Hardware Replacing the eMMC module with one from another Switch

WadsRUs · Dec 2, 2018

I know, the eMMC is encrypted and matched to each Switch.

However, if a Switch has an eMMC module transferred into it from another, will it at least boot into RCM?

If it will then surely it should be possible to somehow get the Switch with the new eMMC to boot into Atmosphere or similar?

eMMC modules are for sale on Aliexpress and elsewhere so surely that means they can be used in Switches that they weren't originally installed into?

Tumoche · Dec 2, 2018

It will boot into rcm, but you need prodinfo and other stuff to boot Ofw or Cfw

WadsRUs · Dec 2, 2018

I see, thanks.

So it's do-able then.

Has anyone ever written up how to do it?

GizmoTheGreen · Dec 2, 2018

I suppose if you have a backup from your switch, and the emmc dies. you can at least salvage one from another switch, say a banned one. it will boot into RCM by itself, you can load up hekate and restore your backup and it should work?

WadsRUs · Dec 2, 2018

I was thinking the same thing.

Have just been experimenting - I have a couple of Switches here which have hardware faults - after the reply from Tumoche in this thread I pulled the eMMC modules from each and put them in my good Switch and they did indeed boot into RCM and I loaded fusee.bin (note: after each eMMC swap you need to hold down the power button for at least five seconds before attempting the RCM boot sequence, and after replacing the original eMMC and before booting into Horizon you need to hold the power button down for at least ten seconds).

Naturally these eMMC modules won't boot into Horizon on a different Switch so I'm now wondering if anyone has yet determined a way to achieve this. What with all of the excellent work that has gone into the decryption of the firmware I wonder how hard it would be for somebody with the right knowledge to implement something which would allow eMMCs to be swapped freely between Switches and booted normally.

P3T3 · Dec 4, 2018

If you change emmc you need to flash the the emmc with a backup of the switch it’s going in.
Yes you can get rcm, then you can flash backup to get fw to boot, if you don’t flash it can’t read as the nand/emmc is paired to the board..

WadsRUs · Dec 4, 2018

Understood, thanks!

Is this 'pairing' between the eMMC and the Switch something that can be worked around (is anyone working on it?) so that any eMMC can be used in any Switch without having a prior full backup?

Hardware Replacing the eMMC module with one from another Switch

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