Hacking USB Loader GX

[pepxl]

Hey all, long time lurker, first time poster. I have been using various loaders for years, always trying to find something that looks polished and official. I have used USB Loader GX in the past, and enjoyed it, but moved on for one reason or another.

Now with banner support, I've returned and I must say I'm blown away. I thought the best case scenario would be having the original System Menu, but with more than 4 pages, and forwarder channels installed for loading ISOs and WiiWare/VC from EmuNAND.

Having everything loaded from the appropriate places automatically with banners is great. No forwarders, just plug in the HDD and it finds everything. Now I want to turn my attention to skinning. The default skin looks good, but I think it can be improved. At first I wanted to make it look just like the original system menu, but why not make some improvements along the way? The first thing I want to tackle is having to browse hundreds of games, it would be nice to have them sorted. I know this can be done now, but takes a few clicks and wouldn't be found by my son.

I made a mockup of what I would like to do, but I can't find any resources on how to make skins, so I'm not sure if it's possible at the moment. If anyone can offer any suggestions, it would be greatly appreciated

this might be able to help

http://www.creator.spiffy360.com/01-Home.php

 

[PJM]

this might be able to help

http://www.creator.s...com/01-Home.php

Thanks a lot! I can't believe I missed this.

 

[OuahOuah]

Hello

Long time before now, I was a fan of this loader.

Now, my 4y old son wants to play Wii and I try to get the last release, is it the one from googlecode page ? 2.3 with 3 cios (249,222,250) ?
Or is there any more recent release here in this thread ?

And what is the "banner" thing that you're talking about ?

Thanks a lot for answering a very old USBLoader GX fan

 

[Cyan]

Hello OuahOuah


2.3 is the latest "released" version (the latest stable).
But there are newer version (beta) available.

The betas are the real latest versions, but they are not provided as stable and not downloadable from the update menu in the loader. You have to download them manually from the Beta thread.

The "banner" thing is a new way to display the Game Windows.
The Game Window is the screen you see after selecting a game and before launching it.

On the latest beta, you can choose whether to use the old game Window "Rotating Disc", or the new "Banner animation".


There is also the new Layout "Display as Channels" (Mode Chaînes), that you can see on the previous page.
You can also display games from multiple sources at the same time : Wii games from USB, Channels from NAND, Channels from EmuNAND, Gamecube from SD.

Install the latest cIOS D2x (v8 or v9beta), and use the USBLoader_gx 249 (revision 1156 mod 15)

PS:
I'm doing the French translation, so if you see anything to change or fix let me know. (Not everything is translated on the beta yet).

 

[Grawler]

I'm stuck. I'm running the latest stable USB Loader GX, and created a NAND dump using the app itself. Then I moved this from my SD-card to my HDD and edited the global.cfg file so it says the NAND is on "USB1:/nand".

Now how do I add WAD-files to the NAND dump so they'll show up in USB Loader GX?

 

[Shano56]

I'm stuck. I'm running the latest stable USB Loader GX, and created a NAND dump using the app itself. Then I moved this from my SD-card to my HDD and edited the global.cfg file so it says the NAND is on "USB1:/nand".

Now how do I add WAD-files to the NAND dump so they'll show up in USB Loader GX?

IIRC there should be an option in the settings somewhere. wouldn't know for sure as im not in front of my wii and haven't actually used that feature

 

[Grawler]

I had to grab build R1156, which indeed does have a function in the options.

 

[Grawler]

Well, still can't get this going. I installed the latest d2x build, and tested with SysCheck to see if they are indeed installed (they were). Adding a game (I tried both PAL and NTSC) to a NAND works, and the game shows up in the list. As soon as I try to launch the game though, the Wii either gets stuck on a black screen or restarts. Help?

 

[Shano56]

Well, still can't get this going. I installed the latest d2x build, and tested with SysCheck to see if they are indeed installed (they were). Adding a game (I tried both PAL and NTSC) to a NAND works, and the game shows up in the list. As soon as I try to launch the game though, the Wii either gets stuck on a black screen or restarts. Help?

try deleting the emu nand it built and try again with the newest build

 

[AbdallahTerro]

Well, still can't get this going. I installed the latest d2x build, and tested with SysCheck to see if they are indeed installed (they were). Adding a game (I tried both PAL and NTSC) to a NAND works, and the game shows up in the list. As soon as I try to launch the game though, the Wii either gets stuck on a black screen or restarts. Help?

Make sure you have "cert.sys" file in Nand\Sys folder

2 new GC banner packs available.
For more info check Signature

 

[Grawler]

try deleting the emu nand it built and try again with the newest build

I just did that, still no dice. Tried again with a PAL VC game and it restarts.

Make sure you have "cert.sys" file in Nand\Sys folder

cert.sys exists.

Here's my syscheck log, if that helps:

sysCheck v2.1.0b17 by Double_A and R2-D2199
...runs on IOS58 (rev 6176).

