Hardware Using USB HDDs with Wii U

[the_randomizer]

So, according to this http://www.nintendolife.com/news/20...ties_of_wii_u_system_memory_have_become_clear
up to 2TB hard drives are supported, which isn't too shabby. But there is a major concern, upon using an HDD with the Wii U, it must be formatted to be usable for digital downloads. Right now, I have Gamecube and Wii games (along with music) on my 500GB USB hard drive. Will I have to create another partition (hopefully without losing information) or will the Wii U obliterate all the data?

If I need to partition it, are there any decent programs that don't require a reformat?

 

[jalaneme]

no one knows atm if it will erase all of your data or not, we will just have to wait and see.

 

[the_randomizer]

I hope not.

 

[Maxternal]

I would hope it will at least they will ALLOW partitions. If it has completely it's own format, including overwriting the MBR, that will suck.

I also wonder if the format's going to be console specific. I would imagine that like on the SD cards on the Wii you'll only be able to use any given GAME on the same console it was downloaded on but being able to share game saves would be nice. (They did also say that the SD cards will only be for Wii mode and will not be used in the Wii U games so it's USB or nothing.)

 

[mysticwaterfall]

My guess would be it takes over everything and you need an HD just for it, knowing how paranoid Nintendo is.

 

[paulee123]

Will see how It goes, f-in silly that u can't use sd card as wii u storage memory (if that is correct).
I think this USB thing will easily be broken by the modders.

Also can someone confirm, if u buy a retail copy can u copy it yo your hard drive?

 

[Devin]

Use EaseUS Partition Master. It allows you to allocate space on an HDD that can be formatted to whatever you like. It can also make it the primary partition if the WiiU only looks for that. I use this program all the time, works wonders.

 

[Cyan]

how is working DragonQuest X?
It's formating the drive to a specific format, does it work with partitions or does it wipe the full hdd?

Chances are that it's working the same way, as WiiU is based on IOS too. Why would they develop two different format for the same game? (game available on Wii and wiiU)

 

[mysticwaterfall]

Will see how It goes, f-in silly that u can't use sd card as wii u storage memory (if that is correct).
I think this USB thing will easily be broken by the modders.

Also can someone confirm, if u buy a retail copy can u copy it yo your hard drive?

Regardless of whatever happens with the drive itself, Nintendo will never allow you to copy your own games. That just begs for piracy since you can then just copy it and sell the game.

 

[the_randomizer]

Use EaseUS Partition Master. It allows you to allocate space on an HDD that can be formatted to whatever you like. It can also make it the primary partition if the WiiU only looks for that. I use this program all the time, works wonders.

I assume I won't have to reformat, will I? I want to avoid backup everything up and spending time to restore it.

 

[Taleweaver]

My guess would be it takes over everything and you need an HD just for it, knowing how paranoid Nintendo is.

Considering what happened with the DS and the wii, their main concern is probably whether they're worried enough.

I don't believe for a second they're going to allow other data on the same partition. My guess is the primary partition will be overwritten by something similar to WBFS. Other partitions...I would guess they will be fine, but it remains to be seen.


@the_randomizer: theoretically, no. E.P.M. should be able to physically move all your data to the 'back' end of the disk (1) and then create a primary partition in the created empty space. However, you've got to remember that you use the software at your own risk. I'd go for a backup just before that...but I've got the sort of job where "it shouldn't do that" happens all the time.






(1) I'm assuming no data is being accessed at that time, obviously

 

[JulietStMoon]

To my knowledge, different partitions on any drive can use different formats. So I'm not sure, but I would imagine you could create another partition specifically for Wii U stuff without hurting all the other stuff you already have on there.

 

[kylster]

I assume I won't have to reformat, will I? I want to avoid backup everything up and spending time to restore it.

I've used EASUS Partition Manager for a while now to. No you can simply resize the partition w/o formation anything it's pretty easy though it does recommend you backing up your files 1st before following through with this type procedure.

 

[VampireLordAlucard]

Here's the Nintendo Direct, for anyone interested:


This website gives a pretty good rundown of everything he says. Apparently it'll be a Wii U specific format. 9:45 in the video mentions using a HDD for the Wii U, and PC, if anyone can translate it directly.

The HDD will also need to be formatted for use with the console, meaning that players will be unable to use the same hard drive with their PC or other devices. SD cards will also be usable with the console, but not with Wii U save files. Instead, SD cards can only be used for PC data, Wii Ware, and Wii save data.

 

[gamecaptor]

I haven't seen any sort of list of compatible or incompatible hard drives just yet. I'm hoping the 2.0 TB Western Digital My Passports will work.

 

[DiscostewSM]

Would be nice if it was just the primary partition that becomes Wii-U specific.

 

[the_randomizer]

I've used EASUS Partition Manager for a while now to. No you can simply resize the partition w/o formation anything it's pretty easy though it does recommend you backing up your files 1st before following through with this type procedure.

Well, as long as I don't lose the data, I can give it a shot. The only other potential issue is the whole USB 3.0 backwards compatibility crap. It works fine on my old PC at home, and on the Wii, so I assume it wouldn't be an issue on the Wii U (I guess I could always get a USB 2.0 cable).

 

[kylster]

let us know how it goes when you get your Wii U I'm curious to know.

 

[the_randomizer]

let us know how it goes when you get your Wii U I'm curious to know.

I think I'll wait until it's safe to do so first. I don't want to have to re-rip all my games.

 

[HorreC]

Here's the Nintendo Direct, for anyone interested

This website gives a pretty good rundown of everything he says. Apparently it'll be a Wii U specific format. 9:45 in the video mentions using a HDD for the Wii U, and PC, if anyone can translate it directly.

Really love the two tubes with the beads to show people "Hey you wanna buy games online, yeah you can only have one really on here and its full if you got the 8gig model"