Hacking Question NSP files to big for SD card

[Raoulsteeghs02]

How do you guys slit nsp files?
All the games that I downloaded are over 4 GB but my FAT32 sd card only reads under 4GB.

 

[Jayro]

exFAT negates that issue. There are free tools to convert FAT32 to exFAT without losing data, but it's just best to format the card, and then move your files back.

 

[trueicecold]

Either use the splitNSP python code or, like I do now, use ns-usbloader split option. It will split the game into 4gb files and put them in a folder with an .nsp extension. Copy the folder to your card.

 

[GCS]

I would recommend splitting NSPs as trueicecold said too. Formatting to exfat would take more time and it is not recommended to use exfat.

 

[jhSW]

You can also install NSPs by pushing them from PC to the switch via USB. Goldleaf with Quark works well. No splitting required.

 

[Starhatred]

I would recommend you use install over Wifi/USB method, so you don't have to split the file. Hope it helps.^^

 

[masagrator]

You can just install directly via USB by using Awoo Installer and NS-USB Loader.
Also DBI app supports automatic Concatenation in mtp, so if you will try to put > 4GB file via mtp, it will split it automatically and set archive bit so Switch could see it as one file.

I will never recommend using exFAT.

 

[worm28]

Switch backup manager has the option to split NSP files. https://github.com/gibaBR/Switch-Backup-Manager/releases

 

[The Real Jdbye]

How do you guys slit nsp files?
All the games that I downloaded are over 4 GB but my FAT32 sd card only reads under 4GB.

Just use USB/network installs, it's the most convenient. If you're installing a lot of games simply run it overnight. Avoid ExFAT, you will have corruption sooner or later, all it takes is 1 crash (from homebrew or even from buggy games, Pokemon Sword/Shield had a crash bug in it that was corrupting SD cards, even on OFW), when a crash occurs on ExFAT it's often irrecoverable and your data is lost forever, with FAT32 at most the files that were being written to are corrupted.

 

[tabzer]

exFAT negates that issue. There are free tools to convert FAT32 to exFAT without losing data, but it's just best to format the card, and then move your files back.

Why would a Dev recommend converting to exFAT?

 

[masagrator]

Why would a Dev recommend converting to exFAT?

They are not Switch dev.

 

[Jayro]

They are not Switch dev.

I have used exFAT exclusively on my Switch, with zero issues. Just make sure it's formatted with 32KB clusters for a 32GB card or smaller, and 64KB clusters for a 64GB card or larger.

 

[masagrator]

I have used exFAT exclusively on my Switch, with zero issues. Just make sure it's formatted with 32KB clusters for a 32GB card or smaller, and 64KB clusters for a 64GB card or larger.

Something works for me, so problem doesn't exist? Any Switch dev that has something done more than simple console program will agree.

Any program that is not validating written data will eventually write corrupted data to sdcard - f.e. Retroarch with their shader cache or my tool that installs Polish translation mod for FF VIII when validating data is not applied. Fat32? Only one corruption in 2 years.

 

[worm28]

I bricked a 128gb Samsung sd card using exfat on my switch i will never use exfat again.

 

[Jayro]

Something works for me, so problem doesn't exist? Any Switch dev that has something done more than simple console program will agree.

Any program that is not validating written data will eventually write corrupted data to sdcard - f.e. Retroarch with their shader cache or my tool that installs Polish translation mod for FF VIII when validating data is not applied. Fat32? Only one corruption in 2 years.

That's cool and all, but I don't fuck around with split files.

 

[Hayato213]

Why would a Dev recommend converting to exFAT?

Cause he is not a switch scene developer, problem with exFAT is that it has no journaling, if there was any interruption between data transfer you have a higher chance at data corruption and data lose.

 

[Purple_Heart]

Nintendos exfat drivers are buggy
--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

so i translated a text which describes whats with Switch ExFat driver:

Ever since the start of the homebrew scene, users have been warned against using exFAT for microSD cards for the switch, as this leads to long-term data loss. The reason is that Nintendo's FAT driver is faulty and constantly changes files and folders, even with simple reads. The changes are never correctly synchronized with the file system, which means that if an application is terminated improperly / a reboot / shutdown occurs, the file handlers are lost and are then missing in the file allocation table. This also happens with FAT32.

Since exFAT, unlike FAT32, does not have a second backup file allocation table, the data and folders are irretrievably lost.

 

[tabzer]

That's cool and all, but I don't fuck around with split files.

I honestly don't understand why OP is trying to host NSPs on the Switch. They probably don't know how to install them in a practical way. It's a redundancy.

What situations do you find FAT32 4GB limit to be hindering? Are you using it as a storage media for other devices?

Is there a reason I am overlooking?

 

[Draxzelex]

How do you guys slit nsp files?
All the games that I downloaded are over 4 GB but my FAT32 sd card only reads under 4GB.

Just use USB install instead.