Hacking Definitive Guide to Make Blocked DS Flashcarts Work Again on 3DS

[phalk]

This guide was made using several guides around the forum and the help of daxtsu in this thread.
With this I'm pretty sure EVERY flashcart that was blocked during the 3DS life cycle will be usable again.

I'm only making this thread to help people who couldn't revive his card due to the EEPROM checking update that came with firmware 4.x.

PRE-REQUISITES

• An Old Nintendo 3DS System up to 9.2 Firmware (Doesn't work with New3DS and probably 2DS).
• *hax 2.5 or higher.

DOWNLOAD LIST

• FBI (get it here)
• miniPasta (grab it here)
  
• bluecardfix.cia (get it inside the latest Gateway Firmware - just google it) OR flashcardtimewarp.cia by cearp.
• sysUpdater (Use this version)
• 3DNUS (get it here)

DISCLAIMER

• If your flashcart was already blocked on the 3DS initial firmware (For instance: The original R4) this will NOT WORK FOR YOU.
  
• This will NOT work in emuNAND mode (might work with other CFWs, tested only with rxTools);
• As you will be updating your sysNAND files, there is always a risk that you could brick your 3DS. I am NOT responsible if you brick it. ALWAYS MAKE NAND BACKUPS BEFORE MESSING WITH YOUR SYSNAND.
• DONT TRY THIS WITH N3DS.

STEP-BY-STEP

1. Extract FBI and miniPasta (3dsx version) into the 3ds folder of your 3DS SD Card (*hax folder).

2. Copy bluecardfix.cia or flashcardtimewarp.cia (if you couldn't find it try this) to the root of the sd card then insert the SD Card back into your 3DS.

3. Go to the Homebrew Channel using your preferred *hax entrypoint and launch miniPasta. Your system will reboot, now with pasta (more permissions to do stuff, FBI will need it).

4. Go back to the Homebrew Channel using your *hax entrypoint of choice. Open FBI and press L to change the destination to NAND. Install bluecardfix.cia or flashcardtimewarp.cia. Those CIA files attempt to unblock your Flashcart by patching the whitelist file (bluecardfix sets whitelist to revision 0, so it's a legit whitelist while flashcardtimewarp sets it to the latest revision possible, meaning you won't lose it even if you update).

Most cards should work by now. Test it, if it's working you're done here. Good bye!

HOWEVER... Some cards still won't work.
Why? Because somewhere in the 4.x firmwares, Nintendo started doing a new EEPROM check that permanently disabled a lot of older flashcarts that used to work on the 3DS.

Those include:
- Acekard 2i
- Some revisions of R4iGold (Those "C" revisions with the DORASU game icon).
- Many others that I don't know.

To make those work again, we would need to downgrade the DS mode firmware (TWL_FIRM) to a version where this check did not yet exist.

So, if your flashcart is still blocked after you installed the CIA files, proceed with CAUTION;

PLEASE MAKE A SYSNAND BACKUP BEFORE GOING ANY FURTHER. You can create one with EMUNAND9.

5. Start 3DNUS. The title ID you will need to download is the following: 0004013800000102 and the version is 4625. Why is that? Check it here if you're curious. EEPROM check was patched into 5681. Make sure the Pack as .CIA option is checked. You'll get the file 0004013800000102.cia in the same folder you ran 3DNUS on. This file cointains now the last DS mode firmware that your flashcart probably worked (TWL_FIRM v4625).

6. Copy 0004013800000102.cia to the folder "updates" in the root of your sd card (create it -- if you already had this folder, make sure it's empty before proceeding).

7. Start your 3DS and go into your *hax Homebrew Channel again. Once there, open the sysupdater.3dsx app.

8. Press Y and wait until it auto reboots.

9. Your DS firmware should be downgraded now to the version before the EEPROM check. Test it. Your flashcart should work now.

Remember, you're dealing with your sysNAND here. Always make backups before doing anything.
Also, if you ever update your sysNAND again, you'll need to re-do this process, as your DS firmware will be updated once again.

I hope this thread can be useful for someone.

 

[conradcervantes]

Before I start, I want to thank you ahead of time since this looks to be the most comprehensive guide to flashcart enabling I've seen yet.

