Hacking [TUTORIAL] Internal Hard Drive Mod for Wii [High Bandwidth!]

Darkzero51521

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First off, i'd like to apologize that I can't make this mod all spiffy and colorful like others, I'm very limited on characters.

This requires little to no previous experience, just a lot of patience. Although the chance of breaking your Wii is slim, I will take no responsibility if you do. Remember, you <b>are</b> opening it, and there's always the chance of breaking something when messing with the insides of a console.

Notes:
-PLEASE read through the ENTIRE thread at least twice before doing this!
-Before opening your Wii, disable WiiConnect24.
-After reassembling, you WILL get a code dump the first time, don't worry about it.
-Before opening your Wii, remove the SD card.
-Work on a clean, static free work table.
-Take your time, be deliberate. Rushing will only make this sloppy, no matter how talented you are.



For this mod, you'll need the following supplies:
-Scissors*
-Electric Tape
-Some kind of thin, plastic, heat resistant cushioning
-Triwing Screwdriver
-Small Philips screwdriver
-Small flathead screwdriver*
-Soldering iron**
-USB Female to Male (1ft)
-2.5" HDD in smallest possible enclosure
-Dremel with cutting bit
-1000 or 2000 grit sandpaper*
-White Nail polish*
-Canned Air*

* Not required, but makes life easier
** Soldering iron isn't required if you do not wish to ever use your DVD drive again.

Steps required:
1.) Open Wii and remove DVD drive
2.) Remove control board off of DVD drive
3.) Make space for USB cord
4.) Make DVD control board usable
5.) Cushion area around control board and HDD



Andd here we go;

<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->1.) Open Wii and remove DVD drive<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
Start by removing the three screws at the top:
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0143.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Pull the black piece away from the front, then out. Under it, you'll find four more screws to take out.
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0145.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Flip it over, and remove the screws from the bottom. One is under the foot, and another under the battery panel.
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0146.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Remove the four Triwing screws from the side, under stickers and legs.
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0147.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Lift case off, and set it to the side.
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0148.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Remove the four DVD drive screws with a small philips.
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0149.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

CAREFULLY lift dvd drive to the left. Flip brown piece downward, and disconnect mobo wire. Then, disconnect power cable (just pull it out).
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0151.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />


Okay, we now have our DVD drive disconnected and can move on to step two.


<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->2.) Remove control board off of DVD drive<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
Start by removing the two screws. Then move onto the DVD connector, just pull the two brown pieces outward to unlock the cable. Use a small screwdriver to remove it. Do the same with the lower cable. The cable to the right can just be pulled out, there's no lock.
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0152.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Now we're going to need to remove these wires. Use a solder iron to heat the solder, and pull them off. If you don't have any plans on using your DVD drive again in the future, simply cut them with scissors.
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0153.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Okay, it can now be pulled out.
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0156.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

The last thing we need to do here, is to remove this screw. Afterwards, pull the panel off of the DVD drive and reconnect it to your control board (it's the right slot if you're slow at learning. >_>)
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0157.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Okay, now to move on to the next step.

<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->3.) Make space for USB cord<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
We want to route our USB cord like this:
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0161.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Okay, now the first thing that we'll be doing, is removing the tape and wire right here. Afterwards, we're gonna cut a hole there. It can be sloppy, it doesn't matter, but it makes for good practice if you have no experience with a dremel.
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0164.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

The hole should turn out like this:
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0167.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Our next step is going to be to remove these 8 screws:
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0159.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Pull it off, and look at the ridges on the bottom. This is the next thing that we'll be cutting off. Make sure you get all of them, and be careful not to cut any other part of the plastic.
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0170.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

It should turn out looking like this. As you can see, i made a bad mistake, by being lazy and letting the bottom part of the dremel touch the plastic. Don't make this mistake.
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0173.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Now this is where we want the USB, so draw out your measurements and make sure there's not too much slack. Cut a hole right there.
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0175.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

It should turn out looking like this:
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0176.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

If you put it back together, it should fit flawlessly.
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0177.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

This next part is the hardest and requires the most patience. You need to measure out the position of the USB cord, and draw it on the inside of your case. Make sure you cut from the inside of the case, not the outside. If you accidentally cut too much, you can use fingernail polish to build plastic layers until it's perfect. Mine turned out kind of sloppy, so I did that, then I cut out a piece of metal and glued it in place. Your final result should look something like this.
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0194.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->4.) Make DVD control board usable<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
First, I apologize for the quality of the following pics.. They looked clean on my camera, but when I uploaded them, it turned out miserable.
For the first step, we want to push this pin (on the DVD control board) closed. To do this, you can either use electric tape, or super glue. I used both. >_>
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0183.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Should turn out like so:
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0187.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Thats it for this step! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" />

<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->5.) Cushion area around control board and HDD<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->

If you haven't screwed the black piece that we cut the USB path out of back in place, now is the time to do so.

