MattKimura's Wii U hacking guide

Cyan · Mar 18, 2017

thank you for taking my opinion in account.
Sorry for your stability issue. Maybe the WiiU's fan is full of dirt and could be cleaned. did you try opening it to clean up? maybe the console is heating too much.

Byokugen said:
If you have a game disc, there is no need for a CFW, that is obvious

Yeah, but some people prefer installing/dumping their disc to HDD, but even that won't require a CFW.

What I was talking about is that "game originating from a disc" require a different installation method than the "games originating from eShop" which always require CFW.

game from disc have a clean and legit ticket, not tied to any console, allowing the user to install and play the game without CFW.
Users don't need to follow CFW guides to install and play these games, as long as they are the same region than their consoles.

Byokugen · Mar 19, 2017

Cyan said:
Yeah, but some people prefer installing/dumping their disc to HDD, but even that won't require a CFW.

Like me, I prefer it. I like to keep my games nice and scratch free. But they consider that illegal also...

sqloud · Mar 19, 2017

After folowing the guide, including CBHC and forwarders to HBL and WUPi, do i have to keep using the SD card?

Cyan · Mar 19, 2017

CBHC is installed on the console, so you don't need an SD card as long as you use "sysmenu" as default boot mode.
if you use CBHC to launch the homebrew launcher, instead of sysmenu, it will try to launch it from the SD card at console's boot.

Though, you'll require the SD card in these situations:
- Launching the Homebrew launcher (either installed as channel or not) as it will always list the homebrew located on SD card.
- WUP installer will always require you to put the game to install on SD card, but after installation the SD card is not required anymore as it's installed on the console or HDD. I guess that's not an issue to put the game on SD to install it, as WUP Installer itself will be on SD anyway, so you'll already have an SD inserted if you launch WUP installer.

So, no SD required if you just use the console to play game.
SD required to access homebrew.

Byokugen · Mar 19, 2017

Sd cards are cheap, I dont see a reason why not leave it/use it for Wii U only. Well that is me

ChiroToB · Mar 19, 2017

Good morning (afternoon, evening...depending on your location) everyone. Long time user here (2002), but I'm just getting back into things a bit and after doing some extensive homework, this guide seems to be the best starting point, so first, thank you @MattKimura for your hard work, as well as @Cyan for all your info and input in this thread as well.

I have some questions before I get to work on my WiiU.

1. What are the benefits of CFW over just installing homebrew loader and loadiine?

2. From what I've researched, it seems that haxchi and coldboot will boot directly into CFW without the need for an internet connection, or more specifically, I can be connected to the internet, but this method hosts the necessary files needed to boot into CFW without having to use the browser method. Is this correct?

3. Will CFW allow me to install/run games from a usb flash drive/usb hdd or do the games need to be installed directly to the SD card?

4. Will CFW allow me to play online multiplayer games? (I know this isn't possible with loadiine)

5. Lastly, is there any definitive guide to game installation and the rules for them? Looking specifically for information about region, tickets, and info about how to convert between different formats (wud, loadiine, usb, etc).

My internet connection isn't an issue, but generally speaking, I do not trust a boot method that relies on a website. What if the site ever gets taken down? What if the site isn't renewed? Too many variables to risk that. If coldboot will do it without using the browser, then that's what I'm looking for. Thanks, -Chiro

Byokugen · Mar 19, 2017

I can answer some of it
You can boot into cfw directly withkut the yse of the internet. You can install games from SD card to internal memory or usb/ext. hdd. But they must be on a SD card during the installation. Benefits of the cfw for me is region lock, game dumping and moding. I dont do multiplayer, so never tried it.

ChiroToB · Mar 19, 2017

Byokugen said:
I can answer some of it
You can boot into cfw directly withkut the yse of the internet. You can install games from SD card to internal memory or usb/ext. hdd. But they must be on a SD card during the installation. Benefits of the cfw for me is region lock, game dumping and moding. I dont do multiplayer, so never tried it.

Ok, that definitely answers some of my questions. TBH, as a fighting game player, most of the WiiU games online multiplayer don't interest me THAT much, but I like to have the option if it's available.

When you say you can boot into CFW without the internet, do you mean by disabling the WiiU's access to the internet entirely or by hosting the files on a phone or external PC, or is the boot into CFW by using Haxchi? Also, is it because Haxchi hosts the necessary files on its own? That's what I'm trying to determine.

