It's here!

​

Info

@Normmatt has created a way to run B9S .firm files from bootrom via a DSi Flashcard and a magnet! This works on every 3DS on any firmware version.

For installation without a PC, user @TheCyberQuake has created a pack which will automatically install B9S and copy over essential starter homebrew from the flashcard's SD to the 3DS's. This will mainly be used for PC-less B9S installations. If you have a PC with you, use 3ds.guide. Read more here: https://gbatemp.net/threads/481141/

How does this work?

This works because of a flaw in the bootrom. Before the bootrom boots the NAND, it checks to see if Start+Select+X is held down, and if the shell is closed. If these requirements are met, it will boot an NDS cartridge from the bootrom. This give that cartridge bootrom access. You might be wondering how you'd hold down buttons while the shell is closed, and why you need a magnet. If you put a magnet in a specific spot on the 3DS, it will go into sleep mode. Using this, you can boot the NDS cartridge with the buttons held down while in sleep mode! Using a reflashable flashcard, you can boot B9SInstaller using the flashcard, and easily install it on your 3DS.

The 2DS doesn't need a magnet since a switch puts it to sleep instead of a magnet.

What does this mean?

1. Any 3DS model on any firmware can be hacked with minimal effort
2. You can unbrick any 3DS model from any type of brick.
   - Remember, you don't need a NAND backup for this. Just do a CTRTransfer.
   - This does not apply to MCU bricks.
3. Even consoles with fried NAND, or even the NAND chip physically removed, can use this

This is incredibly impressive stuff, and will most likely be released soon! edit: now!

FAQ

Q: Can Nintendo patch this?
A: Nope! Not without a new hardware revision.

Q: My flashcard is blocked by my firmware! Can I still use this?
A: Yes! The flashcard blacklist is not enabled on the bootrom.

Q: Why can't this work with my flashcard?
A: The installation requires you to flash NTRBoot to the flashcard's nand. Most DS flashcards, such as the original R4, have a ROM, which is not flashable.

Q: Can I install NTRBoot on my flashcard without another 3DS system?
A: If you can run NDS roms on your 3DS with it, then yes. If it's blocked on your 3DS version, then you'll need another 3DS system to use it.

Q: Will my 3DS flashcard work?
A: No, only the NDSi flashcards listed above.

Q: Will any other flash cards work?
A: Only the ones listed in the OP. However keep in mind that flashcards such as the DSTT, Supercard DS2 and R4 SDHC Dualcore are planned to be supported in the future.

Q: I tried to do this with my cartridge and it didn't work?
A: It doesn't work with regular DS cards.

Q: Can I unbrick from a ____ brick?
A: Considering the card has access to the bootrom, yes! This can unbrick any brick (except MCU), unless you've taken a knife to the motherboard.

Q: Can I install B9S on the latest firmware with this?
A: Again, since the card has access to the bootrom, you can do this easily! Just plug in your flashcard, boot up using the magnet and button combination, and install.

Q: Does this work on the New Nintendo 2DS XL?
A: Yes!

Release
Guide
Free NTRBoot Flashing
Free B9S Installations

Here is SciresM's post about this

Please see SciresM's presentation on bootromhax.​

 

[Cuphat]

thanks, but again that does not make it easy for those who don't know the difference between clones, official cards, etc and what their own falls under. I thought it was a pretty simple request.

The guide that is recommended basically everywhere (https://3ds.guide/) has direct links to the right card(s).

Will it break the flash cart if I use a non-compatible one, or nothing will happen?

ntrboot_flasher (from the guide) will tell you that the card is not supported.

 

[Zaphod77]

The way to tell for sure is compare the dump the ntrflasher gets with dumps from the known working carts. if it matches one we can assume it's a good enough clone.

Just because it seems supported doesn't mean the dump command will actually work right. if it doesn't work right, then the flashing will also probably fail.

 

[Nirmonculus]

The guide that is recommended basically everywhere (https://3ds.guide/) has direct links to the right card(s).


ntrboot_flasher (from the guide) will tell you that the card is not supported.

Great, so it won't brick, I was already at the Press A button but was afraid to press it. Thanks! Now, the moment of truth...

 

[Sumea]

Well, I tried to find a quote of it in this thread but it changed a little but I know it was still stated etc.

