Hacking To Hack Or Not?

[Lacius]

Ok, thanks so much for your help and info! Very much appreciated! My last concern is the looming 6.0 System Firmware that is coming very soon. Should I hold off on updating? I thought the RCM mode couldn't be patched out. Is that the same for hakate and reihax and such? Clarification appreciated

The RCM exploit cannot be patched by a software update. However, 6.0.0 (and future updates) break CFW components. You should always wait for your CFW of choice to be updated with compatibility for the new software version before updating.

 

[Skeet1983]

The RCM exploit cannot be patched by a software update. However, 6.0.0 (and future updates) break CFW components. You should always wait for your CFW of choice to be updated with compatibility for the new software version before updating.

Thanks so much again! For save editing, it seems like I should go with Checkpoint. For Checkpoint, is there a CFW that works great with it as compared to other CFW? I was leaning towards Hekate or Reihax or whatever it is. Also, which CFW do you recommend for beginners?
Thoughts appreciated

 

[Draxzelex]

Thanks so much again! For save editing, it seems like I should go with Checkpoint. For Checkpoint, is there a CFW that works great with it as compared to other CFW? I was leaning towards Hekate or Reihax or whatever it is. Also, which CFW do you recommend for beginners?
Thoughts appreciated

Any CFW works with Checkpoint, however the non-SX OS CFWs have better compatibility with homebrew across the board than SX OS. But it is still an option. I'd also like to clear up that Hekate is not a CFW, but a bootloader whose job is to load CFW. Some CFW have their own bootloader such as ReiNX and SX OS. However, Hekate is one of the best bootloaders as it has features not found in any other bootloader as well as being able to load any CFW except SX OS. Anyways, the following are download links on how to setup using one of the 3 currently available CFWs:
SX OS: https://sx.xecuter.com/
ReiNX: https://reinx.guide/
Atmosphere: https://gbatemp.net/threads/newest-hekate-sdfiles-zip.506280/ or https://gbatemp.net/threads/rajnx-c...free-starter-pack-for-nintendo-switch.513785/

 

[paulzheng]

Hi guys. I am very new to the Switch Hacking scene. I ordered a Jig from Amazon, as well as an USB to C cable. My concern is whether or not I should proceed with hacking. As far as that goes, I would only be doing Save Editing, but only for offline save use. I hardly ever play games online on my Switch. Debating on whether or not to hack comes down to the following:

- What is my ban risk if I only do the Save Editing?
- Don't really want to miss out on new and upcoming games (Mega Man 11, Smash, etc.). This and above are 2 main concerns.
- Worth hacking? I only have 1 Switch, no access to TX SX OS or whatever that is...

Thoughts on all of this GREATLY appreciated

turn on airplane mode. backup your switch nand before hacking.

 

[Skeet1983]

Any CFW works with Checkpoint, however the non-SX OS CFWs have better compatibility with homebrew across the board than SX OS. But it is still an option. I'd also like to clear up that Hekate is not a CFW, but a bootloader whose job is to load CFW. Some CFW have their own bootloader such as ReiNX and SX OS. However, Hekate is one of the best bootloaders as it has features not found in any other bootloader as well as being able to load any CFW except SX OS. Anyways, the following are download links on how to setup using one of the 3 currently available CFWs:
SX OS: https://sx.xecuter.com/
ReiNX: https://reinx.guide/
Atmosphere: https://gbatemp.net/threads/newest-hekate-sdfiles-zip.506280/ or https://gbatemp.net/threads/rajnx-c...free-starter-pack-for-nintendo-switch.513785/

Hi again. I am going to try hacking my Switch today and am going the ReiNX route. I read the guide you linked me to (https://reinx.guide/gettingstarted) and it makes no mention of the Hekate bootloader. Should I still follow that guide? Help appreciated

 

[Draxzelex]

Hi again. I am going to try hacking my Switch today and am going the ReiNX route. I read the guide you linked me to (https://reinx.guide/gettingstarted) and it makes no mention of the Hekate bootloader. Should I still follow that guide? Help appreciated

I mean you don't need to use Hekate if you're going to be using ReiNX. Any reason why you want to use Hekate?

 

[Skeet1983]

I mean you don't need to use Hekate if you're going to be using ReiNX. Any reason why you want to use Hekate?

Sorry, I missed the part where you said ReiNX has it's own bootloader

Side question: I am using TegraRCMGUI 2.4. I installed the driver for Windows. But when I launch it again and click "Install Driver" under Settings tab, it says driver is missing? Do I have to install the Windows Driver each time I launch TegraRCMGUI 2.4? I am running Windows 10 64-bit.

Other Question: In the ReiNX guide, it doesn't mention getting biskeys or anything like that. When I follow that guide, what should I do after backup of Boot 0/1 keys and NAND backup?

Help on all this GREATLY appreciated

 

[Draxzelex]

Sorry, I missed the part where you said ReiNX has it's own bootloader

Side question: I am using TegraRCMGUI 2.4. I installed the driver for Windows. But when I launch it again and click "Install Driver" under Settings tab, it says driver is missing? Do I have to install the Windows Driver each time I launch TegraRCMGUI 2.4? I am running Windows 10 64-bit. Help appreciated

No, that shouldn't be happening. Also, there is no reason to be using TegraRCMGUI over TegraRCMSmash. The latter has less bugs and is as functional, if not more, than the GUI version.

