Dumping Wii U kiosk systems without hardmods
The current method for dumping a Wii U kiosk system (CAT-I, CAT-SES) requires using a hardmod to dump the eMMC, then using Recovery Mode to install 2.13.01 and dumping the keys. It turns out that, if the kiosk system has a recent enough firmware, it's possible to dump the eMMC (and SLC, etc) without any hardware modifications.
(This is based on a gist I wrote up here: https://gist.github.com/GerbilSoft/640956725ab3eb46e5e32d2f617c1151)
(Screenshots/video to be added at a later point)
The Wii U operating system (IOSU) includes a debug logging facility (enabled on devkits only) that logs debug output to two places:
In addition to simply logging debug information, the serial console can be used to run a limited set of commands in the CafeOS (cos) shell, as long as the system is in Development (not Production) mode. It turns out that, on recent enough firmware versions, there's a cos command to launch a title, and this can be used to launch System Config Tool.
Devkit Models: (in case readers are unfamiliar)
This guide is generally not needed for CAT-DEV or CAT-R units, but it should work with them regardless.
Preparations
You will need the following:
Serial cables known to work with Wii U's debug logging:
Instructions
Serial Cable Setup
COS Shell
To determine if the COS Shell is working, type the following in the serial terminal, then press Enter:
If COS Shell is working, and Development mode is enabled, a message similar to the following will be printed:
In this example, the system has SDK version 2.13.01 installed. This is the latest version of the system software, which corresponds to Wii U menu 5.5.0.
Launch Title
To launch the System Config Tool, run the following command:
This will result in one of the following:
System Config Tool
TODO: Add screenshots
Set the default title to System Config Tool:
Install Homebrew Launcher:
Wii U NAND Dumper
Set the system to Production Mode:
*** WARNING: After setting Production Mode, DO NOT RUN ANY KIOSK TITLES. Doing so may result in Kiosk Menu being set as the default title, and the COS Shell won't allow any commands to be run anymore since the system is in Production Mode.
Run the Wii U NAND Dumper:
Switch Back to Development Mode
After dumping the system's NAND, put the system back in Development Mode to re-enable commands on the serial port:
Final Steps
Save the NAND dumps in a safe place for later use. You can use wfslib to browse the MLC dump and extract titles.
As an optional step, you can flash 2.13.01 and Wii U Menu Changer. This requires recovery image files that cannot be linked here and are beyond the scope of this guide.
(This is based on a gist I wrote up here: https://gist.github.com/GerbilSoft/640956725ab3eb46e5e32d2f617c1151)
(Screenshots/video to be added at a later point)
The Wii U operating system (IOSU) includes a debug logging facility (enabled on devkits only) that logs debug output to two places:
- Ethernet (CAT-DEV only)
- USB Serial (CAT-DEV, CAT-R, CAT-I, CAT-SES)
In addition to simply logging debug information, the serial console can be used to run a limited set of commands in the CafeOS (cos) shell, as long as the system is in Development (not Production) mode. It turns out that, on recent enough firmware versions, there's a cos command to launch a title, and this can be used to launch System Config Tool.
Devkit Models: (in case readers are unfamiliar)
- CAT-DEV: High-end debugging system in a metal case. This system has PC connectivity over Ethernet.
- CAT-R Reader: Standard debugging and test system. Looks like a white Wii U with a green faceplate.
- CAT-I: Disc-based kiosk system. Usually has a white Wii U chassis.
- CAT-SES: HDD-based kiosk system. Usually has a black Wii U chassis. The two front USB ports are used by the internal HDD.
This guide is generally not needed for CAT-DEV or CAT-R units, but it should work with them regardless.
Preparations
You will need the following:
- Wii U development console (CAT-DEV, CAT-R, CAT-I, CAT-SES)
- SD card (64 GB or larger, formatted as FAT32)
- USB serial cable with FTDI FT232 chipset
- Debug-signed version of Homebrew Launcher for Wii U
- Wii U NAND Dumper
- TeraTerm Pro, or similar serial terminal program
Serial cables known to work with Wii U's debug logging:
- If you do not have a serial port on your PC:
* FTDI USB-NMC-2.5M: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HKJSSQ2 - If you do have a serial port on your PC:
* Digitus DA-70156 USB to Serial adapter: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0030IT780
* Delock null-modem serial cable: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0077969OS
Instructions
Serial Cable Setup
- Connect the USB serial cable to the Wii U and to the PC.
