Hacking Internal Hard Drive for Wii mod

[Darkzero51521]

Okay, since i'm obviously not the only one who's interested in this, I'll go ahead and throw my plans out here.

I plan on this, step by step;
-Removing DVD drive
-Cutting out third USB port in Wii case
-Implanting a Female->Female USB piece there
-Soldering a wire from the Wii's power source to my hard drives power source, with a resistor in between of course
-Removing my hard drive's casing, mounting it vertical, near the rear.
-Making a short USB wire that runs from my Female USB to my internal's USB slot
-I'll then insert a small CPU fan in the front of the console, drilling small holes in the side (I need to go buy drill bits first)
-Adding filter
-Solder the CPU's power source to the fan that is already on there..I need to check voltage's first, though.

Then, once it's reassembled, there will be a third USB port that can easily either be wired to a computer (to mount ISO's), or wired to a second USB port on the Wii to play games.

That'll honestly take me about 15 minutes lol, aside from the drilling and cutting parts. I just need the USB Loader to be patched..But i haven't had time today to make a video response to Waninkoko.

Also i'd like to buy a larger hard drive than 250gb, this one does not satisfy.

 

[Knocks]

I'm not crazy about adding extra fans, but not sure if there's a way around it. What do you mean by removing the hard drive casing? You're going to have the platters exposed?

P.S. A portable 500GB will set you back about $90 with shipping.

 

[Darkzero51521]

I'm not crazy about adding extra fans, but not sure if there's a way around it. What do you mean by removing the hard drive casing? You're going to have the platters exposed?

P.S. A portable 500GB will set you back about $90 with shipping.

My two hard drive enclosures have a casing around them that is pointless. All i need is the USB board for the enclosure and the hard drive bare.

And lol, i kinda need hard drive space right now anyways. I'd rather keep my 250gb, dump all my wii games on a new one (freeing space for the hard drive im currently using now anyways), then buy a 320 or 500gb off newegg. Newegg has really great deals.

 

[eddanx]

but how are you gonna dump the games to the HDD?QUOTE(lilsypha @ Apr 2 2009, 12:19 AM) There needs to be another way to rip/transfer discs to the wbfs format, as I mentioned above.

You haven't noticed the wbfs tool have you? Or am I missing something here? It currently runs on Windows, Linux and Mac OS X and lets you transfer ISO's easily to your hdd. If you don't have the games as ISO's on your computer, just rip them using appropriate software.

edit: typo

 

[Knocks]

Transferring games will be a whole lot easier once the loader gets some sort of network functionality (FTP or SMB). Basically you won't ever need to connect the drive to your PC again.

 

[Darkzero51521]

Transferring games will be a whole lot easier once the loader gets some sort of network functionality (FTP or SMB). Basically you won't ever need to connect the drive to your PC again.

Meh. I prefer USB -> PC.

I used to use DVDdumper via network, and my connection would die a lot.

 

[Scorpei]

Now i'm almost positive that it's the enclosure that matters, not the hard drive.

Duuuuuh

 

[Darkzero51521]

Now i'm almost positive that it's the enclosure that matters, not the hard drive.

Duuuuuh

EDIT:

Lmfao wrong thread, again.

 

[Darkzero51521]

Okay, update.

-I've ordered a new set of Wii screws and another triwing screwdriver (mine stripped the screw, and the head dulled down). Delivery estimated 7-10 days.
-I've ordered a 500gb hard drive to replace my laptops, so that I can stick my laptops in the Wii (i know for a fact my laptop's compatible). That will arrive in less than 4 days hopefully.
-I went ahead and ordered a fan off of newegg.

This is gonna be sexy. I'm sure someone how already has the resources will beat me to it, though :/

 

[WhySoSerious70]

Or you could disassemble your Wii and re-assemble it inside a laptop. This way you would have a portable Wii with a screen XD

*I'm kidding, y'know*

In all actuality that's not a half bad idea. I'm sure you've seen the portable 360's and other consoles people have modded into portables?

 

[lavamasta]

Or you could disassemble your Wii and re-assemble it inside a laptop. This way you would have a portable Wii with a screen XD

*I'm kidding, y'know*

In all actuality that's not a half bad idea. I'm sure you've seen the portable 360's and other consoles people have modded into portables?

yes, but u have to bend the heat sink for that to work, and that could be pretty bad... i really want this to work to and id like to make mty wii protable as well, but not a laptop necessarily

 

[lavamasta]

bump, so is this gonna be possible? i really would like to see this happen...

 

[Darkzero51521]

bump, so is this gonna be possible? i really would like to see this happen...

It's certainly possible..lol.

I know exactly what i'm going to do. I just am waiting for those parts..and I'm a little short on money, lol but that's fine, i'll get it within a week i hope.

 

[lavamasta]

ok, well then, when ur done figuring stuff out plz update us on this

 

[wiiztec]

Transferring games will be a whole lot easier once the loader gets some sort of network functionality (FTP or SMB). Basically you won't ever need to connect the drive to your PC again.

Waninkoko has said that he is not going to add network functionality to the loader

In the USB loader 1.2 wishlist topic on TeknoConsolas

 

[Knocks]

I read that thread. He said that network transfers are slow, probably referring to the lwip libraries. Doesn't look like he's tested tinysmb (used in mplayer), which is pretty zippy.

 

[--JoCa--]

Heh... I was really just kidding... If it's possible, it would be nice to see someone give it a go... I don't have the skills/money to do it, so I won't...

BTW, there are championships or tourneys for mods like these, aren't there? I've heard of those...

 

[ften]

Is there enough space in the WII for a 1,8" HDD? I mean without removing the drive.

This is probably by far the best solution for an internal hard drive because they are considerably smaller then a 2.5" hard drive.

They also tend to give off less heat do to their smaller size and power consumption. The only down side is the cost more money then a standard 2.5" drive.


-FTen

 

[CIJC]

Toshiba FTW!

 

[jhoff80]

Could always go with something like this, which is just ridiculously tiny (70mmx25.7mmx3.5mm): http://www.mydigitaldiscount.com/SPD/runco...-1231822389.jsp

Of course, it's really expensive as well ($390 for 128GB), and the 128GB one is the biggest capacity that they sell, but still. It's got a (micro) USB port directly on there though.

Edit: And no, I can't confirm it works yet either, but I've got a similar 32GB drive coming for my Dell Mini 9 eventually that I might just try with the loader first for curiosity.