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##### Boot2vWii Channel Tutorial - Wii U Aroma #####
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What is Boot2vWii Channel?

With Boot2vWii Channel you can create custom forwarders to use in the Wii U menu and launch channels installed on the Virtual Wii (vWii) skipping all Wiimote prompts.
It can also launch the vWii channel by forcing the screen resolution and turns off the Wii U GamePad.

Project URL - https://github.com/WiiDatabase/Boot2vWii

This tutorial was made using information from the internet, which brings together all the information necessary for you to create your forwarder without difficulties;
The links I used to create this guide will be at the end of the tutorial;

Requirements:

- Wii U with Aroma unlock (Does not work on Tiramisu or Haxchi);
- Computer with Internet and Windows 10 or 11 operating system (64bits);
- Current versions of devkitPPC, wut and wut-tools;
- For the forwarder to work correctly, the vWii will need the application channel installed in (.wad) format;
- Identify the ID and TID of the installed channel to create the command;

###################################################
#### Installing and configuring devkiPro (wut and wut-tool) ####
###################################################

Download and Install devkiPro
https://github.com/devkitPro/installer/releases
https://github.com/devkitPro/installer/releases/download/v3.0.3/devkitProUpdater-3.0.3.exe

Running the installer -
- Welcome to devkitProUpdater Version 3.0.3 > Next
- Install or just download files? > choose preferred option > Next
- Keep downloaded files after indstall? > choose preferred option > Next
- Choose components > deselect all > Next
- Choose Install Location > defaults used > Next
- Choose Start menu Folder > defaults used > Install

Wait for the installation to finish -
- Installation Complete > Next > Finish

Launch MSys2 from the Start menu -
- Start > devkitPro > MSys2

Type the following command to install wiiu-dev and the necessary dependencies (wut and wut-tool) and press enter;

pacman -S wiiu-dev

Now type the command below to clone the Boot2vWii repository and press enter

cd c:
git clone https://github.com/WiiDatabase/Boot2vWii.git
cd Boot2vWii
make

This command clones the repository to "C:\Boot2vWii"
If everything went well, three files will be generated in the "C:/Boot2vWii" folder:

Boot2vWii.elf
Boot2vWii.rpx
Boot2vWii.wuhb

The file with the .wuhb extension is the forwarder that Aroma recognizes.

###################################
##### Creating the custom forwarders #####
###################################

In this part of the tutorial we go to the official repository of the Boot2vWii project.
Boot2vWii Project - https://github.com/WiiDatabase/Boot2vWii
In the repository we have all the information to generate the custom forwarder.

Part01 - Creating custom images for the Wii U menu (PNG)

***Information***

Create or download images of your choice to use in the forwarder.
All images must be in PNG format.

- ICON: For the Wii U menu icon.
Use the dimensions (128x128);

- DRC_SPLASH: To show on the GamePad when the forwarder is loaded.
Use the dimensions (854x480);

- TV_SPLASH: To show on TV when the forwarder is loaded.
Use the dimensions (1280x720);

After creating the desired images, place them in the "C:\Boot2vWii\assets" folder.
The names of the images created will be used to create commands for Msys2.

Part02 - Creating commands to use in MSys2

***Information***

- TID: Title ID of the channel you want to initialize.
The Title ID is the hexadecimal values of the four-letter Title ID used for the channel.

- APP_NAME: Name of the title in the Wii U menu (default is Boot2vWii).
This is the name that will appear when the icon is selected on the Wii U.

- APP_AUTHOR: Homebrew Author

- FORCERES: Forces resolution when initializing a vWii channel.
The supported modes are: NONE, P720 or P480 (The default is NONE). Note that it only works with HDMI.

These values are the main ones to generate a forwarder.
If you don't want the images on the GamePad and on the TV, just don't add them to the command.
The image of the icons is mandatory to generate the forwarder, if it is not found or does not have the image, the command fails.

Example of Commands:

Homebrew Channel (OHBC) - 480p:

make TID=0x000100014f484243 APP_NAME="Homebrew Channel 480p" APP_AUTHOR="Dimok" ICON="assets/HBC-ico-480p.png" DRC_SPLASH="assets/HBC-gp-480p.png" TV_SPLASH="assets/HBC-tv-480p.png"

Homebrew Channel (OHBC) - 720p:

make TID=0x000100014f484243 APP_NAME="Homebrew Channel 720p" APP_AUTHOR="Dimok" ICON="assets/HBC-ico-720p.png" DRC_SPLASH="assets/HBC-gp-720p.png" TV_SPLASH="assets/HBC-tv-720p.png"

Homebrew Channel (OHBC):

make TID=0x000100014f484243 APP_NAME="Homebrew Channel" APP_AUTHOR="Dimok" ICON="assets/HBC-ico.png" DRC_SPLASH="assets/HBC-gp.png" TV_SPLASH="assets/HBC-tv.png"

Nintendont (WWND), but only on the TV:

make TID=0x0001000157574e44 APP_NAME="Nintendont" APP_AUTHOR="FIX94" ICON="assets/nintendont.png" DRC_SPLASH="assets/nintendont-gp.png" TV_SPLASH="assets/nintendont-tv.png" DISPLAY_ON=TV

