Hardware WiiU Internal SSD Mod

[Shadow_The_Hedgehog82]

Pretty simple mod I got an m.2 to usb adapter and soldered it to the pins for the back usb port. I saw someone else do something similar on youtube but they had to remove part of the disc drive to get it to fit since it was a sata drive. The m.2 with an adapter is a lot smaller and there is space for it to fit next to the heatsink cover. I used this adapter https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08XTG7XW1 with a 42mm m.2 drive







The wires go from the pins of the usb port on the underside of the board under the fan and come out through the metal shield thing



Wiring diagram here


Just reassembled and I think it might be blocking wifi, wont connect to my router. Managed to fix this by opening and wrapping the ssd in tinfoil. This might not be an issue with more expensive m.2 adapters or ssds

 

[flowlapache]

Whaouou! Congratulations for your motivation! nice job! Let us know if tinfoil around ssdmake the wifi again!
And if you earn time when installing games? thanks !

 

[Shadow_The_Hedgehog82]

Whaouou! Congratulations for your motivation! nice job! Let us know if tinfoil around ssdmake the wifi again!
And if you earn time when installing games? thanks !

The tinfoil did fix the wifi I think something on the ssd or converter board was making noise or something ive read usb 3.0 devices can cause issues with 2.4ghz wifi and its right next to the wii u antenna. Not sure how the speed is as i've never used another usb device itll be the same as any other sata ssd with a usb adapter i assume

 

[V10lator]

Geat work, just one adition. For a more stable power source you might want to reroute 5v VCC to the big red dot (ignore the two small ones) shown on that picture:

 

[Shadow_The_Hedgehog82]

Geat work, just one adition. For a more stable power source you might want to reroute 5v VCC to the big red dot (ignore the two small ones) shown on that picture:

I dont think It needs it, its working fine from one power pin, probably doesn't use much more than a normal usb stick

 

[celica]

hello after install , wiiu reconize the disk ? what is the cons and pros for this mod ?

 

[depaul]

Great mod. I love it.
Not criticizing your idea but, I was able to miniaturize my Wii U with a mini SD card reader + 256GB SD card. The Wii U can barely reach full USB 2.0 speed.

Edit:

 

[Shadow_The_Hedgehog82]

hello after install , wiiu reconize the disk ? what is the cons and pros for this mod ?

Yes it recognised it its the same as just connecting over usb. Pro is that you dont have to have an ssd/hdd hanging about con i guess is that you gotta open the machine if you want a bigger ssd

Great mod. I love it.
Not criticizing your idea but, I was able to miniaturize my Wii U with a mini SD card reader + 256GB SD card. The Wii U can barely reach full USB 2.0 speed.

I think sd cards are still slower even if the wiiu cant take full advantage of usb 2 speeds

 

[Luz Noceda]

WOAH Dude this is awesome Thanks for sharing

 

[Alexander1970]

Hello.

Awesome Mod,Congratulations for your Work and many,many Thanks for sharing it with us !!

How about the "Heat" from the SSD ? Did it maybe affect the WiFi ?

Thank you and awesome Work.

 

[Shadow_The_Hedgehog82]

Hello.

Awesome Mod,Congratulations for your Work and many,many Thanks for sharing it with us !!

How about the "Heat" from the SSD ? Did it maybe affect the WiFi ?

Thank you and awesome Work.

I'm not sure about heat I redid the tinfoil nicely after taking that picture and stuck sheets on the top and bottom so air can still get in there a bit. Heat is probably fine tho since its not running at full usb3 speeds I'd imagine it will produce less heat because of that. Wifi does not work at all without the tinfoil

 

[jul16ares]

Pretty simple mod I got an m.2 to usb adapter and soldered it to the pins for the back usb port. I saw someone else do something similar on youtube but they had to remove part of the disc drive to get it to fit since it was a sata drive. The m.2 with an adapter is a lot smaller and there is space for it to fit next to the heatsink cover. I used this adapter with a 42mm m.2 drive


View attachment 267756

View attachment 267758 View attachment 267759


The wires go from the pins of the usb port on the underside of the board under the fan and come out through the metal shield thing

View attachment 267755

Wiring diagram here
View attachment 267757

Just reassembled and I think it might be blocking wifi, wont connect to my router. Managed to fix this by opening and wrapping the ssd in tinfoil. This might not be an issue with more expensive m.2 adapters or ssds
View attachment 267790

Why do you put some tiny electronics insulation tape pieces on wires above sensor bar red connector ?

 

[Ultrahurt]

Hey thanks for sharing this mod. You made a great job, Man

 

[Shadow_The_Hedgehog82]

Why do you put some tiny electronics insulation tape pieces on wires above sensor bar red connector ?

its just labels so i know which wire is which pad

 

[jul16ares]

its just labels so i know which wire is which pad

Just a dumb question, if one port is plugged with your ssd, then is inactive when you plug something else in same port ?

 

[strike_s1k]

Great mod. I love it.
Not criticizing your idea but, I was able to miniaturize my Wii U with a mini SD card reader + 256GB SD card. The Wii U can barely reach full USB 2.0 speed.

Edit:
View attachment 270969

View attachment 270971

So I assume the Wii U is able to format this as if it was just a usb stick? I want to use this to store all my games