Hardware Random freezes, stuck on "Preparing to start HOME menu"

[jorsh]

Hello friends.

My first post here.

I bought a few "for parts" units for repair. One of them, allegedly, had only a broken screen and hinge and everything else worked.

I replaced all and every time I tried to access anything from the menu (setting, game, et-cetera) the system would freeze.

I then tried to "reset" the home menu, (holding: L+R+B+Down(keypad)) hoping that this would fix it. It didn't and now it's stuck on a "Preparing to start HOME menu screen" with a progress bar that just never fills up.


Is the unit bricked?

I tried resetting every cable and connector and everything looked fine

 

[Merpephony]

I can't help, but I can say that I am the exact same situation. 3ds bought broken, wouldn't load apps, now stuck on "Preparing to start the HOME Menu..."

 

[Merpephony]

I realize that it is probably a little late, but I found the solution to this problem.
You need a ds flashcart (I recommend r4 gold, which can be bought for as little as 10$)
and a second 3ds running boot9strap

basically you use the first 3ds to prep the flashcart, then use the flash cart to install godmode9, and then use godmode9 to manually update.

First you use the second 3ds to flash ntrboot to the flashcart with this guide
3ds.hacks.guide/flashing-ntrboot-(3ds-multi-system)

second, you follow this guide with the first 3ds
3ds.hacks.guide/installing-boot9strap-(ntrboot)

then this guide
3ds.hacks.guide/ctrtransfer

then you finish with this guide
3ds.hacks.guide/finalizing-setup

this should be able to fix any 3ds that is incapable of running recovery mode