What is Haxchi or CBHC? FAQs and info

FAQs & Info

Table of content
Haxchi

Information
Install
Uninstall
Update
Usage​

CBHC

Information
Install
Uninstall
Update
Usage​

General information

Warnings and preventions
Brick recovery​

Haxchi - Info

Q: What is Haxchi?
A: It's a vulnerability into the DS emulator. It allows us to write our code into the rom.
It's used to get a persistent homebrew launching method without the need of the browser exploit anymore. (Bye bye internet browser)


Q: Is the NDS game still playable ?
A: NO, haxchi replaces the NDS game's ROM. if you launch the legit NDS game it will launch haxchi instead.


Q: Can I use a non legit NDS game to install and use Haxchi or CBHC ?
A: NO! you risk to brick your console. You need a legit NDS game, bought from eShop. if you install (or inadvertently replace!) the NDS game using WUP installer, it will not launch anymore as non legit game are not correctly signed.
you need a good signed game to launch the NDS game which contains haxchi code inside it.

Haxchi and CBHC use a DS game to boot into CFW. However, in order to be able to boot a pirated DS game, you need to already be running CFW. If you try to boot a pirated DS game before you run CFW, it will fail to run.
If you install haxchi inside a pirated game, it will not launch. But that's all, you can use your console but not launch the pirated NDS game as you didn't launch CFW yet.
If you install CBHC with haxchi inside a pirated game, your console will NEVER boot anymore. that's why you NEED to be sure haxchi is working fine before setting it as custom boot (CBHC is haxchi's NDS game channel launched at boot).

If you prefer a visual understanding:
Good setup:
Haxchi : Boot ➡ wiiu menu ➡ signed NDS ➡ NDS can launch ➡ haxchi CFW ➡ non signed titles can now be launched
CBHC : Boot ➡ signed NDS ➡ NDS can launch ➡ haxchi CFW ➡ wiiu menu ➡ non signed titles can now be launched

Bad setup:
Haxchi : Boot ➡ wiiu menu ↛ unsigned NDS : NDS cannot be launched unless you patch your console first (browser hax>HBL>CFW).
CBHC : Boot ↛ unsigned NDS : NDS cannot be launched without CFW, console will never boot anymore. console is as useful as a brick !
or CBHC : Boot ➡ signed NDS ➡ normal NDS game ↛ Wii U Menu : This can be fixed, see brick recovery

Haxchi - Installation

Q: Which NDS virtual console game can be used to install Haxchi?
A: These games are currently supported.

Q: I heard that Brain Training (or Brain Age) can be downloaded for free. Is this true?
A: Yes, but only if your NNID was registered before June 2014

Q: Can I use WUP Installer to install the NDS game?
A: No, you need an official DS game. If your console is European, you should be able to download Brain Training for free.

Q: Do I need signature patches for installing Haxchi?
A: No, you don't.

Q: What is signature patches?
A: It allows you to launch non official application. It's removing Nintendo's official application verification.

Q: Do I need a custom firmware for installing Haxchi?
A: No, you don't. In fact you should NOT use any CFW before running the installer. Be sure you are on a clean console state. No patches or CFW applied.

Q: What should I do before installing Haxchi?
A: Be sure you don't have a Coldboot solution already installed! (CBHC or Coldboothax, for example). Uninstall your Coldboot solution first or you could end in a bootloop if haxchi's config is not "coldboot ready"!

Q: Why I can't install Haxchi if I already have Coldboot?
A: You could end in a reboot loop brick. Uninstall your Coldboot solution first !

Q: Can I install Haxchi to USB?
A: Yes, but if you are using the installer, it will only install haxchi on NAND games, so you must move it in the NAND, then re-moving into the USB. Though, Haxchi will only work when your USB is plugged.

Q: Can I have my NDS game on both USB and System NAND?
A: Yes, but System NAND will have priority at Haxchi launch time.

Q: So can I use this dual location to have haxchi and the original NDS game at the same time?
A: Nope, System will always load the NAND version

Q: What should I do when installing Haxchi?
A: Be sure you have "haxchi" folder on the root of your SD card (sd:/haxchi/) and run the installer.

Q: I'm using NDS Brain Training, but the installation doesn't work!
A: Brain training has 2 different versions. Delete your game from your WiiU's data management menu, and go to eShop to download the latest, update version.

