NES Hacks

Good news for all CycloDS fans! The Flashcart you love is now the second modchip that has been seen running on the DSi!

We must stress however that this is part of our research only; there is still a great deal of work to be done before we can even decide if a DSi compatible device is viable or not. The DSi features a completely redesigned security system which renders all current devices incompatible and at this stage it is unknown if there is any reliable way to overcome the new measures. We will continue our research into the DSi and in the mean time, please see the following video which demonstrates what we have achieved so far.

So once again, we can report good progress, but no news of an announcement or a release. We’ll let you know of any more developments.

Source

The sky is not falling, and the Wii Scene is not finished. At least, that it what Marcan from HackMii is trying to tell us. Fed up with all of the panic caused by the 3.4 Firmware Update, Marcan went as far as to create an entire post explaining his feelings on the issue.

Firstly, he addresses the panic caused by the update:

Nintendo released a recent update that once again tries to secure some existing bugs on the console, breaks some things, deletes others. This time they’ve also gone around and modified the TOS. As usual, mass panic ensues.

The people who are panicking can be divided roughly into two groups (non exclusive):

• The pirates
• The clueless

This should go without saying, but we don’t want to have anything to do with the former group. Nintendo is obviously going to fight piracy (and that’s going to hurt homebrew). We’ll have to deal with the homebrew part, but don’t expect that to help piracy in any way. It may, or it may not. And if it doesn’t, pirates will have to deal with fighting nintendo themselves. The usual messages about WADs, “backups”, and all that crap are going straight to /dev/null, and we’re seeing quite a few bans due to piracy on #wiidev recently. Don’t ask us about it, don’t talk to us about it.

In short, calm the hell down and just wait. Don’t update if you don’t feel like “change” - you’ve got that option so far. And if you’ve updated, my suggestion is that you wait. Avoid hacky workarounds - they can be worse than the problems they purport to fix.

He also addresses the problems presented with the new firmware:

To clarify some things: the Twilight Hack is gone and probably won’t be coming back. There are other game exploits on the table (which haven’t been announced yet). Given the ability to run PPC code, we can install stuff and exploit IOS, as the HBC beta9 installer already shows. In short, homebrew isn’t going to go away. We can “do anything” right now. But we do need to figure out what to do.

All we’re concerned with is the ability to run homebrew (from-scratch programs), not necessarily modify the existing system. This means that we’re not necessarily concerned with getting things like menuloader and DVDX working again. Menuloader involves hacking the system menu - which is pointless if it can be replaced. DVDX enables DVD use - which is pointless if there are other ways or you use an entirely new IOS. We’re also not big fans about installable stuff - the utopian homebrew ecosystem would be contained entirely on removable storage and involve zero changes to NAND (implausible, but hey). Either way, the ultimate goal is to have homebrew that is able to use the Wii’s features, period. How that is accomplished is irrelevant, so old methods of doing things aren’t necessarily going to work in the future, nor do we care about it (we’ll find alternatives if necessary).

There you have it folks! The Twilight Hack is broken, but there are methods of workaround readily available to the dvelopers. Where does that leave the Wii scene? In seemingly good hands for the future, as long as you haven’t already upgraded to 3.4!

Source

We at NES-Hacks have finally decided to host, provide pure support, and update The Backup Launcher! But first, a bit of a history lesson.

For those of you who have been following us since the release of the original Backup Launcher, we held back on posting it to the site so as not to offend anybody. As the source was leaked, Waninkoko completely dismissed the project and wanted nothing to it. The project seemed to be abandoned, and as a result, we made a staff decision not to host the Backup Launcher out of respect for Waninkoko.

Our policy at NES-Hacks is definitely geared towards our users, but at the same time, we try and stay as close to the developers as we can. Mutual respect for one another is important to us, especially towards those who take the time to make the applications that we enjoy.

But now however, we can gladly fly our banner for another Waninkoko release:

I was recently able to exchange a few eMails with Waninkoko regarding the Backup Launcher. To spare the entire conversation, here is the news we have been waiting for:

I have been working with WiiGator in the new backup loader. He has made the Backup-Launcher and the DIP plugin and I have done improvements in the DIP plugin and the latest Custom IOS (and I released the MenuPatcher to load backups through Disc Channel, like the Rebooter option in Backup-Launcher but simpler).So currently the Backup-Launcher Gamma is the “official” backup loader. 

 

 

So when asked if he would allow us to cover the story:

No problem. Post it.

Now, with the backup launcher we must stress our one main rule regarding backups:NO LINKS TO ISO’s OR ROMS!. I believe that is very clear. Do not ask where to find games, do not link to games, and do notpester others about their games. See our forum rules for more info.

With that out of the way, let’s show you the changelog for the (fairly) new version of the Backup Launcher, The Backup Launcher v0.3 (Gamma)!

What is included:
- cIOS Installer
- Backup Launcher 0.3 with banner

Changelog:
0.3 gamma
- Optimised speed
- Higher compatibilty
- Support loading 1:1 backups from disc channel

Note: This version is faster, but some videos will play a little bit too slow. This also depends on the quality of your DVD media.

