(guide posted and translated with permission of the original author)

UPDATE:
there is a new softmod method for vWii - it works WITHOUT USING AN ORIGINAL DISC: it is called WUPHAX, from the great @FIX94 - Click Here to go to the thread/guide !
​

Requirements:
- WiiU with 2.1.0/2.1.3/3.0.1/3.1.0/4.0.0/4.0.2/4.0.3/4.1.0/5.0.0/5.1.0/5.1.1/5.1.2/5.2.0/5.3.0/5.3.1/5.3.2/5.4.0/5.5.0 System Menu (versions lower than 2.1.0 do not have vWii installed - not tested with greater versions)
- SD NON-HC (better if blank/clean to avoid potentially fatal installation of old Wii non-compatible WADs - 4Gb but better 2Gb or smaller; 4Gb can be HC and HC cards will not work; 2GB are surely not HC)
- Original Lego Batman Wii game (look for notes below for other supported games)

- You must play at least 1 time with LEGO BATMAN in vWii mode


Preliminary steps (files needed/SD card preparation)

Lego Batman savegame exploit; download and extract data.bin in folder SD :\private\wii\title\RLBX (X is a variable letter related to your Lego Batman Wii region: P = PAL, E = NTSC, J = JAP) <-- (necessary to launch vWii executable files from the root of SD card)

HackMii Installer (at least version 1.2 - alternative download link here); download and extract \hackmii_installer_v1.2 folder content in SD root <-- (to be launched when using the above exploit in order to install The Homebrew Channel, a very useful homebrew)

d2x cIOS Installer Mod v2.2 (this version patch on the fly original IOSes dumping them directly from your vWii); download and extract folder \d2x-cios-installer mod v2.2 in SD :\ apps <-- (needed to install cIOS)

d2x cIOS; download and extract folder \d2x-v10-betaXX-alt-vWii INSIDE \d2x-cios-installer mod v2.2 folder; choose version d2x-v10-beta52-vWii or d2x-v10-beta53-alt-vWii according to this pros/cons official chart:

(d2x cIOS is a Custom IOS necessary to execute Loaders)

Configurable USB Loader Mod; download and copy the latest .dol file in SD :\apps\USBLoader renaming it to boot.dol ; if something is not working for you it is alternatvely possible the use of Wiiflow or USBLoader GX, other 2 great loaders ! Remember to use the loaders .DOL file and NOT the WAD installation channel and/or forwarder ! Old Wii WADs may lead you to brick the vWii mode if not correctly recompiled for vWii !). <-- (Loaders are needed to launch game backups)

xyzzy; download and copy \xyzzy folder inside SD\apps\; this homebrew will save your vWii keys

Dump Mii NAND; download and copy \DmpMiNND folder inside SD\apps\; this homebrew will dump vWii NAND to SD

YetAnotherBlueDumpMod; download the 3 files you can find in the previous link and copy them inside SD\apps\HBC; this homebrew will dump clean vWii IOS

========================================
Your final SD\ folder structure should be like this:

\SD ROOT

\apps

\d2x-cios-installer mod v2.2

\d2x-v10-beta52-vWii

DIPP.app
EHCI.app
ES.app
FAT.app
FFSP.app
MLOAD.app
SDHC.app
USBS.app​

\d2x-v10-beta53-alt-vWii

DIPP.app
EHCI.app
ES.app
FAT.app
FFSP.app
MLOAD.app
SDHC.app
USBS.app
boot.dol
ciosmaps.xml
icon.png
meta.xml​

\DmpMiNND

ARMsource.html
boot.dol
icon.png
meta.xml
PPCsource.html​

\HBC

boot.dol
icon.png
meta.xml​

\USBLoader

boot.dol
icon.png​

\xyzzy

boot.dol
icon.png
meta.xml​

\licenses

APACHE-2.0.txt​

\private

\wii

\title

\RLBX (where X can be E or P or J depending on the game region)

data.bin​

\wiiload

\lin32

wiiload​

\osx

wiiload​

\win32

wiiload.exe​

wiiload.tar.gz​

boot.elf
bootmini.elf
========================================

So after extracting all those homebrews in the correct folders of your SD root (2 or 4 GB) that MUST NOT BE SDHC (if SDHC the bathaxx exploit cannot be run) proceed to step 1.


