Hacking Hardware Picofly - a HWFLY switch modchip

[LogicalMadness]

nice just orderd it so i can reball the oled emmc and set a permanent dat 0 pin

but befor i do that i will try first on some defektive emmcs and then try one extra thats works before i go the the oled :-)

Personally, I'd rather just replace the chip w\ a bigger one that is already preballed. 256gb from AliE, for around $80 after taxes\shipping. Check the 'emmc upgrade' thread from @binkinator for instructions and my link towards the bottom for purchasing. Especially with an OLED that has a Toshiba.

 

[DarkKnight_TJ]

what firmware did u flash ?


View attachment 362890


i had the same issue

flash the firmware from https://github.com/Ansem-SoD/Picofly/tree/main/Firmwares
first flash 2.5nw.uf2 then flash unlock uf2

what atmosphere version did u try ?

Stock was 13.0.0 , installed chip and was greeted with that error. Supposed I needed to upgrade because also did not have exfat support . Now is on 16.0.1 , I know Hekate works but atmosphere not yet . I made stock nand dumps . Indeed stock boots just fine . Atmosphere has never been able to boot

 

[linuxares]

Stock was 13.0.0 , installed chip and was greeted with that error. Supposed I needed to upgrade because also did not have exfat support . Now is on 16.0.1 , I know Hekate works but atmosphere not yet . I made stock nand dumps . Indeed stock boots just fine . Atmosphere has never been able to boot

use the unlocker.uf2

 

[Dee87]

Personally, I'd rather just replace the chip w\ a bigger one that is already preballed. 256gb from AliE, for around $80 after taxes\shipping. Check the 'emmc upgrade' thread from @binkinator for instructions and my link towards the bottom for purchasing. Especially with an OLED that has a Toshiba.

thanks for the hint
i was thing about that to for me the chip is 120€ with taxes
sure it would be the easy way but im gonna try it with the original one since
i dont have to wait a couple of weeks for the parts to come in and i would have to install the dat0 connector anyways and reball the original emmc to backup everything ,sure i could get a emmc reader but thats another 50-100€ so for now i will go with the original one
and the issue is with toshiba is solved threw a "newer" firmware

plus where would the fun be with just buying a preballd emmc its like buying a hwfly kit :-P, i wanna learn to replace them anyways for the future so i think this is the perfekt way for me to start learning it

but thanks for ur thought i will keep that in my mind for later when i may wanna upgrade the emmc :-)

 

[Hayato213]

thanks for the hint
i was thing about that to for me the chip is 120€ with taxes
sure it would be the easy way but im gonna try it with the original one since
i dont have to wait a couple of weeks for the parts to come in and i would have to install the dat0 connector anyways and reball the original emmc to backup everything ,sure i could get a emmc reader but thats another 50-100€ so for now i will go with the original one
and the issue is with toshiba is solved threw a "newer" firmware

plus where would the fun be with just buying a preballd emmc its like buying a hwfly kit :-P, i wanna learn to replace them anyways for the future so i think this is the perfekt way for me to start learning it

but thanks for ur thought i will keep that in my mind for later when i may wanna upgrade the emmc :-)

Keep in mind 256GB eMMC also mean 256GB NAND backup each time you do them.

 

[Dee87]

Keep in mind 256GB eMMC also mean 256GB NAND backup each time you do them.

that is also true :-(

 

[Adran_Marit]

Keep in mind 256GB eMMC also mean 256GB NAND backup each time you do them.

That's why I backup the stock nand and flash that over the larger nand.

Also why I don't care for user partition all too much

 

[LogicalMadness]

thanks for the hint
i was thing about that to for me the chip is 120€ with taxes
sure it would be the easy way but im gonna try it with the original one since
i dont have to wait a couple of weeks for the parts to come in and i would have to install the dat0 connector anyways and reball the original emmc to backup everything ,sure i could get a emmc reader but thats another 50-100€ so for now i will go with the original one
and the issue is with toshiba is solved threw a "newer" firmware

plus where would the fun be with just buying a preballd emmc its like buying a hwfly kit :-P, i wanna learn to replace them anyways for the future so i think this is the perfekt way for me to start learning it

but thanks for ur thought i will keep that in my mind for later when i may wanna upgrade the emmc :-)

Great points, well said. I also just really don't like mSDs, so it's a small barrier to needing them for me (obv still need for mod\hack files).

I highly suggest purchasing a stencil holder then. I tried my hand at reballing a PS4 southbridge and NSW WiFi IC without one and it was terrible.

To bring it back to emmcs specifically, I was going to experiment (have a spare Lite board) and just remove the emmc w\ lots of flux (pulling it off as straight as possible to not let the balls merge), add a wire to dat0 (0.1mm) and hope it can lay flat again. Anyone try this?

 

[Dee87]

Great points, well said. I also just really don't like mSDs, so it's a small barrier to needing them for me (obv still need for mod\hack files).

I highly suggest purchasing a stencil holder then. I tried my hand at reballing a PS4 southbridge and NSW WiFi IC without one and it was terrible.

To bring it back to emmcs specifically, I was going to experiment (have a spare Lite board) and just remove the emmc w\ lots of flux (pulling it off as straight as possible to not let the balls merge), add a wire to dat0 (0.1mm) and hope it can lay flat again. Anyone try this?

about the stencil holder i bought this stencil click me

im gonna try on some defektive emmcs first if that doesnt work i have some aluminium block here that im gonna cnc a holder for this stencil and the emmc in case it doesnt work.

i tried that with on of my defektive emmc but it didnt work very well that why im just gonna reball

 

[LogicalMadness]

I was recommended this one:

US $38.54 6%OFF | LY RD980 New Auto Align Bga Reball Reballing Station 80mm 90mm Stencils Fixture Jig
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mq0wMao

But also shown this picture as 'all the ones he uses' (he reballs PS3 CPUs\GPUs):

 

[Flasheure]

Hi everyone! I'm new here.

