Hacking USB Loader GX

[XDeltaOne]

Hey guys I noticed that when I stop to start with rotating disk, the game goes, but the loader freezes when I want to get out of the game again, for example Mario Kart Wii. This is not the case with GameCube games.

 

[deadowl]

Unless you understand the SCSI protocol then you probably can't fix this. But the following are the two main files.

Would you happen to have any idea what version/revision of Linux were the original ehci drivers adapted from?

Also, have you seen the Free60 libxenon version of tinyehci? I'd link to it but I'm too much of a newbie to this website to be allowed to post links. Essentially, it looks like forks of the same code, but I haven't been able to track down the original.

I threw copies of ehci.c from both into a code formatter for reasonable diff viewing, because otherwise it's mostly whitespace torture.

Notable differences I've noticed so far in ehci.c:

• preservation of the ehci_hcd struct pointer in several functions which is absent in the d2x (Wii) version, present in the Linux driver (noted in the comments) and libxenon (XBox360) version
• ehci_writel calls at the tail end of ehci_init are very different
• the if statement at line 652 in the d2x version is commented out in the libxenon version--just going straight to the else statement
• the entire function ehci_reset_usb_port
• ehci_init_port in libxenon has the equivalent of line-equivalents 846-886 commented out (via preprocessor #if 0)
• variable cnt replaced by port + 1 in libxenon on the line-equivalents 898, 910
• first few lines of ehci_release_ports are a bit different
• various timer/counter differences

It's also notable that there's some unresolved crash reports related to ehci but I don't know what the extent of those would be and they haven't update that thread in like ten years.

 

[utubas]

While using USB Loaded GX, I just cannot use it with my gamecube controller with a mayflash adapter, but the games work fine through Nintendont... any idea how can I fix this?

Edit: Forgot to mention I am using vWii.

 

[worm28]

Most people, myself included, haven't wanted to make changes in this area because when the devs last attempted to do that (d2x v10 beta53) it made compatibility worse for some people.

This is just a question not a request will we be able to use two usb ports for our loader like beta 53 in the future or is it not going to happen just a question? And thanks for everything you do for usb loader gx

 

[Error52]

If you're using Aroma then you should check out evWii.

I have evWii enabled, doesn't really affect this issue. I've attached two screenshots. The one where the game is in standard 4:3 is what displays when I load the game through the stock disc channel. The stretched one is what happens when I load the game through USBLoaderGX.

I also run into this issue with GameCube games on Nintendont, and even though I can enable the "Wii U Widescreen" option on a game-by-game basis there, that method doesn't seem to actually do anything.

Also, uh, while I'm being annoying I might as well mention another major issue I ran into: Excite Truck and Excite Bots just straight up crash the Wii U into a black screen whenever I boot them up. I looked on reddit and saw other people had this issue with Excite Truck, and I dumped that game from a real copy to be sure.

 

[Brand Newman]

I have a question about Zelda Twilling Princess for Wii, I have the PAL Europe version, but when I force PAL 480p it gets a black screen, Is there nothing you can do to stay at 480p?

I don't think you have to force PAL480P with this game, but you need the deflicker option to get clean picture.

However, if your game doesn't display PAL480P by default, maybe you should try enabling "dol video patch"? I'm pretty sure you don't need it, and your issue is the infamous deflicker filter being on with the PAL edition, though.

 

[XDeltaOne]

Hey, I noticed that Mario Kart Wii can crash via SD card if you go in too fast via Gran Prix. It's the same with Wiiflow Lite, I don't know if it's because of any patches, but it crashes or stays black. Can anyone tell me what the problem is? It doesn't always crash, only if you click through too quickly I have the feeling.

 

[Misterfan2000]

Hey, I have a little problem with USB Loader GX

I installed it on my Wii U, the games are running fine, but the USB Loader GX menu has some graphical glitches (Play bar doesn't appear, the channel are bugged...)

Someone knows how to fix them?

 

[blackb0x]

Someone knows how to fix them?

You can work around the start/settings button issue, but the banner view won't be fixed until I release the next update.

https://gbatemp.net/posts/10208322

 

[Nintendo Maniac]

Oh that reminds me—is there a place do manually download the custom .bnr files through my PC's web browser and the like? Or should I make due with the next best thing—downloading then through USB Loader GX via Dolphin?