USB Loader GX (UNEO):

make TID=0x00010001554e454f APP_NAME="USB Loader GX" APP_AUTHOR="USB Loader GX Team" ICON="assets/usbloadergx-ico.png" DRC_SPLASH="assets/usbloadergx-gp.png" TV_SPLASH="assets/usbloadergx-tv.png"

WiiFlow (DWFA):

make TID=0x0001000144574641 APP_NAME="WiiFlow" APP_AUTHOR="Fledge68" ICON="assets/wiiflow-ico.png" DRC_SPLASH="assets/wiiflow-gp.png" TV_SPLASH="assets/wiiflow-tv.png"

Part03 - Using the command created in MSys2 and generating the forwarder for Wii U

Launch MSys2 from the Start menu -
- Start > devkitPro > MSys2

Type the command and press enter (Deletes previously created forwarders)

makeup clean

Now paste the command you created and press enter to generate the forwarder

Homebrew Channel (OHBC) - CompatTitleInstaller Official:

make TID=0x000100014f484243 APP_NAME="Homebrew Channel" APP_AUTHOR="Dimok" ICON="assets/HBC-ico.png" DRC_SPLASH="assets/HBC-gp.png" TV_SPLASH="assets/HBC-tv.png"

The forwarder was generated in the "C:/Boot2vWii" folder as:

Boot2vWii.elf
Boot2vWii.rpx
Boot2vWii.wuhb

The "Boot2vWii.wuhb" file is the forwarder recognized by Aroma, you can delete the other two if you want.
Now just rename it to the name of your choice and copy the files to the Wii U SD card in "SD:/wiiu/apps" or any folder of your choice.
I strongly advise you to create a folder just for forwarders so you can have better management.

*** Extra Information ***

###################################
## Identifying channel IDs (Wad or vWii) ####
###################################

ID and TID

The title ID is the hexadecimal values of the four letters title ID used for the channel.

Example:

WiiFlow
ID = DWFA > TID = 0x0001000144574641

USB Loader GX
ID = UNEO > TID = 0x00010001554e454f

If you have the original wads that were used to install the channels on the vWii side, then the easiest method if you are using Windows is to use ShowMiiWads (I used version 1.5.2 by Leathl (mod by orwel & Brawl)). There is a .NET framework dependency.

ShowMiiWads - https://github.com/modmii/modmii.github.io/raw/master/temp/ShowMiiWads-Mod-1.5.2.zip

Make sure that View is set to ShowMiiWads, then drag your forwarder .wad files to the ShowMiiWads window.

- Title ID is the letter ID that can be used to work out the TID in Boot2vWii
- Alternatively, the Path can be used to easily convert to Boot2vWii TID

Using Nintendont Forwarder - WWND vWii.wad as an example. The Title ID is displayed as WWND and Path as 00010001\57574e44.
00010001\57574e44 converts to TID=0x0001000157574e44

Recognizing channel IDs installed on vWii (Emunand)

If you don't have the original wad files then you can dump the vWii NAND and use ShowMiiWads with View set to ShowMiiNand.

To dump the VWii Nand in a format that can be used by ShowMiiWads, the easiest method I have found is to use USB Loader GX

USB Loader GX - https://github.com/wiidev/usbloadergx

USB Loader GX v3.0-r1281 is used in the following steps:
- Load USB Loader GX
- Edit the path for the NAND backup if required - Settings > Custom Paths > EmuNAND Save Path
- To dump the NAND - Settings > Features > Dump NAND to EmuNAND > Everything

Now in ShowMiiWads:
- Options > Change NAND Backup Path - select folder containing your NAND backup/dump.
- View > ShowMiiNand

Screenshot

I'm sharing the custom forwarders I created for my use, I hope you like them.

Forwarder for WiiU (Aroma)
https://gbatemp.net/attachments/for...446074/?hash=cafaa4aa4eaa8adbba68bec3fc401fdf

Forwarder for WiiU (Aroma) (Complete)
https://www.mediafire.com/file/uezzb6pjgdek8p9/Forwarder_for_WiiU_%28Aroma%29_%28Complete%29.zip/file

Boot2vWii (Project)
https://gbatemp.net/attachments/boot2vwii-project-zip.446075/?hash=cafaa4aa4eaa8adbba68bec3fc401fdf

##############################################
############### Credits and Thanks ###############
##############################################

I would like to thank the developers of the tools and information necessary for me to create this guide, which can help people who are less familiar with the subject.
Without you this tutorial would not exist!
Thanks

WiiDatabase
akadiddy
SammysJunk
FunkyScott47

Useful links

WiiDatabase
https://github.com/WiiDatabase

akadiddy
https://gbatemp.net/threads/boot2vwii-channel.614122/post-10156679
https://gbatemp.net/threads/boot2vwii-channel.614122/post-10158196

SammysJunk
https://github.com/SammyGoesHowdy/SammysJunk/tree/main/Wii U Forwarders

FunkyScott47

 

[tmnr1992]

Nice description, where's the tutorial?

