Hacking Any way to boot OFW with damaged micro SD Card reader?

Olmectron · Sep 26, 2022

Hi everyone.

I got a damaged Nintendo Switch. It had AutoRCM on and latest Atmosphere installed on SD Card before the micro SD card reader stopped working.

Also, right-joycon wasn't recognized when attached to the console since it has its connector broken.

Well, I want to ask if there is any way to send Hekate along with an pre-patched INI file containing the stock boot option, because I don't want to uninstall AutoRCM, in case I get to fix the SD card reader later. I wouldn't be able to install AutoRCM if I remove it only for booting Stock OFW, since the right-joycon connector is broken, and it's way harder to fix compared to micro SD Card reader.

From some other threads, there's only people saying to uninstall AutoRCM, but that's not an option for me:

https://gbatemp.net/threads/booting-an-autorcm-switch-when-sd-card-reader-is-damaged.604260/

Does anyone know or can point me in any direction so I can boot Stock OFW through Hekate with a damaged mDS Card reader without removing AutoRCM?

Thanks in advance.

Also "Reboot (OFW)" option in Hekate only reboots to RCM.

Hayato213 · Sep 26, 2022

Don't think you can without disabling AutoRCM as to boot stock on Hekate it looks the following, since you have no working SD card slot, so you can't use the config below.

[Horizon]
fss0=atmosphere/package3
stock=1
emummc_force_disable=1
{}

Olmectron · Sep 26, 2022

Hayato213 said:
Don't think you can without disabling AutoRCM as to boot stock on Hekate it looks the following, since you have no working SD card slot, so you can't use the config below.

[Horizon]
fss0=atmosphere/package3
stock=1
emummc_force_disable=1
{}

I understand that, I was just asking if, I don't know, maybe someone has had success building hekate from source with a hardcoded boot entry or something like that.

I know Hekate used to have hardcoded boot options before it went fully customizable.

Thanks for your answer.

Hayato213 · Sep 26, 2022

Olmectron said:
I understand that, I was just asking if, I don't know, maybe someone has had success building hekate from source with a hardcoded boot entry or something like that.

I know Hekate used to have hardcoded boot options before it went fully customizable.

Thanks for your answer.

That you would have to asks CTCaer, you could also get parts to fix the SD card connector and the right joycon rail though.

Olmectron · Sep 26, 2022

Hayato213 said:
That you would have to asks CTCaer, you could also get parts to fix the SD card connector and the right joycon rail though.

Thanks.

Already bought two SD Card readers, but none worked. It seems the motherboard connetor for the micro SD Card Reader is broken, and I don't know how to fix it.

Yes, I know they sell that part too, but I don't know how to "solder" it.

So, just wanted to boot OFW without removing AutoRCM while I saved up money for getting someone else to fix it.

impeeza · Sep 26, 2022

Olmectron said:
Thanks.

Already bought two SD Card readers, but none worked. It seems the motherboard connetor for the micro SD Card Reader is broken, and I don't know how to fix it.

Yes, I know they sell that part too, but I don't know how to "solder" it.

So, just wanted to boot OFW without removing AutoRCM while I saved up money for getting someone else to fix it.

the only fix now is take the switch to a good phone repair shop, and ask to replace/repair the sd card reader socket. mine had to be fixed by replace the connector and repair some of the board traces.

evil_santa · Sep 26, 2022

Send Hekate payload, you can disable auto RCM whit the payload.
Got to tools/auto rcm
Navigate whit the volume and power button.
https://gbatemp.net/threads/rcm-payload-hekate-ctcaer-mod.502604/

Hayato213 · Sep 26, 2022

evil_santa said:
Send Hekate payload, you can disable auto RCM whit the payload.
Got to tools/auto rcm
Navigate whit the volume and power button.
https://gbatemp.net/threads/rcm-payload-hekate-ctcaer-mod.502604/

Reread opening post

fvig2001 · Sep 26, 2022

Probably best to ask CTCaer for a special build.

evil_santa · Sep 26, 2022

Ok my mistake.
Broken joycon rail no (easy) RCM. Only way is to remove emmc to get into RCM.
Where are you from @Olmectron ? I know some repair guys.

Olmectron · Sep 26, 2022

evil_santa said:
Ok my mistake.
Broken joycon rail no (easy) RCM. Only way is to remove emmc to get into RCM.
Where are you from @Olmectron ? I know some repair guys.

Mexico.

Olmectron · Sep 26, 2022

Compiled myself a modified Hekate payload that has Stock option hardcoded, so that it doesn't need the SD card inserted.

Got Stock option to show after entering "launch" option without "No SD Card inserted" message popping up.

Still no luck on booting. Since I don't understand things very well, I don't know if removing this message error would cause any harm, given it's stock what I'm trying to boot:

"No mandatory secmon or warmboot provided!"

