How to hack a 4.2 Nintendo Wii

So what all can a Wii really do?

A LOT! Like you wouldn't believe, your Wii is a treasure chest waiting to be opened! Follow my guide and you'll be able to:

1. Play Wii games from an external hard drive or flash drive using usb loader gx
2. Watch DVD Movies on your Wii (Newer Wii's cannot play dvd-r's due to a different dvd drive)
3. Have access to literally hundreds of homebrew apps made just for the Wii such as custom music and movie players, homemade games such as QuakeWii and Super Mario War, and other neat stuff!
4. Use a wad manager to install all the cool classic games on the shop channel without having to pay for them!
5. Use emulators to play playstation, N64, sega genesis, nes, snes, and even sega saturn games on your Wii!
6. Use PriiLoader Hacks to customize your Wii, including the abilitiy to remove the background music and the annoying health warning screen, and you can even move the disc channel!
7. Play gamecube games burnt to a DVD-r on your Wii! (unless you have a newer Wii)
8. Hell, you can even run Linux on your Wii!
9. And much more...!

Click this picture to view it fullsize; this is what your screen will look like when you go to right click the rar file and extract it

When you click "My Computer", click your SD card, your screen should look something like this, if it does, you're ready to start hacking away!

What you need

Okay, so there is a lot of stuff that you'll need to download in order to properly hack a Nintendo Wii. Instead of making you go through all the trouble of locating all of these files individually, I've put them all together in one download, click here
I take no credit for all the hard work it took to create these files, I am simply providing them at your convenience. To view the original guide click here
Now, if you do not have a way to unzip .rar files, you'll need winrar or something equivalent, I recommend 7zip, because it's free and works just as well as anything else. Click here to download it.
Once 7zip is installed, you'll be able to right click the "4.2 Wii everything you need.rar" file and click extract using 7zip. Extract the contents of the .rar file to the root of an SD card, preferably a 2 gigabyte one or larger, since that's also most likely where your roms and other neat stuff will go. If you don't have an SD card, purchase one below, and you'll have everything you need. Watch my two-part video guide below or continue reading to start hacking your wii!

Time to hack!

Before doing anything, insert your SD card (with the contents of the .rar file on it) and remove any gamecube controllers and memory cards. Turn on your Wii and verify that it has an internet connection, because your Wii will need to download essential files during the hacking process. Also verify that your Wii has firmware 4.2. You can do this by clicking the "Wii Options" button on the bottom-left of the screen and then click "Wii Settings" on the right. Your firmware version will be on the top-right. Now you're ready to start:

1. On the Wii menu, click the "SD card icon" on the bottom. It'll load your SD card and then a message window will pop up asking you if you want to install boot.dol/elf? Click yes
2. After reading the disclaimer and pressing "1" to continue, press A and then scroll up to where it says homebrew channel and press A to install it. If you want to back up your Wii's NAND to insure it doesn't get bricked, click here for the guide on that (step 2). If not, press exit at the bottom to be taken to the homebrew channel screen.
3. Find the program called "Dop Mii" and click that to run it, once there, click "Install IOS36 with fakesign. Press A to continue and then press A again to downgrade (only works if your Wii is connected to wifi) After that, simply keep pressing A to confirm everything until it is done. It will ask to apply patches and to install more stuff, just click yes for everything.
4. After that is done, return to the main screen, or run "Dop Mii" again if you have to. This time, click the first option, "IOS 36", and then select "IOS." Scroll right until you see IOS 222 at the top. Press the "minus button" on your wii remote to uninstall it. Do the same for 223, 249, and 250. DO NOT UNINSTALL ANYTHING ELSE! Return to the homebrew menu screen.
5. Now it's time to install custom firmware, woo hoo! On the homebrew menu, find the program called "cIOS38-rev14 Installer" and run it. Press A to use IOS 36 and then select network or wad install. Either works fine. Once this is done, exit and return to the homebrew menu.
6. Find your "Wad Manager" program, it'll most likely be on the last page in your homebrew menu. Run that and select IOS249. Use the Wii SD Slot, and make sure NAND is disabled. You'll need to install the following wads:

• IOS53-v5406 [TB].wad
• IOS55-v5406[TB].wad
• IOS60patched.wad
• IOS70-patched.wad

7. The last step is to install "priiloader". Run it from the homebrew channel and press "+" on your Wiimote to install it. Keep in mind that this is optional and is only necessary if you want system menu hacks such as removing the background music or the health screen. You can configure your priiloader hacks by holding the reset button while turning your Wii on. The priiloader also comes in handy if your Wii ever gets "bricked," because you can access it before the Wii's critical files boot and possibly restore them.

