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How to Softmod a Wii to a Hard Drive

Owners of a Nintendo Wii video gaming console can unlock many features in the device by performing a software modification. After "softmodding" the Nintendo Wii, many different user-created applications will become available to perform tasks such as streaming Internet radio, playing old console games or playing backups of Nintendo Wii games from an external hard drive. Softmods are reversible, though, there is always some risk they will damage a console.

Things You'll Need

2 GB or less SD memory card
External USB hard drive

Instructions

- 1
  Download the "Bannerbomb v2" and "HackMii installer" (see Resources).
- 2
  Insert the SD memory card into the computer and format it. Create a new folder on the card named "private" and then copy the files from the Bannerbomb zip file onto the card.
- 3
  Copy the HackMii file "installer.elf" onto the SD card and rename it "boot.elf." Remove the memory card from the computer.
- 4
  Turn on the Wii and go to the SD card menu on the bottom left of the Home screen. Insert the memory card and click "Yes" when asked to "Load boot.dol/elf?" Bannerbomb will then load and run the HackMill installer.
- 5
  Follow the prompts on the screen to finish the softmod and install the Homebrew Channel. This is the Wii channel you will go to from the Home screen to access applications, such as the one to load backups from an external hard drive.
- 6
  Remove the memory card from the Wii once the softmod installation is finished and you are on the Home screen. Insert it into the computer.
- 7
  Copy the "USB Loader GX Easy Installer (for Windows)" (see Resources) and place the files in the "apps" folder on the SD memory card. Once they are copied, remove the card and re-insert it into the Wii.
- 8
  Plug the formatted external USB hard drive into the USB port on the back of the Wii. Click on the Homebrew Channel on the Wii Home screen and go to "USB Loader GX." The program will load and detect the hard drive. To backup a copy of a game, insert the game and click the large button in the bottom left of the USB Loader GX screen. This will create a backup on your hard drive.

Nintendo Wii