 

[phalk]

Before I start, I want to thank you ahead of time since this looks to be the most comprehensive guide to flashcart enabling I've seen yet.

Thanks! I tried to make it very simple because I had some trouble finding info and making it work for me.

Please tell me if it worked for you!

 

[Hyura]

Good job! But I'd post it in the Tutorials & FAQs section.

 

[Athe]

Is there a place where I can check out whether my DS cart will work or not?

 

[phalk]

Is there a place where I can check out whether my DS cart will work or not?

Flashcards Working on 9.5:
(9.5.0-22) R4iGold 3DS / RTS (r4ids.cn) – (Revision 9, A & C, D Only) – no update from 6.2.0-X
(9.5.0-22) R4iDSN 3DS (r4idsn.com) – (Revision 9, A & C, D Only) – no update from 6.2.0-X
(9.5.0-22) Supercard DS2 (supercard.sc) – no update from 7.1.0-14 FW 1.25
(9.5.0-22) R4infinity 3 (r4infinity.com) – no update from 6.2.0-X
(9.5.0-22) R4infinity Dual Core 2013 (r4infinity.com) – no update from 7.0.0-X
(9.5.0-22) R4i-SDHC 3DS RTS (r4i-sdhc.com) – no update from 6.2.0-X
(9.5.0-22) r4igold wood (r4igold.cc)- no update from 6.2.0-X
(9.5.0-22) R4iGold 3DS 2013 (r4igold.cc) – no update from 7.0.0-X
(9.5.0-22) r4igold v (r4igold.cc) – no update from 6.2.0-X
(9.5.0-22) R4iTT Purple – RTS 2014 (r4itt.net) – no update from 7.0.0-X
(9.5.0-22) r4i3d 2014 (r4i3d.com) – no update from 7.1.0-13
(9.5.0-22) 2014 R4isdhc RTS Lite (r4isdhc.com) – no update from 7.1.0-13
(9.5.0-22) 2014 R4i Dual-Core (r4isdhc.com) – no update from 7.1.0-13
(9.5.0-22) 2014 R4i gold pro (r4isdhc.com) – no update from 7.1.0-13
(9.5.0-22) 2014 R4isdhc Snoopy (r4isdhc.com) – no update from 7.1.0-13
(9.5.0-22) 2014 R4isdhc Upgrade (r4isdhc.com) – no update from 7.1.0-13

Flashcards Blocked:
(5.1.0-11) R4i-SDHC 3DS 4.5/5.0 (r4i-sdhc.com)
(5.1.0-11) ace3ds – plus – 001A rev PCB (ace3ds.com)
(5.1.0-11) r4imax (r4imax.com)
(5.1.0-11) GEI HOT (ge.ndsi.in)
(6.1.0-12) ace3ds plus (ace3ds.com)
(6.1.0-12) R4I-GOLD NEW (r4igold.cn)
(6.1.0-12) R4i LL New 3DS (ndsill.net)
(6.1.0-12) R4infinity 2 (r4infinity.com)
(6.1.0-12) R4iTT Purple – NEW 3ds Sticker (r4itt.cc)
(6.1.0-12) Gateway Blue (gateway-3ds.com)
(6.2.0-12) 2013 New R4isdhc-silver / RTS Lite (r4isdhc.com)
(6.2.0-12) R4i-Gold Pro 2013 (r4i-gold.com)
(6.3.0-12) R4iTT Purple – RTS new (r4itt.net)
(6.3.0-12) 2013 R4isdhc Dual-Core (r4isdhc.com)
(6.3.0-12) r4i3d 2013 (r4i3d.com)

Flashcards Unknown latest Firmware Status:
(7.1.0-14) R4i Gold Plus (r4ids.com)
(7.1.0-14) Action Replay DSi (codejunkies.com)

