mGBA on 3DS doesn't create save.

[ChicoManu]

When I try to save in a game using normal button of the game, if I try to close the game and come back, it makes me restart like I didn't save anything. Also, I can't save new states, it just doesn't change anything.

 

[Kwyjor]

A likely possibility is that your SD card is failing, but then you would be having problems with other software.

Are other games on your 3DS functioning normally?

 

[ChicoManu]

A likely possibility is that your SD card is failing, but then you would be having problems with other software.

Are other games on your 3DS functioning normally?

No, I just noticed it. When I try to save in Pokemon Sun, for example, it just keeps loading forever.

 

[Kwyjor]

Then it's definitely not an mGBA problem.

You'll likely need a new SD card. Just copy everything off your current card (I suggest Roadkil's Unstoppable Copier since the media might be failing) and copy it to a new card. Make sure the new card is properly formatted and tested with h2testw while it is empty.

Since you tried to save your game in Pokemon Sun, it's going to claim your save data is corrupted the next time you try to use it. But your data is fine. All you need to do is back up your save data with Checkpoint and then immediately restore it again, and it should work fine. This protection (Anti Savegame Restore) is mostly exclusive to the Pokemon games and Animal Crossing.

 

[ChicoManu]

Then it's definitely not an mGBA problem.

You'll likely need a new SD card. Just copy everything off your current card (I suggest Roadkil's Unstoppable Copier since the media might be failing) and copy it to a new card. Make sure the new card is properly formatted and tested with h2testw while it is empty.

Since you tried to save your game in Pokemon Sun, it's going to claim your save data is corrupted the next time you try to use it. But your data is fine. All you need to do is back up your save data with Checkpoint and then immediately restore it again, and it should work fine. This protection (Anti Savegame Restore) is mostly exclusive to the Pokemon games and Animal Crossing.

Ok so, I have to buy a new SD card, test it while it's empty, and then copy all the files using your link, right? I didn't undestand what I have to do with the Pokemon Sun save :c

 

[Kwyjor]

Ok so, I have to buy a new SD card, test it while it's empty, and then copy all the files using your link, right?

You don't necessarily have to use Roadkil's Unstoppable Copier, but it's a good idea.

I didn't undestand what I have to do with the Pokemon Sun save :c

You wouldn't expect backing up and immediately restoring a save file to do anything, but that is what is required here.

Have you used Checkpoint before?

 

[ChicoManu]

You don't necessarily have to use Roadkil's Unstoppable Copier, but it's a good idea.

You wouldn't expect backing up and immediately restoring a save file to do anything, but that is what is required here.

Have you used Checkpoint before?

No, never
btw, I did all the things you said, copied the files in a new SD card, but now I got this when I turn on the 3DS

 

[Kwyjor]

That is an extremely common error. It means that your 3DS is not reading the new SD card for some reason and is instead trying to use an older copy of Luma that was copied to your CTRNAND. You will need to update that copy as per https://3ds.guide/restoring-updating-cfw . (Did you use https://3ds.guide when you hacked this unit?)

But first, you will need to get your 3DS to read your new SD card. Did you format it correctly and test it with h2testw?

 

[ChicoManu]

When I opened it, I tested it with h2testw, but maybe I did something wrong(?) I tried again and I got an error on h44.

 

[Kwyjor]

You still haven't answered the question: did you format the card correctly? How big is the card, and what did you use to format it? You also didn't answer the other question.

I'm not sure what you mean by "an error on h44", but if h2testw says your card isn't working, then it's probably not a good idea to use it.

 

[ChicoManu]

Ok so, the SD card is 64gb, and I used SD Card formatter, guiformat and mini tool partition wizard. I tried again with h2testw, and I think everything is ok. I hacked the 3DS many years ago, so I don't remember, but I certainly used a youtube video guide. Also, when I finished with h2testw, I found many .h2 files numbered.

 

[CoolMe]

Ok so, the SD card is 64gb, and I used SD Card formatter, guiformat and mini tool partition wizard. I tried again with h2testw, and I think everything is ok. I hacked the 3DS many years ago, so I don't remember, but I certainly used a youtube video guide. Also, when I finished with h2testw, I found many .h2 files numbered.

You tested the new sd card, right? If the h2testw said it's good then it is, i hope you used the write & read option though.
Anyway, those .h2 were created by h2testw to accurately check the capacity of your sdcard, it's fine you can reformat it again as Fat32 32KB cluster size and the Luma file on the root of the sdcard, and other data you had from the previous sd card. Then put it back, it'll show the Luma3DS menu, click on "show nand string.." and press "start".

 

[ChicoManu]

I think I'll try again tomorrow, maybe h2testw got some errors when the PC turns in standby. Hope it will work.

 

[ChicoManu]

Ok, I just tried again, and finally it perfectly works. Thank you so much.

 

[CoolMe]

Ok, I just tried again, and finally it perfectly works. Thank you so much.

What "works"? Please explain what you did exactly.