3DS:Hardware test: Difference between revisions

3ds_hw_test
Developer(s)	aspargas2
Console	Nintendo 3DS
Version	v0.1.0-alpha (October 28, 2023; 12 months ago)
Links
GitHub	aspargas2/3ds_hw_test
	v; t; e;

Latest revision as of 18:07, 6 September 2024

3ds_hw_test is a .firm application that tests a 3DS console's RAM for errors. There are plans to expand the test so it checks more types of hardware, but so far these plans are entirely a work-in-progress.

The test will take roughly 30 minutes on the Original 3DS, 3DS XL and 2DS, and roughly 45 minutes on the New 3DS, New 3DS XL and New 2DS XL.

Instructions

What You Need

boot9strap, GodMode9 or fastboot3DS installed to FIRM partition(s), or a ntrboot compatible flashcart
Luma3DS' boot.firm on the root of your SD card
The latest release of 3ds_hw_test (the 3ds_hw_test.firm file)

Section I - Hardware Test

Power off your console
Insert your SD card into your computer
Copy 3ds_hw_test.firm to the root of your SD card
Rename boot.firm to luma.firm
Rename 3ds_hw_test.firm to boot.firm
Reinsert the SD card into your console
Power on the console without pressing any other buttons
Press any button to start the test
When the test finishes, press any button to power off your console and insert your SD into your computer
Open the newly generated sd:/HWTEST.LOG file in a text editor, then scroll to the end and look at the line that says [ARM11] Done. ___ total errors detected.
- If the number on this line is 0, your console's RAM is not the issue
- If the number on this line is not 0, your console's RAM is dying and you need to either repair or replace the motherboard
Delete boot.firm and rename luma.firm to boot.firm

Power off your console
Insert your SD card into your computer
Copy 3ds_hw_test.firm to the root of your SD card
Reinsert the SD card into your console
Power on the console while holding HOME to enter the fastboot3DS menu
Select [+]Boot from file... -> sdmc: -> 3ds_hw_test.firm
Press any button to start the test
When the test finishes, press any button to power off your console and insert your SD into your computer
Open the newly generated sd:/HWTEST.LOG file in a text editor, then scroll to the end and look at the line that says [ARM11] Done. ___ total errors detected.
- If the number on this line is 0, your console's RAM is not the issue
- If the number on this line is not 0, your console's RAM is dying and you need to either repair or replace the motherboard

If you do not have a flashcart compatible with ntrboot, choose a different option.

Ensure you already have a flashcart with ntrboot flashed. If you haven't flashed your flashcart with ntrboot yet, refer to this page
Power off your console
Insert your SD card into your computer
Copy 3ds_hw_test.firm to the root of your SD card
Rename boot.firm to luma.firm
Rename 3ds_hw_test.firm to boot.firm
Reinsert the SD card into your console
Insert the flashcart flashed with ntrboot into your console
Put the magnet into position to trigger the lid sensor. Refer to this image for reference
- Note, 2DS users will not need a magnet, as their device cannot physically fold. Instead, move the sleep switch to the right
Press and hold START+SELECT+X, then briefly press and hold the power button for 2 to 3 seconds
Your console should now be booted into 3ds_hw_test
- If it did not boot and instead booted into the HOME Menu or turned off immediately, power off your console and try again. You may need a few attempts to get the magnet positioning correct
Press any button to start the test
When the test finishes, press any button to power off your console and insert your SD into your computer
Open the newly generated sd:/HWTEST.LOG file in a text editor, then scroll to the end and look at the line that says [ARM11] Done. ___ total errors detected.
- If the number on this line is 0, your console's RAM is not the issue
- If the number on this line is not 0, your console's RAM is dying and you need to either repair or replace the motherboard
Delete boot.firm and rename luma.firm to boot.firm

This section only applies to consoles with GodMode9 installed into FIRM0/1.

Power off your console
Insert your SD card into your computer
Copy 3ds_hw_test.firm to the sd:/gm9/payloads folder of your SD card
Reinsert the SD card into your console
Power on the console while holding R+← to enter the GodMode9 bootloader menu
Select Select payload... -> 3ds_hw_test.firm
Press any button to start the test
When the test finishes, press any button to power off your console and insert your SD into your computer
Open the newly generated sd:/HWTEST.LOG file in a text editor, then scroll to the end and look at the line that says [ARM11] Done. ___ total errors detected.
- If the number on this line is 0, your console's RAM is not the issue
- If the number on this line is not 0, your console's RAM is dying and you need to either repair or replace the motherboard.