Flashcards Dead (Either from No or Lack of Updates &/or Permanently Blocked):
(N/A) R4 Origional (r4ds.com) – No update possible
(N/A) DSTT (ndstt.com) – No update possible
(2.0.0-2) AK2i – HW44 (acekard.com) – No update possible (this is the old Acekard HW)
(2.0.0-2) IEDGE (edge-ds.cn) – No update in a while
(2.0.0-2) Pandora-3ds (pandora-3ds.com) – No update in a while
(2.1.0-4) iEvo – In DSi mode (cyclopsds.com) – No update in a while
(2.1.0-4) DSTTi (ndstt.com) – No update in a while
(3.0.0-5) GEI *Galaxy Eagle* (ge.ndsi.in) – No update in a while
(4.0.0.7) R4i (r4i.ndsi.in) – No update in a while
(4.0.0.7) EZFlash Vi (ezflash.cn) – No update in a while
(4.0.0.7) R4iGold RTS (r4i-gold.cc) – No update in a while
(4.0.0-7) DSTTi (ndstt.cc) – No update in a while
(4.2.0-9) R4iTT Purple – 3ds Sticker (r4itt.cc) – New Card released
(4.2.0-9) R4iTT Purple / Black (r4itt.net) – New Card released
(4.2.0-9) R4i Gold 3DS (r4i-gold.hk) – No update in a while
(4.2.0-9) R4i Silver – No New Sticker (r4isdhc.com) – No update in a while
(4.3.0-10) ace3ds – non-plus (ace3ds.com) – Removed from site
(4.3.0-10) Acekard 2i – HW81 (acekard.com) – No update possible
(4.3.0-10) R4i Gold – non-3DS (r4ids.cn) – No update possible
(4.3.0-10) EX4i Movie&GBA card (ex4ds.com) – No update possible
(4.3.0-10) R4iGold RTS (R4iGold.cc) – No update in a while
(4.4.0-10) Amaze3ds (amaze3ds.com) – New Card released
(4.4.0-10) R4i-Gold 3DS (r4i-gold.com) – New Card released
(4.4.0-10) GEI PRO (ge.ndsi.in) – New Card released
(4.4.0-10) ace3ds – plus – 001 rev PCB (ace3ds.com) – New Card released
(4.4.0-10) R4i-SDHC 3DS (r4i-sdhc.com) – New Card released
(4.4.0-10) R4iGold 3DS (r4ids.cn) – Revision 8 & Lower + Metroid Bugged Rev C (1.4.5 Patch for 8 & Lower and Troublesome C Rev’s)
(4.4.0-10) R4iDSN 3DS (r4idsn.com) – Revision 8 & Lower + Metroid Bugged Rev C(1.4.5 Patch for 8 & Lower and Troublesome C Rev’s)
(4.4.0-10) Supercard DSOnei & Mini (supercard.sc) – Update to support DSi 1.4.5
(4.5.0-10) R4isdhc Dual-Core (r4isdhc.com) – No update in a while
(4.5.0-10) 2012 New R4isdhc-silver (r4isdhc.com) – No update in a while
(4.5.0-10) R4i-Gold Pro (r4i-gold.com) – No update in a while
(4.5.0-10) M3i zero GMP-Z003 (m3adapter.com) – No update in a while
(4.5.0-10) R4infinity Dual Core (r4infinity.com) – No update in a while
(4.5.0-10) R4iGold 3DS (r4igold.cc) – No update in a while
(4.5.0-10) R4iTT Purple – New Sticker (r4itt.net) – No update in a while
(4.5.0-10) r4i3d (r4i3d.com) – 5.1.0-11 Update does not work
(4.5.0-10) R4i SDHC-V3DSU (r4sdhc.com) – No update in a while

All of those that were blocked except original R4 and DSTT should probably work.

 

[LameNobody]

I don't know why you're telling people to install both "flashcardtimewarp" and "bluecardfix"
They're both the EXACT SAME

the bluecardfix is v0 of the ds whitelist. it's legit. if you update the fw, you will lose it and you will need to install it again.
'flashcardtimewarp.cia' is spoofed to the max version so it is not legit, but it will not be removed if you update your fw.

you basically get the same results no matter what you install

So, Now you know.

 

[phalk]

I don't know why you're telling people to install both "flashcardtimewarp" and "bluecardfix"
They're both the EXACT SAME
So, Now you know.

Not really. Bluecardfix only reverts the whitelist, while flashcardtimewarp set it to revision 999 or something, so it would never update again, like you quoted.
I should probably mention to install one or the other.

