Simple guide to install d2x cIOS on vWii + backup NAND and keys
Last update: April 29th 2016
Still a valid hacking procedure as of September 2016.
(see Changelog at the bottom of the post)​

What does it do?:
This guide shows you how to install cIOS into vWii (aka the Wii-mode of Wii U) and backup vWiis keys and NAND.
cIOS is needed to use backuplaunchers like Wiiflow and USB-Loader GX.
This does not enable any hacks in Wii U-mode!

Note: You already need to have Homebrew Channel installed on vWii to use this guide (use one of these exploits)!
​

Lets go:
Download the following package:
www.mediafire.com/?n2zl8v5kn288j9d
(Mirror at the bottom of the post)
All files are up-to-date (as of april 29th 2016)!
Note: To avoid errors, only use the files provided in this archive!
Don´t mix with other d2x-installer versions, meta.xml files etc.
Don´t worry, everything is up-to-date and the latest and greatest version.

It contains:
- Dump Mii NAND v1.2
- d2x-v10-beta53-alt-vWii
- d2x-v10-beta52-vWii
- FIX94s d2x cIOS Installer 2.2 mod

First we make a backup of your vWii NAND and keys:

1.) Extract the contents of vWii_cIOS_apps_20131218.zip to the root folder of your SD card.
Note: Make sure that you don´t have any original Wii system files (like wads) on your SD Card!
d2x installer could accidentally use them for installation and brick your vWii!
Also make sure that you have at least 528MB of free space on the SD Card for the NAND dump.

3.) Launch Dump Mii NAND from the Homebrew Channel.

4.) The NAND and keys dumping will start automatically (the NAND dump will be stored in sd:/nand.bin, the keys in sd:/keys.bin).
Note: DON´t use this dump on an original Wii!

5.) When finished (depends on the speed of your SD Card), the Wii U will reboot.

5a.) (Optional, but recommended step.)
Dump your IOS one-by-one to wad files for possible semi-brick fix (for more info read this thread):
I.) Download YetAnotherBlueDumpMod from here.
II.) Copy the files to your SD card sd:/apps/YetAnotherBlueDumpMod and launch the app from the Homebrew Channel.
II.) 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 you a lot of trouble in the future.

If you don't have CLEAN (non fakesigned) IOS, you won't be able to fix semi-bricked vWii.
You can't create non fakesigned wads from a NAND dump or from using ShowMiiWads. You NEED to use YetAnotherBlueDumpMod.


Now we install d2x cIOS:

6.) Launch d2x cIOS installer from the Homebrew Channel.

7.) Choose which d2x cIOS version you want to install, beta52 or beta53-alt.
If you don´t plan to use EmuNAND, i recommend beta53-alt.
Note: For info about the differences between beta52 & beta53-alt click here.

8.) Select cIOS : <d2x-v10-beta53-alt-vWii> (Alternative: beta52)
Select cIOS base : <56>
Select cIOS slot : <249>

9.) Press A to install and wait for installation to finish.

10.) Press A to continue.

11.) Select cIOS : <d2x-v10-beta53-alt-vWii> (Alternative: beta52)
Select cIOS base : <57>
Select cIOS slot : <250>

12.) Press A to install and wait for installation to finish.

13.) Press A to continue.

14.) Select cIOS : <d2x-v10-beta53-alt-vWii> (Alternative: beta52)
Select cIOS base : <58>
Select cIOS slot : <251>

15.) Press A to install and wait for installation to finish.

16.) Press B to Exit.

17.) Launch newest Wiiflow or USB-Loader GX or CFG USB Loader MOD from the Homebrew Channel.
Note: To copy game images from PC to your external HDD with the correct folder structure, use Wii Backup Manager.
To fix the 4:3 aspect ratio bug of the Homebrew Channel, see FAQ & Troubleshooting section.

18.) Read the FAQ & Troubleshooting section carefully!

19.) Happy gaming!

