Tutorial  Updated

Running Atmosphere on Patched SX Core Switch

Running Atmosphere on Patched Sx Core/HWFY Consoles (Erista, Mariko) is actually possible. You can use the Homebrew that aren't compatible with SX OS. (You can't use SX OS anyways.)
WARNING
1- I do not take responsibility for what happens to your switch!
2- Don't enable AutoRCM!
3- There might be issues on installation in Marikos.
4- DO NOT use this guide to downgrade your SysNAND.


REQUIREMENTS: Latest Hekate, Latest Atmosphere with fusee, and you may need 30gb free space on your sd, check the 2nd Part.


PART 1: BASIC SETUP
There are 2 methods that you can follow during this process. "Spacecraft-NX Method" requires you to open the back of your Switch and when you follow this method you won't be able to boot to SX OS. I would recommend the "Clean Up Method" since it is both easier to do and gives you the same end result as Spacecraft without all the hassle of flashing the chip. Aditionally, before trying any of these methods you may want to back up your save data on your emuNAND via JKSV or Checkpoint.

Step 1: Extract and copy downloaded files to your Switch's Micro SD card. Copy fusee to \bootloader\payloads and rename hekate bin file to "payload.bin". Also download hekate ipl from this thread remove the .txt extension from it by renaming the file, then and copy it to /bootloader/.
Step 2: Download sx gear boot.dat from the here, don't copy it to SD Card yet.
Step 3: Put Micro sd card back to Switch and boot it up while holding +.
Step 4: Choose Options, click Sx Core, and than cleanup.
Step 5: Press Payloads, launch Hekate.
Step 6: Set your date, time.
Step 7: Launch CFW EmuMMC (Make sure you have an emuNAND first, see Part 2 of the guide.) [Take precautions for not getting banned like setting up 90DNS or by simply closing your modem for now.]
Step 8: Close your Switch and insert SD Card to PC.
Step 9: Delete the existing boot.dat file in the SD and copy over the SX Gear boot.dat and boot.ini.
Step 10: Download the latest sigpatches and copy them.
Step 11: Now you can boot via Launch EmuMMC without the need of CleanUp.

(The new clean up method is from Switchway discord server.)
You should follow this guide to install Spacecraft-NX to your modchip. After that you should download Hekate and Atmosphere files to your SD Card. Rename hekate bin to payload.bin.


PART 1: SETUP
There are 2 methods that you can follow in here. First one requires to open up your Switch's back plate and get your modchip to debug mode. The second one will be done via SD Card. I would recommend the second method. Aditionally, before trying any of these methods you may want to back up your save data on your emuNAND via JKSV or Checkpoint.
PART 1.A:
You should follow this guide to install Spacecraft-NX to your modchip. After that you should download Hekate and Atmosphere files to your SD Card. Rename hekate bin to payload.bin .

PART 1.B:
1- You need to have an EmuMMC to do this method. Create one if you don't have it already.

2- If you haven't configured a wifi protection for your EmuNAND (90DNS, Incognito) then turn off your router after the 3rd step.


3- If you updated via ChoiDujourNX on your emuNAND then you have to either get a donor boot0/boot1 or backup your sysNAND boot0/boot1 and then restore it via NxNandManager or EMUtool (if you're using a partition based emuNAND) or simply replace the files in your sxos/emunand/ folder (if you're using a file based emuNAND). This is because your ChoiDuJourNX corrupts your boot0/boot1 and will prevent you from being able to boot into emuNAND on Atmosphere.
Hekate also has this function for emuNAND. If you use that, please be sure you're NOT flashing sysNAND!


Step 1: Download SX Gear (can be found on SX Portal), Latest Hekate and latest atmosphere (fusee too). (If the SX Site is down then you can get SX Gear from the SX Discord Server.)
Step 2: Extract downloaded archives to your SD Card.
Step 3: Create a file called hekate_ipl.ini in the /bootloader/ folder and copy this code inside to it:
[config]
autoboot=0
autoboot_list=0
bootwait=3
backlight=100
autohosoff=0
autonogc=1
updater2p=0
bootprotect=0

[Atmosphere CFW]
fss0=atmosphere/package3
icon=bootloader/res/icon_payload.bmp
kip1patch=nosigchk
emummcforce=1

[Stock sysNAND]
fss0=atmosphere/package3
stock=1
emummc_force_disable=1
icon=bootloader/res/icon_switch.bmp

Step 4: Rename hekate bin to payload.bin.
Step 5: Create a file called exosphere.ini in the SD Card's root and paste this code inside it:

# Key: debugmode, default: 1.
# Desc: Controls whether kernel is debug mode.
# Disabling this may break Atmosphere's debugger in a future release.

