Homebrew CIA converter freezing, taking forever

[Drak0rex]

I'm using the tutorial from the CIA conversion for dummies thread, with mixed results. It's constantly freezing on "Almost taking final steps" and my computer bogs waaay down. I was wondering if this is still the best way to do this, or if there's any better converters I can try.

 

[lemanuel]

I'm using the tutorial from the CIA conversion for dummies thread, with mixed results. It's constantly freezing on "Almost taking final steps" and my computer bogs waaay down. I was wondering if this is still the best way to do this, or if there's any better converters I can try.

http://www.maxconsole.com/maxcon_forums/threads/285574-3DS-To-CIA-Converter

 

[Drak0rex]

http://www.maxconsole.com/maxcon_forums/threads/285574-3DS-To-CIA-Converter

It says that anything above SDK 5 won't work. So will I not be able to install anything like pokemons or Smash Bros?

 

[ShinkoNet]

It's because it takes up quite a lot of memory when compiling the cia. If you have 4GBs of RAM or under, it would freeze up. I've seen it eat up about 2GBs of memory.

What I would do is close all my programs so it's just the command prompt open, and when you compile, select 2 for RSFgen, say no for everything else (except confirmation) and wait. Don't mess around with your computer for about 30-45mins. It should work.

 

[lemanuel]

It says that anything above SDK 5 won't work. So will I not be able to install anything like pokemons or Smash Bros?

it works. it simply so that you know that it's useless to choose any option above 5. just put 5 for all and it's fine

 

[mid-kid]

I'm using the tutorial from the CIA conversion for dummies thread, with mixed results. It's constantly freezing on "Almost taking final steps" and my computer bogs waaay down. I was wondering if this is still the best way to do this, or if there's any better converters I can try.

https://gbatemp.net/threads/tutorial-converting-3ds-to-cia-for-hackers.380695/
Linux has way better support for extending your RAM with your hard drive (a.k.a. swapping). :3

Seriously though, if you want to do anything with converting to .cia, you either have to rewrite the programs used for the conversion so they store their temporary data on disk instead, or get some more ("virtual") RAM (It depends on the size of your game, but you'll need at least ~4GB for most games). Yes, closing all your programs, not integrating manuals, and running in "safe mode" will help, but only so much.
All "converters" use the exact same programs to perform the conversion. They might do things in a slightly different way, but they all need the same amount of RAM.
Also, if you're using the converter "for dummies" on this forum (it looks like you are), try to get an updated build of rom_tool.exe and drop it in the tools folder. It still lags on 2 gigs, but at least I can verify it's actually writing a file. (Protip: rom_tool.exe is the only program used in the "Almost taking final steps" stage)

 

[Cyan]

I didn't know cia conversion required 4GB of RAM.

I only have 2GB, and it's always full (I'm often using swap file) with standard applications running. I wouldn't be able to do any cia conversion even after a fresh restart.
It can't be done by writing temporary files on hard drive block by block instead of keeping the game multiple times on RAM?

 

[Drak0rex]

Would it be possible to use multiple drives dedicated solely to ReadyBoost? What are the limitations? I've tried 3 different HDDs and they were unable to be used. I have a 4GB flash drive that works though.

 

[Nemix77]

Just out of curiosity is a header required for creating your own CIA's?

I haven't read up on the tutorials for creating CIA's just yet...

 

[lemanuel]

Just out of curiosity is a header required for creating your own CIA's?

I haven't read up on the tutorials for creating CIA's just yet...

Read first, ask later

But no, it's not necessary since CIAs don't use it.

 

[illicit]

convert it manually

 

[Nemix77]

Any advantage to converting your own CIA's versus fetching pre-made?

 

[lemanuel]

Any advantage to converting your own CIA's versus fetching pre-made?

You know for sure what was used during the conversion, if any patches were made or not. Other than that, no.