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GAF Wii Homebrew thread: Homebrew, emulators, USB disc installs! Easy tutorial!

Clipper said:
The game would crash, but would not brick the Wii. It's a common problem. The only things that can brick the Wii is if it crashes while writing to the NAND.

You mean like when installing a wad? I gather that's why you suggest not installing game-specific channels?
 
Ok, so I updated the homebrew channel and now BootMii can´t boot directly into the channel anymore. Do I have to update Bootmii? And if so, can I do it through the Wii or do I have to use a PC to download the files?

And I want to update the config. USBLoader with GUI. I have version 35xxx and the Loader shows an update available to version 45b. Can I directly update to the newest version or should I first update to the other versions?

My Wii has version 4.0, if that helps in any way.
 
xyla said:
Ok, so I updated the homebrew channel and now BootMii can´t boot directly into the channel anymore. Do I have to update Bootmii? And if so, can I do it through the Wii or do I have to use a PC to download the files?

And I want to update the config. USBLoader with GUI. I have version 35xxx and the Loader shows an update available to version 45b. Can I directly update to the newest version or should I first update to the other versions?

My Wii has version 4.0, if that helps in any way.
Yes, you need to update BootMii. You need to download it with your PC. Configurable (unlike other USB Loaders I might mention) is designed to be as forwards and backwards compatible as possible, so you should not have a problem going directly to 45, which is the latest version (the b versions are betas).

Keep checking back, though, as v46a will be releasing sometime very soon and contains an awesome new feature currently only called TODO #32 which I am not allowed to divulge.
 
Clipper said:
Keep checking back, though, as v46a will be releasing sometime very soon and contains an awesome new feature currently only called TODO #32 which I am not allowed to divulge.

The only feature left is playing GameCube games.
 
Stumpokapow said:
The only feature left is playing GameCube games.
Nah, there is more, like TODO #32.

Farore said:
Is there any application that let me save/copy the pictures in the Wii message board to a SD card?
I forget whether you are able to e-mail them to an email contact of the Wii or not...
 
One more question about Metroid Prime trilogy, I swear, and then I'm done.

I got it to work, yay. in 480p too, no less, first game looks amazing still. I'm about to beat Prime 1, so I tried to boot into Echoes just to see what it looked like real quick and it didn't work. Do I have to boot into the game normally (aka, no alt. dol method) and start a game for Echoes before I boot from the mp2 .dol?
 
Farore said:
You can only send them to other Wii consoles, not regular mail addresses... :(
Yeah, just tried that out myself, it's a lame restriction. The Message Board page on Wiibrew seems to indicate that nobody has decoded the message format properly yet, so there wouldn't be a homebrew application for it either.

BrandNew said:
One more question about Metroid Prime trilogy, I swear, and then I'm done.

I got it to work, yay. in 480p too, no less, first game looks amazing still. I'm about to beat Prime 1, so I tried to boot into Echoes just to see what it looked like real quick and it didn't work. Do I have to boot into the game normally (aka, no alt. dol method) and start a game for Echoes before I boot from the mp2 .dol?
I believe I booted it using the alt .dol method without setting up a save first. In fact, I must have, as I purposefully used the second slot for my MPT on disc playthrough so that I could experiment with the alt .dol stuff. Choosing the MP2 .dol at startup should be enough. It is understandable if MP3 were not to boot. That would indicate you ripped the disc with IOS249 rev 14 and would need to delete it and rerip then play it with IOS222.
 
Clipper said:
Yeah, just tried that out myself, it's a lame restriction. The Message Board page on Wiibrew seems to indicate that nobody has decoded the message format properly yet, so there wouldn't be a homebrew application for it either.

That sucks! :(
But thanks for the answer...
 
v46a of Configurable is out and I can finally announce the new feature:

Support of FAT32 partitions for storing and playing games!

That means there's no more need to partition nor format many drives. They will work straight away as is.

To access a FAT32 partition:
  1. Go to the Global Options (push 1 twice) and highlight the partition selection option.
  2. Push D-pad right to access partition list
  3. Select a FAT32 partition and push A to load it
The loader supports all the functions it usually does when using a FAT32 partition, so you can install, remove, change game settings, etc.

There is one restriction that IOS222/223 must be used to play games on FAT32 partitions. IOS249 does not support it.
 
