(guide posted and translated with permission of the original author)

UPDATE:
there is a new softmod method for vWii - it works WITHOUT USING AN ORIGINAL DISC: it is called WUPHAX, from the great @FIX94 - Click Here to go to the thread/guide !
​

Requirements:
- WiiU with 2.1.0/2.1.3/3.0.1/3.1.0/4.0.0/4.0.2/4.0.3/4.1.0/5.0.0/5.1.0/5.1.1/5.1.2/5.2.0/5.3.0/5.3.1/5.3.2/5.4.0/5.5.0 System Menu (versions lower than 2.1.0 do not have vWii installed - not tested with greater versions)
- SD NON-HC (better if blank/clean to avoid potentially fatal installation of old Wii non-compatible WADs - 4Gb but better 2Gb or smaller; 4Gb can be HC and HC cards will not work; 2GB are surely not HC)
- Original Lego Batman Wii game (look for notes below for other supported games)

- You must play at least 1 time with LEGO BATMAN in vWii mode


Preliminary steps (files needed/SD card preparation)

Lego Batman savegame exploit; download and extract data.bin in folder SD :\private\wii\title\RLBX (X is a variable letter related to your Lego Batman Wii region: P = PAL, E = NTSC, J = JAP) <-- (necessary to launch vWii executable files from the root of SD card)

HackMii Installer (at least version 1.2 - alternative download link here); download and extract \hackmii_installer_v1.2 folder content in SD root <-- (to be launched when using the above exploit in order to install The Homebrew Channel, a very useful homebrew)

d2x cIOS Installer Mod v2.2 (this version patch on the fly original IOSes dumping them directly from your vWii); download and extract folder \d2x-cios-installer mod v2.2 in SD :\ apps <-- (needed to install cIOS)

d2x cIOS; download and extract folder \d2x-v10-betaXX-alt-vWii INSIDE \d2x-cios-installer mod v2.2 folder; choose version d2x-v10-beta52-vWii or d2x-v10-beta53-alt-vWii according to this pros/cons official chart:

(d2x cIOS is a Custom IOS necessary to execute Loaders)

Configurable USB Loader Mod; download and copy the latest .dol file in SD :\apps\USBLoader renaming it to boot.dol ; if something is not working for you it is alternatvely possible the use of Wiiflow or USBLoader GX, other 2 great loaders ! Remember to use the loaders .DOL file and NOT the WAD installation channel and/or forwarder ! Old Wii WADs may lead you to brick the vWii mode if not correctly recompiled for vWii !). <-- (Loaders are needed to launch game backups)

xyzzy; download and copy \xyzzy folder inside SD\apps\; this homebrew will save your vWii keys

Dump Mii NAND; download and copy \DmpMiNND folder inside SD\apps\; this homebrew will dump vWii NAND to SD

YetAnotherBlueDumpMod; download the 3 files you can find in the previous link and copy them inside SD\apps\HBC; this homebrew will dump clean vWii IOS

========================================
Your final SD\ folder structure should be like this:

\SD ROOT

\apps

\d2x-cios-installer mod v2.2

\d2x-v10-beta52-vWii

DIPP.app
EHCI.app
ES.app
FAT.app
FFSP.app
MLOAD.app
SDHC.app
USBS.app​

\d2x-v10-beta53-alt-vWii

DIPP.app
EHCI.app
ES.app
FAT.app
FFSP.app
MLOAD.app
SDHC.app
USBS.app
boot.dol
ciosmaps.xml
icon.png
meta.xml​

\DmpMiNND

ARMsource.html
boot.dol
icon.png
meta.xml
PPCsource.html​

\HBC

boot.dol
icon.png
meta.xml​

\USBLoader

boot.dol
icon.png​

\xyzzy

boot.dol
icon.png
meta.xml​

\licenses

APACHE-2.0.txt​

\private

\wii

\title

\RLBX (where X can be E or P or J depending on the game region)

data.bin​

\wiiload

\lin32

wiiload​

\osx

wiiload​

\win32

wiiload.exe​

wiiload.tar.gz​

boot.elf
bootmini.elf
========================================

So after extracting all those homebrews in the correct folders of your SD root (2 or 4 GB) that MUST NOT BE SDHC (if SDHC the bathaxx exploit cannot be run) proceed to step 1.


