Chiip

Chiip Info

Chiip was the first DIY (do-it-yourself) modchip. Chiip is designed by Cadex (chiip(at)trashmail(dot)net) at chiip.dl.am and is ~~NOT open-source. It is however considered "delayed source" and the source will be released sometime after the binary release~~ going to be released as open source under GPL. Chiip was originally based on the Cyclowiz modchip. It has since become a completely independent modchip.

Update History

4/3/07 Beta 7 Released
3/31/07 Beta 6 Re-released
3/18/07 Beta 6 Released and Pulled
3/8/07 Beta 5 Released
3/6/07 Beta 4 Released
3/5/07 Beta 3 Released to testers
2/25/07 Beta 2 Released

Current Features

Works with Wii and Gamecube Originals
Works with Wii and Gamecube Backups from the same region
Probably works with Gamecube homebrew too, but never tested
Probably works with different region software using swap trick
Works with DVR+R / DVD-R / DVD+RW (and probably DVD-RW too)
Works with DMS / D2A / D2B chipsets
Works with ATmega8L-8 and ATmega8-16 on 3.3V supply
DVD Speed fix (Can be changed from 6x to 2x to reduce noise)

Known bugs:

Probably no Gamecube audiofix (no feedback on that yet)

Not implemented yet:

Auto-region patching for Wii / Gamecube
Update via DVD

Firmware Download

You can download the latest firmware (Beta 6) from the official Chiip wiki here

AHHH My Chiip doesn't Work! (a.k.a "Troubleshooting")

If your Chiip doesn't work, it could be due to several issues. Note: This guide is using AVRdude to program the Chiip.

Errors During Flashing

avrdude: can't open device "giveio"

avrdude: failed to open parallel port "lpt1"

giveio.sys hasn't been installed yet. Run giveio.bat from the AVRDude Batch files & Chiip Beta 4 here

avrdude: AVR device not responding
avrdude: initialization failed, rc=-1
Double check connections and try again, or use -F to override
this check.

This can mean several different problems.

Problem: The programmer isn't plugged into the parallel port.

Solution: Plug it in...

Problem: The programmer isn't plugged into the parallel port all the way.

Solution: See above

Problem: The Chiip isn't plugged into the programmer all the way.

Solution: See above

Problem: The Chiip is plugged into the programmer backwards (If installed correctly, the notches on the socket and chip should align.)

Solution: Put the chip in the socket so the notches align.

Problem: The programmer / chip is short circuiting somewhere

Solution: Look over the programmer / chip for any bridged connections or crossed wires.

Problem: You soldered the connections backwards

Solution: Go back to here and rebuild the programmer. REMEMBER the picture of the D-SUB connector is looking at the back of it and the socket is being looked at from the part you plug the chip into (the top)

Problem: A wire is disconnected in the programmer

Solution: Fix the soldering on that point.

Problem: The parallel port isn't giving out the correct voltage

Solution: You can grab the 5V that you need for the programmer from a usb port.

Errors After Wii Install

Problem: It reads original games but not backups.

Solution:

Problem: The Wii no longer reads games

Solution:

Problem: MY WII IS ON FIRE?!?!?!

Solution: I dont even want to go near this question. Next.