Power off the console and insert your SD card into your computer
Copy 3ds_hw_test.firm to sd:/luma/payloads
Reinsert the SD card into your console
Power on the console while holding START to open Luma3DS chainloader
- If you dont see Luma3DS chainloader, follow Restoring / Updating CFW and try again
- If you still don't see it follow the boot9strap tab above instead
Select 3ds_hw_test
Press any button to start the test
When the test finishes, press any button to power off your console and insert your SD into your computer
Open the newly generated sd:/HWTEST.LOG file in a text editor, then scroll to the end and look at the line that says [ARM11] Done. ___ total errors detected.
- If the number on this line is 0, your console's RAM is not the issue
- If the number on this line is not 0, your console's RAM is dying and you need to either repair or replace the motherboard

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 }}
 '''3ds_hw_test''' is a <code>.firm</code> application that tests a 3DS console's RAM for errors. There are plans to expand the test so it checks more types of hardware, but so far these plans are entirely a work-in-progress.
+The test will take roughly 30 minutes on the Original 3DS, 3DS XL and 2DS, and roughly 45 minutes on the New 3DS, New 3DS XL and New 2DS XL.
 == Instructions ==
@@ Line 14: / Line 16: @@
 === What You Need ===
-* [[3DS:boot9strap|boot9strap]] or [[3DS:fastboot3DS|fastboot3DS]] installed to FIRM partition(s)
+* [[3DS:boot9strap|boot9strap]], [[3DS:GodMode9|GodMode9]] or [[3DS:fastboot3DS|fastboot3DS]] installed to FIRM partition(s), or a [[3ds-guide:ntrboot.html|ntrboot]] compatible flashcart
 * [[3DS:Luma3DS|Luma3DS]]' <code>boot.firm</code> on the root of your SD card
 * The latest release of {{GitHub|aspargas2/3ds_hw_test/releases|3ds_hw_test}} (the <code>3ds_hw_test.firm</code> file)
@@ Line 21: / Line 23: @@
 <tabber>
-|-|Luma3DS=
+|-|boot9strap=
 <span>
-# Place <code>3ds_hw_test.firm</code> file in <code>sd:/luma/payloads</code> on the SD card
+# Power off your console
-# Turn on your 3DS while holding {{B|START}} to open Luma3DS chainloader
+# Insert your SD card into your computer
-#* If the chainloader is not opening, follow [[3dsguide:restoring-updating-cfw.html|Restoring / Updating CFW]] and try again
+# Copy <code>3ds_hw_test.firm</code> to the root of your SD card
-#* If it still wont open follow the boot9strap instructions above
+# Rename <code>boot.firm</code> to <code>luma.firm</code>
-# Select <code>3ds_hw_test</code>
+# Rename <code>3ds_hw_test.firm</code> to <code>boot.firm</code>
+# Reinsert the SD card into your console
+# Power on the console without pressing any other buttons
 # Press any button to start the test
-#* The test will take around 30 minutes for an old model and around 45 for a new model
+# When the test finishes, press any button to power off your console and insert your SD into your computer
-#** If you are unsure what model the console is, look at the shoulder buttons - a new model has four ({{Key press|L|ZL|ZR|R}}), and an old model has two ({{Key press|L|R}}
-# When the test finishes, press any button to turn the console off and insert your SD into your computer
 # Open the newly generated <code>sd:/HWTEST.LOG</code> file in a text editor, then scroll to the end and look at the line that says <code>[ARM11] Done. ___ total errors detected.</code>
 #* If the number on this line is 0, your console's RAM is not the issue
 #* If the number on this line is not 0, your console's RAM is dying and you need to either repair or replace the motherboard
+# Delete <code>boot.firm</code> and rename <code>luma.firm</code> to <code>boot.firm</code>
+</span>
+|-|fastboot3DS=
-|-|Boot9strap=
+<span>
+# Power off your console
+# Insert your SD card into your computer
+# Copy <code>3ds_hw_test.firm</code> to the root of your SD card
+# Reinsert the SD card into your console
+# Power on the console while holding {{B|HOME}} to enter the fastboot3DS menu
+# Select <code>[+]Boot from file...</code> -> <code>sdmc:</code> -> <code>3ds_hw_test.firm</code>
+# Press any button to start the test
+# When the test finishes, press any button to power off your console and insert your SD into your computer
+# Open the newly generated <code>sd:/HWTEST.LOG</code> file in a text editor, then scroll to the end and look at the line that says <code>[ARM11] Done. ___ total errors detected.</code>
+#* If the number on this line is 0, your console's RAM is not the issue
+#* If the number on this line is not 0, your console's RAM is dying and you need to either repair or replace the motherboard
+</span>
+|-|ntrboot=
+{{warning|text=If you do not have a flashcart compatible with ntrboot, choose a different option.}}
 <span>
-# Power off the console and insert your SD card into your computer