Playing Wii Games from an external hard drive

Honestly, isn't this why you wanted to hack your Wii to begin with? Don't lie to me, haha. Playing Wii games from my external hard drive is honestly one of the coolest things about having a hacked Wii. No more inserting or scratching discs, just click and play! Just make sure you actually own the original copy of a game before you download it.
In order to do this, you'll need an external hard drive of some kind, I recommend the 320 gigabyte Western Digital Passport, as it is the one I personally use. You can easily fit 100 Wii games on it, so you don't need anything bigger than that.You could also use a flash drive if you wanted to be able to carry your games in your pocket or something. You can fit about 10 Wii games on a 32 gigabyte flashdrive. To read my full guide on how to play Wii games stored on an external hard drive or flash drive.

Wii 128M Memory Card	LAN Wired Network Adapter for Wii Console (USB)	Nunchuck & Remote Controller for Wii

Nintendo Wii Remote Is Not Working

The Nintendo Wii is a gaming console system that uses wireless, sensor-weilding remote controls to react to the motion of your body or hands. There are a few factors that may prevent the Wii remote from working properly.


  1. Look at the back of the Nintendo Wii sensor bar. Make sure the power cord has not come unplugged from it.

  2. Check the batteries in the Wii remote control. Replace the batteries by using your thumb to slide the cover off of the back of the remote. Properly sit the batteries in the battery tray according to the illustration within the battery compartment. Return the battery cover to the remote by sliding the cover towards the top of the remote. The cover will click, indicating it is locked.

   3. Move any objects that are obstructing the view of the sensor, preventing the signal from reaching the sensor bar. Make sure any light sources that contain infrared light are not interfering with the sensor. Things like candles, fireplaces and sunlight can disrupt the sensor on the remote.

   4. Make sure you are standing within range of the Nintendo Wii sensor bar. Stand three to ten feet away from the sensor bar to stay within range. If you are out of range, the remote cannot communicate with the sensor bar.

things you'll need:

 

1800mAh battery for Nintendo Wii Remote Control	LAN Wired Network Adapter for Wii Console (USB)	Nunchuck & Remote Controller for Wii

Fix a Wii Disc Read Error

A disc read error can occur with the Nintendo Wii console if the game disc is inserted improperly or is dirty or smudged. If you receive a "Disc could not be read" or "Unable to read the disc" error message when you're trying to play a Wii game, you can clean the disc to remedy the problem. If the error occurs with several different game discs, it may be necessary to clean the Wii's lens as well.

Cleaning Game Discs

1. Moisten a portion of a clean cloth and wipe the bottom of the disc in straight lines from the inner to the outer rim.
2. Wipe the disc with a dry part of your cloth to remove excess moisture. Allow the disc to air dry for at least two minutes.
3. Insert the disc into the Wii console with the label facing up if the Wii is placed horizontally and to the right if the console is standing up vertically.
4. Consult the list of games with known disc issues at Nintendo's customer service website. Some games with known problems include "Super Smash Bros. Brawl" and "Metroid Prime Trilogy."

Cleaning the Lens

1. Place two or three drops of cleaning fluid on the white area of the cleaning pad of the Wii lens cleaner.
2. Place the lens cleaner in the Wii console with the cleaning pad facing down on a horizontally positioned console and left on a vertically placed console.
3. Wait five seconds, then move the handle of the lens cleaner back and forth approximately 3/4 inch 10 to 20 times.
4. Press the "Eject" button to remove the lens cleaner from the console.
5. Insert a clean game disc. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 with the Wii lens cleaner if disc errors still occur.

Wii 128M Memory Card	LAN Wired Network Adapter for Wii Console (USB)	Nunchuck & Remote Controller for Wii

How to Connect a Wii to a PC Wirelessly

When transferring files between your Wii and your computer, connecting to your Wii wirelessly enables you to transfer large files over an FTP network. This method helps you avoid copying files to the Wii by loading them on an SD card or a USB drive or by burning them to a DVD. You can connect wirelessly to your Wii from your computer using the Ftpii software. You must install the Homebrew Channel before using Ftpii.


Instructions

1. Navigate to the WiiBrew website and click on "Download" to save the Ftpii software to your computer (see Resources). Then, download an FTP program such as FlashFXP or CuteFTP from the Internet.

