RCM Loader doesn't work when Hekate 6 or newer is loaded on to it

[nefariouslegion]

Hi All,

Just got my RCMLoader. First I put the newest version of Hekate (6.0.1) on it and when I tested it it just did nothing and showed a blank screen. I then downgraded the RCMLoader to Hekate 5.9.0 and it boots into the Hekate 6.0.1 on my SD card successfully. But I'm wondering why the RCMLoader itself doesn't work with 6 or 6.0.1? and is there a fix for this?

 

[Hayato213]

Where you got the RCM loader from ? Aliexpress?

 

[binkinator]

Hi All,

Just got my RCMLoader. First I put the newest version of Hekate (6.0.1) on it and when I tested it it just did nothing and showed a blank screen. I then downgraded the RCMLoader to Hekate 5.9.0 and it boots into the Hekate 6.0.1 on my SD card successfully. But I'm wondering why the RCMLoader itself doesn't work with 6 or 6.0.1? and is there a fix for this?

This is a bug with the loader. They don’t work with newest Hekate. Leave older Hekate on the loader and keep SDCard update with latest. Hekate will chain load up to the latest version you have on your SDCard.

 

[nefariouslegion]

Where you got the RCM loader from ? Aliexpress?

It's from Amazon Canada

Post automatically merged: Jan 4, 2023

This is a bug with the loader. They don’t work with newest Hekate. Leave older Hekate on the loader and keep SDCard update with latest. Hekate will chain load up to the latest version you have on your SDCard.

Interesting because I know someone who has 6.0.1 on their loader and it works

 

[Hayato213]

It's from Amazon Canada

There is a fake version of RCM loader been sold online where it can't be updated.

 

[nefariouslegion]

There is a fake version of RCM loader been sold online where it can't be updated.

From what I've heard those fake ones can't be accessed at all on PC though correct? Because I can access mine and change the files on it via my PC

 

[Hayato213]

From what I've heard those fake ones can't be accessed at all on PC though correct? Because I can access mine and change the files on it via my PC

https://gbatemp.net/threads/fake-rcmloader-dongles-in-the-wild.620470/

This is how a real one looks like, before I sold mine. What The Real Jdbye said he couldn't connect to pc to update the payload.

 

[nefariouslegion]

@Hayato213
That's what mine looks like too except it came in a white box. For some reason I can only update the files on it using the rear USB ports on my PC though. It doesn't work with the front USB. I updated it from 5 . 8 to 5 . 9. But when I tried 6. 0.1 I just got the blank screen

 

[Hayato213]

@Hayato213
That's what mine looks like too except it came in a white box. For some reason I can only update the files on it using the rear USB ports on my PC though. It doesn't work with the front USB. I updated it from 5 . 8 to 5 . 9. But when I tried 6. 0.1 I just got the blank screen

The rcm loader up to date? @binkinator might be right about this one.

 

[nefariouslegion]

The rcm loader up to date? @binkinator might be right about this one.

View attachment 345901

Yeah I'm thinking Binkinator is right too. Though I find it odd that my friend can boot using 6.0.1 on his RCMLoader. But his maybe a v1? It's from like 2018/19. Idk if that makes a difference?

 

[LaNoam]

Hi All,

Just got my RCMLoader. First I put the newest version of Hekate (6.0.1) on it and when I tested it it just did nothing and showed a blank screen. I then downgraded the RCMLoader to Hekate 5.9.0 and it boots into the Hekate 6.0.1 on my SD card successfully. But I'm wondering why the RCMLoader itself doesn't work with 6 or 6.0.1? and is there a fix for this?

(First post, so also hi to everyone)

I bought one of this type via OnBuy and I've had a similar issue, although I am able to inject Hekate 6.0.0, and only 6.0.1 won't work. I've followed the instructions to update its firmware, so maybe that's why it managed to work with 6.0.0 (although I'm not sure, as that firmware update might not be as recent as that [EDIT: That firmware update was at least a year ago, I see now]). I've found the best way to use it is to trash the payload.bin in the ATMOSPHERE_HEKATE folder and then copy a replacement that's already been renamed to payload.bin, as when I tried to rename a file that I had copied over, the RCMLoader seemed to crash, with a bluish light remaining on even after I unplugged it from the computer. In this state the computer could no longer see it (thought I had bricked it). I fixed it by locating the reset button, which, once pressed, turned the light off and it was back to normal.

I'd also previously bought another RCMLoader from AliExpress, which can't be accessed via a PC, but appears to be loaded (similar to one mentioned upthread) with an unknown version of Hekate that works anyway (which is all I really need, but I bought the other one, in the hope it would be a fully functioning one). This one only ever flashes blue, apart from when you charge/connect it, then the light shows solid red.

Anyway, they both work, for now, as also mentioned upthread, booting up into Hekate 6.0.1 (by presumably looking for the Hekate 6.0.1 bin file on the root directory of the SD card.)

