How to SoftMod a Wii to Play Backup Wii, Gamecube and Wiiware Games

(Disclaimer: Stop in your tracks and visit
https://gbatemp.net/threads/modify-any-wii-4-3-below.171901/
It is a MUCH more updated tutorial for Soft-Modding your Wii. )

(If you new to Softmod a Wii this will give you a 100% safe guide from start-to-finish to play Wii Games, Gamecube Games and Wiiware/Virtual Console games from an USB-drive. Im not kidding. In this guide we only use official files to minimize any risks apart from Step 4 . But I can assure I used this guide to softmod my sister's Wii. She can now play Skyward Sword by USB-drive without problem! )

Requirements:
*SD Card (no SDHC)
*SD Card reader
*Wii updated to 4.3 (4.3 is latest version, just update your Wii and you be fine)
*Internet Connected Wii
*USB-hdd to store Wii games and Gamecube games
*To play Gamecube games you need this Wii Console and Gamecube Controller
(No Gamecube Memory Card is required if you use NMM)

A short description what each step does
Step 1 - You install Homebrew Channel to install Apps.
Step 2 - Safety Precaution. Backup Wii System (NAND) to your PC.
Step 3 - Safety Precaution. Install Priiloader to prevent disc updates to damage your Wii.
Step 4 - Patch IOS and Install WADs using Two Easy Apps. Install USB Loader GX to Play Wii Games .
Step 5 - Install a d2x Custom IOS to enable New Wii Games. Install DiosMios to Play Gamecube Games.
(Spoilers Window) Add 'n Play Wii/Gamecube Games + Update USB Loader GX (req for Gamecube games)
Step 6 - emulate Wii System (NAND) on USB-hdd making Add WiiWare/VC Games near impossible to damage your Wii .

1. Install Homebrew Channel

Follow HighTeckMans instructions in video :


2. Backup Wii NAND (to restore your Wii if anything goes wrong)

Important! Make sure SD-card has more then 700mb free space
Important! Make sure your Wii has more then 700 blocks open. To Check: Turn on your Wii. Goto Wii Options - Data Management - Save Data - Wii. In 'Blocks Open:' there should stand 700 or higher. Then Return to Wii Menu. Press Back 4 times.
Follow S Winegars instructions in video :
- In BootMii use the Power button to cycle through options in the menu, and Reset to select.


1. When Wii NAND is backed-up using Project Phoenix Medias video guide. Shutdown Wii. Remove SD-card from Wii and put SD-card into Computer.
2. Open SD:\ and check that you have two following files 'NAND.BIN' and 'KEYS.BIN'. Copy these two files into a safe location on your Computer. My tips is to save them into a usb-stick or Dropbox if your Computer crash.
3. Once you saved the two files 'NAND.BIN' and 'KEYS.BIN' you should remove them from SD-card (NAND.BIN takes 500mb)
4. Done!

3. Install Priiloader (regionfree games and stop updates)

1. Plug SD-card into Computer
2. Download Priiloader_v0_7.zip . Unzip and Put it into your SD Card. (SD:\)
3. Download hacks_hash.ini - Scroll down to 'Pre-compiled Hacks download' , right-click, save link as, and save into SD:/apps/Priiloader/ .
4. Remove SD-card from Computer and plug into Wii . Turn on your Wii. Launch Homebrew Channel. Then launch Priiloader.
5. Press A to Install
6. Once Priiloader is installed shut down the Wii (Sometimes you Wii freezes after Priiloader installation. Its totally normal. Just re-start your Wii with reset and after Wi Menu appears shut down the Wii)

(configure Priiloader)
1. Press the "Power" button while holding down the "Reset" button on your Wii until the Priiloader menu is displayed on your screen.
2. In Priiloader select "System Menu Hacks". These are the following 7 hacks I suggest you select: 'Region free EVERYTHING', 'Block Disc Updates', 'Remove NoCopy Save File Protection', 'Block Online Updates', 'Remove Diagnostic Disc Check', 'Move Disc Channel', 'Auto Press 'A' at health screen'. Select Save Settings when Done.
3. To Exit Priiloader select System Menu
4. Done!

A video how to configure Priiloader can be found here :


PS: By having Priiloader you prevent disc updates that can damage Homebrew.

4. Install USB Loader and Custom ISO

Follow HighTeckMans instructions in video - Zip-file from Youtube video Required :

Important! Skip 10:00 - 13:00 in the video. We will not use Wbfs Manager instead we use WiiBackupManager to add Wii games, explained in Part 5 - spoiler windows - Play Wii/Gamecube games from USB-hdd.

