Wii Bricked. Any solution?

[Wenus5486]

I've been working on this on and off for years...

(A couple years ago) My Wii went unused for ~8/9 months. Fired it up, Gets to the health & safety screen and freezes. No "Press A to Continue" present. I was able to sync the wiimote and turn the system on and off using it.

It's my understanding that it failed the "boot" load process.

When troubleshooting - I've dissected and replaced 3 components:

-Bluetooth Module
-Disc Drive
-Wifi Module with connected pieces.

No improvement / same result. When starting up the disc drive (even new one) makes a scanning noise. Previous to the brick I had no installed apps or pre-loaders. I'm mostly concerned with obtaining the save data from years of playing. I bought my wii day 1 at launch.

Any solutions?! Thanks

-Andrew

 

[KleinesSinchen]

Any solutions?! Thanks

Without entry point for starting any software this is tough. With Priiloader or BootMii in boot2 you could start trying things (and most likely copy saves if still readable)
If it does sit stable at H&S screen you could try BlueBomb. Remote syncing and being able to shut down suggests Bluetooth is working.
===

A launch day Wii has the vulnerable boot1. Technically it is possible to install BootMii into boot2 with a hardware flasher (advanced soldering).


Oldest Wii units have a known problem with a voltage converter (symptom there was absolutely no signal, but who knows). Also the NAND chips are really old by now. They might become bad or just lose data (Data retention time on long inactivity). I've seen one thread with a definitely defective NAND (complete failure even with brand new image) while EmuNAND method brought it back to life. Having homebrew software installed is crucial for longevity.

Good luck!

 

[Satmonk]

This is from 'consolemods.org':

With a GC controller plugged into Slot 4, you can hold down all 4 DPAD buttons then power on the Wii to access Recovery Mode. The best way to do so is by disassembling the controller and using the DPAD's membrane to hold down all 4 buttons, as it's extremely difficult to hold all 4 buttons down at once when the controller is fully assembled.

Consolemods

 

[Wenus5486]

Can any expert on here confirm (more so) that at this point I'm facing more of a software issue/brick rather than a hardware failure? The Wii is currently disassembled... any other hardware components to troubleshoot?

 

[Satmonk]

The electrolytic capacitors are usually in bad condition.

 

[KleinesSinchen]

Can any expert on here confirm (more so) that at this point I'm facing more of a software issue/brick rather than a hardware failure? The Wii is currently disassembled... any other hardware components to troubleshoot?

Putting something away in working condition and taking it out again not working suggests some kind of hardware failure (unless somebody else messed with this without you noticing).
Finding the exact issue will be tough. You already ruled out the obvious: Swapping removable parts (BT, WiFi, optical drive) is a smart move.

Software wise there is not much you can do. Again: Try BlueBomb.

 

[Wenus5486]

Is there a way to isolate that the Wifi Module is working (without a 2nd Wii Console). I bought a used replacement on eBay, the guy said it was tested and worked... how do I isolate/confirm this part is no longer vulnerable?

 

[Faruk1986]

Is there a way to isolate that the Wifi Module is working (without a 2nd Wii Console). I bought a used replacement on eBay, the guy said it was tested and worked... how do I isolate/confirm this part is no longer vulnerable?

wifi module is resistant unit at all
And if you don't set any connection it will be idle
Bluetooth module is more vulnerable part than wifi

 

[Wenus5486]

wifi module is resistant unit at all
And if you don't set any connection it will be idle
Bluetooth module is more vulnerable part than wifi

I replaced the bluetooth module and was able to successfully connect a controller. I also replaced the wifi module, but it did not fix the boot problem I am having.

 

[Faruk1986]

I replaced the bluetooth module and was able to successfully connect a controller. I also replaced the wifi module, but it did not fix the boot problem I am having.

a straight question:
did you test bluebomb method?
the only thing you need a laptop which run a Linux distro or better option using a normal healthy secondary wii for sending exploit as BlueMii method if you axactly know your wii menu (for example 4.3U) maybe you could lunch hackmii installer and run a wad manager like wiimod or yawnM freezing on health screen make me suspect to eula wad! maybe reinstalling wads like Region Select Hidden Channel or EULA Hidden Channel or even new fresh wii menu be the solution. I extremely recommend you do the blubomb