Requirements

- BootMii (either installed as boot2 or as IOS)
- SD(HC) card (at least 1GB, 2GB recommended)
- USB keyboard

Preparing the SD card

You have to create 2 partitions. One little FAT16/32 for BootMii, HBC and the kernel and one big ext3 for the filesystem ("userland"). You can do this for example with gParted in Ubuntu. If you don`t have Ubuntu installed, use the latest LiveCD. For this tutorial it is important to set the descriptions of the partitions.

- Backup your current BootMii folder
- 1. partition: At least 32 MB, FAT16/32, "kernel" as description
- 2. partition: Remaining free space, EXT3, "filesystem" as description
- Copy your BootMii folder to the first partition

Installing the kernel

The mike kernel must be booted via BootMii! If you boot it with the homebrew channel, wifi and other things won`t work.

There are two ways to boot the kernel:

1.)
The first one (and also the recommended one) is to copy the kernel to the first partition of your sd card, for example to the BootMii folder. To boot the kernel you can use the sd card explorer in BootMii and select the kernel. It could happen that it doesn`t work and return to the BootMii main menu. If this happens try to update to the newest BootMii version (beta4). If it also doesn`t work with beta4 then you have to use the second way.

2.)
With the second way you will have to replace the executable of the BootMii GUI with the kernel. This should always work, but the disadvantage is that the kernel will boot immediately after launching BootMii. So you won`t see the GUI of BootMii. If you need the BootMii GUI you may use a second sd card for Linux only.

- Rename the file "ppcboot.elf" in the BootMii folder to "ppcboot.elf.backup"
- Download the latest mike kernel (mikep5) with your appropriate TV mode:

- 480i PAL: http://downloads.sourceforge.net/gc-linux/...480i(PAL60).elf
- 576i PAL: http://downloads.sourceforge.net/gc-linux/...i.576i(PAL).elf
- 480p PAL: http://downloads.sourceforge.net/gc-linux/...i.480p(PAL).elf
- 480i NTSC: http://downloads.sourceforge.net/gc-linux/....480i(NTSC).elf
- 480p NTSC: http://downloads.sourceforge.net/gc-linux/....480p(NTSC).elf

- Rename the kernel to ppcboot.elf and copy it to your BootMii folder
- If you have BootMii beta1 or beta2 you need to download the latest armboot.bin to prevent an error with the mike kernel: http://downloads.sourceforge.net/gc-linux/mikep1-armboot.bin. Rename it to "armboot.bin" and replace it with the one in your new BootMii folder. If you are running BootMii beta3 or later you might skip this step, because it should already include a newer version of armboot.bin

Installing the filesystem

- Download XWhiite 0.2 to your Desktop: http://hbcapps.com/debian-etch-4.0+whiite-...ite-0.2.tar.bz2
- Open a terminal and login as root (sudo su)
- Change the directory to your Desktop:

cd /home/yourusername/Desktop

- Extract the filesystem to your sd card:

tar -C /media/filesystem/ -xjvf debian-etch-4.0+whiite-0.1+xwhiite-0.2.tar.bz2

- Backup your xorg.conf:

cd /media/filesystem/etc/X11/
cp xorg.conf xorg.conf.backup

- Open your xorg.conf and set your TV mode (pal or ntsc):

gedit /media/filesystem/etc/X11/xorg.conf

- Find the Subsection "Display" in the section "Screen"
- Replace "pal_50" with "ntsc_60" if you have a NTSC TV
- If you have the problem with the "small line" try to remove the lines with "HorizSync", "VertRefresh", "Modeline "pal_50"" and "Modeline "ntsc_60"" in the section "Monitor" and the whole subsection "Display"

- Now you can try to boot your Wii with Linux.