# Key: debugmode_user, default: 0.
# Desc: Controls whether userland is debug mode.

# Key: disable_user_exception_handlers, default: 0.
# Desc: Controls whether user exception handlers are executed on error.
# NOTE: This will cause atmosphere to not fail gracefully.
# Support may not be provided to users tho disable these.
# If you do not know what you are doing, leave them on.

# Key: enable_user_pmu_access, default: 0.
# Desc: Controls whether userland has access to the PMU registers.
# NOTE: It is unknown what effects this has on official code.

# Key: blank_prodinfo_sysmmc, default: 0.
# Desc: Controls whether PRODINFO should be blanked in sysmmc.
# This will cause the system to see dummied out keys and
# serial number information.
# NOTE: This is not known to be safe, as data may be
# cached elsewhere in the system. Usage is not encouraged.

# Key: blank_prodinfo_emummc, default: 0.
# Desc: Controls whether PRODINFO should be blanked in emummc.
# NOTE: This is not known to be safe, as data may be
# cached elsewhere in the system. Usage is not encouraged.

# Key: allow_writing_to_cal_sysmmc, default: 0.
# Desc: Controls whether PRODINFO can be written by homebrew in sysmmc.
# NOTE: Usage of this setting is strongly discouraged without
# a safe backup elsewhere. Turning this on will also cause Atmosphere
# to ensure a safe backup of calibration data is stored in unused
# mmc space, encrypted to prevent detection. This backup can be used
# to prevent unrecoverable edits in emergencies.

# Key: log_port, default: 0.
# Desc: Controls what uart port exosphere will set up for logging.
# NOTE: 0 = UART-A, 1 = UART-B, 2 = UART-C, 3 = UART-D

# Key: log_baud_rate, default: 115200
# Desc: Controls the baud rate exosphere will set up for logging.
# NOTE: 0 is treated as equivalent to 115200.

# Key: log_inverted, default: 0.
# Desc: Controls whether the logging uart port is inverted.

[exosphere]
debugmode=1
debugmode_user=0
disable_user_exception_handlers=0
enable_user_pmu_access=0
blank_prodinfo_sysmmc=0
blank_prodinfo_emummc=1
allow_writing_to_cal_sysmmc=0
log_port=0
log_baud_rate=115200
log_inverted=0

Step 6: Put the SD Card back to the Switch and you'll boot into Hekate.

Step 7: Select emuMMC in the main menu, then select Migrate emuMMC and finally select Emunand.

Step 8: Once the process is done, choose Close.

Step 9: Click on Launch and then Atmosphere CFW. If you would need to boot into SysNAND without cfw, you need to choose Stock SysNAND from Launch Options.

DONE (You don't need to follow Part 2: EmuNAND Setup)

If you would like to install sigpatches than you should change the hekate_ipl.ini like this:
#kip1patch=nosigchk changed to kip1patch=nosigchk

(This part of the guide has been adapted)

PART 2: EMUNAND SETUP
You have 2 options in here. If you already have an EmuNAND on SX OS as hidden partition follow " USING THE SAME EMUMMC ON BOTH CFWs", if not follow the other part. You shouldn't do both of them.

Step 1: Close your switch and take your sd back to pc.
Step 2: Create a folder called EmuMMC and than create a text file named emummc.txt.
Step 3: Copy this to text to file and then save it.
Code:
[emummc]
enabled=1
sector=0x2
path=emuMMC/ER00
id=0x0000
nintendo_path=Emutendo
Step 4: Enable see file extensions for Windows.
Step 5: Rename the file to emummc.ini .
Step 6: EmuMMC is now ready. You can run from EmuNAND, by clicking Launch and then "CFW EmuMMC " on Hekate.
You should have 30gb space for EmuNAND on micro sd card(You can use another sd card too, make sure to copy boot.dat , license files, hbmenu.nro and all the files that we downloaded to new sd).