STEPS

1) Start Virtual Wii (vWii) from WiiU dash and ONLY AFTER IT SHOWS UP insert the prepared SD card (if you insert it earlier the savegame can be deletd)

2) Install exploited savegame
In vWii mode go to Options -> Saved Data -> SD Card -> Click on the icon related to your game version -> select COPY -> YES

3) Execute exploit/Install HBC
Go back to vWii menu ad launch the game -> load the saved game (100%) and you will found yourself in the bat-cave; take the right elevator -> enter the trophy room and get into the upper-left door to go to "Wayne Manor" -> with nunchuck bring the cursor over the enabled character in the lowest row (see minute 1:03 of the following video) to execute the exploit (boot.elf). Follow on-screen procedure to complete HBC Install.

(video found on youtube searching for "bathaxx" - thanks to the original author !)

NOTE: remember to use, as already said, a NON-HC SD card

4) Backup vWii mode keys
From HBC launch xyzzy -> select "SD Card" when requested -> press A -> wait 10-20 seconds (ignore error messages) -> when asked press A to go back to HBC; the file will be copied in SD :\keys.txt

5) Backup vWii mode NAND content
Start HBC -> launch latest version of the great Dump Mii NAND tool (by Maxternal) tool;
the automatic dump procedure will last from 20 to 60 minutes (in my experience it depends on the SD card you are using); the files (nand.bin and keys.bin) will be dumped in sd:/apps/DumpMiNND/ folder; at the end of the dumping procedure your WiiU will reboot.

Edit by Cyan:
6) Dump your IOS for eventual vWii semi-brick fix (optional step but recommended !)
Launch YetAnotherBlueDumpMod
Go to System Titles and dump each IOS individually to a wad.
When prompted to fakesign the ticket or TMD, say No to both. It's a tedious process, but it could save a lot of trouble in the future.

If you don't have CLEAN IOS, you won't be able to fix semi-bricked vWii.
You can't create wads from a NAND dump or from using ShowMiiWads. You NEED to use YetAnotherBlueDumpMod.
so please, don't skip this step (but you can do it after step 7 if you want).


7) Install d2x cIOS on different bases/slots
Start HBC and launch d2x cIOS Installer Mod v2.2 -> press a wiimote key ->
- at "Select cIOS" press right and select "d2x-v10-beta52-vWii" or "d2xv10-beta53-alt-vWii"
- at "Select cIOS base" select "56"
- at "Select cIOS slot" select "249"
press A to install -> cIOS 249 installed.

Repeat the above procedure for IOS57:
- at "Select cIOS" press right and select "d2x-v10-beta52-vWii" or "d2xv10-beta53-alt-vWii"
- at "Select cIOS base" select "57"
- at "Select cIOS slot" select "250"
press A to install -> cIOS 250 installed.

Repeat the above procedure for IOS58:
- at "Select cIOS" press right and select "d2x-v10-beta52-vWii" or "d2xv10-beta53-alt-vWii"
- at "Select cIOS base" select "58"
- at "Select cIOS slot" select "251"
press A to install -> cIOS 251 installed.

8) Now you can execute your preferred homebrew (that needs a cIOS) under HBC. Some homebrews can request IOS236 (see optional steps below on how to install it)

==========================================================================================================================

IMPORTANT NOTES

1 - Step 2 can be substituted with one of those games and their exploits:

- Super Smash Bros. Brawl
exploit name: SMASH STACK

- LEGO Star Wars - The Complete Saga
exploit name: RETURN OF THE JODI

- LEGO Indiana Jones - The Original Adventure
exploit name: INDIANA PWNS (alternative download link here)

- Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's Wheelie Breakers
exploit name: Yu-Gi-OWNED! or Yu-Gi-Vah [but you must connect the scart and use the save 50Hertz + configure output 576I for France <-- directly from wiiubrew]

- Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World
exploit name: ERI HAKAWAI


2 - DO NOT PLAY WITH IOS and cIOS both for vWii and real Wii, they are DIFFERENT and use a Wii IOS or cIOS with vWii (and vice versa) CAN BRICK YOUR vWii !!!

3 - Do not play with System Menu, channels or vWii titles to avoid unwanted vWii bricks !