+# Ensure you already have a flashcart with ntrboot flashed. If you haven't flashed your flashcart with ntrboot yet, refer to [https://3ds.hacks.guide/ntrboot this page]
+# Power off your console
+# Insert your SD card into your computer
 # Copy <code>3ds_hw_test.firm</code> to the root of your SD card
 # Rename <code>boot.firm</code> to <code>luma.firm</code>
 # Rename <code>3ds_hw_test.firm</code> to <code>boot.firm</code>
 # Reinsert the SD card into your console
-# Power on the console without pressing any other buttons
+# Insert the flashcart flashed with ntrboot into your console
+# Put the magnet into position to trigger the lid sensor. Refer to [https://i.imgur.com/5e3lKe2.png this image for reference]
+#* Note, 2DS users will not need a magnet, as their device cannot physically fold. Instead, move the sleep switch to the right
+# Press and hold {{Key press|START|SELECT|X}}, then briefly press and hold the power button for 2 to 3 seconds
+# Your console should now be booted into 3ds_hw_test
+#* If it did not boot and instead booted into the HOME Menu or turned off immediately, power off your console and try again. You may need a few attempts to get the magnet positioning correct
 # Press any button to start the test
-#* The test will take around 30 minutes for an old model and around 45 for a new model
+# When the test finishes, press any button to power off your console and insert your SD into your computer
-#** If you are unsure what model the console is, look at the shoulder buttons - a new model has four ({{Key press|L|ZL|ZR|R}}), and an old model has two ({{Key press|L|R}}
-# When the test finishes, press any button to turn the console off and insert your SD into your computer
 # Open the newly generated <code>sd:/HWTEST.LOG</code> file in a text editor, then scroll to the end and look at the line that says <code>[ARM11] Done. ___ total errors detected.</code>
 #* If the number on this line is 0, your console's RAM is not the issue
@@ Line 56: / Line 82: @@
 </span>
-|-|fastboot3DS=
+|-|GodMode9=
+{{warning|text=This section only applies to consoles with GodMode9 installed into FIRM0/1.}}
+<span>
+# Power off your console
+# Insert your SD card into your computer
+# Copy <code>3ds_hw_test.firm</code> to the <code>sd:/gm9/payloads</code> folder of your SD card
+# Reinsert the SD card into your console
+# Power on the console while holding {{Key press|R|LEFT}} to enter the GodMode9 bootloader menu
+# Select <code>Select payload...</code> -> <code>3ds_hw_test.firm</code>
+# Press any button to start the test
+# When the test finishes, press any button to power off your console and insert your SD into your computer
+# Open the newly generated <code>sd:/HWTEST.LOG</code> file in a text editor, then scroll to the end and look at the line that says <code>[ARM11] Done. ___ total errors detected.</code>
+#* If the number on this line is 0, your console's RAM is not the issue
+#* If the number on this line is not 0, your console's RAM is dying and you need to either repair or replace the motherboard.
+</span>
+|-|Luma3DS chainloader=
 <span>
-#Place <code>3ds_hw_test.firm</code> in the root of your SD card
+# Power off the console and insert your SD card into your computer
-#Turn on your 3DS while holding {{B|HOME}} to enter the fastboot3DS menu
+# Copy <code>3ds_hw_test.firm</code> to <code>sd:/luma/payloads</code>
-#Select <code>[+]Boot from file...</code> -> <code>sdmc:</code> -> <code>3ds_hw_test.firm</code>
+# Reinsert the SD card into your console
+# Power on the console while holding {{B|START}} to open Luma3DS chainloader
+#* If you dont see Luma3DS chainloader, follow [[3dsguide:restoring-updating-cfw.html|Restoring / Updating CFW]] and try again
+#* If you still don't see it follow the boot9strap tab above instead
+# Select <code>3ds_hw_test</code>
 # Press any button to start the test
-#* The test will take around 30 minutes for an old model and around 45 for a new model
+# When the test finishes, press any button to power off your console and insert your SD into your computer
-#** If you are unsure what model the console is, look at the shoulder buttons - a new model has four ({{Key press|L|ZL|ZR|R}}), and an old model has two ({{Key press|L|R}}
-# When the test finishes, press any button to turn the console off and insert your SD into your computer
 # Open the newly generated <code>sd:/HWTEST.LOG</code> file in a text editor, then scroll to the end and look at the line that says <code>[ARM11] Done. ___ total errors detected.</code>
 #* If the number on this line is 0, your console's RAM is not the issue
 #* If the number on this line is not 0, your console's RAM is dying and you need to either repair or replace the motherboard
 </span>
 </tabber>
 [[Category:Unbricking]]
-[[Category:Nintendo 3DS guides]]
+[[Category:Nintendo 3DS troubleshooting]]