I will try it.
Okay, wait, you tell us what you did.:switch:
 

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