How to SoftMod a Wii to Play Backup Wii, Gamecube and Wiiware Games

(Disclaimer: Stop in your tracks and visit
https://gbatemp.net/threads/modify-any-wii-4-3-below.171901/
It is a MUCH more updated tutorial for Soft-Modding your Wii. )

(If you new to Softmod a Wii this will give you a 100% safe guide from start-to-finish to play Wii Games, Gamecube Games and Wiiware/Virtual Console games from an USB-drive. Im not kidding. In this guide we only use official files to minimize any risks apart from Step 4 . But I can assure I used this guide to softmod my sister's Wii. She can now play Skyward Sword by USB-drive without problem! )

Requirements:
*SD Card (no SDHC)
*SD Card reader
*Wii updated to 4.3 (4.3 is latest version, just update your Wii and you be fine)
*Internet Connected Wii
*USB-hdd to store Wii games and Gamecube games
*To play Gamecube games you need this Wii Console and Gamecube Controller
(No Gamecube Memory Card is required if you use NMM)

A short description what each step does
Step 1 - You install Homebrew Channel to install Apps.
Step 2 - Safety Precaution. Backup Wii System (NAND) to your PC.
Step 3 - Safety Precaution. Install Priiloader to prevent disc updates to damage your Wii.
Step 4 - Patch IOS and Install WADs using Two Easy Apps. Install USB Loader GX to Play Wii Games .
Step 5 - Install a d2x Custom IOS to enable New Wii Games. Install DiosMios to Play Gamecube Games.
(Spoilers Window) Add 'n Play Wii/Gamecube Games + Update USB Loader GX (req for Gamecube games)
Step 6 - emulate Wii System (NAND) on USB-hdd making Add WiiWare/VC Games near impossible to damage your Wii .

1. Install Homebrew Channel

Follow HighTeckMans instructions in video :


2. Backup Wii NAND (to restore your Wii if anything goes wrong)

Important! Make sure SD-card has more then 700mb free space
Important! Make sure your Wii has more then 700 blocks open. To Check: Turn on your Wii. Goto Wii Options - Data Management - Save Data - Wii. In 'Blocks Open:' there should stand 700 or higher. Then Return to Wii Menu. Press Back 4 times.
Follow S Winegars instructions in video :
- In BootMii use the Power button to cycle through options in the menu, and Reset to select.


1. When Wii NAND is backed-up using Project Phoenix Medias video guide. Shutdown Wii. Remove SD-card from Wii and put SD-card into Computer.
2. Open SD:\ and check that you have two following files 'NAND.BIN' and 'KEYS.BIN'. Copy these two files into a safe location on your Computer. My tips is to save them into a usb-stick or Dropbox if your Computer crash.
3. Once you saved the two files 'NAND.BIN' and 'KEYS.BIN' you should remove them from SD-card (NAND.BIN takes 500mb)
4. Done!

3. Install Priiloader (regionfree games and stop updates)

1. Plug SD-card into Computer
2. Download Priiloader_v0_7.zip . Unzip and Put it into your SD Card. (SD:\)
3. Download hacks_hash.ini - Scroll down to 'Pre-compiled Hacks download' , right-click, save link as, and save into SD:/apps/Priiloader/ .
4. Remove SD-card from Computer and plug into Wii . Turn on your Wii. Launch Homebrew Channel. Then launch Priiloader.
5. Press A to Install
6. Once Priiloader is installed shut down the Wii (Sometimes you Wii freezes after Priiloader installation. Its totally normal. Just re-start your Wii with reset and after Wi Menu appears shut down the Wii)

(configure Priiloader)
1. Press the "Power" button while holding down the "Reset" button on your Wii until the Priiloader menu is displayed on your screen.
2. In Priiloader select "System Menu Hacks". These are the following 7 hacks I suggest you select: 'Region free EVERYTHING', 'Block Disc Updates', 'Remove NoCopy Save File Protection', 'Block Online Updates', 'Remove Diagnostic Disc Check', 'Move Disc Channel', 'Auto Press 'A' at health screen'. Select Save Settings when Done.
3. To Exit Priiloader select System Menu
4. Done!