 

[Bidu]

Nice description, where's the tutorial?

Tutorial is complete now
Thanks

 

[Carlos_DobleC]

Can I use this to launch vWii in NTSC-region videomode while my Wii U is PAL (I know I just can edit the settings in the vWii nand, but I want this just to play a handful of games that doesn't work in PAL)

 

[lordelan]

Nice tutorial, and nice job, @Brawl345
Would be neat to have all this in a Docker image so we don't have to install anything on our machines.

 

[Bidu]

Can I use this to launch vWii in NTSC-region videomode while my Wii U is PAL (I know I just can edit the settings in the vWii nand, but I want this just to play a handful of games that doesn't work in PAL)

No, it is just a forwarder and you access the vWii with the specific resolution (480p - 720p and Standard)
The latest versions of PriiLoader seem to leave the vWii region free, Only the latest version of PriiLoader is compatible with Wii U. Read more about it!
https://github.com/DacoTaco/priiloader
I installed PriiLoader on my WiiU vWii and there were some bugs in USB Loader GX, I'll wait for updates and install it again, it's a very good tool.

 

[jul16ares]

Does boot2vwii can handle usb/fat32 drives, when on vwii now ? (my good to go on aroma with RA)

 

[Bidu]

Does boot2vwii can handle usb/fat32 drives, when on vwii now ? (my good to go on aroma with RA)

Yes, Boot2vWii is a forwarder that uses the official Wii U vWii channel, since it was created it works with SD and USB, what didn't work was the HBL2HBC that people converted to .dol
When you start using Aroma, you won't want to go back to Tiramisu. I myself just don't remove Tiramisu from the console due to RetroArch.
The cool thing is you can keep Aroma and Tiramisu and use envSwap
https://hb-app.store/wiiu/EnvSwap

 

[jul16ares]

Yes, Boot2vWii is a forwarder that uses the official Wii U vWii channel

Are you sure cause my previous atempt with boot2vwii to launch wiiflow has failed to detect usb/fat, act like injects. Nintendont and scummvm had the same issue. Only sd or usb wiiu formated. While, with tira hbl2hbc work like charm, with this setup.
But yeah love to see all my needs fullfilled with aroma...

 

[jul16ares]

2 things for tuto :
makeup not found, use make clean instead
git not found, install git : pacman -S git

 

[4d1xlaan]

dimok didn't make wii homebrew channel, for what it's worth

 

[Brawl345]

Are you sure

yes. Not sure why it doesn't work for you because I have no such problems. It uses the exact same function call as hbl2hbc.

 

[blue-spirit]

What is the advantage of using modmii to create a forwarder that points directly to the application on the SD card? I think creating a dol with modmii and injecting it also seems a bit easier.

Edit: Since there is a plugin which can pretty much deal with the vwii prompt and force a resolution.

 

[AdamCatalyst]

A different approach to similar (but not identical) functionality here:

Wii U to vWii Forwarders (& How-To) by Adam Catalyst

I've posted all my resources there, so feel free to download my resource pack and use them with this technique. There is definitely some overlap. Writing tutorials like this can be a thankless task, so be sure the thank the OP @Bidu !

 

[jul16ares]

A different approach to similar (but not identical) functionality here:

I was with those ones and I switch to boot2vwii. What's the differences with boot2vwii ? Except that boot2vwii is aroma only

Post automatically merged: Jul 30, 2024

yes. Not sure why it doesn't work for you because I have no such problems. It uses the exact same function call as hbl2hbc.

Ok with fresh install everything is nice

 

[KirbyBot]

If I put the forceres to none, will it automatically use the max resolution it can output or do I need to force 720p?

Post automatically merged: Aug 13, 2024

Also, does anyone know which one is better in my case (making a forwarder for vWii's HBC)? Boot2vWii or Wii U to vWii Forwarders.

 

[Anrei]

What is the advantage of using modmii to create a forwarder that points directly to the application on the SD card? I think creating a dol with modmii and injecting it also seems a bit easier.

Edit: Since there is a plugin which can pretty much deal with the vwii prompt and force a resolution.

Unless I'm mistaken, I read that that plugin (evWii?) forces the resolution after the system forces the upscale (?), rather than Boot2vWii which forces it before the system has time to force the upscale, meaning there's no upscale from the Wii U itself and is instead left to your tv (which in my case is significantly better)

I'm not too technical sorry, still trying to figure things out lol

Post automatically merged: Aug 22, 2024

makeup not found, use make clean instead

can't get either to work for me. " no rule to make target 'clean' "

**nevermind, I was stupid and c/boot2vwii wasn't targeted like it should've been

 

[johw]

Is it possible to make Nintendont's Forwarder work with the gamepad?

 

[jul16ares]

Is it possible to make Nintendont's Forwarder work with the gamepad?

Yes but you need a wiiu VC inject of nintendont (some versions available with google), counterpart is that you'll loose usb fat32 drive support... Best solution is to inject games and install them on WiiU drive