First, cut out a small piece of cushioning for the bottom. Cut a slit for the power cable and the mobo cable, tape it down firmly.
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0179.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Next, attach the DVD control board, and tape this down, too.
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0188.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Now, cut out another layer of cushioning to cover the control board, and tape it down as well.
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0189.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Finally, wrap two layers around the HDD enclosure, and place it ontop. There's no need to tape it down, it'll hold it's place. Attach the USB cord as pictured:
<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0193.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Reassemble the Wii, you're done <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" />

As mentioned above, the first time you cut on the wii, you'll get a code dump, just restart. Also, don't forget to reenable WiiConnect24.

All you need to do, is plug a male to male USB cable from the newly made USB port to the Wii's original USB ports. Anytime that you need to add a game, just attach the male to your computer.

<img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/DarkZero51521/WiiModByDarkzero/IMGP0197.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Enjoy! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" />
 

ShaneC

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nice write-up.

Personally, I'll stick with my internal DVD and external HD; but kudos for doing it and showing that it can be done.
 

Darkzero51521

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Tichinde925 said:
I noticed that your Wii has the LED lights in the gamecube ports. If you dont mind, do you mind posting another high bandwidth tutorial on how to accomplish that?

That was easy. I did that in like 5 minutes, and was disappointed at how dull they turned out. I will make a tutorial if there's enough requests..I plan on making a mod to keep my wii's DVD slot light on continuously next anyways.
 

wqu

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Great work!
One question though what kind HDD are you using? I didn't see extra power supply to the HDD, where did you get the power for the HDD?
 

Tichinde925

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Darkzero51521 said:
Tichinde925 said:
I noticed that your Wii has the LED lights in the gamecube ports. If you dont mind, do you mind posting another high bandwidth tutorial on how to accomplish that?

That was easy. I did that in like 5 minutes, and was disappointed at how dull they turned out. I will make a tutorial if there's enough requests..I plan on making a mod to keep my wii's DVD slot light on continuously next anyways.

I have already made my Wii's DVD slot light ALWAYS stay on.

Took less than 1 minute to do:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5ftb7XpNJM&fmt=18

All you need to do is take any wire, have it touch B2 and then have it touch any metal part on the case, be it the DVD metal case or etc... Then just close it up. Soldering it will make it always stay on, but soldering is not required at all for those who fear their soldering skills.

If your gonna do all of this, you might as well get a custom case to go along with it. The XCM ii cases with LEDs are too good!
 

Darkzero51521

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Thanks guys
smile.gif


SenorClean said:
Why did you remove the board from the DVD-ROM? Why not just take out the whole thing leaving it whole?

Because USB loader will not run without a DVD drive.. So you have to trick it into thinking it has one. This runs metroid prime, btw. I just tested. Lol.


QUOTE said:
One question though what kind HDD are you using? I didn't see extra power supply to the HDD, where did you get the power for the HDD?

It's USB powered, that's why there's an extra USB cable in that picture. Lol.


QUOTE
I have already made my Wii's DVD slot light ALWAYS stay on.

Oh, nifty. Lol I was wondering if that'd work. I was just gonna solder the positive and negative to the fans power supply.


EDIT: Nevermind.. MP Asks you to insert disk..
 

Tichinde925

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SenorClean said:
Why did you remove the board from the DVD-ROM? Why not just take out the whole thing leaving it whole?

If there is no connection to the DVD board, none of the Official Wii Channels will function at all and will display the message "An error has occured. Please eject the disc and refer to your User Manual." VC/WiiWare games will not work either.
 

thc42O

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glad to see you were successful, i was watching ur previous post and wishing u luck congrats
im gunna stick with the dvd drive as i like being able 2 dump disks
smile.gif
 

Kurisai

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Glad it works, but I worry about the long term life of this! I thought I overheated my Wii just by leaving my external resting on top of the thing, having it next to the actual hardware would scare me. Hope it works though, the thing looks pretty good.

One question though, does it frighten you when the HDD is alive inside the Wii while the Wii has no power to it? As in, when its attached to your PC.
 

Devvar

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That is really sweet. The only problem I see now is the HDD adds to the weight and it may overheat. Sell it for $350+.
 
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