Has anyone here modded their Wii?

[javeryh]

I stumbled across a post on one of the tech blogs (engadget, I think) describing how to install "The Homebrew Channel" on your Wii.  I haven't touched the thing in months so I figured why not give it a shot.  I got an SNES emulator working in no time.  Has anyone else tried this?  I can't see myself playing old games on my big TV (that's what my PSP and MAME cabs are for!) but it was a fun distraction nonetheless.  Is there anything else this is good for?

[Samstag]

You might want to give this thread a look.

[RTSDaddy2]

Make sure you read the thread Samstag pointed you to carefully, otherwise you might be reading mine about "Bricked my Wii - be careful!"   

If you follow what these guys tell you to do with the USB driver, you shouldn't encounter any problems....just do what they - and the homebrew folk - tell you...and NEVER, EVER delete IOS files!

[Hoagie_one]

I've done mod chips and softmods on all sorts of wiis.  Haven't had any problems yet.

I recommend getting bootmii installed on your wii as early as possible to backup your nand just in case you fubar it, you can restore it.

[javeryh]

How do I back it up?  The guide I followed had me install the Homebrew Channel, BootMii and DVDX but I don't know what those last 2 are.

[Hoagie_one]

DVDx is an IOS modification that allows dvd drive access for homebrew, media and movies that are not in standard wii disk format.

Bootmii is a Boot2 modification that allows hardware access prior to the menu booting.  From there you can access a nand backup \ restore feature.

[javeryh]

DVDx is an IOS modification that allows dvd drive access for homebrew, media and movies that are not in standard wii disk format.

Bootmii is a Boot2 modification that allows hardware access prior to the menu booting.  From there you can access a nand backup \ restore feature.

Thanks.  Do I just launch these from the homebrew channel?  I got the USB Loader GX to work an it is super sweet. 

[DrumAnBass]

I installed a DriveKey in my WII. http://www.drivekey.com/  Seemed like the easiest, no fuss solution for being able to play back ups. And it has worked great for me. No issues whatsoever...! Taking apart the WII for the install was a bit of a PITA but do-able.

I bought another for my in-laws, and that one has had problems - the same backups that work great on my WII get disc errors on their system inconsistently. Not sure what the difference is...

I am very intrigued about the USB drive possibility with a soft mod but concerned about having to deal with firmware updates and the like. Seems like it could be a hassle.

[Hoagie_one]

DVDx is an IOS modification that allows dvd drive access for homebrew, media and movies that are not in standard wii disk format.

Bootmii is a Boot2 modification that allows hardware access prior to the menu booting.  From there you can access a nand backup \ restore feature.

Thanks.  Do I just launch these from the homebrew channel?  I got the USB Loader GX to work an it is super sweet. 

Get them here.
Hackmii installer

[javeryh]

This is already a bit of a pain... My friend bought Wii Sports Resort for his son so we each copied it to our HDDs.  We couldn't get it to work until we used the actual disc to create a save file on each of our Wiis.  Also, Guitar Hero 5 doesn't load.  I did a quick search and apparently there is a different cIOS or something that I have to install - I can already see this becoming a hassle if I have to keep upgrading the firmware or whatever.

[edge]

I am interested in modding my wii as well.. mainly to put all my kid's games onto a usb hard drive.  I cannot wait.

Anyway.. I was reading the threads here and elsewhere.  Quick question:

I am currently running system menu 3.4u.  Should I keep it as is?  Or upgrade to 4.x?

Thanks.

[javeryh]

I'm using 4.0 U and it was easy to set up.

[hypernova]

This is already a bit of a pain... My friend bought Wii Sports Resort for his son so we each copied it to our HDDs.  We couldn't get it to work until we used the actual disc to create a save file on each of our Wiis.  Also, Guitar Hero 5 doesn't load.  I did a quick search and apparently there is a different cIOS or something that I have to install - I can already see this becoming a hassle if I have to keep upgrading the firmware or whatever.

It's only a minor hassle initially setting things up, and getting newer games to work.  After their initial save file is created, and necessary options are checked (such as 002 fix,) it's all smooth sailing for that particular game from then on.

You needed a save file in WSR because of the alt dol step that must be done for new games requiring a save file be present on the system that denotes that you've seen some sort of special movie sequence or whatever.  If one doesn't have the save file, a step concerning alt dols must be performed initially.  Creating a save file completely bypasses this nuisance step (so give yourself a pat on the back, as it did save a little time.)

