Hacking USB Loader GX - Can't Load from both USB ports

[Egadzz]

I'm running into a problem where USBloadergx can see my wii games usb if it's in by itself, but if I put in both my USB's it won't initialize. I've checked and I have all the correct CIOS and I've hidden the wii USB with stealth. I'm out of ideas.

 

[godreborn]

you'll know if ustealth is working, because it won't nag you about formatting on the wii u menu. are both drives powered or unpowered with y cables? I had a little issue a few days ago where it was a bit sluggish saving in new super mario bros. wii. the next two times I used my hdd, no issues, so it might've been a glitch.

 

[Egadzz]

you'll know if ustealth is working, because it won't nag you about formatting on the wii u menu. are both drives powered or unpowered with y cables? I had a little issue a few days ago where it was a bit sluggish saving in new super mario bros. wii. the next two times I used my hdd, no issues, so it might've been a glitch.

Yes the stealth is working correctly.

I'm using eipok's guide so I have two usb readers with sd cards in the back: https://gbatemp.net/threads/the-ult...endo-games-in-1-device-by-eipok-mar18.497994/

It was working just fine except I couldnt find gamecube games in usbloaders GX and I noticed my IOS's were showing as 249/249 in the loader settings. So I changed to 58/251 and then that's when everything stopped working. I reinstalled the CIOS and still having problems.

 

[Moonfall]

to use USB Port1, you need compatible IOS :
- hermes cIOS v4 or v5.x
- d2x v9 beta
- d2x v10-alt
- IOS58

Then, setting "USB Port: both" and "multi partition : enabled" should be enough to mount both drives and list all partitions at the same time.
Did you try to user "USB Port : 1" (or 0). one at a time instead of "both" ?
when you change the USB Port, select the default partition to list (in case show multiple partition option is disabled) or the one to use to install games from disc.

Attention, if your drives have different partition numbers, or different folder setup, your settings might be broken as few paths will not point to the correct location anymore.

Please let me know if your drive are detected independently.



Another thing to know if you want to use dual partition is that Nintendont is using IOS58, and nintendont will mount the FIRST hdd it finds and the FIRST compatible partition from that HDD.
the issue is that IOS58 is mounting USBPort1 first, then USBport0. cIOS are mounting the drives in the other order, so if you plug the Gamecube HDD on port0 USBLoaderGX will see the games but nintendont will not access it, it will try to mount the gamecube iso from Port1 and will not find the file.

So, you need to connect drives in this order :
USB port 0 : Wii HDD
USB Port 1 : GC HDD


but when doing this, I think (I'm not sure!) you shouldn't set USBLoaderGX to use IOS58 inside the loader or it will also mount the drives and partition in reverse order, which means the gamecube games will be on usb1:/games/ (first mounted partition) and Wii games on usb2:/wbfs/ (second mounted partition).
When the loader will reload to cIOS and tell the cIOS to load the game on usb2:/wbfs/ that partition number will not match anymore as cIOS are mounting the partition in incrementing order and will expect the games on usb1:/wbfs/ instead.

Using a cIOS in USBLoaderGX should be fine, as it sends the path to the gamecube game without the partition number to nintendont, and sends the correct partition number to cIOS for wii games.

Setting a dual HDD setup is a little hard due to that init order difference.

Hi Cyan,

I hope you can see my question ^^.
I tried to follow your instruction (with Cios 58 and Cios 252 base d2x v10-53alt).
But my problem as below:

1/ If I use Cios58:
It had only 1 option only for USB port 0. When I click into it, it said "only accept for Hermes Cios".

2/ If I use Cios 252 with d2x v10-53alt:
When I try to change the path for Gamecube games to USB2, the USB2 only see the folders of USB port 0, not port 1.
The Meta file showed as below:
<arg>--ios=252</arg>
<arg>--usbport=2</arg>
<arg>--mountusb=1</arg>
=> I tried to change it manually. But when I open USB loader GX, it is automatically change again.


Can you help me in this case?

