ctrtransfer is a better solution since it accomplishes pretty much the same thing without losing games and saves. But if all else fails and he has a NAND backup to restore, it's good as a last resort.I have had this error too, this is how i managed to fix it (you will lose your progress in game s if you follow my method)
(Btw you need to have CFW installed)
hold start during boot, you will enter godmode9.
Select your SD card.
Press the homemenu button.
Select scripts
Select GM9Megascript
Select restore options
Select SysNAND restore (full)
Press A
Do the arrow code
Wait
now try again, if this doesnt work, i realy dont know.
hope this helped