A video how to configure Priiloader can be found here :


PS: By having Priiloader you prevent disc updates that can damage Homebrew.

4. Install USB Loader and Custom ISO

Follow HighTeckMans instructions in video - Zip-file from Youtube video Required :

Important! Skip 10:00 - 13:00 in the video. We will not use Wbfs Manager instead we use WiiBackupManager to add Wii games, explained in Part 5 - spoiler windows - Play Wii/Gamecube games from USB-hdd.

5. Play Newer Wii Games, Gamecube games and Install USB Loader GX

Follow Aces instructions in video - Zip-file from Youtube video Required :

Important: At 3:30 in Video (WiiMod) make sure in 'Wii Mod' to install IOS249[56]-d2x9b47.wad before you install DIOSMIOS. After you installed IOS249-d2x goto Main Menu of 'Wii Mod' and select 'Change IOS' and pick 249 . Look in Main Menu right corner it should stand 'Current IOS: 249 . You want to install DIOSMIOS to IOS 249 as you will be playing your gamecube games and wii games from 249.

*After you installed cIOS249-d2x and changed IOS to 249. Continue with Video instructions

How to Update USB Loader GX, Backup Wii/Gamecube Games and Play Wii/Gamecube games from SD-card and USB-device. Also use NNM and compability list for gamecube games. Press Spoilers Inside.


Update USB Loader GX to latest version
*Required to play Gamecube games.
1. Plug SD-card into Computer
2. Open DMLizard type 2 and 2 then s to download USB Loader GX . Once downloaded type 0 then 0 to Exit DMLizard . Copy dmlizard\copy-to-sd\apps\usbloader_gx\ to SD:\apps\usbloader_gx\ - overwrite current files
3. Remove SD-card from Computer and plug into Wii
4. Done!

Play Wii/Gamecube games from USB-hdd
1. Format your USB to FAT32 with cluster size 32KB using FAT32 Format. Download to Desktop and Run. Select Drive and '32768' as Allocation unit Size. Choice a Volume Label, Mark Quick Format and Start the Format Progress. Like this - http://i.imgur.com/E6CXvPP.png
2. To Play Gamecube Games - Create a folder 'games' inside the FAT32 HDD. Download and Open DMToolbox v.0.3 (Windows XP version) (Works with Windows 7). Click 'black folder' in Gamecube ISO: and select your GameCube ISO file . Click 'yellow folder' in Output dir: and choose any folder (i.e. Desktop) . Finally Press Install . After installation is complete, in Desktop move the GAMEID folder to USB:\games\ .
3. To Play Wii Games - Download and Open WiiBackupManager . Click 'Drive 1' and select USB-drive from 'inactive' . Click 'Files' - 'Add - Files' and select your Wii ISO file(s) . Lastly Click 'Transfer - Drive 1' to put all Wii ISO file(s) into your USB-drive .
4. Remove USB-drive from Computer and plug into Wii . Also plug in Gamecube controller and Gamecube Memory Card in Wii .
5. Turn on your Wii. Launch USB Loader GX . Press this icon (Loader Mode) !! ( http://i.imgur.com/ioqV74i.png ) . Select Wii Games and GC Games .
6 Done!

Backup Wii/GameCube Disc
1. Plug USB-drive into Wii . Start Wii . Launch USB Loader GX .
2. Put a Wii/Gamecube Disc into the Wii . Wait then click 'Install' and 'OK' .
3. When installation is done. You can click the newly added game to get its boxart .
4. Remove your Wii/Gamecube Disc from the Wii.
5. Done!

Play Gamecube games from SD-card
1. Plug SD-card into Computer .
2. Add your GameCube ISO file(s) to SD:\games\
3. Open DMLizard type 1 then 2 to download DIOS MIOS Lite . Once downloaded type 0 then 0 to Exit DMLizard . Copy files from dmlizard\copy-to-sd\wad\ to SD:\wad\ .
4. Remove SD-card from Computer and plug into Wii . Also put in Gamecube controller and Gamecube Memory Card in Wii .
5. Turn on your Wii. Launch Homebrew Channel. Then launch Wii Mod .
6. Goto WAD Manager . And install two WAD files 'DIOSMIOSLite_v2.10.wad' and 'RVL-BC-v6.wad' . Close Wii Mod after installation.
7. Launch USB Loader GX . Press this icon (Loader Mode) !! ( http://i.imgur.com/ioqV74i.png ) . Select GC Games . Start your GameCube Game .

