THIS GUIDE IS DEPRECATED
THIS IS BETTER https://github.com/natinusala/painless-linux

This guide will show you how to boot Linux on your Switch from a Windows PC. If you're on Linux, you can directly use the shofel2_linux repository.

Credits :

• @kombos for the pre-built binaries
• @rajkosto for TegraRcmSmash and Windows imx_usb binaries
• Fail0verflow for their Linux port

What you'll need :

• A Switch
• A Windows PC
• Another SD card of at least 8Gb
  • you can use the same SD card that you already have on your Switch but be careful when partitioning !
• A USB A-to-C or C-to-C cable to plug your Switch into your PC

Step 1 : installing the driver

1. Get your Switch in RCM mode and plug it into your PC
   • It should appear as "APX" in Windows
2. Download and run the Zadig Driver Installer from here : https://zadig.akeo.ie/
3. In the list, choose the device "APX"
   • If it's not showing up, check "List all devices" in the options
4. At the right end of the green arrow, choose "libusbK (v3.0.7.0)"
5. Click on the big "Install driver" button

Step 2 : creating the root filesystem

Yes, this is still necessary. Yes, this will always be.

Open my another guide and follow the "Building the rootfs" section.
On Windows you'll have to use a IMG file and burn it with Etcher, or find a way to create an ext4 partition by hand (good luck with that).
I recommend the latest LXDE image which has the correct format for Etcher - it's a zip containing a bin, flash the .bin using Etcher.

You should be left with a SD card with two partitions on it.

Step 3 : a whole bunch of downloads

1. Download and extract this : https://github.com/SoulCipher/shofel2_linux/archive/master.zip
2. Download this : https://files.sshnuke.net/TegraRcmSmash1101.zip
3. Extract the executable for your architecture in the shofel2_linux-master folder
4. Download this : https://github.com/rajkosto/imx_usb_loader/releases/download/08daaa/imx_usb.zip
5. Extract the executable and DLL in the shofel2_linux-master folder
6. Download this : http://launchmycraft.fr/boot_linux.bat
7. Put it in the shofel2_linux-master folder

This is what you should have in the linux_shofel2-master folder before continuing :

Step 4 : actually booting Linux

1. Put your Switch in RCM mode and plug it in your PC
2. Go in the shofel2_linux-master folder and open boot_linux.bat
3. It wasn't that hard, wasn't it ?

 

[kevandkkim]

Thank you so much !

not a problem

 

[tomhanks69]

Anyone able to lend a helping hand? It seems I can't get past the lil penguins, with a constant "timeout waiting for hardware interrupt" loop

 

[MuppetPaster]

Anyone able to lend a helping hand? It seems I can't get past the lil penguins, with a constant "timeout waiting for hardware interrupt" loop

What SD Card are you using?

 

[tomhanks69]

What SD Card are you using?

im using a 32gb Samsung Evo

 

[MuppetPaster]

im using a 32gb Samsung Evo

If you have try an 8gb card. It was the only way i got it to work...tried at least 4 16gb Cards/3 manufavturer. All didn't work.

 

[natinusala]

Samsung cards are reportedly crapping out.

 

[tomhanks69]

Samsung cards are reportedly crapping out.

soooo SanDisk is our winner?

 

[natinusala]

soooo SanDisk is our winner?

A fix for the kernel is around but it has mixed results. Try another SD card brand if you can.

 

[MuppetPaster]

soooo SanDisk is our winner?

My two SanDisk 16gb didn't work.

 

[tomhanks69]

A fix for the kernel is around but it has mixed results. Try another SD card brand if you can.

I'll grab a kingston and see how it goes

 

[wiewiec]

I think that info about potential battery calibration problems should be added to all threads about Linux on Switch

 

[KazoWAR]

So I used is once to test it out like a week ago and it wor, and wit the reset wifi worked too, but now i can't get wifi to work, i tried reseting, resetting again. hard power off and redo RCM and reset again and nope. gave up and tried again a few hours later and its stil not working. idk whats up i haven't changed anything.

 

[SaladFingers]

What problem has been happening with the Switch’s display?
I read on reddit that the Linux kernel controls the voltages throughout the switch based off what it thinks is right and can cause internal damage, is this true/has this been fixed? I’d love to give this a try, I’m just trying to understand if this is safe.
EDIT: Oops, sorry for posting, I read the title

 

[Jass360]

thanks for this