Wii modchip -general questions

[RCBH928]

Ok , I decided to install a Wii modchip.
I need to ask few questions though
1-Can future nintendo updates "brick" my Wii?
2-Can I install the twilight hack, or is it going to be too much?
3-Can I purchase of the VC shop?

Is there something I should know before I do this? Advice?

[Niode]

Modchips are a little redundant now that Softmii has been released.

Just install the soft mod. It gives you Wii backup loading from the Disc Channel, GC backup loading through Wiigator and you can even install the multi-disc channel to load multi game wii discs.

The softmod takes about 20 minutes. There's probably less chance of a bricked wii doing the softmod than installing a modchip (especially if you don't have much experience installing mod chips).

With the Softmii you just stay downgraded at 3.2 system version. It gives you the option to install the starfall hacks which disable auto updating through disc channel so you shouldn't have anything to worry about. If a game still refuses to boot without updating then rip the game image and just remove the update directory and patch it with PPF if needed.

The softmii automatically installs homebrew channel for you, it's required to actually do the entire downgrade and mios patch so that you can get backup loading working on the disc channel.

The Softmii install comes with full instructions and they're pretty fool proof. If you follow all the instructions word by word you won't hit any snags. I've done it on 3 wiis now. Two were 3.4 and one was 3.3. It worked perfectly on all three.

[Dakinggamer87]

I agree with Niode using SoftMii is much easier and worked great for a friend of mine as well who didn't install modchips that often..

[executioner]

After watching a video of drivekey chip installation I have to say that its a tempting option, price is a little high still but after they go down a bit I wouldn't care for softmodding. Drivekey install is just like saturn model 2 modchip install even easier. For now go with the softmod its you're cheapest and more functional option.

[RCBH928]

Actually i have no idea how to mod, I was going to pay someone-someplace like $100 for the chip and installation.

I really do not know what is better, but if you say softmii is the way to go then I hope it does not brick on me, cause I got 3.4 .
It is tempting to do the softmode because I also want to play VC games, and some are not wortht he price really. Some are non existing.

So you think I should save money and go softmii instead of a chip?

[Niode]

I would (already have) but that's just me. If the softmod can get me the same results as a modchip but for free then I'm all for the free alternative.

I can't guarantee that you won't brick it but if you read the instructions, read them again, then have a break, read the instructions again, have a cup of coffee, read the instructions again and follow them word for word you shouldn't run into any problems.

If you do somehow brick your Wii, then I've read that people have managed to unbrick by installing a modchip and flashing the firmware back to original and then starting again. I've heard that some people have managed to score warranty replacements on a bricked Wii due to softmod problems. If you install a modchip your warranty goes out of the window as soon as you open the case. So I guess there's less of a 'risk' with softmod instead of modchip but it's all relative I guess.

Just to re-iterate. I've installed softmii on 3 Wiis so far. Two 3.4 and one 3.3 and I didn't hit any problems at all.

[RCBH928]

thanx man for the help
but i do understand that I have to downgrade if I am on 3.4 right?

btw, do I HAVE to have zelda to do the softmii ,
is it the same as the twilight hack or is it different

[Niode]

You will have to downgrade from 3.4 if you want to run backups.

Yes, Softmii uses the team twiizers hack (AKA Twilight princess hack). So yes you need a compatible version of Twilight Princess.

Check on wiibrew.org for compatibility lists. It's quite short though and I think there was only multiple versions released in NTSC regions. The EU/PAL version works regardless.

Just to clarify, you need an SD card too. (not an SDHC card as the Wii doesn't support them) It needs to formatted to FAT filesystem (NOT FAT32). Use the SD Formatter tool instead of Windows format.

[Gwb]

Just make sure to get SoftMii from a reputable source if you to go that route. I can not get any info on the SoftMii softmod at the moment because I am on a work computer but I would try to go with the softmod if it offers the same features as the modchip does. There is a chance your Wii could be bricked as with any system regarding softmodding. PSP were notorious for being bricked when the whole modding scene exploded.

Mod chips for the Wii range from $20.00 and go up from there but they all generally offer the same features. Find a person who knows what they are doing to install the modchip and you are good to go.

If you do decide to go the modchip route I would be happy to install it for you.

[Niode]

AFAIK the Drive key doesn't alloy you to run any sort of homebrew or install downloaded VC titles.

All it does is patch the media code on the fly allowing the Wii to think that it's booting a retail disk instead of a copy.

If you want homebrew (e.g. emulators, ability to backup software, homebrew channel, cheat programs etc) you will have to softmod your system anyway.

It does look the simplest mod by far to install though. It looks quite intriguing and I wouldn't mind having one for my other non-softmodded Wii. Especially now that I can take advantage of system update 4.0 which allows you to run VC titles from the SD slot and also enables support for SDHC cards.