STEPS

1) Start Virtual Wii (vWii) from WiiU dash and ONLY AFTER IT SHOWS UP insert the prepared SD card (if you insert it earlier the savegame can be deletd)

2) Install exploited savegame
In vWii mode go to Options -> Saved Data -> SD Card -> Click on the icon related to your game version -> select COPY -> YES

3) Execute exploit/Install HBC
Go back to vWii menu ad launch the game -> load the saved game (100%) and you will found yourself in the bat-cave; take the right elevator -> enter the trophy room and get into the upper-left door to go to "Wayne Manor" -> with nunchuck bring the cursor over the enabled character in the lowest row (see minute 1:03 of the following video) to execute the exploit (boot.elf). Follow on-screen procedure to complete HBC Install.

(video found on youtube searching for "bathaxx" - thanks to the original author !)

NOTE: remember to use, as already said, a NON-HC SD card

4) Backup vWii mode keys
From HBC launch xyzzy -> select "SD Card" when requested -> press A -> wait 10-20 seconds (ignore error messages) -> when asked press A to go back to HBC; the file will be copied in SD :\keys.txt

5) Backup vWii mode NAND content
Start HBC -> launch latest version of the great Dump Mii NAND tool (by Maxternal) tool;
the automatic dump procedure will last from 20 to 60 minutes (in my experience it depends on the SD card you are using); the files (nand.bin and keys.bin) will be dumped in sd:/apps/DumpMiNND/ folder; at the end of the dumping procedure your WiiU will reboot.

Edit by Cyan:
6) Dump your IOS for eventual vWii semi-brick fix (optional step but recommended !)
Launch YetAnotherBlueDumpMod
Go to System Titles and dump each IOS individually to a wad.
When prompted to fakesign the ticket or TMD, say No to both. It's a tedious process, but it could save a lot of trouble in the future.

If you don't have CLEAN IOS, you won't be able to fix semi-bricked vWii.
You can't create wads from a NAND dump or from using ShowMiiWads. You NEED to use YetAnotherBlueDumpMod.
so please, don't skip this step (but you can do it after step 7 if you want).


7) Install d2x cIOS on different bases/slots
Start HBC and launch d2x cIOS Installer Mod v2.2 -> press a wiimote key ->
- at "Select cIOS" press right and select "d2x-v10-beta52-vWii" or "d2xv10-beta53-alt-vWii"
- at "Select cIOS base" select "56"
- at "Select cIOS slot" select "249"
press A to install -> cIOS 249 installed.

Repeat the above procedure for IOS57:
- at "Select cIOS" press right and select "d2x-v10-beta52-vWii" or "d2xv10-beta53-alt-vWii"
- at "Select cIOS base" select "57"
- at "Select cIOS slot" select "250"
press A to install -> cIOS 250 installed.

Repeat the above procedure for IOS58:
- at "Select cIOS" press right and select "d2x-v10-beta52-vWii" or "d2xv10-beta53-alt-vWii"
- at "Select cIOS base" select "58"
- at "Select cIOS slot" select "251"
press A to install -> cIOS 251 installed.

8) Now you can execute your preferred homebrew (that needs a cIOS) under HBC. Some homebrews can request IOS236 (see optional steps below on how to install it)

==========================================================================================================================

IMPORTANT NOTES

1 - Step 2 can be substituted with one of those games and their exploits:

- Super Smash Bros. Brawl
exploit name: SMASH STACK

- LEGO Star Wars - The Complete Saga
exploit name: RETURN OF THE JODI

- LEGO Indiana Jones - The Original Adventure
exploit name: INDIANA PWNS (alternative download link here)

- Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's Wheelie Breakers
exploit name: Yu-Gi-OWNED! or Yu-Gi-Vah [but you must connect the scart and use the save 50Hertz + configure output 576I for France <-- directly from wiiubrew]

- Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World
exploit name: ERI HAKAWAI


2 - DO NOT PLAY WITH IOS and cIOS both for vWii and real Wii, they are DIFFERENT and use a Wii IOS or cIOS with vWii (and vice versa) CAN BRICK YOUR vWii !!!

3 - Do not play with System Menu, channels or vWii titles to avoid unwanted vWii bricks !

