Hardware Wii FAQ

antonkan · Jul 13, 2009

<div align="center">Wii FAQ</div>

<div align="center">by antonkan</div>

Welcome to the Wii FAQ, where your questions about the Wii are answered. I'll update this this thread rarely. Here's an FAQ for Wii:

Note the to the GBAtemp staff: Please don't close AND move this topic.

Table of contents:<ol type='1'><li>Updates</li><li>Terminology</li><li>History</li><li>General questions about the Wii</li><li>Wii Menu (firmware) and its channels</li><li>Homebrew</li><li>Support</li><li>Modchips</li></ol>Updates

August 10 2009: A few updates.
August 9 2009: Updated using the defualt board font, and small updates, including how to change the system menu region.
July 16 2009: Updated with Wii Menu 4.1 in the Americas and Europe, about cIOS and about IOS.

Terminology

Q: What's in the name Wii?
A: The name Wii stands for 'we'. Try to pronounce Wii and 'we'. They're the same sounds as you pronounce.

Q: Can you tell me more about the name Wii?
A: From Nintendo:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Introducing... Wii.

As in "we."

While the code-name Revolution expressed our direction, Wii represents the answer. Wii will break down that wall that seperates videogame players from everybody else. Wii will put people more in touch with their games... and each other. But you're probably asking: What does the name mean?

Wii sounds like "we," which emphasizes the console is for everyone. Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii.

Wii has a distinctive "ii" spelling that symbolizes both the unique controllers and the image of people playing it. And Wii, as a name and a console, brings something revolutionary to the world of videogames that sets it apart from the crowd.

So that's Wii. But now Nintendo needs you. Because it's really not about you or me. It's about Wii. And together, Wii will change everything.</div>

History

Q: When was the Wii announced?
A: Code-named 'Revolution', the Wii was first announced in E3 2004, with the console itself was revealed in E3 2005. The Revolution controller, known as what we known today as 'Wii Remote' (also known as Wiimote), was revealed in the Tokyo Game Show 2005, with the small video teaser about the Revolution. On April 29 2006, the code-name Revolution was renamed to Wii. Wii had been shown again on E3 2006, with a revealed set of Wii games.

Q: Was there a Wii game before E3 2006?
A: Yes, in the year 2006. I believe that there are two games for the Wii before E3 2006, including Super Swing Golf and Red Steel.

Q: The Wii console, Wii Remote and Nunchuk looked slightly different in E3 2006. What was difference?
A: On the Wii console, the Nintendo logo on the front of it changed to a Wii logo. On the Wii Remote is slightly different. The Wii Remote itself was slightly longer, speaker of it was added, the 'B' button looked different, the shape of the power button of itself changed from rectangular to circle, small 'a' and 'b' buttons, located of below on it, changed it '1' and '2' buttons, the 'Home' button looked different, the extension plugins looked different, the 'Start' and 'Select' buttons changed to '+' (plus) and '-' (minus) buttons. On the Nunchuk, the 'Z1' and 'Z2' buttons changed to 'c' and 'Z' buttons.

Q: When was the Wii released to the stores?
A: The Wii was first released in the Americas on November 19 2006, then in Japan on December 2 2006, Europe on December 8/9 2006, in Korea on April 2008 and in Taiwan in 2008.

General questions about the Wii

Q: What does a Wii console have?
A: It has an SD card, four (4) GameCube controller inserters, two (2) GameCube memory cards and a slot disc.

Q: Can I play GameCube games?
A: Yes, but a GameCube controller is required.

Q: Can I watch DVD movies on Wii?
A: Yes, you can. You'll need to have DVDX installed and use MPlayer CE if you have The Homebrew Channel installed.

Q: Does the Wii is only available in white colour only, along with its accessories?
A: Yes, excluding Japan, which has a black colour. There's a sky blue Wii Remote colour if you're living in Japan and you're a Club Nintendo subscriber.