FAQ & Troubleshooting:
- there is currently no Bootmii for vWii, so we use Dump Mii NAND.
- there is no Hermes cIOS 222/223 for vWii (don´t install the Wii version!).
- connect your HDD to the upper back USB-Port.
- you need a Y-USB-Cable for some 2.5" HDDs to properly work (even when they worked on the original Wii), because the Wii U USB-ports have a lower power supply.
- if HDD gets detected but no games load or HDD "clicks" you need a Y-USB-Cable
- to prevent the HDD format message on bootup, use U-Stealth.
- some HDDs don´t work with cIOS 249(base 56), so change the cIOS to 250(base 57) or 251(base 58) in your USB-Loader.
- to fix the 4:3 aspect ratio bug of the Homebrew Channel use JoostinOnlines HBC Forwarder or tueidjs aspect ratio fixer (tueidjs fixer doesn't require installing a wad to the console, it's a homebrew to launch from Homebrew Channel before launching other homebrew).
- to (un)install wads i recommend YAWMM_EN 0.5e (english Version) or YAWMM DE 0.5e (german version).
- if you want to start installed wads like VC/Wiiware from SD card, you need to patch IOS80 (system menu), use this thread for guidance.
Note: This is dangerous! If you f*** up IOS80, you will get a brick!
Only use the patch if you know what you are doing!

- don´t install Priiloader, it will brick your vWii!
- don´t install original Wii Channel Forwarder, they will freeze on startup! Use the ones from this thread. (For WiiFlow you can use the official Channel Installer)

Many tools/installers/wads etc. that worked on the original Wii will brick vWii!
So be very cautious on what you install!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changelog:

Spoiler

29. April 2016: Added download mirror as attachment.
22. December 2015: Some minor formating tweaks.
08. November 2015: Additional note under the downloadlink.
01. May 2015: Added note to the downloadlink.
19. February 2015: Added optional step 5a.) (thanks Cyan and JoostinOnline).
18. July 2014: Updated USB-Loader GX, Wiiflow and CFG-USB-Loader MOD links.
27. April 2014: Updated USB-Loader GX link to r1219 (thx Cyan)
21. January 2014: Updated Wiiflow link to 4.2.1.
18. December 2013: Merged d2x beta52 & beta53-alt into one installer (thx Cyan) and updated guide accordingly.
17. December 2013: Replaced xyzzy and FS-Toolbox with Dump Mii NAND v1.2 (thx Maxternal). Replaced d2x beta52 with beta53-alt. Added tools to fix 4:3 aspect ratio bug (thx Cyan).
02. October 2013: Updated USB-Loader GX link to r1218.
20. September 2013: Updated Wiiflow link to v4.2.
30. August 2013: Added link to IOS80 (system menu) patch thread.
23. August 2013: Updated USB-Loader GX link to r1217 and CFG USB-Loader MOD link to r65.
13. August 2013: Added link to HDD format message workaround (thx jayjay123)
04. August 2013: Updated USB-Loader links, added Wii Backup Manager link.
24. June 2013: Added CFG USB Loader MOD v70r61t2 link (thx Warlord698).
10. June 2013: Updated Wiiflow link to 4.1.3.
01. June 2013: Added YAWMM_EN (english version) to FAQ & Troubleshooting (thx JoostinOnline and Fix94).
28. April 2013: Updated Wiiflow link to 4.1.2 and USB-Loader GX link to r1213.
08. January 2013: Updated USB-Loader GX link to r1208.
04. January 2013: Fixed a typo, that could prevent the installer from detecting beta52 (thx yafaiz). Added link to WiiFlow Channel Installer v1.1.
02. January 2013: Added new version of FS-Toolbox (0.4d) and a link to YAWMM DE 0.5e (thx to Excelsiior for both).
01. January 2013: Wiiflow 4.1 link added.
31. December 2012: Removed d2x beta53-alt from the package, because ciosmaps.xml mixup causes errors. Added link to forwarder thread.
29. December 2012: Added new version of xyzzy (1.2.2 (unofficial), thx DarkMatterCore) and d2x beta53-alt to the package.
19. December 2012: Initial version.

