Hacking Homebrew Starter's Guide!

Deleted User · Jan 24, 2009

Hello, and welcome to my Homebrew Starter's Guide (Referred to HSG from now on) crash course. I'll separate this guide onto a few sections. The purpose of this guide is to tell you what is what and how to do it. Likewise my Preloader guide, sorry to bump this up <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

" border="0" alt="tongue.gif" />.

Thanks for Reading!

Just to note: Always search before asking.

------------------------------------
HOMEBREW TERMS~~
These are just simple terms, each will be explained on other sections. CTRL+F one of these terms to find their section

1)Twilight Hack
2)Bannerbomb
3)Homebrew
4)IOS & cIOS
5)Firmware
6)Regions
7)WADs
8)Backuos
9)Backup Launcher
10)USB Loader
11)CIOSCORP
12)Softmii
13)Preloader
14)Modchips
15)Custom Channels
16)Bricks
-------------------------------------------
TWILIGHT HACK~~

It's a modified save that allows you to run unsigned codes (Homebrew) using Twilight Princess.
You can use this to install Homebrew channel.
Sadly, it doesn't work anymore 4.0

----------------------------------------------
<a href="http://bannerbomb.qoid.us/" target="_blank">BANNERBOMB~~</a> <-- Click it to get it

It's teh new Twilight Hack that works for 4.0 <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" />

Don't know how to use it? Check teh Hyperlink below!

<a href="http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=155844" target="_blank">A guide on how-to by WiiPower</a>

-----------------------------------------------
HOMEBREW~~

Homebrew is an unofficial code/software made by various developers. Each homebrew application does different stuffs.

To get you started (Meaning, installing Homebrew Channel, to get you started on the homebrew scene), follow this guide over here:
<a href="http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=83479" target="_blank">http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=83479</a>

Once you get HBC up and running, make this folder map (Meaning, folders and their subfolders):

SD
|
----->Apps
|
----->WADs

As simple as that, put your downloaded homebrew applications (Could be obtained from <a href="http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Main_Page" target="_blank">here</a>) into the Apps folder. If the .dol file isn't named "boot.dol", rename it to boot.dol. Some applications require you to make a new folder and put some files in there, but it's all in the README.

---------------------------------------------
IOS & cIOS~~

Think IOS as a set of drivers, each with their own functions. cIOS are modified drivers that does something more than IOS does (Launching backups, for example)

Right now, here's the list of IOSes (Get them via Google) that you should (Not actually needed, but hey, wouldn't hurt to install right?) install using WAD Manager (If you've no clue on what's WAD Manager, check below, or CTRL+F "WAD"):
1)IOS16-64-v257-prod.wad = For downgrading and Custom WAD Manager purposes
2)IOS38 (For Animal Crossing:City Folk purposes)
3)IOS37 (For a few Wiiware games)
4)IOS53 (For newer games)
5)IOS55 (For newer games)
6)IOS56 (For WiiSpeak Channel)

And of course, you have to install cIOS (Google it, or get it somewhere), for homebrew purposes.

cIOS installing through WAD-Method is illegal, but the installer isn't. But WAD-Method is easier, I'll tell you that.

----------------------------------------------------
FIRMWARE~~

Now, firmwares are like Windows. If you got the latest Windows Update, you got the latest Windows Firmware. Now, to check what's the firmware on your Wii, go to Settings. Look for the top-right corner. See the numbers? That's your firmware.

But firmware is just firmware (Meaning, it's just the system menu's version). If you are downgrading, make sure you have a run of IOS Downgrader (To make sure all of your IOSes are trucha-bugged). Hit any errors? Try again.

Also, just to make sure, I recommend you have a run of IOS Downgrader (Even though you never actually upgraded/downgraded your firmware). Done that? Okay then.

-----------------------------------------------------
REGIONS~~

Now, refer to the FIRMWARE section, check your firmware, there should be either J/U/E.

J = Japan firmware
U = American Firmware
E = Europe Firmware

If you want to change your region, then use AnyRegion Changer, but it's a dangerous app. Consult a specialist (Yes, I'm serious) before doing it

-------------------------------------------------------
WADS~~

Think of WADs as installation packs. They could be (for now) one of these:

1)WiiWare
2)Custom Channels (Homebrew Apps turned into Channels)
3)Virtual Consoles
4)IOS
5)cIOS

Note that most of them are illegal. However, there are a few exceptions:
1)If you create a cIOS WAD file for you and yourself only, it's legal.
2)If you extracted them IOSes for you and yourself only, it's legal.
3)Homebrew Channel is legal.
4)If you somehow made your own IOS/cIOS. It's legal

To install WADs, you can use either one of these tools:
1)WAD Manager
2)WAD Installer = It auto-installs, so be careful

--------------------------------------------------------
BACKUPS~~

Backups are games that you dumped and burnt or games that you pirated over the Net. Before, we need to patch these ISOs first before using them, but now, you don't need to patch (Except for some games) the games, because we already have:

1)Starfall/Preloader = Region Free games, Blocks Disc updates
2)Backup Launcher = Region Free games (With Video Mode Forcing on a different region), Update Skip
3)USB Loader = Region free games from your USB Hard Drive and update skip <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

In total, if you are still patching your games, that means you suck, because patching are antiques now. With the exception of a few games, of course.
<a href="http://www.gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=129239" target="_blank">Guide to burn backups, by the way</a>

Also, DVD-Rs/DVD+Rs (With booktype set to DVD-ROM) are recommended. Stay away from DVD RWs if you're burning Wii games.