2. Extract the Ftpii folder download to your computer and install the FTP program you downloaded for your computer by double-clicking the FTP setup file. Click "Next" when prompted and choose a directory to install the program to.

3. Insert your SD card into your computer. Click on "Start," "My Computer" and your SD card. Right-click on the SD card and select "Format." Choose "FAT32" and "Quick Format." Click "Start" to format the SD card. The SD card can now be read by the Nintendo Wii.

4. Create a new folder on the SD card and name it "Apps." Copy the "Ftpii" application folder to your SD card. Eject the SD card and insert it into your Wii. Turn on your Wii and go to the Homebrew Channel.

5. Press the "Home" button on your Wiimote, and the Homebrew Channel will display your Wii IP address in the top-left corner of the screen. Make note of the IP address.

6. Browse for the Ftpii program and press "A" to launch the software.

7. Open the FTP software and click "Quick Connect." Enter any user name and password and your Wii IP address. Click "Connect" to connect to your Wii. With the FTP program connected on your computer, you can access your computer wirelessly from your Wii.

Tips & Warnings

* Installation and use of the Homebrew Channel and Ftpii void your Nintendo warranty.

Wii 128M Memory Card	LAN Wired Network Adapter for Wii Console (USB)	Nunchuck & Remote Controller for Wii

How to Connnect a Wii to the Internet

Connecting a Wii gaming system to the Internet will provide essential updates to the Wii and provide users with a better overall experience by enabling the system to download games, news, weather info and more. Users can also play games online against each other or as a team against a common foe.

The most common way to connect a Wii to the Internet is through an existing wireless network within the home. If a wireless network does not exist, you can connect the Wii through an existing hardwired local area network (LAN) with the purchase of an additional piece of equipment, the Wii LAN adapter, available from Nintendo's website.


Instructions

   1. Connect to a Wireless Network

      1.  Turn on the Wii console and go to the Wii System Settings Menu. Select "Internet "and then "Connection Settings" on these menus. A screen with three connection ports will open.

      2. Choose an open connection; it will be indicated by the word "none" in its status. On the next screen choose "Wireless Connection."

      3. Click "Search for Access Points" on the next screen. The Wii will search for any wireless access points. Select the correct access point from the list and enter the proper security information, if needed.

      4. Save the information on the next screen. The Wii with then prompt you test the connection. Click "OK" to test the connection.
    
   2.  Connect to a LAN/Wired Network

      1.  Ensure that the Wii console is turned off.

      2.  Connect the wired router to the Wii LAN adapter, and then the Wii LAN adapter to the Wii console. The Wii cannot be connected directly to a cable or other broadband Internet line; the Wii LAN adapter must be purchased separately.

      3.  Power on the Wii console and navigate to the Wii System Settings Menu. Select "Internet" then "Connection Settings."

      4.  Choose an open connection port that is indicated by the word "none" in its status. In the following window, choose "Wired Connection."

      5.  The next window will show "Initializing Connection Test." Click "OK" to test the connection.

   Setting Up a Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector

      1. Purchase and install the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector and software on the computer that the wireless connector will be plugged into.

      2. Turn on the Wii Console and navigate to the Wii System Settings Menu. Select "Internet" and then "Connection Settings."

         Choose an open connection port that is indicated by the word "none" in its status. Confirm that the Wi-Fi Connector on the PC is ready, then select "Wireless Connection."

      3. Select Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector. A window will pop up: "Install the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector software on your PC." Ensure the software is installed and the USB connector is ready and select "Next."

          Another window will appear: "Use the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector registration tool on your PC to grant this Wii permission to connect."

      4.  Find the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB icon on the computer's Windows task bar. Double click this icon to launch the tool. It should show all the Wii consoles within the connector's range by nickname. Select the appropriate console and click "Grant permission to connect" from the menu.

      5.  The Wii console should now state that the "Wi-Fi USB Connector setup is complete." Click "Next" and then click "OK" to begin the connection test. When the test is complete, the Wii console is wirelessly connected to the Internet through the USB connector on the PC.


Tips & Warnings

    * If any of the connection tests fail, refer to the troubleshooting guide in the Wii Operations Manual, also available at nintendo.com.

    * The Wii console cannot be connected directly to a broadband or other Internet cable. A separate Wii LAN adapter must be purchased to facilitate connecting the Wii console with Ethernet or other broadband Internet hard-wiring.

Wii Remote controller	LAN Wired Network Adapter for Wii Console (USB)	Nunchuck & Remote Controller for Wii