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GaryOderNichts, a well known hacker and programmer in the Wii and Wii U Homebrew scene, with apps like Bloopair, Shipwright, Moonlight for Wii U and many others, has started work on Priiloader compatibility for vWii on Wii U.

For those unaware, vWii is the nomenclature given to the Wii enviroment found on the Wii U, also known as Virtual Wii. This specific version of the Wii's operating system for Wii U has modification to a lot of the system's IOS, which make original Wii hacks that rely on them somewhat unreliable and sometimes even risk a brick if ran on vWii. Priiloader itself is a modification of a previously developed software called "Preloader", and this application runs before the system menu of the Wii, which allows for a way to restore the system in case of an accidental brick (to a certain extend).

Currently, the code for Priiloader to run on vWii is on early stages, and Gary made a PoC video on his YouTube channel showcasing Priiloader running on a Wii U under its vWii. There's currently a pull request for this feature on DacoTaco's GitHub repository for Priiloader, in which Gary lists all of the things needed for the

This works by replacing the SM boot index with the BC-NAND Nand Loader, which is also a signed Ancast Image.
BC-NAND will then boot content 1, which will be replaced with Priiloader. The original content 1 will be placed at the end of the contents.
To boot the vWii SM Priiloader decrypts the ancast image and patches it to redirect content 1 to the end. It then boots the decrypted SM.
I've also added 2 vWii specific hacks. One always enables NET.WCFG, which usually gets disabled by SM, and the other one makes the Wii Options button open Wii System settings. All of the other hacks need to be verified and ported over.
This is still very experimental and hasn't been properly tested. There is also still some work left to do which is listed below.

TO-DO:​

• Port over all of the SM hacks and verify that existing ones work
• Testing, especially make sure the installer works properly
• Verify that this doesn't break anything on an original Wii
• Test on a JP vWii
• Unfortunately BC-NAND clears the boot state, which causes some issues. As a workaround I tried guessing the state based on the Y-component of the HW_VISOLID register which vWii SM also seems to check and then set.
• Edit: The above doesn't work in case standby mode is enabled, since the system returns to Priiloader on shutdown in that case.
• Make the installer check that BC-NAND is actually installed properly and parse its TMD.

GitHub Pull Request

 

[ShadowOne333]

@GaryOderNichts please let me know if you want editing permissions for the OP, so you can add stuff in case you want to make this the main thread for the Priiloader vWii release when it comes, or if you want to create a new one and so I add the link to your release thread instead.

 

[Lostbhoy]

Outstanding release @GaryOderNichts

Simply awesome!

 

[slaphappygamer]

Ahh DacoTaco, the name brings me back to a simpler time. Best of luck to you, Gary!

 

[KleinesSinchen]

You are unstoppable, @GaryOderNichts!
The Wii U deserves that attention.

Please keep up the good work.

And of course a big
Thank you!

 

[NinStar]

Now if we could force WiiConnect24 to run by default on vWii it would be perfect.

 

[MorningBlunt]

Didn't even know there were still gaps in WiiU hacking scene. Love it when things like this happen.

 

[godreborn]

a perfect example of why devs should be compensated for their hard work. I would donate again, but my money is dangerously low atm, so maybe in January. I've already donated to Gary once, and I don't mind doing it again. thank you, @GaryOderNichts

 

[nWo]

Very good news! Looking forward to this.

 

[SylverReZ]

Great job on the release, Gary.

 

[KiiWii]

Epic!

I’m inspired to get my WiiU out again ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

 

[SylverReZ]

Epic!

I’m inspired to get my WiiU out again ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

I should probably get my Wii U out also, need to fix my gamepad's screen first.

 

[reidling]

I was only just reading about priiloader in vWii the other day, phenomenal work!

 

[Kirby6417]

Would this mean that selecting vWii from the Wii U system menu would be able to boot into a specific Wii app (like a USB loader)? And that isn’t currently possible?

If so, that’s very very awesome. I’ve done extensive Wii modding but no Wii U modding. I recognize the Wii U’s advantages, but I am turned away by its slow boot times.

 

[godreborn]

Would this mean that selecting vWii from the Wii U system menu would be able to boot into a specific Wii app (like a USB loader)? And that isn’t currently possible?

If so, that’s very very awesome. I’ve done extensive Wii modding but no Wii U modding. I recognize the Wii U’s advantages, but I am turned away by its slow boot times.

I think there is such a thing with priiloader and the wii, but I've forgotten a lot. who knows if that's possible with priiloader on the vwii, but it's looking good.

 

[CoolMe]

I thought that this just wasn't possible. Good to hear that it is.. it might be useful for unbricking the vWii, or even the wii u side?

 

[PopcornSweetie]

I've heared about this a while ago. Sadly i sold my Wii U (I still regret it )

At least, we've heared a update. Good Job @GaryOderNichts

Post automatically merged: Dec 12, 2022

I should probably get my Wii U out also, need to fix my gamepad's screen first.

You can also buy a new one. Even out of region ones work. (but you need your own region first unless your Wii U is fully setup already)

 

[Bladexdsl]

I should probably get my Wii U out also, need to fix my gamepad's screen first.

don't need gamepad for vwii hold down a and b on the mote on powerup and it boots straight into vwii

 

[Maschell]

Just another day in the office for Gary. Incredible work!

 

[GaryOderNichts]

Now if we could force WiiConnect24 to run by default on vWii it would be perfect.

The PR comes with a System Menu hack which is doing that.