5. Play Newer Wii Games, Gamecube games and Install USB Loader GX

Follow Aces instructions in video - Zip-file from Youtube video Required :

Important: At 3:30 in Video (WiiMod) make sure in 'Wii Mod' to install IOS249[56]-d2x9b47.wad before you install DIOSMIOS. After you installed IOS249-d2x goto Main Menu of 'Wii Mod' and select 'Change IOS' and pick 249 . Look in Main Menu right corner it should stand 'Current IOS: 249 . You want to install DIOSMIOS to IOS 249 as you will be playing your gamecube games and wii games from 249.

*After you installed cIOS249-d2x and changed IOS to 249. Continue with Video instructions

How to Update USB Loader GX, Backup Wii/Gamecube Games and Play Wii/Gamecube games from SD-card and USB-device. Also use NNM and compability list for gamecube games. Press Spoilers Inside.


Update USB Loader GX to latest version
*Required to play Gamecube games.
1. Plug SD-card into Computer
2. Open DMLizard type 2 and 2 then s to download USB Loader GX . Once downloaded type 0 then 0 to Exit DMLizard . Copy dmlizard\copy-to-sd\apps\usbloader_gx\ to SD:\apps\usbloader_gx\ - overwrite current files
3. Remove SD-card from Computer and plug into Wii
4. Done!

Play Wii/Gamecube games from USB-hdd
1. Format your USB to FAT32 with cluster size 32KB using FAT32 Format. Download to Desktop and Run. Select Drive and '32768' as Allocation unit Size. Choice a Volume Label, Mark Quick Format and Start the Format Progress. Like this - http://i.imgur.com/E6CXvPP.png
2. To Play Gamecube Games - Create a folder 'games' inside the FAT32 HDD. Download and Open DMToolbox v.0.3 (Windows XP version) (Works with Windows 7). Click 'black folder' in Gamecube ISO: and select your GameCube ISO file . Click 'yellow folder' in Output dir: and choose any folder (i.e. Desktop) . Finally Press Install . After installation is complete, in Desktop move the GAMEID folder to USB:\games\ .
3. To Play Wii Games - Download and Open WiiBackupManager . Click 'Drive 1' and select USB-drive from 'inactive' . Click 'Files' - 'Add - Files' and select your Wii ISO file(s) . Lastly Click 'Transfer - Drive 1' to put all Wii ISO file(s) into your USB-drive .
4. Remove USB-drive from Computer and plug into Wii . Also plug in Gamecube controller and Gamecube Memory Card in Wii .
5. Turn on your Wii. Launch USB Loader GX . Press this icon (Loader Mode) !! ( http://i.imgur.com/ioqV74i.png ) . Select Wii Games and GC Games .
6 Done!

Backup Wii/GameCube Disc
1. Plug USB-drive into Wii . Start Wii . Launch USB Loader GX .
2. Put a Wii/Gamecube Disc into the Wii . Wait then click 'Install' and 'OK' .
3. When installation is done. You can click the newly added game to get its boxart .
4. Remove your Wii/Gamecube Disc from the Wii.
5. Done!

Play Gamecube games from SD-card
1. Plug SD-card into Computer .
2. Add your GameCube ISO file(s) to SD:\games\
3. Open DMLizard type 1 then 2 to download DIOS MIOS Lite . Once downloaded type 0 then 0 to Exit DMLizard . Copy files from dmlizard\copy-to-sd\wad\ to SD:\wad\ .
4. Remove SD-card from Computer and plug into Wii . Also put in Gamecube controller and Gamecube Memory Card in Wii .
5. Turn on your Wii. Launch Homebrew Channel. Then launch Wii Mod .
6. Goto WAD Manager . And install two WAD files 'DIOSMIOSLite_v2.10.wad' and 'RVL-BC-v6.wad' . Close Wii Mod after installation.
7. Launch USB Loader GX . Press this icon (Loader Mode) !! ( http://i.imgur.com/ioqV74i.png ) . Select GC Games . Start your GameCube Game .

NNM - No More Memory Cards
NNM is an alternative saving method for gamecube games. You simply don't need a Gamecube Memory Card anymore. You enable NNM in 'Settings' inside USB Loader GX. With NNM enabled your saves for gamecube games are stored in the Wii, not a memory Card.