 

[blackb0x]

Oh that reminds me—is there a place do manually download the custom .bnr files through my PC's web browser and the like? Or should I make due with the next best thing—downloading then through USB Loader GX via Dolphin?

You can download banners from this website. But it uses partial IDs, so you'd need to name them correctly for the loader to use them.

The loader only searches for custom GC banners because it'd be a waste of time to search for custom Wii banners.

 

[Nintendo Maniac]

Perhaps it just has something to do with me testing in Dolphin, but USB Loader GX r1281 always does the "waiting for USB" 20-second countdown even though I set the options to use SD card mode and to not mount the USB drive.

While I do use a USB drive (actually a Samsung 830 128GB SSD with a SATA-USB adapter) on my real Wii console, I've a friend that's upgrading his Nintendo Switch from a 256GB SD card to a 512GB SD card and wants to use the 256GB SD card on his Wii U without any USB drive.

You can download banners from this website. But it uses partial IDs, so you'd need to name them correctly for the loader to use them.

Alright, cool. That did however allow me to confirm one thing, that it seems there really is no custom channel banner made for Ocarina of Time + Master Quest? The "D43.bnr" file is the same as "D43mario64.bnr" except without the Super Mario 64 title screen music and instead uses the usual GameCube music (also, D43M01.bnr and D43mario64.bnr are the exact same files with the same SHA hash and everything).

My personal pet theory was always just that they just expected you to use the N64 Master Quest rom injected into the OoT VC channel, but then again Zelda Collectors Edition has a proper custom channel banner and that wouldn't even need VC injection as Zelda 1, Zelda 2, OoT, and MM all even have official VC releases (the VC version of MM in particular being notably superior to the GC version).

 

[bitzthatbyte]

Not sure if this has already come up but
I'm having an issue when exiting a game in usb loader gx.
I have it set to return to the usb loader after exiting and I get a hardlock where I have to pull out the cable to power down as holding the power button does nothing.
I have tried clearing the return settings but the same thing happens.
I'm on vWii on wii u.
Don't understand as its working on my other vWii/wii u the only difference is the games are on the sd card on the one I'm having issues with and on a hdd on the one that's working.
Any help will be really appreciated.
Thanks in advance

Update: seems to be something to do with the banner animation settings.
When I turn on quick boot all games return to usb loader gx without problems.

 

[RBFraphael]

Hi everyone! I'm facing a problem with r1281 and can't figure out why.

I've bought an 256gb SD Card to use with my Wii, preventing the usage of USB (external HDs or usb flash drivers). After setting up all things, USB Loader GX stills working ok, recognizing all games on my SD, but it only runs GameCube games. When I try to start an Wii game, it just goes back to Wii Home.

I've found some people on internet talking about SD Card compatibility, but, in those cases, even Homebrew was able to show up apps. In my case, Homebrew is showing (and running) all apps and emulators normally, and USB Loader GX also can run normally (settings are saved, GC games are working normally too), the only problem is when I try to run a Wii game from SD, that comes back to Wii Home.

I've tried re-formatting my SD in FAT32, re-transfering games with Wii Backup Manager, but neither worked.

Can someone help me? Thanks!

 

[jeannotte]

Hi everyone! I'm facing a problem with r1281 and can't figure out why.

I've bought an 256gb SD Card to use with my Wii, preventing the usage of USB (external HDs or usb flash drivers). After setting up all things, USB Loader GX stills working ok, recognizing all games on my SD, but it only runs GameCube games. When I try to start an Wii game, it just goes back to Wii Home.

I've found some people on internet talking about SD Card compatibility, but, in those cases, even Homebrew was able to show up apps. In my case, Homebrew is showing (and running) all apps and emulators normally, and USB Loader GX also can run normally (settings are saved, GC games are working normally too), the only problem is when I try to run a Wii game from SD, that comes back to Wii Home.

I've tried re-formatting my SD in FAT32, re-transfering games with Wii Backup Manager, but neither worked.

Can someone help me? Thanks!