NNM - No More Memory Cards
NNM is an alternative saving method for gamecube games. You simply don't need a Gamecube Memory Card anymore. You enable NNM in 'Settings' inside USB Loader GX. With NNM enabled your saves for gamecube games are stored in the Wii, not a memory Card.

DIOS MIOS Compatibility List for Gamecube games
http://wiki.gbatemp.net/wiki/DIOS_MIOS_Lite_Compatibility_List

Alt to DIOSMIOS (Devolution) req Retail Discs
Devolution is an alternative method to DIOSMIOS with higher compability but needs an retail Discs of current game in order to play.
1. Plug SD-card into Computer. Goto http://gbatemp.net/threads/devolution-public-release.330554/ and download Devo_src package on first the first post.
2. Open Zip-file and put "/gc_devo/" folder into SD:/apps/ .
3. Remove SD-card from Computer and plug into Wi.
4. Launch USB Loader GX and go to Settings > User Paths > DEVO Loader path : Set the folder to " SD:/Apps/gc_devo/data/ " .
5. Lastly, either in global settings (for ALL gamecube games) or in the individuel game settings . Set "GameCube Mode to "Devolution" instead of "MIOS".

Launch the Game, it will flash the Wii light until yor ISO is verified. Put your retail disc to vertify the backup, then play the game. (Cyans words _ Developer of USB Loader GX)

DIOS MIOS Formula
Install DIOSMIOS_v2.11.wad and RVL-BC-v6.wad to Play Gamecube games from USB
Install DIOSMIOSLite_v2.11.wad and RVL-BC-v6.wad to Play Gamecube games from SD-card
Install RVL-mios-v10.wad to remove DIOSMIOS and use Gamecube Disc as normal
6. Install emuNAND to play Wiiware/VC games

A. Important! Make sure SD-card has more then 600mb free space
B. Plug SD-card into Computer . Make a folder in SD-card called 'GxEmunand' like SD:\GxEmunand\ .
C. Remove SD-card from Computer and plug into Wii . Turn on your Wii. Launch USB Loader GX.

(Check emuNAND paths and create EmuNAND on SD-card)
A. In USB Loader GX goto Settings - Custom Paths
B. Change 'Nand Emu Path' and 'Nand Emu Channel Path' to SD:\GxEmunand\ (just press A and (..) folder-icon to go back and choose that one.)
C. Make Sure 'Loader Settings' - Boot/Standard is 249 or change to 249. Then in Loader Settings set 'Nand Chan Emulation' to 'Full'.
D. Go USB Loader GX - Settings - Features and press 'Dump NAND to EmuNand' . Wait a serious long time until complete.. (grab a sandwhich) . Once dump NAND is complete - Shutdown Wii

(use emuNAND on Computer)
A. Plug SD-card into Computer
B. Download and install ShowMiiWads on your PC from http://code.google.com/p/showmiiwads/downloads/list
C. Unrar into C:\wii\showmii\ and open ShowMiiWads.exe
D. Press 'Options' - 'Change NAND Backup Path' to SD:\GxEmunand\
E. Press 'View' - 'ShowMiiNand'
F. Press 'Tools' - 'Create Common Key'

How to Backup, Install and Play Wiiware games and also use emuNAND on USB. Press Spoilers inside.

To Backup your Wiiware/VC games
In ShowMiiWads - select the file called 'Channel Title' - games name' , then right-click , pack wad, and choose a suitable location , like C:\wii\showmii\backed-games\ , press OK.

To Install a backed-up Wiiware/VC game
Right-click in ShowMiiWads - 'Install' - 'File' - select game-wad file.

To Play a backed-up Wiiware/VC game
A. Remove SD-card from Computer and plug into Wii . Turn on your Wii. Launch USB Loader GX.
B. Press this icon (Loader Mode) !! ( http://i.imgur.com/ioqV74i.png )
C. Select only EmuNAND Channels

(If you have invisible channels using USB Loader GX - Loader Mode - EmuNand Channels. You can remove them by following step. Press A on them to go into animation mode. Press Settings (NOT START). Uninstall Menu. Uninstall Game. GAME ONLY. - Do this for all invisible channels and you will have only your games showing.)

