Hacking WiiFlow - an open source GUI USB-Loader

[bostonBC]

After recreating the cache files it showed a number of missing graphics to I tried the download missing graphics option and after finishing the menu lag slowdown continues.

If there is anything I can do to help debug this please let me know.

Someone in IRC thinks that you could have a cluster size over 32kb, could you check it out?

It is 32K clusters:

C:\Windows\system32>chkdsk h:
The type of the file system is FAT32.
Volume WII_2TB created 7/10/2011 11:50 PM
Volume Serial Number is 1F0D-122F
Windows is verifying files and folders...
File and folder verification is complete.
Windows has checked the file system and found no problems.
1,953,035,168 KB total disk space.
3,552 KB in 9 hidden files.
39,232 KB in 1,211 folders.
1,835,616,736 KB in 21,808 files.
117,375,616 KB are available.

32,768 bytes in each allocation unit.
61,032,349 total allocation units on disk.
3,667,988 allocation units available on disk.

However the first time I checked it had some errors that I fixed. I just cleared all cache/settings/ini files again and will retry and post back the results...maybe the file structure problem was fouling things up.

Edit:

Fixing the disk errors didn't seem to do anything... On first run it works fine but if I go into the settings menu and change something the menu display lag comes back.

After clearing everything it loads fast but when I set it to re-run WiiFlow on exit from a game and force NTSC video and English as the default game language the lag comes back.

If I reset back to default for those options and exit the menu lag persists.

It seems that the act of saving the game settings - which is taking about 20 seconds - causes something to go awry and the menu display lag to appear.

Is there something in the code that saves the game settings that resets or clears some cache items? When the menu appears it is after the progress bar makes about 2 full dot dot dot sweeps. Initially it is very fast but after a setting is changed it appears to hang at the last dot for about 20 seconds and then the menu appears. It is like it is rebuilding a cache or something at that point.

 

[Hielkenator]

I have my a nand folder on my usb drive root containing a sneek nand.
Yet I'm not able to acces this via Wiiflow. Pessing b - gives option to choose partition.
I can select SD or USB ( referring to wbfs folder ) but nothing else.

Am I missing something?

 

[FIX94]

Am I missing something?

Check this out:
http://wiiflowiki.com/Wiiflow:Emulated_Nand
If you followed it correctly and you still have problems say something

 

[Hielkenator]

Am I missing something?

Check this out:
http://wiiflowiki.com/Wiiflow:Emulated_Nand
If you followed it correctly and you still have problems say something

Yes did all that.
Wiiflow loads fine. pressing b on the channels page does'nt do anything.
Holding b and pressing minus shows NAND in the right corner.
My Nand dump is'nt selectable. EDIT: Wait I noticed something about the button.....LOL

BUT now it gets stuck on the Wiiflow loading animation....

 

[bostonBC]

I played around some more and think I have the underlying item that causes the menu lag.

If I delete the wiiflow.ini it comes up fast the first time but then if I try and download the WiiTDB or any new covers from the settings menu or from the individual game settings it then adds the menu lag.

These wiiflow.ini settings work perfectly with no lag:


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
[FANART]
enable_fanart=yes

[GAMERCARD]
gamercards=
wiinnertag_enable=no

[GAMES]
cheat=no
current_item=SX4P01
dump_list=no
favorites_on_startup=no
last_cf_mode=1
partition=1
save_emulation=no
sort=0