Check wii games ,4 th icon at the top of usb loader gx

 

[RBFraphael]

Check wii games ,4 th icon at the top of usb loader gx

Already marked. As I said, the games are showing normally. The problem is when I try to start a Wii game. When I try to start a Wii game, it tries to open, goes to a black screen and, after a few seconds, return to Wii's Home.

It only occurs with Wii games. GC games are ok, emulators are ok, Homebrew apps are ok.

Also tried with another SD card of another brand. Stills not working.

 

[blackb0x]

Perhaps it just has something to do with me testing in Dolphin, but USB Loader GX r1281 always does the "waiting for USB" 20-second countdown even though I set the options to use SD card mode and to not mount the USB drive.

It'll likely be caused by Dolphin not passing the expected parameters.

My personal pet theory was always just that they just expected you to use the N64 Master Quest rom injected into the OoT VC channel, but then again Zelda Collectors Edition has a proper custom channel banner and that wouldn't even need VC injection as Zelda 1, Zelda 2, OoT, and MM all even have official VC releases (the VC version of MM in particular being notably superior to the GC version).

You could be right. I can't say for sure since most of these banners and mods were created over a decade ago, yet I've only been active in the scene for the last 5 years.

I have it set to return to the usb loader after exiting and I get a hardlock where I have to pull out the cable to power down as holding the power button does nothing.

Update: seems to be something to do with the banner animation settings.
When I turn on quick boot all games return to usb loader gx without problems.

I've heard of this problem before and I believe the issues been fixed for my next release.

I've bought an 256gb SD Card to use with my Wii, preventing the usage of USB (external HDs or usb flash drivers). After setting up all things, USB Loader GX stills working ok, recognizing all games on my SD, but it only runs GameCube games. When I try to start an Wii game, it just goes back to Wii Home.

When you boot up the loader does it ask you to enable SD card mode or is the setting remembered? And if you go into the loaders settings and look at the custom paths are they all set to your SD card?

You could try going to Settings > Feature Settings and then select Reset Cached Titles. This isn't normally necessary though.

 

[RBFraphael]

It'll likely be caused by Dolphin not passing the expected parameters.


You could be right. I can't say for sure since most of these banners and mods were created over a decade ago, yet I've only been active in the scene for the last 5 years.



I've heard of this problem before and I believe the issues been fixed for my next release.


When you boot up the loader does it ask you to enable SD card mode or is the setting remembered? And if you go into the loaders settings and look at the custom paths are they all set to your SD card?

You could try going to Settings > Feature Settings and then select Reset Cached Titles. This isn't normally necessary though.

I have figured out part of the problem. Searching a bit more deeper on comments of some unlocking videos, I've found some people having the same issue as me. They recommended to install ciOS d2x-v11-beta1 versions 248, 249, 250 and 251 (according to the guide found on wii.guide / cios.html - sorry, I'm not allowed to post links yet), and most of the games started working again. I'm having issues now with some Just Dances, that, when I click on "Start", they freeze the Wii with no signal to TV, forcing me to hard reset the console. Some time ago I've changed iOS version for some JD games (4, 2014, 2015 and 2016 - 249, 224, 224 and 224, respectively), and they worked fine. But now, using these versions of iOS from USB Loader GX "Loader" configs, doesn't make them to work. Curiously, 2014 and 2016 are now working natively (with global iOS version - current 251). But other JD games aren't working. They all freeze the console without TV signal after trying to start. I will test every Wii game on my SD card (almost 29 games) to verify if all are working fine, or others than JD games are having some problem too.

 

[blackb0x]

Some time ago I've changed iOS version for some JD games (4, 2014, 2015 and 2016 - 249, 224, 224 and 224, respectively), and they worked fine

Are your video settings set to their defaults? Since I know that the video width setting doesn't work with a bunch of Just Dance games.

If the games aren't modified then they should work, but if they're modified in any way then you'll need to wait for my next release.

 

[eNgamers]

Are your video settings set to their defaults? Since I know that the video width setting doesn't work with a bunch of Just Dance games.

If the games aren't modified then they should work, but if they're modified in any way then you'll need to wait for my next release.

glad to heard that you still working on a new/update release