Hacking Configurable USB Loader

[Narolez]

Narolez was kind enough to get the usb forwarding function into my hybrid channel, but I do not have any USB devices available to test. I threw together a version of the hybrid channel containing v42-222 (special Hermes ios222 version) for someone to test. I have already tested the channel with an SD and it forwards as it used to of course...and without the SD it'll load the internal v42-222 dol. But, can someone test the USB forwarding as well and let me know how it is working? You'll of course need cIOS222 installed to use it because this version requires it. If all works well, I will be releasing separate hybrid channels with both the special 222 version and the standard cios249 version when v43 final is released.

Please test:

http://sharebee.com/717037b8

Here's the Source for my NForwarderHybrid: http://github.com/Narolez/NForwarderHybrid

 

[duy64]

Nintendo Channel just got an update, maybe that was it? It has gotten a brand new GUI/look/feel to it.

EDIT:
Tested starting CFG Loader, and turning it off (shutting down to Homebrew Channel?) and turning off the HDD, no Wiislot flashes at all.

I kinda figured this out, but not sure as I'm too busy to test it out.
I think this is a cIOS v14 bug, where you turn off the HDD when you are still within the loader it will make the wii flash and won't let you turn off your wii with the wiimote.

 

[IxthusTiger]

Current save installers and extractors require a disc in the drive, so would it be possible to add a save extractor/installer to your loader? I like to keep my RB2 Disc in my Wii, and I'd rather not have to put in my Animal Crossing disc when I want to extract and install the save.

 

[oggzee]

cfg v43 (release)

http://sharebee.com/15f170b3
(or online update)

Changes:

cfg v43 (release)

* minor code cleanups

cfg v43b (beta)

* Improved antialiasing in coverflow (sharper)
* Reorganized game options screen:
- Allow to change saved options
- Unsaved changes are private per-game, not global
- Moved alt.dol selection to options menu
* Minor gui fixes: style switching, screen scale glitch

 

[zektor]

Wow, that release was fast

If I didn't have such an issue getting onto this sit eI would have found out earlier

Anyway, no, I don't even have a USB stick, although I should invest in one. I guess I'll wait to create the channels until the v43-222 version is released as well (if it will be?)

 

[oggzee]

Right!
Forgot about that one, ok here it is:

SDUSB-Loader_cfg43-222.dol

http://sharebee.com/3a964040

 

[User423]

Is there a way to improve antialiasing that it won´t slow down the flow?

/edit

# gui_antialias = [4] {0-4}
# Tune coverflow mode antialias level

We can adjust it? Great!

And what it the difference between "Video = Game" and "Video = System"?

 

[Dr. Clipper]

And what it the difference between "Video = Game" and "Video = System"?

Game is the default video mode of the game (NTSC for NTSC games, PAL for PAL games). System is whatever you've set in your Wii settings.

 

[User423]

Ok, thanks!

Another Question: What is needed for a Theme? Only bg_base, bg_gui, bg_overlay and a theme.txt? (I make my own themes now)

bg_base = 768x480 (some use 800x480? Better?)
bg_gui and overlay = 640x480

Are the sizes right or are there better sizes for that? (specially bg_base)

 

[Dr. Clipper]

Ok, thanks!

Another Question: What is needed for a Theme? Only bg_base, bg_gui, bg_overlay and a theme.txt? (I make my own themes now)

bg_base = 768x480 (some use 800x480? Better?)
bg_gui and overlay = 640x480

Are the sizes right or are there better sizes for that? (specially bg_base)

It's best to develop the themes at 800*480 or 854*480. 854*480 is true 16:9, although some people think designing at 800*480 looks better on typical TVs.

No matter what width you make the backgrounds, they will be stretched to the full screen size when using widescreen, and the central 640 columns of the image will be cropped out in 4:3. If you want to see how your image will look in both widescreen and 4:3 simultaneously, use the Overlay Wizard of the Configurator which has an option to superimpose the cropping lines on your image.

You also have ability to change other files, like the pointer image and the GUI font. For more information about what you can use in your theme, see README-CFG.txt, my tutorial page, or the other parts of the Configurator (see my sig).

 

[pepxl]

Current save installers and extractors require a disc in the drive, so would it be possible to add a save extractor/installer to your loader? I like to keep my RB2 Disc in my Wii, and I'd rather not have to put in my Animal Crossing disc when I want to extract and install the save.

no need for save installer/extractor anymore those apps are out dated use waninkoko's savegame manager it installs and extracts ANY save without the need of ANY disk

 

[zektor]

Right!
Forgot about that one, ok here it is:

SDUSB-Loader_cfg43-222.dol

http://sharebee.com/3a964040

Awesome, thanks! JUst waiting now on someone to test the usb forwarding capabilities. Maybe I'll go get a USB stick today...

 

[Sacohen9665]

Right!
Forgot about that one, ok here it is:

SDUSB-Loader_cfg43-222.dol

http://sharebee.com/3a964040

If I replace my DOL on my USB drive with this, will the online updates be the 222 updates or whatever the latest is?

Just curious, how does this differ them setting 222 in the config.txt?

 

[zektor]

This is literally driving me nuts. I purchased a USB Stick (4GB Sony Micro Vault) to test this hybrid channel out before release. I confirm that the stick works on the Wii (I can use it to install wads, run stuff from the HBC) BUT if my 1TB WBFS HD is on (plugged into the bottom port of course) while the stick is plugged into the other port it invalidates the stick. In other words, the stick cannot be read.

I tried a USB card reader last night as well and same deal. If the HD is off (or unplugged) the USB reader can be used for teh HBC and everything else. If the HD is on (or plugged in), the Wii can no longer see it.

