Homebrew Looking to install a Custom Firmware. In need for guidance and doubt solving

[Osakasan]

So, managed to downgrade succesfully from 10.3E to 9.2 on my o3DS, i'm now looking to install a CFW but i'm full of doubts, and each and every search only confuse me further.

Ok, basic doubts related to the 3DS itself.

1.- Does the CFW overwrites the official system menu or is it launched from a HBL?

2.- What will happen to my NNID and linked games? If possible, i'd like to keep them (i'm using mi NNID on my Wii U already)

3.- Do i need to completely format my SD Card?

Doubts related to CFW

4.- Is a 16 GB SD Card enough to have a CFW running parallel with the OFW?

5.- Can i link my NNID to CFW? Since i intend to use it as my de facto FW

6.- Does a CFW load homebrew without need of extra entrypoints?

7.- Is EmuNAND the base to install a CFW?

8.- Recommended CFW?

 

[Hayleia]

1- doesn't overwrite (rxTools is launched with a .3dsx for example)
2- they'll either be available on your emuNAND at least or on both your sysNAND and emuNAND if you don't unlink them (but I'd advise unlinking)
3- I forgot about that. At worst, backup your SD card, then do your thing and if at some point you lost content, put it back on
4- I'd say yes but on the other hand, I don't know why you would want them in parallel
5- yes, that's what most people do, they just forget about their sysNAND and live their lives on the emuNAND
6- yes thanks to yellows8's cia
7- I didn't understand that question
8- I'd vote rxTools for the stupidest reason ever : it has tutorials

 

[Trolling]

7. You don't need to setup a emunand to build a CFW, but do it anyway.
8. Rxtools or if you have the cash; Gateway

 

[Hayleia]

8. Rxtools or if you have the cash; Gateway

I wouldn't advise Gateway for someone who spent years using a 3DS the "normal" way. Gateway is really for people who plan on using the red cart and no retail carts. Otherwise, it means swapping cartrs and that's annoying.

 

[Trolling]

I wouldn't advise Gateway for someone who spent years using a 3DS the "normal" way. Gateway is really for people who plan on using the red cart and no retail carts. Otherwise, it means swapping cartrs and that's annoying.

That's no problem, just dump your games and use them as a .3ds or CIA format.

 

[Hayleia]

That's no problem, just dump your games and use them as a .3ds or CIA format.

Lol yeah, I guess that's a solution but I don't really see how it's more convenient. It means paying money then wasting time and effort converting every cart (including future ones) to .3ds instead of just installing a free CFW... which could also use your "dump all and convert to cia (but not 3ds) format" method by the way.

 

[Osakasan]

So i finally got it working. EmuNAND with rxtools, NNID registered and everything. My mind got clear finally. Thank you