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

 

[mcnol012]

Can I use cIOS with a HDD already storage Wii U games or I must format it ?

 

[luisnrkl]

thanks for response .

like what ?
there's noway i can do this without a physically game ?

This is the only way:
http://gbatemp.net/threads/full-vwii-softmod.339899/

 

[[Truth]]

thanks for response .

like what ?
there's noway i can do this without a physically game ?

How about actually reading the next time?
http://wiiubrew.org/wiki/WiiMode

 

[goteks]

Hi all, I'm pretty clueless about what my problem coould be. I followed this guide step by step and i can never get any wii games or wad to work... first in wii flow i can browse trough it but while my usb is in the bottom slot and not the top one (like recommanded) and i cannot load any games but they are detected. i tried to run usb loader gx and i cannot get it to even open, it starts and right away i get all the little wii screens and it goes back to wii menu (had the same problem with my wii). i tried installing some wad with wad manager and they install and appear in my wii menu but whenever i lunch them it freeze to black screen (and yes they are vwii wad).


I'm now wondering, is ios80 would be helpful in any way to me? i've been looking at tutorials everywhere and it's always the same steps as in this thread and everything seems to be simple and straight trough but nothing works for me. the best i can do is opening hbc and thats it...

any advice on this anybody?


Thanks a lot!

 

[uyjulian]

thanks for response .

like what ?
there's noway i can do this without a physically game ?

edit: [Truth] beat me to it

http://wiiubrew.org/wiki/WiiMode

 

[tomharrison]

edit: [Truth] beat me to it

http://wiiubrew.org/wiki/WiiMode

i see this before , but my problem is my System Menu : 3.0.1U

is there a way to update it with USB Stick ? like ps3 ?

(sorry for many questions , i'm very new with nintendo consoles)

 

[Elusivo]

System menu version is irrelevant.

You can only hack the vWii with a physical disk exploit, so far there is no usb solution.

 

[jayjay123]

No way AFAIK.

 

[philipvdheyden]

Hi all, I'm a novive regarding the Wii and WiiU but thanks to the instructions in this thread, I managed yesterday to install the homebrew and also did the rest of the instructions, which made that I was able to launch backups from the SD card through the WiiFlow program.

However, since this morning, I'm unable to launch backups. When launching Wiiflow, I can see the games, and when clicking on them I can see the preview, so this seems to be working. However, when I actually start the game, the screen simply turns black and remains that way, so that I have to pull the power plug to restart the Wii U.

Two things happened this morning (almost in parallel) that in my opinion could be the root cause. My daughter switched on the Wii U and accidentally confirmed the request for a system update, something that I had not done for quite some time. The firmware has been upgraded to 3.1.0 E. However, on multiple forums I have read that upgrading the firmware has not been the source of problems so far.

I also tried to launch backups from a USB stick, but as WiiFlow didn't show me the backups on the USB stick, I also installed CFG USB Loader MOD v70 r65. This loader did show me the backups on the USB stick, but when I tried to start them, it was the first time I got confronted with that black screen. My first idea was that this was related to the CFG loader, but since then, games don't start anymore from Wiiflow as well.

The Lego batman game that we used for the exploit still plays, so I guess that the device is not bricked. All functionalities from within the Homebrew channel also still work ok.

What I tried so far: I already tried reinstalling the d2x cIOS installer, both with the d2x-v10-beta52-vWii as with the alternative beta53-alt version. Both installs work out fine, but the games still don't launch, so no result.

I'm hesitating about resetting to factory settings and trying to reporm the entire procedure, but I'm a bit anxious to try this. Has anyone else experienced this, or do you have some advice on how to fix this ?

Thanks in advance.