There are new revisions of the cIOS that comes out periodically.  It's a very simple upgrading process of sticking the file on your card, opening up HBC, and installing it over the old one.  No special steps required.

A search of gbatemp forums explains that currently the Hermes cIOS 223 36/37 works with GH5.  Be sure to change that option prior to loading the ISO from the loader menu.  You should be able to just install that cIOS and get it working.

You'd do well to take an hour or two to learn about the 002 fix, alt dol files and even the cIOS (Hermes and Waninkoko's) updates.  Once you brush up a bit on those, you'll have a fairly full understanding of everything there is to know with this, and you'll be ready any time a new game comes out.  Also, if you're not up to the trial and error of getting a brand new game to work, give it a day or two, and someone at gbatemp.net will have it working by then.  (Maybe before due to pre-release dumps of games.)

Edge, I'd upgrade to 4.0 or 4.1, whichever it gives you.  It doesn't negate any current methods, except the outdated twilight hack method.  Banner bomb is just as easy.  4.x has SDHC support as well.

[Blanka]

I put a metal blade in the CD slot and filled the box with cement. Now it sits in front of the house to get the dirt from our shoes. It was THAT useless before! Last month it was bend. Guess someone tried to steal it. Sorry, but it won't work anymore 

[javeryh]

This is already a bit of a pain... My friend bought Wii Sports Resort for his son so we each copied it to our HDDs.  We couldn't get it to work until we used the actual disc to create a save file on each of our Wiis.  Also, Guitar Hero 5 doesn't load.  I did a quick search and apparently there is a different cIOS or something that I have to install - I can already see this becoming a hassle if I have to keep upgrading the firmware or whatever.

It's only a minor hassle initially setting things up, and getting newer games to work.  After their initial save file is created, and necessary options are checked (such as 002 fix,) it's all smooth sailing for that particular game from then on.

You needed a save file in WSR because of the alt dol step that must be done for new games requiring a save file be present on the system that denotes that you've seen some sort of special movie sequence or whatever.  If one doesn't have the save file, a step concerning alt dols must be performed initially.  Creating a save file completely bypasses this nuisance step (so give yourself a pat on the back, as it did save a little time.)

There are new revisions of the cIOS that comes out periodically.  It's a very simple upgrading process of sticking the file on your card, opening up HBC, and installing it over the old one.  No special steps required.

A search of gbatemp forums explains that currently the Hermes cIOS 223 36/37 works with GH5.  Be sure to change that option prior to loading the ISO from the loader menu.  You should be able to just install that cIOS and get it working.

You'd do well to take an hour or two to learn about the 002 fix, alt dol files and even the cIOS (Hermes and Waninkoko's) updates.  Once you brush up a bit on those, you'll have a fairly full understanding of everything there is to know with this, and you'll be ready any time a new game comes out.  Also, if you're not up to the trial and error of getting a brand new game to work, give it a day or two, and someone at gbatemp.net will have it working by then.  (Maybe before due to pre-release dumps of games.)

Edge, I'd upgrade to 4.0 or 4.1, whichever it gives you.  It doesn't negate any current methods, except the outdated twilight hack method.  Banner bomb is just as easy.  4.x has SDHC support as well.

Thanks for the tips.  I plan on reading up about the alt dol files and cIOS updates.  I have 249 installed right now (I think).  I did manage to figure out a program called JDownloader which makes downloading a snap.  Maybe I'll try and get fancy and install some game channels so I can launch directly from the Wii menu but I don't really mind launching the USB Loader GX and navigating from there. 

[RTSDaddy2]

I've PM someone, but I'll also throw this to the board. Is it very hard to set up preloader? I cannot run bootmii as boot2 on my new wii, and I want to make sure I have some way to get back to HBC IF I ever needed to restore the NAND backup...

In another words, is it worth my time, at menu 4.1, to install bootmii as an IOS then rely on preloader to get me back?  Preloader sounds a bit hard to install. Is it?

Sorry about all this, I've been looking on line for guides....just very "high strung" after I messed our last Wii up.

[hypernova]

I'd recommend hitting the gbatemp.net forums and posing the same questions there.  They can probably be of better service.

Sorry I couldn't give you any particular direction other than that.