Clipper said:
v46a of Configurable is out and I can finally announce the new feature:

Support of FAT32 partitions for storing and playing games!

That means there's no more need to partition nor format many drives. They will work straight away as is.

To access a FAT32 partition:
  1. Go to the Global Options (push 1 twice) and highlight the partition selection option.
  2. Push D-pad right to access partition list
  3. Select a FAT32 partition and push A to load it
The loader supports all the functions it usually does when using a FAT32 partition, so you can install, remove, change game settings, etc.

There is one restriction that IOS222/223 must be used to play games on FAT32 partitions. IOS249 does not support it.

That's pretty impressive! However, since I've already got a partition running and whatnot, I don't need to change it do I?
 
Dragona Akehi said:
That's pretty impressive! However, since I've already got a partition running and whatnot, I don't need to change it do I?
Not unless you want the empty space on that partition to be available for more than just future Wii games :)
 
Clipper said:
v46a of Configurable is out and I can finally announce the new feature:

Support of FAT32 partitions for storing and playing games!

That means there's no more need to partition nor format many drives. They will work straight away as is.

To access a FAT32 partition:
  1. Go to the Global Options (push 1 twice) and highlight the partition selection option.
  2. Push D-pad right to access partition list
  3. Select a FAT32 partition and push A to load it
The loader supports all the functions it usually does when using a FAT32 partition, so you can install, remove, change game settings, etc.

There is one restriction that IOS222/223 must be used to play games on FAT32 partitions. IOS249 does not support it.

This means I don't have to use the other format right?
 
I'm currently running Waninkoko's cIOS 249 v14 for my USB needs. After skimming through the couple of last pages and the Wiki, I'm starting feel that Waninkoko's cIOS is out-of-date. Should I update to Hermes 222/223?

Things are working as they should be right now with my Wii, so I'm still in the phase of 'don't fix it unless it's broken'....
 
Shadowlink said:
This means I don't have to use the other format right?
Yep.

manzo said:
I'm currently running Waninkoko's cIOS 249 v14 for my USB needs. After skimming through the couple of last pages and the Wiki, I'm starting feel that Waninkoko's cIOS is out-of-date. Should I update to Hermes 222/223?

Things are working as they should be right now with my Wii, so I'm still in the phase of 'don't fix it unless it's broken'....
IOS249 is still faster for installing games. Hermes' IOS does everything else just as well as IOS249, and dows have higher compatibility. Fortunately, they aren't mutually exclusive and you can have them both installed and choose which to use on a per-game basis..
 
unless you can launch compressed isos, fat32 system for storing games is very inefficient
and you cant have files over 4gb, i dont know how this would work out
 
that is true, but there are very few wii games that even come close to 4gb. i wouldn't use fat32 myself, but i could see it coming in handy if you only have a few games.
 
Dash Kappei said:
FAT32?

What about games' iso > 4Gigabyte?
The games are automatically split into multiple files each less than 2GB. That means all games work, even the dual layer SSBB and MPT (although MPT has the same alternate .dol restrictions as it does on WBFS).

Anony said:
unless you can launch compressed isos, fat32 system for storing games is very inefficient
and you cant have files over 4gb, i dont know how this would work out
The files are actually a .wbfs format which has the same compression as the WBFS drive. In fact, reports indicate that the files on FAT32 partitions are actually slightly smaller than the files on WBFS partitions due to a reduction in header information.
 
I need some assistance when it comes to updating my Wii

I'm on ver. 4.1U

My homebrew channel says:
1.01
IOS35 v12.22

Is there a way I can update without any problems? and what would be the best way to do it?

The only homebrew app I use is Gecko to play my few import Wii games, but if I have to lose the ability to use homebrew, it won't be a huge deal (haven't played either of them in a while). I just don't want my Wii to brick.
 
then how would you handle a game like ssbb where's it's over 4gigs even compressed
there's still probably a good number of games that are over 4gigs compressed
 
So with this announcement of the 46a version of the USB loader, I'm interested in this. Just one question... if I were to put the games on my hard drive that has a lot of other files too (since I use it as a backup for my laptop and computer), is there a chance that this could completely format or erase the hard drive? I don't want to take that chance, but this does seem much easier to use.
 
