Hacking is burning fuses a real thing ?

[mohalz]

is burning fuses a real thing ? has it ever happened to anyone in this site, i see this topic in almost every other thread but as far as i can tell it never happened to anyone so far.

 

[XxShalevElimelechxX]

You burn efuses by system updating, it's an anti-downgrade security measurement.

 

[Kubas_inko]

Yes. It happened to everyone who updated.

 

[Localhorst86]

is burning fuses a real thing ? has it ever happened to anyone in this site, i see this topic in almost every other thread but as far as i can tell it never happened to anyone so far.

It happens to everyone. It's refering to what is known as efuses and their sole purpose is to be blown. It's not an error, fault or mistake, it's by design.

Basically, any firmware for the switch will need certain fuses to be intact.

Let's say: Firmware 1.0 needs all fuses to be intact. If one fuse is blown, it will not boot.
The firmware update for 2.0 burns a fuse and it needs all but one fuse to be intact in order to boot. The system will now boot only 2.0 firmware, there is no way to downgrade to 1.0 anymore as one fuse is blown.

 

[ScarletDreamz]

is burning fuses a real thing ? has it ever happened to anyone in this site, i see this topic in almost every other thread but as far as i can tell it never happened to anyone so far.

Yes, e-fuses are real.
Yes, burning e-fuses occurs when updating, so if the system tries to enter a lower version, a panic error occur.

 

[mohalz]

thank you all now i know

 

[Username4321]

Don't listen to them. E-fuses are a Chinese hoax invented to justify their "lower is always better" autism.

 

[c80]

is burning fuses a real thing ?

Sure. Think of e-fuses as write once flags. Every major updated sets one of these flags and they cannot be reset. It has happend to everyone exept for those who are still on 1.x

 

[XxShalevElimelechxX]

thank you all now i know

You welcome, and I recommend that instead of opening a new thread, ask your questions here: https://gbatemp.net/threads/switch-noob-paradise-ask-questions-here.488277/ , there are a handful of people who'll be happy to answer all your questions. Have a nice weekend!

 

[mohalz]

You welcome, and I recommend that instead of opening a new thread, ask your questions here: https://gbatemp.net/threads/switch-noob-paradise-ask-questions-here.488277/ , there are a handful of people who'll be happy to answer all your questions. Have a nice weekend!

sure i will be going to noob paradise

 

[DDS123]

So, if they are real- please show us the electronic element which perform this function.

 

[Localhorst86]

So, if they are real- please show us the electronic element which perform this function.

they are usually embedded in the CPU or some other chip. They are not surface mounted on the PCB.

 

[Dinomite]

Others have already stated the use of efuses to prevent downgrade.

For anyone interested on the specifics of how this works, Switchbrew have an excellent write up regarding fuses.
http://switchbrew.org/index.php?title=Fuses#Anti-downgrade

 

[c80]

So, if they are real- please show us the electronic element which perform this function.

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/113617/Nvidia-Tegra-Dg-04927-001_v01.html?page=36

 

[XxShalevElimelechxX]

So, if they are real- please show us the electronic element which perform this function.

They are microscopic and are inside the SoC.

 

[charlieb]

is burning fuses a real thing ? has it ever happened to anyone in this site, i see this topic in almost every other thread but as far as i can tell it never happened to anyone so far.

It's been a thing for a very long time.

https://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1150851

 

[frankGT]

but as far as i can tell it never happened to anyone so far.

Dont make up things.

 

[willhack]

does this mean there are a limited amount of fuses in the soc

 

[Localhorst86]

does this mean there are a limited amount of fuses in the soc

yes.

 

[Ronhero]

Burning fuses is as real as global warming.

We're told that's its true but not everyone believes it