Hacking Unusual Hard Drive Trouble

[Mulsiphix]

NOTE: This problem has been solved. There is no need to render further support. A special thank you to jeannotte and Lostbhoy for their continued support <3.

I modded my Wii back in 2014. Did a really nice job on it with Emulators and software. Have a 1TB hard drive, speedy SD card, and I played it for three years without a single issue. Then I moved in 2017, never touched the Wii again, and just set it back up today. USB LoaderGX recognizes the 400+ items on the SD card, but the hard drive content isn't recognized. I used WiiXplorer to confirm that the USB is not detected. Only the SD, Nand, and DVD appear as sources in that app. However, on Windows 10 the drive works perfectly. I even made an image of it with no problems at all. The drive works flawlessly.

Is there something obvious that I might be missing? I don't think it would be a Wii configuration or software issue on account that it was working right before I packed it up. I certainly haven't updated the bios or connected it to the internet. I wouldn't think it was a hard drive issue or USBLoaderGX issue because both are currently working. I tried connecting the USB drive to both USB ports on the back of the Wii, but it still didn't work. Any ideas on what I might try next to diagnose this issue?

 

[jeannotte]

Hello,

post a syscheck report by following this guide ==>https://gbatemp.net/threads/posting-a-system-check.300279/

Compared to the syscheck, we will guide you to update if necessary.

external hard drive in FAT 32 << === Recommend.

 

[Lostbhoy]

Could be your Wii usb ports have become damaged, if you have a usb thumb drive I'd try connecting it to see if the port reads anything at all just to get that issue out of the way.

 

[Crazynoob458]

Could be your Wii usb ports have become damaged, if you have a usb thumb drive I'd try connecting it to see if the port reads anything at all just to get that issue out of the way.

try not to use thumb drives
maybe try another usb hard drive with some games

 

[Lostbhoy]

try not to use thumb drives
maybe try another usb hard drive with some games

I'm not suggesting to use a thumb drive as a solution, just to see if the ports are reading any devices at all.

Removed advice relating to wii u because I didn't read properly lol and d'oh!

 

[Mulsiphix]

post a syscheck report by following this guide ==>https://gbatemp.net/threads/posting-a-system-check.300279/

Spoiler: SysCheck

SysCheck HDE v2.4.0 HacksDen Edition by JoostinOnline, Double_A, R2-D2199, and Nano
...runs on IOS58 (rev 6176).

Region: NTSC-U
System Menu 4.1U (v449)
Priiloader installed
Drive date: 07.14.2008
Homebrew Channel 1.1.2 running on IOS58
Homebrew Filter rev512 running on IOS58
Hollywood v0x11
Console ID: 78740192
Console Type: Wii
Shop Channel Country: United States (49)
Boot2 v4
Found 156 titles.
Found 56 IOS on this console. 6 of them are stubs.

IOS3 (rev 65280): Stub
IOS4 (rev 65280): Stub
IOS9 (rev 54321): Trucha Bug
IOS10 (rev 768): Stub
IOS11 (rev 54321): Trucha Bug
IOS12 (rev 526): No Patches
IOS13 (rev 1032): No Patches
IOS14 (rev 1032): No Patches
IOS15 (rev 1032): No Patches
IOS16 (rev 54321): Trucha Bug, ES Identify, Flash Access, NAND Access
IOS17 (rev 1032): No Patches
IOS20 (rev 54321): Trucha Bug
IOS21 (rev 1039): No Patches
IOS22 (rev 1294): No Patches
IOS28 (rev 1807): No Patches
IOS30 (rev 54321): Trucha Bug
IOS31 (rev 3608): No Patches
IOS33 (rev 3608): No Patches
IOS34 (rev 3608): No Patches
IOS35 (rev 3608): No Patches
IOS36 (rev 54321): Trucha Bug, ES Identify, NAND Access
IOS37 (rev 5663): No Patches
IOS38 (rev 4124): No Patches
IOS40 (rev 3072): Stub
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 54321): Trucha Bug
IOS51 (rev 4864): Stub
IOS52 (rev 5888): Stub
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 54321): Trucha Bug
IOS61 (rev 5662): No Patches
IOS62 (rev 6430): No Patches
IOS70 (rev 54321): Trucha Bug
IOS80 (rev 54321): Trucha Bug
IOS90 (rev 54321): Trucha Bug
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 (rev 54321): Trucha Bug, ES Identify, NAND Access, Beer Ticket
IOS245[37] (rev 21008, Info: d2x-v8final): Trucha Bug, NAND Access, USB 2.0
IOS246[38] (rev 21008, Info: d2x-v8final): Trucha Bug, ES Identify, NAND Access
IOS247[53] (rev 21008, Info: d2x-v8final): Trucha Bug, NAND Access, USB 2.0
IOS248[55] (rev 21008, Info: d2x-v8final): Trucha Bug, NAND Access, USB 2.0
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
IOS251[58] (rev 21008, Info: d2x-v8final): Trucha Bug, NAND Access, USB 2.0
IOS254 (rev 65281): BootMii
BC v6
MIOS v65535
Report generated on 11/10/2020.