Getting WiFi to work

- Download the necessary debian packages and put them to /media/filesystem/home/wii/:

- nano: http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/pool/main/...ch1_powerpc.deb
- wpasupplicant: http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/pool/main/...5-2_powerpc.deb
- wireless-tools: http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/pool/main/...f.1_powerpc.deb
- udev: http://security.debian.org/debian-security...ch1_powerpc.deb
- libiw28: http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/pool/main/...f.1_powerpc.deb
- libvolume: http://security.debian.org/debian-security...ch1_powerpc.deb
- wifi firmware: http://sourceforge.net/projects/gc-linux/f...tar.gz/download

- Boot your Wii Linux
- Open a terminal and login as root (pwd is "whiite")
- Install the packages:

cd /home/wii/
dpkg -i *.deb

- Extract the wifi firmware:

cd /
tar -xzvf /home/wii/openfwwf-5.2-bin.tar.gz

- Edit the wifi settings:

nano /etc/network/interfaces

- For WPA 1/2 add this:

auto wlan0
iface wlan0 inet dhcp
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwpa-ssid YOUR_SSID_GOES_HERE
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwpa-psk YOUR_SECRET_GOES_HERE
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwpa-key-mgmt WPA-PSK
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwpa-pairwise TKIP CCMP
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwpa-group TKIP CCMP
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwpa-proto WPA RSN
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwpa-ap-scan 1
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwpa-scan-ssid 1

- For WEP (ASCII string key) add this:

auto wlan0
iface wlan0 inet dhcp
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwireless-essid YOUR_SSID_GOES_HERE
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwireless-key YOUR_ASCII_SECRET_GOES_HERE

- For WEP (binary key) add this:

auto wlan0
iface wlan0 inet dhcp
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwireless-essid YOUR_SSID_GOES_HERE
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwireless-key s:0123-4567-89

- Test your wifi connection:

ifup wlan0
ping www.google.com

- If you get responses: CONGRATULATIONS! Now your Wii will automatically connect your wifi on every boot

And what now?

- Now you can update your system (as root!):

apt-get update
apt-get upgrade

- You can also install a "normal" desktop environment like XFCE4. It`s more comfortable to use, but will use more RAM and will run slower. But it`s quite usable.

apt-get install xfce4

- Install whatever you want! Have fun!

Problems and their solutions

Problem: No sound
Solution: CODEusermod -G audio


by elmurato
revision 5


PS: If something isn`t clear feel free to ask so that I can improve this tutorial. Thanks!

Sources

http://www.gc-linux.org/wiki/WL:whiite-linux
http://www.tehskeen.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9777
http://www.gc-linux.org/wiki/MINI:KernelPreviewThree
http://www.gc-linux.org/wiki/WL:Wifi_Configuration

 

[Coto]

So WiFi won't work on a boot1 bugged Wii?

MiNI kernels are designed for boot2 exploited wiis.

But this tutorial explains how to run MiNI loader onto a NON-boot1 bugged wii.

I don't have a boot1 exploited wii anymore, the above tests came from a 2009' Wii.

-

Ok guys, you'll need a few things to get it working like it should:

1. Get and install the latest priiloader (0.7)

2. A Unused 2GB,4GB or 8GB card (this tarball's kernel is 2.6.32! So SDHC is expected, according here), I have a 2GB card

3. Any cheap 256MB or more USB Stick (FAT tested, but FAT32 should work too..) to retrieve the tarball/config during the install process.

4. Priiloader (0.7), as there is known there IS a small chance of brick installing priiloader, but I am yet to have a problem with 0.7. Once installed, turn the wii off. While turning it on hold reset button for 3 secs and a white screen should appear. Go to Settings> Change autoboot to: System Menu into Bootmii. Save changes, run HBC (homebrew channel).

5. A USB keyboard, the cheaper it is, the better.

How to:

Plug the USB pendrive, make sure it either has a FAT or FAT32 partition, and 256MB or more free space available, then unzip whiitefullinux.7z (7-zip required) contens in the first USB disk directory (root directory). It has the latest Mikep5 MiNI bundled.