To use emuNAND on USB-drive (FAT32)
A. Plug SD-card and USB-drive into Computer
B. Move SD:\GxEmunand\ folder to USB:\GxEmunand\
C. Open ShowMiiWads.exe and Options - 'Change NAND Backup path' to USB:\GxEmunand\ .
D. Remove SD-card from Computer and plug USB and SD-card into Wii . Turn on your Wii. Launch USB Loader GX
E. In USB Loader GX go Settings - Custom Paths
F. Change 'Nand Emu Path' and 'Nand Emu Channel Path' to USB:\GxEmunand\ (just press A and (..) folder-icon to go back and choose that one.)
G. Press Back and return to USB Loader GX
H. Done!

Error using Wiiware through EmuNAND?
PS: Just so you know - I tried it myself. If you WiiWare wasn't working through emuNAND. Look in USBLoader GX - Settings - Credits, if your using the 'cIOS249-d2x-v10-beta52' it will not work! Go ahead and install IOS249[56]-d2x9b47.wad using Step 5 in this guide. Then Wiiware works.

Fix Blackscreen with VC in emuNAND
Happens when playing USA games with a European Wii. Open selected VC game - 'Settings' - 'Loader Settings'in 'Video Patch 'select Force NTFC. Press Save. Now it should work.

Use cheats (Ocarnia) in Wiiware/VC games
Unfortunely I can't get Ocarnia working with Wiiware/VC games in USB Loader GX. So an alternate solution is to use the App '....tbc

The benefit of emuNAND
WAD installation happens on Computer therefore there is NONE TO LESS risk of Brick your Wii. If you wish to play Wiiware/VC games emuNAND is your solution. period.

Extras

Step by step guide how to fix a semibricked Wii

http://gbatemp.net/threads/step-by-step-guide-for-bootmii-nand-wii-backup-restore.176877/
(Don't use this guide if your Wii works fine)

Install WiiFlow

Video overview of WiiFlow features:


A. Plug SD-card into Computer
B. Download WiiFlow v4.2.zip and WiiFlow_Channel_Installer_v1.1.zip from http://code.google.com/p/wiiflow/downloads/list . Open both zip-file and move folder 'apps' to SD:\
C. Remove SD-card from Computer and plug into Wii . Turn on your Wii. Launch Homebrew Channel. Then launch WiiFlow Channel Installer. And install it!
D. Done!

Install WiiSX (Play Playstation1 Games)

Follow FeuerfaustGolDAces instructions in video - Zip-file from site Required:


How to Fix Nintendo Wii Black Screen
(Happens when you install incorrect theme)

Follow MicrowaveSams instructions in video :


How to fix Black and White Screen on Wii games
(Happens when you Play "PAL" European or Japanese games and they're black and white and not in colors which they supposed to be)

Follow YourGadgetSolutions instructions in video :


Install Homebrew Browser (install apps without computer!)

Follow iHackUrWiis instructions in video :

 

[Buttersoft.]

Hmm, i should really look into the video stuff, cos Wave Race plays without sound from backup disc anyway. I do leave all the options on Auto for the video settings.

I'll look into it, thanks again for yet another tip

 

[somewhereovertherainbow]

To buttersoft, blackscreen fix for usb loader gx

 

[hypotc]

Long time lurker, first time posting here.

I have a couple of newb questions regarding this, as I'm about to get myself a Wii soon.

1. Does the Wii support SDHC cards with the newest firmware (4.3 I believe)? Hard to find stores who sell basic SD cards here.
2. Do I need a Wii game to install the homebrew channel/mod for backup support?
3. Is it possible to mod with a USB stick instead of an SD card?

Thanks.

 

[somewhereovertherainbow]

@answers to hyptoc

1. try but recommend normal sd card
2. no, not with this guide
3. dont think so. look into modmiis guide if you wanna only use usb.

 

[hypotc]

Thanks. Just got a Wii and an SD card. Backing up my NAND now.

