Hacking My External Wiikey install (PICS!)

[cardyology]

Thanks for all your props guys!

It looks like the two areas which I messed up on are

1- Making the hole in the Wii casing to mount the port - I melted it with a soldering Iron, not the best way as the messy hole shows. The only way to fix this is to use proper tools but its done now and it works and I never see the back of the wii so its ok.

2- Stripping too much wire off at the ends I soldered to the wii. - I know I did this wrong. There is far too much exposed. I tried doing it with 1/4 of a centimeter exposed but I found it difficult to strip the wires this tiny amount (i used small scissors to strip it as I have no wire strippers) and the 30AWG kynar was way smaller than I expected. Also, I struggled to tin the wires when there was only a bit exposed. When I stripped them back to about a centimeter I found it waaaaaay easier. I think the only way to improve on this is with practise.

And I didnt consider which port (male or female) to install. Just the first one I grabbed! I've not had a shock off it but I did try to flash my 360 last night and I grounded it to my PC case, then accidentalyl touched the ground wire and that gave me an electric shock like mad! Felt like I'd been bitten by a snake. Oooops

haha.

I wanna do this install again but cleaner. I showed my buddy the flickr set and he wants me to do his so Im gonna make a proper job of it this time. I am also gonna make him sign a disclaimer to say if I bugger his Wii, he wont make me pay for it. I've told him Im no professional but he trusts me.

 

[Scorpei]

Jesus christ you used your soldering iron to make the hole

. Hmmkay, well all I can say is keep things in mind that I have stated in my guide like;

REMEMBER WHAT WIRES ARE WHAT POINTS AS THAT IS PARAMOUNT IN USING IT LATER. YOU CAN NOT GO BACK AND CHECK WHAT WIRES WERE WHAT! THE BEST IDEA IS TO USE MY NUMBERING SYSTEM (SEE IMAGE ABOVE) AND NUMBER THE WIRES ACCORDINGLY. ASLO TRY TO USE A DIFFERENT COLOUR WIRE FOR EVERY LINE.

Other then that, goodluck

.

 

[iamwhoiam]

Nice job, but I'm thinking... if your Wii breaksdown, how are you going to explain the big hole cut into the back of your Wii to your retailer/Nintendo repair?

 

[Scorpei]

Nice job, but I'm thinking... if your Wii breaksdown, how are you going to explain the big hole cut into the back of your Wii to your retailer/Nintendo repair?

http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=51095&st=0#
QUOTE..... But just route the cable (inside heatschrink) via the hole for the memory card cover. .....

 

[iamwhoiam]

What I'm trying to get at is:

Why even bother with an external install? I understand the xbox flashing external mods, but that's cos their firmware are flashed almost monthly. Updating Wiikey is via DVD?

 

[aligborat69]

I wish i thought of an external install. The main point is probably so that if you ever need to remove it, say for future updates (even though they are supposed to be stealth invisible). I dont think they are too worried about current chip users, just trying ways to combat the ease of install for future purchasers. I know 4/5 people who all have a wii simply because once they saw mine with wiikey then rushed out to get one!

With regards to the question above about explaining to nintendo about a broken wii, ive had plenty of nintendo machines, in fact every single one over the years and all still work, never had to return a machine as faulty.

360's on the other hand.... LOL

 

[cardyology]

Nice job, but I'm thinking... if your Wii breaksdown, how are you going to explain the big hole cut into the back of your Wii to your retailer/Nintendo repair?

If my Wii breaks down, there is no way I'd send it to nintendo. I took a deep breath and swallowed my Warranty-pride as soon as I opened the case

I did an external install cos I didnt want to mount the Wiikey next to the board or even inside the case - If the Wiikey breaks/has bad flash/becomes detected by nintendo in a future update I can just remove it without opening my wii up again.

I also intended to be able to change modchips if a better one comes out, however I only soldered 6 pins as-per the standard wiikey install procedure, so if a new one comes out with the 7/9 pin config like the Cyclo or Wiinja I will have to open the console to solder the extras in (reset button & update swithc & ground etc)


And yeah Scorpei, I did melt the hole with an old soldering iron and yes, It was a bit of a "jesus Christ" moment. But I dont care! Im not a pro modder and I do not claim to be! Im just a noob who has no tools! ANd this is my console so there is only me to be dissapointed by the shoddy work. But Im not!