Q: Can you give me list of Wii accessories?
A: Here's a list of current Wii accessories:<ul><li>Wii Remote</li><li>Classic Controller (wired or wireless)</li><li>Nunchuk (wired or wireless)</li><li>GameCube controllers</li><li>DK Bongos</li><li>Wii Balance Board</li><li>Wii Zapper</li><li>Wii Motion Plus</li><li>Wii Wheel</li><li>A rechargeable battery pack, for Wii Remote and Wii Balance Board</li><li>Keyboard</li><li>Wii Speak</li><li>Wii composite (RCA) and component cables</li><li>Sensor Bar</li><li>AC Adapter</li></ul>Q: Is the Wii games reigon free?
A: Yes, of course. You have to use Gecko OS (<a href="http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Geck :wtf:

S" target="_blank">link here</a>), StartPatch for system menu 4.0 and 4.1 (<a href="http://wiibrew.org/wiki/StartPatch" target="_blank">link here</a>) or Starfall for system menu 3.2 (<a href="http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Starfall" target="_blank">link here</a>) if you have The Homebrew Channel installed.

Q: Is the Wii accessories reigon free?
A: Yes.

Q: What are IOS?
A: IOS means it's part of your system, depending on updates for the Wii Menu.

Q: What are cIOS? What's the latest?
A: cIOS means 'Custom IOS', giving some enhancements to the Wii if you have The Homebrew Channel installed. The lastest cIOS is rev14.
Wii Menu (firmware) and its channels

Q: What is Wii Menu?
A: Wii Menu is the firmware for Wii.

Q: What's the most recent version for Wii Menu?
A: 4.1 for Japan, the Americas and Europe, and 3.5 for Korea. 4.1 has a bug fix whereby, in Wii Menu 4.0, a Virtual Console or WiiWare game was played from the SD Card Menu then you'll play a Wii game 'Wii Sports Resort', but in this game, it forces the Wii Motion Plus tutorial video, although this tutorial video was shown once on the first run of 'Wii Sports Resort'.

Q: How to update Wii Menu to 4.1?
A: If you have an old Wii Menu 3.4 and below, you must update via your Wi-Fi. On the Wii Menu, click ('A' button) the Wii button, click 'Wii Settings', press the plus button two times and click 'Update'.

Q: What is a Mii?
A: A Mii is Nintendo's avatar. You can create a Mii though the Mii Channel. Miis appear in some Wii games. If don't like to create a Mii, then choose a Guest Mii in some Wii games.

Q: What is WiiConnect24?
A: WiiConnect24 allows you to connect 24 hours a day, seven days of week, so when the Wii is turned off, it sends data or a new message though the Wii Message Board.

Q: What is the Weather Channel and the News Channel?
A: The Weather Channel allows you to check weather for what you live and the News Channel allows you to check the news what's happening in the world.

Q: How move the channels in the Wii Menu?
A: Point a channel with a cursor, then press and hold 'A' and 'B' buttons to move a channel.

Q: If I select a different language on the Wii Menu and I want to start a game, what will happen?
A: Most Wii games in Europe, and some Wii games in the Americas, will detect the console's language if available. (It's also applies to WiiWare games and Wii channels.)

Q: What is Wii Shopping Channel?
A: Wii Shopping Channel is where you can buy Virtual Console and WiiWare games, as well as some Wii channels.

Q: What is Virtual Console?
A: Virtual Console is an collection of games for the past systems.

Q: How can I add Wii Points in the Wii Shopping Channel?
A: You have two options, using a credit card or Nintendo/Wii Points Card.

Q: What are available points for the Nintendo/Wii Points Card?
A: In Japan, there are 1000, 2000, 3000 and 5000 Nintendo/Wii Points Cards. In the U.S. and Canada, there are 2000 Nintendo/Wii Points Card. In Europe, there are 1000, 2000 and 3000 Nintendo Points Cards (perviously 2000 Wii Points only). In Korea, there are 1000, 2000 and 5000 Wii Points Prepaid Cards.

Q: Is the Nintendo/Wii Points Cards reigon free?
A: No.

Q: What is the Photo Channel?
A: The Photo Channel is where you view photos from your digital camera or Nintendo DSi. It also allows you to view videos that are in .avi and .mov format.

Q: What is the Internet Channel?
A: The Internet Channel is a web browser for Wii, based on Opera web broswer. The Internet Channel supports Adobe Flash 7, which you can't view flash videos and animations that are higher than Adobe Flash 7. It costs 500 Wii Points in the Wii Shopping Channel.

