Hacking Does a 128gb micro sd need preparation before installing a9lh?

[Illusque]

Hi guys

I have a full stock o3ds on 9.9.0 with the original 2 gb sd card and I'll soon follow Plailect's guide to hack it. I plan on buying a 128 micro sd card (with an adapter of course).

Now, I have some questions. First of all, I know I have to format the card in FAT32 in order to use it with my 3ds. I know there are some issues with 128 gb sd cards and I read in this forum that I shouldn't install a9lh on a 128 gb card. So I read Plailect's FAQ and he doesn't mention anything about issues with high capacity cards, except the slowdowns (but they're not a problem for me).

It would be perfect if you could help me with this and tell me if/how I have to prepare the sd card before following the guide and also tell me your experiences with large sizes sd cards.

Thanks for reading,
Illusque

 

[Cha0tic]

I haven't had experience with anything above 32 gb on my 3DS but I'd assume it's the same prep as any other card.

 

[YourHero]

Besides the usual files on it, you need to use a tool to force format Fat32. Anything higher than 32gb generally uses exFat but 3ds is limited by Nintendo to Fat32. I use miniTool partition wizard.

 

[driverdis]

to have a 100% guarantee that no issues can possibly happen using a 128GB card for A9LH installation, I would use a 64GB or smaller card to do the downgrade and A9LH install then switch to the 128GB.

 

[HenryLeonheart]

Format it to FAT32 using a tool like MiniTool Partition Wizard and then fill those 117GB until there's 99GB or less.

 

[Dust2dust]

I think even just using the stock 2GB SD card to install A9LH would be enough, as the NAND dumps are not so big with an o3DS. He'll just have to keep transfering them back and forth to his computer. As for the 128GB, once A9LH is installed, i would format the big capacity card with emuNAND9. This tool never failed me to format an SD card for use with 3DS. Then it's just a matter of copying the content from the small 2GB card to the 128GB one.

 

[MelonGx]

Format it to FAT32 using a tool like MiniTool Partition Wizard and then fill those 117GB until there's 99GB or less.

Only Devmenu & BigBlueMenu freeze on accessing >100GB free space.
FBI should have no incompatibility like this.

 

[Stevo_l33]

Also unless it's different on an o3ds, remember to set cluster size to 32kb and set as primary using mini partition tool.

 

[Illusque]

to have a 100% guarantee that no issues can possibly happen using a 128GB card for A9LH installation, I would use a 64GB or smaller card to do the downgrade and A9LH install then switch to the 128GB.

Yeah I think I'll do that if I can borrow a small sd card just for the install.

I think even just using the stock 2GB SD card to install A9LH would be enough, as the NAND dumps are not so big with an o3DS. He'll just have to keep transfering them back and forth to his computer. As for the 128GB, once A9LH is installed, i would format the big capacity card with emuNAND9. This tool never failed me to format an SD card for use with 3DS. Then it's just a matter of copying the content from the small 2GB card to the 128GB one.

I'm not sure 2 gb is enough, the guide's FAQ recommends at least 4 gb so I'll try to find a bigger one just for the install.

Only Devmenu & BigBlueMenu freeze on accessing >100GB free space.
FBI should have no incompatibility like this.

Thanks, I'll be careful with that.

Also unless it's different on an o3ds, remember to set cluster size to 32kb and set as primary using mini partition tool.

I'll probably try a 64kb cluster size cause it apparently reduces load times.

 

[astronautlevel]

I'll probably try a 64kb cluster size cause it apparently reduces load times.

I don't know what he's talking about, o3ds can use a 64kb cluster size just fine.

 

[MelonGx]

64K Cluster can cause GBA error.
Switch it back to 32K Cluster if you want to play GBA stuff.

 

[DrunkenMonk]

Following Plailect's guide, there's nothing special you need to do beyond formatting the sd fat32 and as much as people would like to say otherwise I say the difference between 64k and 32k cluster size is negligible and isn't worth losing space over, stick with 32k.

 

[Exaltys]

I used a 32gb card to install a9hl and then used Decryp9 to format my 128gb card.

 

[Deleted User]

Also unless it's different on an o3ds, remember to set cluster size to 32kb and set as primary using mini partition tool.

You should set cluster size to 64k because loading times will be faster on 128gb SD cards.

 

[TarkinMX]

I installed a 128GB card in my o3ds xl and had menuhax with rxtools on it. When a9lh first came out I installed a hard mod, made a backup and then made the switch without giving any thought to the card size. Either I was lucky or the card size doesn't really matter. Not saying it's ok to do what I did but anyway, good luck with yours.

Btw, the larger size does affect the boot time. It's painfully slow compared to my wife's with a 64GB in hers.

 

[MisterPantsEyes]

I installed a 128GB card in my o3ds xl and had menuhax with rxtools on it. When a9lh first came out I installed a hard mod, made a backup and then made the switch without giving any thought to the card size. Either I was lucky or the card size doesn't really matter. Not saying it's ok to do what I did but anyway, good luck with yours.

Btw, the larger size does affect the boot time. It's painfully slow compared to my wife's with a 64GB in hers.

I guess I will stay with my 64 gigs then. :/ Even though it's nearly full.

 

[TarkinMX]

I guess I will stay with my 64 gigs then. :/ Even though it's nearly full.

I don't know if the card I have is a great one or not. The manufacturer and type may be the problem as well.

Here's a link for mine on amazon, https://amzn.com/B00W77C1W4
And my wife's sd card, https://amzn.com/B00IVPU7AO

I'll see about timing the two and see what the difference in boot time is.

 

[Stevo_l33]

I don't know if the card I have is a great one or not. The manufacturer and type may be the problem as well.

Here's a link for mine on amazon, https://amzn.com/B00W77C1W4
And my wife's sd card, https://amzn.com/B00IVPU7AO

I'll see about timing the two and see what the difference in boot time is.

The link to your SD card has been working perfectly for me for about 6 months or so. Never have had errors, slow down or any issues period. My best friend has the same one as well with no issues and uses it to transfer files more than me. Hope that helps anyone!

 

[TarkinMX]

The link to your SD card has been working perfectly for me for about 6 months or so. Never have had errors, slow down or any issues period. My best friend has the same one as well with no issues and uses it to transfer files more than me. Hope that helps anyone!

Was there a particular way you formatted it? When I start my o3ds I have to wait 3-4 seconds for all the icons to appear, I have mine formatted with 32KB clusters.

 

[nero99]

64K Cluster can cause GBA error.
Switch it back to 32K Cluster if you want to play GBA stuff.

I have mine set to 64k and have not had any issues with gba related stuff.

 

[Stevo_l33]

Was there a particular way you formatted it? When I start my o3ds I have to wait 3-4 seconds for all the icons to appear, I have mine formatted with 32KB clusters.

No thats about right. I use mine on an N3DS and it takes about that long. Of course mines loading up about 40-50 icons so maybe thats why but that seems normal to me. Also 32kb cluster.

 

[TarkinMX]

No thats about right. I use mine on an N3DS and it takes about that long. Of course mines loading up about 40-50 icons so maybe thats why but that seems normal to me. Also 32kb cluster.

Mine has always done this no matter the amount of icons. I have a lot more now since I utilize the DS forwarder.