Tutorial  Updated

How-to install a CFW on a 9.0-9.2 N3DS without CN/OOT

CN : Cubic Ninja
OOT : Zelda Ocarina of Time
HBL : Homebrew Launcher

Notice for gateway users : you can also use this tutorial to use your gateway on your N3DS without CN/OOT.

You need :
- A 9.0-9.2 n3ds obviously
- The latest gateway firmware if you're planning to use mset. (you can find it on their site)
- The HBL starter kit : https://smealum.github.io/ninjhax2/starter.zip
- The latest ninjhax version of FBI : https://gbatemp.net/threads/release-fbi-open-source-cia-installer.386433/
- A cia version of the cia manager you want to install (for example FBI or BigBlueMenu)
- Emunand9Tool : https://gbatemp.net/threads/release-emunand9tool-open-source-emunand-formatter-manager.405921/
- Encrypted 9.0-9.2 and 9.5 firmware.bin: can't link it here, but search "firmware9.2.bin" on google (with the quotes) and download the Cakes.zip folder. The md5 of the firmware9.2.bin should be 87aea2e8c30a533fd9f319683b3a0793 and b99adf0adb279712367c06eb83ba9ae6 for the 9.5 one.
- (only for cakes) The cetk file : http://nus.cdn.c.shop.nintendowifi.net/ccs/download/0004013820000002/cetk
- an Internet connexion (use the tubehax dns to prevent background update downloading)


I Installing a cia manager on your sysnand

Method 1 : with CakesFW

1. Extract the starter kit on your micro-sd card root.
2. Copy the "3ds" folder from the FBI one on your micro-sd card root.
3. Downlad the latest Cakes here : Copy the 3ds folder, the cakes folder and the Cakes.dat file on your micro-sd card.
4. Copy the cia you want to install on your micro-sd card.
5. Copy the cetk and the firmware9.2.bin in the cakes folder, rename firmware9.2.bin firmware.bin
6. Setup Browserhax : https://gbatemp.net/threads/yellows8s-browserhax-thread.398132/
7. Start the HBL with browserhax.
8. Select Cakes
9. select Patches, choose "Disable signature checks" only for now.
10. Boot the cfw.
11. Once you're back in the menu, immediatly start the HBL again
12. This time, choose FBI.
13. Use FBI to install the cia manager of your choice.


Method 2 : with Pasta CFW

1. Extract the starter kit on your micro-sd card root.
2. Copy the "3ds" folder from the FBI one on your micro-sd card root.
3. Dowload the PastaCFW files : http://jheberg.net/captcha/pastacfw-for-ninjhax2-90-92/ . Copy the PastaCFW folder in the 3ds folder.
4. Copy the cia you want to install on your micro-sd card.
5. Setup Browserhax : https://gbatemp.net/threads/yellows8s-browserhax-thread.398132/
6. Launch the HBL with browserhax.
7. Choose the PastaCFW
8. Once you're back in the menu, immediatly start the HBL again
9. This time, choose FBI.
10. Use FBI to install your prefered cia installer

Reminder :
Q: I'm getting a "DESCRIPTION_DATABASE_DOES_NOT_EXIST" / "DESCRIPTION_INVALID_DATABASE" error!
A: You likely haven't installed anything from eShop or other locations before. You will need to go to the "Nintendo 3DS/<id0>/<id1>/dbs/" directory on your SD card and create empty "title.db" and "import.db" files. Then, go to System Settings -> Data Management -> Nintendo 3DS -> Software on your 3DS and let it repair the database files.

II. Setting up the emunand.


Method 1 : with Emunand9Tool
1. Put the 3DS folder of Emunand9Tool on your sdcard root
2. Launch the HBL then select Emunand9Tool
3. Select EmuNAND Manager Options -> Dump SysNAND to NAND.bin
4. Once it's done, press B twice, then select to unmount the micro-sd card
5. Backup your micro-sd card content on your computer and put your nand backup somewhere safe.
6. Put back your micro-sd card in your console then press B
7. Select Complete EmuNAND Setup and confirm
8. Once it's done, press start to reboot and restore your micro-sd card content.

Method 2 : with the Gateway Launcher (use this if you have a gateway, it also work without it)
You need :
- The latest Gateway firmware available on their site
1. Copy the launcher.dat file on your micro-sd card root
2. Extract the GW_3dsx.zip archive on your micro-sd card root
3. Backup your micro-sd card content on your computer
4. Launch the HBL and select Gateway. (if you have the gateway inserted on your console, remove it first)
5. In the gateway menu, select "Format Emunand"
6. Then select "Backup System nand"
7. Finally, press down + B to shut down the console
8. Restore your micro-sd card content and put your nand backup somewhere safe.

