Things You'll Need
Instructions
Download the most current version of firmware for your Wii system. To do this, go to the setting options from the Wii desktop. Click on the latest version of firmware and click to install.
Download the Fat 32 formatter (see Resources) to format the USB hard drive to the proper Wii format by converting the drive to what is called "Fat 32."
Select "Run" from the start windows button and type "cmd," which will open a command window. In the command window type "C:" and press "Enter."
Type "Fat32Format(letter of the USB hard drive without the parentheses)" and press "Enter."
Remove the SD card from its slot and input the USB hard drive in its place.
Restart the Wii and wait for the system to detect the hard drive. If it loads properly you will be returned to the normal Wii desktop as usual.
Save a game or a file to the hard drive to test that it will function properly. If the hard drive works you will be able to save the file to the hard drive as well as open one from the hard drive. Check to make sure that you can do both.