File type : Invalid Cia

[AirAnget7]

Playing on a 4 y old 3ds, i tried to fix the issues but it worked out eventually. But i still have one problem. Every cia i tried to download has this "invalid cia" file type. Idk what happened, i tried downloading fbi but i cant cuz of the error. Anyone know the issue im having?

Post automatically merged: Oct 21, 2022

Also, i havent updated the firmware and the cfw since 3y ago. And this error happens before i even install the cia, it just wont let me install it. Oddly enough i managed to download shovel knight in my first attempt at installing a game, but after downloading that, i cant install any other game

 

[Sypherone]

The cia file seems beeing somehow corrupted.

• Plug the SDcard to PC and run in Powershell chkdsk X: r/ (X -> driveletter). Copy a new cia file on the SDCard, then try again.
• Else Backup all stuff to PC and run h2testw with full write and read test to verify your card is not corrupted. Reformat the card and move all stuff back.
• Get the cia on PC, copy it to SDCard and use the eject device function. Dont use ftp or some directdownload on 3DS for the cia file.

 

[AirAnget7]

Thanks I'll give it a shot, but what do you mean by use the eject device function?

 

[Sypherone]

If you plug in the card into pc Windows or Linux. There will pop up a symbol in the taskline from the usb device. By right klicking you can eject the card (must wait a moment). Thats for preventing thats no process anymore is accessing the card. Because this can cause a filesystem error, if there is still some access to the card and you just pull it out.

 

[AirAnget7]

my 3ds just made a new folder and its full of files called "FILE000.CHK" and the file number just goes on from 000 to 040. Ive never seen a file like that, is that important, or i can just delete it

 

[lone_wolf323]

What cia are you trying to install. and from the first post of yours. What app are you using to install the file with?

 

[AirAnget7]

Well, i basically tried installing pokemon x, monster hunter, mario, etc. But in that post in particular i tried installing the nes games remix, it was small so i tested it with that game. im using title manager to install it, when I bought it only came with that. I tried installing it with godmode9 but results are the same

 

[lone_wolf323]

Well, i basically tried installing pokemon x, monster hunter, mario, etc. But in that post in particular i tried installing the nes games remix, it was small so i tested it with that game. im using title manager to install it, when I bought it only came with that. I tried installing it with godmode9 but results are the same

I would suggest you install FBI and use that to install your titles with. https://gbatemp.net/threads/release-fbi-open-source-cia-installer.386433/

 

[AirAnget7]

So uh, i tried running h2testw on the sd card and it froze i cant do anything until it runs out of battery (i cant force shutdown it), so does that mean my sd card is fake or...?

 

[Sypherone]

my 3ds just made a new folder and its full of files called "FILE000.CHK" and the file number just goes on from 000 to 040. Ive never seen a file like that, is that important, or i can just delete it

Chkdsk created this folder. This are fragments of corrupted data which where restored. You can remove that folder. If really really important information would be in it, it could be tryed with unCHK to extrakt them if possible with small chance.

So uh, i tried running h2testw on the sd card and it froze i cant do anything until it runs out of battery (i cant force shutdown it), so does that mean my sd card is fake or...?

Depending on drive speed, it takes ~3h per 100gb drive size to complete. At the end it wil show a result. So best use a Desktop PC or plug in the poweradapter if using laptop or tablet.

And like recommended use FBI for installing cia files. Run FBI as 3dsx from within the homebrew launcher to install its cia version. The FBI.3dsx must located on the SDcard under /3DS/FBI .
EDIT: 3DS Title Manager is a tool for extracting 3DS and CIA files and rebuilding them. Not to install them.

 

[CoolMe]

Backup your data before doing the test, and format it as FAT32 32kb clusters before and after the test to get accurate results. It was most likely just this "title manager" that you were using to install cias, fbi is the recommended tool to install cias with.

 

[AirAnget7]

Alright, i managed to shutdown the laptop and basically restart everything(i had a new 64 sd card). This time i installed fbi.3dsx and so far so good. But it failed to install any cia file

 

[Sypherone]

Pls run ticksweep to remove tickets from previosly wrong/aborted installations.
And use gui-fat32format to format the drive.
And also pls update to boot9strap 1.4 and to luma 11.0 .

 

[CoolMe]

Re-download those cias and try again.
Also make sure your sd card adapter is in the unlocked position, or try with a different one if it still giving you issues..

This time i installed fbi.3dsx

You mean you installed fbi.cia file and not the fbi.3dsx one. Also that requires the Homebrew Launcher if you didn't have it installed you'd need to use Rosalina Menu in order to install it..

 

[AirAnget7]

i did, I followed sthetix's guide on 3ds finalizing. Worked flawlessly but i am stuck at the installing cia file's, it just says it failed to install it. i tried installing a game but the same thing happened

Post automatically merged: Oct 22, 2022

Pls run ticksweep to remove tickets from previosly wrong/aborted installations.
And use gui-fat32format to format the drive.
And also pls update to boot9strap 1.4 and to luma 11.0 .

I already tried reformatting, it did something, it removed the invalid cia problem, but it failed to install the cia, and yes i have updated luma to the newest version

Post automatically merged: Oct 22, 2022

i might try update the boot9strap, but i currently dont know what that is

 

[Sypherone]

I dont know sthetix guide and if you followed some video tutorial of this site, so best ask him for support. Video Tuturiols are not recommended by us for a specific reason.
This is the recommended uptodate guide https://3ds.hacks.guide/

 

[AirAnget7]

So i fixed the error(my cluster size was still in 64kb), got the essential apps (homebrew, fbi etc), tried to download a a game and presented with another error code, i researched it and has come to the conclusion that my sd card was a fake. The h2testw i run was freezing all the time. The error code was related to the sd card. And to be fair the sd card was a bit cheaper than others in the market.

Post automatically merged: Oct 23, 2022

Thanks sypherone, cool me and lone wolf. Im not giving up my 3ds just yet, im gonna save up and buy a legit one this time, thank you all for trying to help!

 

[Sypherone]

i might try update the boot9strap, but i currently dont know what that is

Boot9strap is a custom boot room (the primary hax on your console), which will be launched at boot to be able to launch your homebrew stuff e.g. luma, gm9, ...