Homebrew Old n3DSXL bricked supposedly from a9lh... any hope?

[catcoin]

Hello,
I recently dug up my old n3DSxl and it has double black screen and blue light when I power it on. It won't go into recovery mode.
I got a new PC so I don't have the NAND backup or whatever it's called. However, I do have two SD cards with data on them:

My fuzzy memory tells me that it bricked during an a9lh update/patch/install or something. Is there anything I can possibly do with this hunk of plastic? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[TurdPooCharger]

1. CFW: I formatted my 2ds's sd card and now it wont turn on [post #17]
2. Rehack the n3DSXL using the ntrboot method. Check my signature for compatible DS flashcart options.
3. If you can't find a sysnand *.bin image to restore from, repair the 3DS firmware + custom firmware with CTRTransfer (Type D9) - CTRTransfer. Carefully read and follow the Instructions.
   
   

 

[catcoin]

1. CFW: I formatted my 2ds's sd card and now it wont turn on [post #17]
2. Rehack the n3DSXL using the ntrboot method. Check my signature for compatible DS flashcart options.
3. If you can't find a sysnand *.bin image to restore from, repair the 3DS firmware + custom firmware with CTRTransfer (Type D9) - CTRTransfer. Carefully read and follow the Instructions.
   

Thank you so much, I'll try this and get back to you.

 

[catcoin]

1. CFW: I formatted my 2ds's sd card and now it wont turn on [post #17]
2. Rehack the n3DSXL using the ntrboot method. Check my signature for compatible DS flashcart options.
3. If you can't find a sysnand *.bin image to restore from, repair the 3DS firmware + custom firmware with CTRTransfer (Type D9) - CTRTransfer. Carefully read and follow the Instructions.
   

I tried the first method a bunch of times, but could not boot into anything. I'd be willing to buy a cartridge to try ntrboot method, but I'm kind of skeptical and uninformed on whether or not it is capable of unbricking my 3ds.
If i cannot boot into anything at all (two black screens + continuous blue light), will inserting a flashcart do anything...? Is it an equal alternative to hardmodding?
Also, I have a DSi on version 1.4U, but I don't know what version my 3DS was on when it bricked, so I'm not sure what flashcart I would even opt for.

 

[susi91]

Hello,
I got a new PC so I don't have the NAND backup or whatever it's called. However, I do have two SD cards with data on them:

I see on your picture a file called sysNand_original.bin.
Isn't that the orig. Nand backup file?

 

[Purple_Heart]

it should be his sysnand backup

 

[Kwyjor]

but I don't know what version my 3DS was on when it bricked, so I'm not sure what flashcart I would even opt for.

ntrboot relies solely on the ARM9 boot ROM, which cannot be updated, so it does not matter what firmware your 3DS was using.

If ntrboot doesn't work, then it is quite possible that the hardware is physically defective.

 

[gamesquest1]

I tried the first method a bunch of times, but could not boot into anything. I'd be willing to buy a cartridge to try ntrboot method, but I'm kind of skeptical and uninformed on whether or not it is capable of unbricking my 3ds.
If i cannot boot into anything at all (two black screens + continuous blue light), will inserting a flashcart do anything...? Is it an equal alternative to hardmodding?
Also, I have a DSi on version 1.4U, but I don't know what version my 3DS was on when it bricked, so I'm not sure what flashcart I would even opt for.

yeah dont worry NTRboot can fix any bricked 3ds console regardless of firmware etc, as long as there isn't any hardware damage ntrboot can fix all, its pretty much impossible to brick a 3ds at this point where NTRboot can't recover it (thats not to say its 100% impossible, but short of purposeful malicious code to screw up the hardware, all failed CFW installs etc can be recovered)

just make sure your get a pre-flashed NTRboot flashcard or have access to another system to flash the NTRboot firmware to it

 

[Purple_Heart]

if you wanna use ntrboot order this card i have it too:

https://www.nds-card.com/ProShow.asp?ProID=575

 

[catcoin]

Thanks for all your help, everyone. I think I will try ntrboot. Since R4i Gold 3DS Plus is out of stock, is the R4isdhc GOLD Pro 2020 a good alternative? So far the only difference I see is that it has a timebomb which I would need to work around.

 

[gamesquest1]

Thanks for all your help, everyone. I think I will try ntrboot. Since R4i Gold 3DS Plus is out of stock, is the R4isdhc GOLD Pro 2020 a good alternative? So far the only difference I see is that it has a timebomb which I would need to work around.

look for a cart on this list to make sure its compatible, preferably one that comes pre-flashed
https://3ds.hacks.guide/ntrboot

 

[Kwyjor]

So far the only difference I see is that it has a timebomb which I would need to work around.

As has been noted, you will need some way to flash it. The R4i Gold 3DS Plus has no such requirement.

 

[catcoin]

As has been noted, you will need some way to flash it. The R4i Gold 3DS Plus has no such requirement.

I guess I'll opt for the R4I-B9S then, but is it difficult to work around the timebomb? Since I can't change my 3DS system's clock (as it is bricked), will I have any complications?

 

[Kwyjor]

I guess I'll opt for the R4I-B9S then

Are you sure that's pre-flashed?

but is it difficult to work around the timebomb? Since I can't change my 3DS system's clock (as it is bricked), will I have any complications?

ntrboot does not care what your clock is set to. Timebombs are a concern when using the cart as a regular DS mode flashcart. (And even then, you can just use an alternative kernel like ysmenu.)

 

[TurdPooCharger]

Are you sure that's pre-flashed?

ntrboot does not care what your clock is set to. Timebombs are a concern when using the cart as a regular DS mode flashcart. (And even then, you can just use an alternative kernel like ysmenu.)

The R4i-SDHC B9S is basically a R4i-SDHC 3DS RTS that has been preflashed with the ntrboot flashrom. (IMO) it's overpriced and doesn't have the benefit of a toggle switch like the R4i Gold 3DS Plus or Ace3DS X. It sucks he's paying the extra $2 because those other two have been out of stock for a long time and probably can't source/borrow another (o/n)(2/3)DS(i)(XL/LL)(phat/lite) to reflash other compatible carts.