 

[dxmachina]

Hi! I tried to install this, but I have little problem after I install "Wii Mod", "USB Loader GX" won't start, I just get black screen. Also I wondered is this the right way to do it, should Wii home menu have "Wii Mod" launcher as well? Since "cfg USB Loader Mod" works fine from SD card, I can play games fine that way, but I would really want to get it to my Wii home menu.

 

[somewhereovertherainbow]

Do you get a blackscreen when you open USB Loader GX from the Wii Menu (forwarder channel) ?

And to answer your Question. Nope. WiiMod is technically never 'installed' just appears in your HBC channel. And WiiMod has no Wii Menu channel.

Tips: If you can open DMLizard . Remove the old folder of SD:\apps\usbloader_gx\ and replace it with the one explained below.

Update/Download USB Loader GX to latest version
*Required to play Gamecube games.
A. Plug SD-card into Computer
B. Open DMLizard type 2 and 2 then s to download USB Loader GX . Once downloaded type 0 then 0 to Exit DMLizard . Copy dmlizard\copy-to-sd\apps\usbloader_gx\ to SD:\apps\usbloader_gx\ - overwrite current files
C. Remove SD-card from Computer and plug into Wii
D. Done!

 

[dxmachina]

Do you get a blackscreen when you open USB Loader GX from the Wii Menu (forwarder channel) ?

And to answer your Question. Nope. WiiMod is technically never 'installed' just appears in your HBC channel. And WiiMod has no Wii Menu channel.

Yeah, it flashes couple times and goes back to Wii menu.

I'll try that update. Hope it will help. Thank you! ^^

 

[somewhereovertherainbow]

Yeah, it flashes couple times and goes back to Wii menu.

Follow this .

Open your SD: card on Computer and see if you have this folder ..
sd:\apps\usbloader_gx\ .
If that folder doesn't exists it means you don't have usb_loadergx, just the forwarder channel.

Anyhow, i suggest you should update or download the latest version. Instructions below..

Update USB Loader GX to latest version
*Required to play Gamecube games.
A. Plug SD-card into Computer
B. Open DMLizard type 2 and 2 then s to download USB Loader GX . Once downloaded type 0 then 0 to Exit DMLizard . Copy dmlizard\copy-to-sd\apps\usbloader_gx\ to SD:\apps\usbloader_gx\ - overwrite current files
C. Remove SD-card from Computer and plug into Wii
D. Done!

Another issue could be that you don't have IOS58 ....

You can easily check if you have or not IOS58 by going to 'Homebrew Channel '. Press 'HOME' button in Homebrew Channel and look in right-upper corner, it should show IOS58 v24.32 - like this picture

"IOS58 is required for USB 2.0 support in homebrew applications and is the default IOS used by HBC 1.0.8+. It is included in System Menu 4.3, but those who do not wish to update to 4.3 can just run this installer to get the benefits of IOS58."

IOS58 can be installed from here : http://wiibrew.org/wiki/IOS58_Installer

If you don't use Wii 4.3 then you couldbe missing OS58.

More info on Thread: http://gbatemp.net/threads/usb-load...-using-channel-compatible-external-hd.339403/

 

[dxmachina]

Another issue could be that you don't have IOS58 ....

You can easily check if you have or not IOS58 by going to 'Homebrew Channel '. Press 'HOME' button in Homebrew Channel and look in right-upper corner, it should show IOS58 v24.32 - like this picture

"IOS58 is required for USB 2.0 support in homebrew applications and is the default IOS used by HBC 1.0.8+. It is included in System Menu 4.3, but those who do not wish to update to 4.3 can just run this installer to get the benefits of IOS58."

IOS58 can be installed from here : http://wiibrew.org/wiki/IOS58_Installer

If you don't use Wii 4.3 then you couldbe missing OS58.

More info on Thread: http://gbatemp.net/threads/usb-load...-using-channel-compatible-external-hd.339403/

Those I do have. I think your last post, solved my problem, it works now. Also I thought, that I don't need SD card to be in Wii all the time.

Do you know, what could cause that my display has these "static" things sometime after installing homebrew?

