Hacking Hardware SylVii - PIC-based modchip for the Nintendo Wii

[SylverReZ]

Introduction

The SylVii is a classic 5/6 wire modchip designed for the Wii (older drive revisions in particular). This chip allows the ability to play backup and imported games on the console, booting of homebrew, support for various firmwares (Wiinja/OpenWii/YAOSM/WiiFree), and to enhance many more features of the console's functionality.

Features

• PIC12F683 microcontroller.
• LEDs for drive status (YAOSM & WiiFree)
• Support for DMS/D2A/D2B drive chipsets.
• Region free functionality.
• DVD-R/DVD+R support.
• Multi-disc/multi-game compatible.
• Supports Wii/GC originals/backups/imports.
• Built-in audio-fix.
• Support for GameCube homebrew.
• 5-wire installation (accepting D2B cut pin revisions).

Download

GitHub Repository

 

[SylverReZ]

The diagrams for the WiiFree and YAOSM chips can be found here. Take note with what you're doing especially if you've got soldering experience. All that is needed is five wires to solder directly on the drive mainboard.

https://wiki.gbatemp.net/wiki/WiiFree
https://wiki.gbatemp.net/wiki/Yaosm

 

[VoidStarbreakOfficial]

Is this legit? or did i waste my time here?

 

[SylverReZ]

Is this legit? or did i waste my time here?

Of course! What else did you think it was? Fake?

 

[impeeza]

I have a Wasabi DX2 on my current wii, but if I do manage to put my pawns on a new wii this will be the next project.

 

[SylverReZ]

I have a Wasabi DX2 on my current wii, but if I do manage to put my pawns on a new wii this will be the next project.

Wasabi DX 2? Only ones I've heard of were Wasabi, Wasabi DX and Wasabi Zero.

If you want to get one manufactured, then JLCPCB or PCBWay are the best places to go. Depending on the firmware you flash, some features might be missing like Error 001 anti-piracy patches or DVD+RW support.

 

[impeeza]

Wasabi DX 2? Only ones I've heard of were Wasabi, Wasabi DX and Wasabi Zero.

If you want to get one manufactured, then JLCPCB or PCBWay are the best places to go. Depending on the firmware you flash, some features might be missing like Error 001 anti-piracy patches or DVD+R support.

yeah A "later" revision of DX useful on latest drives, but really only was normal DX with latest firmware from factory.

 

[SylverReZ]

yeah A "later" revision of DX useful on latest drives, but really only was normal DX with latest firmware from factory.

Last update fixed NSMB Wii's BCA anti-piracy.

 

[VoidStarbreakOfficial]

Of course! What else did you think it was? Fake?
Blocked for being stupid!

*thinks for a moment* oh, i actually thought it was fake, if it is legit, then sorry for questioning... just wanted to make sure... btw why block me? i was just asking...

 

[impeeza]

*thinks for a moment* oh, i actually thought it was fake, if it is legit, then sorry for questioning... just wanted to make sure... btw why block me? i was just asking...

you just did a nocto, didn't get the joke

 

[ploggy]

Ha great to see still rocking an original Wiikey in my first Wii.

 

[SylverReZ]

Ha great to see still rocking an original Wiikey in my first Wii.

@ploggy Got those things lying around on my workbench. I'm currently working on more mods, heck, even a WiiKey/XenoGC clone that's both cross-compatible and reprogrammable.

 

[skunk_]

I guess its fine for the wii mini but is it really less of a pain in the ass to mod it using this rather than bluebomb? I mean if you're already gonna mod one by adding wifi and an sd card slot then this is pretty good but otherwise, does it do anything else that softmodding cant?

 

[SylverReZ]

I guess its fine for the wii mini but is it really less of a pain in the ass to mod it using this rather than bluebomb? I mean if you're already gonna mod one by adding wifi and an sd card slot then this is pretty good but otherwise, does it do anything else that softmodding cant?

Modchips are not compatible with the Wii Mini, softmodding is your only solution. Good thing about a modchip is that it allows you to boot GameCube homebrew discs which cannot be done on a Wii.

I've seen one good use out of a chipped Wii drive, apparently it is possible to convert it to work with a GameCube.
https://www.gc-forever.com/wiki/index.php?title=Using_a_Wii_drive_replacement_on_a_GameCube

 

[KleinesSinchen]

Would really like to do something like this. But I don't have any of the stuff. PIC programmer, PICs and the knowledge (or the concentration to understand everything).

Maybe I would be able to install a pre-build, flashed modchip. Software mod is kinda lame for backup DVD loading (slow drive setting).

 

[SylverReZ]

Would really like to do something like this. But I don't have any of the stuff. PIC programmer, PICs and the knowledge (or the concentration to understand everything).

Maybe I would be able to install a pre-build, flashed modchip. Software mod is kinda lame for backup DVD loading (slow drive setting).

A cheaper solution to programming PIC chips would be to snag up a $10 programmer from AliExpress or similar marketplaces. The K150 and the clone PicKits are what you should be going for if you're doing basic programming.

 

[SalemDante]

Can i fix the 003 error Korean Wii with it?

 

[SylverReZ]

Can i fix the 003 error Korean Wii with it?

You can do so, yes. As long as your Wii has an appropriate drive chipset that'll work.

There will be a redesign of this chip in the works, for now, the project files are offline.

 

[SalemDante]

You can do so, yes. As long as your Wii has an appropriate drive chipset that'll work.

There will be a redesign of this chip in the works, for now, the project files are offline.

Ok , unfortunately i have D4 Drive, I'm going to order D2B drive, i can swab Drivers right? And I'm going to order PIC 12F629, (I have 16F630/676 at home idk if it works too) do you think with this i can Fix the Brick? If i program it with YAOSM ? (And thank you in advance my brother)

 

[SylverReZ]

Softmodding is much more common and easy to perform, plus loading games from a USB drive is much faster and more reliable than booting from a DVD drive. And considering that modchipping a console like this is such a waste of time, I have decided to therefore stop maintaining the SylVii chip for those reasons described.