Simple guide to install d2x cIOS on vWii + backup NAND and keys
Last update: April 29th 2016
Still a valid hacking procedure as of September 2016.
(see Changelog at the bottom of the post)​

What does it do?:
This guide shows you how to install cIOS into vWii (aka the Wii-mode of Wii U) and backup vWiis keys and NAND.
cIOS is needed to use backuplaunchers like Wiiflow and USB-Loader GX.
This does not enable any hacks in Wii U-mode!

Note: You already need to have Homebrew Channel installed on vWii to use this guide (use one of these exploits)!
​

Lets go:
Download the following package:
www.mediafire.com/?n2zl8v5kn288j9d
(Mirror at the bottom of the post)
All files are up-to-date (as of april 29th 2016)!
Note: To avoid errors, only use the files provided in this archive!
Don´t mix with other d2x-installer versions, meta.xml files etc.
Don´t worry, everything is up-to-date and the latest and greatest version.

It contains:
- Dump Mii NAND v1.2
- d2x-v10-beta53-alt-vWii
- d2x-v10-beta52-vWii
- FIX94s d2x cIOS Installer 2.2 mod

First we make a backup of your vWii NAND and keys:

1.) Extract the contents of vWii_cIOS_apps_20131218.zip to the root folder of your SD card.
Note: Make sure that you don´t have any original Wii system files (like wads) on your SD Card!
d2x installer could accidentally use them for installation and brick your vWii!
Also make sure that you have at least 528MB of free space on the SD Card for the NAND dump.

3.) Launch Dump Mii NAND from the Homebrew Channel.

4.) The NAND and keys dumping will start automatically (the NAND dump will be stored in sd:/nand.bin, the keys in sd:/keys.bin).
Note: DON´t use this dump on an original Wii!

5.) When finished (depends on the speed of your SD Card), the Wii U will reboot.

5a.) (Optional, but recommended step.)
Dump your IOS one-by-one to wad files for possible semi-brick fix (for more info read this thread):
I.) Download YetAnotherBlueDumpMod from here.
II.) Copy the files to your SD card sd:/apps/YetAnotherBlueDumpMod and launch the app from the Homebrew Channel.
II.) 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 you a lot of trouble in the future.

If you don't have CLEAN (non fakesigned) IOS, you won't be able to fix semi-bricked vWii.
You can't create non fakesigned wads from a NAND dump or from using ShowMiiWads. You NEED to use YetAnotherBlueDumpMod.


Now we install d2x cIOS:

6.) Launch d2x cIOS installer from the Homebrew Channel.

7.) Choose which d2x cIOS version you want to install, beta52 or beta53-alt.
If you don´t plan to use EmuNAND, i recommend beta53-alt.
Note: For info about the differences between beta52 & beta53-alt click here.

8.) Select cIOS : <d2x-v10-beta53-alt-vWii> (Alternative: beta52)
Select cIOS base : <56>
Select cIOS slot : <249>

9.) Press A to install and wait for installation to finish.

10.) Press A to continue.

11.) Select cIOS : <d2x-v10-beta53-alt-vWii> (Alternative: beta52)
Select cIOS base : <57>
Select cIOS slot : <250>

12.) Press A to install and wait for installation to finish.

13.) Press A to continue.

14.) Select cIOS : <d2x-v10-beta53-alt-vWii> (Alternative: beta52)
Select cIOS base : <58>
Select cIOS slot : <251>

15.) Press A to install and wait for installation to finish.

16.) Press B to Exit.

17.) Launch newest Wiiflow or USB-Loader GX or CFG USB Loader MOD from the Homebrew Channel.
Note: To copy game images from PC to your external HDD with the correct folder structure, use Wii Backup Manager.
To fix the 4:3 aspect ratio bug of the Homebrew Channel, see FAQ & Troubleshooting section.

18.) Read the FAQ & Troubleshooting section carefully!

19.) Happy gaming!