Q: What is the Nintendo Channel?
A: The Nintendo Channel allows you to view videos for any Wii and Nintendo DS/DSi software, as well as upcoming games for Wii/WiiWare/Virtual Console and Nintendo DS/DSi/DSi games. It also acts as a DS Download Station, which you can play Nintendo DS game demos in your home. It's free at no cost in the Wii Shopping Channel.

Q: Can I use Classic Controller while at Wii Menu, Wii Shopping Channel and the Home Menu? 
A: Yes. If you use the left analog stick, the cursor moves, and you can press the 'a' button on your Classic Controller.

Q: How to install themes for Wii Menu?
A: <a href='index.php?showtopic=159353'>Click here for instructions if you have The Homebrew Channel installed.</a>

Homebrew

Q: What is homebrew?
A: Homebrew is non-commercial games and applications at no cost, so it's free.

Q: How do I install homebrew?
A: I recommend using Bannerbomb. Bannerbomb works with Wii Menu 3.0 and above if you have a Japanese, American and European-modeled Wii. <a href="http://gbatemp.net/index.php?download=6341" target="_blank">Click here to download and instructions on how to install homebrew on the Wii (includes homebrew applications and emulators).</a>

Q: What are backup loaders?
A: Backup loaders is the loader for Wii games with USB and SD card, without having inserting a Wii game disc. Here's a few list of backup loaders:<ul><li><a href='index.php?showtopic=152074'>Cover Flow USB ISO Loader by Beardface</a></li><li><a href='index.php?showtopic=147262'>USBLoader GUI-FX</a></li><li><a href='index.php?showtopic=147638'>Configurable USB Loader by oggzee</a> </li><li><a href='index.php?showtopic=149922'>USB Loader GX</a></li></ul>Before you download a backup loader application, <a href="http://gbatemp.net/index.php?download=6432" target="_blank">click here to download cIOS rev10 Installer.</a>

To install a game in a backup loader application, insert a Wii game disc. You'll have a collection of Wii games of your USB/SD card.

Q: What are WADs?
A: WADs allows you to install a channel on your Wii Menu, including WiiWare and Virtual Console. To install the WAD files, you'll need to create a new folder called 'wad' for WAD flies, then you'll need WAD Manager (<a href="http://gbatemp.net/index.php?download=6431" target="_blank">click here to download</a>).

Q: How can change my system menu region?
A: <a href='index.php?showtopic=170971'>Click here for my guide!</a>

Support

Q: I have brick my Wii! What I can do?
A: The word 'brick' means can't boot the Wii Menu, for example. Contact Nintendo via Nintendo's telephone number found on most Nintendo-made manuals to fix the Wii, or use BootMii (<a href="http://bootmii.org/%5b/url" target="_blank">link here</a>.

Q: My Wii Remote/Wii Balance Board runs of of battery life. What can I do?
A: You'll need a rechargeable battery pack for Wii Remote/Wii Motion Plus, available on online and retail stores. (<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/excl.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

" border="0" alt="excl.gif" /> NOTE: To avoid wasting your battery life on the Wii Remote, turn off the volume and the rumble (or vibration) of your Wii Remote by pressing the 'Home' button to access the Home Menu, click ('A button) the 'Wii Remote Settings' below on your screen, press the '-' (minus) button until the bar of the volume is no blue bars, then click 'Off' to disable vibration.)

Q: After returning to the Wii Menu from The Homebrew Channel, there's a bug for sound. Can I reboot my Wii to fix it?
A: Yes.

Q: My Wii system can't turn on anymore. What can I do?
A: Contact Nintendo via Nintendo's telephone number found on most Nintendo-made manuals to fix the Wii.

Q: Although the Wii supports Wireless G-based Wi-Fi devices, does it supports Wireless B and N-based Wi-Fi devices?
A: Yes, but the speed is quite slower.