 

[uyjulian]

Hi all, I'm a novive regarding the Wii and WiiU but thanks to the instructions in this thread, I managed yesterday to install the homebrew and also did the rest of the instructions, which made that I was able to launch backups from the SD card through the WiiFlow program.


However, since this morning, I'm unable to launch backups. When launching Wiiflow, I can see the games, and when clicking on them I can see the preview, so this seems to be working. However, when I actually start the game, the screen simply turns black and remains that way, so that I have to pull the power plug to restart the Wii U.


Two things happened this morning (almost in parallel) that in my opinion could be the root cause. My daughter switched on the Wii U and accidentally confirmed the request for a system update, something that I had not done for quite some time. The firmware has been upgraded to 3.1.0 E. However, on multiple forums I have read that upgrading the firmware has not been the source of problems so far.


I also tried to launch backups from a USB stick, but as WiiFlow didn't show me the backups on the USB stick, I also installed CFG USB Loader MOD v70 r65. This loader did show me the backups on the USB stick, but when I tried to start them, it was the first time I got confronted with that black screen. My first idea was that this was related to the CFG loader, but since then, games don't start anymore from Wiiflow as well.


The Lego batman game that we used for the exploit still plays, so I guess that the device is not bricked. All functionalities from within the Homebrew channel also still work ok.


What I tried so far: I already tried reinstalling the d2x cIOS installer, both with the d2x-v10-beta52-vWii as with the alternative beta53-alt version. Both installs work out fine, but the games still don't launch, so no result.


I'm hesitating about resetting to factory settings and trying to reporm the entire procedure, but I'm a bit anxious to try this. Has anyone else experienced this, or do you have some advice on how to fix this ?


Thanks in advance.

are you selecting the correct base ioses and putting them in the correct ios slot?

 

[philipvdheyden]

Yes I am. I did it exactly as described the way it is described at the beginning of this thread. Furthermore, I was able to launch games from the SD card, so this proves that the procedure was OK.
It's only after the two described events that all of sudden this doesn't work anymore, even after re-putting these base ioses in their base slots. The thing that puzzles me most is that it concerns a game on the SD card, so it's not a power issue from a HDD as described by many other users.

 

[johnnykaty]

hello,

a friend of me says he couldn't select <d2x-v10-beta52-vWii>
he has tried 2 controllers to try it 1 with motion plus and another old controller
what could be his problem?
at my wii u it works perfect

 

[Cyan]

which choices are available to your friend?
If he can't find "beta52", maybe he has "beta53" ?
What he can choose is determined by what's on his SD card, so maybe he didn't follow a proper guide, or missed a step.

 

[Warlord698]

here is a good question
.
.
.
why has nobody stickied this topic yet?

 

[Cyan]

and why it's not in the Guide&Faq section too?
3..2..1 moving the topic (aha, there's no faq section )

 

[johnnykaty]

which choices are available to your friend?
If he can't find "beta52", maybe he has "beta53" ?
What he can choose is determined by what's on his SD card, so maybe he didn't follow a proper guide, or missed a step.

his problem is that he cant select the d2x-v10-beta52-vWii or beta53
he's saying his only option is the d2x-v6 version

he also say that he first did the nintendo update, could that be the problem?

 

[Cyan]

no, the problem is that he downloaded the cIOS installer (which is provided with v6, as it was the last version available at release time), and didn't add the information needed to install v10.
He needs to copy the v10 information into the cIOS Installer folder on his SD Card. It's possible that he thought he did it but copied the file in the wrong folder or wrong subfolder.

