Tutorial  Updated

Gateway CTRBootManager Setup - Auto Boot

(Sorry about the delay in getting this guide up, work has been killing me and i havent had much time. I appreciate the patience :) )

NOTE: This is only possible on firmwares 9.0-9.2 sysnand at the moment. This is due to the fact that 9.2 is the highest GW supported version, and 9.0 is the minimum version if you are on a non japan 3ds as themes were introduced in 8.1.

As a baseline for each of the tutorials, you need to have a running copy of the homebrew launcher running in some way. This could be done by the web browser, cubic ninja, or whatever other entry point available. A full list can be found here: http://smealum.github.io/3ds/

This guide will assume you have the following files on your SD card and up to date with the latest homebrew starter kit available at http://smealum.github.io/3ds/ . It will also assume you have Gateway already running and working. This is not a support thread for ether of these. There are plenty of guides around on how to setup gateway as well as the homebrew launcher. If you have both of these running and working you are good to go.

YOUR EMUNAND AND SYSNAND SHOULD BE UNLINKED AND YOU NEED TO BE RUNNING THE HOMEBREW LAUNCHER FROM SYSNAND.


1. Homemenuhax Installation

You need homemenuhax for this to work, its a entry point for the homebrew launcher that runs whenever you boot your 3ds.

To install it, you need to use the entry point you normally use to get into the homebrew launcher. Once in you want to use the piece of homebrew that comes with the starter kit called "menuhax_manager". Use the install option and go through the prompts to install the hack. After, go to the configure option. This will determine when the hack boots into the homebrew launcher and when it wont. I prefer using type 2 and using the L button. This means when you hold the L button on boot, it will kick you to sysnand. And when you dont, it will boot into the homebrew launcher. Or in our case, it will be CTRBootManager which will automatically boot into emunand. Take your choice and then move onto the next section.

At this point you should be able to restart your 3DS and if you used the type and button i did for homemenuhax it should automatically boot into the homebrew launcher when not holding the button and kick you into sysnand when you are. If not, retry and make sure your setup is correct before moving onto the next step.

2. Gateway Homebrew Launcher

The first gateway release to have the gateway homebrew entry point is 3.6.1. The files are only available starting in this version.

In the release there is a zip file called GW_3dsx.zip Open it and copy the 3ds folder to the root of your 3DS SD card. Now boot your 3DS back into the homebrew launcher, you should see the gateway option in the list now. Try using it, if it boots you into emunand you are good to go.

3. CTRBootManager Setup

At this point your 3DS should automatically boot into the homebrew launcher and you have a gateway item in the homebrew list that boots you into emunand. If this is not so, go back and get that working before moving on.

Put your SD back into your computer and you should have the following files on your SD card

/3ds/GW/GW.3dsx - Gateway Homebrew
/3ds/GW/GW.smdh - Gateway Homebrew
/Launcher.dat - Gateway Launcher
/boot.3dsx - The Homebrew Launcher

So do the following in this order:
1. Rename /boot.3dsx to homebrew.3dsx
2. Download and extract CTRBootManager to the root of your SD. All files in the zip should be copied https://gbatemp.net/threads/ctrbootmanager-3ds-boot-manager-loader-homemenuhax.398383/
3. Copy the following into the boot.cfg file on the root of the SD. Replace everything in the file!

Code:
boot_config :
{
  timeout = 0;
  autobootfix = 2;
  recovery = 8;
  default = 0;
  entries = (
    {
      title = "Gateway";
      path = "/3ds/GW/GW.3dsx";
    },
    {
      title = "Homebrew";
      path = "/homebrew.3dsx";
    } );
};

The "timeout = 0;" can be changed to specify the amount of time before it automatically boots the default item. In this case it is 0 to specify that it should boot automatically,
The "autobootfix = 2;" Is a fix for auto booting when timeout is 0. I am on a N3DS and 2 seems to work best for me, play around with it and see what works best for you. 8 was the recommended value for O3DS and 3 for N3DS.
The "recovery = 8;" is the button used when you want to get to the boot menu while booting if you have timeout set to 0. 8 is the R button, so holding R will take you into the boot menu when booting. A list of keycodes that can be used can be found here: https://goo.gl/4XLDIL
The "default = 0;" is the index of the item to boot to by default. It starts at 0 with the first item in the list being 0, then 1, etc.
The entries section contains the list of boot items. My default config contains a entry for Gateway and one for the homebrew launcher. This can be customized but needs to have the same format. You can add items from the boot menu on the 3DS if you dont feel comfortable editing it by hand.

At this point your 3DS SD Card Should Have The Following

/3ds/GW/GW.3dsx - Gateway Homebrew
/3ds/GW/GW.smdh - Gateway Homebrew
/Launcher.dat - Gateway Launcher
/boot.3dsx - CTRBootManager
/boot.cfg - CTRBootManager Config File
/homebrew.3dsx - The Homebrew Launcher


If all of this is good, you should be able to put it back into your 3DS and boot it.