Spoiler: HD Tune Diagnostic Images

Drive Info

Health

Error Scan

Folder Usage

File Benchmark

Note: In the Health image it shows there might be an issue with the cable: "Number of interface communication errors: 1. There were communication errors. This may be caused by a damaged cable." Obviously the cable functions because I was able to test the drive and my PC picks it up just fine. However, just to be certain, I have ordered a brand new one from Amazon. It should be here Saturday so I will be able to test that and report back at that time.

Could be your Wii usb ports have become damaged, if you have a usb thumb drive I'd try connecting it to see if the port reads anything at all just to get that issue out of the way.

1. I booted up the Wii to the Homebrew Channel with no SD card in the system. It was the expected blank blue bubbles background.

2. I inserted my Wii SD Card (placed within a USB card reader) into the top rear USB port. My SD Apps appeared. Upon removal, the apps disappeared.

3. The bottom rear USB port produced identical results.

maybe try another usb hard drive with some games

I do not currently own another external hard drive to test. If it turns out something is wrong with this drive, which it looks like the drive itself is fine, then I can order a new one. But I don't have the money to purchase one at this moment. I'd also really like to confirm there is a problem with this drive before making a new purchase if possible.

 

[Lostbhoy]

Your hdd maybe formatted to GPT (GUID Partition Table) instead of MBR (Master Boot Record). Try the following which has been taken from another forum with the same problem and lists this as the solution...

Download Minitool Partition Wizard from https://www.partitionwizard.com/partitionmagic/fat32-formatter.html
(Note: be sure to uncheck avast in the installer as it's bundled in by default!)

Open Minitool and choose 'Disk & Partition Management'

Right click the Wii Drive in the list and choose 'Convert GPT disk to MBR disk'
(Note: After the disk has been converted to MBR, make sure the partition holding your games is still the active partition.)

 

[Mulsiphix]

Your hdd maybe formatted to GPT (GUID Partition Table) instead of MBR (Master Boot Record).

Minitool partition Wizard reports that the Wii HD is already formatted to MBR. No modification necessary.

Spoiler: Image

 

[Lostbhoy]

Cool.
Besides trying to update usb loader, and/or cIOS d2x v10 on 249, I'm stumped!
Here's hoping it's your possible cable problem then... Fingers crossed man!

 

[Mulsiphix]

I acquired a new 2TB hard drive for testing purposes (STHN2000400, Seagate Backup Plus), allowing me to test the drive and the drive cable simultaneously. I used Macrium Reflect (Free) to make a forensic copy of my Wii HD. The results with the Wii were identical. It just doesn't see it. This doesn't seem to make any sense. The USB ports on the Wii work, the Wii HD seems healthy and works fine with the PC, I have a brand new hard drive and cable here, and yet the Wii can't detect either hard drive being plugged in?

Any other ideas on what I might try next to get to the bottom of this?

 

[jeannotte]

Hello

seen your syscheck report, try the cios d2x version 10 beta 52 using "wii guide cios" on the net, you can always reinstall the version of the cios d2x version 8 final if it does not work.

 

[Mulsiphix]

Using the guide you recommended I believe I successfully updated cIOS to d2x-v10-beta52. Just to be sure I've added a current syscheck report. Unfortunately, no discernable changes have taken place. The problem remains.

Spoiler: syscheck report

SysCheck HDE v2.4.0 HacksDen Edition by JoostinOnline, Double_A, R2-D2199, and Nano
...runs on IOS58 (rev 6176).