Not to mention the fact that both the reader and the usb stick are USB 2.0 compliant, but I can only access them as 1.1.

And, I cannot get USB Loader to run off the stick at all. Even if the HD is not connected. As a matter of fact, in one of my tests, USB Loader did seem to load off the USB (I think) and gave me an error about not having cIOS 249 installed (which I do not on the specific Wii I am using). Funny thing is, I was using the special 222 version when I got the error!


I just don't know now. Maybe if I can fix/find out why the USB stick cannot be accessed at the same time the HD is plugged in I can figure this out....I am just baffled and tired at the moment

 

[pepxl]

This is literally driving me nuts. I purchased a USB Stick (4GB Sony Micro Vault) to test this hybrid channel out before release. I confirm that the stick works on the Wii (I can use it to install wads, run stuff from the HBC) BUT if my 1TB WBFS HD is on (plugged into the bottom port of course) while the stick is plugged into the other port it invalidates the stick. In other words, the stick cannot be read.

I tried a USB card reader last night as well and same deal. If the HD is off (or unplugged) the USB reader can be used for teh HBC and everything else. If the HD is on (or plugged in), the Wii can no longer see it.

its because you can only use 1 USB Storage device at a time and always have thats why you NEED to partition your drive

Not to mention the fact that both the reader and the usb stick are USB 2.0 compliant, but I can only access them as 1.1.

only the bottom port is USB2.0 and you must have a USB2.0 compliant cIOS like IOS222

And, I cannot get USB Loader to run off the stick at all. Even if the HD is not connected. As a matter of fact, in one of my tests, USB Loader did seem to load off the USB (I think) and gave me an error about not having cIOS 249 installed (which I do not on the specific Wii I am using). Funny thing is, I was using the special 222 version when I got the error!

you still have to have cIOS249 installed for any homebrew to function even tho it may not be in use at the time, well as far as i no

I just don't know now. Maybe if I can fix/find out why the USB stick cannot be accessed at the same time the HD is plugged in I can figure this out....I am just baffled and tired at the moment

as above thats why you NEED to partition your drive

above may help

 

[zektor]

Thanks for that. I actually realized that was the issue shortly after posting (regarding the 2.0 compatibility and the partitioning) but I couldn't get back on to the site to edit my post

Anyway, yep, USB forwarding is indeed working, but I am afraid performance has lessened slightly because of it. I guess because it is looking in multiple locations prior to loading the internal .dol in the new hybrid channels I built it is taking some time longer to actually load that internal .dol should an SD or USB device not be present.

So, I can compile a hybrid channel with the SD and USB loading like some had requested, but the performance (in loading that is) would not be as quick as the original hybrid I released that only checks SD for the app and then loads internal .dol when it is not found.

I'll put together a standard cIOS249 hybrid with the SD and USB forwarding, put it up tomorrow, and hopefully someone (or a few people) can test it and give some feedback on how they feel on the performance of loading.

EDIT: Decided to get it together right now. It will look for USBLoader on SD and USB:

sd:/apps/usbloader/boot.dol
sd:/apps/usbloader_cfg/boot.dol
usb:/apps/usbloader/boot.dol
usb:/apps/usbloader_cfg/boot.dol

and if not found, will load the internal dol. Please test and post your results! If all works well I'll get it together with the original release package as usual with readme and credits.

http://sharebee.com/3eefe955

 

[Narolez]

... but I am afraid performance has lessened slightly because of it. I guess because it is looking in multiple locations prior to loading the internal .dol in the new hybrid channels I built it is taking some time longer to actually load that internal .dol should an SD or USB device not be present.
The USB retry is only for using with Preloader.
For your WADs disable the retry by editing this line:

CODE#define STORAGENOTREADYRETRIES 10

to

#define STORAGENOTREADYRETRIES 0

You'll get old performance for included dol ...

 

[Dr. Clipper]

@zektor: Have you worked out how to pass arguments to the loader yet, so that we don't need the 222 version of the channel any more? That way you could just hold the B button during load to get 222 instead of 249 or vice versa.

 

[zektor]

#define STORAGENOTREADYRETRIES 10

to

#define STORAGENOTREADYRETRIES 0

You'll get old performance for included dol ...

Excellent...not sure how I missed that when it was pretty obvious. That's what you get I suppose when your kid keeps you up every night

And again, thank you for the help!

QUOTE(Dr. Clipper @ Sep 17 2009, 04:32 AM) @zektor: Have you worked out how to pass arguments to the loader yet, so that we don't need the 222 version of the channel any more? That way you could just hold the B button during load to get 222 instead of 249 or vice versa.

I wish. I am certainly no expert. I download source, analyze it, dabble, read, and dabble some more

I couldn't even get USB forwarding working correctly without Narolez's help (he actually completely revamped the code) so something like this is truly beyond my scope at the moment. I'll look around at similar sources that perform this function and see if I could accomplish it, but don't hold your breath

I am definitely no code guru...

I'll include Narolez's source for the hybrid forwarding code with the package for the hybrid channel when I get it together later today so others can take a look. Just please share if you make any improvements such as this.

You know, I wish I could have a look at the code for those "autoboot" channels some users created for Neogamma some time ago. They have a pass argument command (press 1 to avoid autoboot) and I bet I could have applied this code to the hybrid to get arguments passed to CFG with a button press on startup.

 

[SuperSonicRacer1]

Hello. I'm new to this USB Loader. I was wondering if there was a compatibility list for this particular one anywhere...Don't hurt me!! Heh.