0.3 beta
- Cinematic now working properly
- Wi-Fi Enabled
- Faster Load time
- Drive speed is still 3x. It is so fast that some testers believed it is running at 6x.
- Supports non-patched and patched Wii games (The correct term for “patched” is “decrypted”)
- Not all games will work, but as of now most do.

Questions regarding usage and help should be directed to the “Help” section of the forums. In addition, we are working on a master Tutorial/Compatibility/FAQ thread regarding the Backup Launcher as we speak, and this should clear up questions for those of you who are new to the Loader.

And now the moment you’ve been waiting for. The Backup Launcher can now be downloaded simply by clicking the Download link below!

A massive shout-out to Waninkoko for supporting this project, and officially giving the “okay” to move ahead with it!

Download

We have quite a bit to cover in this post. So let’s start with the bad news.

Now, the newly released 3.4 update isn’t all bad by any means. The update text Nintendo sent out says:

With this update, Parental Controls have been enhanced, USB keyboard support is available for the Mii Channel, and system functions have been improved.

The Wii User Agreement, which includes the Wii Privacy Policy, has been updated. Because the updated agreement applies to you and your use of the Wii Network Service, you should view the updated version by clicking on the Wii icon located on the lower-left portion of the Wii Channel menu, selecting Wii Settings, accessing the Internet setting, and selecting User Agreements.

You may also view the updated Wii User Agreement online at http://support.nintendo.com

Because unauthorized modifications to save files may impair game play or the Wii console, updating to Wii Menu version 3.4 will also check for and automatically remove such save files.

Cool. Now what system functions are these again?

Improved disc reading

Improved SD card read/write speed

But along with that, we have some bad news: The Twilight Hack does not work! That’s right, Nintendo once again blocked the Twilight Hack. Now, a workaround is in place as usual, but this seems small compared to Nintendo’s next blow to the hacking community. Take a look at the new Wii Network Service Privacy Policy… well, we can point out the bad in there too:

“We may without notifying you, download updates, patches, upgrades and similar software to your Wii Console and may disable unauthorized or illegal software placed on your Wii Console to ensure that your Wii Console is operating properly and efficiently, comply with applicable laws, assist law enforcement, protect us and our customers, or prevent the use and distribution of software obtained through improper channels.” (editor’s emphasis)

Okay. that text is bolded, but it’s actually in the new policy word for word! If that’s not bad enough, some people have even reported having their custom channels deleted once they upgraded to 3.4! However, this is unconfirmed, and should be treated as a rumour.

Also, the update contains IOS254 (a copy of IOS9, to block PatchMii). So if you use PatchMii, you will definitely NOT want to upgrade your console.

At this point in time, we at NES-Hacks do not recommend updating your Wii to the 3.4 System Firmware. Many applications and HomeBrew features have been blocked, and upgrading may cause you to lose some of these features!

However, if you do want a bit of a Patch to get the features of 3.4, read the rest of this entry to hear the good news!

Source

Read the rest of this entry »

A report came in from the developers at HackMii recently that gave us a bit of an update on the next release of the Homebrew Channel. If you haven’t been following, Beta 9 was released a while back, but it was released prematurely in order to be compatible with Nintendo’s newest firmware. Where does that leave the state of this project?

As you all know, we’re getting busy with several other projects, and HBC isn’t a priority. However, the beta9 release had a few rough edges, and some things that should have been fixed weren’t.

So we’re giving you the chance to voice your pet peeves about HBC now, and we’ll release a new version soon. Consider this version “final” at least for the time being. HBC is basically feature-complete, so we won’t be adding any new major features, but we want to get rid of some remaining bugs and annoyances. Once this new version is out, you’re going to be stuck with it for a while.

Post a comment if you want something fixed. We reserve the right to fix whatever we want and ignore the rest, but at least we promise we’ll listen. Please read the comments before asking for something; we don’t want 20 people mentioning the same thing.

Guys, NO BIG NEW FEATURES. Don’t even think about integrating other apps, or adding disc loading, or anything like that. We’re talking about small fixes like honoring some setting or adding some minor controller support. Classic controller support is plausible. Fixing some graphical problem is doable. Integrating FTPii isn’t. Sound isn’t. I’m deleting totally implausible posts to keep things sane.

If you guys want your say in the next edition of the Homebrew Channel, follow our source link and post a comment on HackMii.

Source

News submitted by Joe88

Reports are flying in this morning that the new DSi handheld is incapable of booting existing flash carts. Our friend ahtin at Hacken.cc who has got his hands on a brand new DSi, has tested both the popular R4 DS and EZ Flash V.

ahtin has reported that the R4 DS (an auto-booting slot-1 cart), when inserted into the DSi, in fact does NOT automatically boot up, and fails to appear at all in the new revamped DSi main menu (which is normal behaviour for an auto-booting cart). The EZ Flash V on the other hand (a non auto-booting slot-1 cart), does in fact show in the DSi’s main menu, but when launched generates an error which prevents it from loading any further.