With my default configuration the following happens:
No buttons held: Will automatically boot into emunand
L button held: Will boot into sysnand.
R button held: will boot into the CTRBootManager menu with options to boot into gateway and the homebrew launcher.

This is a initial version of my guide and i may have missed things or messed something, if you find anything wrong please feel free to let me know so i can fix it.

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE POST BEFORE REPORTING ISSUES OR ASKING QUESTIONS!
 
Last edited by VeryCrushed,

memz5k

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Hi, i need a little help.
Ive got an 3DS XL 9.2E and i want to boot into GW Mode directly.
The issue im having is: The device boots, does MenuHax 2.1 , shows CTRBootManager 1.2 , boots GW mode "GW.3dsx" 3.7.1b - shows the GW logo on the top screen, then instead of going to Home Screen, it does MenuHax again and the cycle keeps on going...
Any help greatly appreciated

Code:
// Boot menu configuration
boot_config =
{
    // Default timeout in secondes
    // If timeout = -1, disable autoboot
    timeout = 3;

    // Some devices (n3ds?) seems to have
    // some timing problems when using timeout=0 (autoboot).
    // You may increase this value to improve boot success rate.
    // Default delay (8) should be good for o3ds, 2 seems good for n3ds
    autobootfix = 8;

    // if timeout = 0 (autoboot),
    // hold this key to enter the menu
    // keycode list : https://goo.gl/4XLDIL
    recovery = 2; // SELECT

    // Default boot entry
    default = 0;

    // Boot menu entries (11 max)
    entries =
    (
        {
             title = "Gateway";
            path = "/3ds/GW/GW.3dsx";
            key = 0; // key to override default boot entry (A)
        },
        {
            title  = "HomeBrewMenu";
            path = "/homebrew.3dsx";
        }
    );
};
 

VeryCrushed

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Hi, i need a little help.
Ive got an 3DS XL 9.2E and i want to boot into GW Mode directly.
The issue im having is: The device boots, does MenuHax 2.1 , shows CTRBootManager 1.2 , boots GW mode "GW.3dsx" 3.7.1b - shows the GW logo on the top screen, then instead of going to Home Screen, it does MenuHax again and the cycle keeps on going...
Any help greatly appreciated

Code:
// Boot menu configuration
boot_config =
{
    // Default timeout in secondes
    // If timeout = -1, disable autoboot
    timeout = 3;

    // Some devices (n3ds?) seems to have
    // some timing problems when using timeout=0 (autoboot).
    // You may increase this value to improve boot success rate.
    // Default delay (8) should be good for o3ds, 2 seems good for n3ds
    autobootfix = 8;

    // if timeout = 0 (autoboot),
    // hold this key to enter the menu
    // keycode list : https://goo.gl/4XLDIL
    recovery = 2; // SELECT

    // Default boot entry
    default = 0;

    // Boot menu entries (11 max)
    entries =
    (
        {
             title = "Gateway";
            path = "/3ds/GW/GW.3dsx";
            key = 0; // key to override default boot entry (A)
        },
        {
            title  = "HomeBrewMenu";
            path = "/homebrew.3dsx";
        }
    );
};
Your 3DS Sysnand and Emunand are still linked, its stated in the tutorial that they need to be unlinked. You need to ether go into the system settings of your Emunand and format your Emunand from there, or format your Sysnand from its system settings. DONT FORMAT FROM THE GATEWAY MENU, THATS JUST RECREATING IT. I had someone a while back recreating there Emunand through the gateway menu rather then doing a format from system settings.
 

Deleted member 333767

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The "recovery = 8;" is the button used when you want to get to the boot menu while booting if you have timeout set to 0. 8 is the R button, so holding R will take you into the boot menu when booting.

Hello friend, I am using a direct copy/paste of your config file in my N3DS/Gateway setup (it's identical, i've got my SD card in my PC and the config file open in notepad right now) And when holding the R button it takes me to sysNAND in the same manner as holding the L button does, despite "recovery" having the "8" value next to it... Any idea what could be causing that?

I'll start from scratch with a new config file and get back to you :)

EDIT: yep started from scratch with a new config file and holding R sends me to sysNAND still :(
 
Last edited by Deleted member 333767,

PhenomX1998

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Sysnand: V9.2
Emunand : GW 10.6
System : O3DSXL



Uhm so guys whenever I install any paid theme on my emunand. It uninstalls all after a boot. And I can't even purchase themes on emunand.