It's not clear to me what to do after picofly starts the first time. Is there a guide that explains what to insert in the micro sd after the "NO SD" message is on the switch?

 

[LogicalMadness]

@Dee87 I don't see how those holders would work with the stencil you linked, though (I also have a multi-stencil for NSW but mine's lacking the emmc, thought I had one )

There's always the 'ball approach', too:
*Edit, oof, didn't know it would make its own page here:

gist.github.com/dev-zzo/d0f468b40e2fe601c684cdb9c6590fa0

I fully believe the only thing(s) holding me back from accomplishing anything is having experience with the proper tools. Time to research\buy holder(s).

 

[Flasheure]

Hi everyone! I'm new here.

It's not clear to me what to do after picofly starts the first time. Is there a guide that explains what to insert in the micro sd after the "NO SD" message is on the switch?

hi
You need to install a pack (Atmosphere, Hekate.....)
If you’re in 15.0.1, take this pack: Pack 15.0.1

And you are en 16.0.1, this one: Pack 16.0.1

Install Pack

 

[aramirez0425]

Couldn't wait for the my flex cables to arrive. Installed this on an oled and reballed the emmc for the dat0. Boots great!

 

[Dee87]

@Dee87 I don't see how those holders would work with the stencil you linked, though (I also have a multi-stencil for NSW but mine's lacking the emmc, thought I had one )

There's always the 'ball approach', too:

I fully believe the only thing(s) holding me back from accomplishing anything is having experience with the proper tools. Time to research\buy holder(s).

yeah they arent made for those holders thats why eather goona try it first by handy and if that doesnt work im gonna cnc some holders

yeah i know about the ball approch but id rether not try to set every ball :-P even with the stencil id rather just use past :-)

thats why im gonna try with the stencil and paste first its gonna work some how all u need is a stencil hot air gun some past and try and learn Xd

Post automatically merged: Apr 3, 2023

Couldn't wait for the my flex cables to arrive. Installed this on an oled and reballed the emmc for the dat0. Boots great!

also a nice idea to do it , u have any issues with reballing the emmc ? just asking for a friend Xd

 

[LogicalMadness]

yeah they arent made for those holders thats why eather goona try it first by handy and if that doesnt work im gonna cnc some holders

yeah i know about the ball approch but id rether not try to set every ball :-P even with the stencil id rather just use past :-)

thats why im gonna try with the stencil and paste first its gonna work some how all u need is a stencil hot air gun some past and try and learn Xd

Post automatically merged: Apr 3, 2023

also a nice idea to do it , u have any issues with reballing the emmc ? just asking for a friend Xd

Looking forward to reading your results, super jealous of the CNC access

"Good luck! You're gonna need it."

 

[Dee87]

Looking forward to reading your results, super jealous of the CNC access

"Good luck! You're gonna need it."

thanks
the cnc was a kit from banggood for like 150€ just with a few modifications Xd
i also have a co2 laser(ebay 200€) and a 3d Printer (built it my self 5 Years ago)

thank i mean it can tbe that hard right , putting some past on the chip reflowing it setting the dato with solder pad repair and reflowing it Xd

whats gonne be the worst that happens i mean come on now Xd

Post automatically merged: Apr 3, 2023

@LogicalMadness

he also does it without stencil holder and the same stencil i orderd Klick me

 

[Silenced4772]

Hiya. Just reading above about exFAT support, is it a problem if I have not updated my console before modding it? I have already took it apart (thermal paste and all) on fw 10.x.x. Once modded, could I not just boot OFW, update it and go about my day?

 

[LogicalMadness]

thanks
the cnc was a kit from banggood for like 150€ just with a few modifications Xd
i also have a co2 laser(ebay 200€) and a 3d Printer (built it my self 5 Years ago)

thank i mean it can tbe that hard right , putting some past on the chip reflowing it setting the dato with solder pad repair and reflowing it Xd

whats gonne be the worst that happens i mean come on now Xd

Post automatically merged: Apr 3, 2023

@LogicalMadness

he also does it without stencil holder and the same stencil i orderd Klick me

Almost asked if you were using a reference, glad I held off, that video seems perfect.

Easiest thing TO go wrong, IMO, is getting your iron temp wrong when using the braid to desolder the emmc\MB. Too low and you're probably going to rip a trace. Too high and it makes it easier to accidentally rub the masking off the board with the braid. Ask me how I know

As always though, flux...flux ..flux...

 

[Donnie-Burger]

@Dee87 I don't see how those holders would work with the stencil you linked, though (I also have a multi-stencil for NSW but mine's lacking the emmc, thought I had one )

There's always the 'ball approach', too:
*Edit, oof, didn't know it would make its own page here:

gist.github.com/dev-zzo/d0f468b40e2fe601c684cdb9c6590fa0

I fully believe the only thing(s) holding me back from accomplishing anything is having experience with the proper tools. Time to research\buy holder(s).

Magnetic holders with solder paste do make things easier.

Emmc setup:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255...tewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt&_randl_shipto=US

CPU setup:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...tewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt&_randl_shipto=US