--- title: Backup games to USB HDD language: en layout: default created: 2009-05-24 19:35:29 +0200 updated: 2010-11-14 16:05:02 +0100 toc: false tags: - know-how - hacking - hardware - nintendo - wii --- * [mikeandheth.com](http://www.mikeandheth.com/games/97-connect-wii-usb-hard-drive.html) * [gbatemp.net](http://wiki.gbatemp.net/wiki/index.php?title=USB_Loader_Releases) --- List of USB Loader programs for the Wii * [gbatemp.net](http://wiki.gbatemp.net/wiki/index.php?title=WBFS_Managers) --- List of WBFS Managers (programs to copy game ISO files to USB via your PC) * [usbloadergx.koureio.net](http://usbloadergx.koureio.net/) --- USBLoader GX homepage * [gbatemp.net](http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=144844) --- Linux WBFS Manager ([updated version](http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=145747&hl=cojiro)) * [Wiithon](https://launchpad.net/wiithon) --- Python WBFS Manager (best for Linux!) * [code.google.com](http://code.google.com/p/linux-wbfs-manager/) --- another Linux WBFS Manager * [gbatemp.net](http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=146731&hl=linux) --- FUSE module for WBFS (unstable) System Menu 4.2 ===============

Only backup games you really own. **DO NOT BACKUP BORROWED GAMES OR DOWNLOAD THEM FROM THE INTERNET!** If nobody actually buys Wii games then the creators won't make any more games. (Also you wouldn't want to end up like [this](http://youtube.com/watch?v=ALZZx1xmAzg), would you?) However backing up games not only prevents your discs from damage but also makes the games load faster.

Keep in mind that you could brick your Wii. Only do these steps if you want to take this risk. These steps worked for me but **I can not be held responsible if they don't work for you or even damage your Wii**.

To patch *System Menu 4.2* to allow backup (and playing of these backups) of games, follow the instructions at [wiihacks.com](http://www.wiihacks.com/recommended-faqs-guides-tutorials-only/24630-full-hacking-guide-4-2-system-menus-79.html). 1. Install the [HomeBrew Channel, DVDX and BootMii]({% post_url 2009-10-07-wii-homebrew-channel %}) * make a backup of your NAND flash using BootMii 1. after switching on your Wii, you'll be in the BootMii menu (4 icons) 1. use Power to select the gears on the right 1. use Reset to choose the gears 1. the first icon (green arrow pointing from IC to SD-Card) should be highlighted 1. use Reset to choose this one 1. follow the instructions to backup the NAND (don't wonder about the bad blocks. Some Wii have up to 80!) 1. Use one of the packages from *Part B* of the wiihacks-guide to uninstall ios249 1. prepare and insert SD card 1. boot your Wii, the *WAD Manager* should run (alternatively: Go to HBC and launch BootMii from there) 1. in the IOS-selection, select **ios36** (others like 249, 250 might also work, but froze my Wii) 1. select SD-card as source, press A 1. select `IOS249.WAD`, press A 1. change action to **Uninstall WAD**, press A * if it gives errors at this point, try one of the other packages 1. Use one of the packages from *Part C* of the wiihacks-guide to install cios38rev14 1. prepare and insert SD card 1. boot your Wii, the *cios38-Installer* should run (alternatively: Go to HBC and launch BootMii from there) 1. in the IOS-selection, keep pressing Left until **Do not reload IOS** is shown, press A (might try other IOSes, but it worked fine this way) 1. if you have a working Internet connection, select **Network install**, otherwise use **WAD install** and press A * if you chose **WAD install**, select the `IOS38-64-v3610.wad` on your SD card 1. Proceed with the installation and you are done After this procedure you will be able to use a USB Launcher to make and play backups or a DVD Launcher to play backup DVDs.

For [some games](http://wiki.gbatemp.net/wiki/index.php?title=USB_Loader_v1.x_Game_Compatibility) it might be needed to install *Hermes' cIOS* as well. See [wii-homebrew.com](http://www.wii-homebrew.com/download/nintendo-wii-downloads/firmware-und-hacks/originale/hermes-cios) for instructions. (In German, sorry!)

Shop Channel Update =================== On October, 21st 2009, Nintendo released a Shop Channel Update. [This post](http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?21,38699) implies that it may be safe to do this update if you are already on 4.2. After I made this update, the *USBLoader GX* rev. 799 crashed after showing the startup logo. So be sure to make a backup using *BootMii*. **UPDATE:** The official update seems to reset the IOS249 (and maybe other IOSes). So you either have to repatch your Wii after the update or use *[WiiSCU](http://wiibrew.org/wiki/WiiSCU)* to update the *Shop Channel* and *IOS61* (**Note:** Use `-trucha` setting) only. Burn backups to DVD =================== You can use any WBFS Manager tool to transfer the backups to your PC (as a ISO file) and burn them onto a DVD. You can then play the games from DVD using a DVD Launcher such as [NeoGamma](http://www.gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=158884). Make sure, your burning program keeps the book type of **DVD-ROM**. In *Nero* you have to go to the *Choose Recorder* dialog, *Advanced options* to set the book-type from **Auto** to **DVD-ROM**. Also burn with the slowest speed possible. Media ----- | Type | Works | |:--------------------------|:-----:| | Intenso DVD+R LightScribe | - | | SONY DVD+R Ver. 1.3 | X | | PHILIPS DVD+R LightScribe | X | Play Call of Duty: Black Ops ============================ To play CoD:BO (and not get stuck in the *"Loading…"*-screen), you'll need the cIOS rev20b found [here](http://filetrip.net/f12411-cIOS-Installer-Xr20b.html). Install using IOS249 from base 57 into slot 249. After that, the game should work.