There are reports around the net of a new backup loader for the Wii. It is open source and must be compiled with devkit pro. After Waninkoko ceased working on his loader, Wiigator, from tehskeen.com, picked up and tried to make one of his own. It is currently at version 0.1.
Download: *not available on our servers
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neo2046 from NeoGAF is claiming that a newspaper in Japan is reporting about some new DS rumors.
Nintendo DS Next model
- (digital) Camera included
- music playback function
- Wireless connection function power up
- larger screen
- to be released this year in Japan
- under 20000 yen
- new types of games by using the camera
- get/exchange data from Wii and SD card (SD card slot included?)
Japan Newspaper
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Team Twizzers has unveiled the official site for their SaveMii device, which can be used to bypass much of the System Menu in order to unbrick a Wii.
From SaveMii.net:
When powered on, your Wii displays nothing but an error message, or nothing at all? We may have just the solution for your problem. There’s a good chance a nifty little piece of hardware can allow you to fix your system. We call it SaveMii.
Most “bricks” are the result of poor error checking or bugs in the Wii’s System Menu. For example, if you have installed a system update off a wrong region’s disk, the System Menu will only display an “Opera” error message and halt without running disks anymore. SaveMii will let you break out of this condition.
SaveMii allows to skip most of the System Menu startup process, especially the part that fails and halts the boot process. Instead, it causes the Wii to directly run software off a disk. Depending on the Wii’s system version, and whether your Wii has a modchip installed, this allows you to either run a system update off a legit Wii disk, or a custom-made disk containing updates or homebrew tools.
Who should buy this?
SaveMii is not designed for novices to use. Although it is not difficult to operate, it must be used in conjunction with the appropriate tools to do any good. Anyone who has a Wii which displays an “Opera error” on boot can use one of these, as can console repair shops. Hackers can tinker with it. Developers of channel banners and those who wish to experiment with “theming” the System Menu by editing its resources will find this to be an indispensable tool.
Is this a modchip? Can I use this to play burned DVDs? Can I run homebrew with it?
No. SaveMii does not bypass any restrictions. It activates a special testing mode that was built into the System Menu by Nintendo. It is only useful in the situation where your Wii refuses to read any disc.
Do I need a modchip in order to use SaveMii?
Not necessarily. You will need a modchip so that the Wii will accept a custom-made “autoboot” disc with your recovery tools on it. However, even without a modchip, the Wii will try to install any valid update that is present on any legit Wii disc you attempt to boot with SaveMii. In some cases, this will be enough to let you install a newer System Menu and recover your console.
You can purchase a SaveMii for $30 to the USA / Worldwide, or €25 to Europe.
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Xboxbman has added 3 new reviews for Wii Modchips. The D2Sun, WiiWasp, and W4Pro. Here they are in no particular order.
Thank you to xboxbman, and all of the chip manufacturers that were kind enough to send us samples.
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Zentendo is reporting, a new Wii odor peripheral may be in the works. Games are rumored to have different smells such as Mario Kart, smelling like burning rubber, and Tiger Woods Golf smelling like fresh cut grass.
AreusTech recently revealed a Wii peripheral entitled “Smells Like Wii Spirit”, a device that produces different odors based on what Wii game you are playing.
wii_spirit_box
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Tehskeen is reporting that new Wii’s will be shipping out with epoxy covering the drivechip pins to prevent people from modifying the Wii. It is unclear wether or not the alternate install points on the bottom of the board are also covered but from the initial post reading it does not seem to be.
This will however effect any user that wants to use a Wii-Clip in any new system.
It seems that Nintendo is following Microsoft’s lead and is now covering all new Nintendo Wii DVD-ROM IC chips with some rock solid epoxy on them. This epoxy will prevent most end users from installing a modifcation chip and will leave installations up to the professional installers. Good business for them, bad news for the average joe.
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Waninkoko’s Wii (Backup) ISO-Loader has been leaked.
This is still the beta version that has been leaked and from reports many people are having a hard time getting the program to patch their ISO’s.
Also there are many complaints about the Load Times for people that have been successful getting it to work.
You can read more at GBATemp.net where the file was leaked.
Waninkoko’s reply from his web site:
2008/09/19 - Congratulations! I don’t care about who leaked Backup-Loader but now it’s OFFICIALLY an abandoned project. Enjoy it.
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Steve at Panocamera has modded his DS to work with his Canon DSLR camera. It seems to be the perfect combination for portability and flexibility.
…
It occurred to me that if I could somehow tether a DSLR to an instant-on device like an Arduino microcontroller I would have less weight to carry around and could get more work done. After mentally spec’ing out what I would need, I realized the solution was right in front of me - because I bring it with me for Mario Kart wireless races on long night jobs - (In the manner of John Lasseter’s slow epiphany voice): “Use-the-Nintendo-D-S.” Duh.
…
DS Lite And Canon DSLR
Read more at Panocamera.
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There have been videos in the wild, showing a new Wii ISO Loader running. Thanks to luda81 for the heads up.
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With the help of naamah31, James, and bigwolf, bushing has managed to analyze the contents of a Korean Wii and obtain its key. It varies slightly from the normal key, which made decrypting signed Korean content impossible up until now.
For more details on how the key was acquired, check out the Korean Wii post on HackMii. As with previous keys, distributing them is considered illegal and will not be tolerated.
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