Byokugen · Mar 19, 2017

Yes, that would be Haxchi or CBHC(Coldbooting Haxchi) You have to disable updates via changing the DNS
The only obstacle is that you have to buy a eshop DS VC game. So if you're poor like me, no coldboot, for now :-)

ChiroToB · Mar 19, 2017

Byokugen said:
Yes, that would be Haxchi or CBHC(Coldbooting Haxchi) You have to disable updates via changing the DNS
The only obstacle is that you have to buy a eshop DS VC game. So if you're poor like me, no coldboot, for now :-)

I don't mind buying the eshop DS VC game, but I'm trying to decide if I want to CBHC just yet as it may be easier for my wife and son to use the standard system menu while I'd use CFW.

Byokugen · Mar 19, 2017

ChiroToB said:
I don't mind buying the eshop DS VC game, but I'm trying to decide if I want to CBHC just yet as it may be easier for my wife and son to use the standard system menu while I'd use CFW.

You want my advice?
Avoid it. I mean it's safe, but someone can delete it by mistake or some crazy stuff may happen. So, launching cfw after booting your wiiU is not that troublesome, psp worked like this for some time now :-)
Happy Modding!

ChiroToB · Mar 19, 2017

Byokugen said:
You want my advice?
Avoid it. I mean it's safe, but someone can delete it by mistake or some crazy stuff may happen. So, launching cfw after booting your wiiU is not that troublesome, psp worked like this for some time now :-)
Happy Modding!

To be honest, I'm leaning more toward just booting from Haxchi without CBHC. It has nothing to do with cost of a DS VC game, and more to do with the fact that it's really just a press of a button to boot into CFW with this method, while still leaving the system menu as the first option available for the rest of my family.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

@Byokugen do you have any links or tutorials on how to:
1. install games from SD to USB
and
2. convert back and forth between formats (such as loadiine format to usb)

I know that I need tickets and such, but I'm moreso looking for direction on the necessity of everything and why. It's all forensics for me as I feel it's important to know WHY we do something, as opposed to just "do this and it will work". If I understand the WHY, then it makes more sense.

Byokugen · Mar 19, 2017

Yup, I fully agree with you. I know it's easier to boot directly into haxchi, but people are becoming too lazy. You had to type commands to run C64 games(I still do)
Or maybe it's just me :-)
Just read everything on the first page, there is all the info you need. Most of tge "modders" dont care WHY, they just want the darn thing to work :-)

ChiroToB · Mar 19, 2017

Byokugen said:
Yup, I fully agree with you. I know it's easier to boot directly into haxchi, but people are becoming too lazy. You had to type commands to run C64 games(I still do)
Or maybe it's just me :-)

LOL, ah... a fellow old timer like me. I'll be 40 in 2 months, LOL.

Byokugen · Mar 19, 2017

ChiroToB said:
LOL, ah... a fellow old timer like me. I'll be 40 in 2 months, LOL.

Im not that old, will 30 in a couple of months, I just like the old stuff :-) I never had it when I was a kid, so now I grab everything I can. Btw All the info you need is on the 1st page of this tutorial, OP and @Cyan did a great job!

MattKimura · Mar 19, 2017

Byokugen said:
You want my advice?
Avoid it. I mean it's safe, but someone can delete it by mistake or some crazy stuff may happen. So, launching cfw after booting your wiiU is not that troublesome, psp worked like this for some time now :-)
Happy Modding!

That's wrong, you cannot delete the DS VC while CBHC is active. It will deny you when you try deleting or moving it to USB. It's nearly foolproof, I'm unsure if it also blocks you from formatting the system.

But I recommend CBHC only to those who constantly need CFW

the_randomizer · Mar 19, 2017

MattKimura said:
That's wrong, you cannot delete the DS VC while CBHC is active. It will deny you when you try deleting or moving it to USB. It's nearly foolproof, I'm unsure if it also blocks you from formatting the system.

But I recommend CBHC only to those who constantly need CFW

It's necessary to have CFW if you want USB access in homebrew apps (RetroArch comes to mind).

Byokugen · Mar 19, 2017

MattKimura said:
That's wrong, you cannot delete the DS VC while CBHC is active. It will deny you when you try deleting or moving it to USB. It's nearly foolproof, I'm unsure if it also blocks you from formatting the system.

