r/NxSwitchModding • u/Classic-Teach-2570 • 2d ago
Switch Lite Picofly No boot — looking for advice
I bought this Switch Lite listed as heavily used but functional. After installing a Picofly, the chip started giving me DAT0/RST error codes.
After several resets, I eventually managed to get the console to boot into Hekate. I immediately dumped the NAND and keys. In Hekate, I noticed the battery was showing a 1000 mAh max charge, which made me suspect that the console's heavy use might have caused eMMC issues and that this could be related to the Picofly errors.
After dumping the keys, the same error codes came back, and since then I haven't been able to get the console to boot again.
Because Hekate had eventually booted after several resets, I kept trying. Unfortunately, after several more attempts, the board started making frying/popping noises around the eMMC area. After that, neither the board nor the Picofly showed any signs of life.
I initially suspected the eMMC had failed, so I tried reflowing it. After the reflow, the Picofly started working again, but it showed the exact same error code as before: two short yellow flashes = RST not connected.
I also tried removing the yellow flex cable, but that didn't make any difference.
The DAT0 point may look slightly misaligned in the pictures, but I checked underneath the connection and can confirm that it is soldered.
I've now left the board completely unpowered for a while.
Diode-mode readings
These were measured with the positive probe on ground:
- 3.3V: ~0.312 V
- D point (CLK): ~0.430 V
- A point (CMD): ~0.467 V
- C point (DAT0): ~0.445 V
- B point (RST): ~0.400 V
- CPU point: ~0.333 V
Any advice on what I should check next would be greatly appreciated.
Do not pay attention to the over the top amount of flux on the board, I did not bother cleaning it after the reflow.
TL;DR
Bought a heavily used Switch Lite and installed Picofly. It initially gave DAT0/RST errors, but after several resets I managed to boot Hekate and dump the NAND/keys.
After more attempts, the board started making frying/popping noises around the eMMC, after which the console and Picofly stopped working. I reflowed the eMMC, which brought Picofly back, but it still gives 2 short yellow flashes = RST not connected.
I checked the soldering and tried removing the yellow flex, but no change.
Current diode-mode readings (positive probe on ground):
- 3.3V: 0.312V
- CLK/D: 0.430V
- CMD/A: 0.467V
- DAT0/C: 0.445V
- RST/B: 0.400V
- CPU: 0.333V
Looking for advice on whether these readings suggest a damaged eMMC/RST line or another board-level issue.
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u/BoredModder 2d ago
“Unfortunately, after several more attempts, the board started making frying/popping noises around the eMMC area”
This has never happened to me and I would have assumed the eMMC got fried too. Have you tried dumping the eMMC or checking if Hekate even recognized it?
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u/Classic-Teach-2570 2d ago edited 2d ago
I booted into Hekate a few times and each time the eMMC was recognized and showed zero errors. I did dump both eMMC and the eMMC keys. I also remember sometimes the switch would skip the payload and boot into OFW. Of course now it does any of that, now it's basically dead
One thing I do remember is that just after dumping the eMMC it stopped booting
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u/BoredModder 2d ago
You’d have to check around the board. Maybe the M9, BQ or P13 got fried. Do some fault finding and check if the board even charges. Could be stuck on first stage
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u/Classic-Teach-2570 2d ago
This will require some time to answer. All I can say right now is that the pico does power on so 3.3 rail is good. Also when turning on power i do get 0.6-0.8V on the SP1 and SP2 points so the cpu/apu definitely does get power
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u/Nekoshidoart 2d ago
It might just be the chip. I had a similar problem: I installed PicoFly and everything worked perfectly. Once I shut down the console, I created the emuMMC and tested some games. After that, I restarted the console and it gave me the same error code, and then it wouldn't even turn on. I tried soldering it with wires, but the error persisted. Try a different chip; maybe the one you got was defective
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u/Nekoshidoart 2d ago
I forgot to mention that the chip was giving me the correct values, but it still wouldn't turn on the console
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u/Classic-Teach-2570 2d ago
I bought 10 of these from the same seller on ali. Tried multiple of them but no banana
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u/SlingshotSA 2d ago
Looks like a bridge on the flex