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How to Identify a D2C2 Wii

The Nintendo Wii console's hardware has gone through several different revisions. One line of revisions is to the console's DVD drive. Earlier versions of the console had a drive that was comparatively easy for hackers to modify, so Nintendo changed the drive to a revised "D2" model. The chip for this drive was later further modified, installing the "D2C2" models of drive and chip. This model can be identified by examining the system's DVD drive and motherboard chipset.

Things You'll Need

Purchase record for Nintendo Wii
�Phillips-head screwdriver
Tri-wing screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Check the date of purchase for your Wii. The D2C2 chips were introduced in November 2008, so consoles purchased before this time will not carry them. The console's packaging doesn't give an accurate date of manufacture: Boxes for a console purchased in 2008 will still give a copyright date of 2006. Check your receipt or credit card records.
- 2
  Disconnect your Wii from mains power and turn the console over to reveal the bottom face, bearing the ventilation slot and serial number. Unscrew the three Phillips and two tri-wing screws on the bottom of the console.
- 3
  Turn the console so it is sitting upright. Use the Phillips-head screwdriver to pry the rubber pads off each corner of the machine's side, revealing two tri-wing screws and two Phillips screws. Remove all these.
- 4
  Open the plate on the top of the Wii and remove the GameCube socket covers. Unscrew the three Phillips screws on the back plate.
- 5
  Pry the front face plate off the Wii, taking care not to break the wire connecting it to the motherboard. With the front face removed, the black plate can be lifted out of the GameCube socket bay, revealing four more screws: two Phillips and two tri-wing. Remove these.
- 6
  Lay the Wii on its side so the ATI and Nintendo logos face you. Remove the side panel to reveal the console's inner workings.
- 7
  Examine the DVD drive housing, visible in the middle of the system. The D2C2 and later drives can be identified by a six-sided clip extending over the top of the DVD drive. Earlier versions, by comparison, have two small teeth extending down over the drive.
- 8
  Unscrew the four Phillips screws at each corner of the console's DVD reader.
- 9
  Lift the reader out of the console, making sure not to damage or disconnect the wires connecting the reader to the motherboard. Underneath the reader are two square chips. The smaller chip is the DVD reader chip. If the second line of text ends in "D2C" and your drive features the six-sided clip, your Wii has a D2C2 chip. If there is no six-sided clip, it is an earlier model; if the drive features the clip but the chip does not read "D2C," it is a later model.

Nintendo Wii