III Booting into the emunand

To boot into your emunand :

Cakes
If you choosed the Cakes method in the first part you can just continue to use it :
- Download the latest fimware.bin here (first link, rename it firmware.bin)
- Dowload the slot0x11key96.bin on that iso site (Google "CakesFW - Open Source CFW with emunand support!") and put it on your micro-sd card root
- In the cakes menu check the emunand patch.

Reinand :
- Download this on extract it on your micro-sd card root : http://jheberg.net/captcha/reinand-n3ds-emunand-96/
- Download the latest fimware.bin (you can find the link in the reinand github), rename it firmware.bin and put it in the rei folder
- Select Reinand in the HBL


Gateway
If you have a gateway, just select Boot Gateway Mode in the Gateway menu. (if you have the gateway inserted when you choose Gateway in the HBL, it will skip the menu and directly boot into it)
Or you can use rxTools (some features still don't work on n3ds, refer to this : https://gbatemp.net/posts/5705403/).

rxTools
If you want to use rxTools, you need :
- rxTools nightly : http://jheberg.net/captcha/rxtools-2015-11-19-265d53e/
1. Create a firm folder inside the rxTools folder, copy the firmware9.5.bin in it
2. Rename the firmware 9.5.bin 0004013820000002.bin. Then copy the rxTools folder on your micro-sd card root
3. Copy the rxTools folder from the ninjhax folder in your "3ds" folder.
4. Then start rxTools from the HBL. Press a key at the end of the data installation to boot into your emunand.



Be aware that both Gateway and rxtools only support emunand up to 9.5 at the moment

IV Updating the emunand

With Cakes/Reinand :
1. Change your sysnand (and only your sysnand) language.
2. Boot into your emunand. If if it's not in your main language, that's mean you are not in your emunand (or you changed the language of the wrong nand), so don't continue or you will update your sysnand, or worse.
3. Go the system settings (it should still be on your main language), and don't exit it until the update is done. Disable the tubehax dns if you have it, then start the update.


With Reinand
1. Boot into Emunand, and go to the system settings.
2. Make sure it says Rei in front of the version number to be sure that you are in emuNAND. If it does don't exit the systems setings until the update is done. If it doesn't, don't continue or you will update your sysnand, or worse.
3. Disable the tubehax dns if you have it, then start the update.

With rxTools/Gateway :
Follow this : https://gbatemp.net/threads/tutorial-how-to-update-emunand-on-a-n3ds.393701/


V Start the CFW without internet.

1. With menuhax

This method only work if your emunand are unlinked (to unlink the nand, format your sysnand with the micro-sd card out)
Install menuhax using browserhax : https://github.com/yellows8/3ds_homemenuhax/releases
To uninstall menuhax just change your sysnand theme.
Notice : You can use this if you want to coldboot on the CFW (or Gateway) of your choice : http://gbatemp.net/threads/ctrbootmanager-3ds-boot-manager-loader-homemenuhax.398383/

2. With a downgraded mset

To downgrade your mset :
- Copy the mset_region.cia from the GATEWAY ULTRA 3.X\MSET4.5 installers for New 3DS REGION SPECIFIC !!!\your_region folder on your sd card. (and the bluecardfix if oyu have a gateway)
- Launch Pasta then FBI
- Switch the destination to nand.
- Install mset_region.cia. (If you have a gateway install the bluecardfix too)
- Go to the system settings. If the nnid settings are gone, that means the operation was successfull.
Then to setup the MSET rop :
- Start FBI then press select
- Choose "CakesFW N3DS 9.X" if you're using Cakes , "rxTools3.x N3DS 9.X" for rxTools, and "Encrypted Gateway N3DS 9.X" for Gateway.
- You can now start the cfw from System Settings -> Other Settings ->Profile -> DS Profile
 
Last edited by VerseHell,

RegularMoron

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Once again, thank you.
I noticed that rxtools doesn't load successfully every time. I hope it will get better on future versions. I guess we just have to wait and copy/paste the new nightlies as they get released.
 

Choquette

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I have a 64gb Sandisk Ultra SDXC UHS-1 formated to fat32 and when I try to load cakesFW i get this error message
Failed to mount SD
Make sure your SD card can be read correctly!

How come?
 

Arithmatics

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I thought it was ok with 64gb cards!!

It's perfectly okay with 64gb cards. But to be safe and faster I recommend class 10.