 

[nefariouslegion]

(First post, so also hi to everyone)

I bought one of this type via OnBuy and I've had a similar issue, although I am able to inject Hekate 6.0.0, and only 6.0.1 won't work. I've followed the instructions to update its firmware, so maybe that's why it managed to work with 6.0.0 (although I'm not sure, as that firmware update might not be as recent as that [EDIT: That firmware update was at least a year ago, I see now]). I've found the best way to use it is to trash the payload.bin in the ATMOSPHERE_HEKATE folder and then copy a replacement that's already been renamed to payload.bin, as when I tried to rename a file that I had copied over, the RCMLoader seemed to crash, with a bluish light remaining on even after I unplugged it from the computer. In this state the computer could no longer see it (thought I had bricked it). I fixed it by locating the reset button, which, once pressed, turned the light off and it was back to normal.

I'd also previously bought another RCMLoader from AliExpress, which can't be accessed via a PC, but appears to be loaded (like another one mentioned upthread) with an unknown version of Hekate that works anyway (which is all I really need, but I bought the other one, in the hope it would be a fully functioning one). This one only ever flashes blue, apart from when you charge/connect it, then the light shows solid red.

Anyway, they both work, for now, as also mentioned upthread, booting up into Hekate 6.0.1 (by presumably looking for the Hekate 6.0.1 bin file on the root directory of the SD card.)

Yeah I found that 6.0.0 works fine too. I posted on the Hekate devs github and got a reply saying that it's a bug with the RCMLoader firmware apparently. But the SD card bootloader has an update.bin on it that compares the version of hekate on the loader and the version on the SD card and loads up whichever is newest

 

[evil_santa]

I have the same problem whit a new RCM loader from AliExpress.
Tried ctcaer's "hack" but it was impossible for me to Format the RCM loader to fat16 only fat12 was possible.
Firmware is now 2.02 before was 2.03

 

[kidkat210]

Easiest thing to do for anyone that's having this issue, either just update the files on your sd (as previously stated, hekate will compare the bin file your trying to push from your dongle to the update.bin payload and load whichever is the latest version.



Another option is to setup argon-nx on your dongle and just update hekate files. You'll almost never need to update argon-nx on your dongle and argon-nx will give you the option to boot hekate, sxos (if you have that setup) and atmosphere without going into hekate

 

[binkinator]

Quad chain loader squad!

(Trinket -> ArgonNX -> Hekate -> SXOS)

 

[ilgoga]

My rcm loader dongle died on me. If you have a usbc android phone i would recommend you use that to inject your payloads. All you need is the RCM Loader app.(V.3.0.17) and a usb c to c cable that transfers data. I got a LDLrui (brand name) c to c cable for 10 bucks on amazon. The dongle is about 25 bucks so do the math.

 

[evil_santa]

the switch starts without any problems with an old Hekate payload, but I would like to know how you can use the whole thing with a newer payload.

does anyone have an old firmware for the RCM loader?

 

[urherenow]

The description of argon doesn’t say why anyone would need it. Nyx has all of the functionality and more. After hekate 5.8, you haven’t needed to update the file on your dongle either. This has all been covered in several other threads, as well as several closed issues on GitHub.

the switch starts without any problems with an old Hekate payload, but I would like to know how you can use the whole thing with a newer payload.

does anyone have an old firmware for the RCM loader?

there is zero point. You won’t save any time. Whether or not the loader is using the latest, it checks /bootloade/update.bin then loads the most current one. The release notes tell you this. If you don’t mind, post a pic of your loader…

 

[evil_santa]

there is zero point. You won’t save any time. Whether or not the loader is using the latest, it checks /bootloade/update.bin then loads the most current one. The release notes tell you this. If you don’t mind, post a pic of your loader…

I know this, Hekate has the update.bin feature since middle 2019.
It's not the point.
Next problem whit this loader is if you put a payload.bin in the user folders you can't switch the payloads.

If you don’t mind, post a pic of your loader…

Later I'm not @home

Has anyone an idea how to Format the RCM loader to fat16?
Linux mkfs.vfat can't format it to fat16 because the storage space is too small.

The RCM loader is from another guy, he asked me if I can find the problem. (and the reset button is broken)

 

[hi30u]

This is a bug with the loader. They don’t work with newest Hekate. Leave older Hekate on the loader and keep SDCard update with latest. Hekate will chain load up to the latest version you have on your SDCard.

Hello, Thanks for the solution.
Three noob question:
1_ What should I copy on the root of the uSD card ?
- the zip file ?
- the whole unzipped files and folders ?

2_ On the uSD card, should I rename hekate_ctcaer_6.0.1.bin into payload.bin ?

3_ The first thing I need to do after I enter Hetake is to partition the uSD card to prepare for emuMMC.
This will erase hetake files.
On which partition should I copy them back ?

Thanks a lot !