But I recommend CBHC only to those who constantly need CFW

I use it almost everybday, but I laumch it manually. I have no meansnof buying the eshop game :-(

Cyan · Mar 19, 2017

ChiroToB said:
Good morning (afternoon, evening...depending on your location) everyone. Long time user here (2002)

hello, it's always nice to see first users still coming here

I'm from 2002 too, and I'm 39 this year.

1. What are the benefits of CFW over just installing homebrew loader and loadiine?

CFW is not really "custom" on WiiU (and in any other consoles), it's more a modified existing firmware. There are two method to edit a firmware : static or dynamic.
Static is done on computer, and you install/replace the files used by the console. this is the way the PS3 and PSP Custom firmwares are working.
Dynamic is done directly on the console, by patching memory in live and rewriting functions. This is what the WiiU is using. (though, static was used originally, it's now deprecated)

Using loadiine from the browser exploit is already a CFW, as it's patching the kernel to allow code execution.
You are not using haxchi or cbhc or mocha, etc., but you are patching the system the same way by launching the browser exploit.

Haxchi is a way to exploit the same vulnerability than the browser exploit, except it's done offline.
Both browser exploit or haxchi are doing the same thing : allowing homebrew execution.

browser : requires internet, and the user to press a button (the browser)
haxchi : require user to press a button (the DS game)
CBHC : require user to do nothing, it's loading haxchi to patch the memory at console's boot. (it's not a modified firmware, with modified files, it's still a "live memory patch")
Mocha : same as haxchi, with additional patches and features.

To answer your first question, the benefit to haxchi or cbhc is only the network is not required to launch the homebrew launcher.

2. From what I've researched, it seems that haxchi and coldboot will boot directly into CFW without the need for an internet connection, or more specifically, I can be connected to the internet, but this method hosts the necessary files needed to boot into CFW without having to use the browser method. Is this correct?

yes, this is correct.

3. Will CFW allow me to install/run games from a usb flash drive/usb hdd or do the games need to be installed directly to the SD card?

It depends what you are using to play your game.
If you use loadiine (homebrew game loader) it's loading the game from SD by redirecting a game access to SD. it's rewriting the path from "disc:/path/to/game/file" to "SD:/"
the console is using it's own FAT32 driver to access the SD card. it's just like if your SD was your disc, the console read it naturally.

Loadiine can also use USB, but it requires more patches than just the path to the game file, as the console see the USB it's using its own USB file format.
Mocha is patching the firmware to also use Nintendo's FAT32 driver for USB. it's one of the additional features from Mocha. But it's very slow. (Nintendo FAT32 driver is very bad)

The other method is installing the game as if it was legit, using the official Nintendo's game installer, and let the console launch it instead of using a homebrew game loader.
This is what most users are doing now.

The installation is done from SD card OR from USB if you launch Mocha 0.3 beta first, as Mocha beta is (due to a bug) replacing the SD by the USB. the console access the USB as if it was the SD card. all "SD:/path" is actually done on the first FAT32 USB partition.

With this method, you can install the game to internal memory or to a WiiU formatted HDD. (Except if you use Mocha beta, where the USB doesn't exist, it's considered an SD card)
Loading speed is not an issue, it's the official method used by nintendo to store and play games.

With this method, no more SD card needed while playing.

4. Will CFW allow me to play online multiplayer games? (I know this isn't possible with loadiine)

It's actually irrelevant.
You don't need CFW to launch a game.
the CFW is needed only to launch a game which is from another region, or not originally released as disc (ex: eShop games tied to a consoleID).

If you launch a game from Loadiine, you won't have network access.
If you launch a game from the "official" method (selecting the installed game on the console or WiiU HDD) then you'll have network access and can play online. No ban or issues.

5. Lastly, is there any definitive guide to game installation and the rules for them? Looking specifically for information about region, tickets, and info about how to convert between different formats (wud, loadiine, usb, etc).

I wrote a guide to install games on the console, so it's not updated and still using old tools, and could be complicated.
https://gbatemp.net/threads/wii-u-usb-loading-install-wiiu-games-to-usb-or-internal-memory.445514/ (it's not me on first post, but it's written by me)

My internet connection isn't an issue, but generally speaking, I do not trust a boot method that relies on a website. What if the site ever gets taken down? What if the site isn't renewed? Too many variables to risk that.

