Wii Hacking FAQ

Welcome to the Wii Overall FAQ. I am going to attempt to List answers and links to the most relevant and informative threads here.

What are Modding and Homebrew?

Modding is altering your wii so that it runs code not authorized by nintendo. Homebrew is unathorized programs created by talented people, that is then distributed freely. There are two ways to mod your wii. they are Softmodding, or using a ModChip. The only advantage that a modchip has at this point is the ability to read the backups at 6x. Softmodding will only allow a read speed of 3x at this time, however the load times aren't much longer at 3x due to advanced caching methods.

Important If you are thinking about softmodding

Do not run any updates until you are sure you won't lose any functionality by doing so. Nintendo has released several fixes to block homebrew and softmodding, so far a way around has always been found. If in doubt check http://wiibrew.org to see if its safe to run the latest update.

What is a / How to Softmod

Softmodding is using an exploit to allow unsigned code to run on your system In order to softmod your wii you will require a copy of Twilight Princess (wii version) an SD card and a copy of the twilight hack. Depending on your current system version this can be a simple process or an involved one. Due to the length of the instructions links are provided to walkthroughs below. I suggest reading all three of them as most of the process is the same, and some guide are better detailed than others.

v 3.2 and below

Easiest Mod. Prior to the patch nintendo put out, therefore doesn't require the extra steps of restoring the signing bug. How-to Thread http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=83479

v 3.3

If you updated to system menu version 3.3 (oct 28, 08) you will need to follow the following instructions to get everything up and running. http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=112945

v 3.4

If your system menu is at version 3.2 read the instructions for both of the above then follow this guide http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=118446

Modchips

Since a modchip wiki already exists, with more information than i can cram in here i will refer you to it. The Modchip Wiki Can be Found here. http://wiki.gbatemp.net/wiki/index.php/Category:Wii_Modchips

Homebrew

Due to the number of different homebrew programs and games available, which is constantly growing, this section will just link to known trusted sites which contain info and links to all the latest stuff.

Backup Loaders and Disk Channel Loading

Loading backups can be done in two ways, each having its advantages and disadvantages. Backup Loading programs allow cheats to be used and video modes to be set before each game. Disc channel loading is supported natively by Mdochips. As of CIOS rev 7 by waninkoko this can now be accomplished with softmods as well by using the rebooter option in the backup loader, or using a program that patches or replaces the system menu to use the custom ios that can read backups.

This section will link to information for each of the loaders.

Common to All Loaders

All backup loaders require the use of a Custom IOS.

Wiigator

Official Blog http://blogs.gbatemp.net/WiiGator Latest Releases From wiigator will always be found here. Compatibility Threads: Gamma Non Compatability Thread. http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=115819

Softchip

A project started by requim. Due to the open source nature of this program, the revisions are to numerous to cover in a faq. The official thread for this loader can be found http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=113659 Compiled binaries can be found http://www.gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=115159 Official Website: http://www.softchip-mod.com/ Google Code Site: http://code.google.com/p/wii-softchip/

Waninkoko

A leaked loader released by a beta tester. Abandoned by the creator, Waninkoko, who later teamed up with wiigator, and continues to write and improve the CIOS used by the current loaders. Waninkoko's Page http://iwii.waninkoko.info

IOS's and System Menu

System Menus

These programs patch or replace the nintendo menu, adding features not available from nintendo.

CSM

A Project in the works from Forsaken. A combination dashboard and system menu. Sneek Peak thread here. ( Has Not been released yet. The thread is rather long, here is a highlight of features. Completely Brick proof your wii as long as you don't update, by allowing you to boot into ANY title in NAND before the system menu. Region Free System without copy flags (channels, games, saves) Disc Channel lock removed, move it wherever you like... Skip Disc Update Check, Backup Support, Twilight Hack Protection, Toggle Health warning

StarFall

Mainly used for the ability to load the original twilight princess in the event of a banner brick. Also Boasts the following features: Replace healthwarning with backmenu, Skip disc update check, Region free GC games with video mode patch, Region free Wii games,Region free channels,No mainmenu BGM Start rescue-menu when Y is held on 1st GC controller Remove rescue-menu diagnostic disc check Wiibrew Wiki Page http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Starfall

IOS's

The IOS is the routines and calls that the games and system menu use to run. different versions add support and fix bugs. a descripton of each can be found below

Cheating in Games

What are SD Codes and how do i use/get them

Codes can be obtained at http://wiird.l0nk.org/forum/index.php Codes will only work with games from the region they were designed for. Wii region doesn't matter just disc region. Converting from pal to ntsc or vice versa will not make the codes work. The CodeManager program comes packaged with ocarina. It can be found at: http://wiird.l0nk.org/wp/archives/21 Extract the PC folder to your computer and run the codemgr.exe file. SD codes must be placed onto the sd card in the codes folder. (X:\codes\XXXXX.gct)

How do I make my own cheats

To make you own cheats you must buy a USB Gecko, and use its associated software. Info Here

Cheats not working under GeckOS

Go into the options menu and ensure that use ocarina is set to ON. Hooktype may need to be set to VI.

Cheats not working under Wiigator Loader

Same as GeckOS, but Hooktype MUST be set to VI.

Ocarina

Ocarina had become obsolete and is only needed for the codemanager program that comes with it. It can be found at http://wiird.l0nk.org/wp/archives/21 Both GeckOS and Wiigator's Backup Launcher Support Ocarina codes now.

Game Backup Process

Where can i download the torrent/iso for game X?

This would be refered to as piracy in many countries. As such We can't give youany links. Just look in the normal places for that sort of thing.

Burning Information

What is the best burn Speed to use for backing up games?

There is no universal answer for this. You need to test each speed that your burner and media support, and then verify your burn against the original image. Whichever speed has the fewest errors is the best speed for your drive with that media. Media Types Very greatly, even from batch to batch from the same manufacturer. So always remember to verify your disks and adjust to the best speed for that batch of media (always start with what worked best on the last batch)

I Heard that burning at X speed will shorten my laser life

Your burning speed does not affect the wii laser in any way. If anything is going to "kill" the laser it would be adjusting it to work outside of specs in order to read discs it isnt meant to. The wii drive is a DVD drive. Nintendo left the dvd command in because they were originally going to have a dvd player, but went with the "wii format" to avoid paying royalties. When a disc is read its read speed is detirmined by the firmware, hardware capabilities and media integrity. A bad burn (lots of errors) will cause the wii laser to do more work re-reading sections of disk, which does lead to more wear and tear over time.

What type of media should I use for burning backed up games

This really comes down to your wii, dependant on a variety of factors from drive model in your wii to dust. If you have some disks laying around give one a try, just remember to check for errors and adjust your burn speed before you give up on a type of media. For an idea of what others have had success with you can browse the following threads

Miscellaneous Questions

I downloaded a file ending in x what do i do with it?

RAR

You will need to download winrar to extract the data. http://www.rarlab.com/

ZIP

You will need to download winzip to extract the data. http://www.winzip.com/

ISO

This is a disc image file. Burn it using ImgBurn http://www.imgburn.com/

WII

Rarely seen anymore, convert it to a .iso using either Rawdump 2.0 http://gbatemp.net/index.php?download=1769 or Unscramble 0.4 http://www.ingenieria-inversa.cl/?p=9