SO, this thread and some guides used to say "Your Flashcart will not be usable, except Acekard 2i which will remain usable on 3DS system running Luma3DS"

I tested this myself around and have concluded that the acekard 2i NTRboot hack just uses probably very first, and smallest Acekard 2i firmware and somehow has that alongside the NTRboot hax.

The flashcart thusly, functions fully more or less like factory default acekard 2i, and there is important distinction there.
I originally with given information was under impression that the acekard is in state that only Luma 3DS detects correctly, which is not the case, it's just that the acekard is in it's 1.0 state so it has no anti-blocking updates of any kind in it, so it will not function on patched DSi or 3DS systems. It WILL function on original DS and DS lite systems just fine though, since these systems have no check for it.

To me this is important because I use my flashcart mainly with my DS lite consoles, rather than my 3DS. I initially thought to have a usable flashcart for all of my systems, and to have NTRboothax at hand at any time, I would need a second flashcart, which is not true after all!

So; if the description still exists somewhere I would like it to also mention compatibility of NTRboothax Acekard 2i with original DS and DSlite systems.

TL;DR: Turns out that NTRboothax Acekard 2i cards are also original DS and DS lite functional after NTRboothax installation, alongside Luma3DS CFW 3DS compatible. Anyone who cares now knows, and I think description should be added.

 

[DocKlokMan]

Well, I tried to find a quote of it in this thread but it changed a little but I know it was still stated etc.

SO, this thread and some guides used to say "Your Flashcart will not be usable, except Acekard 2i which will remain usable on 3DS system running Luma3DS"

I tested this myself around and have concluded that the acekard 2i NTRboot hack just uses probably very first, and smallest Acekard 2i firmware and somehow has that alongside the NTRboot hax.

The flashcart thusly, functions fully more or less like factory default acekard 2i, and there is important distinction there.
I originally with given information was under impression that the acekard is in state that only Luma 3DS detects correctly, which is not the case, it's just that the acekard is in it's 1.0 state so it has no anti-blocking updates of any kind in it, so it will not function on patched DSi or 3DS systems. It WILL function on original DS and DS lite systems just fine though, since these systems have no check for it.

To me this is important because I use my flashcart mainly with my DS lite consoles, rather than my 3DS. I initially thought to have a usable flashcart for all of my systems, and to have NTRboothax at hand at any time, I would need a second flashcart, which is not true after all!

So; if the description still exists somewhere I would like it to also mention compatibility of NTRboothax Acekard 2i with original DS and DSlite systems.

TL;DR: Turns out that NTRboothax Acekard 2i cards are also original DS and DS lite functional after NTRboothax installation, alongside Luma3DS CFW 3DS compatible. Anyone who cares now knows, and I think description should be added.

-HUGE IMAGE THAT SHOULD BE A THUMBNAIL OR IN A SPOILER-

Yes, this is widely known here on GBATemp and has been stated in this very thread. I assume you're referring to THE guide, https://3ds.guide/? If so then it primarily focuses on 3DS hacking and thus only mentions how the flash carts are affected for 3DS's. Though if you think it's important enough you can open an issue or submit the edit yourself on their GitHub: https://github.com/Plailect/Guide

 

[Nomelas]

The guide that is recommended basically everywhere (https://3ds.guide/) has direct links to the right card(s).

I'm fully aware of that guide.... http://cfw.guide/ntrboot/compatibility is literally linked in the OP..... and lists unofficial ones that AREN'T covered in the guide...

 

[Vahnyyz]

I'm curious if GBAtemp is planning on having someone link a "For Noobs" version that has precompiled files for the individual cards. I like how well 3dsguide is put together, but it's very anemic for first time users of the cards, and lets face it there's going to be a TON of first time users coming if not already here

 

[pixelmasher]

According to this post the DSTT being flashed looks to be fake. Does this mean we can turn fakes into legit cards? Or it only works with fakes? Any insight into this @d0k3, @al3x_10m, and @Wolfvak? I'm not sure what the difference between them are if any.

Slightly off topic: Could someone like @hedgeberg, @Aurora Wright, @SciresM explain MCU bricks? I see people saying they are permanent and others saying you just need to remove the battery for a while to fix it.

 

[AtlasFontaine]

I have a r4i-sdhc Unlimited Upgradable (r4i-sdhc.hk, which is a r4idsn clone IIRC) and when I try to dump the flash I get the following:

ChipID: 00000FC2
HW Rev: 00000000
Supported cartridge not detected!

