How-To: Install Homebrew Channel & Backup Launcher on Wii Firmware v3.4
by Omni on Mar.17, 2009, under How-To Guides
The homebrew scene with Wii has grown tremendously over the years, and with every firmware update Nintendo releases, homebrew developers fight back with their own updates. A homebrewed Wii has the ability to run custom applications, and these applications range from DVD players, to internet browsers, to (the most important) game backup launchers. A backup launcher allows you to play burned Wii games, which means that you can basically torrent any game’s ISO (image file) using BitTorrent, burn it to a DVD, and play it on your Wii.
However, if you haven’t homebrewed your Wii yet and want to, but made the mistake of upgrading to Wii System Menu 3.4, you may think that you’re out of luck. Almost every guide that you may find requires you to downgrade your firmware by using some additional hacks, but those are all very dangerous as they can “brick” (render useless) your Wii. Thankfully, after hours of scrounging the internet, I found this guide that works while keeping the v3.4 firmware. I successfully was able to homebrew my Wii on the first try and it works perfectly.
Note that there is always the risk of partially or completely breaking your Wii while doing anything related to homebrew, so proceed with caution only if you are certain you wish to take the risk. Hacksar is not responsible for any damage that your Wii may sustain, even though the risk is extremely low. Keep reading for the guide.
–For Wii System Menu 3.4–
- Install the Home Brew Channel (HBC) via Twilight Hack v0.1 beta2. Links: Guide and Official Download
- Download Wad Manager 1.3 and place it on your SD card in the /apps/ directory ( I placed mine in /apps/WadManager13/ in the root of the SD card)
- Download 3in1SoftMod_REV3. This pack contains several .wad files that will be used in the next few steps
- Download IOS16 !!WAD!! file IOS16-64-v257-prod.wad and put IOS16-64-v257-prod.wad in the SD card’s wad folder (/wad/ in root of the SD card)
- Launch HBC and install the IOS16 Wad with Wad Manager 1.3
- In the /apps/ directory of the SD card, create a new directory called WadManagerIOS16
- In the 3in1SoftMod_REV3 pack there is a Wii_SD_Card directory. Copy the boot.MOD file (**NOT BOOT.DOL***) to the /apps/WadManagerIOS16 directory on your SD Card. Rename it to boot.dol. NOTE: For those of you having difficulties getting this to work, here is the boot.dol file already renamed from boot.mod. Sometimes, Windows has trouble renaming file extensions.
- Copy 07-cIOS249-v7_waninkokoFULL-nw7.wad from the 3in1SoftMod_REV3/Wii_SD_Card/ directory to your WAD directory on the SD Card ( /wad/ in the root SD card folder)
- Launch HBC and install 07-cIOS249-v7_waninkokoFULL-nw7.wad using WadManagerIOS16 (if you try to install it via Wad Manager 1.3 it will return an error)
- Download Backup Launcher 0.3gamma and place it in the /apps/ directory on the SD Card. Run Backup Launcher from the HBC and you should be good to go! This worked with no issues on my 3.4 Wii. HBC, cIOS249 and Backup Launcher 0.3g were never installed on this system prior to upgrading to 3.4
- I tested a backup launched directly from the backup launcher (didn’t reboot with hooks) and there were no issues.
—————————————————————————————————
Note: Here is what your SD should look like after downloading the new files.
I am assuming you have already installed HBC via twilight hack 0.1beta2
- F:\ will be used as the SD card
- F:\apps\Backup_Launcher\boot.dol
- F:\apps\Backup_Launcher\icon.png
- F:\apps\Backup_Launcher\meta.xml
- F:\apps\WadManager13\boot.dol
- F:\apps\WadManagerIOS16\boot.dol
- F:\private <– twilight hack
- F:\wad\07-cIOS249-v7_waninkokoFULL-nw7.wad
- F:\wad\IOS16-64-v257-prod.wad
Source: TehSkeen Forums Poster: bandguy (with some edits/fixes by me)
Assuming all of this went smoothly, you can now play downloaded/burned games. Just make sure you get the right region when you download the torrent (NTSC for USA and PAL for others) and that you use DVD-R when burning. (Others such as DVD-RW, DVD+R, and DVD+RW don’t always work.) Also, when burning games, burn them at the slowest speed (1x-2x). It may take longer, but it will prevent some write errors. You can also delete all the files on your SD card except for the Backup Launcher folder, as they are no longer necessary.
To actually play a burned game, simply go to the Homebrew Channel, load Backup Launcher, put in your game, and press A to Load Game. Rebooting with hooks for some reason does not work, but that is not necessary. You can still play original games using the regular Disk Channel.
If you still can’t get Backup Launcher to work, make sure that you have disconnected all GameCube controllers as well as removed any GameCube memory cards. For some reason, they stop it from working.
Disclaimer: Pirating of games is illegal and is not condoned by Hacksar. Playing burned copies of games is illegal unless you own the actual game.
Did you like what you read? Be sure to get the latest posts emailed straight to you or subscribe to our RSS feed for the latest posts.
September 25th, 2009 on 5:32 am
I am trying to boot Bleach Versus Crusade (a Japanese game) but I get a black screen with indistinguishable symbols and the only word recognizable is Wii. Also, Wiimote does not respond and I have to restart the Wii.
Please please help! American Punch Out works though.
November 24th, 2009 on 11:50 am
Just wanted to say this is the best tutorial online!!! I had no problems hacking my wii. Thanks for all who are involved!!!!!!!
