Hacking Help! Updated to latest firmware and now console semi-bricked (an old unsupported FIRM has been.. )

[WenMan]

Hello,
I had CFW installed in my old 3DX XL long time ago, I then wanted to update to newer FW version (11.14) and started the process.
Unfortunately the console would not boot anymore: Blue light on and both screens black.
I've read a few threads where people suggested updating the luma files in the root of the SD card, I did it but unfortunately still no boot.
I've found a few more threads and finally found one that listed a few key combinations to bring-up the luma menus, I've booted into
Hourglass9 (v1.20) and did a SysNAND restore. Operation was successful however now I get a screen that says:

An error has occurred:
An old unsupported FIRM has been detected.
Copy firmware.bin in /luma to boot

What firmware.bin should I put in /luma???
I've tried a few files, but I always get the above error.

Thanks for your Help!

 

[godreborn]

it sounds like you're on a9lh. tbh, I'm not sure how to fix this if the console won't boot. you could try restoring an old nand, then installing b9s.

 

[WenMan]

Well I have a folder called a9lg on the SD, so you're probably right.
I can boot only into Hourglass and I already tried the sysNand restore, is there any other way to restore the old nand?
I have tried to boot into Godmode, but it doesn't work...

 

[godreborn]

godmode now uses .firm as its extension, so it's for b9s. I think a9lh used bin files, but it's been years. @TurdPooCharger might know what to do. if you can't reflash the nand, then I'm not sure. I figured you were using a9lh when you mentioned bin and hourglass.

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

this might still work: https://3ds.hacks.guide/a9lh-to-b9s.html

 

[fmkid]

To know if you have A9LH or B9S, just check what Luma version do you have right now.

Please turn on your console while pressing SELECT button and look for the Luma exactly version.

• If 7.0.5 or less, you have A9LH, and then you should follow this guide: https://3ds.hacks.guide/a9lh-to-b9s.html
• If 7.1, you have B9S OLD version, and then follow this another guide: https://3ds.hacks.guide/updating-b9s.html
• If 8.0 or above (up to 10.2), please update Luma, as said here.

Finally, update your console to the latest version (11.14)

 

[WenMan]

It was luma V6.1.1
Thanks @godreborn and @fmkid! I've used the linked guide, the 3DS booted and I've successfully updated to latest firmware!
However a major part of the installed games are vanished from the menu and also the HB is no more accessible?
Why is that? Is there anything that I can do besides reinstalling everything that's been deleted?

 

[godreborn]

It was luma V6.1.1
Thanks @godreborn and @fmkid! I've used the linked guide, the 3DS booted and I've successfully updated to latest firmware!
However a major part of the installed games are vanished from the menu and also the HB is no more accessible?
Why is that? Is there anything that I can do besides reinstalling everything that's been deleted?

for the homebrew launcher, try this: https://3ds.hacks.guide/finalizing-setup.html you need rosalina set up with boot.3dsx.

 

[Lacius]

It was luma V6.1.1
Thanks @godreborn and @fmkid! I've used the linked guide, the 3DS booted and I've successfully updated to latest firmware!
However a major part of the installed games are vanished from the menu and also the HB is no more accessible?
Why is that? Is there anything that I can do besides reinstalling everything that's been deleted?

Were you using an emuNAND before by any chance?

 

[Deleted User]

However a major part of the installed games are vanished from the menu and also the HB is no more accessible?
Why is that? Is there anything that I can do besides reinstalling everything that's been deleted?

Once you've gained access to Homebrew, you can place this file (faketik) in the "3ds" folder on your SD Card and then run it. This will work if you restored an old NAND backup that you made before you installed the now missing titles.

 

[WenMan]

Were you using an emuNAND before by any chance?

I'm not sure, but I don't think so, as the missing games are still visible in the 3DS memory manager tool with an "X" mark.

This will work if you restored an old NAND backup that you made before you installed the now missing titles.

YES! Thank you! That restored almost all the games. A few are not working (crash), but I can reinstall them.
Thank you everyone!!

I have a few more noob questions, if you don't mind:

If I want to install the hack in the NAND, to be able to boot without an SD card, do I have to follow Section VI (CTRNAND Luma3ds) of the guide linked above?

I want to replace my SD card with a bigger one, is it enough to (just) copy all the data?

and finally: Can I use a PC tool to install .CIAs to the SD card?

 

[cluesagi]

I want to replace my SD card with a bigger one, is it enough to (just) copy all the data?

and finally: Can I use a PC tool to install .CIAs to the SD card?

You can just copy the data to the new SD card, as long as the new one is properly formatted first.

I don't think there's any way to install .cias via a PC, but you can just put them all in a folder and install them all via FBI on the 3DS

 

[godreborn]

cia files on the pc wouldn't work, I don't think, because the tickets are in the ctrnand on the 3ds itself. if the ticket isn't present, the content won't appear on the home menu.

 

[fmkid]

If I want to install the hack in the NAND, to be able to boot without an SD card, do I have to follow Section VI (CTRNAND Luma3ds) of the guide linked above?

I want to replace my SD card with a bigger one, is it enough to (just) copy all the data?

and finally: Can I use a PC tool to install .CIAs to the SD card?

• Yes, just do that.
• Already answered above.
• Yes, you can use custom-install for that.

cia files on the pc wouldn't work, I don't think, because the tickets are in the ctrnand on the 3ds itself. if the ticket isn't present, the content won't appear on the home menu.

Not necesarilly. Tickets for 3DS installed games/updates/DLC are stored on SD card; tickets for 3DS system titles (and DSiWare, I presume) are stored on CTRNAND.

 

[godreborn]

but the ticket database is on the ctrNAND.

 

[fmkid]

but the ticket database is on the ctrNAND.

No. On SD (only for 3DS installed/digital content as I said before)

https://3dbrew.org/wiki/Title_Database

 

[godreborn]

look in godmode at ctrNAND/dbs. you'll see those database files. I just looked it up on my system.

 

[fmkid]

look in godmode at ctrNAND/dbs. you'll see those database files. I just looked it up on my system.

Yes. But on sd:/Nintendo 3DS/<ID0>/<ID1>/dbs there are too

 

[Deleted User]

cia files on the pc wouldn't work, I don't think, because the tickets are in the ctrnand on the 3ds itself. if the ticket isn't present, the content won't appear on the home menu.

You could (partially) install CIA files with a PC if you had the "movable.sed", but you would have to install the ticket for it via faketik/FBI before it would show up on the HOME Menu.

 

[fmkid]

You could (partially) install CIA files with a PC if you had the "movable.sed", but you would have to install the ticket for it via faketik/FBI before it would show up on the HOME Menu.

As I said above, custom-install does automatically that for you

 

[Deleted User]

As I said above, custom-install does automatically that for you

Read the custom-install-finalize section. You still have to install the ticket to the CTRNAND from the 3DS.