DarkWish said:
So with this announcement of the 46a version of the USB loader, I'm interested in this. Just one question... if I were to put the games on my hard drive that has a lot of other files too (since I use it as a backup for my laptop and computer), is there a chance that this could completely format or erase the hard drive? I don't want to take that chance, but this does seem much easier to use.

You would have to create a partition on the harddrive, because it MUST be formatted as WBFS (The USB Loader will do this for you). That said, your Wii Backups would be a separate partition, and would be stored separately and safely from your other files. The only way you could lose your other files is if you somehow managed to choose your main partition when formatting, but that'd be your fault. ;)

EDIT - I'm an idiot who didn't read what the update offered. My mistake.
 
I have a bit of best buy store credit that I was thinking of using to get an external hard drive for my Wii, would something like this be good:
8755224_sa.jpg

A Western Digital My Passport Essential 320GB.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8755224&type=product&id=1202649958335

Or this Toshiba 320GB HDD at Toys R Us (:lol I have over $200 in store credit there):
pTRU1-5549312dt.jpg

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3425376
 
Drkirby said:
I have a bit of best buy store credit that I was thinking of using to get an external hard drive for my Wii, would something like this be good:

A Western Digital My Passport Essential 320GB.
That's exactly what I use except mine is silver.
 
Drkirby said:
I have a bit of best buy store credit that I was thinking of using to get an external hard drive for my Wii, would something like this be good:
8755224_sa.jpg

A Western Digital My Passport Essential 320GB.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8755224&type=product&id=1202649958335

Or this Toshiba 320GB HDD at Toys R Us (:lol I have over $200 in store credit there):
pTRU1-5549312dt.jpg

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3425376

Both would be fine - but they are the "portable" (read: very thin/small) HDD's that cost a bit more. For example, you could go with this Western Digital My Book Essential 1 TB for just $20 more.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...Digital+My+Book&type=product&id=1185271084278

1TB might be overkill, but I guess it depends on your game collection and if you plan on partitioning it out. I have this model, works great, and despite being 'bigger' its roughly the size of my wii (a bit thicker but overall volume is similar)
 
i have that exact western digital (blue). excellent purchase. (I paid 90! in June)

it used to have spin down problems, but if you use rev14 and/or hermes 222/223 you'll be just fine.

i prefer the portable/smaller drives. they look great w/ the wii and are easy to hide.
 
Linkzg said:
I need some assistance when it comes to updating my Wii

I'm on ver. 4.1U

My homebrew channel says:


Is there a way I can update without any problems? and what would be the best way to do it?

The only homebrew app I use is Gecko to play my few import Wii games, but if I have to lose the ability to use homebrew, it won't be a huge deal (haven't played either of them in a while). I just don't want my Wii to brick.
The Wiki has all your answers, but I guess I'll simplify them here:

Firstly, I suggest you should read the Upgrade FAQ. This should help you glean the following plan of attack:

Upgrade the HBC first.

If you are only upgrading because you want access to the Wii Shop, then you can do that here.

If you still want to do a full upgrade (I believe the only thing this gets you is a few fixes for online play in The Conduit) and avoid the risk of Nintendo bricking your Wii, then you can use the safe update method.

All of this help comes courtesy of:



Anony said:
then how would you handle a game like ssbb where's it's over 4gigs even compressed
there's still probably a good number of games that are over 4gigs compressed
Read the rest of my post (in response to the other question). It splits games across multiple files, each less than 2GB.

DarkWish said:
So with this announcement of the 46a version of the USB loader, I'm interested in this. Just one question... if I were to put the games on my hard drive that has a lot of other files too (since I use it as a backup for my laptop and computer), is there a chance that this could completely format or erase the hard drive? I don't want to take that chance, but this does seem much easier to use.
The loader does have the ability to format over the partition, but that functionality can be removed via config.txt. There is a slight chance it could corrupt the drive, but that chance is about the same as your PC corrupting it, I'd say. If you are still worried, you could always just partition your drive into two FAT partitions and just use the one with the Wii games on it for less important files.
 
Clipper said:
The loader does have the ability to format over the partition, but that functionality can be removed via config.txt. There is a slight chance it could corrupt the drive, but that chance is about the same as your PC corrupting it, I'd say. If you are still worried, you could always just partition your drive into two FAT partitions and just use the one with the Wii games on it for less important files.
Okay, thanks. I'll look into it more and decide.
 