Whether or not the new flash cart “prevention” on the DSi can be disabled or worked around is yet to be determined. Once more people get their hands on the new Nintendo handheld revision, we’ll undoubtedly learn more about why this is happening. Perhaps it could be something as simple as an update in the carts loader/firmware (at least in the case of the EZ-V), or perhaps something a modified firmware (ala. FlashMe) could fix. But of course, only time will tell.

Hacken.cc have not reported results on any other flash kits. Stay tuned to GBAtemp for any further news, as we’ll keep you posted on any developments.

UPDATE!: ahtin has informed me personally of his latest tests. Unfortunately it’s not good news! Just take a look at the long list of flash carts that have ALSO FAILED on the DSi…

CycloDS - Failed
G6 DS Real - Failed
M3 DS Real - Failed
Supercard DS One - Failed
iTouch DS - Failed
FCard - Failed
NCard - Failed
M3 DS Simply - Failed
U2DS - Failed

SOURCE

I know this sounds fishy, but I promise tonight everyone will be happy! I will write a tutorial, but I have a Chem exam in 3 hours I need to finish studying for, but I promise after that I will write it and post it. I am SOOO Happy right now i cant even type as fast as I want to!

Write up will be coming shortly with all the necessary attachments.

see hopefully a lot of happy people in a couple hours

-a_running_pir8

Here is the tutorial:

First, you will need the following files:

WiiScrubber:
http://gbatemp.net/index.php?download=2200

A copy of the “Wii Backup Disc v1.3″
*Removed - Google is your friend*

A copy of WadManager that works off of IOS16
http://www.zshare.net/download/50575142b4331639/

And finally a copy of Wad Manager v1.3
http://gbatemp.net/index.php?download=3587

First, use WiiScrubber to open up the Wii Backup Disc, and extract IOS16-64-v257-prod.wad
This file can be found by clicking the + sign next to “Partition:1 - UPDATE”, and then the + sign again next to _sys
Right click on this filename, and click on “Save as” and save it to a WADS directory on your SD card.

After that, use Wad Manager v1.3 to install this wad - it is NOT trucha signed, but it IS (’semi’) legal, so it WILL install without a prior cIOS.
To clear this up, having the wad is not legal, as it is copyrighted code from nintendo, but it is signed by nintendo, so it installs without an issue.

Finally, use Wad Manager that was recoded by Davi92 to work off of IOS16 to install the cIOS_fix (hopefully that is the filename in the included zip - djtaz correct me if I’m wrong), and you are on your way again!

From here you can choose to run Waninkoko’s downgrader.

NOTE: if you are trying to run Any Title Deleter to delete IOS51, you must first obtain copies of at least IOS30 and IOS36 from a Wii game (such as Wii Music or the new Guitar Hero) using the same method with WiiScrubber. From here you can install WiiGator’s Backup Loader 0.3 with the corresponding cIOS released with it (v6).

More information regarding removing the October 23d update can be found here:
http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Remove_October_23_Update

A HUGE thank you to the following:
Slowking for the initial start
noobwarrior7 for the idea of using a modified Wad Manager based off of IOS16 to start the haxing
Davi92 for recompiling Wad Manager with IOS16 support

SOURCE

Thats right, firmware 3.4 (Updated 3.3) is now live for the Wii. We recommend that you DONT update to this firmware as some features could’ve been disabled.

3.4 Change Log:

* Wii Points will soon be called Nintendo Points, and all references as such will be updated. All other functionality with Nintendo Points will remain the same.
* The controller usage explanation screen will be updated.
* The controller usage explanation screen will be separated from the purchase screen. Along with this, the user will be prompted to confirm that they have any necessary accessories before being able to press the Purchase button.
* The design of the icons displayed will be updated.

Here are some UNCONFIRMED info

• Installed WADS will still work as long as you dont use WAD manager (Channels will disappear)
• Homebrew Channel still works but some apps wont
• Modchips are NOT affected
• Backup Loader still works
• GeckoOS still works
• You CANNOT install WADs after you update to 3.4
• Region Changer will NOT work
• Downgrader will NOT work

The “Wii Backup Disc” is a service disc apparently used inside Official Nintendo Repair shops to transfer personal data like savegames and console settings between Wiis as part of a repair.

It’s not entirely clear what it does; something it does *not* do — even though it appears it might — is allow VC games to be transferred between consoles. Instead, the user is told to redownload the games from the Wii Store (for free).

Note: “Change WiiId” is mostly useless. WiiId is only used as your “Wii Number” that you give to your friends so they can send you Wii Mail. When you pick it, it assigns you a new random ID.

It also doesn’t boot on full bricked Wiis and it’s unlikely that it repairs half bricked Wiis since delete all only deletes savegames/settings and not any VC content (Weather/News/Games..) or the firmware

SOURCE

NOTE: DO NOT ASK OR POST LINKS TO THIS SINCE IT CONTAINS COPYRIGHTED MATERIALS

SOURCE
DOWNLOAD (Translation Patch)

Note: Please do NOT post links or ask for the ROM here.