Also, On topic I tried method 2 and decided to try with the PastaCFW build from the official thread but it gave me a black screen. only the PastaCFW files from the link you provided worked for me. Anyone else can prove this or explain why?
 

Arithmatics

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Because the pasta build in the official thread works on ninjhax1 only.
I see. I got it now. Btw, works like a charm. :D

TBH, this is a motherf(_)cking godsend. Literally any 3DS on fw 9.2 can support and use CFW out of the box without gateway or OOT or CN.
 
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RegularMoron

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I've just seen on Lavanoid that the latest nightlie was out. I know, it was already out this morning, but Lavanoid was down so I used the latest Dropbox nightly (from the 28th september). The latest appears to be from the 29th.
Is it possible to update Rw by copy/pasting the directory, as in step III?
I mean, simply repeating that:

2. Copy the rxTools folder from the latest nightly on your sd card root.

Or is this dangerous to simply copy/paste, and I shouldnt do anything?
 

Ripper00420

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I see. I got it now. Btw, works like a charm. :D

TBH, this is a motherf(_)cking godsend. Literally any 3DS on fw 9.2 can support and use CFW out of the box without gateway or OOT or CN.
I have a fresh out the box N3DS-XL 9.0.0.20U system and was trying to find the 9.5 firmware.bin with the right md5 and can't locate it need help with first 9.0 system
 

VerseHell

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I've just seen on Lavanoid that the latest nightlie was out. I know, it was already out this morning, but Lavanoid was down so I used the latest Dropbox nightly (from the 28th september). The latest appears to be from the 29th.
Is it possible to update Rw by copy/pasting the directory, as in step III?
I mean, simply repeating that:

Or is this dangerous to simply copy/paste, and I shouldnt do anything?

It's the same version (83afbb6), but yes if there is a new update, just overwrite your rxTools folder with the new one.

I have a fresh out the box N3DS-XL 9.0.0.20U system and was trying to find the 9.5 firmware.bin with the right md5 and can't locate it need help with first 9.0 system

Why do you need it?
 
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Arithmatics

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I have a fresh out the box N3DS-XL 9.0.0.20U system and was trying to find the 9.5 firmware.bin with the right md5 and can't locate it need help with first 9.0 system

Sadly no one can help you there. you'll have to google until you find it yourself.

Ps yes you can easily find it. Follow the instructions. It's near the top. Be sure to remove the 9.5 and just name it firmware.bin if you already have a 9.5 emunand.


Why do you need it?

To install cakes ofcourse
 
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Choquette

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It's perfectly okay with 64gb cards. But to be safe and faster I recommend class 10.
Well mine isnt working with either of the cfw! Cakes doesnt find the Sd card and Pasta loads up but when I use Fbi installer to install the fbi.cia I get signature something not good!
 

Arithmatics

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Well mine isnt working with either of the cfw! Cakes doesnt find the Sd card and Pasta loads up but when I use Fbi installer to install the fbi.cia I get signature something not good!
Have you checked that it's formatted to FAT32?

To be precise try and use http://tokiwa.qee.jp/EN/Fat32Formatter/index.html

But before that, with method 2 try and install bigbluemenu.cia instead of fbi.cia. You can google to find it. It works the same except with bigbluemenu you can delete .cia directly from the 3ds.
 

Choquette

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Have you checked that it's formatted to FAT32?

To be precise try and use http://tokiwa.qee.jp/EN/Fat32Formatter/index.html

But before that, with method 2 try and install bigbluemenu.cia instead of fbi.cia. You can google to find it. It works the same except with bigbluemenu you can delete .cia directly from the 3ds.
Yes its been formated to fat32! In HBC I see all my files in the 3ds folder. I have cakesFW, Rxtools, FBI! Rxtools doesnt load cause I think because my SD card is not formated into emunand! Cakes loads up but can't find the SD card and in pasta well I dont have the signature check when I try to install files with FBI!
 

tivu100

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With the method 2 using Pasta CFW, do I need a copy of Cubic Ninja? Or now Pasta CFW can be launched without Cubic Ninja?
 

tivu100

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If you needed it, it would defeat the whole point of this tutorial. This pasta version is specifically for ninjhax2 and co. :)
Can I just stick with this Pasta CFW version in "II. Set up EMUNAND" instead of Cake CFW?

Off topic question: Gateway Nand back up will back up only the clean NAND or it also backs up the settings at the time (In this case, CN installed on SYSNAND + Ninjhax settings)?
 
Last edited by tivu100,
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