Hacking The Definitive vWii Hacking Guide!

Albireon

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Is there any way I could use vwii with a HID gamepad (for example, a PS4 controller)?

I'd really like to play Tatsunoko vs Capcom with an arcade stick as well. (I don't have a Wii arcade stick)
 

jhferry

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I was wondering the same thing. Brook actually makes a Xbox 360/One to Wii U/Switch converter now. It emulates the Wii U Pro controller.
 

Cyan

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Do I need a separate hard drive to load vwii games?
I have a harddrive that currently runs Wii u backups, if I follow this guide and dump my games onto my harddrive will it work with bo th types of games or will I need a separate hard disk to run vwii
WiiU can't be partitionned, and you need FAT32 for vWii, so you need 2 different HDD.
There is another method where you can convert a Wii game to WiiU format, and install it in your WiiU HDD. you can launch the game directly from the wiiU menu. look in the wiiu section>hacking>WiiVC injector script if you want that solution.


A few years ago i hack my vWii. Now i have a Wii (not vWii) from a friend to hack.
1)The procedure is the same i use in vWii?

2)I can play no original games from a CD...

3)But there's no USB loader...
Can I install just USB loader?
1)The procedure is slightly different, as the needed files are different.
don't just use the same files and packages for Wii and vWii.
but the procedure is almost identical : use an exploit to launch hackmii installer, install HBC. Done.

This step is already done on your friend's wii, as you already have HBC installed.

2)very strange it can't read disc. but it's not a problem, I suppose.

3) yes, you can just add the loader on your SD card to list it in HBC.
you might want to install the forwarder channel for your chosen loader to your console's memory too, (pick the wii version, not vWii channel version!)

for example :
sd:/apps/usbloader_gx/ <--- here is the homebrew on SD
install the "Wii version of USB Loader GX forwarder channel v5.1" on your console using a wad manager.
set the option in the loader to "return to" that channel when you exit a game to automatically return to the loader instead of Wii system menu.
you can also use that channel to launch the loader from the system menu without going into HBC first.


if your friend's wii is old, he might have some outdated files.
to launch Wii games, you need d2x cIOS (like in this vwii tutorial, but DO NOT INSTALL vWii version ! you need d2x for Wii). the installation step is identical than this guide, just use the linked version.

Hey do you guys know of a way to check to make sure all of the cIOS are up to date on the vWii? Do I just re 'mod' it again to get the latest cIOSs?
The vWii cIOS has not been update since the first release. there's nothing to update.
at best, you should even downgrade !
most guides told users to install a beta version (r53) instead of the stable version (r52).
to replace, just follow the install process again it will overwrite the previous ones.

Hello I just wanted to ask a question that I'm unsure of, would it be possible to create two partitions using bootice and have one for my files that are on my external hard drive (various things I have saved to work on my pc) and create a second partition to have all of the vwii data like gamecube and wii games saved?
sure.
you can have up to 4 partitions.
you just need to put Gamecube games on the FIRST FAT32 partition of the drive.
if you make multiple FAT32, put games on the first one.
if you make NTFS+FAT32+FAT32, put gamecube games on the FIRST FAT32, not NTFS, not on the second FAT32.

Is there any way I could use vwii with a HID gamepad (for example, a PS4 controller)?

I'd really like to play Tatsunoko vs Capcom with an arcade stick as well. (I don't have a Wii arcade stick)
No, unless you find and buy a third party (brook, like jhhferry said) controller adapter to act as a Wii controller and not HID.
wii games were not designed to read HID data, so you can't use them without a hardware adapter.
(nintendont is designed to use HID, not gamecube games. this is different with Wii games)
 
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jhferry

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I am on the part where I need to create WBFS folder on my USB hard drive. I am already using a HD for Wii U games but that can't be read in Windows. Can you not use the same HD for both Wii U and Wii backups? If so, how do I configure the drive?
 

ViggyTheBear

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I am on the part where I need to create WBFS folder on my USB hard drive. I am already using a HD for Wii U games but that can't be read in Windows. Can you not use the same HD for both Wii U and Wii backups? If so, how do I configure the drive?

As of now, there is no reliable way to configure an HDD to load Wii U and WBFS Wii backups simultaneously.
 
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HyeVltg3

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I am on the part where I need to create WBFS folder on my USB hard drive. I am already using a HD for Wii U games but that can't be read in Windows. Can you not use the same HD for both Wii U and Wii backups? If so, how do I configure the drive?

