I just did the softmod to my Wii over the weekend. I have firmware version 3.4U and burned games are working fine. These are the websites I used for assistance/guidance:
Homebrew setup walk through-
- Code: Select all
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/735325
Wii Fix Guide so you don't need to roll back your firmware (but there is a firmware rollback guide if you insist on doing it...)-
- Code: Select all
http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=112945
How to help protect from region bricking-
- Code: Select all
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/523776
General Wii hacking overview-
- Code: Select all
http://www.wiiguide.co.cc/
Another link for general Wii hacking. I am going to be using their guides for backing up games-
- Code: Select all
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/662149
As of today, here are all the tools required in those links (outside of the Zelda game, and an SD card...) (FYI I read not to use an SD card larger than 2gig due to larger cards actually functioning differently on a root level and therefore not being compatible with the Wii):
Homebrew channel + Wii fix install files I used-
- Code: Select all
http://rapidshare.com/files/196043505/Wii_Fix_Tools.rar
Anti-brick utility to be run on .iso prior to burning to dvd-
- Code: Select all
http://rapidshare.com/files/196042367/WiiBrickBlocker_v1_3R2.rar
Wii duplicate channel remover (I have not had to use this yet)-
- Code: Select all
http://rapidshare.com/files/196042392/16803_WiiDCR_v2.1_USA.zip
A .wad creator without the "commom-key.bin" which is said to be a required file (I have not used this yet, and if i knew what a commom-key.bin was, I would have provided it in the link.)-
- Code: Select all
http://rapidshare.com/files/196047325/WADder_v1.zip
I am not a pro at this, but these are some helpful terms/hints that I have learned during my experience:
Bricking your Wii - This means breaking your Wii, and turning it into a worthless brick. IE- BAD...
apps folder- The apps folder on the SD card will show as programs in the homebrew channel.
.wad- After initial setup, usually when a .wad file is installed it will be installed to create a new Channel on the Wii. This new channel is a shortcut to applications in the apps folder.
Removing a channel- You need the .wad file to remove a channel. Don't delete your .wad files from the SD card if you still have the wii channel that was installed using the .wad...
Region- The geographical region your Wii firmware is from. USA= "NTSC(U)", Japan= "NTSC(J)", and Europe= "PAL".
Game Region- Just like your Wii, the games can have a region. Sometimes the game will force your Wii to DL firmware from the region written on the game. This can brick your Wii. Check out the anti-brick utility, and anti brick web link earlier in this post.
Anti-Brick utility- This will not always work, but works a good portion of the time for playing games of a different region than your Wii.
Media- The type of DVD on which you burn games. I am using the cheapest DVD (both + and -) that I can find.
Burning games- prior to burning games, run the anti brick utility. I burn using Nero. I select "make data dvd", and then I select "disc image or saved project". This will burn a disc from a .iso which is already saved on your hard drive.
SD Card- I read not to use an SD card larger than 2gig due to larger cards actually functioning differently, on a root level, and therefore not being compatible with the Wii. I am currently using and SD Micro card inside a full size SD converter case.
Again, I am not a pro and have only done this once, but I will be using this post to assist several friends with their consoles. I hope this post helps people save some time when attempting to softmod their Wii.