Hacking UStealth - Wii U 'Format Disk' Nag workaround :)

Cyan · Jul 18, 2014

I don't remember is the wiiU check the backup partition table located at the end of the drive. (yes, GPT partitions use two tables, sector 0, and last sector).
There was a thread (linked in the first page of this thread, a post I made) where someone did all the tests and it's were we found that altered MBR signature was enought to prevent the message.

Like julialy said, it's easier, safer, and faster to buy a second drive.
and like I don't remember who said it, I think in nintendont thread, "don't be a cheap pirate, buy at least a proper hard drive if you don't want to buy your games, instead of trying to use multiple partitions for different purposes". drives are not very expansive, just buy one specific for vWii and all the problems will be solved.

If you are really curious about the technical issue, then search the thread I was talking about, the one which started this UStealth project.

Onion_Knight · Jul 18, 2014

Cyan said:
I don't remember is the wiiU check the backup partition table located at the end of the drive. (yes, GPT partitions use two tables, sector 0, and last sector).
There was a thread (linked in the first page of this thread, a post I made) where someone did all the tests and it's were we found that altered MBR signature was enought to prevent the message.

Like julialy said, it's easier, safer, and faster to buy a second drive.
and like I don't remember who said it, I think in nintendont thread, "don't be a cheap pirate, buy at least a proper hard drive if you don't want to buy your games, instead of trying to use multiple partitions for different purposes". drives are not very expansive, just buy one specific for vWii and all the problems will be solved.

If you are really curious about the technical issue, then search the thread I was talking about, the one which started this UStealth project.

The Wii U only checks Sector 0 of the MBR, it does not check any other partitions. Modifying another partition will not effect anything else. I agree that it is just easier to have one hard drive that is formatted to FAT32. I have 2TB hard drive that houses all my files without issue.

solarsaturn9 · Jul 20, 2014

It would be really convenient if someone could recompile all of the latest Tantric emulators (and Genesis Plus) to work with UStealth since those particular homebrew haven't seen an update in quite a while.

MassiveRican · Jul 22, 2014

I can't remember where but Maxternal provides the source to make the changes necessary to recompile homebrew apps with Ustealth compatibility. It's either here or in the Nintendont thread.

Cyan · Jul 22, 2014

I put all the necessary links in the first post of this thread.

some homebrew only require a recompile with the new LibFAT, other homebrew only require an edition in their MBR check, other might require both.

wiiXplorer I guess require both, Maxternal reported that the simple MBR signature mod wasn't enough.

chop · Aug 6, 2014

Every time I try to launch this program (ver 7. and 8.) it crashes 'Encounted a problem and had to close' any ideas?

On WindowsXP, by the way.

Maxternal · Sep 20, 2014

Thought I'd add here this nice little solution to the UStealth cIOS emuNAND situation that Airline38 provided on another thread.

airline38 said:
As some people may be aware that current cIOSX d2x doesn't work
for EmuNand of an UStealth drive.
So I made a small mod of d2x fat module to solve this issue.
I have tested on my Wii and vWii.They all worked no problem.

If anyone would like to install this "small mod" version of d2x(v10),
you can download the attached file (mod FAT module and source code)
then use d2x cios installer to install yourself. (just simply replace the
FAT.app with the original package from

https://code.google.com/p/d2x-cios/downloads/list)

EDIT :
link to said attatched file
http://gbatemp.net/attachments/d2x_fat_ustealth-rar.10191/

hylatio · Sep 22, 2014

So, I used UStealth to hide the NTFS partition I have used for years to load games through the USB Loader.... I then formatted the Wii U afterward and now the drive status is listed as "Unknown" in UStealth... this makes me a huge idiot, doesn't it?

I realize this is completely my fault, though I must say the front page does not make it completely clear when the drive should be formatted by the Wii U in the process. Am I correct in assuming this is what I should have done:

1. Backup everything in the NTFS partition
2. Format drive with Wii U
3. Create new NTFS partition, copy everything back that I had backed up before
4. Use UStealth to hide drive

Cyan · Sep 22, 2014

Not at all.

