Tutorial  Updated

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

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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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efxonly123

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Disconnect USB, double-press reset to turn trinket LED red, then plug in. Should turn green.

For some reason I taped over the light, so I can't see it. Opening up again now.

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

Can you post a high-res picture of your wiring?
I'll post one after I open it back up.
 

efxonly123

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I think you bridged two pins right there on the green. That may be the culprit of your slow/no boots although i could be wrong.

Disconnect the battery, try to unbridge, use less solder and clean your work and any other residue with a soft brush and a good PCB cleaner.

Let us know how it goes.

View attachment 137792

I checked those points, and the multimeter shows that they are not bridged (although it looks like it). I will re-do those points though. Thank you for checking it for me.
 

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Alright so, I was one of the people who voted on their USB not working while docked. I've tried the new UF2, still the same issue. I installed via method 1 (no autorcm tho, I boot via modded joycon - vol + and power) -- I've tried the new SX OS UF2 and the new Hekate UF2 you put up (AIO) and I still have the same issues. I will take my back covers off tomorrow and snap some pics, but I quadruple checked my solder work post install, and prior to install I flashed the trinket. I feel it's also important to note that if I load into hekate or something and select the option to reboot into RCM mode, and plug the switch into my PC, even with the trinket "asleep", the PC will not recognize the switch :\ So the *ONLY* way for me to load a payload now is done via the trinket, which is driving me absolutely insane as I want to use lakka as well, but I will live with it for the ease of use factor :P
So, USB still a no-go for me apparently :( And I actually think this has something to do with the trinket still being active at all in it's sleep state.

** Note: I've also tried removing the reset button *JUST* to see if that was the issue, and it wasn't. Resoldered reset button to trinket after the tests.
 

efxonly123

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I see. Why not just solder to the pad next to the red one just like the guide says?

Remove a bit of solder from the red wire and you should have plenty of space to solder next to it.

See my install pictures (First page of OP - Completed Installs). I barely used any solder on those pads. Just a tiny bit is needed. That and a steady hand :)

Let me know how it goes man. Good luck!

Yeah, that's why I couldn't put those two wires side-by-side, too much solder. I'm going to give it another shot tomorrow. I'm going to try booting without the trinket also to see if that makes a difference. Thank you for your help. And thank you Mattytrog also.
 
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efxonly123

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I am also wondering if perhaps the wire you used for the 3V point is too thin...

Can you try using the same gauge of wire you used for the +/- data points?

The wire is about 34 awg, and I've heard of people using 40 awg for this install, so I don't think that's the issue. But I'll double check too.
 

mattytrog

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Alright so, I was one of the people who voted on their USB not working while docked. I've tried the new UF2, still the same issue. I installed via method 1 (no autorcm tho, I boot via modded joycon - vol + and power) -- I've tried the new SX OS UF2 and the new Hekate UF2 you put up (AIO) and I still have the same issues. I will take my back covers off tomorrow and snap some pics, but I quadruple checked my solder work post install, and prior to install I flashed the trinket. I feel it's also important to note that if I load into hekate or something and select the option to reboot into RCM mode, and plug the switch into my PC, even with the trinket "asleep", the PC will not recognize the switch :\ So the *ONLY* way for me to load a payload now is done via the trinket, which is driving me absolutely insane as I want to use lakka as well, but I will live with it for the ease of use factor :P
So, USB still a no-go for me apparently :( And I actually think this has something to do with the trinket still being active at all in it's sleep state.

** Note: I've also tried removing the reset button *JUST* to see if that was the issue, and it wasn't. Resoldered reset button to trinket after the tests.

OK. Are you sure the trinket is asleep? What thickness wire are you using?

Also... Daft question... The payload is definitely booting isnt it?
 
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RDTG

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OK. Are you sure the trinket is asleep? What thickness wire are you using?

Yeah I am sure it's asleep, certain devices like USB keyboards still work when not docked using a USB-A to C adapter, but docked is just a nogo. Tested on 2 diff docks.
The wire I've used is 30 AWG
 

mattytrog

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Yeah I am sure it's asleep, certain devices like USB keyboards still work when not docked using a USB-A to C adapter, but docked is just a nogo. Tested on 2 diff docks.
The wire I've used is 30 AWG

Are you using Hekate or SXOS normally?
 

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Are you using Hekate or SXOS normally?

I usually use Hekate, but since I can't launch other payloads from my PC or phone anymore, I changed back to the SX payload about 4 days ago so i at least have the ability to launch another separate payload.

Edit: I did extensive testing with both
 

mattytrog

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I usually use Hekate, but since I can't launch other payloads from my PC or phone anymore, I changed back to the SX payload about 4 days ago so i at least have the ability to launch another separate payload.

Edit: I did extensive testing with both

Try this...
 

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RDTG

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Try this...

Nope, same result, in both docks** -- no USB :\


** both docks also tested with my 2nd, un-modded Switch, USB works fine via unmodded switch

EDIT: If you have Discord, send me a DM on here w/ user info and I'll send you a message on there, rn I am going to bed (3AM) so I can pick up working on this tomorrow. I am also working on my own attempted fixes
 

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The only time I have come across this is when a USB testpoint has lifted slightly.

Can you do a continuity test between the USB testpads and the C connector? Middle 2 pins.
 

efxonly123

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I am also wondering if perhaps the wire you used for the 3V point is too thin...

Can you try using the same gauge of wire you used for the +/- data points?

I am on method 3 and it HAS NOT given me any issues. I have done about 15 consoles now (mostly my buddies). Working great! :D

Removed trinket and used tegrarcmgui to load sx os and still the same, so I think that rules out the trinket. At least ofw still boots normally.
 

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The only time I have come across this is when a USB testpoint has lifted slightly.

Can you do a continuity test between the USB testpads and the C connector? Middle 2 pins.
Yeah I'll check it tomorrow, 3 AM now so sleep time :P

I doubt that's the issue though as I quadruple checked everything in the following days of discovering this problem, but I will check again tomorrow and make sure I didn't miss anything
 

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Yeah I'll check it tomorrow, 3 AM now so sleep time :P

I doubt that's the issue though as I quadruple checked everything in the following days of discovering this problem, but I will check again tomorrow and make sure I didn't miss anything

OK. I get the feeling you have lost continuity between the USB-C port and the testpads.

If you have, you will need to solder a jumper from the C connector to the choke (see alternative points in OP)
 

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