Hacking wii dvd drive

[boogerlad]

Does the wii need a dvd drive for it to function? I mean, I want to create a portable wii, and instead of using clucky disks, I though I could just use a usb loader+hdd. Would it still work, or would the wii just refuse to work without one?

Thanks

 

[Hatsu]

It would work.

 

[fiveighteen]

So you could actually just take out the DVD drive inside the Wii and put a 2.5" HDD in there and everything will still run smooth?

 

[comet77]

WOW, is this true? I would like to know because if we could make this happen then we could the loaders run the games like Sam & Max. Maybe have it run like a vitural DVD drive.

 

[SFenton]

I remember quite the contrary that if you remove the DVD drive the Wii refuses to work.

 

[giantpune]

i believe that you need a drive or a drive emulator in place or the system menu wont start.

 

[hatredg0d]

I remember quite the contrary that if you remove the DVD drive the Wii refuses to work.

+1

 

[bazamuffin]

Check this thread http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=144666&st=01383

 

[Det1re]

The drive itself is not needed. The only part needed is the drives mainboard (and probably the disc state part, too). The mechanics are useless and not needed. If you won't have a drive attached, the Wii will state, that the disc could not be read — every time you want to start a channel.

 

[e20009]

My dvd drive hasnt worked since my 2 yr old thought he would use it as a money box... thank goodness for USB loaders.

 

[FiveseveN]

I remember quite the contrary that if you remove the DVD drive the Wii refuses to work.

+1

 

[masterjoel201]

Does the wii need a dvd drive for it to function? I mean, I want to create a portable wii, and instead of using clucky disks, I though I could just use a usb loader+hdd. Would it still work, or would the wii just refuse to work without one?

Thanks

well, i just bought a wii for 58 bucks on ebay. it didnt have a working dvd drive... so no.

 

[techboy]

As everyone said, the DVD drive board is needed. The mechanics can be tossed if you want.

IOS talks to the drive a lot. When it finds there isn't one, it doesn't know what to do with the (lack of) a response. I've seen very strange symptoms ranging from a failure to boot, to random freezing with a loud buzzing sound from the TV speakers.

If the mechanics are dead, remove them and leave the board in the wii. Put a piece of plastic on top to insulate it, then cram an HDD in on top if you want.

A replacement DVD drive board can be purchased by itself if a wii comes without a drive.

 

[mooseknuckle2000]

I don't think I'd be willing to remove a good DVD drive for sake of internalizing my HDD. I could see doing this if my DVD drive was shot, but other than that, I think I would need it for too many things. Adding ISO's from retail to my HDD for instance. Also for Treeki's method to load levels, etc. on the fly with the upcoming Reggie! release.