You can't use the same drive for WiiU and vWii.
You need to choose one, not both.

If you want to use a drive for vWii you will always be asked to format it for WiiU.
If you want to stop the format message from appearing, you use Ustealth program. It only "hide" the format message, not the drive or the partition.

If you format the drive, it will delete everything on it. So, don't format it!
UStealth is only a method to keep the NTFS (or FAT32) drive but stop the WiiU from asking you to format it.

It doesn't "hide" a single partition from the WiiU in order to create a multi-format drive.
It corrupts the partition table to prevent asking you to format it.

The wiiU doesn't allow HDD partitioning. So if it find a partition table it asks to format it entirely into WiiU Format without a partition table.
If it doesn't find a partition table, it doesn't ask you to format it anymore, and that's what UStealth is doing : corrupting the partition table so the console think it's already formated for WiiU.

hylatio · Sep 22, 2014

Cyan said:
It doesn't "hide" a single partition from the WiiU in order to create a multi-format drive.
It hides the ENTIRE drive to prevent asking you to format it. That's all.

I think I get it now... however I had no intention of using the vWii mode in my Wii U- my intention was to use my actual Wii for my USB loader and also use the same hard drive for Wii U games. Do I still need to get a separate hard drive for this setup?

Cyan · Sep 22, 2014

yes, WiiU drives are reserved for WiiU.
You can't use WiiU drive with anything else.

tju12 · Nov 3, 2014

Any chance of someone being able to most generously compile latest ScummVM with the modified libfat? I've been trying but my compileskills are clearly much too rusty nowadays.

Also, is there some reason that there is not a stealth-enabled Homebrew Channel available? (I use the toggle app from my SD-card in HBC, but still it would be nice to not hassle with that)
These are the only two things I use that I need to switch out of stealth for. I can't imagine I am the only one using ScummVM, and especially HBC?

GorTesK · Nov 3, 2014

tju12 said:
Any chance of someone being able to most generously compile latest ScummVM with the modified libfat? I've been trying but my compileskills are clearly much too rusty nowadays.
Also, is there some reason that there is not a stealth-enabled Homebrew Channel available? (I use the toggle app from my SD-card in HBC, but still it would be nice to not hassle with that)
These are the only two things I use that I need to switch out of stealth for. I can't imagine I am the only one using ScummVM, and especially HBC?

First time ever, that I hear about this "ScummVM"....

ScummVM is a program which allows you to run certain classic graphical point-and-click adventure games, provided you already have their data files. The clever part about this: ScummVM just replaces the executables shipped with the games, allowing you to play them on systems for which they were never designed!

Does this mean.... I can't believe, I am about to say this... play Monkey Island, Sam & Max and other old goodies on my WiiU?
If the answer is yes, then the next question will be, whom I have to punch for not telling me about this earlier o.O answer is probably myself, but I'll do it, he deserves it

Cyan · Nov 3, 2014

answer is yes

don't punch yourself too hard, you need clear mind to play these games.

tju12:
no new HBC was released after this Stealth method has been made public.
I don't know if the HBC devs will ever support it though.

I think you should use SD card for your homebrew listed in HBC, and keep the stealth HDD for games and supported apps.

ScummVM can be recompiled with stealth support, but HBC you will have to wait for an official release.

Mackman · Nov 27, 2014

I have a 2 terabyte hard drive with 3 partitions.One for movies and music/NTSC and 2 partitions for the games.What do I need to do to use this program.Do I need have all files off the drive before using or what.Also I guest I need the Wii Flow,USB GX LOADER, and WiiMC app that works with this in stealth mode? What's correct and not correct?

Cyan · Nov 28, 2014

You don't need to delete anything from your drive.
It only alter the partition table's signature (not the partition table's size/content).
The PC will think the drive is not formated, NEVER format it on your computer. To see your files back on computer, re-run the program. You might need to unplug-replug the drive after using the program.
If you want, you can use the homebrew to switch visibility, instead of using the computer program.