[GENERAL]
allow_texture_compression=yes
async_network=no
box_mode=yes
compress_cache=no
country_patch=no
cover_buffer=120
data_on_usb=yes
dir_box_covers=usb1:/wiiflow/boxcovers
dir_cache=usb1:/wiiflow/cache
dir_cheat=usb1:/wiiflow/codes/gct
dir_fanart=usb1:/wiiflow/fanart
dir_flat_covers=usb1:/wiiflow/covers
dir_languages=usb1:/wiiflow/languages
dir_list_cache=usb1:/wiiflow/cache/lists
dir_music=usb1:/wiiflow/music
dir_screenshot=usb1:/wiiflow/screenshots
dir_settings=usb1:/wiiflow/settings
dir_themes=usb1:/wiiflow/themes
dir_trailers=usb1:/wiiflow/trailers
dir_txtcheat=usb1:/wiiflow/codes
dir_wip=usb1:/wiiflow/codes/wip
exit_to=0
favorites_on_startup=no
game_language=2
hideviews=no
keep_png=yes
language=7
max_fsaa=3
music_directories=3
music_fade_rate=8
parent_code=
randomize_music=no
returnto=DWFA
rumble=yes
sound_volume_bnr=255
sound_volume_coverflow=255
sound_volume_gui=255
sound_volume_music=255
theme=DEFAULT
tv_height=480
tv_width=640
tv_x=0
tv_y=0
use_grab=no
video_mode=3
vipatch=no
waitmessage_wiilight=yes
watchdog_timeout=10
wiimote_gestures=no
write_playlog=yes

[HOMEBREW]
disable=no

[NAND]
disable=yes
partition=1
path=

>>>>>>
[FANART]
enable_fanart=yes

[GAMERCARD]
gamercards=
wiinnertag_enable=no

[GAMES]
cheat=no
current_item=RMGE01
dump_list=no
favorites_on_startup=no
last_cf_mode=1
partition=1
save_emulation=no
sort=0

[GENERAL]
allow_texture_compression=yes
async_network=yes
box_mode=yes
compress_cache=no
country_patch=no
cover_buffer=120
data_on_usb=yes
dir_box_covers=usb1:/wiiflow/boxcovers
dir_cache=usb1:/wiiflow/cache
dir_cheat=usb1:/wiiflow/codes/gct
dir_fanart=usb1:/wiiflow/fanart
dir_flat_covers=usb1:/wiiflow/covers
dir_languages=usb1:/wiiflow/languages
dir_list_cache=usb1:/wiiflow/cache/lists
dir_music=usb1:/wiiflow/music
dir_screenshot=usb1:/wiiflow/screenshots
dir_settings=usb1:/wiiflow/settings
dir_themes=usb1:/wiiflow/themes
dir_trailers=usb1:/wiiflow/trailers
dir_txtcheat=usb1:/wiiflow/codes
dir_wip=usb1:/wiiflow/codes/wip
exit_to=0
favorites_on_startup=no
game_language=2
hideviews=no
keep_png=yes
language=7
max_fsaa=3
music_directories=3
music_fade_rate=8
parent_code=
randomize_music=no
returnto=DWFA
rumble=yes
sound_volume_bnr=255
sound_volume_coverflow=255
sound_volume_gui=255
sound_volume_music=255
theme=DEFAULT
tv_height=480
tv_width=640
tv_x=0
tv_y=0
url_flat_covers_id6=http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/cover/{loc}/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/cover/EN/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/cover/other/{gameid6}.png
url_full_covers_id6=http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfullHQ/{loc}/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfullHQ/EN/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfullHQ/other/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfull/{loc}/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfull/EN/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfull/other/{gameid6}.png
use_grab=no
video_mode=3
vipatch=no
waitmessage_wiilight=yes
watchdog_timeout=10
wifi_gecko=no
wiimote_gestures=no
write_playlog=yes

[HOMEBREW]
disable=no

[NAND]
disable=yes
partition=1
path=

 

[Hielkenator]

Cool! Got it working!

What about Multiple nands? Like switch 2 Uneek?
Would be very cool!

Launching NES SNES VC games from NAND results in black screen or system files corrupt messages.

 

[Etheboss]

Cool! Got it working!

What about Multiple nands? Like switch 2 Uneek?
Would be very cool!

Launching NES SNES VC games from NAND results in black screen or system files corrupt messages.

Ah, i can answer your second question...

NAND access works, but EMULATION is not completely finished yet.
for example: Wiiflow still does not make savegames for some games that need it, like MC does already.
Thats why starting games can still result in blackscreens..

 

[Gassy]

So I've decided to give this beta wiiflow thing a try. I remember before trying to build wiiware compatible isos for my wiiware stuff installed in nand, and was sucessful at it, but it was a long, long process with lots of steps. I finally gave up on it. If you get this working, you'll have my appreciation, that's for sure.