Step 1: Click emuMMC and than create emunand as partition.
Step 2: Go back to menu, press Launch and than CFW emuMMC.


DONE! Now you can use the sys-mods or hb apps that aren't compatible with SX OS!

NOTE: It may take some time to boot up after restarts, it's normal.
NOTE 2: If you are going to download sigpatches you should use these (NOT for fusee).
IF YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO BOOT:
A. If your Switch Stuck at Switch Logo During Boot (Mariko):
- Try deleting exosphere.ini and try booting up your switch. Turn off your router in case of a ban.
B. Try Fusee:
1- Boot into Hekate again.
2- Click Payloads and then choose fusee. See if it works now.
THIS SHOULD BE DONE ON EVERY BOOT INTO ATMOSPHERE.
 

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felipejfc

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There is a black screen when I boot using fusee-primary and have to restart console again.

My hekate_ipl.ini file:
[config]
autoboot=0
autoboot_list=0
bootwait=3
backlight=100
autohosoff=0
autonogc=1
updater2p=0
bootprotect=0

[Atmosphere CFW]
fss0=atmosphere/fusee-secondary.bin
icon=bootloader/res/icon_payload.bmp
emummcforce=1
kip1patch=nosigchk

[Stock sysNAND]
fss0=atmosphere/fusee-secondary.bin
stock=1
emummc_force_disable=1
icon=bootloader/res/icon_switch.bmp

My emummc.ini:
[emummc]
enabled=1
sector=0x0
path=emuMMC/SD00
id=0x0000
nintendo_path=emuMMC/SD00/Nintendo

Ok so you are booting an SD File emunand? I thought you were trying to boot a Raw Partition (SX Hidden partition emunand) Also you're not booting with fusee-primary, you're doing FSS0 method, that btw should work anyway (I tested it)

Can you confirm your objective? Run a SD File emunand or SX OS Hidden partition emunand? Also does it black screen without even showing atmosphere splash screen? If so it's possible you're not botting into SX Menu and doing a Cleanup before launching hekate
 

luisdav

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Ok so you are booting an SD File emunand? I thought you were trying to boot a Raw Partition (SX Hidden partition emunand) Also you're not booting with fusee-primary, you're doing FSS0 method, that btw should work anyway (I tested it)

Can you confirm your objective? Run a SD File emunand or SX OS Hidden partition emunand? Also does it black screen without even showing atmosphere splash screen? If so it's possible you're not botting into SX Menu and doing a Cleanup before launching hekate
Yeah, just ignore the hekate_ipl.ini settings, I'm booting with fusee-primary which is the only way I made atmosphere work.
I just screwed things up after updating my firmware to 12.0.2. So, I ended up installing atmosphere. But I can't play previously installed games and can't get my saves back from there. Now I'm trying to downgrade firmware to 11.0.0 using Daybreak, which has been also a problem because the firmware remains in 12.0.2 after installing the firmware 11.0, I don't know why... I just did not want to re install all my games and lose my saves. From this point, I think this is what is going to happen.
 

felipejfc

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Yeah, just ignore the hekate_ipl.ini settings, I'm booting with fusee-primary which is the only way I made atmosphere work.
I just screwed things up after updating my firmware to 12.0.2. So, I ended up installing atmosphere. But I can't play previously installed games and can't get my saves back from there. Now I'm trying to downgrade firmware to 11.0.0 using Daybreak, which has been also a problem because the firmware remains in 12.0.2 after installing the firmware 11.0, I don't know why... I just did not want to re install all my games and lose my saves. From this point, I think this is what is going to happen.

You upgraded your Sysnand to 12.0.2, is that right? Or was it an Emunand? If you lost your saves it's because you're either pointing to the wrong "Nintendo" folder or you're not running the same NAND. Same NAND with same Nintendo folder should have your games and saves. Why do you think downgrading will bring your games back?

EDIT
===
Reading your comment:
No, I kept my emunand from SX. Then migrated to atmosphere, which just replaces some boot files. That didn't work for me, so I created a new whole emunand just for atmosphere. This is where I am now. But, I still have a backup of my SX emunand in my PC.