- On the PC, open TeraTerm. Select Serial and select the COM port that corresponds to the serial cable, then click OK.
- In TeraTerm, click the Setup menu, then Terminal. Set New-line for both Receive and Transmit to CR+LF, then click OK.
- In teraTerm, click the Setup menu, then Serial port. Select the COM port that corresponds to the serial cable, set the speed to 57600, then click the "New setting" button.
- Turn on the Wii U devkit. In 5-10 seconds, you should start seeing debug messages printed on the console.
COS Shell
To determine if the COS Shell is working, type the following in the serial terminal, then press Enter:
Code:
cos sdkversionIf COS Shell is working, and Development mode is enabled, a message similar to the following will be printed:
Code:
cos sdkversion
# 00;01;55;243:
---- COS Debugging Shell Command: sdkversion ----
00;01;55;243: SDKVer:21301In this example, the system has SDK version 2.13.01 installed. This is the latest version of the system software, which corresponds to Wii U menu 5.5.0.
Launch Title
To launch the System Config Tool, run the following command:
Code:
cos launch 0x00050010 0x1F700500This will result in one of the following:
- Nothing (just a '#') - the SDK version may be too old, in which case it doesn't have a launch command. Unfortunately there's no known workaround for this at the moment, other than dumping eMMC manually.
- Errcode -6: The specified title ID was not found. Make sure you entered it correctly. Note that some older firmware versions might have a different menu called DEVMENU installed, and DEVMENU has a different title ID.
- System Config Tool will load. This is what we want!
System Config Tool
TODO: Add screenshots
Set the default title to System Config Tool:
- Select Boot Configuration.
- Select Default Title.
- In the Default Title menu, select System Config Tool, press A to view title information, then press A to select.
- Power-cycle the system. It should boot to System Config Tool instead of the Kiosk Menu.
Install Homebrew Launcher:
- On PC, extract the debug-signed version of Homebrew Launcher to the SD card.
- Also extract Wii U NAND Dumper to the SD card. This will be used later.
- Put the SD card in the Wii U.
- In System Config Tool, select Data Manager, Title Manager, Install.
- Select SD Card, then browse to where Homebrew Launcher was copied.
- Homebrew Launcher will be detected as an Install Image. Highlight it and press A to select the title for installation.
- Press R to install. Follow the prompts to continue installation.
Wii U NAND Dumper
Set the system to Production Mode:
*** WARNING: After setting Production Mode, DO NOT RUN ANY KIOSK TITLES. Doing so may result in Kiosk Menu being set as the default title, and the COS Shell won't allow any commands to be run anymore since the system is in Production Mode.
- In the System Config Tool main menu, select Boot Configuration.
- Set System Mode to Production Mode and save changes.
- Power-cycle the system. System Config Tool should load.
Run the Wii U NAND Dumper:
- In System Config Tool, select Title Launcher.
- Select Homebrew Launcher, press A to view details, then press A twice to load it.
- In Homebrew Launcher, load Wii U NAND Dumper.
- In Wii U NAND Dumper, enable dumping of everything, including slc, slccmpt, mlc, otp, and seeprom.
- Dump everything. The system will look like it's rebooting, but a progress indicator will be printed on the gamepad screen. If it crashes instead of showing progress, make sure you set the system to Production Mode.
Switch Back to Development Mode
After dumping the system's NAND, put the system back in Development Mode to re-enable commands on the serial port:
- In the System Config Tool main menu, select Boot Configuration.
- Set System Mode to Development Mode and save changes.
- Power-cycle the system. System Config Tool should load.
Final Steps
Save the NAND dumps in a safe place for later use. You can use wfslib to browse the MLC dump and extract titles.
As an optional step, you can flash 2.13.01 and Wii U Menu Changer. This requires recovery image files that cannot be linked here and are beyond the scope of this guide.