Q: Any support for the Wii?
A: <a href="http://support.nintendo.com" target="_blank">Click here for more support from Nintendo.</a>

Modchips

Q: What are modchips?
A: Modchips are just looked like computer chips, but when modchips on the Wii inserted, it gives some enhancements to the Wii such as region-free Wii games. I would not recommend modchips because it's hard to install it and and it gets some errors. If you're not interested to modchips on Wii, skip the "Modchips" section. But if you're interested to modchips, don't skip this section.

Q: What are the best modchips?
A: Wiikey, Niinja, the CycloWiz and FlatMii. <a href="http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showforum=99" target="_blank">Click here read their reviews in the Reviews section.</a>

Q: Does it take time to install a modchip on the Wii?
A: Yes. I think installing a modchip take longer. It's harder to install modchips, becuase you'll need to open up the Wii hardware.

Well, that's it. The end of the Wii FAQ. Feel free to PM me or discuss this topic to post new questions and answers as well as new sections of this topic.[/font]

Crass · Jul 13, 2009

Here is a wii related question: why do so many newbs make and post all these stupid and worthless threads? Seriously...

p1ngpong · Jul 13, 2009

Yeah this FAQ is pretty much so basic its redundant.

rockstar99 · Jul 13, 2009

i like ur faq see the hard work u put in it its nice thanks for making it

limesherbert · Jul 13, 2009

You might as well mention you can play DVDs if you have homebrew.

Deleted-119707 · Jul 13, 2009

nice!
add:
What are cios's? and what are the latest?
Whats An IOS?
What Is Trucha?
Whats WBFS and list/ linke to WBFS managers.
Wiiscrubber.

Pippin666 · Jul 13, 2009

Those shits are so obvious that I never asked myself any of the questions. They are simple information that everyone knew even before to release of the Wii.

pm_41 · Jul 14, 2009

Nice guide! Great for those newbies out there!

Satangel · Jul 14, 2009

Thanks for the work, but there are still loads of questions that can be added.
Hope you keep it up!

davidsl_128 · Jul 31, 2009

This looks nice. Good for people that are new to the Wii (a shame that this isn't the case for most GBATempers). Maybe if it involved Chuck Norris...

oh yeah

Deleted-119707 · Jul 31, 2009

Pippin666 said:
Those shits are so obvious that I never asked myself any of the questions. They are simple information that everyone knew even before to release of the Wii.

pointless?

anyway, is this going to get updated?

antonkan · Aug 10, 2009

Sorry to bump this topic. Anyway here's an update: using the defualt board font for my topics, and small updates, including how to change the system menu region.

Overlord Nadrian · Aug 10, 2009

I have to admit, this is a good guide for people who are still very new to the Wii, but a lot of members will say this isn't needed and won't request for a sticky.

tj_cool · Aug 10, 2009

See, its not bad to use the normal font, is it

Your guide has some good points, so maybe people want it to be stickied. But its up to the staff to decide, never request your own topics as stickies

Alexrose · Aug 10, 2009

IOS is an input/output system.

Is it important to have a Wii Remote Jacket and a waist strap on?
NO IT'S NOT. IT'S ONLY IMPORTANT IF YOU'RE AN IDIOT. WHAT KIND OF MORON THROWS HIS WIIMOTE AT THE TV?

"My wii won't turn on anymore".

http://savemii.net/troubleshooting.html

Yes you CAN play dvds with mplayer ce.

Just.. scrap the topic. It reeks of mediocrity.

antonkan · Aug 10, 2009

Alexrose said:
IOS is an input/output system.

Is it important to have a Wii Remote Jacket and a waist strap on?
NO IT'S NOT. IT'S ONLY IMPORTANT IF YOU'RE AN IDIOT. WHAT KIND OF MORON THROWS HIS WIIMOTE AT THE TV?

"My wii won't turn on anymore".

*link

Yes you CAN play dvds with mplayer ce.

Just.. scrap the topic. It reeks of mediocrity.

Thank you Alexrose for the info. FAQ updated, including 'Is it important to have a Wii Remote Jaket and a waist strap on?' question removed and can play DVD movies on the Wii via MPlayer CE.

DeltaBurnt · Aug 11, 2009

I should have made a wii faq to go along with my dsi faq but at the time of writing the dsi faq I didn't that that much about the wii. Oh well...

Hardware Wii FAQ

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