Clipper said:
The Wiki has all your answers, but I guess I'll simplify them here:

Firstly, I suggest you should read the Upgrade FAQ. This should help you glean the following plan of attack:

Upgrade the HBC first.

If you are only upgrading because you want access to the Wii Shop, then you can do that here.

If you still want to do a full upgrade (I believe the only thing this gets you is a few fixes for online play in The Conduit) and avoid the risk of Nintendo bricking your Wii, then you can use the safe update method.

All of this help comes courtesy of:




Read the rest of my post (in response to the other question). It splits games across multiple files, each less than 2GB.


The loader does have the ability to format over the partition, but that functionality can be removed via config.txt. There is a slight chance it could corrupt the drive, but that chance is about the same as your PC corrupting it, I'd say. If you are still worried, you could always just partition your drive into two FAT partitions and just use the one with the Wii games on it for less important files.

thank you, sir
 
Wow guys, the GAF wiki is incredible. I'd messed with homebrew before just to play through Baten Kaitos Origins when the disc thingy stopped working, but I knew I'd need to jump back into this with me about to move back to the states. And it's just... so simple.

Fantastic job.
 
Now that FAT32 drives are compatible with USB Loader, is it possible to copy all your games from the partition made for the old version onto a fat32 one on your PC, or would I have to delete the partition and start again?
 
Gagaman said:
Now that FAT32 drives are compatible with USB Loader, is it possible to copy all your games from the partition made for the old version onto a fat32 one on your PC, or would I have to delete the partition and start again?
There is a tool, called wbfs_file, for moving games on a WBFS partition into .wbfs files on a FAT partition. It's command line and requires your drives to be assigned drive letters to work. Unfortunately, if you used the method outlined in the tutorial to prepare your drive, Windows will not assign you a drive letter. However, some of the WBFS managers can access these format types and either one of those will incorporate the .wbfs file format or a new version of wbfs_file that does not require a drive letter will be released soon.
 
Clipper said:
There is a tool, called wbfs_file, for moving games on a WBFS partition into .wbfs files on a FAT partition. It's command line and requires your drives to be assigned drive letters to work. Unfortunately, if you used the method outlined in the tutorial to prepare your drive, Windows will not assign you a drive letter. However, some of the WBFS managers can access these format types and either one of those will incorporate the .wbfs file format or a new version of wbfs_file that does not require a drive letter will be released soon.
Fair enough, I'll stick with what I've got set up for now then (half of my WD 320GB partitioned for Wii). Thanks. :)
 
Cool, it reads FAT32 now? I was having problems with making a WBFS partition (it kept asking me to format the whole drive). Maybe now I'll be able to use the USB loader, thanks guys.
 
Clipper said:
The tutorial has been updated with a method that will allow any user to move their games from WBFS to FAT using a PC.

Gagaman, this is what you wanted.
Shit, too late! Wiped the hard drive so it'd just be one FAT partition! :E (Don't have too many games anywhoo)

Also, i can't seem to get the new USBloader to work at all now, just sits on the new splash screen, wherever the harddrive is plugged in or not. I did update to 4.2 yesterday so that might be why, though everything else homebrew works fine still, just had to reinstall Bootmii.
 
Gagaman said:
Shit, too late! Wiped the hard drive so it'd just be one FAT partition! :E (Don't have too many games anywhoo)

Also, i can't seem to get the new USBloader to work at all now, just sits on the new splash screen, wherever the harddrive is plugged in or not. I did update to 4.2 yesterday so that might be why, though everything else homebrew works fine still, just had to reinstall Bootmii.
If you updated by the official update, then you need to reinstall IOS249 and IOS222/223.

This information comes courtesy of the link in my tag ;).
 
So, I'm still on 4.0 (or 4.1, the one with the SD Channel) as I didn't have a reason to upgrade and I didn't want to risk a brick (also it seemed kinda messy to me).
Now I need to use the Wii Shop, or I will next week, but I guess I'm out of luck with the Wii Shop only update on the Wiki if my Wii isn't hooked up to the net?
I can't check the Wiki atm but I seem to remember you needed an internet connected Wii anyway...
The problem is that since the connection will be rather wonky, if the Wii drops out browing the Wii Shop there's no problem, kinda different if it's going to happen while the Wii is updating firmware/whatever, right?
 
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