Unzip the apps.7z in the same root directory, so you'll end with a folder called like this: (USBDISK:/apps/whiite-linux-installer-BETA1/boot.dol). Unplug it from your computer (doing the safety USB removal thing, ie: the green arrow listing USB devices in Windows), plug it onto your Wii's 2.0 USB port (the one at bottom), press 1 (or 2) on your wiimote to choose the USB disk from HBC. A wii linux icon should be listed, run it. Then follow the onscreen process..

FAT allocation recommended: 256MB

Note, when the installer finishes (takes a while, be patient) it should create a bootmii folder in your SD card, keep that kernel in a safe place, along the tarball posted.


Get the files here!

PD: If you wish to enable autoboot to System Menu again, repeat this process but reverting Autoboot: Bootmii into System Menu. And, priiloader is a antibrick solution which may save your wii in case of brick.

PD2: Your Wireless card should be listed as Wlan0/1, super user password is "whiite" (su) and wiimote's enabled by default as the cursor, yay!

PD3: Always plug the USB keyboard into the USB #2 port (the one being closer to the Wii's Main Nintendo logo)

 

[-DarkAceZ-]

No SDHC support?

 

[Coto]

http://www.gc-linux.org/wiki/Main_Page

According to GC-linux team the SDHC support was already added in 2.6.32. So I'll correct this misinformation...

SDHC is supported in this tarball!

 

[-DarkAceZ-]

Hey, what format should the SD card be? I'm guessing it doesn't matter?

 

[Coto]

The main purpose of the xwhiite installer is to guide/format/config the whole thing... so make sure you have the tarball/kernel/config file along the same xwhiite installer on a external USB FAT partition. The SD card will be formatted -again- by the linux installer.

Also, guess what? Just migrated from kernel 2.6.32 (xwhiite's default) to 2.6.42 edited by farter (the one working on a RGB VFB for the hollywood's wii gpu), he modified the existing Mikep5 Mini and IOS from GC-Linux developers to run his own "VGA Driver"!! .

Check his webpage

Oh, and this guy has a debian based installer as well, with a newer kernel compiled/driver/loader so, darkacez you should take a look at it .. instead this route to make things easier for ya

I took the ol' way, mount the wlan card, recompile the newer kernel, install newer rgb drivers, etc.


,

 

[-DarkAceZ-]

http://fartersoft.com/blog/2011/08/17/debian-installer-for-wii/
Is this what you meant? Because I think I understand your way better...

 

[-DarkAceZ-]

"The installation failed.
The Epic Failure™ happened while creating the partitions."

That's what your installer says when I try to install it.


[EDIT] LOL : embarrassed: Now I see why it's called the Epic Failure!! I HAD MY CARD LOCKED!!! XD

 

[-DarkAceZ-]

Hey, it still didn't work... It said everything installed correctly, then it rebooted, and since priiloader was set to boot bootmii on startup it did, then when Linux started I did su then ifup wlan0 and it still didn't work... Exactly the same... Doesn't notice the Wifi hardware...

 

[Coto]

Try console:

su

password: whiite

# modprobe b43 (this initializes the wireless card)

then

# iwconfig (it'll show you the wlan card detected)

then

#ifup wlanx (x depending on the number of the wlan card detected, ie: wlan0)

if DHCPDISCOVER has sometimeouts then your card was detected!

You can also take pictures *after these steps*.

/etc/network/interfaces (with nano editor) is a MUST to config wireless connections (login as su first)

-

About farter's webpage, it offers you a custom installer (newer than this one) which let you enable a experimental (better) VGA driver, and a graphical environment (like the tarball I posted).

PS:

Spoiler

"The installation failed.
The Epic Failure™ happened while creating the partitions."

That's what your installer says when I try to install it.


[EDIT] LOL : embarrassed: Now I see why it's called the Epic Failure!! I HAD MY CARD LOCKED!!! XD

XD!!

 

[-DarkAceZ-]

OK, here's a shot of the commands:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22806246/IMG_8251.JPG
The b43 wasn't found...

 

[Coto]

you got it recognized all the time

WLAN1 IS YOUR CARD

i've been saying this like 5 times T_T.