Region: PAL
System Menu 4.2E (v482)

Drive date: 2006.05.26
Homebrew Channel 1.0.0 running on IOS58
Hollywood v0x11
Console ID: 68754476
Boot2 v4
Found 151 titles.
Found 47 IOS on this console. 9 of them are stub.

IOS4 (rev 65280): Stub
IOS9 (rev 1034): Trucha Bug
IOS10 (rev 768): Stub
IOS11 (rev 256): Stub
IOS12 (rev 526): Trucha Bug
IOS13 (rev 1032): Trucha Bug
IOS14 (rev 1032): Trucha Bug
IOS15 (rev 1032): Trucha Bug
IOS16 (rev 512): Stub
IOS17 (rev 1032): Trucha Bug
IOS20 (rev 256): Stub
IOS21 (rev 1039): Trucha Bug
IOS22 (rev 1294): Trucha Bug
IOS28 (rev 1807): Trucha Bug
IOS30 (rev 2816): Stub
IOS31 (rev 3608): Trucha Bug
IOS33 (rev 3608): Trucha Bug
IOS34 (rev 3608): Trucha Bug
IOS35 (rev 3608): Trucha Bug
IOS36 (rev 3608): Trucha Bug, ES Identify, NAND Access
IOS37 (rev 5663): Trucha Bug
IOS38 (rev 4124): Trucha Bug
IOS40 (rev 3072): Stub
IOS41 (rev 3607): Trucha Bug
IOS43 (rev 3607): Trucha Bug
IOS45 (rev 3607): Trucha Bug
IOS46 (rev 3607): Trucha Bug
IOS48 (rev 4124): Trucha Bug
IOS50 (rev 5120): Trucha Bug
IOS51 (rev 4864): Stub
IOS52 (rev 5888): Stub
IOS53 (rev 5663): Trucha Bug
IOS55 (rev 5663): Trucha Bug
IOS56 (rev 5662): Trucha Bug
IOS57 (rev 5919): Trucha Bug
IOS58 (rev 6176): USB 2.0
IOS60 (rev 6400): Trucha Bug
IOS61 (rev 5662): No Patches
IOS70 (rev 6912): Trucha Bug
IOS80 (rev 6944): Trucha Bug
IOS202[60] (rev 65535, Info: Hermes-v55.1): Trucha Bug, NAND Access, USB 2.0
IOS222[38] (rev 65535, Info: Hermes-v55.1): Trucha Bug, ES Identify, NAND Access, USB 2.0
IOS223[37] (rev 65535, Info: hermes-v5.1): Trucha Bug, NAND Access, USB 2.0
IOS224[57] (rev 65535, Info: Hermes-v55.1): Trucha Bug, NAND Access, USB 2.0
IOS249[56] (rev 21009, Info: d2x-v9beta(r49)): Trucha Bug, NAND Access, USB 2.0
IOS250[57] (rev 21009, Info: d2x-v9beta(r49)): Trucha Bug, NAND Access, USB 2.0
IOS254 (rev 65281): BootMii
BC v6
MIOS v10

Report generated on 2012/04/29.

 

[Cyan]

Some VC and WiiWare are not working with Emulated NAND.
Maybe you tried the non compatible ones?

CaveStory is one I know which is working fine on EmuNand Channels.


Also, I personally don't like when ALL IOS are patched (IOSCORP?).
But I guess it shouldn't be a problem as the channels are running on IOS249.

 

[themanuel]

Hey all, long time lurker, first time poster. I have been using various loaders for years, always trying to find something that looks polished and official. I have used USB Loader GX in the past, and enjoyed it, but moved on for one reason or another.

Now with banner support, I've returned and I must say I'm blown away. I thought the best case scenario would be having the original System Menu, but with more than 4 pages, and forwarder channels installed for loading ISOs and WiiWare/VC from EmuNAND.

Having everything loaded from the appropriate places automatically with banners is great. No forwarders, just plug in the HDD and it finds everything. Now I want to turn my attention to skinning. The default skin looks good, but I think it can be improved. At first I wanted to make it look just like the original system menu, but why not make some improvements along the way? The first thing I want to tackle is having to browse hundreds of games, it would be nice to have them sorted. I know this can be done now, but takes a few clicks and wouldn't be found by my son.

I made a mockup of what I would like to do, but I can't find any resources on how to make skins, so I'm not sure if it's possible at the moment. If anyone can offer any suggestions, it would be greatly appreciated

I love the look of that skin.
Would you care to share it if you get it to work?

 

[PJM]

I love the look of that skin.
Would you care to share it if you get it to work?

Not a problem, I'd love to share it. The image there is just a quick mockup I did in about an hour, I started work on a proper skin yesterday, and the quality will be much higher.

It's just going to be a basic skin for now, but I would like to eventually edit the source code to get some more advanced options (like the tabs on the top) working.