--------------------------------------------------------
BACKUP LAUNCHERS~~

We use this to run backups. Of course, you have to have a cIOS installed (cIOS36 rev09 is recommended). Currently, here are the backup launchers currently available:

1)Gecko OS = Only for those with modchips. Without, and it will only be a region-free original games loader
2)Backup Launcher Gamma = The recommended Backup Launcher for all of the N00bs
3)Softchip = Recommended for running specific games

Also, if you get error 324, usually means that you have a bad burn (With cIOS installed prior). So, stop making stupid topics about error 324, it are bad.

--------------------------------------------------------
USB LOADER~~

It's an ISO Loader which loads ISO from your USB Device. Check out the <a href="http://gbatemp.net/index.php?act=findpost&pid=1908725" target="_blank">FAQ by BIG MOE</a>

--------------------------------------------------------
CIOSCORP~~

It's a cIOS pack that you install through WAD Manager, which replaces all your IOS with customs. It is used so that you could run backups off the Disc Channel. I won't put up a link on where to get this as we already have SOFTMII which implies CIOSCORP and all other stuffs.

--------------------------------------------------------
<a href="http://softmii.org/" target="_blank">SOFTMII~~</a> <--Click it to Get it

It's a modification pack that implies full backup loading through Disc Channel. It would be a modchip-alternative at this point. But then, see the modchips section below.

It consists of:
1)SOFTCORP (Teh legal CIOSCORP)
2)Preloader
3)Theme Installer
4)Softmii Downgrader

Safe to install.

--------------------------------------------------------
<a href="http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Preloader" target="_blank">PRELOADER~~</a> <-- Click it to GET it

It is an application that writes to your Wii Hardware. I won't comment on whether it's dangerous or not. Here's a <a href="http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=135174" target="_blank">guide</a> by me
What it does:
1)Autoboot (Turn on Wii) into either System Menu/HBC/homebrew app in SD Card (Can be set)
2)Boots into either SysMenu/HBC/Homebrew app
3)Loads it's own menu through holding RESET then turning on your Wii (Still holding the RESET button)
4)More Brick protection
5)You can get your own hacks (Like, move Disc Channel)

---------------------------------------------------------
MODCHIPS~~

Modchip is a chip that modifies your Wii's DVD Drive. To mod your DVD Drive you need a modchip, which you can buy over the Net.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Then again, why modchip, since we got softmod??</div>

Why modchip:
1) Maximum compatibility
2) Supports auto-boot DVDs

Currently, there are solderless and solder-must modchips. So, just buy one according to your preference

I'm recommending getting a modchip AND softmod if you got extra cash. If not, then, stay with Softmod-only method. Speed is now no longer of importance with the existence of USB Loader <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

--------------------------------------------------------
CUSTOM CHANNELS~~

It's a term for channels that launches homebrew applications. You get them as WADs, and you install them via WAD Manager. You can find most of your favourited apps turned-to-channels here:
<a href="http://www.gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=123034" target="_blank">http://www.gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=123034</a>

For making your own, let's use Wadder!

--------------------------------------------------------
BRICKS~~

Bricks are not your normal house bricks. It's a term for saying that your Wii is unoperable. There's currently three normal bricks:
1) Semi-brick = You can't access your settings, there's fixes, but best of searching for them
2) banner brick = This is usually due to installing bad WADs. If you have this brick, you are unable to access system menu, it will show "The system files are corrupted" error. To fix this, you require an auto-boot wad manager (If you've modchip), or Preloader.
3)Full brick = Done by uninstalling System Menu, its IOS and everything else that's stupid.

All of these bricks can be recovered by using Bootmii. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" />

--------------------------------------------------------

Well, that's it for now. Hope you understand everything now!

(And I also hope that people will read this first before anything)

WiiPower · Jan 24, 2009

Sorry, i see some errors in your guide:

afif95 said:
Right now, here's the list of IOSes (Get them via Google) that you should install using WAD Manager (If you've no clue on what's WAD Manager, check below, or CTRL+F "WAD"):
1)IOS16-64-v257-prod.wad
2)IOS38 (For Animal Crossing:City Folk purposes)
3)IOS37 (For a few Wiiware games)

And of course, you have to install cIOS36 rev07 (Google it, or get it somewhere), for homebrew purposes

You only need to install a IOS, if something doesn't work, IOS16 is only required for downgrade and it's 100% illegal. If a game doesn't work, you will notice and then you can install the IOS needed, there's no need to install all IOS available. About the cIOS: Installation through wad is illegal(in this case), installation through installer is legal(if it's possible to be legal at all in your country), when all needed files for the installer are obtained legally.

afif95 said:

Now, firmwares are like Windows. If you got the latest Windows Update, you got the latest Windows Firmware. Now, to check what's the firmware on your Wii, go to Settings. Look for the top-right corner. See the numbers? That's your firmware.

