Wii Hack Update 1

Again, remember as this is the birth of Wii homebrew, few details are public at this time, but updates will probably be coming soon.

For the First Time, Unsigned Code Runs in Wii Mode

"The guys over at 24C3 just demoed a Wii hack that is set to provide native wii homebrew in the near future (not running in GC mode, and with full access to all the Wii hardware!)

They were able to find encryption and decryption keys by doing full memory dumps at runtime over a custom serial interface. Using these keys, they were able to create a Wii ‘game’ that ran their own code (their demo happened to show live sensor/Wiimote information, amongst a few other things)."

The following video taken shows the Wii running some very basic stuff as they had compiled the code just hours before the Wii was showcased. Since this is still very new, there are not a whole lot of details. All the information the public knows as of now is in this video. I think we can all agree that this is a great day for the Wii scene.

If the video doesn't work, you can try the following links.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=H5YB1Mmx7E4 (Another YouTube version)

http://www.sendspace.com/file/gbqsre (Avi direct download)

http://s65.photobucket.com/…H5YB1Mmx7E4.flv (Photobucket video)

YAOSM 2.0 rc3 Released

"This version has been optimized even more so that by removing Gamecube import support (use GCOS to boot them instead) I have managed to include support for the configuration disc on the smaller chips.

It also includes a change to the config disc handling to make sure the new config disc can be used safely on yaosm 1.9 chips without overwriting the drivecode with the audiofix configuration byte.

I hope this will be the last release candidate for yaosm 2.0 and if you are using rc2 today and don't plan to use the config disc then there is no need to upgrade.

The chips with only 1024 words of program area has been crippled to make the code fit.

This is what has been removed on each chip type:

12F629/675 - Gamecube region patching, Chip disable feature
12F635 - Gamecube region patching, Chip disable feature, Dual layer support
16F627/627A - Gamecube region patching, Chip disable feature, Dual layer support
16F630/676 - Gamecube region patching, Chip disable feature"

You can download the new code over at Wiinewz .

Team Infectus Releases ARGON Prototype Image

Here's the prototype image for the new D2C modchip ARGON. To refresh your memory this is the D2C modchip that boasts a 13 wire install compared to the D2Ckey 31 wire install.

Infectus will be producing 4000 chips initially and is currently taking preorders.

You can find more information about ARGON at the Infectus official site .

THE CONTEST IS NOW OPEN

Thats right, to help us bring back WiiBrew we are hosting a contest. But not just any contest, A MEGA contest.

So what is a MEGA contest? Ok the rules are pretty simple.

The contest is going to be a post based system.

Points will be gained by a lot of diffrent ways. From: Post, referrals, game reviews, ECT.

Now you MUST enter this contest to be in the running for the prizes. Yes, there are prizes. The contest sign up will be in the same thread with the rules in the forum section of the site. So every one check it out.

Now since i know this is all that matters, to the prizes. Full prize list is in the forums section also now. Here are some of the prizes: domains, SIGs and custom avatars up for grabs.

So check it out.

Graphixbrew's Official Signature Contest – Details

Did you ever make a signature that was breath-taking? Or have you ever wanted to make one?
Well now you can enter that sig and get it judged, At
Graphixbrew's First Official Signature Contest. See below for details

Prizes
1st Place gets

-Custom title (a reasonable one)  **MAYBE**
-mentioned on the front page
-Custom Userbar

2nd Place gets

-mentioned on the front page
-custom userbar

3rd Place gets

-custom userbar
=====OR=====
-Mentioned on the front page

Rules
1. No ripping, you will be disqualified and banned if you do.
2. It has to be your own work
3. Must not exceed 530×150 Pixels
4. This is a freestyle Contest
5. Renders and C4D's May be used
6. All material in the renders must be appropriate for viewers under 18.
7. No racial or sexual content
8. You may ONLY submit ONE signature

Contest starts November 25th, 2007 and ends December 20th.

Enter HERE

We MIGHT be able to issue custom titles, however if we cannot, we will have a different prize for you.