Now I understand better. What you need is to run your SX Emunand, I would try the following:

1- Update (or downgrade) this new emunand that is working to the same version as your SX Emunand. (Using Daybreak)
2- Backup BOOT0 and BOOT1 from this emunand, if it's a SD File emunand it's only a matter of copying it.
3- If you have your SX OS Emunand hidden partition, restore BOOT0 and BOOT1 to using the previously backedup files, they will be clean and should work. You can use NXNandManager for that
4- If you don't have your SX Hidden partition anymore and only a backup in your PC, turn this into a SD File Atmos emunand using Emunand creation tool from NXNandManager.
5- Replace BOOT0 and BOOT1 from this created emunand with the one you created in step2.

After doing this, configuring emummc.ini to point to your SX emunand and to the right "Nintendo" folder, it should work.
 
Last edited by felipejfc,

luisdav

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You upgraded your Sysnand to 12.0.2, is that right? Or was it an Emunand? If you lost your saves it's because you're either pointing to the wrong "Nintendo" folder or you're not running the same NAND. Same NAND with same Nintendo folder should have your games and saves. Why do you think downgrading will bring your games back?
My sysnand was updated. The migration thing is suppose to make the sx emunand work in atmosphere at the current sysnand firmware. Downgrading to 11.0.0 will allow me to use my sxos again and make back ups.
 

felipejfc

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My sysnand was updated. The migration thing is suppose to make the sx emunand work in atmosphere at the current sysnand firmware. Downgrading to 11.0.0 will allow me to use my sxos again and make back ups.
you don't need that, read my last post, I updated it. what you need to do is fix your SX Emunand so that atmos can run it

in a nutshel what you need is:

1 - fix your sx os emunand, if atmos can't boot it it's probably because of corrupted BOOT0 and BOOT1 due to upgrading it with choi
2 - configure the emummc.ini right
 
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luisdav

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You upgraded your Sysnand to 12.0.2, is that right? Or was it an Emunand? If you lost your saves it's because you're either pointing to the wrong "Nintendo" folder or you're not running the same NAND. Same NAND with same Nintendo folder should have your games and saves. Why do you think downgrading will bring your games back?

EDIT
===
Reading your comment:
No, I kept my emunand from SX. Then migrated to atmosphere, which just replaces some boot files. That didn't work for me, so I created a new whole emunand just for atmosphere. This is where I am now. But, I still have a backup of my SX emunand in my PC.

Now I understand better. What you need is to run your SX Emunand, I would try the following:

1- Update (or downgrade) this new emunand that is working to the same version as your SX Emunand. (Using Daybreak)
2- Backup BOOT0 and BOOT1 from this emunand, if it's a SD File emunand it's only a matter of copying it.
3- If you have your SX OS Emunand hidden partition, restore BOOT0 and BOOT1 to using the previously backedup files, they will be clean and should work. You can use NXNandManager for that
4- If you don't have your SX Hidden partition anymore and only a backup in your PC, turn this into a SD File Atmos emunand using Emunand creation tool from NXNandManager.
5- Replace BOOT0 and BOOT1 from this created emunand with the one you created in step2.

After doing this, configuring emummc.ini to point to your SX emunand and to the right "Nintendo" folder, it should work.


I have SX emunand 11.0.0, atmosphere emunand 12.0.2, sysnand firmware 12.0.2. I did copy the boot files from the sx emunand to the atmosphere emunand and did not work. I did the same in the other way and did not work. In the first case I was able to start atmosphere but then stopped due to firmware incompatibility. In the second case, I was not able to start atmosphere, it shows a fatal error "failed to find EmuMMC raw image files".

EDIT: I had to rename the raw files in the second case, deleting file extensions and numbered each file as 00, 01, 02...and so on. The error disapeared and I was able to see the atmosphere logo, but then got stuck in a black screen.
 