 

[Skeet1983]

No, that shouldn't be happening. Also, there is no reason to be using TegraRCMGUI over TegraRCMSmash. The latter has less bugs and is as functional, if not more, than the GUI version.

How do I use TegraRCMSmash? I downloaded it, double clicked app icon, nothing happens...

 

[Draxzelex]

How do I use TegraRCMSmash? I downloaded it, double clicked app icon, nothing happens...

At least read up on whatever you're downloading...please...(Hint: try the GitHub page)

 

[Skeet1983]

At least read up on whatever you're downloading...please...(Hint: try the GitHub page)

I read it a bit, still confused. I am not good at command line stuff. Any help appreciated

 

[Draxzelex]

I read it a bit, still confused. I am not good at command line stuff. Any help appreciated

I'm gonna quote the usage directly from the GitHub page and I want you to read it very carefully...

TegraRcmSmash.exe [-V 0x0955] [-P 0x7321] [--relocator=intermezzo.bin] [-w] inputFilename.bin [-r] [--dataini=coreboot.ini] ([PARAM:VALUE]|[0xADDR:filename])*

If your Switch is ready and waiting in RCM mode, you can also just drag and drop the payload right onto TegraRcmSmash.exe

An example cmdline for launching linux using coreboot is something like this (the empty relocator is important):TegraRcmSmash.exe -w --relocator= "coreboot/cbfs.bin" "CBFS:coreboot/coreboot.rom"

A simpler way to load coreboot/other AArch64 payloads is to use https://github.com/rajkosto/memloader and either put the files on microsd or use the --dataini parameter

After that, you can use imx_load as you would on Linux (Windows binaries available here)

Alternatively, setup your u-boot cmdline to just load everything from microSD to not bother with imx_load

 

[Skeet1983]

I'm gonna quote the usage directly from the GitHub page and I want you to read it very carefully...

Ok, I read it. I was following the ReiNX guide. I thought this would be easy to do... I am not good at command line stuff...

Here is what I wanted to do: Boot Switch into RCM, launch ReiNX, run Checkpoint or other stuff.

 

[Draxzelex]

Ok, I read it. I was following the ReiNX guide. I thought this would be easy to do... I am not good at command line stuff...

Here is what I wanted to do: Boot Switch into RCM, launch ReiNX, run Checkpoint or other stuff.

Let's try this again, this time I'll highlight part of the Usage instructions.

TegraRcmSmash.exe [-V 0x0955] [-P 0x7321] [--relocator=intermezzo.bin] [-w] inputFilename.bin [-r] [--dataini=coreboot.ini] ([PARAM:VALUE]|[0xADDR:filename])*

If your Switch is ready and waiting in RCM mode, you can also just drag and drop the payload right onto TegraRcmSmash.exe

An example cmdline for launching linux using coreboot is something like this (the empty relocator is important):TegraRcmSmash.exe -w --relocator= "coreboot/cbfs.bin" "CBFS:coreboot/coreboot.rom"

A simpler way to load coreboot/other AArch64 payloads is to use https://github.com/rajkosto/memloader and either put the files on microsd or use the --dataini parameter

After that, you can use imx_load as you would on Linux (Windows binaries available here)

Alternatively, setup your u-boot cmdline to just load everything from microSD to not bother with imx_load

 

[Skeet1983]

Let's try this again, this time I'll highlight part of the Usage instructions.

I am so lost, sorry. Please walk me through this... really want to hack switch and use reinx and checkpoint

 

[jt_1258]

Hi guys. I am very new to the Switch Hacking scene. I ordered a Jig from Amazon, as well as an USB to C cable. My concern is whether or not I should proceed with hacking. As far as that goes, I would only be doing Save Editing, but only for offline save use. I hardly ever play games online on my Switch. Debating on whether or not to hack comes down to the following:

- What is my ban risk if I only do the Save Editing?
- Don't really want to miss out on new and upcoming games (Mega Man 11, Smash, etc.). This and above are 2 main concerns.
- Worth hacking? I only have 1 Switch, no access to TX SX OS or whatever that is...

Thoughts on all of this GREATLY appreciated

save editing single player stuff is likely fine but modifiying saves for online games is a tad more ban likely

 

[Draxzelex]

I am so lost, sorry. Please walk me through this... really want to hack switch and use reinx and checkpoint

The second line of the Usage shows you how to use TegraRCMSmash

If your Switch is ready and waiting in RCM mode, you can also just drag and drop the payload right onto TegraRcmSmash.exe

Please don't tell me you don't know what a payload is...

 

[Skeet1983]

The second line of the Usage shows you how to use TegraRCMSmashPlease don't tell me you don't know what a payload is...

Is Reinx.bin a payload? It said to drag and drop onto the exe...

I downloaded ReiNX v1.6. It came with a bin file, and ReiNX directory.

Here is where I am at: I read the RCMsmash instructions. Downloaded Zadig USB Driver Installer. Ready to try booting Switch into RCM mode. Do I just drag and drop ReiNX.bin onto RCMSmash exe once I connect Switch to PC?