Edit: Done, I fixed it.

 

[LameNobody]

Not really. Bluecardfix only reverts the whitelist, while flashcardtimewarp set it to revision 999 or something, so it would never update again, like you quoted.
I should probably mention to install one or the other.

I know, that's the point i was making.. They shouldn't install both, as there's no point...

And, Since you're pretty much linking to warez, If they're still hosted on the NUS you should be telling people to get it that way;

Here's the title ID: 0004800F484E4841 (v0 BTW, And i checked, it's still on the NUS) Source: https://3dbrew.org/wiki/Title_list#0004800F_-_System_Data_Archives

And by having them download it with 3DNUS, they can make the decision whether or not to spoof it. (It should be explained to them what the purpose of the spoofing is though)

 

[conradcervantes]

I'm getting black screens, but no error messages, whenever I attempt to boot my Blue Card in Reinand or rxTools sysnand.

 

[Xanthe]

Thank you so much!!!!

 

[The Catboy]

You actually can't link to gateway nor the cia for flashcard timewarp. Unless they changed that rule

 

[Syphurith]

--Snip--

Just to mention. FlashCarts are blocked not only in this title. TWL_FIRM could block some too. So if this doesn't work, try to downgrade the TWL_FIRM..

 

[LameNobody]

Just to mention. FlashCarts are blocked not only in this title. TWL_FIRM could block some too. So if this doesn't work, try to downgrade the TWL_FIRM..

TWL_FIRM preforms EEPROM checks on cartridges (introduced in 5.0.0)
Dowgrading TWL_FIRM is also covered in this tut, but the author never tells you what you're installing (see the part about using 3DNUS)

 

[funnystory]

will firelink card work with this?

 

[phalk]

I'm getting black screens, but no error messages, whenever I attempt to boot my Blue Card in Reinand or rxTools sysnand.

Maybe there's a problem with your card? Blocked cards should give that "An Error has occurred" message. Have you tried booting in in natural sysNAND (without any patches)?

Just to mention. FlashCarts are blocked not only in this title. TWL_FIRM could block some too. So if this doesn't work, try to downgrade the TWL_FIRM..

This patch also covers up TWL_FIRM downgrade. Check the steps after 4.

------

Also, this guide is not meant to teach the technical details.
It's intended to be a simple and objective guide to solving a problem, that's why I don't give walls of texts explaining every step.

 

[Syphurith]

Maybe there's a problem with your card? Blocked cards should give that "An Error has occurred" message. Have you tried booting in in natural sysNAND (without any patches)?
This patch also covers up TWL_FIRM downgrade. Check the steps after 4.
------
Also, this guide is not meant to teach the technical details.
It's intended to be a simple and objective guide to solving a problem, that's why I don't give walls of texts explaining every step.

Thanks for your effort. I admit that i didn't checked that before your word (sorry).
And yeah hope those noobs having this question could luckily find this guide! Good.

 

[conradcervantes]

Maybe there's a problem with your card? Blocked cards should give that "An Error has occurred" message. Have you tried booting in in natural sysNAND (without any patches)?



This patch also covers up TWL_FIRM downgrade. Check the steps after 4.

------

Also, this guide is not meant to teach the technical details.
It's intended to be a simple and objective guide to solving a problem, that's why I don't give walls of texts explaining every step.

Sorry, didn't see this post before. I did finally get my Blue Card working in my Reinand emunand, had to do some futzing around with system titles inside FBI. Once again, thanks so much for this guide.

 

[Toxicwind]

Had found info about bluecardfix elsewhere but that hadn't worked alone. Thanks so much for the information on TWL_FIRM v4625 and 3DNUS, got my r4i flashcart working again!

 

[MAXLEMPIRA]

some help??


My EZ-Flash Vi is working on my first 2DS, but the Screen is broken, so, I can't show it... but with this "new" 2DS it's not working... :S some guess??

EDIT: As you can see, the TWL_FIRM get corrupted when I install it on the 2DS, so it show a ghostly white screen at the DS Mode Boot that goes through the middle of the upper screen, and that it's what don't let my EZ-Flash work as it should...