Q: Can I use different picture logo, background or sound for that channel?
A: Yes. Replace the files in sd:/haxchi/ folder and run the installer again.

Haxchi - Uninstallation

Q: How to uninstall Hachi?
A: You can delete the NDS game from the Wii U data management menu.

Haxchi - Update

Q: How to update haxchi?
A: Run the installer again. Follow the same requirements than the first install (NO USB plugged, etc.)

Q: Do I have to delete the NDS game first?
A: No.

Q: Do I have to reinstall the NDS game first?
A: No.

Q: Can I skip versions?
A: Sure.

Haxchi - Usage

Q: What can Haxchi do?
A: Haxchi can launch different programs based on the controller's pressed button.

Q: What can be launched from Haxchi?
A: It can launch the homebrew launcher or any homebrew without using the Homebrew Launcher, it can load a firmware's fw.img from SD card, it can patch current System menu to add CFW features but it can't launch .rpx (you must load them from HBL).

Q: How do I change the config.txt button layout?
A: Edit the file in a text editor, and follow the installation step again (with the same requirement: no USB plugged, etc.)

Q: Can I boot Mocha CFW with Haxchi?
A: Yes, but use it only if you need redNAND. Booting into a Custom firmware SysNAND using Mocha is unnecessarily longer while Haxchi can do it faster, unless you need WUP Server.

Q: Why should I launch Mocha only for redNAND?
A: If you want only a CFW to launch or install games, it's a LOT faster to only patch sysNAND.

Q: I want only sysNAND patches. What should I do?
A: Install latest Haxchi version. By default, "sysmenu" is set to button B. You can of course change the button to your liking by editing the config.txt file.

Q: Can I autoboot Haxchi at console boot?
A: Yes/No.
No: If you try to autoboot the normal version of Haxchi, you will end in a reboot loop which can brick your console
Yes: You need a special version of Haxchi to be launched at console boot named ColdBoot Haxchi.
Look at CBHC FAQs below.

Q: I don't want coldboot, what should I do now?
A: You can read this for more information about how the console, haxchi and CBHC are working.

CBHC - Info

Q: What is CBHC?
A: It's an updated Haxchi, compatible with coldboot option. It will REPLACE the normal version of haxchi. You can't have both at the same time.

Q: What is coldboot?
A: It's a method to launch an application automatically when booting the console. Coldbooting haxchi let you launch the NDS game automatically at console's boot.

Q: So, why would I want CBHC instead of Haxchi?
A: CBHC is automatically patching the console into a CFW state at console's boot. You don't need to run Haxchi channel manually before launching a "non signed application" (for example, eshop games (like VC or eShop-only titles) or DLC installed with WUP installer).
(Yes, it's only a shortcut for lazy peoples who don't want to run haxchi manually)

CBHC - Installation

Read brick causes here before installing, if you know how users bricked I hope you'll not do what they did.

Q: Do I need Haxchi before installing ColdBootHaxchi (CBHC)?
A: No, but it's recommended. If CBHC installation fails and you haven't installed haxchi first you will have a partial CBHC.

Q: Can I use WUP Installer to install the NDS game?
A: No, you need an official DS game or YOU WILL BRICK. There's a reason why it's recommended to install Haxchi and test it FIRST. If you want to skip Haxchi install AND test, you can fail CBHC installation and get a partial CBHC.

Q: Do I need signature patches for installing CBHC?
A: No, you don't.

Q: Do I need a custom firmware for installing CBHC?
A: No, you don't. In fact you should NOT use any CFW before running the installer. Be sure you are on a clean console state. Do NOT run CFWs before installing CBHC!

Q: How can I install CBHC?
A: Unplug USB device (HDD,Pendrive), load CBHC Installer, select your title, press A.

Q: I don't want to unplug USB :C
A: You must. If you don't unplug USB(HDD, Pendrive), you'll probably have a partial CBHC.

Q: What is a partial CBHC?
A: It's a state when your console launch your original title or your haxchi title. (Read Brick Recovery below)

Q: Why CBHC installer renames the VC title in "Don't touch me"?
A: Because you mustn't touch that title! (DO NOT DELETE OR MOVE TO USB)

Q: I saw an user brick his console because he moved the title into a folder... Is it true?
A: Nope, that user probably bricked for another reasons.