Region: NTSC-U
System Menu 4.1U (v449)
Priiloader installed
Drive date: 07.14.2008
Homebrew Channel 1.1.2 running on IOS58
Homebrew Filter rev512 running on IOS58
Hollywood v0x11
Console ID: 78740192
Console Type: Wii
Shop Channel Country: United States (49)
Boot2 v4
Found 156 titles.
Found 56 IOS on this console. 6 of them are stubs.

IOS3 (rev 65280): Stub
IOS4 (rev 65280): Stub
IOS9 (rev 54321): Trucha Bug
IOS10 (rev 768): Stub
IOS11 (rev 54321): Trucha Bug
IOS12 (rev 526): No Patches
IOS13 (rev 1032): No Patches
IOS14 (rev 1032): No Patches
IOS15 (rev 1032): No Patches
IOS16 (rev 54321): Trucha Bug, ES Identify, Flash Access, NAND Access
IOS17 (rev 1032): No Patches
IOS20 (rev 54321): Trucha Bug
IOS21 (rev 1039): No Patches
IOS22 (rev 1294): No Patches
IOS28 (rev 1807): No Patches
IOS30 (rev 54321): Trucha Bug
IOS31 (rev 3608): No Patches
IOS33 (rev 3608): No Patches
IOS34 (rev 3608): No Patches
IOS35 (rev 3608): No Patches
IOS36 (rev 54321): Trucha Bug, ES Identify, NAND Access
IOS37 (rev 5663): No Patches
IOS38 (rev 4124): No Patches
IOS40 (rev 3072): Stub
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 54321): Trucha Bug
IOS51 (rev 4864): Stub
IOS52 (rev 5888): Stub
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 54321): Trucha Bug
IOS61 (rev 5662): No Patches
IOS62 (rev 6430): No Patches
IOS70 (rev 54321): Trucha Bug
IOS80 (rev 54321): Trucha Bug
IOS90 (rev 54321): Trucha Bug
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 (rev 54321): Trucha Bug, ES Identify, NAND Access, Beer Ticket
IOS245[37] (rev 21008, Info: d2x-v8final): Trucha Bug, NAND Access, USB 2.0
IOS246[38] (rev 21008, Info: d2x-v8final): Trucha Bug, ES Identify, NAND Access
IOS247[53] (rev 21008, Info: d2x-v8final): Trucha Bug, NAND Access, USB 2.0
IOS248[55] (rev 21008, Info: d2x-v8final): Trucha Bug, NAND Access, USB 2.0
IOS249[56] (rev 65535, Info: d2x-v10beta52): Trucha Bug, NAND Access, USB 2.0
IOS250[57] (rev 65535, Info: d2x-v10beta52): Trucha Bug, NAND Access, USB 2.0
IOS251[58] (rev 65535, Info: d2x-v10beta52): Trucha Bug, NAND Access, USB 2.0
IOS254 (rev 65281): BootMii
BC v6
MIOS v65535
Report generated on 11/11/2020.

 

[Mulsiphix]

• I took out my SD card which contains all of my Wii apps.
• I then copied the apps folder to my Wii HD (hoping I can prove the Wii is capable of seeing my USB drive)
• Without hard drive plugged in, Homebrew Channel is blank.
• Plugged HD in and all expected apps appear (definitive proof that the Wii can detect my USB drive)
• USB GX loader still reports the USB device could not be initialized.
• WiiExplorer still does not list USB as a source I can view, despite the USB being the source WiiExplorer is running off of.

Is it possible there is a problem with my Wii setup itself? The HD only contains files the apps will access. There should be nothing about it that causes it to be invisible to the Wii like this. Perhaps I need to re-mod my Wii? Is that even possible? Yes I have a copy of the original NAND dump, if that matters. I cannot explain this problem but surely there must be something further I can try, even if it means starting from scratch. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mulsiphix]

I hopped on the RiiConnect24 Discord Server and summed up this thread's contents there. Someone suggested that I move the files off of my HD, format my HD, and then manually copy the files back onto it. Surprisingly, this worked! It worked for the new HD and the old one too. I don't know what happened with my old drive but this simple fix has solved my problems.

Thank you very much for your help and support with this issue. Being able to rule out what wasn't wrong eventually led me to identify the true culprit. I couldn't have done it without you guys. Thank you so very much!!!!

 

[Lostbhoy]

Wow, it's always the simple things we overlook lol.... So glad you got it sorted now and that info may help others with similar problems! Happy gaming friend!