DIOS MIOS Compatibility List for Gamecube games
http://wiki.gbatemp.net/wiki/DIOS_MIOS_Lite_Compatibility_List

Alt to DIOSMIOS (Devolution) req Retail Discs
Devolution is an alternative method to DIOSMIOS with higher compability but needs an retail Discs of current game in order to play.
1. Plug SD-card into Computer. Goto http://gbatemp.net/threads/devolution-public-release.330554/ and download Devo_src package on first the first post.
2. Open Zip-file and put "/gc_devo/" folder into SD:/apps/ .
3. Remove SD-card from Computer and plug into Wi.
4. Launch USB Loader GX and go to Settings > User Paths > DEVO Loader path : Set the folder to " SD:/Apps/gc_devo/data/ " .
5. Lastly, either in global settings (for ALL gamecube games) or in the individuel game settings . Set "GameCube Mode to "Devolution" instead of "MIOS".

Launch the Game, it will flash the Wii light until yor ISO is verified. Put your retail disc to vertify the backup, then play the game. (Cyans words _ Developer of USB Loader GX)

DIOS MIOS Formula
Install DIOSMIOS_v2.11.wad and RVL-BC-v6.wad to Play Gamecube games from USB
Install DIOSMIOSLite_v2.11.wad and RVL-BC-v6.wad to Play Gamecube games from SD-card
Install RVL-mios-v10.wad to remove DIOSMIOS and use Gamecube Disc as normal
6. Install emuNAND to play Wiiware/VC games

A. Important! Make sure SD-card has more then 600mb free space
B. Plug SD-card into Computer . Make a folder in SD-card called 'GxEmunand' like SD:\GxEmunand\ .
C. Remove SD-card from Computer and plug into Wii . Turn on your Wii. Launch USB Loader GX.

(Check emuNAND paths and create EmuNAND on SD-card)
A. In USB Loader GX goto Settings - Custom Paths
B. Change 'Nand Emu Path' and 'Nand Emu Channel Path' to SD:\GxEmunand\ (just press A and (..) folder-icon to go back and choose that one.)
C. Make Sure 'Loader Settings' - Boot/Standard is 249 or change to 249. Then in Loader Settings set 'Nand Chan Emulation' to 'Full'.
D. Go USB Loader GX - Settings - Features and press 'Dump NAND to EmuNand' . Wait a serious long time until complete.. (grab a sandwhich) . Once dump NAND is complete - Shutdown Wii

(use emuNAND on Computer)
A. Plug SD-card into Computer
B. Download and install ShowMiiWads on your PC from http://code.google.com/p/showmiiwads/downloads/list
C. Unrar into C:\wii\showmii\ and open ShowMiiWads.exe
D. Press 'Options' - 'Change NAND Backup Path' to SD:\GxEmunand\
E. Press 'View' - 'ShowMiiNand'
F. Press 'Tools' - 'Create Common Key'

How to Backup, Install and Play Wiiware games and also use emuNAND on USB. Press Spoilers inside.

To Backup your Wiiware/VC games
In ShowMiiWads - select the file called 'Channel Title' - games name' , then right-click , pack wad, and choose a suitable location , like C:\wii\showmii\backed-games\ , press OK.

To Install a backed-up Wiiware/VC game
Right-click in ShowMiiWads - 'Install' - 'File' - select game-wad file.

To Play a backed-up Wiiware/VC game
A. Remove SD-card from Computer and plug into Wii . Turn on your Wii. Launch USB Loader GX.
B. Press this icon (Loader Mode) !! ( http://i.imgur.com/ioqV74i.png )
C. Select only EmuNAND Channels

(If you have invisible channels using USB Loader GX - Loader Mode - EmuNand Channels. You can remove them by following step. Press A on them to go into animation mode. Press Settings (NOT START). Uninstall Menu. Uninstall Game. GAME ONLY. - Do this for all invisible channels and you will have only your games showing.)

To use emuNAND on USB-drive (FAT32)
A. Plug SD-card and USB-drive into Computer
B. Move SD:\GxEmunand\ folder to USB:\GxEmunand\
C. Open ShowMiiWads.exe and Options - 'Change NAND Backup path' to USB:\GxEmunand\ .
D. Remove SD-card from Computer and plug USB and SD-card into Wii . Turn on your Wii. Launch USB Loader GX
E. In USB Loader GX go Settings - Custom Paths
F. Change 'Nand Emu Path' and 'Nand Emu Channel Path' to USB:\GxEmunand\ (just press A and (..) folder-icon to go back and choose that one.)
G. Press Back and return to USB Loader GX
H. Done!

