Wii noob here -- Trying to mod -- Advice needed - Wiihacks

Razor1973 · 05-15-2008, 09:38 PM

OK, guys please bare with me, as I knew nothing about the Wii until I bought one from a friend yesterday, played with it for a few hours and then read a little bit online. My original idea was to be able to play games I can download. And that's why I'm here.

I just learned there is no way to do this unless I install a modchip. Fine. Next step is to determine which one I need. I learned this depends on the version of the board I have. Based on [Only Registered Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register], it seems I have a D2C (my serial starts with LU55), which seems to be the more complex one to mod. It also seems the only chip for this board was the D2CKey for a while, until the Argon came out. There are a couple of charts in [Only Registered Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register] that compare the two. They look pretty similar, with a slight edge on the Argon.

I also saw there are solderless versions and I'd definitely go for that. I found [Only Registered Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register] that lists the Argon, the D2CKey and the D2Pro all for 64.25 Euros. I find strange that the newer chip sells for the same price as the older ones.

What do you guys think of all this?

They also sell the Injectus JTAG / Argon Programmer (21.35 Euros) that they recommend if you get the Argus chip in order to be able to upgrade the firmware. How come you don't need one of those for the D2CKey and D2Pro chips? Unless those aren't upgradeable.

And, lastly, do I really need to pay 4.18 Euros for a Phillips screwdriver? Is there anything special about this tool that allows it and only it to open your Wii box?

As you can see, I've done a bit of homework, but I am still confused. Please advise a noob.

TIA!

wastedthelight · 05-15-2008, 10:34 PM

I went with D2Pro solderless. Still awaiting for the shipment though. The D2Pro is pretty much top dog for D2C right now. Actually D2Pro9 is, but since you're going solderless the 9 version doesnt matter (less wires to solder).

You do need the programmer to upgrade the D2Ckey and D2Pro as well which D2 has their own, check a different site as that site doesn't appear to have it. They just released firmware that allows updating from DVD but any new chips purchased in the next few weeks, by my best guess, won't include it since it was just released this week.

Yes, y ou need the screwdriver. It's a odd screw head and i haven't seen one in any stores. It's shaped pretty much like Y.

Razor1973 · 05-15-2008, 11:20 PM

Hey, thanks for your response. I see what you're saying about the screwdriver now. Gotta get it. And I also read about the new beta firmware that will allow you to update the DC2Pro via DVD, but you need the programmer in order to get the update. Unless you wait a while for them to start shipping the chips with this update or the alpha/release version. Which is really what you said.

But, in my research, I also found the Wasabi modchip, which seems to be even "better" than the DC2Pro and Argus and, apparently, is really the only one which currently supports DVD upgrades. Read about it [Only Registered Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register]. It's also the same price as the DC2Pro, cheaper than the Argus and a [Only Registered Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register] is also available. Should this be my chip?

Razor1973 · 05-15-2008, 11:30 PM

ARGH! Then again, [Only Registered Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register] and [Only Registered Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register] other reseller's sites (pretty much the same people) say in the Wasabi product page, "Replaced with D2PRO9 which is a superior product."

I really will wait for the people's feedbacks before I make a decision. "I got modchip X and it's working fine" is good to read, but I'd prefer something along the lines of, "I've tried X, Y and Z extensively and X is my favorite because of A, B and C" or "Here's a link to a comprehensive comparison of these latest D2C chips."

TIA!

wastedthelight · 05-15-2008, 11:42 PM

There's only one guy on the forum that can give you that (that i've seen), modderman. Really, just read the first page of threads in the modchip section because he's said it many times this past week.

He ordered the placement of "best" for D2C type as D2Pro9, Wasabi, D2Pro. But personally I feel the Wasabi hasn't been around long enough so meh, just my thought on it. Really none of them have though. The scene is far to new to get the comparison like you want...actually everyone wants.

ModderMan · 05-15-2008, 11:51 PM

if u hold on to your horses just a little longer....the d2pro9 chip will be shipped with the 1.1 fw (dvd updatability)

I've installed quite a few d2pro9's (latest fw)in the last few days.....works great. on the older and newer wii's (not meaning the newest wii's...with the D2C MCU Version 3...lol) those are simple too...just replace the drive pcb

.....oops side tracked

pretty well everything these guys have put up are pretty solid.... from a ways back..wiikey, xenogc, xenops,..etc

Razor1973 · 05-16-2008, 10:47 AM

wastedthelight, you were right.

ModderMan, thanks for your feedback. I guess you're right in that waiting would be my best choice, which I'm sure you know how hard it is when you have a new toy. Based on the history of these guys' releases, when do you foresee they will start selling a D2Pro9 with the 1.1b firmware? That's a beta, right? I am afraid they might not release one until the beta has been fully tested and an alpha release is made. Most companies won't release new hardware with beta firmware.

By the way, thanks for getting sidetracked. What's D2C MCU Version 3? Anything I should be worried about? I don't know if my board is one of those.

Thanks again.

GMODZ · 05-16-2008, 11:02 AM

hmm if you want my personal opinion....if u want to be cost effective....go with the d2ckey and clip v1.....that chip has never needed an update and probably never will.....yes its nice that the new chips are upgradeable with cool jtag programmers and dvds but d2ckey has been the only chip from day one that just works.....the only downside to d2ckey was a install of 30 wires...if ur going solderless this wont matter....i personally have a d2ckey in mine and never needed update or config discs or any of that other stuff

if you go back to original xbox modding.....there were chips like xecutor and xenium which cost up to $70 and they all had extra features like memory banks and other stuff but the average user never even bothered with that.....in the end the $70 xbox chips did the exact same thing as the aladdin and duox2s which were $15

wastedthelight · 05-16-2008, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMODZ

if you go back to original xbox modding.....there were chips like xecutor and xenium which cost up to $70 and they all had extra features like memory banks and other stuff but the average user never even bothered with that.....in the end the $70 xbox chips did the exact same thing as the aladdin and duox2s which were $15

I <3 my xenium.

So the D2Ckey even worked with SMG and SSBB without updates? Damn. Pretty much all the others needed the update didn't they?

Razor1973 · 05-16-2008, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMODZ

... its nice that the new chips are upgradeable...

There are things I really don't care for, but upgradeability is one I definitely do, because the possibilities are almost endless, meaning there might be future features you will really care for; you just don't know now. DVD video playback is something I'd really want. I don't know if there's any setup that currently allows this, but if your modchip isn't upgradable, you can be certain you won't ever have it. That's just an example. Like I said, the possiblities are virtually endless.