Hacking Modded Wii second hand

[Flaya]

So I got a black Wii second hand. It has the GC controller/mc ports, new wiimote and is running on 4.3e.

Thing is, it's already softmodded. I know it was done by letterbomb, but I have no clue as to what else is installed. There was no SD card inside, and only the HBC is left on the console.
I tried slapping a card with wiiflow in it, but it throws black screens with random error s (auto-reload and no auto-reload).

I usually do my mods myself, simply because I prefer to know exactly what is done.

So my question is simple enough; what steps should I take to re-hack it to my own preference?

Is there a possibility to create a nand backup from scratch, ie re-flashing "stock" firmware?

 

[Cyan]

either follow a modmii generated guide by selecting "I want to resoftmod", it asks you what you want and generate the guide based on your answers,

or if you prefer you can run syscheck (in my signature) to know what's installed on your console. from there, we can decide what to do.

 

[Flaya]

Sweet lightning fast reply.

I'll try the syscheck as soon as my kids are put to bed. If nothing else, I'd be glad to know what's on it.

Will check the modmii as well, but to be honest; I'm like Freddy Mercury - I want it all!

 

[Cyan]

Modmii will both update the wii file's version and add softmod with all you'll need for all homebrew access.
then, you'll have to get what you need (each homebrew, loaders, games...) and hardware (hdd, please don't use a flash drive !!).
I suggest using a dedicated SDHC for your wii, I personnaly prefer having homebrew on SD, and games on USB. having everything on USB could create issues.

but, syscheck is a good start. post the result here.
the last user I helped, it revealed a real messed console's system. modmii wouldn't have fixed it automatically.

 

[Flaya]

Ok.

I have a dedicated HDD for my Wiis.

I also have plenty of SDHC cards, but they have a tendency to not work properly, so I usually use SD cards.

One thing I have been steustrugg with regarding Homebrew, is the fact that I have trouble finding versions that supports the new wiimote ie wiixplorer..

I once, way back, made an attempt to compile updated versions of some Homebrew, but at varying results.

 

[Cyan]

latest release of wiixplorer supports wiimote+, if not it's not an official nintendo controller?
I compiled latest version, I don't remember if I used library with w+ support or not.
https://gbatemp.net/posts/8270809

 

[Flaya]

Ah yes. I remember starting that thread. Turned out my wiimote was 3rd party.

I have an official one now, so I'll be sure to try yours again.

I think it's a shame that not all Homebrew for Wii get updated to final stage. I don't have the proper skillset to code for Wii, otherwise I'd make it my mission to get them updated. Since the Wii is cancelled by Nintendo, and the switch came, not that many devs have any interest anymore.

 

[Cyan]

compiling with latest libraries and SDK is not as easy as running the required command.
the compiler has been updated, but also some requirement and ways to write source code, so lot of old project require some fixes and small rewrite to work with newer libraries.

The wii had a lot of developers, but most left on wiiu release.
There are still developers working on Wii, we got a new homebrew game release this year. but most are game loaders updates instead of new projects.
It's great that the Switch seems to be attracting new developers, I hope it'll be an active scene for few years.

 

[Flaya]

Well, as I said, I lack the skillset.

On the other hand, I've got good news and bad news.

Bad news is; syscheck didn't run. It kicked me back to the Wii channel.

Good news is; my friend said he didn't erase the card yet, and would let me borrow it to make a copy when he gets back home in a few days.

Still gonna give modmii a shot tho.

 

[Flaya]

As I'm writing this, I'm using the ModMii Solution. Currently Backing up my NAND.

I noticed that ModMii does not offer WiiFlow as a USB Loader, but from what I've been able to find, Nintendont has best compatability with USB Loader GX..?
I'm also going to try the green fast spin theme. Hopefully it won't brick my system.
anywho...

If everything works out, I'll probably return with more questions, like; Where can I find the latest version of (insert name here)..

 

[Cyan]

maybe syscheck couldn't run because hbc was too old, or it was missing some IOS. Modmii will fix it all.

I don't know about wiiflow compatibility with nintendont, but I think it's the same as USBLoaderGX. it's only aesthetic.
USBLoaderGX 1268 had a bug with nintendont, and I didn't release the fix officially yet. you can replace its boot.dol with the one from 1269mod in my signature if you want the fix.