As of now, there is no reliable way to configure an HDD to load Wii U and WBFS Wii backups simultaneously.

WiiU can't be partitionned, and you need FAT32 for vWii, so you need 2 different HDD.
There is another method where you can convert a Wii game to WiiU format, and install it in your WiiU HDD. you can launch the game directly from the wiiU menu. look in the wiiu section>hacking>WiiVC injector script if you want that solution.

My current dilemma is that I have two 500GB HDDs, one is exFAT and holds my VitaTV games. Another will be NTFS connected to WiiU for vWii gaming(I cant find the old drive I used, havent played my WiiU since 5.5.1U came out) and a 64GB SD for WiiU games, pre-Haxchi.

Now that Haxchi is out I thought I could get rid of the 64GB limit of WiiU games and move everything to the HDD.

Is the main issue the fact that WiiU NEEDS its own format USB Drive?
I looked into WiiVC but cannot understand how this tool is used to convert Wii games to WiiU HDD

So far my plan is, as I just started installed Haxchi (I dont really need CBHC, the risks outweigh the "extra tap" needed to patch sysNAND)

Plan:
- NTFS 500GB HDD (1. Why are you saying FAT32, I thought NTFS worked fine with vWii??)
- Setup SD card with how it used to be for Browserhax ( 2. Is there anything special I may need to do for Haxchi?)
- Boot vWii, play games off attached USB Drive.
- If WiiU time, Run Haxchi, Launch Loadiine_GX2 to play games off SD.

1. Why are you saying FAT32, I thought NTFS worked fine with vWii??
2. Is there anything special I may need to do for Haxchi?

Will this all work or do I need an extra step somewhere, I am trying to reduce the number or wires and HDD Hubs in my console area.
 

Cyan

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I'm about to get started, does method 1 100% not work on 5.5.2?
Edit: I did get it to work.
I didn't have time to update the guide after 5.5.2 exploit was released, so it still says you need 5.5.1. but it works fine, you just need to use the correct browser exploit if you don't have haxchi or cbhc yet.

Is the main issue the fact that WiiU NEEDS its own format USB Drive?
Yes, you need a full dedicated HDD for WiiU. it will delete all existing partitions and format/encrypt it to lock it to your console.


I looked into WiiVC but cannot understand how this tool is used to convert Wii games to WiiU HDD
nintendo released official "wii games channels" installed on WiiU menu.
these official channels are in fact :
- a WiiU to vWii launcher
- a Wii ISO
- a vWii autoboot program emulating the Disc drive from an ISO file.
- a special IOS (wii firmware) which allows the use of the WiiU gamepad instead of Classic Controller.


What the injector is doing is :
take an existing Wii virtual console (like xenoblade, or Rhythm music game), unpack, replace the Wii ISO, repack.
It's an injector, replacing Wii ISO from an official WiiVC channel from nintendo.
it doesn't "convert" the wii game at all, it just "put the Wii ISO" inside a WiiUtovWii launcher+autobooter.

- NTFS 500GB HDD (1. Why are you saying FAT32, I thought NTFS worked fine with vWii??)
NTFS works fine for wii games.
it doesn't work for Gamecube games, and some Wii homebrew (emulators, games, apps, media players, etc.)
It doesn't work with EmuNAND (WiiWare and Wii's virtual consoles games installed on SD or USB). You can use your 64GB SD for that if you really want to play some wiiware/VC games.

- Setup SD card with how it used to be for Browserhax ( 2. Is there anything special I may need to do for Haxchi?)
SD card can be used for both WiiU and vWii homebrew at the same time.
SD:/apps/ <-- vWii homebrew
SD:/wiiu/apps/ <-- WiiU homebrew
Haxchi doesn't need the SD card. But you need it for any other homebrew (WUP installer, homebrew launcher, etc.) unless you install them to your WiiU menu.

- If WiiU time, Run Haxchi, Launch Loadiine_GX2 to play games off SD.
Ah, you still want to use Loadiine?
your console is a 8GB model?
if you have a 32GB model, you have enough space to install the games on the console. you don't need 300 games at the same time. just install and play the one you want. play, complete them, delete it, and play new game etc.
Loadiine is old, slow, sometime not working at all, and offline only.