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GCS

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So, this requires a modchip to work, correct? I ask as I'm new to the Switch modding scene, and have a patched "XKW" Switch (the Mario Kart 8 red box one).
Yes, patched consoles can be hacked in two ways:
- Deja vu (Your firmware version needs to be 4.1.0 or lower. If it is 8.0 or lower there might be a chance in future)
- SX Modchip which is what this guide is made for.
 

pcwizard7

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@luisdav my back the emummc should look like this
Code:
[emummc]
enabled=1
sector=0x02
path=emuMMC/RAW1
id=0x0000
nintendo_path=Emutendo

you may need to add a folder in emummc folder called "RAW1"

delete hekate_ipl.ini and nyx.ini from sd and when you boot hekate it will recreate them

But before you try booting atmos go to Emummc section on hekate and check that emummc infor & selection matches the sector and nintendo folder in emummc.ini file.

If its disabled click change emummc and select SD RAW1
 

DaftChris360

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hi guys, i have a patched erista with sx core on 11.0.0, with last atmosphere working. im currently using the clean up metode. If i upgrade to last firmware, will i still be able to boot into sx menu and do the clean up metod ?, or should i stay on 11.0.0.
Thanks in advance.
 

GCS

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hi guys, i have a patched erista with sx core on 11.0.0, with last atmosphere working. im currently using the clean up metode. If i upgrade to last firmware, will i still be able to boot into sx menu and do the clean up metod ?, or should i stay on 11.0.0.
Thanks in advance.
You can update both your emuNAND and sysNAND without an issue. Don't forget to use Daybreak for updating
 
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chechu

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My console is Mariko 10.2.0 and when i tried to run atmosphere am I getting the following error.
Failed to run sept
Failed to launch HOS
 

GCS

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My console is Mariko 10.2.0 and when i tried to run atmosphere am I getting the following error.
Failed to run sept
Failed to launch HOS
Can you (just in case) try downloading Hekate and Atmosphere files and replacing them on your SD?
 

Eyfron

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I don't think it would work but can you try fusee-primary too?
If that doesn't work than can you try this:

IF YOU HAVE A FILE BASED emuMMC:

- Boot to Hekate, then click on Tools.
- Select Backup eMMC and than eMMC BOOT0 & BOOT1.
- Plug your SD to your PC and find the backups you just created from your SD Card. Copy and overwrite them to your emuMMC. (You may want to copy the OG emuMMC BOOT0 and BOOT1 to somewhere else in case something goes wrong)

IF YOU HAVE A HIDDEN PARTITION emuMMC:
I haven't tried it myself so I am not sure if it works.
- Boot to Hekate, then click on Tools.
- Select Backup eMMC and than eMMC BOOT0 & BOOT1.
- After it gets backed up, go back and choose Restore eMMC.
- Now enable SD emuMMC RAW Partition and select SD emuMMC BOOT0 & BOOT1.

I'm geting an error on the boot0 file regarding "not enough space" and I indeed updated my switch with choidujournx, as far I understand this should solve my problem right? My backup is from my switch on 10.1.0 and my switch right now is on 10.2.0 (both nand and emunand). Do i need to downgrade my switch back 10.1.0 to use the boot0 backup or can I just use the boot0 that I have here from the older version on the 10.2? Thanks for the help, I was trying to find a solution for weeks hahaha

edit: I assume this is the solution because I saw ur reply on another topic and i dont want to hijack the guy thread
 
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GCS

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I'm geting an error on the boot0 file regarding "not enough space" and I indeed updated my switch with choidujournx, as far I understand this should solve my problem right? My backup is from my switch on 10.1.0 and my switch right now is on 10.2.0 (both nand and emunand). Do i need to downgrade my switch back 10.1.0 to use the boot0 backup or can I just use the boot0 that I have here from the older version on the 10.2? Thanks for the help, I was trying to find a solution for weeks hahaha

edit: I assume this is the solution because I saw ur reply on another topic and i dont want to hijack the guy thread
you don't need to downgrade, just restore the boot0 and 1 backups
 

plipness

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Hi. I have an Erista (SX Core) with 10.2 Sys FW and 10.2 (SX OS) Emunand. I was able to boot into ATMOS vanilla in sysnand but my emunand (File based) is not working. Is there anyway that I can make it work without using a hidden partition?
 

plipness

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Hi I have a patched erista and whenever i try to use the migrating the emunand it says

error] Fatal error: [NXBOOT] Couldn't parse boot0: !

So I tried the clean up method and I was able to boot into vanilla atmos.
I read the whole thread and they said that you cannot use a file based emunand i
I might have missed something that I can use
Thanks for helping
 

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