Hacking USB Stick recommandation for Wii (approved since 2016)

[Alexander1970]

OK,i know many people are against this little thingelings.

Since 2016 i´ve used the 64 + 128 gb Sticks from this Brand:

https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00YMZBPKI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Use the wbfs/Fat32 and NTFS Filesystem.
I´m playing Gamecube Games and Wii Games both.One Stick for example is filled with Singing Games (Lets Sing/We Sing etc.).One with Guitar Hero/Rockband Games).
My PC is an old Man (Intel Core I7 870) with only USB 2.0 but this Sticks runs with over 20 MB/sec. when i transfer Games with the Wii Backup Manager.Fast enough for me as an old User.

I´ve also use extern HDDs and for me there´s no Perfomance difference noticeable.Neither a matter of instability/errors etc. AND a uses only a little Space around your Wii.

!!IMPORTANT!! This Sticks works perfect for me and around 8-10 Wii´s from my friends.It´s possible that this Sticks aren´t working on YOUR Wii.

Thank you.

 

[Cyan]

Remember that sticks are working fine only in read mode.
did you try to dump a game disc to the stick? or download covers from the loader?
Writing to a flash device with homebrew usually freezes.

if you can confirm write mode works fine, that would be even better.
if it has issues with write mode, it could freeze at nintendont memory card creation/saving step, corrupting the partition.

Also, a product can have its hardware revision updated without notice and without changing its brand name, product name. If possible, provide the PID/VID (product ID, Vendor ID) code.
you can look here to learn how to get it.
Oh, and, at the same time, updating the list would be nice if you have a wiki account.


what's important to provide for Flash drive compatibility are:
device compatibility with IOS58 (nintendont, homebrew) : yes/no
device compatibility with cIOS (wii backup) : yes/no
write mode (freeze when dumping disc?) : freezes/doesn't freeze
VID/PID : xxxx / xxxx

 

[Alexander1970]

The Disk Backup Methode via USB Loader GX works very good.Makes the Folder with ID,very comftable.When using original Game DVD´s in particular (very rarely) cases it keeps hanging by 30-40 % but thats maybe an Game DVD issue AND it also appears when trying to rip on SD-Card.But with Backup DVD-R´s it´s working in about 94 % of my Games.

Using CleanRip sometimes is a little bit faster and the folder has to be made by myself but thats ok.I don´t use it anymore,because i´ve backup up all my original GC/Wii Games (and THAT tooks a long,long time,a lot of Verbatim´s....but as i say "It´s for the Kids").And now for this Backup DVD-R´s i´ve using the Wii Backupmanager,thats the best solution for me.

Example POKEPARK Wii:

with USB Loader GX:
(forget to check the DVD oh my god horrible..... and thats why i´m using only Backups !!!!) therefor the Datarate sinks by continueing rip )



with Wii Backup Manager x64:
(using my backup DVD´s )


There´s where i´ve reach the 20 Mb/sec. and thats the fastest Method for me.

It lasts 2-3 Seconds when a new Memory Card for Nintendont is creating (using MC Type 251),and then the Game starts.I´m starting GameCube Games/Nintendont via USBLoaderGX Menu.

ok,then the Stick(s) are also write proofed ?

 

[gng4]

Remember that sticks are working fine only in read mode.
did you try to dump a game disc to the stick? or download covers from the loader?
Writing to a flash device with homebrew usually freezes.

if you can confirm write mode works fine, that would be even better.
if it has issues with write mode, it could freeze at nintendont memory card creation/saving step, corrupting the partition.

Also, a product can have its hardware revision updated without notice and without changing its brand name, product name. If possible, provide the PID/VID (product ID, Vendor ID) code.
you can look here to learn how to get it.
Oh, and, at the same time, updating the list would be nice if you have a wiki account.


what's important to provide for Flash drive compatibility are:
device compatibility with IOS58 (nintendont, homebrew) : yes/no
device compatibility with cIOS (wii backup) : yes/no
write mode (freeze when dumping disc?) : freezes/doesn't freeze
VID/PID : xxxx / xxxx

@Cyan, per your 1st & 2nd paragraphs, I suffered the same problem with my recently bought USB flash drives from Verbatim (ID:18A5 0302), this USB was marked "Works" in the list https://wiki.gbatemp.net/wiki/USB_Devices_Compatibility_List , but it did not support write and might corrupt the partition, resulting in garbage file names list.

