Hacking Softbrick and ntrboot question

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I have recently been given a softbricked New 2DS XL to fix. The TWLNAND was completely erased except for the "shared2" folder and CFW was removed after the system was downgraded to 9.2.0. The New 2DS XL system cannot run this version without CFW, and this caused the brick. The R+L+A+Up SAFE_MODE emergency update menu successfully opened, but the update failed. I tested to see if ntrboot would work using a Mario Kart DS cartridge, and it didn't work. I assumed that it was because of the damaged TWLNAND, but later I read online that ntrboot should work anyway. So I assumed that Mario Kart DS required the TWLNAND contents and the flashcart (R4i B9S) specifically would not, and it could fix the issue. (I already have SafeB9SInstaller's "boot.firm" and the "boot9strap" folder with the "boot9strap.firm" and "boot9strap.firm.sha" on the SD Card.) Is this assumption correct? If not, please clearly explain why.

Note: I have everything needed to fix the system, so all I need to do is install B9S.

Note Again: Apparently further clarification is needed on the last note. I have everything needed to fix the system, so stop linking to and suggesting CTRTransfer images!
 
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E1ite007

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ntrboot works not because "it doesn't require the TWLNAND", actually it's because it's assumed that's the way Nintendo modifies, flashes and repairs firmware, with special cards of course.
TWLNAND is the DSi part of the console, it's preeeeeetty small, but by being damaged the system will not boot anyway. If the console boots to the recovery menu, it's a good sign also, but I don't know if it could be capable of with that kind of brick.
As far as I understand your problem, you should be able to repair it by CTRTransfer with a clean copy of the system's firmware, of course you should be able to boot Godmode9 for that, so you should first install B9S and Luma3DS.

So... yeah, practically your statement is correct to some degree.
 
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ntrboot works not because "it doesn't require the TWLNAND", actually it's because it's assumed that's the way Nintendo modifies, flashes and repairs firmware, with special cards of course.
TWLNAND is the DSi part of the console, it's preeeeeetty small, but by being damaged the system will not boot anyway. If the console boots to the recovery menu, it's a good sign also, but I don't know if it could be capable of with that kind of brick.
As far as I understand your problem, you should be able to repair it by CTRTransfer with a clean copy of the system's firmware, of course you should be able to boot Godmode9 for that, so you should first install B9S and Luma3DS.

So... yeah, practically your statement is correct to some degree.
The recovery menu opens but the update failed. This was the first thing I tried, I forgot to mention it in the first post. The post has now been edited to mention this. Anyway, what was the reason that Mario Kart DS wouldn't boot? Was it because the TWLNAND was damaged?
 
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E1ite007

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The recovery menu opens but the update failed. This was the first thing I tried, I forgot to mention it in the first post. The post has now been edited to mention this. Anyway, what was the reason that Mario Kart DS wouldn't boot? Was it because the TWLNAND was damaged? BTW, a regular, non-bricked 3DS can boot normally if you fully erase the TWLNAND, as long as an empty folder named "shared2" is placed on it.
Your assumption about Mario Kart DS is correct. DS games require TWLNAND to function. Actually this fix is for most normal cases, but you could try it.
Anyway. I would trully endorse CTRTransfer to avoid more problems with the downgrade firm and all of that.
And...kinda yeah about the fully erased TWLNAND, yeah the console will boot but any attempt to use any kind of DS software or settings would crash the console.
 
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Your assumption about Mario Kart DS is correct. DS games require TWLNAND to function.
So DS games require TWLNAND to function, but the flashcarts don't, right?

And...kinda yeah about the fully erased TWLNAND, yeah the console will boot but any attempt to use any kind of DS software or settings would crash the console.
If the TWLNAND is fully erased, then the console won't boot. You have to have the "shared2" folder on the root of the TWLNAND folder for the system to boot, because for some reason the system has to successfully create a file called "0000" in this folder before it can open the HOME Menu.

Anyway. I would trully endorse CTRTransfer to avoid more problems with the downgrade firm and all of that.
I already have all the files I need to fix the console, so I don't need a CTRTransfer image.
 
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fmkid

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So DS games require TWLNAND to function, but the flashcarts don't, right?

If the TWLNAND is fully erased, then the console won't boot. You have to have the "shared2" folder on the root of the TWLNAND folder for the system to boot, because for some reason the system has to successfully create a file called "0000" in this folder before it can open the HOME Menu.


I already have all the files I need to fix the console, so I don't need a CTRTransfer image.
You're totally confused.
  • ntrboot only works with some kind of DS flashcards (listed here). They must be previously prepared/flashed to be compatible with the ntrboot method.
  • Normal DS original cartridges and DS flashcards NEVER will run through ntrboot per se. They aren't prepared/flashed for that. They require that the 3DS TWL_FIRM boots to work (that is, to run games/roms/homebrew).
  • ntrboot =/= TWL(NAND/FIRM) boot
  • ntrboot is (in practical terms) a "B9S alternative/replace" capable to load a .firm payload, but pretty early as B9S does, and without the need of a NAND system reading/loading (thanks to bootrom/bootloader execution)
 
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KleinesSinchen

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Oh my…
I guess this thread is follow-up from here (slightly off-topic in the "List of possible ways to brick your 3DS/2DS/N3DS").
=================
@fmkid Perfect explanation. Ntrboot is not a game loader.
=================


Feels awkward, but I will quote myself:
[…]
An official repair method (Nintendo should have properly signed ntrboot carts) relying on contents on the softbricked NAND would not be very helpful.
[…]
A Mario Kart DS game is surely not an ntrboot cart. Neither official nor "fakesigned" for "one-time B9S" (as we could describe our unofficial ntrboot). How should this even be possible in theory? Mario Kart DS is sooo much older than the first 3DS console. How could it be ntrboot compatible?
=====================

@dwain12435 Get an ntrboot compatible flashcart. If it does not come preflashed with ntrboot (like for example the sold-out R4i Gold 3DS Plus) you will need any other DS system currently able to launch software from your flashcart to flash the exploit onto it (or a CFW 2|3DS).
Then install B9S on the N2DSXL and try repairing the firmware with GodMode9: Restore backup (if any), CTRTransfer, CTRTransfer Type D9.
 
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The R4i B9S flashcart is pre-flashed with ntrboot, so it will work with a wiped TWLNAND, right?
 
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fmkid

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The R4i B9S flashcart is pre-flashed with ntrboot and apparently also SafeB9SInstaller or something similar, so it will work with a wiped TWLNAND, right?
Again, ntrboot has nothing to see with (or not depends of) any kind of NAND. Then, yes, it must works on ntrboot mode with a wiped TWLNAND (even without a NAND chip on the console motherboard)
 
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BaamAlex

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The R4i B9S flashcart is pre-flashed with ntrboot and apparently also SafeB9SInstaller or something similar, so it will work with a wiped TWLNAND, right?
Correct. The ntrboot card gets full access (with held buttons and a magnet) to the bootrom of the 3ds. Not to any partition of the nand. So, it doesn't matter whether the twlnand is erased or so.
 
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Again, ntrboot has nothing to see with (or not depends of) any kind of NAND. Then, yes, it must works on ntrboot mode with a wiped TWLNAND (even without a NAND chip on the console motherboard)
Correct. The ntrboot card gets full access (with held buttons and a magnet) to the bootrom of the 3ds. Not to any partition of the nand. So, it doesn't matter whether the twlnand is erased or so.
OK. Thanks for the info.
 

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