To try something out I booted in sysnand ( i had autoboot setup hbl + ctr ) by pressing L button abd changed theme now my autoboot doesn't work. It seems like my hbl doesn't load up itself

I am using gateway
What to do ? How to fix it :/
 

UsableGamer07

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(Sorry about the delay in getting this guide up, work has been killing me and i havent had much time. I appreciate the patience :) )

NOTE: This is only possible on firmwares 9.0-9.2 sysnand at the moment. This is due to the fact that 9.2 is the highest GW supported version, and 9.0 is the minimum version if you are on a non japan 3ds as themes were introduced in 8.1.

As a baseline for each of the tutorials, you need to have a running copy of the homebrew launcher running in some way. This could be done by the web browser, cubic ninja, or whatever other entry point available. A full list can be found here: http://smealum.github.io/3ds/

This guide will assume you have the following files on your SD card and up to date with the latest homebrew starter kit available at http://smealum.github.io/3ds/ . It will also assume you have Gateway already running and working. This is not a support thread for ether of these. There are plenty of guides around on how to setup gateway as well as the homebrew launcher. If you have both of these running and working you are good to go.

YOUR EMUNAND AND SYSNAND SHOULD BE UNLINKED AND YOU NEED TO BE RUNNING THE HOMEBREW LAUNCHER FROM SYSNAND.


1. Homemenuhax Installation

You need homemenuhax for this to work, its a entry point for the homebrew launcher that runs whenever you boot your 3ds.

To install it, you need to use the entry point you normally use to get into the homebrew launcher. Once in you want to use the piece of homebrew that comes with the starter kit called "menuhax_manager". Use the install option and go through the prompts to install the hack. After, go to the configure option. This will determine when the hack boots into the homebrew launcher and when it wont. I prefer using type 2 and using the L button. This means when you hold the L button on boot, it will kick you to sysnand. And when you dont, it will boot into the homebrew launcher. Or in our case, it will be CTRBootManager which will automatically boot into emunand. Take your choice and then move onto the next section.

At this point you should be able to restart your 3DS and if you used the type and button i did for homemenuhax it should automatically boot into the homebrew launcher when not holding the button and kick you into sysnand when you are. If not, retry and make sure your setup is correct before moving onto the next step.

2. Gateway Homebrew Launcher

The first gateway release to have the gateway homebrew entry point is 3.6.1. The files are only available starting in this version.

In the release there is a zip file called GW_3dsx.zip Open it and copy the 3ds folder to the root of your 3DS SD card. Now boot your 3DS back into the homebrew launcher, you should see the gateway option in the list now. Try using it, if it boots you into emunand you are good to go.

3. CTRBootManager Setup

At this point your 3DS should automatically boot into the homebrew launcher and you have a gateway item in the homebrew list that boots you into emunand. If this is not so, go back and get that working before moving on.

Put your SD back into your computer and you should have the following files on your SD card

/3ds/GW/GW.3dsx - Gateway Homebrew
/3ds/GW/GW.smdh - Gateway Homebrew
/Launcher.dat - Gateway Launcher
/boot.3dsx - The Homebrew Launcher

So do the following in this order:
1. Rename /boot.3dsx to homebrew.3dsx
2. Download and extract CTRBootManager to the root of your SD. All files in the zip should be copied https://gbatemp.net/threads/ctrbootmanager-3ds-boot-manager-loader-homemenuhax.398383/
3. Copy the following into the boot.cfg file on the root of the SD. Replace everything in the file!

Code:
boot_config :
{
  timeout = 0;
  autobootfix = 2;
  recovery = 8;
  default = 0;
  entries = (
    {
      title = "Gateway";
      path = "/3ds/GW/GW.3dsx";
    },
    {
      title = "Homebrew";
      path = "/homebrew.3dsx";
    } );
};

The "timeout = 0;" can be changed to specify the amount of time before it automatically boots the default item. In this case it is 0 to specify that it should boot automatically,
The "autobootfix = 2;" Is a fix for auto booting when timeout is 0. I am on a N3DS and 2 seems to work best for me, play around with it and see what works best for you. 8 was the recommended value for O3DS and 3 for N3DS.
The "recovery = 8;" is the button used when you want to get to the boot menu while booting if you have timeout set to 0. 8 is the R button, so holding R will take you into the boot menu when booting. A list of keycodes that can be used can be found here: https://goo.gl/4XLDIL
The "default = 0;" is the index of the item to boot to by default. It starts at 0 with the first item in the list being 0, then 1, etc.
The entries section contains the list of boot items. My default config contains a entry for Gateway and one for the homebrew launcher. This can be customized but needs to have the same format. You can add items from the boot menu on the 3DS if you dont feel comfortable editing it by hand.