Error using Wiiware through EmuNAND?
PS: Just so you know - I tried it myself. If you WiiWare wasn't working through emuNAND. Look in USBLoader GX - Settings - Credits, if your using the 'cIOS249-d2x-v10-beta52' it will not work! Go ahead and install IOS249[56]-d2x9b47.wad using Step 5 in this guide. Then Wiiware works.

Fix Blackscreen with VC in emuNAND
Happens when playing USA games with a European Wii. Open selected VC game - 'Settings' - 'Loader Settings'in 'Video Patch 'select Force NTFC. Press Save. Now it should work.

Use cheats (Ocarnia) in Wiiware/VC games
Unfortunely I can't get Ocarnia working with Wiiware/VC games in USB Loader GX. So an alternate solution is to use the App '....tbc

The benefit of emuNAND
WAD installation happens on Computer therefore there is NONE TO LESS risk of Brick your Wii. If you wish to play Wiiware/VC games emuNAND is your solution. period.

Extras

Step by step guide how to fix a semibricked Wii

http://gbatemp.net/threads/step-by-step-guide-for-bootmii-nand-wii-backup-restore.176877/
(Don't use this guide if your Wii works fine)

Install WiiFlow

Video overview of WiiFlow features:


A. Plug SD-card into Computer
B. Download WiiFlow v4.2.zip and WiiFlow_Channel_Installer_v1.1.zip from http://code.google.com/p/wiiflow/downloads/list . Open both zip-file and move folder 'apps' to SD:\
C. Remove SD-card from Computer and plug into Wii . Turn on your Wii. Launch Homebrew Channel. Then launch WiiFlow Channel Installer. And install it!
D. Done!

Install WiiSX (Play Playstation1 Games)

Follow FeuerfaustGolDAces instructions in video - Zip-file from site Required:


How to Fix Nintendo Wii Black Screen
(Happens when you install incorrect theme)

Follow MicrowaveSams instructions in video :


How to fix Black and White Screen on Wii games
(Happens when you Play "PAL" European or Japanese games and they're black and white and not in colors which they supposed to be)

Follow YourGadgetSolutions instructions in video :


Install Homebrew Browser (install apps without computer!)

Follow iHackUrWiis instructions in video :

 

[MoLt1eS]

Hi, my wii version is 4.2E with an old homebew channel installed (does hes job on loading the wii games)
I want to start playng my gamecube games using my exthd instead of recordeddvd's.

If I update my wii will it get briked?

 

[Treebox]

Firstly thank you so much for this guide! It worked perfectly and I couldn't be happier! Just a quick question. Will usb loader work with Wii motion plus games and controllers now that it is all set up? Depending on the situation, I may or may not buy the adapters!

Thanks in advance

 

[Maximilious]

Firstly thank you so much for this guide! It worked perfectly and I couldn't be happier! Just a quick question. Will usb loader work with Wii motion plus games and controllers now that it is all set up? Depending on the situation, I may or may not buy the adapters!

Thanks in advance

Yeah, motion plus works! You just can't use a motion plus in the initial setup of the softmod, but after that ROMs and all that kind of stuff works all good and well.

 

[Treebox]

Yeah, motion plus works! You just can't use a motion plus in the initial setup of the softmod, but after that ROMs and all that kind of stuff works all good and well.

Thanks for the lightning fast response and clear answer. You guys really are awesome!

 

[Treebox]

So after many hours of enjoying USB gx loader I am now suddenly getting a "DSI error" whenever I try and run it. I tried reinstalling it and this hasn't fixed the issue. Has this come up before and does anyone have a solution?

 

[Maximilious]

So after many hours of enjoying USB gx loader I am now suddenly getting a "DSI error" whenever I try and run it. I tried reinstalling it and this hasn't fixed the issue. Has this come up before and does anyone have a solution?

Can you screenshot the error or post a pic of it? Typically things don't happen like this unless something changed.

 

[Treebox]

Here's the error. From what I'm aware nothing changed (I certainly didn't change anything!).

Edit: went and restarted the steps for the softmod and things are working as normal again. Thanks guys!

 

[Maximilious]

Here's the error. From what I'm aware nothing changed (I certainly didn't change anything!).

Edit: went and restarted the steps for the softmod and things are working as normal again. Thanks guys!

That's what I was going to suggest, glad you got it fixed!