4 - Some 2.5" external hard drivers can need additional power supply (even if they were perfectly working in a real Wii); try to use an Y cable to power them up:

there are different Y cables depending on your 2.5" Hard Disk USB interface:

WHILE CHOOSING THE CORRECT Y CABLE BE ALSO VERY CAREFUL AT IDENTIFYING MICRO USB 3.0 A or B MALE CONNECTOR BECAUSE Micro A Male DOES NOT FIT IN Micro B female (for what I know Micro A female-only does not exist, only Micro B-female or Micro AB-female exist):

5 - USB port to use is the UPPER one (considering the WiiU laying on a table as a standard DVD player):

(you can use the lower one for additional optional Y-Cable power supply)

6a - If you receive an error (dump error) using Configurable USB Loader (both with alt or normal cIOS version):

Try to use Wiiflow or USBLoader GX


6b - If you have black screen (always with CFG USB Loader) starting a game that was perfectly working BEFORE 4.x update (es. Wii Fit/Wii Fit Plus) try to set the "Video" option to "Game Default" (and not "System Def.") as showed in the following picture:

7 - If you connect your external USB games-backup-hard-drive before turning WiiU on you will receive the annoyng "Format USB Disk" screen:
- Here is UStealth solution by brilliant jayjay123 !
- Alternatively you can press B button at power on bypassing WiiU System Menu and entering directly in vWii mode.

8 - After updating to firmware 4.0.0 you may see HBC forced to 4:3:
Here is a WORKAROUND by the great JoostinOnline !

OPTIONAL STEPS

=================
cIOS236 INSTALLATION
=================
This cIOS can be necessary to launch some homebrews (which doesn't use ahbprot).

1) Download IOS36-64-v3864.wad (look for "sendspace kl6o78" and download the .rar file from sendspace - thanks to someone of that forum for that hint), extract the .WAD and place it in your SD root

2) From HBC launch IOS236 Installer MOD v7 Special vWii Edition and follow on-screen steps to install cIOS236.


=================================
WIIFLOW CHANNEL FORWARDER INSTALLATION
=================================

1) Download Wiiflow Channel Forwarder WAD

2) Copy it in your SD card, preferibly in SD :\wad folder

3) Install it from Multi Mod Manager homebrew -> Wad Manager option

OTHER CHANNEL FORWARDERS CAN BE FOUND IN THIS THREAD !

 

[fantom327]

I update firmware to 4.1.
Is it still possible to hack Wii mode?

 

[tbgtbg]

Can I change the SD Card after the softmod?
I did with a 128mb sd card, but I wanna backup the nand.
If so, can I use a sdhc?

Thanks

I realize this post is a couple months old but I just wanted to say that yes, you can do this. You only need the non-SDHC card for the part where you're loading the save in Lego Batman (or whatever) as the games with the save exploits are older and from before when the Wii was updated to support SDHC.

I used a very tiny (I think it was 16 MB) card for that part, then switched to a 4GB SDHC for everything else. For some reason my 1GB micro SD card stopped working right in Wii and WiiU (even though it works fine in my PC and DSTT) and the only other cards I had were the 4GB one (in my 3DSXL) and that very small one in an old digital camera. Couldn't even go out and get one at the store as it was Christmas and no place was open, lol. But it all worked fine.

 

[flo]

@ Fantom327 , YES , it works

What is your recommended method for launching WAD apps / games without installing them to the real NAND ?
On Wii i used Uloader by Hermes , app that could launch WAD's from SD , the app does not work on Wii U unfortunately .
Do any of the USB Loaders have this facility ? I'll give a like for an useful link

 

[thefunkygibbon]

ok so i bit the bullet and installed everything. It was at first ok with seeing my HDD, but now for some reason it does not see it at all in HBC or CFGUSBLoader. Its plugged into the correct usb port. I've attempted to repair the disk on my computer just to see if it was anything silly.
will the cios version make a difference to if HBC can see the drive or not?

 

[RetroZA]

Can I still use this tutorial for firmware 5?

 

[LightyKD]

Quick question. Has there been a fix for Wii homebrew being stuck in 4:3 on vWii?

 

[Cyan]

There are two fixes:
- run a homebrew channel forwarder instead of the real Homebrew channel
or
- run the real Homebrew Channel, then load a Aspect Ratio fixer homebrew before loading another homebrew.

edit:
I think some homebrew have the aspect ratio fixer included (Wiiflow for example automatically switch to 16:9 if you are still on 4:3).

 

[alias]

Are there anyways to use the front two USB ports while using a loader? I'm trying to set up multiple USB devices, but the back two ports are dedicated to my HDD via a Y-cable, and the front two don't seem the recognize the USB device. Switching things around with the HDD in front, I can't get the Wii to detect the HDD. And in my attempt to test all options, I put the backup on a flash drive, which can run in the back with the USB device. Both get detected, but I'm wondering if there's a way to add more USB devices.

 

[Cyan]

I guess it would require an update with both cIOS d2x and libogc.
But it's possible, they are functional, just not initialized and accessed by the homebrew.

Nintendont can use the front USB port with USB-HID controllers.
it doesn't rely on libogc, but directly access it in low level using ASM.