4 - Some 2.5" external hard drivers can need additional power supply (even if they were perfectly working in a real Wii); try to use an Y cable to power them up:

there are different Y cables depending on your 2.5" Hard Disk USB interface:

WHILE CHOOSING THE CORRECT Y CABLE BE ALSO VERY CAREFUL AT IDENTIFYING MICRO USB 3.0 A or B MALE CONNECTOR BECAUSE Micro A Male DOES NOT FIT IN Micro B female (for what I know Micro A female-only does not exist, only Micro B-female or Micro AB-female exist):

5 - USB port to use is the UPPER one (considering the WiiU laying on a table as a standard DVD player):

(you can use the lower one for additional optional Y-Cable power supply)

6a - If you receive an error (dump error) using Configurable USB Loader (both with alt or normal cIOS version):

Try to use Wiiflow or USBLoader GX


6b - If you have black screen (always with CFG USB Loader) starting a game that was perfectly working BEFORE 4.x update (es. Wii Fit/Wii Fit Plus) try to set the "Video" option to "Game Default" (and not "System Def.") as showed in the following picture:

7 - If you connect your external USB games-backup-hard-drive before turning WiiU on you will receive the annoyng "Format USB Disk" screen:
- Here is UStealth solution by brilliant jayjay123 !
- Alternatively you can press B button at power on bypassing WiiU System Menu and entering directly in vWii mode.

8 - After updating to firmware 4.0.0 you may see HBC forced to 4:3:
Here is a WORKAROUND by the great JoostinOnline !

OPTIONAL STEPS

=================
cIOS236 INSTALLATION
=================
This cIOS can be necessary to launch some homebrews (which doesn't use ahbprot).

1) Download IOS36-64-v3864.wad (look for "sendspace kl6o78" and download the .rar file from sendspace - thanks to someone of that forum for that hint), extract the .WAD and place it in your SD root

2) From HBC launch IOS236 Installer MOD v7 Special vWii Edition and follow on-screen steps to install cIOS236.


=================================
WIIFLOW CHANNEL FORWARDER INSTALLATION
=================================

1) Download Wiiflow Channel Forwarder WAD

2) Copy it in your SD card, preferibly in SD :\wad folder

3) Install it from Multi Mod Manager homebrew -> Wad Manager option

OTHER CHANNEL FORWARDERS CAN BE FOUND IN THIS THREAD !

 

[GIngaRanga]

is an SDC card the correct one to use (non-sdhc).

 

[RodrigoR]

Step 2. When you go to options and save game I do not see any hacked saved game or anything on my SD card even though I have downloaded all files to it.

post a screen of your sd folder structure.

Anyone help me with using the old save of Mario Kart Wii with vWii Wiiflow please? Everytime I copy it to vWii when i load the game with in VWii it delete the save and overwrite it with blank save.

I'm not very fond of wiiflow tbh, i have it only for test purpose when something goes wrong on usbloadergx.
Try usloadergx never had problem importing saves.

 

[GIngaRanga]

post a screen of your sd folder structure.


I'm not very fond of wiiflow tbh, i have it only for test purpose when something goes wrong on usbloadergx.
Try usloadergx never had problem importing saves.

Got it working. Structure was off. Now my USB HDD FAT32 won't get recognized using USB loader GX. It halts at "mounting port 1." I tried an NTSC micro SD and it seems to work but I'd rather use my USB HDD as FAT 32. Why would this be happening? The HDD has about 150 GB of files. USB Loader GX is v.3 rev. 1256.

 

[RodrigoR]

Got it working. Structure was off. Now my USB HDD FAT32 won't get recognized using USB loader GX. It halts at "mounting port 1." I tried an NTSC micro SD and it seems to work but I'd rather use my USB HDD as FAT 32. Why would this be happening? The HDD has about 150 GB of files. USB Loader GX is v.3 rev. 1256.

If you USB HDD doesn't have external power source you can try this:
1 : Use a Y cable to bring more power to it
2: Switch the port its using in the back (with wii u flat on surface, if your hdd is connected to the bottom usb, try connecting to the upper usb)
3: Try to plug your usb after you start usbloader gx on the "waiting for hdd" screen.

IF still not working
Check if the ioses are ok (cios 249 mostly)
Check if Usbloader GX it's set to use IOS 249 in the Loader settings.
You could also try to change USBGX to load cios 250 or 251 if you installed then.