# iwconfig (it'll show you the wlan card detected)

then

#ifup wlanx (x depending on the number of the wlan card detected, ie: wlan0)

 

[-DarkAceZ-]

Whaaat? I tried ifup wlan1 and all it says is "Ignoring unknown interface wlan1=wlan1." Is there something else I need to do? Also, thanks for helping me with this!

 

[Coto]

Open console:

-su

-pass: whiite

xwhiite# cd ..

xwhiite# cd ..

xwhiite# cd ..

xwhiite# cd .. (yeah four times)

xwhiite# cd /etc

xwhiite/etc/# cd /network

xwhiite/etc/network# nano interfaces


**delete everything onscreen**

then put (if you have a WEP configured router, if you have a WPA or more, check the first page of this topic then edit this file accordingly):

auto wlan1
iface wlan1 inet dhcp

wireless-essid ESSID (ie: Home )
wireless-key s:ascii-password (ie:Thing)

then ctrl + x: (SAVE CHANGES??)

press Y.

type:

# reboot now

wireless should work now.

Whaaat? I tried ifup wlan1 and all it says is "Ignoring unknown interface wlan1=wlan1." Is there something else I need to do? Also, thanks for helping me with this!

Because wlan1 even if detected, isn't listed in the above file you're editing. This file manages network profiles, so if you don't do the steps as described wireless(or ethernet devices) won't work.

 

[-DarkAceZ-]

Yeah, I just noticed I'm going to have to do that. Just a minute while I test it...

 

[-DarkAceZ-]

Alright!! You're my hero!!
"ifup wlan1
ifup: interface wlan1 already configured"
Thanks!!
OK, now you were talking about a kernel from farter? Will I need a new tarball too? I'd like to get it, but what exactly does it do?

 

[Coto]

OMG not again T_T

XD jk I love these kind of experiments. See, "uname -r" (as root) will give you the current kernel version. 2.3.32 to be exact.

This tarball came with a modified vga driver to work with hollywood chip, namely xcube driver. There's a newer vfb kernel which performs better colours, and some other stuff, but it requires:

A new loader (MiNI or IOS, provided by Farter in the blog posted before), compile a new kernel (requires updating lenny to 2.3.42), then editing the main X desktop environment file.

/etc/X11/xorg.conf.

Make sure you got all things right, I mean, how to install stuff, change repositories, etc before doing this.

 

[-DarkAceZ-]

lol IKR not again XD!
Okay, we've done the xorg.conf editing before... What's the new loader thing? And wouldn't a new loader mean the same thing as a new kernel?

"Make sure you got all things right, I mean, how to install stuff, change repositories, etc before doing this." I already downloaded Nautilus through Synaptic if that's what you mean. (And I got past the "There is no public key for the following ID" error too)

 

[Coto]

A bootloader:
(they initialize the target hardware to load a certain OS)
//ie linux booter as IOS or MiNI

A kernel:
(the kernel is the OS's heart)
//ie debian kernel version: 2.3.32 .

"Make sure you got all things right, I mean, how to install stuff, change repositories, etc before doing this." I already downloaded Nautilus through Synaptic if that's what you mean. (And I got past the "There is no public key for the following ID" error too)

Oh I see, then you added the required keys to get data from different servers.

Do some read on the blog then, everything is quite detailed there, even from the Q & A section.

 

[-DarkAceZ-]

I'm guessing there isn't an installer that I just launch and after that I'm done like last time, right? Or do I just download the installer, and it does everything except the xorg and the wifi?

 

[Coto]

LoL! just noticed you like my posts! c:

Uhm... I'm about to test the farter's installer. It seems better suitable to perform a kernel install from scratch. Because he gently added a networking distro (the minimal stuff to help you get started in console mode) and some other options (like a small SD/USB device partition software).

If you ever have the wireless disabled, use "su modprobe 43" and it'll mount the wlan card for you. To get the new framebuffer drivers (namely, video drivers) you'll need to read the blog; everything's well explained =p