Hacking Old 3DS Firmware help

[jczarowitz]

I have a friend who just purchased an Old 3DS but the frimware shows version 9.8.0-0U. Can't find this version on the Homebrew Launcher site for the otherapp download and he keeps getting an error. Any suggestions I can give him? or should he return it and buy another one?

 

[f0xrolder]

https://3ds.hacks.guide/get-started

 

[jczarowitz]

Right he's following that guide but when he goes to download the otherapp for Hombrew Launcher there's no option for 9.8.0-0U. Closest firmware version listed is 9.8.0-7U.

 

[TurdPooCharger]

Right he's following that guide but when he goes to download the otherapp for Hombrew Launcher there's no option for 9.8.0-0U. Closest firmware version listed is 9.8.0-7U.

The first thing your friend should determine is if the old 3DS has full blown custom firmware.

Look for a boot.firm or arm9loaderhax.bin file on the root of the SD card. Whichever one he has or does not have will determine the appropriate approach in either hacking or updating the hack. <--Don't update the firmware.

 

[jczarowitz]

Ok had him check and he has boot.firm on the root of his sd card

 

[TurdPooCharger]

Ok had him check and he has boot.firm on the root of his sd card

When he turns on the 3DS, have him hold the (Select) button to check if something called the Luma3DS Configuration boots up. This is to confirm if the 3DS does indeed have working custom firmware.

If that menu comes up, his is probably older than v9.0. There are several things he'll need to update:

• https://3ds.hacks.guide/updating-b9s.html

After the trifecta of Luma3DS v9.0, GodMode9 v1.6.3, and boot9strap v1.3 are installed, the 3DS may be updated to firmware 11.7.0-40U. *


* Technically, he can update the firmware first and then update the custom firmware stuff later. You go with CFW first to ensure it's hacked because if it isn't, firmware 9.8.0-25U is hackeable for free.

 

[jczarowitz]

Had him try that which I actually thought of when you asked about the boot.firm and it just boots to the 3DS homescreen.

 

[TurdPooCharger]

Had him try that which I actually thought of when you asked about the boot.firm and it just boots to the 3DS homescreen.

So he doesn't have custom firmware? That's odd for him to have the boot.firm file on his card.

In any case, try having him hack with the Homebrew Launcher (Soundhax) method (unless that's what he's already trying to do).

• https://3ds.hacks.guide/get-started-(old-3ds)

 

[jczarowitz]

He's been attempting that method but when he tries to use Soundhax it gives him the generic there was an error message and kicks him back to the home screen. Also he put the boot.firm on there himself to prepare to install the cfw

 

[TurdPooCharger]

He's been attempting that method but when he tries to use Soundhax it gives him the generic there was an error message and kicks him back to the home screen. Also he put the boot.firm on there himself to prepare to install the cfw

Which numbered step is he stuck on?

• https://3ds.hacks.guide/homebrew-launcher-(soundhax)

Something to look out for
A possible reason why Soundhax isn't working for him is that the 3DS was updated to firmware 9.8 by game cart. If it wasn't done online through Nintendo server, that means the Nintendo 3DS Sound app didn't update to a version with that exploit.

 

[jczarowitz]

So then can he update via game cart? Cause I asked another friend of mine and he told me he ran across that with a 3ds he imported and the -0U meant the browser wasn't installed. Can he simply open the browser and get the right version?

 

[jczarowitz]

Which numbered step is he stuck on?

• https://3ds.hacks.guide/homebrew-launcher-(soundhax)

Something to look out for
A possible reason why Soundhax isn't working for him is that the 3DS was updated to firmware 9.8 by game cart. If it wasn't done online through Nintendo server, that means the Nintendo 3DS Sound app didn't update to a version with that exploit.

It gives the error at step 17.

 

[jczarowitz]

Ok question. If he updates to a Soundhax version using a game cart will he be able to use it then? Or will he still be in the same boat?

 

[TurdPooCharger]

It gives the error at step 17.

Ok question. If he updates to a Soundhax version using a game cart will he be able to use it then? Or will he still be in the same boat?

No, updating the firmware with a game cart isn't the same as updating it when the 3DS was connected online. There's a difference in the two when raising the firmware to version 9.8; the proper path needed for Soundhax needed to be updated with the Nintendo server. Game carts don't provide updates for system titles like Nintendo 3DS Sound.

In the off chance your friend's Old 3DS was updated by game cart, the Soundhax method won't work for him because his copy of Nintendo 3DS Sound wouldn't have received the update with the security hole found between 9.0.0 and 11.3.0. Another way to put it, is that his Nintendo 3DS Sound app itself could really be anywhere from 1.0.0 to 8.1.0 even though the System Setting is stating the 3DS is firmware 9.8 (not fully).

I'm not sure if he can use any of the earlier versions hack methods. At best it either works or doesn't work. At worst, he bricks the 3DS due to mismatches or incompatibilities in the system files.

**

If he's been trying with no success at that very last step, I'm afraid your friend's 3DS doesn't have the complete version of the 9.8 firmware.

It's not much of a solace if he was looking for free CFW hacking, but he can update to 11.7.0-40U and install custom firmware by buying a $2 DSiWare game on Nintendo eShop and using the seedminer method.

• https://jisagi.github.io/SeedminerGuide/
• seedminer (single system DSiWare injection)
• SeedMiner FC and Mining Help

 

[Rinnosuke]

Mentioned friend here, I did end up doing the seedminer method and all is working now.