Tutorial  Updated

Dumping and injecting GBA VC saves with AGBSave9

WARNING: GodMode9 added a native save dumping and injecting tool that works way better than AGBSave9, you can download it here. Here's how to use it.
I'll be keeping this guide around for historical purposes, but you should use GodMode9 instead.
​
Dumping GBA VC saves:​
What you will need:
  • AGBSave9 v.1.0 "EEPROM support" (A9LH-compatible version here)
1) Run the game that you want to dump the save and close it.
2) Load AGBSave9 from sysNAND 9.2/A9LH and select "Save Dump".
3) This should give you a screen with this info:
  • Title ID: xxxxxxxx
  • Use save type 0/1/2: SRAM/Flash/EEPROM
  • Creating agb_dump.sav ...
4) Write down the Title ID and Save Type, you'll need it if you want to inject the save back later.
5) Plug your SD card into your computer and copy the agb_dump.sav on the root of the SD to somewhere safe, this is your save file.

Injecting saves into the GBA VC:​
What you will need:

1) Install Python 3, else you won't be able to run the gen_run.py.
2) Copy your save file into the agb_inject folder.
3) Run gen_run.py and follow the on screen instructions, this should generate a .cia file inside the agb_inject folder.
43f380I.png

4) Copy the output CIA file to your 3DS' SD card.
5) Install it on sysNAND using your favorite CIA installer, I recommend FBI. (if it asks to overwrite the previous install, allow it.)
If you only have them on sysNAND:
6a) Run the CIA that you just installed. (It should show up as Fire Emblem on the top screen)
If you have them on both NANDs:
6b) Run the game that you want to inject the save on emuNAND.
7) When "AGB_FIRM save injector" appears, turn off your 3DS.
8) Insert your SD card on your computer and go to "/Nintendo3DS/(YourSysNANDHere)/(RandomStuff)/title/00040000/(TitleID)/" and copy the data folder.
9) Reinstall the game that you want to inject the save on sysNAND. (if it asks to overwrite the previous install, allow it.)
10) Reinsert the SD card on your computer and copy the data folder back into "/Nintendo3DS/(YourSysNANDHere)/(RandomStuff)/title/00040000/(TitleID)/"
11) Run the game, if everything worked properly, your injected save should appear on the game.

Credits:
@alex34567 7 for AGBSave9.
@redunka for the fixed "gen_run.py".
@Frelia a for the A9LH-compatible version.
 
Last edited by matpower,
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ChicagoMel

ChicagoMel

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How do I get a 128kb save out of the 3ds thing? I can't edit a 64kb save. Or is there a program that'll just let me edit the 64kb save? I can't get it to convert. And why won't VBA recognize the file type after it's edited?
 
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Ailuros27

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@ChicagoMel I've had that issue before. I've never conclusively solved it. After comparing a clean ALttP:FS save made in a VC inject then exported via Decrypt9WIP to a save from an actual cart of the same game that was imported into an emulator, I gave up, because it looked like the whole save file was Endian swapped. The best I can do is give you a clue I found. The 128 KB saves from an emulator appear to be padded out. That is, the actual save is only 32 KB or 64 KB, the rest being 0s. If you're trying edit using save editor, try asking the creator of the editor. If you're just trying to open an exported save in an emulator, try playing with the options in the emulator and opening the exported save (keeping a backup, of course). If it opens and loads fine (progress is there, etc.) then save in the game (via whatever menu, button combo, etc.) and look at the emulator save. A lot of them will automatically write them as 128 KB after reading them the first time.
 
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ChicagoMel

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For one, you have to load the ROM file, THEN the battery. (the sav file. I'm hoping renaming it from .dat when I exported to .sav before injecting works.

edit: I got it working, yes.
 
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Princess21

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matpower said:
WARNING: GodMode9 added a native save dumping and injecting tool that works way better than AGBSave9, you can download it here. Here's how to use it.
I'll be keeping this guide around for historical purposes, but you should use GodMode9 instead.
​
Dumping GBA VC saves:​
What you will need:
  • AGBSave9 v.1.0 "EEPROM support" (A9LH-compatible version here)
1) Run the game that you want to dump the save and close it.
2) Load AGBSave9 from sysNAND 9.2/A9LH and select "Save Dump".
3) This should give you a screen with this info:
  • Title ID: xxxxxxxx
  • Use save type 0/1/2: SRAM/Flash/EEPROM
  • Creating agb_dump.sav ...
4) Write down the Title ID and Save Type, you'll need it if you want to inject the save back later.
5) Plug your SD card into your computer and copy the agb_dump.sav on the root of the SD to somewhere safe, this is your save file.

Injecting saves into the GBA VC:​
What you will need:

1) Install Python 3, else you won't be able to run the gen_run.py.
2) Copy your save file into the agb_inject folder.
3) Run gen_run.py and follow the on screen instructions, this should generate a .cia file inside the agb_inject folder.
43f380I.png

4) Copy the output CIA file to your 3DS' SD card.
5) Install it on sysNAND using your favorite CIA installer, I recommend FBI. (if it asks to overwrite the previous install, allow it.)
If you only have them on sysNAND:
6a) Run the CIA that you just installed. (It should show up as Fire Emblem on the top screen)
If you have them on both NANDs:
6b) Run the game that you want to inject the save on emuNAND.
7) When "AGB_FIRM save injector" appears, turn off your 3DS.
8) Insert your SD card on your computer and go to "/Nintendo3DS/(YourSysNANDHere)/(RandomStuff)/title/00040000/(TitleID)/" and copy the data folder.
9) Reinstall the game that you want to inject the save on sysNAND. (if it asks to overwrite the previous install, allow it.)
10) Reinsert the SD card on your computer and copy the data folder back into "/Nintendo3DS/(YourSysNANDHere)/(RandomStuff)/title/00040000/(TitleID)/"
11) Run the game, if everything worked properly, your injected save should appear on the game.

Credits:
@alex34567 7 for AGBSave9.
@redunka for the fixed "gen_run.py".
@Frelia a for the A9LH-compatible version.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the great tutorial and troubleshooting. Thanks to you, I managed to get agbsave9 working on Emunand without installing a single thing on Sysnand! I can't use GodMode9, so this is all I've got :D
 

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