At this point your 3DS SD Card Should Have The Following

/3ds/GW/GW.3dsx - Gateway Homebrew
/3ds/GW/GW.smdh - Gateway Homebrew
/Launcher.dat - Gateway Launcher
/boot.3dsx - CTRBootManager
/boot.cfg - CTRBootManager Config File
/homebrew.3dsx - The Homebrew Launcher


If all of this is good, you should be able to put it back into your 3DS and boot it.

With my default configuration the following happens:
No buttons held: Will automatically boot into emunand
L button held: Will boot into sysnand.
R button held: will boot into the CTRBootManager menu with options to boot into gateway and the homebrew launcher.

This is a initial version of my guide and i may have missed things or messed something, if you find anything wrong please feel free to let me know so i can fix it.

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE POST BEFORE REPORTING ISSUES OR ASKING QUESTIONS!

Hey man, I just wanted to say thank you for the helpful tutorial. I did run into some problems though, but they were my fault not your methods.

I didn't have my Gateway in EmuNAND mode. If anyone is like me, you have to go to format EmuNAND in the Gateway boot settings. First Back up all of your SD files because they will be deleted!! After that boot up your 3DS. After, boot into Gateway mode. Then go to settings and you should see GW infront of your system firmware. Go to other settings, then go to the left till you get to system update. Connect to the internet and update the system. JUST BE SURE IT SAY GW in front of your firmware for example mine says (GW 10.6.0-31U). After you do that, reboot the system then shut it down. Take out the SD card and format your system (same as before but go to format system on the far left under other settings). Go through the setup and reach the home menu (This separates the EmuNAND from the SysNAND). Next go back into your PC and move all your files back over to your SD card. Then continue with the steps he has mentioned.


I hope this helps guys and gals!

I do have one question for the OP. Do you know how to get Custom themes in GW mode? I install them but they don't go to GW mode.
 

GaaraPrime

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You can't do this without Emunand.

Hi,

I am quite confused. Currently, I have a N3DS with Sysnand 9.0 and Emunand 10.6 and I use Cubic Ninja to boot into Gateway Emunand.

The thing where I am getting most confused at is, what's the best way for me to install Homebrew Launcher?

This link...

http://smealum.github.io/3ds/

Illustrates a number of ways I can install Homebrew Launcher.

Web Browser - But am guessing I'll have to connect my system to the internet, which am REALLY NOT interested in.

Home Menu - It says Note that if you use this, you will be unable to have custom themes. I don't wanna use something that breaks something.

Cubic Ninja - I really don't wanna use this as I currently have it PERFECTLY SET UP for use with the Gateway. Just don't feel like breaking this.

OOT - I don't have this game.

Ironfall - I don't have this game.

Super Smash Bros - I don't have this game.

YouTube - I don't have this installed on Sysnand.

So, can you please tell me the easiest way for me to install Homebrew Launcher so I can do it and go ahead with your guide?

I've searched a lot around forums, but couldn't find a definite answer as to what a person in my exact situation would do or what would be the easiest way for him to install Homebrew Launcher.

Like, would it be okay to boot into Gateway Emunand and install the Homebrew Launcher CIA file? Would that even work in your guide?

I know you said there are a lot of guides on how to install Homebrew Launcher, but can you please suggest me the best way to install Homebrew Launcher given my current setup?

Any help in this regards would be greatly appreciated.

Thanx a lot in advance. Desperately waiting for a reply :)
 
Last edited by GaaraPrime,

GaaraPrime

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Okay, I got everything working, but now that I boot into my sysnand by pressing the L button, my Gateway Blue Card (DS cart) is not showing up anymore. I had the bluecardfix.cia installed previously on my sysnand and I used to be able to play all the DS games via the Gateway Blue Card (DS cart).

Can you tell me how can I fix this so that I am able to play my DS games on Sysnand as I used to.

Thanx a lot in advance for all the help :)
 

GaaraPrime

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Dude, your guide is just AWESOME! I just came back to this thread trying to figure out a way to boot into Homebrew Launcher, and I read the last part of your AWESOME AWESOME guide and it said if I press the R button during boot, it would show me the option to boot into Homebrew Launcher, which is AWESOME! You thought of EVERYTHING.

THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN for making this awesome tutorial. Really appreciate the effort buddy :D

YOU ROCK!!! :bow:
 

TheDutchman

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Guess who's late to the party :P
Took me a few tries to get into homebrew from 9.2.0-20 E with browserhax. Needed to load the sliderhax manually since the auto detect didnt work. and it turned out i needed to update gateway launcher but i got this working.. Good and simple to follow guide. Now launches emunand without any issues straight from power-on. for now this will do, dont feel like gateways A9LH installer if the stories are to be believed. and i like the .3ds ease of gateway. Once Sun and Moon come out we'll see what needs to happen in order to run those xD
 
Last edited by TheDutchman,

astrot

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Im still having problems in booting gateway using homebrew launcher, it only shows black screen after clicking Gateway
 

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