For the real differences, Wiiflow might have better compatibility to detect your hdd, some users have issues with USBLoaderGX. I don't know how to fix it.

 

[Flaya]

I'll give it a shot. Currently installing wads. The wad manager didn't support the new Wiimote, so I had to break out my GC Controller.

Might as well put it out there; If you have locations to updated HB (all and any), I would be very Thankful if you wanted share.

 

[Cyan]

don't use the wad manager from modmii (mmm ?)
use this one instead : https://github.com/FIX94/Some-YAWMM-Mod/releases
it supports wiimote+ and is the latest/most recent build.

I don't have a single location to find all updated homebrew, sorry.
one thing you can do is check the sources (github, sourceforge etc.) of each projects to see if a new release is available.

for example, Snes9xGX, vbagx just got an update !
you would find the new update on the official website, or on gbatemp (there are new thread for new release).
sorry nobody maintain a list of updates homebrew, the best place is still wiibrew.org, usually the developer want to promote the release and post it on wiibrew.


as for unofficial builds, you might find them in wiiu section, Ustealth thread, bottom of the first post.
they are initially recompiled to add Ustealth support, but if they are recompiled with new library it might add wiimote+ support too. and more generally, if it's in the wiiu section it should already support wiimote+.

 

[Flaya]

Thanks!

Well, it seems that ModMii wasn't the solution. I still have black screen with random errors when launching HomeBrews.

This is my selections from ModMii:

Spoiler

1. • Your chosen options
   
   This guide was generated using the following parameters:
   • Install and\or update all recommended softmods
   • Current System Menu is 4.3E
   • Desired System Menu is 4.3E
   • Install Photo Channel
   • Install Internet Channel
   • Install Weather Channel
   • Install News Channel
   • Install Mii Channel
   • Install Shopping Channel (and IOS56)
   • Install Wii Speak Channel
   • Install Dark Wii Green Theme
   • Update active IOSs (can be disabled in options)
   • Do not Install a cMIOS (can be enabled in options)
   • Install a USB-Loader Forwarder Channel (can be disabled in options)
   • External Hard Drive already Formatted as WBFS
   • Download Configurable USB-Loader and WiiFlow
   • USB-Loader Settings and config files saved to USB Hard Drive

Here's my syscheck

Spoiler

SysCheck HDE v2.4.0 HacksDen Edition by JoostinOnline, Double_A, R2-D2199, and Nano
...runs on IOS58 (rev 6176).
Region: PAL
System Menu 4.3E (v514)
Priiloader installed
Drive date: 07.14.2008
Homebrew Channel 1.1.2 running on IOS58
Hollywood v0x21
Console ID: 126474244
Console Type: Wii
Shop Channel Country: Sweden (107)
Boot2 v4
Found 69 titles.
Found 50 IOS on this console. 5 of them are stubs.
IOS3 (rev 65280): Stub
IOS4 (rev 65280): Stub
IOS9 (rev 1034): No Patches
IOS10 (rev 768): Stub
IOS11 (rev 16174): Trucha Bug, NAND Access
IOS12 (rev 526): No Patches
IOS13 (rev 1032): No Patches
IOS14 (rev 1032): No Patches
IOS15 (rev 1032): No Patches
IOS16 (rev 512): Stub
IOS17 (rev 1032): No Patches
IOS20 (rev 16174): Trucha Bug, NAND Access
IOS21 (rev 1039): No Patches
IOS22 (rev 1294): No Patches
IOS28 (rev 1807): No Patches
IOS30 (rev 16174): Trucha Bug, NAND Access
IOS31 (rev 3608): No Patches
IOS33 (rev 3608): No Patches
IOS34 (rev 3608): No Patches
IOS35 (rev 3608): No Patches
IOS36 (rev 3608): No Patches
IOS37 (rev 5663): No Patches
IOS38 (rev 4124): No Patches
IOS40 (rev 16174): Trucha Bug, NAND Access
IOS41 (rev 3607): No Patches
IOS43 (rev 3607): No Patches
IOS45 (rev 3607): No Patches
IOS46 (rev 3607): No Patches
IOS48 (rev 4124): No Patches
IOS50 (rev 16174): Trucha Bug, NAND Access
IOS51 (rev 4864): Stub
IOS52 (rev 16174): Trucha Bug, NAND Access
IOS53 (rev 5663): No Patches
IOS55 (rev 5663): No Patches
IOS56 (rev 5662): No Patches
IOS57 (rev 5919): No Patches
IOS58 (rev 6176): USB 2.0
IOS60 (rev 16174): Trucha Bug, NAND Access
IOS61 (rev 5662): No Patches
IOS62 (rev 6430): No Patches
IOS70 (rev 16174): Trucha Bug, NAND Access
IOS80 (rev 16174): Trucha Bug, NAND Access
IOS202[60] (rev 65535, Info: hermesrodries-v6): Trucha Bug, NAND Access, USB 2.0
IOS222[38] (rev 4, Info: hermes-v4): Trucha Bug, ES Identify, NAND Access, USB 2.0
IOS223[38+37] (rev 4, Info: hermes-v4): Trucha Bug, ES Identify, NAND Access, USB 2.0
IOS224[57] (rev 65535, Info: hermesrodries-v6): Trucha Bug, NAND Access, USB 2.0
IOS236[36] (rev 65535, Info: rev 3351): Trucha Bug, ES Identify, NAND Access
IOS249[56] (rev 21008, Info: d2x-v8final): Trucha Bug, NAND Access, USB 2.0
IOS250[57] (rev 21008, Info: d2x-v8final): Trucha Bug, NAND Access, USB 2.0
IOS254 (rev 65281): BootMii
BC v6
MIOS v10
Report generated on 09/11/2018.