Dont have Photoshop or a decent paint program? if so PM ME.

Infectus to Release Their Answer for the D2C

Team Infectus, with their multiplatform Infectus chip, has announced the release of their new chip designed specifically for the Wii. This new chip has been dubbed 'Argon' and will only be working on D2C consoles. So why all the fuss? Well, this new chip boasts a minimal 13 wire installation over the 31 wires required for the D2Ckey. On top of that, the chip will work with some kind of external programmer to reflash the modchip.

Team Infectus, being the kind soles that they are, will also be releasing a firmware flash for their original Infectus chip so if any Wii owners with a D2C have an Infectus chip, they can reprogram it.

Short excerpt from their news release (note, their English isn't perfect):

"What is ARGON?
ARGON is the new MODCHIP made form INFECTUS TEAM that work ONLY on WII D2C CONSOLES, this modchip is the direct competitor of D2CKEY modchip.
All the features are the same of D2CKEY, but this modchip will be UPDATABLE!

How work update of this modchip?
ARGON have on PCB a little connector with a flat cable that the user can install outside console. When is necessary an UPDATE all who have an INFECTUS or in the future with a little esterna programmer all can reprogramm their modchips.
SO BIG ADVANTAGE OF "ARGON" IS NOT ONLY THE 13 WIRES BUT THE POSSIBILITY OF UPGRADE!

How much cost an ARGON WII modchip?
The price will be about 1 eur more than D2CKEY PRICE RANGE"

Read more at the Infectus official site.

Nintendo Officially Comments on Maintenance Mode

You may be already aware of this, but the Wii has a maintenance mode that can be accessed by holding down the + and – buttons and then pushing A at start up. Here is what Nintendo has to say about it. Here is the message unedited:

“Message(#6851-000631-36386313638)

Hello,

At this time, the “Maintenance Mode” you discovered has no functionality for consumers. If at some future point a consumer application for this mode is made available, it will be revealed on our website (www.nintendo.com).

Even though it appears—with the exception of the Wii Message Board—that everything functions normally in this mode, we do not recommend using it at this time.

Sincerely,
Nintendo of America Inc.”

So as of yet it has no function, but it is possible that at a future date this could be a really cool tool, or maybe just taken out in the next firmware. OR (And this could be a long shot) used as a hack, only time will tell.

But I just thought we would give you a heads up so you can see what you think.

YAOSM v1.9 With Super Mario Galaxy Support Out

While experiemental versions of YAOSM were out allowing play of SMG backups, the official update is now out. Not only boasting SMG support, partial support of action replay as well.

Feaures:

- Supports DMS/D2A/D2B chipsets

- Wii originals

- Wii original imports*

- Wii backups

- Wii backup imports*

- Gamecube originals

- Gamecube original imports**

- Gamecube backups

- Gamecube backup imports**

- Gamecube homebrew

- All medias (DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW)

- Dual Layer support

- Fully configurable speed setting

- Automatic region detection

- Stealth (well, at least as much "stealth" as any other Wii modchip currently available)

- "Safe" Configuration disc

- Optional status LED

- Optional disable switch (solder wire to reset switch)

- GameID overriding for some GameID's that was blocked by firmware 3.0

- Support for Super Mario Galaxy backups

*Partial support.

See http://wiki.gbatemp.net/index.php/Wii_Region_Patcher_Compatibility_List for more info.

**Partial support, for 100% support use GCOS.

See: http://psx-scene.com/forums/yaosm/55455-gcos-multigame-version-howto.html and http://psx-scene.com/forums/404629-post1.html

Makers of the D2Ckey Announce FlexPCB

Considering installation of the D2Ckey requires soldering 31 wires, the same group will soon be releasing their FlexPCB to make installation easier. As quoted from their site:

"The FlexPCB for D2CKey streamlines installation of D2CKey reducing the overall time spend fitting the chip. The FlexPCB is available seperately at additional cost. Although installation with the FlexPCB is quicker, installation of D2CKey is still best left to professional, experienced mod chip installers!"

Source: www.d2ckey.com