 

[WiiU_Funkionz]

I got a question for anyone that has either had both a modded Wii and a modded Wii U at some point in time...

I currently have my original Wii setup super sweet to play Wii games, GC games, and most of the roms...Works great. I play it at 480p on component cables.

I just picked up a Wii U cheap on craigslist, and I am wondering is it even worth my effort/risk at this point to mod this out simply for the Vwii section and whatever GC compatibility that may exist at this point (Nintendont?) or should I just leave my Wii U untouched until/if the WiiU portion of the wii gets hacked?

Is there any noticeable improvement in graphics for either Wii or GC games? How is the compatibility with GC games without being able to use Dios Mios?

Any advice is appreciated...

 

[darkseekerliu]

I got a question for anyone that has either had both a modded Wii and a modded Wii U at some point in time...

I currently have my original Wii setup super sweet to play Wii games, GC games, and most of the roms...Works great. I play it at 480p on component cables.

I just picked up a Wii U cheap on craigslist, and I am wondering is it even worth my effort/risk at this point to mod this out simply for the Vwii section and whatever GC compatibility that may exist at this point (Nintendont?) or should I just leave my Wii U untouched until/if the WiiU portion of the wii gets hacked?

Is there any noticeable improvement in graphics for either Wii or GC games? How is the compatibility with GC games without being able to use Dios Mios?

Any advice is appreciated...

I recently got my wii u and I was in the same situation as you are. My original Wii is softmoded and everything was running fine. So I decided to softmod my vWii on my wii u and all I can say is that you will love the result. The graphics are much better running through the Hdmi, Donkey Kong Returns is much more beatiful and so are the other games. Just follow the tutorial to the letter and you will be fine. After softmoding your wii u, just swap between your wii and wii u and compare the results. It's really worth for me...

About the compatibility of gamecube games, all I can say is the community is very active. You will not miss dios mios because the compatibility is almost the same and nintendo is more secure because you dont have to install anything/change mios - just put the .dol file in apps folder and you're ready to go. Almost everyday a new revision of nintendont is released with a lot of bug fixes/improvements. Try it and you will not regret.

 

[alias]

I guess it would require an update with both cIOS d2x and libogc.
But it's possible, they are functional, just not initialized and accessed by the homebrew.

Nintendont can use the front USB port with USB-HID controllers.
it doesn't rely on libogc, but directly access it in low level using ASM.

How would I go about using libogc? I have updated cIOS d2x, but like you said, they're just not initialized or accessed.

 

[Cyan]

libogc is the library used when developing homebrew.
You don't "use" it to hack your Wii, but to create the program that will run in your console and access its hardware.
The homebrew program doesn't code hardware access every time, there are shortcut for easy development. The homebrew calls "init_the_USB_ports" and the library is the one doing the real low level access to the hardware.
It's like a windows dll, if you change your hardware you need to update the drivers, not the program you use. Wanting to update libogc is like if you wanted to program the new dll yourself. if you don't have programming knowledge, you will have to wait for someone else to release a new version.

 

[lettuce]

Is this hack still possible if on the Wii U 5.0.0 system update?.

Have a 2GS SD card and a copy of smash bros brawl deleted and the custom maps and then inserted sd card with the boot/elf file and private folder and re-entered the Stage build menu but the hack doesnt start, any ideas?

 

[darkseekerliu]

Is this hack still possible if on the Wii U 5.0.0 system update?.

Have a 2GS SD card and a copy of smash bros brawl deleted and the custom maps and then inserted sd card with the boot/elf file and private folder and re-entered the Stage build menu but the hack doesnt start, any ideas?

I softmoded my vWii using bathaxx on my Wii U on 5.0.0 firmware.... Don't know if smash attack is working though...

 

[Alexis77]

How can i delete the save game exploit file of LEGO BATMAN in vWii mode,
in order to play Lego Batman in vWii mode using Homebrew?
Thanks.

 

[Cyan]

Like any other savegames on Wii and vWii.
You load the System menu, you click on the icon in the bottom left to manage your data and go to Savegame menu. pick the game you want to delete and select delete.

 

[StrongDad]

When I executed the HBC Installer it crashed as show in the attached. Any suggestions?

 

[Cyan]

when did it crashed?
Right when the game is crashing and loading the boot.elf?
you see the scam warning screen? press 1 ? menu ? it crashed when you select to install HBC?

 

[StrongDad]

when did it crashed?
Right when the game is crashing and loading the boot.elf?
you see the scam warning screen? press 1 ? menu ? it crashed when you select to install HBC?

I reformatted the SD card and tried again and got it to work. Not sure why.