 

[Cyan]

the meta.xml arguments are used on the boot procedures only, before it loads the config file (which could be on USB even if you should use SD for that, so it needs to mount usb first), then replace all the settings with the loaded config file (replacing your meta.xml arguments with values set in the config file).
so be sure your internal loader settings are matching the xml too.
settings > hdd > dual hdd support + mount all partition
settings > loader settings > IOS (not IOS58)


if d2x doesn't work, try with one of hermes cIOS (like the message told you?).
I don't remember if it requires hermes, I think it should work with d2x r53 too.

note that I didn't touch that console for more than 3 years now. I'm probably rusty at providing advices.

 

[Moonfall]

the meta.xml arguments are used on the boot procedures only, before it loads the config file (which could be on USB even if you should use SD for that, so it needs to mount usb first), then replace all the settings with the loaded config file (replacing your meta.xml arguments with values set in the config file).
so be sure your internal loader settings are matching the xml too.
settings > hdd > dual hdd support + mount all partition
settings > loader settings > IOS (not IOS58)


if d2x doesn't work, try with one of hermes cIOS (like the message told you?).
I don't remember if it requires hermes, I think it should work with d2x r53 too.

note that I didn't touch that console for more than 3 years now. I'm probably rusty at providing advices.

Hi Cyan,
It's great to get your advise, I read of another your post as below:
gbatemp(dot)net/threads/usbloadergx-cant-detect-port1-nintendont-cant-detect-port0.518743/
(please replace the (dot) by "." because I cannot post the link)

My problem nearly same with that person:

1/ If I use Cios 58:
It has only 1 option only for USB port 0. When I click into it, it said ""USB Port Changing is only support on Hermes cIOS".

2/ If I use Cios 252 with d2x v10-53alt:
When I try to change the path for Gamecube games to USB2, the USB2 only see the folders of USB port 0, not port 1.
I'm make sure for the setting as below:
settings > hdd > Both port support + mount all partition on
settings > loader settings > IOS 252 with d2x v10-53alt (disc IOS still IOS249)

So, what should I do next? uninstall USB loader GX, Nintendont + Forwarder and re-install them?

 

[Moonfall]

I founded another post which is more fit with my problem. It is totally same with my problem:
gbatemp.net/threads/help-with-usb-loader-gx-two-ntfs-hard-drives-with-wii-games.561955/

*The summary for that post:

1) If I set USB Loader GX to cIOS 58:

A) The hard drive options default to set USB device to "0"
B) I choose "multiple partitions"
C) If I plug in one USB device, it works on either / both USB ports.(I usually have it plugged into the port nearest the edge of the case -- I'm not sure if this is USB 0 or 1)
D) If I plug in both devices, the device plugged into the USB port closest to the center of the case works

2) If I set USB Loader GX to cIOS 249 or 250:

A) I can change the hard drive USB option to "both"
B) I choose "multiple partitions"
C) In the splash screen when it initializes USB Loader GX, it looks like it searches for USB 1
D) It only recognizes one of the drives that is plugged in

 

[Moonfall]

I checked the XML file, and it still have the line "<!---" as below:

<release_date>20200710160000</release_date>
<!-- remove this line to enable arguments
<arguments>
<arg>--ios=252</arg>
<arg>--usbport=2</arg>
<arg>--mountusb=1</arg>
</arguments>
remove this line to enable arguments -->
<ahb_access/>

The Arguments is automatic change follow my setting of USB loader GX, but finally, The USB2 only recognize the folder in USB port 0

 

[Cyan]

did you try to actually remove the line telling you to do it ?
to make the argument work, you need to un-comment that part in the xml, by deleting these lines.


Like I said, I didn't touch the console for 3 years, I don't remember everything and I'm not sure how to help you.

 

[Moonfall]

did you try to actually remove the line telling you to do it ?
to make the argument work, you need to un-comment that part in the xml, by deleting these lines.


Like I said, I didn't touch the console for 3 years, I don't remember everything and I'm not sure how to help you.

I tried to remove the line manually (open it by notepad and delete it and save). But the result is same. My Wii cannot recognize the folder in USB port 1 (although I'm choosing USB2).

Maybe I should give up this idea. Thank you a lot for your effort to help me.

 

[Cyan]

if you use IOS58, USB1 is on port1, USB2 is the second partition and can be either on port1 or port0 (depends how much partitions you have on your connected HDDs).
IOS58 mounts the ports in reversed order. But I don't remember if multi hdd is working fine or not, but I think it should.

if you use hermes or d2x v9 or v10r53, then ports are mounted in incremental order.
USB1 is the first partition in port0, USB2 is the second partition (not the second port).
up to 8 partitions can be mounted, over the two ports.

