the bytes

Yep, hack your Wii. There are many benefits to modifying the Wii; one of the main reasons is to obtain access to the homebrew channel and install the opensource software that is developed by the end user. A few things are required, however, their is no need to open and solder anything, or to modify any hardware within the Wii. Actually, if you own an SD card, then this is a free modification. Now, before I go any further, we have to thank the developers at wiibrew.org and all of the other hackers out there that make this possible.  Also, thanks to all of the Nintendo developers for a great system.   I am just making a simplified step-by-step guide to help. Also, you do this at your own risk, no one is held liable for damages to your system except you, so, you have been warned.  Also, piracy is illegal, I, in no way support piracy!  The methods and software provided here are experimental and you should only use your own purchased copies.

Following the steps below should successfully update your already softmodded Wii to 4.3 with the ability to use WiiFlow or USB Loader GX.

To start this off, you will need to download the SD card that has all of your required files.  Before continuing, make sure that you have the latest version of Homebrew channel already installed.  If you have already updated to 4.3 before updating your Homebrew Channel, you will have to use other methods to get it back.  (Check out the Lego Indiana Jones or Super Smash Bros Brawl Homebrew hacks.)

Step 1:
Since you are still running an older version, go ahead and update your Homebrew channel to the latest version.  (Version 1.0.8).  Then, you HAVE to update HackMii installer to the latest version as well (click here).

Step 2:
I know it doesn’t sound right, but update your Wii via Nintendo’s online updater.

Step 3:
Time to download and prepare the SD card.  Download this file and copy all of it’s contents to the root directory of your SD card.

Step 4,

With the updated version of BootMii installed, it is time to backup your NAND file in case you brick it.  Load the Homebrew channel, press the home button and launch BootMii.  Make a nand backup; you will have to use a gamecube controller or you can use the system buttons to navigate (Press Power, Power, Power, Reset, Reset).  Once you are done, backup your Bootmii files to your PC (DO NOT LOSE THE FILES, THEY ARE IMPORTANT).
sd:\bootmii
sd:\nand.bin
sd:\key.bin

Step 5:
Here is where it starts getting risky.  This is the part that can cause problems, so be careful.  DO NOT REMOVE any IOS’s or you will brick your Wii.  Launch the Homebrew channel and run the IOS236 Installer.  Install the updated IOS236 (IOS36) from the NUS server.  Once that is complete return the Homebrew channel.

Step 6:
From the Homebrew channel, load the Multi Mod Manager.  Once in here, you will be reloading all of the WAD files.  Select WAD Manager and press A.  Press 1 to select all of the WAD files, and press A to install all of them.  Make sure that all of them install properly.  If you have any errors, try to install them 1 at a time, and if that doesn’t work, then try installing them via BootMii.    (Stay in app).

Step 7:
Next we need to install Priiloader.  This will provide brick protection and prevent your system from updating.    Return to the main menu and select APP manager or press 2 from your current location.  Select Priiloader and press A.  After the warnings, press A to install it.  8Once this is complete, reboot the Wii and then hold the reset button down until you get a white screen with options.  For this menu you will need a gamecube controller.  Select the Wii System Hacks option and enable “Block Disk Updates”, and “Block Online Updates”, others if you like, however, if you don’t know what the hack does, you don’t need it.  (FYI, error -106 is not an issue, and is expected)

This should be everything that you will need to do in order to successfully update your Wii without bricking it.  I already added the WAD files for WiiFlow and USB Loader GX so that they will be added to your Wii dashboard.  There should be multiple ones added, just find the one that works for you, and remove the rest using the Wii Data Management option.

will@thebytes.net