- Download the latest d2x-cios-installer from its google code page: http://code.google.com/p/d2x-cios-installer/downloads/list
- Extract it into the apps folder of your sd card or usb device (sd/apps/d2x-cios-installer/)
- download latest version (v10 beta52 or beta53) http://code.google.com/p/d2x-cios/downloads/list
- extract the content in the installer folder in a way that you have the ciosmaps.xml file in the same place than the boot.dol file, and a new subfolder

apps/d2x-cios-installer/boot.dol
apps/d2x-cios-installer/meta.xml
apps/d2x-cios-installer/icon.png
apps/d2x-cios-installer/ciosmaps.xml
apps/d2x-cios-installer/d2x-v10-beta53-alt/ <-- inside this folder, you have all the .app files

you can have only ONE additional version added manually.
you can't install both beta52 and beta53 at the same time, as it will replace the "ciosmap.xml".

 

[johnnykaty]

no, the problem is that he downloaded the cIOS installer (which is provided with v6, as it was the last version available at release time), and didn't add the information needed to install v10.
He needs to copy the v10 information into the cIOS Installer folder on his SD Card. It's possible that he thought he did it but copied the file in the wrong folder or wrong subfolder.

- Download the latest d2x-cios-installer from its google code page: http://code.google.com/p/d2x-cios-installer/downloads/list
- Extract it into the apps folder of your sd card or usb device (sd/apps/d2x-cios-installer/)
- download latest version (v10 beta52 or beta53) http://code.google.com/p/d2x-cios/downloads/list
- extract the content in the installer folder in a way that you have the ciosmaps.xml file in the same place than the boot.dol file, and a new subfolder

apps/d2x-cios-installer/boot.dol
apps/d2x-cios-installer/meta.xml
apps/d2x-cios-installer/icon.png
apps/d2x-cios-installer/ciosmaps.xml
apps/d2x-cios-installer/d2x-v10-beta53-alt/ <-- inside this folder, you have all the .app files

you can have only ONE additional version added manually.
you can't install both beta52 and beta53 at the same time, as it will replace the "ciosmap.xml".

thanks for all the info
i will try to explain this to him

 

[philipvdheyden]

Hi all, I'm a novive regarding the Wii and WiiU but thanks to the instructions in this thread, I managed yesterday to install the homebrew and also did the rest of the instructions, which made that I was able to launch backups from the SD card through the WiiFlow program.

However, since this morning, I'm unable to launch backups. When launching Wiiflow, I can see the games, and when clicking on them I can see the preview, so this seems to be working. However, when I actually start the game, the screen simply turns black and remains that way, so that I have to pull the power plug to restart the Wii U.

Two things happened this morning (almost in parallel) that in my opinion could be the root cause. My daughter switched on the Wii U and accidentally confirmed the request for a system update, something that I had not done for quite some time. The firmware has been upgraded to 3.1.0 E. However, on multiple forums I have read that upgrading the firmware has not been the source of problems so far.

I also tried to launch backups from a USB stick, but as WiiFlow didn't show me the backups on the USB stick, I also installed CFG USB Loader MOD v70 r65. This loader did show me the backups on the USB stick, but when I tried to start them, it was the first time I got confronted with that black screen. My first idea was that this was related to the CFG loader, but since then, games don't start anymore from Wiiflow as well.

The Lego batman game that we used for the exploit still plays, so I guess that the device is not bricked. All functionalities from within the Homebrew channel also still work ok.

What I tried so far: I already tried reinstalling the d2x cIOS installer, both with the d2x-v10-beta52-vWii as with the alternative beta53-alt version. Both installs work out fine, but the games still don't launch, so no result.

I'm hesitating about resetting to factory settings and trying to reporm the entire procedure, but I'm a bit anxious to try this. Has anyone else experienced this, or do you have some advice on how to fix this ?

Thanks in advance.

I'm wondering: I seem to recall that when pushing some menu-items within CFG loader, it appeared to load some ios too. Could this be the source of my problem ?

 

[johnnykaty]

i have another question
on the mod at point 9 dump your NAND filesystem to SD card
what can we already do with this? is it already possible to put the nand back on the vwii u?


my friend keeps saying he can't select the v10 version ( strange )
can i tell him to do it with the v6 version?

Never mind anymore, he told me that suddenly everything was working well
still finding it a strange case, but who cares it is solved