 

[Moonfall]

I'm finding the way to use multi HDD. I hope to setup as below:

Port 0: Wii game HDD (1 partition)
Port 1: gamecube game with USB flash drive 32 Gbs (1 partition)

=> If I use IOS58, I only can see gamecube game, no wii game.
=> If I use d2x V10r53, USB1 and USB2 only see the folders in USB port 0

up to 8 partitions can be mounted, over the two ports.

=> Is it separate 4/4 for each port? Then should I separate wii game HDD to 4 partitions, then it can see the gamecube game in partition 5?

 

[Cyan]

If I use d2x V10r53, USB1 and USB2 only see the folders in USB port 0

I don't understand this statement.

USB1 and USB2 are two different partitions.
It means it properly detected that you are using 2 different partitions, and if you have only one partition per device, it means it detected you are using 2 devices.

UNLESS you are using GPT.... which is an old bug in detecting partitions. I thought it was fixed, but nobody confirmed.
are you using MBR or GPT ?

GPT had a bug where it mounted each partition twice, so if it detects 1 HDD (not 2) in one single USB Port (for example USB Port0), with only ONE partition, it duplicated that partition.

How to check :
1. connect only one HDD.
see how many "usbx" you have in the file explorer.
if there is a bug, you will have USB1 (the correct partition), and USB2 (a copy of your first partition, but it will crash when trying to access it because you only have one partition)

2. Connect two HDD.
See how many "usbx" you have.
Do you have USB3 and USB4 ?

if on Test1 you have only one partition, and on Test2 you have only 2 partition (no USB3/4), it's probably detecting the correct total number of partitions, but not mounting them correctly.
it seems it's working like that :
Partition detection .... 2
Mounting partition 1 at LBA position 1, mounting partition 2 at LBA position....1 again (instead of 2). done

if you can confim, we will notify Blackb0x that this bug is still present.
Until then, can't you use MBR with your HDD ?

I couldn't test and debug GPT hdds when Dimok added support into the loader as I was still on WinXP.
I thought I fixed the partition numbering, (so you shouldn't have twice the partition now) but maybe it didn't fix the LBA mounting point and still duplicate that.
When I tried to verify the sources, I found only the partition numbering bug, not the duplicate bug. But.. I didn't properly debug as I don't have any GPT. my Wii drive is quite small (250gb) and doesn't require big partitions table.

 

[Moonfall]

if it detects 1 HDD (not 2) in one single USB Port (for example USB Port0), with only ONE partition, it duplicated that partition.

Yes, this is exactly my problem.

First of all, my HDD is using MBR.

1. If I connect only one HDD:
It had USB1 (the correct partition), and USB2 (a copy of first partition, same files and folders)

2. If I connect two HDD:
It still has 2 USB only: USB1 and USB2 (USB2 is copy partition of USB1, same files and folders)

Ya, we found the source of errors, I hope we can have solutions for this case . Thank you a lot for effort to help me.

 

[Cyan]

oh, that is strange, I never had a report (nor seen that bug myself) when using MBR.
My HDD has 2 partitions, and they are properly mounted as different partitions (WBFS + FAT32).

I'm not sure what causes your problem.
Non compatible partition should be skipped (like recoveries, empty space, WiiU hdd, etc.) and only compatible partition should be counted.

 

[Moonfall]

Then it stuck again ^^.
I tried to use USB flash drive too (also MBR), but same problem. Maybe we have many problem with Japanese wii version.


Sorry for bother you, can I ask one more question? I though you are expert in this case because I read your guide to using Emunand.
- I'm using Emunand by USB loader GX r1272.
- After dump everything to Emunand, I installed Snes and VBA Forwarder Channel to Emunand (used by Emunand Forwarder Manager). But I cannot run it, It kicked me out to wii menu.

* Note:
+ The wiiware game is running well.
+ The emunand path is: sd/nand/01 (I only dump 1 time, so only have 1 folder 01 inside Nand folder)
+ I only install forwarder into Emunand, not install to real Nand
+ The main file (Boot.dol) is available in apps folder of sd card (it can run well with HBC but fail in Emunand)
+ I also try to use Showmiiwad to install the forwarders, but cannot run too.