The WiiU will stop asking to format it (as it things there's no partition table, and think it's already in WiiU format).

Latest Wiiflow and USBLoaderGX already have uStealth support. You don't need a special version.
For wiiMC you will need a special version.

OriginalHamster · Nov 28, 2014

Cyan said:
You don't need to delete anything from your drive.
It only alter the partition table's signature (not the partition table's size/content).
The PC will think the drive is not formated, NEVER format it on your computer. To see your files back on computer, re-run the program. You might need to unplug-replug the drive after using the program.
The WiiU will stop asking to format it (as it things there's no partition table, and think it's already in WiiU format).

Latest Wiiflow and USBLoaderGX already have uStealth support. You don't need a special version.
For wiiMC you will need a special version.

Good thing I finally find you in a UStealth thread.
See, I'm trying to compilate nintendon't (r229) with UStealth support, the thing is Maxternal patch works perfect to hide the device but there's a side effect to it and it's you lost access to the USB GCN adapter, I know it's possible add UStealth support without losing the adapter function, I'm using this mod http://homebrew.svalas.net/nintendont/ and it has incorporate both, UStealth+GCN adapter support.

I'm not sure if would be necessary make any changes to Maxternal patch, or Nintendont itself

Cyan · Nov 28, 2014

what do you mean by USB GCN? the WiiU Gamecube adapter?

IThe adapter doesn't use FAT so I don't see why it would affect the compatibility with HID devices.
The patch maxternal did is only adding the signature (55AB instead of 55AA) for HDD devices with FAT partitions.

You shouldn't need to edit anything else, and the adapter should still work.

Maybe maxternal's libfat need an update, since DevkitPro has been updated?

Do you know who is updating that website?
Having a boot.dol with a static URL would be great to add uStealth download support in USBLoaderGX.

OriginalHamster · Nov 28, 2014

Cyan said:
what do you mean by USB GCN? the WiiU Gamecube adapter?
Do you know who is updating that website?
Having a boot.dol with a static URL would be great to add uStealth download support in USBLoaderGX.

Yes, Wii U Gamecube adapter.
No idea, one guy here in gbatemp point me it out, not sure if he is the author though, btw the site is in the OP too.

EDIT: my build definitively doesn't work with HID enabled =/

Here are the version of devKitPro I'm using

Code:

[msys]
Version=1.0.17
 
[devkitARM]
Version=43
 
[devkitPPC]
Version=27
 
[devkitPSP]
Version=16-1
 
[libgba]
Version=20090222
 
[libnds]
Version=1.5.9
 
[libmirko]
Version=0.9.7
 
[pnotepad]
Version=2.0.8.718
 
[insight]
Version=7.3.50.20110803
 
[ndsexamples]
Version=20140401
 
[gbaexamples]
Version=20090222
 
[cubeexamples]
Version=20110620
 
[pspdoc]
Version=20051113
 
[libgbafat]
Version=1.0.13
 
[maxmodgba]
Version=1.0.9
 
[libndsfat]
Version=1.0.13
 
[defaultarm7]
Version=0.5.26
 
[filesystem]
Version=0.9.11
 
[dswifi]
Version=0.3.16
 
[maxmodds]
Version=1.0.9
 
[libctru]
Version=0.1.0
 
[libogc]
Version=1.8.12
 
[libogcfat]
Version=1.0.13
 
[gp32examples]
Version=20051021
 
[wiiexamples]
Version=20110620
 
[gcube]
Version=0.4.0

Bu2d85 · Dec 1, 2014

I will soon be switching from a modded Wii to a WiiU. Right now all of my apps are on my HDD and I do not keep anything on an SD card. If I use UStealth do I have to move all of my apps to the SD card for them to load? If I have to it's not that much of an issue. I just seems like every time my kids see a card in the SD slot they want to take it out and jam coins and other things in there. I am actually a little surprised my Wii has lasted this long.

Hacking UStealth - Wii U 'Format Disk' Nag workaround :)

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