I frequent these forums daily, and read nearly all posts as they arrive. This thread particularly interests me and I try to help when I can. I have modded multiple Wii's of almost every firmware, both virgins and remods. Between myself and my friends, I have tried and fully tested many different hard drive configurations/choices. I've used the compatibility lists found here and elsewhere, and done several tests of my own. Hands down, I have found one specific method to be the most compatible (IMO) and cheapest way to get the highest level of game/loader/drive/etc/etc compatibility out there. I have seen it mentioned before, by myself and others, but it doesn't seem to get much attention and I think this is an oversight I would like to attempt to correct. So, here it is, please feel free to comment and even give me reasons why this might not be best.
I use a Thermaltake BlacX SATA hard drive dock and an external 2 TB Western Digital Black. Looks like this.
All of the questions and comments I see about which external hard drive is best and which one works with any specific loader and every other question about compatibility are rendered null and void with this setup. This works perfectly every time, no matter the brand of drive doc, (although I am partial to Thermaltake) or the brand/type of hard drive. As many external hard drives have built in spindown routines, and other power saving features, even if one works they often cause trouble when they enter that state. I think that by far is the largest issue I see when questions come up about someone's external drive not working properly. This dock has no such features, and I've also found, that even if the hard drive used supposedly does, such as the Western Digital Green series, the dock just doesnt support those features so they are never an issue. Another great thing about this is that you can grow with your collection and just get a larger hard drive when you need it. Or better yet, keep two drives to split up your collection. I do this so I have a drive with all the stuff I play on it that I might not want the kids using, rated M games and the like.
Once connected up, this is really no different (as far as the Wii is concerned) than a regular external drive. Same thing goes for loading ISO's, just plug the dock (or have a second one) up to the PC and go at it. The dock can be found all over the web, Newegg.com being my choice, from $15-$40 depending on the brand, and I've seen 1 TB drives now going for < $70. So for < $100 you have an external drive for your Wii, with 100% compatibility ( I won't say this without also saying the disclaimer of "So Far for me"). For those monetarily challenged among us, grab an old 80-250gb or larger drive you know you have laying around and use that until you can afford the larger one.
As far as any drawbacks I do see a few, but no gamebreakers IMO. You might be intimidated by a bare drive out in the open near your Wii. But I look at that as if you were not intimidated enough to NOT hack your Wii, then this shouldn't be a big deal. Portability may be an issue for some, this is definitely a larger setup than say a Western Digital Passport. Although, I can say that I have taken my setup, to both relatives, and hotels on vacation without any trouble. Bare hard drives are more resilient than you might think. Use an external hard drive case, or just static bag it, and pack it well.
So, sorry for the long post, if you have read this far, you may want to give this a try. I have had very good luck with it as have all of the friends I have modded Wii's for. Any questions or comments, please hit me with them.
On a final unrelated note, wanted to give a shout out to XFlak and his ModMii application for modding any Wii. If you are not using this for your mods, I think you are just plain crazy. ModMii for Windows
I use a Thermaltake BlacX SATA hard drive dock and an external 2 TB Western Digital Black. Looks like this.
All of the questions and comments I see about which external hard drive is best and which one works with any specific loader and every other question about compatibility are rendered null and void with this setup. This works perfectly every time, no matter the brand of drive doc, (although I am partial to Thermaltake) or the brand/type of hard drive. As many external hard drives have built in spindown routines, and other power saving features, even if one works they often cause trouble when they enter that state. I think that by far is the largest issue I see when questions come up about someone's external drive not working properly. This dock has no such features, and I've also found, that even if the hard drive used supposedly does, such as the Western Digital Green series, the dock just doesnt support those features so they are never an issue. Another great thing about this is that you can grow with your collection and just get a larger hard drive when you need it. Or better yet, keep two drives to split up your collection. I do this so I have a drive with all the stuff I play on it that I might not want the kids using, rated M games and the like.
Once connected up, this is really no different (as far as the Wii is concerned) than a regular external drive. Same thing goes for loading ISO's, just plug the dock (or have a second one) up to the PC and go at it. The dock can be found all over the web, Newegg.com being my choice, from $15-$40 depending on the brand, and I've seen 1 TB drives now going for < $70. So for < $100 you have an external drive for your Wii, with 100% compatibility ( I won't say this without also saying the disclaimer of "So Far for me"). For those monetarily challenged among us, grab an old 80-250gb or larger drive you know you have laying around and use that until you can afford the larger one.
As far as any drawbacks I do see a few, but no gamebreakers IMO. You might be intimidated by a bare drive out in the open near your Wii. But I look at that as if you were not intimidated enough to NOT hack your Wii, then this shouldn't be a big deal. Portability may be an issue for some, this is definitely a larger setup than say a Western Digital Passport. Although, I can say that I have taken my setup, to both relatives, and hotels on vacation without any trouble. Bare hard drives are more resilient than you might think. Use an external hard drive case, or just static bag it, and pack it well.
So, sorry for the long post, if you have read this far, you may want to give this a try. I have had very good luck with it as have all of the friends I have modded Wii's for. Any questions or comments, please hit me with them.
On a final unrelated note, wanted to give a shout out to XFlak and his ModMii application for modding any Wii. If you are not using this for your mods, I think you are just plain crazy. ModMii for Windows
