How to Softmod a Nintendo Wii Free

Ok, this is a tutorial on how to softmod your nintendo Wii. Basically its easy and doesn't involve opening up your console, which can be daunting for most people. This currently works on Wii consoles 4.1 firmware and previous.

Hacking your Wii will unlock the consoles true potential, something Nintendo obviously doesn't want. You'll be about to play DVDs for starters. Why not have that option available if its capable? We'll never know. You'll also be able to run emulaters and even play copied Wii games. Essentially it's like chipping your Wii without having to pay some dodge guy a few bob and without taking the thing apart.

Anyway, before we start you'll need an SD card formated to FAT16 or FAT32 (Most likly this will already be done when you bought the card) and a SD card reader for you PC or laptop, I however don't have a SD card reader, so I just hooked up my digital camera to the pc and put my card on that...

Take note...

Right load your empty SD card up on your machine, make sure its empty it avoids mistakes and complications
Download Bannerbomb.rar and unrar it (You will need Winrar to do this) to the SD card. You should now have two folders called Private and Apps and a file called boot.elf

Now insert the SD card into your Wii console
Turn on your Wii and click Wii Options. This is the Wii Symbol in the bottom left corner

Then Select Data Management

Then Select Channels
From here choose SD Card

A dialog box should loads up saying 'Load boot.dol/elf' Click Yes

A screen will load, just wait then press 1 on your Wii remote when prompted

Now select Continue

Now select Install the Homebrew Channel
Now choose Yes, continue
Wait a few moments and you'll get a pleasing message

Thats the arkward part done and dusted, your console is now soft moded. The Homebrew Channel will now be availble and your console is open for other possibilities like Running games from a hard drive.

So yeh this should work. If it didn't, go through the instructions again and do EXACTLY as I have said. I've personally gone through the hacking process while typing this up. Oh and the folder called 'Apps' at the root of your sd card is for placing mods and apps for use on the homebrew channel. You can find apps by googling 'homebrew apps'. Also feel free to leave comments and ask for help, all are welcome. Please take note that if you ask for help I'd appreciate it if you clicked the adverts at the bottom as it generates monies. Clicks help to keep the site up and get you replies to your comments ;) So we are both happy.



This is what i'm looking for these years, thanks man...
ossy, Cayman Islands, Created: 02/04/2010 04:47:01


Hey John. Thxs, I've tried to make the guide as simple and understandable as possible. Using this guide will not automatically allow you to play copied Wii games straight off. I will eventually write a tutorial for this in the future though.
Reabo, UK, Created: 05/02/2010 16:08:59


Looks like a very straightforward guide. Great Job. I'm going out tomorrow to buy my Wii console at Walmart. Once softmodded, will the wii automatically recognize copied game? Thanks in advance.
John, Created: 05/02/2010 02:56:10


Hi again Martyn. Good to know your spreading the word :) The SD card has files on there that can't be read on the Wii. Thats why they appear as ??? I'd suggest formatting the SD card and putting my files I've provided. This lessens the chances of interruptions. Did you manage to get it working on your Wii?
Reabo, UK, Created: 22/01/2010 22:31:30


hi my friend tried this and wen he went to the channels on his sd card it was just a question mark any ideas wot he can do to resolve problem
Martyn, Hull, Created: 22/01/2010 22:20:35


Yes dude. All you have to do if a factory rest or update to the latest firmware. Latest firmware is easier though. You keep your saves and everything else. You shouldn't need to remove it though. It doesn't interfere with anything. You can still play games online and so forth. Hope this is helpful
Reabo, UK, Created: 12/01/2010 14:14:06


ok thank you.if i decided to do this is it just as easy to remove it??thanks
Martyn, Hull, Created: 11/01/2010 20:40:46


Martyn, you can download banner bomb by click on the text above in part 2. It goes bold when hovered over. As for find out what firmnware version you have for your wii, all you do is go to the Wii then Wii settings and its in the top right corner. It says something like. ver.1.3e
Reabo, UK, Created: 10/01/2010 21:07:21


hi please can u tell me how i find out wot firmware i have on the wii and also were can you download the bannerbomb from?? thanks
Martyn, Hull, Created: 09/01/2010 22:19:02


Thanks! Homebrew install worked perfectly, now just wondering how to play burnt games...
Fozzie, Halifax, NS, Canada, Created: 27/12/2009 21:15:54


Hello Billy. Have you done everything in the tutorial word for word? You have to go onto the SD card through the channels menus. It will just load. You should have any problems. Which firmware have you got on your Wii? This Wii softmodding guide works on 3.0 - 4.2. Good luck.
Reabo, UK, Created: 13/12/2009 13:10:49


hi. iv downloaded bannerbomb to my sd card, put it in the wii but it dont show bannerbomb or boot?
billy, uk, Created: 13/12/2009 12:44:16


Frankie, this will work with the New Special Edition Black Wiis. The only difference between the new Black Wii's and the White ones are the colour really.
Reabo, UK, Created: 09/12/2009 07:26:49


does this work with the new black wiis?
frankie, UK, Created: 05/12/2009 15:34:17


Hey, Alex. Yes this modding guide will work on the LEH272 and the newer D3-2 chips. But as I understand DVDx will not install. The D3-2 laser doesn't read DVDR's at all and the firmware update was created an empty ios249. This is where DVDx would normal be installed. However the main success is the installation of the homebrew channel.
Reabo, UK, Created: 01/11/2009 10:52:14


Hi! Does this work on newer european consoles with the new type of processor, LEH272...? I also have 4.2E software. Thanks!
Alex, BBU, Created: 31/10/2009 19:22:57


Great tutorial! I admire and respect people who take time to make it easier for others.. Thanks a bunch! :)!!!!!!
Purnomo, Indonesian, Created: 29/09/2009 05:09:21

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How to Softmod a Nintendo Wii Free

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