November 24th, 2009 on 12:55 pm
Asura:
Japanese games may not work if you have a US Wii (the whole NTSC vs PAL thing that was mentioned in the article).
January 14th, 2010 on 4:17 pm
Can I get it if I have 4.1
February 22nd, 2010 on 8:43 pm
Is there any problem doing this with a Wii version LU39… also with firmware 3.4?
November 2nd, 2010 on 9:15 pm
Thanks for the guide! All worked well BUT the Backup Launcher doesn’t show up in the Homebrew Channel. It is in the Apps folder as told to do, but all I can see in the HBC is: Homebrew Browser, WAD Manager, WadManagerIOS16. The Backup Launcher isn’t there! Can you please help me out? Thanks again for everything else though! Ben
November 2nd, 2010 on 9:53 pm
Ben,
Keep in mind that there may be multiple screens – did you try scrolling with the + – buttons?
December 13th, 2010 on 1:21 pm
i am addicted to computer games that is why i bought a gamecube for me and my brother ;*`
January 10th, 2011 on 8:17 pm
i cant run game in backup launcher 0.3 gamma
January 25th, 2011 on 12:16 pm
*’: I am really thankful to this topic because it really gives useful information ;’,
May 5th, 2011 on 12:40 pm
Have you ever noticed how history tends to repeat itself? This may come as a shock to some people but people change, just like the weather changes. Sure, you can make money with affiliate programs but wouldn’t you rather cut out the middle man? I started with dropshipping long ago and alas, that is now where I have returned. There aren’t any gimmicks and it is pretty straight forward. You just buy products and then resell them. Of course, there is much more to it than that but that’s it in a nutshell. I had to go through about a dozen suppliers before I found a keeper. Save yourself the trouble and just use this supplier if you ever ghet the urge to make some money online. Check it out for yourself. -> http://cash411.info/go/233
September 13th, 2011 on 9:09 pm
I am truly fascinated with your writing skills and also with the design and style on your blog site. Is this a paid out design or do you personalize it your self? In any case keep up the excellent high quality writing, it’s rare to determine a fantastic blog like this one today..
September 21st, 2011 on 9:23 pm
grando rales de dernomo y cadoglo con abras eireiraco. rescr a erento y panarg amegimo con ssesta sendenidu!
September 23rd, 2011 on 9:30 am
Your web page is incredibly interesting,I would really like to touch base with you,may my spouse and i despatched e-mail to you personally?
October 11th, 2011 on 10:38 am
New York Travel Tips… [...]while the websites we link to below are completely unrelated to ours, we think they are worth a read, so have a look[...]…
October 13th, 2011 on 8:25 pm
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive learn something like this before. So good to find somebody with some authentic ideas on this subject. realy thanks for beginning this up. this web site is one thing that’s needed on the net, somebody with a little bit originality. useful job for bringing something new to the internet!
October 16th, 2011 on 3:54 pm
You completed a few nice points there. I did a search on the subject and found mainly people will go along with with your blog.
October 21st, 2011 on 5:56 pm
My husband and i felt really fortunate that Michael managed to do his preliminary research through the entire ideas he grabbed from your very own web pages. It is now and again perplexing to just always be giving for free strategies others might have been trying to sell. So we realize we have got the blog owner to thank because of that. The entire explanations you’ve made, the simple website menu, the friendships you will give support to promote – it’s got all terrific, and it is helping our son and the family do think the subject matter is fun, which is exceptionally mandatory. Thank you for all the pieces!
October 23rd, 2011 on 4:34 am
Palmetto trees and fleur de lis. Society South meets “Meet Me in St. Louis”. Washington, DC is the “State of Our Union”, where a Show Me state girl met a true Southern gentleman from Charleston, SC. Almost two years to the date of our first meeting, my fiance proposed to me in Lafayette Square, near the White House, with his great-grandmother’s 107 year old diamond engagement ring. This August, we will be united in marriage at St. Matthew’s Cathedral, four blocks from the White House (not only the site of our engagement, but our first date at the White House Christmas Trees too) and in the same neighborhood where we first exchanged business cards (in true DC fashion) at Porter’s.
November 1st, 2011 on 6:49 am
omg, i cant find out when they are in hartford, or if they have laready been
November 9th, 2011 on 7:59 am
Bluehost Coupon Promo Code
November 17th, 2011 on 10:07 pm
As I web site possessor I believe the content material here is rattling great , appreciate it for your hard work. You should keep it up forever! Best of luck.
November 25th, 2011 on 6:26 pm
It is relatively advantageous, thank you for revealing. I’ll be self-confident other people will watch items this similar style
December 4th, 2011 on 11:31 pm
Interesting site. Can I give you an opinion? I think u’ve got something good in this post. But what if you added a couple hyperlinks to a page that relates to what you’re point of view?
January 20th, 2012 on 9:44 am
Have you ever considered creating an ebook or guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog based upon on the same information you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my visitors would value your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send me an email.
January 31st, 2012 on 6:15 am
I have to have capability together with thanking your corporation for any of the specialized guide We’ve got frequently cherished looking over site. We’re pumped up about the specific graduation relating to this is my or perhaps scientific studies and therefore vast foot work would not was end without having to attending to the site your web site. Essentially may be associated with assist in some, We are fortunate for helping with what We have all discovered how came from here.
February 4th, 2012 on 9:34 am
Interesting site. Can I give you a suggestion? I think you’ve got something good in this post. But what if you added a couple hyperlinks to a page that relates to what you’re point of view?