CBHC - Uninstallation

Q: How can I uninstall CBHC?
A: Unplug USB (HDD, Pendrive) device, load CBHC Installer, press B.

Q: Can I format my Wii U to remove CBHC?
A: No! You'll brick. It will only delete the NDS channel (the one you SHOULDN'T DELETE).

CBHC - Update

Q: Can I install new versions without uninstalling older ones?
A: Yes, of course.

Q: How should I update CBHC?
A: Just run the installer again.

Q: Can I skip versions?
A: Sure.

Q: Do I have to reinstall Haxchi before updating CBHC?
A: No! You could have a partial CBHC if you install the normal Haxchi version. It will overwrite the ColdBoot Haxchi version.

CBHC - Usage

Q: Is CBHC still using my config.txt button layout?
A: No. CBHC has a menu where you can choose the action on screen, or hide it and autoboot that choice.

Q: Then what options can I choose from the boot menu?
A:
1. Boot System menu with CFW features. (default)
2. Boot a patched firmware from sd:/fw.img
3. Boot Mocha CFW
4. Boot Homebrew Launcher

Q: Can *homebrew title* be added into Autoboot menu?
A: Nope

Q: Can you remove "CBHC by Fix"?
A: N-o-p-e (If you want do it by yourself)

Q: Can you remove "Autobooting..."?
A: Y... NOPE!

Q: So I can use this to run Mocha CFW?
A: Yes, but please, use Mocha CFW only if you need redNAND. Booting into a Custom firmware SysNAND using Mocha is unnecessarily longer while CBHC can do it faster, unless you need WUP Server.

Q: Why should I use CBHC with Mocha only for redNAND?
A: If you want only a CFW to launch or install games, it's a LOT faster to only patch sysNAND from CBHC.

Q: I want only sysNAND patches. What option should I choose?
A: Choose "Boot System menu". It loads patches, wupserver and support for FTPiiU Everywhere.

Q: What is WUP Server? Do I need it?
A: Usually you don't need it. It's a tool for developers to edit the console's files from a program on the computer. But sometimes it can be useful for the user. (If you need to modify console files FTPiiU Everywhere is better).

Q: What is FTPiiU Everywhere?
A: It's a homebrew letting you browse and edit the console's files using a FTP client on your computer.

WARNINGS AND PREVENTION

Q: Do I have to get the NDS from eShop? Can I just install the needed NDS game using WUP installer instead?
A: DO NOT USE WUP INSTALLER!
If you install a fakesigned NDS game with WUP Installer then the console can't launch that channel before the signature check is patched by Haxchi or CBHC. You need signature patch enabled to launch channels installed with WUP installer.
if you install Haxchi with a fake signed channel: The channel will not work.
if you use CBHC with a fake signed channel: You will FULL BRICK you WiiU! (see "Brick 3" section below)

Q: Is there anything I should know to prevent bricking my console?
A: Yes, there are different things:
1. Do NOT format your console before uninstalling CBHC!!! If you did a NAND backup before the System Format you should be able to flash it to "unbrick".

These shouldn't be possible if you are using an updated version of CBHC, but for users with the old version still installed:
2. Do NOT delete or move or copy CBHC's channel manually to USB after installation. If you want to delete CBHC, run the installer again and select the uninstall option.
3. Do NOT reinstall and overwrite your NDS game using WUP Installer! Beware of batch installation !

(Semi)Brick Recovery

Brick 1: CBHC failed while swapping rom (partial CBHC)

-Case 1, You installed Haxchi first: If you had an option into cfg, boot in HBL
-Case 2, Plain rom: Press Home button, load Internet Browser, load HBL exploit

Brick 2: Bootloop (could be a partial CBHC)

Change Boot option/hardmod

Brick 3: CBHC title not signed/deleted

Hardmod (OTP/Nand backup required)

 

Nope, HDD and Pendrives are the USB device

 

Added

 

They won't brick.
Failed lot of times CBHC installation (USB plugged)
So
1st time: Title has haxchi, replaced system.xml... cbh with haxchi config
2nd time: Plain title, can't exit to sysmenu. Recovered with browserhax.

Btw, thanks for the FAQs

 

Yeah obv.
I'll add something like "Do you see the App "Don't touch me"? Don't touch that app "