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 latest release of 3ds_hw_test (the 3ds_hw_test.firm file)
Section I - Hardware Test
Power off the console and 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.
The test will take around 30 minutes for an old model and around 45 for a new model.
If you are unsure what model the console is, look at the shoulder buttons - a new model has four (L+ZL+ZR+R), and an old model has two (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 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 the console and 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.
The test will take around 30 minutes for an old model and around 45 for a new model.
If you are unsure what model the console is, look at the shoulder buttons - a new model has four (L+ZL+ZR+R), and an old model has two (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 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 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.
The test will take around 30 minutes for an old model and around 45 for a new model.
If you are unsure what model the console is, look at the shoulder buttons - a new model has four (L+ZL+ZR+R), and an old model has two (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 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 still don't see it follow the boot9strap tab above instead.
Select 3ds_hw_test.
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.
If you are unsure what model the console is, look at the shoulder buttons - a new model has four (L+ZL+ZR+R), and an old model has two (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 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 the console and 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.
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, power off and try again. This can take 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.
If you are unsure what model the console is, look at the shoulder buttons - a new model has four (L+ZL+ZR+R), and an old model has two (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 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.
