(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 !

 

[Hannes Gutberg]

thanks for the great step by step guide. Great to see the wii mod scene having achieved so much on the vWii already. I have some questions about online capability and security (I know, nobody can assure anything and it's more like "no risk no fun", but...)
1. Has anyone tried playing Wii games online from USB HDD in vWii? Is there any difference to the original Wii from the point of trackability?
2. Starting vWii reboots the whole WiiU to get to that vWii system. Is there any process of the Wii U active when launching vWii (can anybody judge this yet)? Could it be that a BIGN instance is still running and logging the events happening in vWii (and transmitting that info to the central)?
3. What are the chances of BIGN coming at me via my Wii U Network ID asking for receipts for my Wii game collection? (As the Wii is aging, I am sure I have not kept every little receipt for every game that I bought...)

I appreciate your thoughts.

 

[yafaiz]

^ It's possible that they can see your Usb Loading and such, however it was always possible that they could on a regular Wii.
They have never asked such a question to anyone before and I doubt it is of concern to them now.
You can play games online using vWii and a USB Loader just fine, it's the same as a regular Wii.

 

[Nemix77]

What's the Wii games compatibility like so far?

 

[n1ckn4m3]

So far, I've had the same compatibility that I had with my Wii. I've got approx 105 games (that I ripped from original media, I'm not kidding, can take photos of my inordinately large Wii game collection that I regret the amount of money I sank into.) and so far they have all worked. I haven't played any of the games that use the microphone yet which may pose problems based on information I've gleaned out of other threads, but I've not encountered any compatibility issues to this point.

Additionally, I don't have any of the games that have built-in piracy detection, i.e., some of the more problematic games that historically cause problems for d2x.

If you wanted more targeted information (a list of tested games, or something), let me know and I'll edit one into this post as a spoiler (unless there's another way to have a collapsible list, I don't want to have the list spam the thread).

 

[asper]

Using this:

USB\VID_046D&PID_0A03&REV_0101
VID is the the vendor code - PID is the product code (Logitech original)

LABEL SAYS:
M/N: A-0234A
DZL-A-0234A(B)

I have never had a single problem with this and USB Mics games - tested and working with both Wii and vWii with CFG Usb Loader and the mic connected to the lower USB rear port. It DOES NOT WORK with front ports.

cIOS tested: davebaol d2x-v10-beta53-alt-vWii (used IOS57 as base).

Games behave differently depending on the loader used (some works great with one loader, some with another; in my experience best are CFG Usb Loader and Wiiflow but I never used USB Loader GX so much even on my real Wii) but compatibility should be very high. There are problems with wiiwares (installed on emulated and original nand) but I think they are the same Wii problems expecially with Virtual Console titles.

 

[gothteen]

Bought a new external hdd enclosure today and now everything works like a charm Thnx everyone for the great tips and advices, Game on!

UPDATE: Bought this one (instead of usb 3.0 it got usb 2.0 but hey, its cheap) Got a 120gb wd inside:

 

[Eyesenish]

WiiU with 2.1.0 System Menu (lower versions do not have vWii installed - not tested with greater versions)?????
WTF im in 1.0.1u and i have vwii

 

[Bryon15]

Its not needed for that no but if you do brick you have a backup and in th future it would be likely possible to restore it than.

So if I screw up and brick my vwii, there's no way to unbrick it until bootmii is available? Which could be far into the future? I don't like the sound of this. I think I'll wait to soft mod my vwii until it's safer. I still have my fully hacked Wii hooked up to my tv. But thanks for this guide anyway.

 

[Tim Vanschoren]

Hello,

ive got a question, i was trying to hack my vWii earlier, and i was using the smashstack exploit. But when i was goin into stagebuilder (following all the steps from the smashstack guide) my vWii just froze up and i couldnt continue..... Does any1 know why this happens? Could i be because i have WiiU version 2.1.0E??
Is the lego batman exploit better to use? Or any other exploit that would be better?

 

[lampjese]

Tim did you use the Smash Stack PAL/KOR version of the smashstack?.
You should have a pal version of the wiiu.

 

[lampjese]

U can find it here.

 

[Tim Vanschoren]

Hey , i did use the EU version of the smashstack exploit , i downloaded it from their site and then followed the steps they said. (http://giantpune.zzl.org/smashStackPK.html)


(this last link i did also get from that wiki link u just said )

 

[lampjese]

Try the one in my link i used that one and it worked.
And got the homebrew channel frome here.

 

[lampjese]

Also make sure u have a non sdhc sd card.

 

[Tim Vanschoren]

Yup, i got a regular SD card, i find it strange that the stage builder just freezes, as the wiki sais this can happen..... but ive tried this like 10-15times now and still doesnt work :S
So i wonder whats wrong , maybe i should just try another SD card... dunno...


Edit , : ye i did mount the SD when the game was running (so not when i was in the wii mode)

 

[lampjese]

Did you mount the sd card after the game is loaded?.

 

[Plunt]

Like you said, try a different SD, I used the Tales of Symphonia exploit, and kept getting a freeze (with a non-hc sd card) then tried a different SD card and it worked no problem

 

[Tim Vanschoren]

Ok i will go and fetch some other SD card right now ill let u know what happened soon ^^

 

[Tim Vanschoren]

Ok so i tried another SD card (this time its a 128mb SD card from Dane-Elec) .... Same problem , vWii freezes when i enter stagebuilder.... This is getting annoying

Btw , does it matter if i use boot.elf or the bootmini.elf? Which one should i use , or just both?

(i did download the latest bootmii installer from the official website)

 

[winmaster]

Ok so i tried another SD card (this time its a 128mb SD card from Dane-Elec) .... Same problem , vWii freezes when i enter stagebuilder.... This is getting annoying

Btw , does it matter if i use boot.elf or the bootmini.elf? Which one should i use , or just both?

(i did download the latest bootmii installer from the official website)

You should be using boot.elf. bootmini.elf run on MINI, which doesn't exist yet (ever?) on vWii.