Gaming Wii's at retail stores

[nightking]

Is there any way of telling what Wii version by looking at the serial number? I am planning to buy a Wii at Walmart, but I don't want to get the 4.2u version.

What I only can do is , buy the wii, if it has 4.2u, just return it I guess.

Thanks

 

[XFlak]

whats wrong with a 4.2U? first of all, these aren't in stores yet, probably wont be until after xmas... I mean, even their newest game (mario bros wii) only has the 4.1 update in it (not 4.2)!

i think there are 3 types of wii's out there (in terms of hardware)

1) the old ones = the best
2) the newer ones... new boot1 (making bootmii boot2 install impossible)
3) the newest ones... new boot1 + new D3-2 chipset making disk backup launching impossible (but usb loading still works)

you can try and see if there is a pattern with serial numbers and functionality using this DATABASE

but generally, the lower the serial number the better

 

[FierceDeityLink1]

Pretty much what xflak40 said, though there is some consensus on what serial numbers are which drives. Hence the "Type your serial number to get live drive details." on wiidrives.com. I bought one last week and it was a 3.2U. But in terms of finding one pre-LU64, I think it's pretty much impossible other than used on Craigslist/eBay.

 

[cup9192]

You know, six to eight months ago, anything LU64+ was not able to be modded (soft mod, at least). That is not the case now, and as a LU65+ consumer that recently switched from hard-mod to soft-mod, I can realistically tell you that you'll be fine. Just follow up on the "scene" and don't do anything you're not sure of. xzxero's post on how to modify any wii (virgin 4.2 even! [except Korean]) is spot on and proven to work. There is nothing like a USB loader.... take the plunge!