 

[somewhereovertherainbow]

take photo of your TV with Wii on and show what u mean,

Just to clarify this 'messy' archieve of messages in this thread.

First, do anyone need any help?

This guide in short
Part 1, 2, 3 and 4 is mostly identical to any softmod guides.
They explain the process of making your Wii prepared and useful with 'Apps' - such as Emulators, USB Loaders, Wad installers, ect.
Part 5 is directed to Gamecube players BUT also consists of installing a d2x file. This d2x file is required for newer wii games. Part 5 - spoiler window - consists of how to Make your USB-hdd work with Wii and Gamecube Games. And update USB Loader GX.
Part 6 is directed on VC/Wiiware games. These can be played in emuNAND, an emulated Wii, that focus on Wiiware.

Issues with Wii, Gamcube and VC games is likely blackscreen, a fix to this is going into USB Loader GX the Game - Settings - Game Load and force video mode to your Wiis region. i got NES VC working this way. Video of this method exists on First Page.

I still have issues loading VC games in Wii Menu (startup) cause most VC games are USA and im European. So Emunand actually plays VC games that i can't start in Wii Menu.
However Wiiware still works best for me in Wii Menu. Just some insights.

 

[Heracleion]

Hi the letterbomb hacckmii website is no longer up. What can I do?

 

[somewhereovertherainbow]

Hi the letterbomb hacckmii website is no longer up. What can I do?

Use Wiibrand Launcher

Read @ http://gbatemp.net/threads/is-there-a-way-to-install-letterbomb-hackmii-when-the-sites-down.349488/

 

[Heracleion]

I have one question - I am on step 5, and my question is what is the point in step 5 exactly? Do I need to do the DMLizard? Can't I skip straight to the spoiler section for the gcn?

 

[somewhereovertherainbow]

Technically Yes and No.

Yes- if you wish to play GC games
No- If you don't care about gamecube games. Then just install the d2x file in WiiMod.

.. Yes- if you want to play wiiware/vc games through emunand in USB Loader GX. I believe emunand requires latest version of USB Loader GX, and you get latest version through dmlizard.
More info on step5- spoilers window - update USB Loader GX.. and there's also install instructions for playing Wiigames on USB-hhd.

 

[Heracleion]

Thanks, I still don't really understand this step:

Update USB Loader GX to latest version
*Required to play Gamecube games.
A. Plug SD-card into Computer
B. Open DMLizard type 2 and 2 then s to download USB Loader GX . Once downloaded type 0 then 0 to Exit DMLizard . Copy dmlizard\copy-to-sd\apps\usbloader_gx\ to SD:\apps\usbloader_gx\ - overwrite current files
C. Remove SD-card from Computer and plug into Wii
D. Done!

I thought I didn't need DMLizard for GC games? I am not sure what "DMLizard Type 2" means. I already have USB Loader GX, do I need to update only for my GC games?

 

[somewhereovertherainbow]

Thanks, I still don't really understand this step:



I thought I didn't need DMLizard for GC games? I am not sure what "DMLizard Type 2" means. I already have USB Loader GX, do I need to update only for my GC games?

It's alittle silly but, you can't get the newest version of USB Loader GX from the google page, as the following versions are 'betas' .

But as it turns out the betas of USB Loader GX is the only ones that handles DIOSMIOS. DIOSMIOS is loading GC games from a USB-hdd.
So, I do this, I suggest all people using this guide to update to latest version of USB Loader GX r1218 or something.
One way to do this is to use the zipfile from the creators signet here on GBATEMP or... Use DMLizard.

If you download and open DMLizard you will understand the Steps. If not, look at the step5 video, then you understand.
Happy Gaming!

 

[somewhereovertherainbow]

And as I also said previously I believe if you want to use emuNAND on USB Loader GX (step6) you should've latest version of USB Loader GX..
So yeah, get DMLizard and update USB Loader GX and your safe to continue

and.. open dmlizard type 2 " mean, open the programme dmlizard , and type 2.. then you come to the 2nd menu in dmlizard . where you download usb loaders n such .

 

[Heracleion]

thanks I'm going in now and doing the whole thing

I'll report back how it's going

 

[somewhereovertherainbow]

Gl Dude