My question - I downloaded the d2x v7 installer, but I don't understand which cios' I need to install. On version 6, I just installed 249 and 250. The install instructions on the download wiki page says "If you are using the installer, make sure to install all bases, starting with ios 245 and the lowest available base, working your way up to 251 base 58 " . Can anyone clarify this? Which ones do I need to fool around with this beta?

Thanks,
Gassy

 

[bfoos]

All of them. IMO, best way to get d2xv7a5fixed setup is to use the wad pack and your preferred wad manager, as the wads are already all setup to install to the proper slots and bases.

 

[Hielkenator]

Cool! Got it working!

What about Multiple nands? Like switch 2 Uneek?
Would be very cool!

Launching NES SNES VC games from NAND results in black screen or system files corrupt messages.

Ah, i can answer your second question...

NAND access works, but EMULATION is not completely finished yet.
for example: Wiiflow still does not make savegames for some games that need it, like MC does already.
Thats why starting games can still result in blackscreens..

Nevertheless great achievement! And happy days will come in the future hopefully!

 

[Gassy]

All of them. IMO, best way to get d2xv7a5fixed setup is to use the wad pack and your preferred wad manager, as the wads are already all setup to install to the proper slots and bases.

Thanks for the help, I appreciate it!

Gassy

 

[bostonBC]

Since it appears to cause a dramatic slowdown and everything else looks like it works w/o it is there a way to remove the addition of

url_flat_covers_id6=http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/cover/{loc}/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/cover/EN/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/cover/other/{gameid6}.png
url_full_covers_id6=http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfullHQ/{loc}/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfullHQ/EN/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfullHQ/other/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfull/{loc}/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfull/EN/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfull/other/{gameid6}.png

to the wiiflow.ini when the user goes to the download covers/WiiTDB pages? I think that will fix the problem I am seeing and probably make loading of Wiiflow much faster for everyone else too.

I just noticed that on a small 80GB drive that I have about 100 games loaded it takes 5 progress bar back and forths before the menu comes up when the cover urls are in the wiiflow.ini and less than 2 when it is removed. On my 2TB drive with 1050 games it takes about 30 progress bar back and forths before the menu loads and again less than 2 when it is removed.

 

[Etheboss]

Since it appears to cause a dramatic slowdown and everything else looks like it works w/o it is there a way to remove the addition of

url_flat_covers_id6=http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/cover/{loc}/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/cover/EN/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/cover/other/{gameid6}.png
url_full_covers_id6=http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfullHQ/{loc}/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfullHQ/EN/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfullHQ/other/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfull/{loc}/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfull/EN/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfull/other/{gameid6}.png

to the wiiflow.ini when the user goes to the download covers/WiiTDB pages? I think that will fix the problem I am seeing and probably make loading of Wiiflow much faster for everyone else too.

I just noticed that on a small 80GB drive that I have about 100 games loaded it takes 5 progress bar back and forths before the menu comes up when the cover urls are in the wiiflow.ini and less than 2 when it is removed. On my 2TB drive with 1050 games it takes about 30 progress bar back and forths before the menu loads and again less than 2 when it is removed.

This is very strange, these lines are only used when updating or downloading covers...it should not matter for the menu and showing the covers.

I am curious now how many more ppl have this particular problem..

 

[bostonBC]

Since it appears to cause a dramatic slowdown and everything else looks like it works w/o it is there a way to remove the addition of

url_flat_covers_id6=http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/cover/{loc}/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/cover/EN/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/cover/other/{gameid6}.png
url_full_covers_id6=http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfullHQ/{loc}/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfullHQ/EN/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfullHQ/other/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfull/{loc}/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfull/EN/{gameid6}.png|http://wiitdb.com/wiitdb/artwork/coverfull/other/{gameid6}.png

to the wiiflow.ini when the user goes to the download covers/WiiTDB pages? I think that will fix the problem I am seeing and probably make loading of Wiiflow much faster for everyone else too.