 

[GIngaRanga]

If you USB HDD doesn't have external power source you can try this:
1 : Use a Y cable to bring more power to it
2: Switch the port its using in the back (with wii u flat on surface, if your hdd is connected to the bottom usb, try connecting to the upper usb)
3: Try to plug your usb after you start usbloader gx on the "waiting for hdd" screen.

IF still not working
Check if the ioses are ok (cios 249 mostly)
Check if Usbloader GX it's set to use IOS 249 in the Loader settings.
You could also try to change USBGX to load cios 250 or 251 if you installed then.

Thanks I will try that!!

 

[GIngaRanga]

If you USB HDD doesn't have external power source you can try this:
1 : Use a Y cable to bring more power to it
2: Switch the port its using in the back (with wii u flat on surface, if your hdd is connected to the bottom usb, try connecting to the upper usb)
3: Try to plug your usb after you start usbloader gx on the "waiting for hdd" screen.

IF still not working
Check if the ioses are ok (cios 249 mostly)
Check if Usbloader GX it's set to use IOS 249 in the Loader settings.
You could also try to change USBGX to load cios 250 or 251 if you installed then.

I've tried everything you've suggested: plugging in once loader asks, tried all USB ports. Just don't have a y cord yet so can't test that. So far nothing has worked but an NTFS formatted drive. I do not want to lose home brew compatibility so I really prefer FAT32 if I can.

 

[RodrigoR]

I've tried everything you've suggested: plugging in once loader asks, tried all USB ports. Just don't have a y cord yet so can't test that. So far nothing has worked but an NTFS formatted drive. I do not want to lose home brew compatibility so I really prefer FAT32 if I can.

Check your cios.
And try a different one. I had 1 hdd that had problem with cios 249/56 (d2x-v10-beta53-alt-vWii)
I changed to cios 249/56 (d2x-v10-beta52-vWii) and that solved the issue.

Today i still use these cios:
249/56 (d2x-v10-beta52-vWii) (non-alt for better nand emulation)
250/57 (d2x-v10-beta53-Alt-vWii) (for more usbports and usb compatibility in game)
251/58 (d2x-v10-beta53-Alt-vWii) (same as above)

If you are using beta52 already, try to change to beta53-alt-vWii then.
Also try the Y cable, some hdd really need it.

 

[GIngaRanga]

Check your cios.
And try a different one. I had 1 hdd that had problem with cios 249/56 (d2x-v10-beta53-alt-vWii)
I changed to cios 249/56 (d2x-v10-beta52-vWii) and that solved the issue.

Today i still use these cios:
249/56 (d2x-v10-beta52-vWii) (non-alt for better nand emulation)
250/57 (d2x-v10-beta53-Alt-vWii) (for more usbports and usb compatibility in game)
251/58 (d2x-v10-beta53-Alt-vWii) (same as above)

If you are using beta52 already, try to change to beta53-alt-vWii then.
Also try the Y cable, some hdd really need it.

Awesome thanks. I'm using alt 53. Also, using USB loader GX do you perform a nand dump and set nand path to sd/nand same as Wii for game saves to save to sd card?

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Awesome thanks. I'm using alt 53. Also, using USB loader GX do you perform a nand dump and set nand path to sd/nand same as Wii for game saves to save to sd card?

Also can I install d2x 52 if alt is already installed or do I have to uninstall d2x alt 53 somehow? You have been extremely helpful thanks

 

[RodrigoR]

You can install over the older one. ex: 249/56, just install the beta52 to 249/56 it'll overwritte the cios on that slot (beta53-alt).
And yes, you dump your nand and use it to saves/emunand. (highly recomend 249/56 beta52 for that)

 

[GIngaRanga]

You can install over the older one. ex: 249/56, just install the beta52 to 249/56 it'll overwritte the cios on that slot (beta53-alt).
And yes, you dump your nand and use it to saves/emunand. (highly recomend 249/56 beta52 for that)

I used a band dump that took a few hours when I was setting up home brew. I wouldn't have to do that again using USB loader GX? Or is there a different type of nand dump?

I don't have to use d2x 52 in 250 and 251 or just leave those as d2x 53 alt?

