Hacking Compilation of my noob questions

[Vaala]

There are a few things I'm not 100% clear on... And I hate stuff I don't understand.

1. IOS. What exactly is it? Is it parts of the operating system, and new IOS are added to run more functions?

2. cIOS. That's "custom IOS", right? Does custom mean that it is homebrew/edited, and not official?

3. Are there any lists of what the different IOS are? At least the official ones.

4. Menu version. The name sounds a little weird to me, is it the software that runs the menus/channels/settings etc? Is this stored in IOS too?

5. Firmware. When I think firmware I'm thinking controller for a piece of hardware. When it comes to Wii, what hardware are we talking about with firmware? Motherboard? How do you know what version you have, is this updated with the regular system update, and what exactly differs from version to version? Does it even affect homebrew?

6. Elf and dol. Was elf-files the previous executable files before dol? What happened to them? What is the difference, and are original Wii files in this format too?

7. Wad. Is a wad-file a pack which extracts when you run it, or is it just copied over (.wad on the Wii too)? Are original Wii channels in .wad format?

8. Are there any region differences when it comes to IOS/wad/dol/elf? Does every Wii in the world have the "same" files?

 

[Vaala]

Anyone?

 

[EmperorOfCanada]

I thought I knew a lot about this stuff until you started asking questions. BAN THIS GUY! He makes me feel stupid!

 

[Beatchu]

1. they are like drivers
8. wads are region specific. elf/dol arent. not sure about IOSes

 

[Rykin]

1. IOS. What exactly is it? Is it parts of the operating system, and new IOS are added to run more functions?
This is like drivers, or dll files in Windows, I believe. It allows the system menu to access the hardware on the Wii.
More info here: http://wiibrew.org/wiki/IOS

2. cIOS. That's "custom IOS", right? Does custom mean that it is homebrew/edited, and not official?
It means Custom IOS- correct. These tend to be more of modifications to existing IOS files rather than complete customs. These cIOS add/change features such as allowing fakesigned discs to run, adding DVD support, and most recently for backup support.

3. Are there any lists of what the different IOS are? At least the official ones.
http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Title_database

4. Menu version. The name sounds a little weird to me, is it the software that runs the menus/channels/settings etc? Is this stored in IOS too?
The menu is the operating system/user interface you use when you boot your Wii. It's seperate from the IOS.
http://wiibrew.org/wiki/System_Menu

5. Firmware. When I think firmware I'm thinking controller for a piece of hardware. When it comes to Wii, what hardware are we talking about with firmware? Motherboard? How do you know what version you have, is this updated with the regular system update, and what exactly differs from version to version? Does it even affect homebrew?
Technically speaking, I don't believe the Wii has firmware upgrades in the classic sense. By firmware, people are referring to IOS and system menu upgrades.

6. Elf and dol. Was elf-files the previous executable files before dol? What happened to them? What is the difference, and are original Wii files in this format too?
Dol is the Gamecube .exe, Elf is the Wii .exe. Elf is still around, but apparently there was some imporper compiling done with older .elf files which I assume would lead to some complications down the road. Elf is still used, but until everyone upgrades to the new lib to compile proper elfs, it's better to use .dol as a safe default.

7. Wad. Is a wad-file a pack which extracts when you run it, or is it just copied over (.wad on the Wii too)? Are original Wii channels in .wad format?
Wad is a container, a zip-file of sorts. The Wii Channels are .wads before they are installed/unzipped.
http://wiibrew.org/wiki/WAD

8. Are there any region differences when it comes to IOS/wad/dol/elf? Does every Wii in the world have the "same" files?
.wads are region set. Dol/elf are for any system.


As you can see, many of your questions could be answered if you went to wiibrew.org and did some searching there. :>