Though I don't need ripping game DVDs, but Nintendont will write a file "NINTemp.gct" in USB when you turn on "Ocarina" cheat, this problem is such a nuisance... hope anyone can find a solution...

(P.S. 1. I prefer USB flash to ext HDD, USB ports in Wii are not designed to connect ext HDD, and may damaged the ext HDD because of not enough power supply,
2. USB flash drives I bought in past years did not have such problem, though they are not as cheap and large capacity as today... what firmware changes do manufacturer made that caused this problem is unknown...)

 

[Cyan]

if you enable cheat codes, nintendont needs a place to read them.
USBLoaderGX is not launching the gamecube game, it's launching nintendont homebrew.
Nintendont read the files it finds (cheatcode, settings, ISO path, etc.), so the loader has to generate them for nintendont to find them.
the NINTemp.gct file is generated by the loader, not by nintendont.


The USB Port provides 500mA, it's the norm for all USB 2.0 and HDD don't require more. If they do, then they are sold with external power adapter. if they don't have an external power source it means the Wii's USB Port is fully capable of powering the drive and will not damage it. A lot of people are using self powered external HDD for years without problem (me included).

 

[gng4]

if you enable cheat codes, nintendont needs a place to read them.
USBLoaderGX is not launching the gamecube game, it's launching nintendont homebrew.
Nintendont read the files it finds (cheatcode, settings, ISO path, etc.), so the loader has to generate them for nintendont to find them.
the NINTemp.gct file is generated by the loader, not by nintendont.


The USB Port provides 500mA, it's the norm for all USB 2.0 and HDD don't require more. If they do, then they are sold with external power adapter. if they don't have an external power source it means the Wii's USB Port is fully capable of powering the drive and will not damage it. A lot of people are using self powered external HDD for years without problem (me included).

thx for your reply, I just solved the problem myself (after spending hours in recovering the USB stick, tried different methods, and it ruined again the FAT ...), I can't tell it's the ultimate solution, cos it needs to be verified... with your explanation now it all makes sense, I believe the "write mode problem" is not about compatibility, the devil is in Hard Drive Settings, wonder why there is no-one or tutorial ever give a detail explanation, it should be important to note about...

...regarding ext HDD, I did have drive damaged by it (Hitachi SATA via USB enclosure), it's painful experience so not interested to talk about...

 

[Captain_N]

Why is their such an issue when writing to a usb flash drive. The home brew should see them the same as any hard drive. are the writes requiring some specific hdd op codes? Why does the homebrew care? Is the problem in the coding? I figured it would be coded to accept any mass storage device and treat them the same regardless of the type. As long as the device follows the standard of mass storage...

 

[Alexander1970]

The only writing issues i have with this USB Stick i´ve recommended was under Windows XP + WBFS Manager.Maybe because it´s an USB 3.0 Stick.Changed to Windows 10 + WiiBackupManager and everything was good. And another "recommendation": use the "safely eject icon" when removing USB Sticks/SD Cards etc. from a Windows PC.That saves more troubles.

 

[gng4]

@Cyan, regarding USB flash "write mode problem", I thought I found a solution, but after several trials, concluded this method is not reliable...
1. plug in USB stick, launch loader GX, go to [Global Settings] -> [Hard Drive Settings] -> [Sync FAT32 FS info] -> [Yes], restart Wii -> choose GC game, Ocarina "ON" -> success!!
2. add more games to USB stick, repeat the steps -> success!!
3. add again more games, no sync, just choose GC game, ocarina "on" -> no success , FAT ruined
4. format again, repeat steps as 1., -> no success
(cannot found details of this option [Sync FAT32 FS info], where the "sync info" is stored (SD? USB?)

another thought is the difference btw ext HDD and USB stick, it's the RMB, I do not want to try with my USB because it was said it would void the warranty (mine is newly bought)

your comments?

 

[Cyan]

FAT32 synch is a FAT information (File table of the FAT format), it's the file system of the partition you use.

if you are right, then ntfs shouldn't be a problem. (but no gamecube or emunand, just wii games, but it's a good test to find the issue)
note that it's not only with usbloadergx, but also other readers and writers.