If space is really an issue, there's a way to install WiiU games to FAT32 but it's a lot of hassle to setup and install new games.
The same method can be used to play WiiU games with loadiine from USB (no need to install, it's easier but you still have the loadiine restriction and compatibility)
in both cases, you need FAT32.


what I recommend to you:
1 HDD for vWii (NTFS if you want)
SD for both WiiU and vWii homebrew
SD for Wii emuNAND (if you want/need that)
Install WiiU games to your console's internal memory
Use loadiine only for games you don't play often, or don't have compatibility problem, or don't need online access.
 
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HyeVltg3

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Guess I'll need to rethink how I want to do this, The main reason I want to load all my WiiU games is because I'm lazy and dont have the time to sit there waiting on many GBs to transfer to the SD card just to change games (yes I'm being a bum while being a pirate.)

So I got FAT32 to work(copy files over after the format) for vWii+GC+Vita games! lucky that no files at 4GB+

The only games I wanted on the SD are WiiU games, but each is so big!

If I were to go the 2 HDDs way, isnt USB much slower than the SD transfer rate?! the WiiU as USB2 no? thats 60MB/s, unless the transfer rate of the SD port is lower?
I have a 90MB/s read speed SD card, iirc I got because I wanted it to be higher than the WiiU SD rates, this was back in 2013-14 so I dont fully remember why I have this super fast SD card. (think back then I didnt have as many bills to pay haha)

Thanks for the long response, really helpful. +1
 

Cyan

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the SD card is not slow by itself, but Nintendo is using a VERY BAD fat32 library, or they might even have limited the speed themselves, so SD is slower and that's why some games lag a lot, and some other don't work or are VERY slow with loadiine, like Mario 3D World (30sec-1min to load a level), or Zelda which needs 10-20 mins to load the first image!

USB formatted in wiiU HDD format is a lot faster. I suppose you don't see the differences with USB or internal memory.

for info about the FAT library speed:
Dimok made a version of Mocha CFW with USB FAT32 access, but still using the original Nintendo FAT32 library, which limits the read speed. The game is not loaded faster than on SD, so there's no real interest in using USB with loadiine, except the disc size.
 
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HyeVltg3

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the SD card is not slow by itself, but Nintendo is using a VERY BAD fat32 library, or they might even have limited the speed themselves, so SD is slower and that's why some games lag a lot, and some other don't work or are VERY slow with loadiine, like Mario 3D World (30sec-1min to load a level), or Zelda which needs 10-20 mins to load the first image!

USB formatted in wiiU HDD format is a lot faster. I suppose you don't see the differences with USB or internal memory.


Dimok made a version of Mocha CFW with USB FAT32 access, but still using the original Nintendo FAT32 library, which limits the read speed. The game is not loaded faster than on SD, so there's no real interest in using USB with loadiine, except the disc size.

Thanks think I'll just go the 2 HDDs road.

So the only method to "write" to the WiiU formatted Drive is via > Put games in SD's "install" folder and install to USB ?
 

mingmong24

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Hi, i have 2 hdds, 1 tb for wiiu games and i have a 5tb, i am having a hard time trying to fat32 format the full drive.
Would it work if i created a partion and formatted it to fat32 just for GC games, then formatted the rest ntfs for wii games and other stuff i want to store on it unrelated to wii? Would i be able to have both hdds plugged in so i could have access to wiiu, wii and gc games without messing about unplugging one? Thank you
 

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yes, you can make 2 partitions if you want, as long as the FAT32 partition starts bellow the 2TB position on the drive.
but if the drive is bigger than 2TB it will use GPT instead of MBR.

you'll have to use Wiiflow or CFG Loader, as USBLoaderGX has a bug with multi-partitioned GPT drives. I haven't fix it yet.

it should be possible to make a 4TB FAT32 partition.
I don't know about 5TB, that might depend on your drive, sector size and cluster size. FAT32 can go up to 16TB partition with the proper settings.
 
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bboyjestr

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Quick question, does anyone have xenoblade chronicles working on usb loader? i keep getting a black screen right after my first fight with the mask mechon? i tried changing my cios multiple times but no dice :wacko:
 

bboyjestr

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Quick question, does anyone have xenoblade chronicles working on usb loader? i keep getting a black screen right after my first fight with the mask mechon? i tried changing my cios multiple times but no dice :wacko:

nvm, was a bad file....sorry to bother
 

brollikk

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After messing with a ton of cIOS possibilities... I am beginning to think vwii rock band (using usbloader gx) is very hard to get to work with usb instruments. Would using a powered USB hub on usb 0 with both my vwii hard drive and the instrument dongles work?
 

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