So, are there any wrong in my case?
The attached file is my syscheck.

 

[Moonfall]

Maybe we have many problem with Japanese wii version.

One of strange things that my Wii cannot read the Gamecube games in my HDD (Fat32 format, right games folder):

1/ USB loader GX and Nintendont cannot see the Gamecube games in my HDD 160 Gb.
Someone guide me to use CHKDSK /r to check HDD, but it cannot run if the HDD is Fat32 format (it's run well if the HDD is NTFS format)
=> So, I only use this HDD to storage wii games

2/ I try to use USB Flash drive 32 Gb to storage Gamecube games => USB loader GX cannot see the games, but Nintendont can and run it very well.

=> So, I think my Japanese wii has a big problem. but I don't know what is it ^^.

 

[oscarmbv]

I know this thread is really old. However, I was trying to use both usb ports without sucess. I followed this guide in Youtube (it's in spanish), and basically what resolved the situation was to use ios 202 for the loader and 251 for the games in the USB Loader GX Configuration.

 

[Tarmfot]

No it doesn't matter what partitions are on the drive.

If you are using r1226, it should edit the meta.xml automatically (if you have it) to set the dual port feature at launch.
You can verify that the meta.xml is correctly edited.
You must not have the comments lines starting with "<!--" anymore (the arguments section should not be commented)
and in the argument section, you should have <arg>--usbport=2</arg>

Be sure to use an IOS slot with either Hermes v4, v5.1, d2x v9, v10-alt installed. only these 4 cIOS are compatible with port1.

Hello,. Thanks for all your work.

What's different between Nintendont ans Usb Loader GX?

I remember I had an usb hdd that Nintendont detected and Usb Loader GX didn't.

 

[bdoles]

For those having issues with dual booting flash drives and seeing all games from both at the same time and loading both
Latest usbloadergx 4.0

I spent a lot of time with different setups and hit some issues

THIS WILL GET BOTH DRIVES TO WORK WITH GAMECUBE on one drive BUT EMUNAND games stops loading showing "black screen" for no reason but still visible in loader
OR you get emunand and wii games working but not gamecube games and have to launch nintendont from the homebrew section of the loader and pick the games from inside the nintendont app

I guess you could load a separate USBloadergx channel (not forwarder or custom forwarder to different folder) from usbloadergx to actually launch emunand games using different loader settings OR use that different loader to do gamecube games
The other solution is that you can just swap the flash drive every time and not jack with these limitations OR BUY A BIGGER DRIVE
used many flash drives but PNY ones have been very consistent (although I took some pliers to the back and destroyed the black housing and kept the gray part that slides inside which is surprisingly just holding a small fully covered flash drive aka screw the slide up and down housing so that 2 flash drives can sit side by side and not cramped or use two PNY 256GB Elite-X Fit)

Use https://github.com/WiiDatabase/nusdownloader/releases/tag/v1.9-mod-nusfix

to download ios 60 (manually create right folders and copy to sd card) and install hermes v5 installer cios 202 with base 60

(https://sites.google.com/site/completesg/cios/hermes-cios)

set the loader to 202

have usb port to BOTH PORTS

and multiple partitions on

Then custom path - main gamecube path to usb1:/games or usb2:/games (you may need to change the usb slot of your flash drives aka the flash drive that contains gamecube games for them to work)
if you don't see your gamecube games thats a good thing.

to get gamecube to work you have to make the same folder and file structure as the other hard drive except save a text document as game.iso so it doesn't take any space

also have the one drive games settings all set to 249 and the other drive games settings set to 251 (which flips usb port loading because base 58 d2x I guess)

to do that you go to the game load settings - custom ios 251 and save
and do the default load settings to 249

tip: you can set to usb port 0 or 1 instead of both to change settings of just those games

NOW THERE COULD BE a way to get all 3 to work but at the end of the day it just wasn't happening due to 2 main usbloadergx bugs:

1. usbloadergx passing/reading wrong usb port to nintendont (which nintendont said is the loaders fault but wiiflow does the same thing and nintendont should just check the other port automatically or something if not found)
2. emunand specifically stops working if I turn on the setting multiple partitions ON while having multiple drives plugged in for no reason