Does anyone know what secmon or warmboot is? I'm a noob on these Switch hacking things. I read the documentation and some posts about it, but I don't fully understand yet.

Trashaman · Nov 10, 2022

if it's the rails on the right joycon that aren't working and not on the console (i'm not sure if the ones on the joycons have a different name or something) you could disable autorcm and buy a jig to boot into hekate to reactivate it, you might be able to buy one on mercadolibre. if it's the rail on the console though that wouldn't be possible.

Hayato213 · Nov 10, 2022

Trashaman said:
if it's the rails on the right joycon that aren't working and not on the console (i'm not sure if the ones on the joycons have a different name or something) you could disable autorcm and buy a jig to boot into hekate to reactivate it, you might be able to buy one on mercadolibre. if it's the rail on the console though that wouldn't be possible.

Rail has nothing to do SD card

Olmectron · Nov 11, 2022

Trashaman said:
if it's the rails on the right joycon that aren't working and not on the console (i'm not sure if the ones on the joycons have a different name or something) you could disable autorcm and buy a jig to boot into hekate to reactivate it, you might be able to buy one on mercadolibre. if it's the rail on the console though that wouldn't be possible.

The console is the one with the rail connector broken, not the joycon.

JayBae · Nov 11, 2022

Dude... replace the readers.. and the broken joycon junk... Save yourself the future headache!

My current Switch I originally bought being sold as "for parts but turns on", after I got it I found it had only two issues... It had a busted SD reader that would just disconnect randomly, and a busted game reader that would not register at all, other than that the system was fine, I just bought a replacement for both card readers; replaced them myself, with no issues for super cheep, system works perfect!

I just don't understand babying the wound TBH, so why not just pull your sleeves up and fix it proper?

Olmectron · Nov 11, 2022

JayBae said:
Dude... replace the readers.. and the broken joycon junk... Save yourself the future headache!

I only wanted to boot into Stock to keep playing some Cartridge games while I got to fix what you say. Still can't fix it untill like February 2023, since they charge me USD$100 where I live to fix both things (given the SD Card reader already got replAced, and what seems not working is the motherboard pins where it connects).

None was able to help, and that's okay, I was asking for something strange.

Thaks for your comment.

PS. Also, didn't want to remove AutoRCM because fixing the joycon rail connectors is another USD$50.

JayBae · Nov 11, 2022

Olmectron said:
I only wanted to boot into Stock to keep playing some Cartridge games while I got to fix what you say. Still can't fix it untill like February 2023, since they charge me USD$100 where I live to fix both things (given the SD Card reader already got replAced, and what seems not working is the motherboard pins where it connects).

None was able to help, and that's okay, I was asking for something strange.

Thaks for your comment.

PS. Also, didn't want to remove AutoRCM because fixing the joycon rail connectors is another USD$50.

I payed like under 20$ to fix both readers on my system, the parts are super cheep, if you install them yourself that is.

Post automatically merged: Nov 11, 2022

Maybe save up a few bucks, sell your current rig off for parts, and get a new system?

Olmectron · Nov 11, 2022

JayBae said:
I payed like under 20$ to fix both readers on my system, the parts are super cheep, if you install them yourself that is.

Post automatically merged: Nov 11, 2022

Maybe save up a few bucks, sell your current rig off for parts, and get a new system?

I'm not good at soldering. And I've tried to learn for some years by now.

Yeah, parts are inexpensive if bought from Chinese resellers, but they charge me a lot for actual soldering (again, the micro SD Card reader was already replaced, and are the pins in the motherboard side what are wrong, so soldering is needed).

People don't pay a lot here for parts, maybe I could get around USD$80 or $USD$100 for what's left of the console, but I'd still need to save up nearly USD$200 more, which is what I need now for fixing it, anyway.

SylverReZ · Nov 11, 2022

Olmectron said:
I'm not good at soldering. And I've tried to learn for some years by now.

Yeah, parts are inexpensive if bought from Chinese resellers, but they charge me a lot for actual soldering (again, the micro SD Card reader was already replaced, and are the pins in the motherboard side what are wrong, so soldering is needed).

People don't pay a lot here for parts, maybe I could get around USD$80 or $USD$100 for what's left of the console, but I'd still need to save up nearly USD$200 more, which is what I need now for fixing it, anyway.

Take it to a mobile phone repair shop. Tell them that you have a video game console that needs the SD card slot replacing.

Hacking Any way to boot OFW with damaged micro SD Card reader?

Well-Known Member

Newcomer

Well-Known Member

Newcomer

Well-Known Member

¡Kabito!

Well-Known Member

Newcomer

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Member

Newcomer

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Dat one with the Rez

Similar threads

Popular threads in this forum