I just noticed that on a small 80GB drive that I have about 100 games loaded it takes 5 progress bar back and forths before the menu comes up when the cover urls are in the wiiflow.ini and less than 2 when it is removed. On my 2TB drive with 1050 games it takes about 30 progress bar back and forths before the menu loads and again less than 2 when it is removed.

This is very strange, these lines are only used when updating or downloading covers...it should not matter for the menu and showing the covers.

I am curious now how many more ppl have this particular problem..

The place it appears to lag is on the WiiFlow splash screen where the progress dots go back and forth. Here are some timings I made on mt 2TB drive when I moved various numbers of games into the wbfs folder, cleared the cache/list and settings menus and left the urls in the wiiflow.ini file

The progress dots go back and forth for about 1.75 times and then depending on the number of games there is a lag where it appears the system is hung before the menu comes up with the last progress dot appearing stuck on the screen.

Games Lag
250 instant
500 4.5 sec
600 8.5 sec
725 14 sec
850 22 sec
950 29 sec
1050 38 sec

If I remove the urls from the wiiflow.ini the lag is zero no matter how many games I've tried.

I have a feeling only people with very large collections will see this. Most folks with a 1TB drive and 400-500 games will probably just barely notice it. But if you delete those lines from the wiiflow.ini file you will see that the menu loads much quicker.

The menu initialization routine or whatever happens at the end of the progress bar loading must be looking at those ini items and depending on the number of games it must be processing or trying to process something.

Since it appears to be created internally when the user downloads a cover why is it in the wiiflow.ini file? If the routine that actually checks those urls is checked I bet you will find it's looping through the entire game list doing something.

For now I am going to remove those lines and tell people I know to remove them especially if they have a lot of games until this can be fixed.

 

[drvipej]

um...I have just updated. Installed IOS36-64-v3351, then ran IOS236-v5-Mod, then made a big jump to cIOS249[56]-d2x-v6.
I have removed old versions of wiiflow and now fully placed r414, using r414titlefix.dol (renamed it offcourse). I did not install IOS249[56]-v7a5fixed.
I have two different forwarders that worked before but now don't work off the NTFS drive. It runs fine through Homebrew though.
Anyone know whether new forwarders are required? Has anyone got r414 working from a forwarder off NTFS?

 

[FIX94]

I have two different forwarders that worked before but now don't work off the NTFS drive. It runs fine through Homebrew though.
Anyone know whether new forwarders are required? Has anyone got f414 working from a forwarder off NTFS?

Get the latest one here:
sites.google.com/site/wiiflowiki/installing/wiiflow-forwarders/channel-forwarders

 

[drvipej]

I have two different forwarders that worked before but now don't work off the NTFS drive. It runs fine through Homebrew though.
Anyone know whether new forwarders are required? Has anyone got f414 working from a forwarder off NTFS?

Get the latest one here:
sites.google.com/site/wiiflowiki/installing/wiiflow-forwarders/channel-forwarders

ahhh, thought this site was gone, I new it was here just could not find it.
You are a legend, thanks
will test and give feedback

 

[drvipej]

I have two different forwarders that worked before but now don't work off the NTFS drive. It runs fine through Homebrew though.
Anyone know whether new forwarders are required? Has anyone got f414 working from a forwarder off NTFS?

Get the latest one here:
sites.google.com/site/wiiflowiki/installing/wiiflow-forwarders/channel-forwarders

ahhh, thought this site was gone, I new it was here just could not find it.
You are a legend, thanks
will test and give feedback

ok, now I think I have pooped something.
I can't install any wad from either wad manager or Multi Mod Manager.
I am getting ticket (-2011) error. Can't seem to find any solutions, been looking.
Can anyone suggest what to do? or give me a link to where I can get help?

 

[Etheboss]

ok, now I think I have pooped something.
I can't install any wad from either wad manager or Multi Mod Manager.
I am getting ticket (-2011) error. Can't seem to find any solutions, been looking.
Can anyone suggest what to do? or give me a link to where I can get help?

Try installing the wad with another IOS, 236 usually works

 

[DvZ]

With ios 236 and wadmanager 1.7