I don't use a remote website, I host the website on my own local server on my PC.
The page used by these websites to execute the exploit is known and freely available to anyone to host the pages themselves.

this way :
- no dependence to other websites
- no DS game required
- no persistent change to the console required

I just have to use my internet connection and local server to boot the homebrew launcher.
There are also Android apps doing it !! I'm sure you didn't know

If coldboot will do it without using the browser, then that's what I'm looking for. Thanks, -Chiro

No need of coldboot to prevent the use of the browser.
haxchi is enough to manually patch the system, instead of automatic load of haxchi at console boot.

it's up to you.

You can also read this, which explain the same thing I just answered :
https://gbatemp.net/threads/install...-sysnand-cfw-and-rednand.453048/#post-6921969

ChiroToB · Mar 19, 2017

Cyan said:
hello, it's always nice to see first users still coming here I'm from 2002 too, and I'm 39 this year.

@Cyan its been a long time, LOL. Yeah, I'll be 40 this year... 15yr member and I still come here!

Anyway, your answer was extremely helpful but also brought up some additional questions.

Cyan said:
It depends what you are using to play your game.
If you use loadiine (homebrew game loader) it's loading the game from SD by redirecting a game access to SD. it's rewriting the path from "disc:/path/to/game/file" to "SD:/"
the console is using it's own FAT32 driver to access the SD card. it's just like if your SD was your disc, the console read it naturally.

Loadiine can also use USB, but it requires more patches than just the path to the game file, as the console see the USB it's using its own USB file format.
Mocha is patching the firmware to also use Nintendo's FAT32 driver for USB. it's one of the additional features from Mocha. But it's very slow. (Nintendo FAT32 driver is very bad)

Ok, so I've been looking at various options, but I'm leaning away from using loadiine. But your above answer, I assume, is with regards to loadiine and USB specifically, correct?

Cyan said:
The other method is installing the game as if it was legit, using the official Nintendo's game installer, and let the console launch it instead of using a homebrew game loader.
This is what most users are doing now.

The installation is done from SD card OR from USB if you launch Mocha 0.3 beta first, as Mocha beta is (due to a bug) replacing the SD by the USB. the console access the USB as if it was the SD card. all "SD:/path" is actually done on the first FAT32 USB partition.

With this method, you can install the game to internal memory or to a WiiU formatted HDD. (Except if you use Mocha beta, where the USB doesn't exist, it's considered an SD card)
Loading speed is not an issue, it's the official method used by nintendo to store and play games.

With this method, no more SD card needed while playing.

I wasn't planning on using a USB for installation as I have an SD card for that.

1. Do I need to have any concern about launching games from the system memory when installed this way?

Before I asked these questions, I prepped by buying a fairly expensive 256gb class 10 U3 SD card assuming I had to have all my games installed to the SD card.
2. Can I/Should I install the games to the SD card?
3. Do I need to boot the games through CFW if they're installed to the SD card?
4. Are there loading speed issues when installed to the SD card?
5. Would I be better off returning the card for a less expensive card that is only used to store the game to be installed to system memory?

Cyan said:
It's actually irrelevent.
You don't need CFW to launch a game.
the CFW is needed only to launch a game which is from another region, or not originally released as disc (ex: eShop games tied to a consoleID).

If you launch a game from Loadiine, you won't have network access.
If you launch a game from the "official" method (selecting the installed game on the console or WiiU HDD) then you'll have network access and can play online. No ban or issues.

Ok, so this is where I'm confused.

6. If I don't need CFW to launch a game, why bother to install it, unless the CFW is the only vehicle for the installation of less than legitimately acquired games.
7. Can I use a USB 3.0 Flash drive formatted as a WiiU HDD as the external drive?
8. Is there a tool I'll need to install games as if they're legit, and if so, where do I find it?
9. Tickets actually have me fairly confused. Do I need to worry about them when installing games this way?

Cyan said:
I wrote a guide to install games on the console, so it's not updated and could be complicated.
https://gbatemp.net/threads/wii-u-usb-loading-install-wiiu-games-to-usb-or-internal-memory.445514/ (it's not me on first post, but it's written by me)

Oof!!! That is a bit confusing. Not quite sure where to begin with it to be honest.
I have acquired a few games, in both usb and loadiine format. Fortunately I found a thread with instructions to convert Loadiine to usb format.

10. Are these games that need to be prepped on the SD card for installation?

Ok, I think that's it for now. Thanks again @Cyan for all the help. I appreciate your time. -Chiro

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