Guide_3DS/_pages/en_US/get-started.txt

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title: "Get Started"
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{% include toc title="Table of Contents" %}

### Required Reading

If you have hacked your 3DS in the past, or you purchased your 3DS second-hand, it is possible that your console already has custom firmware. You should [check for CFW](checking-for-cfw) before proceeding.
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Select the appropriate page for your version from the chart below. Note that the "from" and "to" fields are inclusive.

Your device version can be found at the bottom right of the top screen of the System Settings.

![]({{ "/images/screenshots/system-version.png" | absolute_url }})
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Before starting, you may want to check your SD card for errors using [H2testw (Windows)](h2testw-(windows)), [F3 (Linux)](f3-(linux)), or [F3XSwift (Mac)](f3xswift-(mac))!
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While we believe that custom firmware is safe for online use, there have been online network bans in the past, primarily for cheating and suspicious eShop behavior.
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### Version Table

The letter and number after the system version (for example, 11.15.0-**47U**) is not relevant in this version table.

<table>
  <colgroup>
    <col span="1" style="width: 10%;">
    <col span="1" style="width: 10%;">
    <col span="1" style="width: 40%;">
  </colgroup>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th style="text-align: center">From</th>
      <th style="text-align: center">To</th>
      <th style="text-align: center">Action</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">1.0.0</td>
      <td style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">11.3.0</td>
      <td style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><a href="installing-boot9strap-(soundhax)">Installing boot9strap (Soundhax)</a></td>
    </tr>
	<tr>
      <td style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">11.4.0</td>
      <td style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">11.14.0</td>
      <td style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">Update your 3DS to the latest version through System Settings</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" colspan="2">11.15.0 (latest version)</td>
      <td style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><a href="seedminer">Seedminer</a></td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

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A number of methods that work on all versions are available, but require additional hardware. If possible, you should follow one of the software methods listed above instead.

1. [Installing boot9strap (kartdlphax)](installing-boot9strap-(kartdlphax)) - requires a 3DS with custom firmware and a copy of Mario Kart 7
1. [ntrboot](ntrboot) - requires compatible DS flashcart
1. [Installing boot9strap (Hardmod)](installing-boot9strap-(hardmod)) - requires soldering