Edit:
Found this: https://gbatemp.net/threads/nilums-revirginize-guide.254828/

Would that be a valid route to start over fresh and clean?

 

[Cyan]

don't revirginize the wii ... Modmii just did it.
your system is good, you have all the proper clean original (virginized) IOS and cIOS version.
don't edit or change them anymore.
And don't randomly find old thread and think it's a good idea to follow it. Old guide often have old version of everything, and it can be dangerous.


if you have compatibility issue, it's a problem related to something else. (software or hardware).

I still have black screen with random errors when launching HomeBrews.

which homebrew? always the same which has the problem, or randomly ?
from HBC?
did you try another SD card ? (sdhc, not sdxc)
did you try another hdd (if you use any hdd for your tested homebrew)?

 

[Flaya]

Ok. Well I have random crashes on random Homebrew. Tested my card in another Wii (exactly the same model) and it works great.

Perhaps this Wii is simply just faulty..?

Too bad we can't do like on the PS3 and simply just reinstall the ofw.

 

[Flaya]

Is it safe to use this forwarder for USBLoaderGX?

USB Loader GX-UNEO_Forwarder_5_1_AHBPROT

 

[Yan3]

Is it safe to use this forwarder for USBLoaderGX?

USB Loader GX-UNEO_Forwarder_5_1_AHBPROT

Yeah it is the one I use and it works perfectly with the last revision of USB loader gx

 

[Cyan]

Too bad we can't do like on the PS3 and simply just reinstall the ofw.

That's because there's no firmware, only currently running program : system menu, OR homebrew channel, OR a game, OR any homebrew.
there's no need of a (custom) firmware because there's no main program running in the background to manage the console.

the backgound program is the "currently loaded IOS slot" used by the "currently loaded program".
When you launch the system menu, is loads IOS in slot 80
when you launch HBC, it loads IOS in slot 58
when you launch a game, it loads the IOS in slot <specified by developer>
when you launch USBLoaderGX, or a game from USB, it loads the IOS in slot 249 (or any other specified slot you decided)

the IOS is responsible for the hardware communication (wiimote, USB, NAND, Wifi, etc.)

There's nothing to restore, just install the IOS you want to use into the slot you want to use for the program you want to use.
you already have all the proper and latest version of all the IOS, all the console should work fine.
If you have a problem, it's not the IOS's fault, but a hardware (hdd) or setup issue.

It could be a hardware SD card slot problem, if your card works fine in another Wii.