FAQ & Troubleshooting:
- there is currently no Bootmii for vWii, so we use Dump Mii NAND.
- there is no Hermes cIOS 222/223 for vWii (don´t install the Wii version!).
- connect your HDD to the upper back USB-Port.
- you need a Y-USB-Cable for some 2.5" HDDs to properly work (even when they worked on the original Wii), because the Wii U USB-ports have a lower power supply.
- if HDD gets detected but no games load or HDD "clicks" you need a Y-USB-Cable
- to prevent the HDD format message on bootup, use U-Stealth.
- some HDDs don´t work with cIOS 249(base 56), so change the cIOS to 250(base 57) or 251(base 58) in your USB-Loader.
- to fix the 4:3 aspect ratio bug of the Homebrew Channel use JoostinOnlines HBC Forwarder or tueidjs aspect ratio fixer (tueidjs fixer doesn't require installing a wad to the console, it's a homebrew to launch from Homebrew Channel before launching other homebrew).
- to (un)install wads i recommend YAWMM_EN 0.5e (english Version) or YAWMM DE 0.5e (german version).
- if you want to start installed wads like VC/Wiiware from SD card, you need to patch IOS80 (system menu), use this thread for guidance.
Note: This is dangerous! If you f*** up IOS80, you will get a brick!
Only use the patch if you know what you are doing!

- don´t install Priiloader, it will brick your vWii!
- don´t install original Wii Channel Forwarder, they will freeze on startup! Use the ones from this thread. (For WiiFlow you can use the official Channel Installer)

Many tools/installers/wads etc. that worked on the original Wii will brick vWii!
So be very cautious on what you install!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changelog:

Spoiler

29. April 2016: Added download mirror as attachment.
22. December 2015: Some minor formating tweaks.
08. November 2015: Additional note under the downloadlink.
01. May 2015: Added note to the downloadlink.
19. February 2015: Added optional step 5a.) (thanks Cyan and JoostinOnline).
18. July 2014: Updated USB-Loader GX, Wiiflow and CFG-USB-Loader MOD links.
27. April 2014: Updated USB-Loader GX link to r1219 (thx Cyan)
21. January 2014: Updated Wiiflow link to 4.2.1.
18. December 2013: Merged d2x beta52 & beta53-alt into one installer (thx Cyan) and updated guide accordingly.
17. December 2013: Replaced xyzzy and FS-Toolbox with Dump Mii NAND v1.2 (thx Maxternal). Replaced d2x beta52 with beta53-alt. Added tools to fix 4:3 aspect ratio bug (thx Cyan).
02. October 2013: Updated USB-Loader GX link to r1218.
20. September 2013: Updated Wiiflow link to v4.2.
30. August 2013: Added link to IOS80 (system menu) patch thread.
23. August 2013: Updated USB-Loader GX link to r1217 and CFG USB-Loader MOD link to r65.
13. August 2013: Added link to HDD format message workaround (thx jayjay123)
04. August 2013: Updated USB-Loader links, added Wii Backup Manager link.
24. June 2013: Added CFG USB Loader MOD v70r61t2 link (thx Warlord698).
10. June 2013: Updated Wiiflow link to 4.1.3.
01. June 2013: Added YAWMM_EN (english version) to FAQ & Troubleshooting (thx JoostinOnline and Fix94).
28. April 2013: Updated Wiiflow link to 4.1.2 and USB-Loader GX link to r1213.
08. January 2013: Updated USB-Loader GX link to r1208.
04. January 2013: Fixed a typo, that could prevent the installer from detecting beta52 (thx yafaiz). Added link to WiiFlow Channel Installer v1.1.
02. January 2013: Added new version of FS-Toolbox (0.4d) and a link to YAWMM DE 0.5e (thx to Excelsiior for both).
01. January 2013: Wiiflow 4.1 link added.
31. December 2012: Removed d2x beta53-alt from the package, because ciosmaps.xml mixup causes errors. Added link to forwarder thread.
29. December 2012: Added new version of xyzzy (1.2.2 (unofficial), thx DarkMatterCore) and d2x beta53-alt to the package.
19. December 2012: Initial version.

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[d.d.d.]

No, this is not possible.

Didn't think so but it's certainly something for our homebrewers to think about trying eventually (especially if the OS speed doesn't improve).

 

[nimtimto]

what about uLoader ?? can we use it ??

 

[[Truth]]

what about uLoader ?? can we use it ??

No, uLoader only works with cIOS 222, 223 and 224, which are not available for vWii.