 

[themanuel]

Not a problem, I'd love to share it. The image there is just a quick mockup I did in about an hour, I started work on a proper skin yesterday, and the quality will be much higher.

It's just going to be a basic skin for now, but I would like to eventually edit the source code to get some more advanced options (like the tabs on the top) working.

Thank you. I look forward to it.
Perhaps, once dimok and the rest of the crew get the bugs and main features worked out for the upcoming big release, they might be willing to expand the them system to allow for shortcuts to games sources.

 

[Cyan]

Not a problem, I'd love to share it. The image there is just a quick mockup I did in about an hour, I started work on a proper skin yesterday, and the quality will be much higher.

It's just going to be a basic skin for now, but I would like to eventually edit the source code to get some more advanced options (like the tabs on the top) working.

If you modify the source, don't just replace the old one, but add it as a proper option in the GUI settings
It's always better to give choices to users.

And if you make it a proper option instead of a replacement, it could even be merged in the official sources by providing a patch (as long as it's conform to the current coding convention).

...they might be willing to expand the them system to allow for shortcuts to games sources.

I think about a memorized states. like allowing 3 completely different settings, one per tab, and allow quick switch. For example it would be one tab for adults, one for the kids, one for the brother, each of the tabs with different game path/settings/categories/origins. user can select the icon for the tab in an icon-list (wii, wiiware, gc, ♀, ♂, or place one on the SD, or use a title, etc.)


that's a lot of work to rewrite ALL the sources where the settings are used...
(edit: or just creating different sub-folder to store the different tab-settings on the SD, but you need a master-setting file to set the parental settings, tabs infos, etc.)

 

[themanuel]

I think about a memorized states. like allowing 3 completely different settings, one per tab, and allow quick switch. For example it would be one tab for adults, one for the kids, one for the brother, each of the tabs with different game path/settings/categories/origins. user can select the icon for the tab in an icon-list (wii, wiiware, gc, ♀, ♂, or place one on the SD, or use a title, etc.)


that's a lot of work to rewrite ALL the sources where the settings are used...
(edit: or just creating different sub-folder to store the different tab-settings on the SD, but you need a master-setting file to set the parental settings, tabs infos, etc.)

Those are good ideas. In the end, however, I agree that having options is the best alternative. I still would like to be able to show all games in a single tab. I'm thinking something like tabs for Wii, GCN, WiiWare, VC, Homebrew, All, etc.
But all in due time, of course. Right now I would be content with support for the GCReEx extracted format which improves game loading times dramatically.

 

[Hielkenator]

I think about a memorized states. like allowing 3 completely different settings, one per tab, and allow quick switch. For example it would be one tab for adults, one for the kids, one for the brother, each of the tabs with different game path/settings/categories/origins. user can select the icon for the tab in an icon-list (wii, wiiware, gc, ♀, ♂, or place one on the SD, or use a title, etc.)


that's a lot of work to rewrite ALL the sources where the settings are used...
(edit: or just creating different sub-folder to store the different tab-settings on the SD, but you need a master-setting file to set the parental settings, tabs infos, etc.)

Those are good ideas. In the end, however, I agree that having options is the best alternative. I still would like to be able to show all games in a single tab. I'm thinking something like tabs for Wii, GCN, WiiWare, VC, Homebrew, All, etc.
But all in due time, of course. Right now I would be content with support for the GCReEx extracted format which improves game loading times dramatically.

I've been trying to compare the new format to the old.
I for one have not noticed any improvement in loading times.

I'm using an 8 gb class4 fat32/64kb sd card

 

[themanuel]

I've been trying to compare the new format to the old.
I for one have not noticed any improvement in loading times.

I'm using an 8 gb class4 fat32/64kb sd card

Can you describe what test you have been doing to compare?

 

[PJM]

I think about a memorized states. like allowing 3 completely different settings, one per tab, and allow quick switch. For example it would be one tab for adults, one for the kids, one for the brother, each of the tabs with different game path/settings/categories/origins. user can select the icon for the tab in an icon-list (wii, wiiware, gc, ♀, ♂, or place one on the SD, or use a title, etc.)


that's a lot of work to rewrite ALL the sources where the settings are used...
(edit: or just creating different sub-folder to store the different tab-settings on the SD, but you need a master-setting file to set the parental settings, tabs infos, etc.)

Those are good ideas. In the end, however, I agree that having options is the best alternative. I still would like to be able to show all games in a single tab. I'm thinking something like tabs for Wii, GCN, WiiWare, VC, Homebrew, All, etc.
But all in due time, of course. Right now I would be content with support for the GCReEx extracted format which improves game loading times dramatically.

Having options would be the best option. The amount of options available in this loader is amazing, and a little overwhelming.

I was originally just going to modify the source for myself and remove most options that I don't use, I never even thought to make the changes selectable and try to get them in the main source.