Tutorial  Updated

How to compile and install arm9loaderhax

This guide is probably obsolete, use this instead. Just drag your otp.bin to your browser window and it will compile it for you, I'm leaving the original guide below for those who likes to DIY.

Original post:

Hopefully this guide should silence the whiners:P

Before we begin I have to say this is my very first guide that I made from my experience and information from other Temp members, and English isn't my primary language so I might make mistakes. If you find any just tell me and I'll try my best to correct them. (The screenshot in the spoiler was taken in OS X with wineskin because I'm lazy, this guide is for Windows only)

So you just dumped your OTP and wondering how do you compile A9LH for your 3DS? Here's a guide to instruct you how to compile and install the payload on your device. This guide assumes you know the basics of 3DS homebrew and Windows command prompt,and just stay away from this if you don't - menuhax is good enough for most people IMO. (I am serious)

DISCLAIMER: Any modifications to your 3DS are done at your own risk. I am not responsible for any bricks that may occur during this process (use your common sense and read the guide carefully)

0. Requirements:
1. Preparation
  1. If you have an existing install of Python 3.x/32-bit 2.7.x, remove it first
  2. Install Python 2.7 x86-64, make sure you install "add python.exe to patch" sub feature during installation (it's not set by default)
    python_windows_installation_customize_python.jpg
  3. Install PyCrypto
  4. Install devkitPro 1.6.0, you will be be presented with tons of packages but the only ones we're interested are under devkitARM, simply uncheck everything else.
    tutorial copy.png
  5. Install Make, you should download the file with md5:8ae51379d1f3eef8360df4e674f17d6d
2. Compile A9LH
  1. Extract the A9LH source to any directory
  2. Copy your OTP.bin to the data_input folder and overwrite the one that's included with the zip file
  3. Open a CMD window (Shift+right click on the explorer window or cd into it manually)at the root directory of the source files, type "make" (without quotes) and enter.
  4. Wait for a minute or so, a data_output folder will appear and there should be no errors
  5. Copy the arm9loaderhax.3dsx file from the newly created folder to /3ds/ on your SD card (the installer is built specifically for the 3DS you dumped its OTP from, if you want to install A9LH on more than one 3DS you will to recompile the payload with their respective OTP.bin files)
3.1 Installing A9LH
  1. Ensure you have a dump of your SysNAND before you continue
  2. Enter hblauncher using an entry point of your choice
  3. Run arm9loaderhax.3dsx (see below if you're stuck on "exploiting arm9")
  4. The payload will be installed to your NAND and your 3DS will then be rebooted to black screens afterwards. Don't panic, turn off your 3DS
3.2 "exploiting arm9" workaround (required for n3DS, not sure about o3DS)
  1. Download and copy the miniPasta 3dsx to your SD card
  2. Run miniPasta, the screen will turn black for a few seconds and you will be kicked back to home menu afterwards
  3. Re-enter hblauncher and try running the A9LH installer again
4. Testing the payload + conclusion
There's a test binary (forgot who made it) that will power off your 3DS upon pressing any buttons except ZL, ZR or home. Simply copy it to the root of your SD card, wait for a couple seconds and press a button. If your 3DS powers off, then A9LH is successfully installed and woking correctly (congrats:grog:). If your 3DS powers off the moment you turn it on, check if the file is named "arm9loaderhax.bin" and placed in the root directory, if it power led stay on and won't respond to button pressed then your 3DS is probably bricked :(
If you want a cold boot (permanent) CFW (the reason to get A9LH in the first place), check out @Aurora Wright's ReiNand fork. She already documented it very well so I'm not going through it in this thread

FAQ
Q: I'm getting "python: command not found"
A: Make sure you select "add python.exe to path" during installation, alternatively you can set the PATH variable manually by entering this in cmd (Thanks @Kever)
Code:
set PATH=C:\Python27;%PATH%
Q: How to uninstall A9LH?[/SIZE][/SIZE]
A: Restore a sysNAND backup made before running arm9loaderhax.3dsx
 
Last edited by lefthandsword,

gog3

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Interesting, no idea because I ran mine in 9.2, might be because of that. You can also try compiling it yourself to make sure it's not something on my end.

I updated to 9.2 and it installed just fine. I now have Rei installed booting to sysnand with the latest firmware. Thanks again!
 

SomeGamer

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Someone else compiled a arm9loaderhax.3dsx for me. Now I tried that too. It was successful. Their hashes don't match. What's going on?
 

Fallen_Lucario

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Not sure if this has been reported already or not, but please add this to the original post. The directory where you run the CMD *CANNOT* have any spaces in it, it will mess up the "make" command and give you an empty output folder. Really simple issue, trying to prevent other people's frustration. Thanks for the tutorial!
 

dkabot

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Someone else compiled a arm9loaderhax.3dsx for me. Now I tried that too. It was successful. Their hashes don't match. What's going on?
From secondhand knowledge, minor changes to source (so actually using capito branch, or using a slightly-updated deb branch while someone else is on a "works fine" older one) or even slight differences in the versions of compilation tools can alter the hash.
Said secondhand knowledge is my father, who has been in this stuff for longer than I've been alive.

Granted, maybe someone with firsthand knowledge can confirm.

EDIT: I should add, on my N3DS (the one that was successful) I had someone build A9LH for me and I built my own. Different hashes, used mine and it worked fine.
 
Last edited by dkabot,
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dkabot

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So if it builds and I'm using my own OTP.bin, can I be sure that it won't brick my 3DS?
There's a reason the results thread has a post saying "the A9LH install is more dangerous than the OTP".
You just have to compile it (or get someone to) and try it =/
 
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TheReturningVoid

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I have tried quite a few times and I can't seem to get the installer to get past "Exploting arm9...". Am I doing something wrong or do I need to keep trying? O3DS, tried from menuhax, ninjhax and both again with miniPasta.
 

Sachi

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I have tried quite a few times and I can't seem to get the installer to get past "Exploting arm9...". Am I doing something wrong or do I need to keep trying? O3DS, tried from menuhax, ninjhax and both again with miniPasta.
Try browserhax. OoThax didn't work for me
 

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