 

[jingletard]

Anyone have any recommendations for hassle free hard drives that would work good with this guide? I think it'd be some decent info to put in the sticky. I struggled with finding a good HD for my original Wii but I stumbled across this one from Western Digital and it worked great and didn't require an external power supply :

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=640

That's the newer version of what I previously had but it might work as well with the WiiU although I'm not 100% sure on that.

 

[shawnchalfant]

I use a 500 GB Toshiba USB 3.0 I got at Walmart 6 months ago, NTFS/USB Loader GX. No Y cable or external power supply. All games with game partition only and in WBFS format. No problems to report.

 

[shawnchalfant]

Model Toshiba v63600-A 500GB, Piano black/glossy top and bottom, smokey grey sides.

 

[PrimeX]

Everything worked fine after the guide with installing d2x-v10-beta52-vWii and wiiFlow/usbgx work but cannot detect any game on my hdd. Ok maybe is due to the fact that it is not externally powered but not even the SD card with a WBFS file cannot be detected by either loader.
Today I will try with an USB stick but shouldn't SD already work?

 

[officialjunk]

Cyan brought up some good info on better options for more complete NAND backups, fyi
http://gbatemp.net/posts/4517134/

...
Currently, everyone is doing a FS Nand Dump, which, except saving the current files one by one, doesn't really do a real 1:1 NAND dump to flash the full state at a later date.
There are NAND dumpers which are doing 1:1 dumps:

• Wii NAND Dumper (Waninkoko; SDGecko only)
• WiiND (Nicksasa; SD or USB)
• Yet Another Wii NAND Dumper (Redbird)
• RealWnD (pcfree)
• BootMii (best one, but not working yet)
Maybe other tools can do 1:1 dump?

RealWnD dump can be used by hardware Flashers and is then a better security for users who are bricking their console than FSToolBox

RealWnD sources are available, and if it could be updated to support vWii + AHBPROT it would be much better backup solution than the current FS Dumper.

 

[PrimeX]

Ok I've tried with USB stick, usbgx can see a 4gb device but reports 0 games. Tried setting all 3 cIos and nothing.

 

[[Truth]]

Cyan brought up some good info on better options for more complete NAND backups, fyi
http://gbatemp.net/posts/4517134/

I would update my guide immediately if there was a vWii compatible RealWnD version.

 

[jay.d]

Ok I've tried with USB stick, usbgx can see a 4gb device but reports 0 games. Tried setting all 3 cIos and nothing.

what revision of usbloader gx are you using?
are you putting the wbfs files in the correct layout on the devices you have tried?
on the root of the drive you need a folder called wbfs than inside that a folder for each game & the wbfs file in the individual folders.
example:
wbfs/nsmb/nsmb.wbfs

if you already knew sorry just checking all things it could be.

 

[PrimeX]

Wow this was of great help as I didn't know that, I am kinda new to backups. Thanks mate!

 

[jay.d]

Wow this was of great help as I didn't know that, I am kinda new to backups. Thanks mate!

no prob figured it might be that though i have never had luck with putting the wbfs files in a drag and drop fashion so i just use wii backup manager.

so the easiest way to do it is this. dload wii backup manager for pc open it & load your wbfs files in "files' than on "drive 1" select your usb device letter & it should say would you like to create a wbfs folder say yes than check mark the games you want in the "files" you loaded than hit transfer to disk 1 & you should than be set up to play.

hope that helps.

 

[PrimeX]

jay.d thanks a lot, now wiiflow works like a charm!

 

[CarefulCrysis]

Thanks for the easy tutorial works great on my UK based Pal Wii U

 

[lfrgames]

no problem here with hdd sata 3 hitashi too

 

[AdamBrunt]

Presumably I don't need to do anything to the HDD I am currently using with CFG Loader, on my Wii, to get it to work with vWii on the Wii U ?

The drive is formatted as NTFS.

Do I just go through this guide, install CFG Loader and it all should all work as on the Wii ?

 

[[Truth]]

Presumably I don't need to do anything to the HDD I am currently using with CFG Loader, on my Wii, to get it to work with vWii on the Wii U ?

The drive is formatted as NTFS.

Do I just go through this guide, install CFG Loader and it all should all work as on the Wii ?

Yes

 

[AdamBrunt]

Yes

Thanks

 

[Warlord698]

SWEET, thanks for the guide and the packaged files. Just zipped right through it and had my old CFG USB loader running again