 

[Majickhat55]

According to this post the DSTT being flashed looks to be fake. Does this mean we can turn fakes into legit cards? Or it only works with fakes? Any insight into this @d0k3, @al3x_10m, and @Wolfvak? I'm not sure what the difference between them are if any.

Slightly off topic: Could someone like @hedgeberg, @Aurora Wright, @SciresM explain MCU bricks? I see people saying they are permanent and others saying you just need to remove the battery for a while to fix it.

An MCU brick can't be fixed. Essentially what happens is that the console gets caught in a boot loop from not being able to read a certain pattern tied to the LED for sleep. When it tries to read the pattern, it fails and restarts itself and the process repeats indefinitely.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

 

[d0k3]

According to this post the DSTT being flashed looks to be fake. Does this mean we can turn fakes into legit cards? Or it only works with fakes? Any insight into this @d0k3, @al3x_10m, and @Wolfvak? I'm not sure what the difference between them are if any.

Slightly off topic: Could someone like @hedgeberg, @Aurora Wright, @SciresM explain MCU bricks? I see people saying they are permanent and others saying you just need to remove the battery for a while to fix it.

There's the fake checker to check it, and if returns a fake, your chances for DSTT NTRboot are bad. As for turning fakes into legit cards.... I guess that's a pretty open question, depends on how good the fake is, no? Remember f.e. earlier bluetooth devices that basically all contained the same hardware, but differed in drivers. There are DSTT fakes out there that are basically identical to the original, I guess the fake checker will help you.

As for MCU bricks - nope, you won't fix an MCU brick by taking out the battery. An MCU brick is more akin to a fried hardware component than to bad data flashed to a memory chip (the latter being fixable as long as you have access).

 

[Zaphod77]

we all know the dstts are flashable. that's how the fake killer works in the first place.

what's hilarious is some of the clones cloned the fake killer firmware, but make it spare theirs and kill the originals.

so what is actually confirmed working now?

 

[hellionz]

i passed the fake checker ok on my DSTT ....any news about NTRHAX with this flashcard or DSTWO?

greetings

 

[annson24]

i passed the fake checker ok on my DSTT ....any news about NTRHAX with this flashcard or DSTWO?

greetings

There aren't any. Just wait patiently.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

 

[adilucky3]

AceKard 2i, however SciresM has stated it will be released when more flashcards work.

Whats the cheapest flashcard now

 

[GravitySuitCollector]

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned in this thread yet; if your r4i card was reading as hw rev A5A5A5A5 or A6A6A6A6, you might be in luck. https://github.com/kitling/ntrboot_flasher/releases/tag/v0.1.3

Again, there is the risk of bricking for poorer quality clones, but it might be worth trying. Remember to see if the firmware will dump first.

 

[zoogie]

LOL

(2017.8.25) R4i gold 3ds rts price is raised
Dear friends,

Just now we received notice from the R4IDS.CN team, they have increased the R4I GOLD 3DS RTS card price, about USD 1.89, the reason they told us is the IC price is raised. This is their second rise in prices in our impression. We are very disappointed about this but we have no way change the situation. It is so popular.

There are still about 100 cards in stock, we will keep the old price USD 17.99, after we sold out the inventory, we will correspondingly raise the price to USD 19.99 based on the new purchase price.

Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for understanding.
nds-card.com
2017.8.25

Just be glad it was only 2 dollars. Better get one quick

 

[Onepunchbruh]

Dual flash card support yet?

 

[Snooli]

LOL

(2017.8.25) R4i gold 3ds rts price is raised
Dear friends,

Just now we received notice from the R4IDS.CN team, they have increased the R4I GOLD 3DS RTS card price, about USD 1.89, the reason they told us is the IC price is raised. This is their second rise in prices in our impression. We are very disappointed about this but we have no way change the situation. It is so popular.

There are still about 100 cards in stock, we will keep the old price USD 17.99, after we sold out the inventory, we will correspondingly raise the price to USD 19.99 based on the new purchase price.

Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for understanding.
nds-card.com
2017.8.25

Just be glad it was only 2 dollars. Better get one quick

And there we were thinking nds-card will be the ones cashing in... At least my AK2i is on the way and I'm getting my sisters DSlite today.

 

[hellionz]

i have 4 flashcards and no one works with it XDDD DSTWO , DSTT , EZFLASHVi , r4i RTS ....

One question, EZFLASH Vi wolud work with this?

Greetings