 

[Kathy.V]

Hi, I am trying to softmod my wii and after reading a lot of threads and guides, I notice some said that wii remote with motion plus wouldnt work in the priiloader screen. Well, as I only have 2 remotes and both have motion plus( but I do have another one that its not nintendo, some said it might work) I wanna know if this rumor is true, and how can I setup stuff on priiloader with my remotes? ( I do not have a GC controller)

 

[somewhereovertherainbow]

kathy.. go outside or buy online a regular wii remote.

 

[stomp_442]

Hi, I am trying to softmod my wii and after reading a lot of threads and guides, I notice some said that wii remote with motion plus wouldnt work in the priiloader screen. Well, as I only have 2 remotes and both have motion plus( but I do have another one that its not nintendo, some said it might work) I wanna know if this rumor is true, and how can I setup stuff on priiloader with my remotes? ( I do not have a GC controller)

kathy.. go outside or buy online a regular wii remote.

There was a new version of priiloader released that supports the motion plus wiimotes.

http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Priiloader

 

[tivu100]

I just scored a Wii bundle at a garage sale ($30). I completely know nothing about Wii. I want to soft-mod, but first I need ask some questions. What are some of the best SDXC cards (>=64GB) for Wii? What is the minimum read & write speed required? What is the maximim read &write speed that the Wii can utilize?

 

[Wizardkoer]

I just scored a Wii bundle at a garage sale ($30). I completely know nothing about Wii. I want to soft-mod, but first I need ask some questions. What are some of the best SDXC cards (>=64GB) for Wii? What is the minimum read & write speed required? What is the maximim read &write speed that the Wii can utilize?

You don't need a 64 GB SD Card! 4GB is more than enough and there are some hacks that only work with 2GB or lower! So Just get a 2GB and for normal use 4GB.

 

[somewhereovertherainbow]

SD is for installing Softmod + apps = less then 1gigabyte . Only reason you even getting a SD over 500 mb is so you can backup your wii. It takes just about 500+mb.
Also you emulate your wii to play Wiiware / VC games. That takes some harddrive space as well.

SD = apps + softmod
USB hhd = Wii / Gamecube games + Wiiware / VC games. + whatever else you want on a harddrive.

 

[tivu100]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M3SMI3Y?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

SD is for installing Softmod + apps = less then 1gigabyte . Only reason you even getting a SD over 500 mb is so you can backup your wii. It takes just about 500+mb.
Also you emulate your wii to play Wiiware / VC games. That takes some harddrive space as well.

SD = apps + softmod
USB hhd = Wii / Gamecube games + Wiiware / VC games. + whatever else you want on a harddrive.

So I need HDD? Will this work? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M3SMI3Y?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

I am a complete noob. So please be patient and help me to find which SD/HDD I need to enjoy all the benefit of a modded Wii.

 

[somewhereovertherainbow]

that hdd should be ok.

Now, you just find a 2gb sd card and sdcard reader, and you good to go.

 

[Wizardkoer]

Yeah and if your playing with Emulators, which are homebrew apps that let you play older console games (such as Nintendo 64 Super NES, NES, etc), you need a 2GB SD card for storing the ROMS (which are the actual games for the emulators). 1GB is ok but 2GB is the recommended size.

And you don't need a very fast and costly SD card..... the Wii CPU is slow so it can't copy very fast either so the slowest SD cards work just as well as the costly ones.

Source: Personal experience for 7 years of homebrew.

 

[tivu100]

Yeah and if your playing with Emulators, which are homebrew apps that let you play older console games (such as Nintendo 64 Super NES, NES, etc), you need a 2GB SD card for storing the ROMS (which are the actual games for the emulators). 1GB is ok but 2GB is the recommended size.

And you don't need a very fast and costly SD card..... the Wii CPU is slow so it can't copy very fast either so the slowest SD cards work just as well as the costly ones.

Source: Personal experience for 7 years of homebrew.

How much ROMS can I store with 2GB? I want to store as much as possible , so I don't want to transfer and delete game over again each time.

 

[HaloEffect17]

How much ROMS can I store with 2GB? I want to store as much as possible , so I don't want to transfer and delete game over again each time.

I can't really give you a proper estimate since I'm assuming you wish to have various NES, SNES, and N64 ROMS, each of different file sizes (the latter having the greatest file size). I use an 8GB SD Card and I can tell you from personal experience, having the extra space is always a good thing. I previously had a 2GB, and I found myself needing more space really quickly.

 

[Wizardkoer]

It's hard to say because, firstly, different ROM platforms have different sizes and secondly, for each platform, game sizes can vary a lot. Best thing is to get a 2gb SD card and for roms and stuff get another SD card such as 8 GB.