 

[GIngaRanga]

I used a band dump that took a few hours when I was setting up home brew. I wouldn't have to do that again using USB loader GX? Or is there a different type of nand dump?

I don't have to use d2x 52 in 250 and 251 or just leave those as d2x 53 alt?

Yup just reinstalled all OS' with d2x 52 and 249 and didn't work still. I'm thinking it needs a y cord. I will order one today.

 

[RodrigoR]

I used a band dump that took a few hours when I was setting up home brew. I wouldn't have to do that again using USB loader GX? Or is there a different type of nand dump?

I don't have to use d2x 52 in 250 and 251 or just leave those as d2x 53 alt?

Loaders Nand dump is different and faster.
You can installl d2x beta52 in 249 only and keep beta53-alt in 250-251 if u want. (thats the setup i use)

Yup just reinstalled all OS' with d2x 52 and 249 and didn't work still. I'm thinking it needs a y cord. I will order one today.

With d2x beta 52 try the previous stuff again.
-Set 249 ios on loader
- switch the usb ports
- wait for usbloader to ask before pluging usb

And yeah test a Y cable. i had hhd's that only worked with Y cable.

 

[GIngaRanga]

Loaders Nand dump is different and faster.
You can installl d2x beta52 in 249 only and keep beta53-alt in 250-251 if u want. (thats the setup i use)


With d2x beta 52 try the previous stuff again.
-Set 249 ios on loader
- switch the usb ports
- wait for usbloader to ask before pluging usb

And yeah test a Y cable. i had hhd's that only worked with Y cable.

Thank you. I'll try that. Do you know of the best place to bookmark so that I can be kept up to date for Wii U hack to play backups on firmware 5.5.1. I unfortunately bought a Wii U that was already loaded with this firmware.

 

[RodrigoR]

Thank you. I'll try that. Do you know of the best place to bookmark so that I can be kept up to date for Wii U hack to play backups on firmware 5.5.1. I unfortunately bought a Wii U that was already loaded with this firmware.

Just keep an eye on the main forum "Nintendo Wii U Discussions", when someting for 5.5.x is released, ppl will post there. Mostly on Hack and Homebrew subforum.

 

[zapp8rannigan]

Hi,

I've just been doing the preliminary steps carefully and I'm having some issues with your folder structure:

Specifically the stuff I've highlighted in red.

\SD ROOT

\apps

\d2x-cios-installer mod v2.2

\d2x-v10-beta52-vWii

DIPP.app
EHCI.app
ES.app
FAT.app
FFSP.app
MLOAD.app
SDHC.app
USBS.app​

\d2x-v10-beta53-alt-vWii

DIPP.app
EHCI.app
ES.app
FAT.app (Not in d2x-v10-beta53-alt-vWii.zip file)
FFSP.app
MLOAD.app
SDHC.app (Not in d2x-v10-beta53-alt-vWii.zip file)
USBS.app​

boot.dol (Moved this file and four below to the previous directory: mod v2.2) is that correct?)
ciosmaps.xml (also moved, however this file is in both the alt file and the normal file?)
icon.png
meta.xml
\DmpMiNND

ARMsource.html
boot.dol
icon.png
meta.xml
PPCsource.html​

\HBC

boot.dol
icon.png
meta.xml​

\USBLoader

boot.dol
icon.png (This file isn't mentioned in your guide and I'm not sure where to get it?)​

\xyzzy

boot.dol
icon.png
meta.xml​

\licenses

APACHE-2.0.txt​

\private

\wii

\title

\RLBX (where X can be E or P or J depending on the game region)
(I kept all three files, because E is actually NTSC and P is PAL)

data.bin​

\wiiload

\lin32

wiiload​

\osx

wiiload​

\win32

wiiload.exe​

wiiload.tar.gz​

boot.elf
bootmini.elf

 

[ultracamp]

Soo the vWii softmod does not work on 5.5.1 correct?

 

[GIngaRanga]

Soo the vWii softmod does not work on 5.5.1 correct?

Works for me

 

[ultracamp]

Works for me

Thanks, it's just the main post doesn't say 5.5.1 so I figured I'd ask since I heard there wasn't much change between 5.5.0 and that.

 

[aenoch]

No letter bomb?

 

[roo1234]

No letter bomb?

No