Support NeoGAF

[Dacvak]

Hey GAF. Long story short, when Brawl came out in Japan, I really wanted it. So much so that I imported it and installed a modchip in order to play it on my US console. Since then, I also have installed The Homebrew Channel. (I haven't fucked with any firmware or DVD-R-reading shit, with the exception of being able to play DVD-movies on the Wii through that crappy media player thing. Just ran some homebrew games.)

Anyway, I'm over a friend's house, and Metroid Prime 2 bricked my Wii. (lol) Seriously, it worked for a second, and then suddenly, my Wii won't read DVDs at all. In fact, I'm getting a black screen any time I put either a Wii or GameCube disc in.

Now, I got this Wii at launch, so it's very out of warranty. Nintendo said it would cost $75 to repair, which is totally cool with me, however they also stated that "hypothetically" if it was modified then it would end up costing $200, which is not cool with me.

I'm wondering if I can just order a new DVD drive and install it myself. My only concern is which DVD drive to get, and if they're all compatible with each console, and if it'll mess anything up since I have the homebrew channel, etc.

So what's my next step, GAF? What should I do? What drive do I get? I have an irresistible need to play ExciteBots.

 

[Ysiadmihi]

Any DVD drive will work.

But a better option would be getting the HDD loader and using another Wii to copy your games over to the HDD. This is what I ended up doing when my DVD drive broke.

 

[VideoMan]

So that rumor about Nintendo charging extra to repair modded Wiis is true?

Hmmm.

 

[Dacvak]

It looks like I prematurely shot my wad on what was supposed to be a dry run. I let my Wii sit for a while, and it seems to work now. I mean, it's only a matter of time before it dies again, but whatever.

Anyway, about that HDD loader, could you give me more information on it? It sounds pretty awesome. How long does it take for me to load my games on said HDD, and what do I need to buy? Just any external HDD?

 

[Ysiadmihi]

It looks like I prematurely shot my wad on what was supposed to be a dry run. I let my Wii sit for a while, and it seems to work now. I mean, it's only a matter of time before it dies again, but whatever.

Anyway, about that HDD loader, could you give me more information on it? It sounds pretty awesome. How long does it take for me to load my games on said HDD, and what do I need to buy? Just any external HDD?

Check the GAF Wii homebrew thread, plenty of info there