Don't upgrade to Wii Firmware 4.2 or 4.3!
Instead of updating your Wii firmware, you can just use DOP-Mii to update specific channels such as the Nintendo Channel or Wii Shop Channel (which also requires an IOS61 update) without updating the Wii Sytem Menu. This will allow you to shop with the latest Wii Shop Channel without updating the Wii System Menu. The main reason you shouldn't update to Wii System Menu 4.2 or 4.3 is that there is no actual update for anything, just annoying ways attempting to prevent Wii hacking.
However, the USB Loader guide DOES work if you are on 4.2 and want to hack your Wii. We are testing 4.3 soon.
You can read about the problems with 4.2 and 4.3 on our Firmware page and the WiiBrew 4.2 and WiiBrew 4.3 articles.
Don't use IOS60-Patcher for launching games from SD!
Instead use DOP-Mii to re-install IOS60 (if you are on Wii Firmware 4.0 or 4.1) or IOS70 (if you are on Wii Firmware 4.2) or IOS80 (if you are on Wii Firmware 4.3) with the signature hash check (trucha bug). Also, if you are using Preloader and you "dop" IOS60 or IOS70 or IOS80, remember to reinstall Preloader after "doping"; otherwise, you won't be able to load the System Menu. Instead, boot HBC through Preloader to reinstall it.
What is USB Loader?
USB Loader is an application for the Nintendo Wii which allows you to to install and load your backup ISO game files to/from a USB storage device. It also allows you to create such backups straight from the original DVD, or you can put ISO files which you have backed up to your computer onto your USB drive and load them from there. This guide will prepare your Wii to use USB Loader GX, which will launch both the USB drive and burned DVD-R discs.
What if I just want homebrew?
If you don't want to launch backup games and just want to enjoy the world of homebrew, homemade games and applications for the Wii, then you only need to follow steps 2 through 4; it couldn't be simpler.
USB Loader Guide (These 8 steps take about 20 minutes)
Welcome:
This guide is targeted at people wit no hacks/mods on their Wii, so essentially a store-bought system. However, this guide can still help people that have the HomeBrew Channel already installed (simply do step 1 and then skip to step 5).
Disclaimer:
WiiHacks and its editors are not responsible for any harm done to your system by using our guides. This guide is meant to be simple and clean, and works on all Wii systems to get them modified. However, after you have modified an LU64 or newer Wii system, DO NOT use downgrade applications or anything that alters IOS files (besides what is in this guide), cIOS installers, and new IOS files from games released in 2009 and beyond. (This may cause a brick [dead Wii].)
Korean Wii Systems:
You will need to alter this guide. Do step 1 and 2 (load the Wii Hacks Package and Bannerbomb onto your SD card), but alter step 2 to launch DOP-Mii (instead of the HackMii installer) by placing its boot.dol on the root of your card. Then follow steps 5 and 6, then use DOP-Mii to install the latest version of IOS34 and IOS61 (but say NO to the Sig Hash Check and ES_Identify patches). A proper guide for this will be set up at a future date if there is demand (there is also help on the CSG).
Summary:
In this guide you will
The terms IOS and cIOS are going to come up a lot in this guide. If you're curious about what they mean, go check out the IOS Information page.
Instructions:
This guide is meant to be simple for you and clean for your Wii. It will attempt to explain each step clearly and provides notes before certain steps so that you can understand what you are doing, why, and how to address any problems.
STEP 1. UnZip and load the contents of the WeHackWii Package to your SD Card. Optionally, you should read the included README.txt for some useful information.
Note: Skip steps 2 through 4 if you already have the HomeBrew Channel and BootMii (but make sure to do step 4-1 if you don't have a NAND backup, otherwise you will have a horrible time trying to recover from a brick).
STEP 2. Follow the BannerBomb instructions to load BannerBomb and the HackMii installer onto your SD card properly, and launch HackMii installer.
