Hacking Can someone explain CIOS

[tlangford]

I don't quite understand what the Custom IOS is, how it works and what it does. Could someone please explain this to me or tell me where to look for further info?

Ive looked everywhere but still dont quite get it. Im thinking about installing it so i can try backup loader but im unsure if i can uninstall it.

thanks in advance
tim

 

[noobwarrior7]

IOS is like the "System Files" for the wii (not "Firmware", as many believe),
different versions all coexist on the Wii,
but each IOS package contains tweaks/modifications
that make the software that accessess that particular IOS function correctly
The system menu itself has an IOS that it uses specifically

cIOS is simply short for Custom IOS
homebrewers have taken IOS files,
and altered them to enable new features for wii homebrew purposes
then the "patched" IOS is installed as a wholly new IOS version number,
so as not to overwrite any official IOS
this fact is what makes them safe to install and remove at any time

the available cIOS are either make by Waninkoko's hand,
or the Patchmii program, started by Bushing

the first publically available one was IOS 5,
to be used mainly for disc dumping

 

[tlangford]

Amazing explanation and fast response.

So, how do I remove a Custom IOS?

 

[Meowayne]

Correct. The IOS is/are the operating system that let Starlet (the Wiis coprocessor) use various functions (which are defined inside the OS). It's basically a catalogue of services. Custom IOS add services to the console without changing any of the existing ones, making cIOS safe and easy to install/deinstall.

 

[caffeinekid]

How are they installed? I'm very interested by new developments but scared to mess our Wii up because the wife would kill me and bury me under the patio.

 

[noobwarrior7]

the easiest way is with anytitle deleter 1.0, wam-bam-done
go to the first option, and delete the IOS that are in the 200's (249,254,etc.)
or IOS 5, if for some reason you find/use it even though it is outdated,
and nothing else in there, EVER should get deleted

however, if you have a cIOS wad, which mainly you would only have if you have backup-loader
"cIOS_rev5..."
you can remove it with waninkoko's "cIOS Uninstaller"

however, that doesn't remove patchmii (IOS 254), only anytitle deleter will,

unless we're talking about the Patchmii Clone of waninkoko's cIOS,
but that program will uninstall the cIOS if it is run again..

see how confusing it can be...

so just use anytitle deleter, always. learn it, use it, enjoy.

 

[tlangford]

Thanks great help.

 

[noobwarrior7]

IOS is like the "System Files" for the wii (not "Firmware", as many believe),

many people struggle with this, so for further clarification:

the Wii does not have true "firmware" (except the dvd drive itself)
it has a SOC (system on a chip) called Starlet
starlet, from what I understand, has a lot of hard-coded functions that
react to various forms of user/system input, and then software references versions of IOS which
correctly execute functions.

basically, cIOS is not custom firmware,
but its really better, because it is safer to use, nothing vital is replaced.
hacking the firmware of dvd-drive is a seperate issue,
and is one that has NOT a lot of attention,
mainly for lack of need.

so yes, safe safe safe.
use anytitle deleter.
however, for those who care:
cIOS does void your warranty
if you abide the honor system

 

[tlangford]

Well I just installed it and it works quite well. Playing PAL Star Wars, long loading times but other than that - great!

One more question...

I patched the game using the backup patcher. I have a PAL wii.
Can I use brick blocker and/or regionfrii and patcher on any games?

 

[xboxrules]

I know this thread is old but the information is great for folks like me searching on information about cIOS files and what they are. I do have one question though and that is you use ther word WAD above to explain a cIOS but I've only seen .DOL files

Also noobwarrior7 you hack and slash in this paragraph, can you explain a little further why the 200 type IOS's can be deleted?

"the easiest way is with anytitle deleter 1.0, wam-bam-done
go to the first option, and delete the IOS that are in the 200's (249,254,etc.)

Also here are your saying NEVER delete IOS 5, why?

or IOS 5, if for some reason you find/use it even though it is outdated,
and nothing else in there, EVER should get deleted"

 

[Nada]

I've got a question too: Why is the IOS249 considered a CIOS36? Is it build on the original IOS36? And if so, why of all IOS that one?

 

[helloforum]

the installer takes the orignal ios36 and patches it and installs it as ios249

 

[kamg]

Hi, it would be great if someone could answer my few questions about cIOS. I recently came through a tutorial for loading games from USB HDD and I wanted to perform the same hack. However, as it requires cIOS to be installed, I wanted to know if it can be installed on a Japanese Wii. Do I need a cIOS which supports Japanese version or a cIOS available from Waninkoko will do?

I also want to know what happens if I screw up installing the cIOS (I'll be doing an offline install of IOS36_64-v1042.wad)? Thanks in advance.

PS: I have a modded Wii with the homebrew already installed.

 

[nabster92]

I know this thread is old but the information is great for folks like me searching on information about cIOS files and what they are. I do have one question though and that is you use ther word WAD above to explain a cIOS but I've only seen .DOL files

Also noobwarrior7 you hack and slash in this paragraph, can you explain a little further why the 200 type IOS's can be deleted?

"the easiest way is with anytitle deleter 1.0, wam-bam-done
go to the first option, and delete the IOS that are in the 200's (249,254,etc.)

Also here are your saying NEVER delete IOS 5, why?

or IOS 5, if for some reason you find/use it even though it is outdated,
and nothing else in there, EVER should get deleted"

Because none of the ios in the 200's are official ones. All custom ones made are the only ones that are in the 200's.

And for IOS 5 he was saying if you do happen to have that thats also another custom one you can delete, but it's something that is outdated and you probably wouldn't have. Nothing ELSE besides those IOS should EVER be deleted as unknowingly deleting other IOS can brick your system. If you for example deleted IOS30 while on 3.2 firmware, you would brick your Wii as the system menu runs off that IOS for 3.2.

So to be clear ONLY delete IOS's in the 200's or IOS 5 if you have them and really do NEED to get rid of them for any reason and there should be very few reasons to do so in the first place.

 

[freddy_c]

Okey.
In some USB loader u can change cIOS if i understand right?
Why is that?
Do i need to focus on that when i got a modchip in my Wii?

 

[nabster92]

I think the only reason for that at the moment it to get other usb devices to work along with the hdd with the usb loaders as with cios 36 rev9/10 (which always installs over ios249), you can't use things like the lan adapter or usb mic's for rock band/guitar hero. So as a fix for that I think Hermes wrote another cios that installs to ios 222 or 223 that can be used with uloader to make those peripherals work. Otherwise I think you should be fine with the standard rev9/10 install to ios 249 for everything else.

 

[tiger1807]

really nice topic, especially for new system owners like me