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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metaljay

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Ist the trinket M0 - Running on my Pokemon Switch new Version? Thanks
What? That doesn’t make sense sorry

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

Is this normal? when the joycon is not docked(on the switch) i can boot into sxos. but when the joycon is attached i can't boot into sxos and go to normal?
do I also need to have a modded joycon?
Hmmm no that’s not normal. Mine doesn’t do that
 

mattytrog

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Little chip software update coming if anyone interested. Testing only.

https://gbatemp.net/threads/basic-m...bug-rcmx86-others.518574/page-13#post-8381910

Is this normal? when the joycon is not docked(on the switch) i can boot into sxos. but when the joycon is attached i can't boot into sxos and go to normal?
do I also need to have a modded joycon?

Not normal.

Could be to do with poor GND connection, or soldered to wrong point on board?

in that case I do not care if I use the payload of rainkx or tinfoil to load games.
your once the chip responds well, and can you access Homebrew as you proceed to load games?
I do not care to use one or the other, but which one do you use, so as not to have problems with the signatures?

I`m struggling understanding.

I use all. However, I am not a gamer. I just work on various software stuff.

My son uses SXOS and he enjoys it.
But you need to pay for it.

I like Atmosphere personally. And SXOS. No preference over one or the other. Apples to oranges really.

XCI support and very easy vs complete control / modification of your console.

Your decision.
 

jasongan

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help me matt ...finally my switch can't charging battery now...
mod already 1 month no problem but yerterday i can't get charging.... sometimes startup jammed in the logo
i trying using iphone 5v adapter to charge it work ...then i remove the cable plug in the ori charger it get burn ......
now i only can startup can't charging....some one same like me? mod chip board it getting burn my switch ?or it my soldering flux get shocking? some in down i can't clean it ...
 

mattytrog

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help me matt ...finally my switch can't charging battery now...
mod already 1 month no problem but yerterday i can't get charging.... sometimes startup jammed in the logo
i trying using iphone 5v adapter to charge it work ...then i remove the cable plug in the ori charger it get burn ......
now i only can startup can't charging....some one same like me? mod chip board it getting burn my switch ?or it my soldering flux get shocking? some in down i can't clean it ...

1) check / resolder the GND connection. May be poor connection. Very common.
2) check all other solder points.

If all is good and CONFIRMED with multimeter, then sounds like a BQ24193 problem. Maybe M92T36 problem however this is doubtful.
 

jasongan

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1) check / resolder the GND connection. May be poor connection. Very common.
2) check all other solder points.

If all is good and CONFIRMED with multimeter, then sounds like a BQ24193 problem. Maybe M92T36 problem however this is doubtful.
tq matt ..soldering flux did't clean all it possible getting shock the pcb?
 

mattytrog

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tq matt ..soldering flux did't clean all it possible getting shock the pcb?
Soldering flux must be cleaned off. Unless it is noclean.

I use noclean flux, however it does leave a (protective?) Brown coating.

Old school fluxes will clean your traces right up, but will eat traces eventually.
 

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Soldering flux must be cleaned off. Unless it is noclean.

I use noclean flux, however it does leave a (protective?) Brown coating.

Old school fluxes will clean your traces right up, but will eat traces eventually.
Big thanks matt... BQ24193 M92T36 im curious how it just damaged so easy....
 

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I just changed to another gnd pad. The Thycon also disconnects afger a while when joycon attached. When detached everithi g works perfectly?
Have you used a jig in the past?

Your pins could be damaged in the joycon rail.

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

Big thanks matt... BQ24193 M92T36 im curious how it just damaged so easy....
Normally damaged USB ports or unofficial docks.
 
D

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Just got my switch. Played with it last night. Can confirm that dualboot and autoRCM work just fine!

The only thing that I don't like is that I have to open up my switch to figure out why my SD card slot is sticky. Also can't push the reset button all too well. The guy I sent it to was pretty good, probably was just in a rush to get it done and out to me.
 
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Mattytrog, hi man.

I had old method 3 ( Dual boot ) and the battery drained.
Siwtched to method 1 from 3 month ago with autorcm, but now again battery drained ( both switches ).

I will go and do a direct connect to charge the batterys.
What i dont understand is the new method of Dual Boot, do i need 5 or six wire install?

I ready got 5 wire install.
The 4 needed wire and Joycon strap.
 

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Mattytrog, hi man.

I had old method 3 ( Dual boot ) and the battery drained.
Siwtched to method 1 from 3 month ago with autorcm, but now again battery drained ( both switches ).

I will go and do a direct connect to charge the batterys.
What i dont understand is the new method of Dual Boot, do i need 5 or six wire install?

I ready got 5 wire install.
The 4 needed wire and Joycon strap.

Thats all you need. Just drag and drop the bootloader UF2 (version 1), disable autoRCM and you are golden.
 
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taxco

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when powered off, hold vol+ and press power, hold for a second and let go.

Normal boot, just power on normally without autoRCM
I cant open the Tinket,
Cant get the gred LED to work.

Does the siwtch need to be tund on and connected and then rst?
 

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I cant open the Tinket,
Cant get the gred LED to work.

Does the siwtch need to be tund on and connected and then rst?
Just turned on. Boot to normal switch home screen. Disconnect from USB, double-press reset on chip (you may have to vary your timing of the double press depending on which version of bootloader you have)

Then connect to usb on pc.

A drive will open.
 
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Just turned on. Boot to normal switch home screen. Disconnect from USB, double-press reset on chip (you may have to vary your timing of the double press depending on which version of bootloader you have)

Then connect to usb on pc.

A drive will open.

I comes for a second i enter it and then it freezes, like pc dectects the drive but cant acces it.
I have bootloader from 3 months ago.
 

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