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Hardware WD Elements + Wii U

You're going to need to use a USB splitter cable. The Wii U does not have enough power from one USB port to power a external HDD, so a splitter type cable (splits to two USB's) is needed to connect to both ports on the back of the Wii U. Something like this > http://www.amazon.com/eForCity-dual-Micro-B-Cable-Black/dp/B005M0ICG2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1372044771&sr=8-2&keywords=usb3.0 hdd split cable

Otherwise the system won't have enough juice to even spin a platter.

EDIT:

Oh you have a cable already? It will work fine then!
 
Nintendo recommends an external usb hdd that has an external power source. They do that for a reason. You'd hate for you Wii U to crap out because you wanted to cheap out on purchasing what was recommended.

If I were going to use an external usb hdd without it's own power supply, then I would add a powered usb hub so the usb hdd could get it power from somewhere else besides the Wii U. I haven't done that so I cannot say if a powered usb hub is compatible with a Wii U. It worked with my Wii so it might with a Wii U.
 
SickPuppy said:
Nintendo recommends an external usb hdd that has an external power source. They do that for a reason. You'd hate for you Wii U to crap out because you wanted to cheap out on purchasing what was recommended.

If I were going to use an external usb hdd without it's own power supply, then I would add a powered usb hub so the usb hdd could get it power from somewhere else besides the Wii U. I haven't done that so I cannot say if a powered usb hub is compatible with a Wii U. It worked with my Wii so it might with a Wii U.
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Of course though, that advice Nintendo gives doesn't help those who have the non external-powered USB HDDs.
 
the_randomizer said:
Of course though, that advice Nintendo gives doesn't help those who have the non external-powered USB HDDs.
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the op hasn't bought it yet. Nintendo's advice was so you know what to use with your U.

I thought the idea behind a protable usb hdd was so you can take in on the run with you to connect to your laptop. If your usb hdd is going to be a permanent fixture next to your desktop or gaming console, then you should invest in an external usb hdd that can plug in to the wall for it's power. If the op buys that usb hdd and uses it with his U, there might come a day when he plugs another power robbing device (or two) in to his U, then all of the sudden the U's power supply will be working overtime just to power multiple usb devices. Not good. When I was out shopping for usb hdd for my wii and ps3, I made sure to purchase models that had an external power source.
 
SickPuppy said:
the op hasn't bought it yet.

I thought the idea behind a protable usb hdd was so you can take in on the run with you to connect to your laptop. If your usb hdd is going to be a permanent fixture next to your desktop or gaming console, then you should invest in an external usb hdd that can plug in to the wall for it's power. If the op buys that usb hdd and uses it with his U, there might come a day when he plugs another power robbing device (or two) in to his U, then all of the sudden the U's power supply will be working overtime just to power multiple usb devices. Not good. When I was out shopping for usb hdd for my wii and ps3, I made sure to purchase models that had an external power source.
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I've been using my HDD on a Wii for well over a year and a half with just a USB cable, since it's a 2.5" drive. Never had a single issue with read/write issues, crashing, etc. I sure as heck don't want to get a new HDD with an external source if I already have a fully working HDD, but whatevs :P
 
Well for what its worth , when I bought my original will back in 08 I also bought one of them fan stands for it that . After a few months I started getting slight pixilation in the corners of the screen . I called ninty and told them the problem , I sent it back and they replaced it for free because it was still under warranty . While on the phone with the rep , he asked if I had anything plugged into the usb ports , I said yeah , my wii mote charger and the fan for the wii , he told me not to do that because ninty doesn't support those accessories and they maybe what caused the problem with console. Well since then I never used that fan again , and I plug the charger in the usb port on the cable box . When I got the new wii , I had no issues and it still works today flawlessly , although I packed it up a few weeks ago.
 
the_randomizer said:
I've been using my HDD on a Wii for well over a year and a half with just a USB cable, since it's a 2.5" drive. Never had a single issue with read/write issues, crashing, etc. I sure as heck don't want to get a new HDD with an external source if I already have a fully working HDD, but whatevs :P
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I have seen poeple that had issues with usb powered hdd and Wii, loosing pixels. I myself had an issue of the same thing, but it wasn't a Wii, I had a usb powered hdd plugged into a device and watched a movie that was over 2 hours, I never did get to see the end of the movie because the device crapped out, i guess it overheated or something. I guess the different usb hdd's can vary in the amount of power they draw from the power source, so somebody may never have a problem, and another person may run into a problem.

It would be better to recommend the op whatever Nintendo recommends, I wouldn't want to be responsible if his console gets damaged. Or at least tell the op he's responsible for his console, do with it as he pleases.
 
SickPuppy said:
I have seen poeple that had issues with usb powered hdd and Wii, loosing pixels. I myself had an issue of the same thing, but it wasn't a Wii, I had a usb powered hdd plugged into a device and watched a movie that was over 2 hours, I never did get to see the end of the movie because the device crapped out, i guess it overheated or something. I guess the different usb hdd's can vary in the amount of power they draw from the power source, so somebody may never have a problem, and another person may run into a problem.

It would be better to recommend the op whatever Nintendo recommends, I wouldn't want to be responsible if his console gets damaged. Or at least tell the op he's responsible for his console, do with it as he pleases.
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2.5" HDDs don't require as much power as the 3.5" variety. I use what works for me and has never been an issue, and it's a Western Digital which makes good drives.
 
EnigmaXtreme said:
I'm looking to buy one of these

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Western-...388?pt=AU_HardDrives&hash=item4cff1dd7e4#shId

I have a Y cable for it, does anyone know if they work on the Wii U
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It should work great. Though if you're softmodding Wii Mode make sure you plug the data plug in the right USB port for cIOS to recognize it, as one is for power only. (that is, unless you use d2x beta53-alt-vwii which supports both USB ports, but is supposedly incompatible with certain games)
 
To answer your question i have the same drive only mine is usb 2.0 and it works super great. Go with the usb 2.0
 
If you still haven't bought it: find one with external power instead, particularly if you intend to let the Wii U download things in standby mode. At least in my experience the Wii U doesn't like USB powered drives (Y-Cable or no) when downloading in standby mode. Of the three I tried, two would always stall the download after a few minutes and the other wouldn't even let it start.
 
I wouldn't buy wd externals for anything other than pc use if i were you. They always come pre-installed with bull-shtako software. I couldn't use it with my PS3 because of the software, so I'd at least check it out before you buy it.
 
Sorox said:
I wouldn't buy wd externals for anything other than pc use if i were you. They always come pre-installed with bull-shtako software. I couldn't use it with my PS3 because of the software, so I'd at least check it out before you buy it.
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WD has never let me down , as a matter of fact they are my first choice if the price is right .As for the added software , that's easily removed by deleting it then reformatting . I kind of wished I didn't do that to one of my externals , but that was under win xp .
You want a drive with an external power source .
 

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