STEP 3. You are now in the HackMii installer. Install everything (only the HomeBrew Channel is required, BootMii as boot2 is strongly recommended [although if you can only install as IOS do it anyway], and DVDx is at your discretion).
Note: DVDx is an older method for playing DVD movies on your Wii. It is no longer the recommended method, and so we don't feel you should install DVDx. Instead, the best way to play media content on your Wii (including DVD movies) is via WiiMC.
STEP 4. When done, exit to the System Menu.
| 4a. | If you installed BootMii as boot2, it is suggested to do a NAND Backup before continuing. Read the BootMii Guide for more information. |
Note: Step 5 is meant to restore the Trucha Bug to IOS36. The purpose of this is to allow step 7 to use IOS36 to install a cIOS (custom IOS). The cIOS is what will allow backup launchers such as USB Loader GX to access the USB port and the DVD drive.
If you don't wish to launch backup games, you are done and can move on to optionally upgrade/downgrade your Firmware and/or head over to WiiBrew Wiki to get some fresh, homemade homebrew applications.
STEP 5. Run DOP-Mii from the HomeBrew Channel.
Open the DOP-Mii Instructions, follow the "Restoring the Trucha Bug" section
Go to the HomeBrew Channel Upside-Down and Backwards section if that happens.
Note: Step 6 is only necessary for those on Wii Firmware 4.2, although it also ensures a clean Wii system for all others. The reason step 6 is important for 4.2 is that along with the System Menu, stub IOS files were installed to slots 222, 223, 249, and 250 in order to prevent cIOS files from being installed. These must be deleted in order for step 7 to succeed on a 4.2 or higher Wii system.
STEP 6. Run DOP-Mii from the HomeBrew Channel.
Open the DOP-Mii Instructions, follow the "Stub IOS Removal" section
OR
Use the included AnyTitle Deleter DB to delete (if they exist on your Wii) IOS202, IOS222, IOS223, IOS249, IOS250, IOS254
Note: Step 7 installs a cIOS, and is the whole reason for the previous steps. This cIOS gives HomeBrew access to the USB drive and the DVD drive, among other things. This allows the included USB Loader GX to create/run backup games on/from your USB drive.
If you are unable to get step 7 to work for you, then delete the 00000001 folder from your SD card and try again. If you're still having trouble, check the cIOS222 page for additional help.
STEP 7. Remove all GameCube memory cards and controllers for this step! Open the HomeBrew Channel and run the cIOS222 v4 Installer.
| 7a. | Select IOS <36> for install |
| 7b. | Install Custom IOS 222 |
| 7c. |
Use IOS38 merged with IOS37 |
Note: If you get ret= -1035 as an error message, it means you didn't properly delete the stub IOS files as mentioned in Step 6.
STEP 8. Remove all GameCube memory cards and controllers for this step! Open the HomeBrew Channel and run the cIOS249 rev17 Installer.
| 8a. | Select < IOS36 > for install |
| 8b. | Select < WAD installation > |
Note: If you don't have the latest WeHackWii Package which includes the IOS38 WAD file, then WAD installation won't work for step 8b and you'll need to use < Network installation >.
You now have a fully hacked Wii with the following:
HomeBrew Channel, BootMii, cIOS 222, cIOS 249, and USB Loader GX
Now What?
To get started running backup retail games, visit the USB Loader GX page.
If you are interested in an iTunes cover flow style USB Loader, check out WiiFlow.
For WiiWare, please see the information at the top of the WiiWare page.
To upgrade or downgrade your Wii Firmware and learn why, visit the Firmware page.
If you want to get more HomeBrew applications, head on over to WiiBrew Wiki.
Can I get some additional help please?
Deviyl's Wii Homebrew Tutorial
xzxero's Wii Homebrew Tutorial
Are there any more good links?
WBFS (The Filesystem for your USB Drive) Managers
Mirrored IOS and Channel WADs from NUS (Nintendo Upgrade Server)
I need some box art and/or disc art for my loader.