That's only the system menu version, this doesn't say anything about being able to install and use trucha signed stuff. If you have the IOS files from for example 3.2 then you can tell that your firmware is 3.2, or else it's just the system menu at 3.2.

afif95 said:

WADS~~
Think of WADs as installation packs. They could be (for now) one of these:

1)WiiWare
2)Custom Channels (Homebrew Apps turned into Channels)
3)Virtual Consoles
4)IOS
5)cIOS

Note that 1, 3, 4 & 5 are illegal (Especially 1 and 3, for 4, only one of them is illegal, and 5, well, that's a 50-50)

To install WADs, you can use either one of these tools:
1)WAD Manager
2)WAD Installer = It's auto-installs, so be careful

Click to expand...

About 1 + 3) illegal
About 2) Most custom channels are illegal, because they contain code from nintendo to start the application included in the channel. I myself only know 1 legal channel, and that's the homebrew channel, which is not available as wad.
About 4) is legal, and this only when you extracted it yourself from a game you own or your Wii's NAND and you only use it for yourself.
About 5) If you would create a cIOS wad yourself, it would be legal, downloaded cIOS wads are illegal. If someone would write a cIOS or IOS completely on his own, it would be legal.

QUOTE(afif95 @ Jan 24 2009, 02:42 PM)

Click to expand...

BACKUPS~~
Backups are games that you dumped and burnt or games that you pirated over the Net. Before, we need to patch these ISOs first before using them, but now, you don't need to patch (Except for some games) the games, because we already have:

1)Starfall/Preloader = Region Free games, Blocks Disc updates
2)Backup Launcher = Region Free games (With Video Mode Forcing on a different region), Update Skip

In total, if you are still patching your games, that means you suck, because patching are antiques now.
Guide to burn backups, by the way

Also, DVD-Rs are recommended. Stay away from DVD RWs if you're burning Wii games.

There are at least 2 kinds of patches which are "needed" for now:
- IOS Version patching to IOS249 for certain games when launched from Gamma or SoftChip
- Video mode patches, for import games which don't contain the code for your prefered video mode and your tv not supporting the video mode(s) in the game.

But i agree with you, if somebody removes the updates, brickblocks, decrypts, changes the region code or patches whatever else, he has no idea what he's doing.

DVD+Rs do a good job, you only need to set the booktype to dvd-rom in order to get them to work.

Deleted User · Jan 24, 2009

Thanks WiiPower. Updated this guide to make it the truth!

Deleted User · Jan 25, 2009

Guide updated.

Can't believe I left out Twilight Hack

slaphappygamer · Jan 25, 2009

fantastic guide! now there should be no more questions

Deleted User · Jan 25, 2009

Hey thanks!

I think I'll add CIOSCORP and Riiskimod into the mix later

Deleted User · Jan 28, 2009

Guide all updated!

What's new:
1)Preloader section
2)CIOSCORP section
3)Riiskimod section
4)Some re-correcting and more noob-proofing
5)Also a "SEARCH FIRST" part on the top of the guide

ether2802 · Jan 28, 2009

GREAT, now I know what the U stands for in 3.2U...!!!

brian_n · Feb 1, 2009

Hi i've got Banner bricked on my wii.
I don't have a modchip.
When i start up my wii, it just shows the preloader and i can't access to wii menu at all?
So is there another solution? or do i must get the mod chip in order to fix this problem?

Deleted User · Feb 1, 2009

>__>, have you tried booting into system menu?

Deleted User · May 19, 2009

Meh, forgive me for the mega bump, but I truly updated this guide from top to bottom. Hope you enjoy it!

What's new?:

1)Lots and lots of new sections
2)Editing of some sections
3)lolcat?

vegeta4ss · May 21, 2009

this is a lot of good info, thanks for putting it together in an easy to read format.

Deleted User · May 22, 2009

vegeta4ss said:
this is a lot of good info, thanks for putting it together in an easy to read format.

Thanks for reading! I also updated some minor stuff:
1)Put a link on a how-to bannerbomb by WiiPower

A hidden bump

Revive · Jun 19, 2009

That's a good read. Getting clearer about what needs to be done on my Wii.

IOwnAndPwnU · Jun 24, 2009

Helped me understand my Wii a bit better, and also confirming what I'm actually doing is right. Although, for some reason, for the WADS, I'm getting some error (-1 i think). Do you know a solution to this?

natebigboygunn · Jun 26, 2009

thank you,
i guid that is simple but to the point,

any one out having trouble get softmii
it dose it all for you,
just done it and it works great

Ridonze · Jun 27, 2009

Thank you. This is very concise and helps a noob alot !! Great stuff.

Hacking Homebrew Starter's Guide!

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