Got a second Wii u -cannot transfer hdd

joerack · Dec 4, 2022

As my gamepad is almost bust I got a second Wii u, when it arrived it was all nice kept like it came out of the shop.
So I patched it, got a pendrive formatted and copied my games using the old Wiiu, then plugged it in the new one, and nothing is recognised.
Even my old perfectly working hdd from 1st Wiiu will not read on my second Wii

But if I format them with my computer and plug back in, I'll get the prompt to initialize. Does every Wii u lock hard drives for one console use only

EyeKey · Dec 4, 2022

joerack said:
Does every Wii u lock hard drives for one console use only

Yes.
Each device is encrypted with key per console.
Even if you could reencrypt the device (I am working on such tool), you would still need to transfer/install tickets for the game that were on the USB.

NinStar · Dec 4, 2022

You will have to format it on your second Wii U and reinstall everything manually, if you have a dump of the OTP of your old Wii U you can at least decrypt it to extract the save files to be restored later.

You can also decrypt all your game data and encrypt it again to be reinstalled onto your current Wii U, but it's an excruciatingly slow process because of all the repetitive steps necessary, especially if you have a lot of games.

Sypherone · Dec 4, 2022

The WiiU`s filesystem is encrypted with a key thats bound to the specific WiiU.
There exist @EyeKey WFS Tools which alow to dump the hole drive to PC and as iam correct to write the content to a drive with the key`s of another console.

Vague Rant · Dec 4, 2022

The real story here is they bought a second Wii U and GamePad because their old GamePad is failing. The solution here is just to pair the new GamePad with the old console, then there's no need to copy the games or saves across.

Ettino · Dec 4, 2022

Vague Rant said:
The real story

IKR!

Hey OP. In layman's terms, why don't you just sync the working gamepad with your first console? Then save the second console for the rainy day. Then sell the busted gamepad for parts. Oh and stop using pendrive, usb stick or whatever. It'll crap out sooner or later.

joerack · Dec 5, 2022

Thanks for the answers. I really did not understand why no usb would be read until I first formatted on pc...
In the end I kept the old white Wii u for Wii sports in the dining room and the new black Wii u for gaming in my bedroom.
And yes, I gave up on the pendrives and kept 2 Sata 5400 RPMS 2.5 of half TB each

lwiz · Dec 6, 2022

joerack said:
As my gamepad is almost bust...

Working, but losing connection every now and then? If so, the wireless module is failing, which is no-brainer to repair (if the parts are still available).

Got a second Wii u -cannot transfer hdd

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