Poking at the Wii's inner workings with a soldering iron. You break it, you get to keep all of the pieces.http://forum.wiibrew.org/list.php?7Fri, 24 May 2013 16:44:31 +0200 Phorum 5.2.7 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,72784,72784#msg-72784 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,72784,72784#msg-72784
I bought a Wii Remote Plus (RVL-CNT-01-TR) for using to comunicate with my computer. I was able to pair it (programmatically in Java and using bluetooth tools from MacOs), but all the other successive communication fails. I am not sure if all the software I used to test it was written using some protocol supported only by the previous version of the wiimote. So far, the best place I got information about the protocol of the wiimote was on the wiibrew. I am using MacOS and I am trying to do the communication using Java bluetooth stack. My main objective is to respond on the button events as well as the accelerometer, but I even could run any simple test, such as controlling the LEDs for example.

So, given my scenario, let's ask the questions:
1 - What is the best piece of software for me to look at that communicates well with this version of Wiimote (RVL-CNT-01-TR)? No problem at all with Linux only implementations but MacOS or Java is preferred.
2 - Is there any documentation describing the protocol and messages in detail?

Thanks in advance for everyone!

Kind regards,


Teston]]> feu.teston HardwareFri, 19 Apr 2013 20:56:06 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,72579,72579#msg-72579 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,72579,72579#msg-72579
We were able to successfully open up a Wii Nunchuck, add a small circuit board with a PIC16 and an FTDI USB-to-serial converter and make it show up as a usbserial device on a Linux device. However, we are only getting data packets at 3.67Hz. When I look on the scope, that is how exactly fast the packets are coming on the I2C bus from the original Nunchuck board.

Is there something I can do to change that rate?

Thanks in advance.]]> pkpdjh HardwareWed, 20 Feb 2013 23:59:47 +0100 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,70494,70494#msg-70494 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,70494,70494#msg-70494 lolwhut HardwareSat, 12 May 2012 21:07:52 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,70368,70368#msg-70368 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,70368,70368#msg-70368
6331 accelerometers/fake nunchuks?/Kionix?/stuck bits]]> yardleydobon HardwareSun, 29 Apr 2012 08:40:20 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,69755,69755#msg-69755 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,69755,69755#msg-69755 DJHoboMan HardwareTue, 27 Mar 2012 17:06:06 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,68819,68819#msg-68819 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,68819,68819#msg-68819 barreyi HardwareWed, 07 Dec 2011 16:10:05 +0100 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,68816,68816#msg-68816 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,68816,68816#msg-68816I need to connect 4 mics and a webcam...but my usb hub needs to be powered
Since i would use my hubs (i've 5 of them unused!!!) and they needs to be powered by +5v, I would get +5v directly from the inside of the wii (don't wanna use external power!!!!!!).
Is there a way to get +5v from the wii board?
I can solder very well, but my knowledge about electronic is very poor :P

Any idea? (pictures of teh board where to get +5v would be great....)

Many thanks!]]> michelinok HardwareWed, 29 Feb 2012 03:35:25 +0100 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,68321,68321#msg-68321 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,68321,68321#msg-68321
I need the official Nintendo datasheet on the sensor bar. I want to know if the current limiting resistor for the IR LEDs is in the bar, or the wii. I want to know what the open circuit voltage of the wii sensor bar port is on the wii console itself (I assume it's 3.3V, 5V, or 12V as these are the most common voltages used in computers). I want to know which pin is + and which is - on the connector for the sensor bar. I want to know what the current draw of the sensor bar is. I need to know these specs so I can conduct an experiment with the sensor bar. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Best outcome will be that someone can provide me with the official Nintendo datasheet for the sensor bar. Next best outcome is that someone with an EE degree can use a scope, meter, and other electric test equipment and determine these specs experimentally and can then send me these specs.

In any case I really need help finding these specs.]]> Videogamer HardwareSun, 23 Sep 2012 08:22:27 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,68253,68253#msg-68253 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,68253,68253#msg-68253I want to make an homebrew application that will drive the external device that I will make.
What are the protocols? What are the pinouts?

Thanks for your anwser in advance.]]> holy_artefact HardwareMon, 31 Oct 2011 08:14:34 +0100 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,68134,68134#msg-68134 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,68134,68134#msg-68134
I have a Microcontroller based robotic project going on and i am wondering if it is possible to use wii controllers to controll the robot. Has any of you done somthing like this before? I was thinking to use a bluetooth module (i.e. [www.rovingnetworks.com] ) to connect to the wii controller. The serial port of that module will be connected to the microcontrollers UART. Is there any known working BT-modules?

Many thanks]]> PowerPedro HardwareWed, 12 Oct 2011 18:08:36 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,67494,67494#msg-67494 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,67494,67494#msg-67494 Antz97 HardwareWed, 03 Aug 2011 12:24:39 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,65353,65353#msg-65353 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,65353,65353#msg-65353 xGRUMPYx HardwareFri, 18 Mar 2011 04:57:29 +0100 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,64803,64803#msg-64803 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,64803,64803#msg-64803
I'm making a currently setting up my Wii with a projector. I'll be putting the Wii next to the projector (which is mounted to the ceiling) and therefore will make my own sensor bar to put under the screen.

Making the sensor bar is the easy bit. What I'm wondering is: is there an optimal distance of the IR LEDs? I'm pretty sure Nintendo simply chose a distance which matches most TV sets. So, for a 200cm image diagonal, I'd probably chose a larger distance--or is this BS?

Does anyone know any details about the triangulation algorithm used? Or can give me advice on what distance to chose?]]> brownieman HardwareThu, 24 Mar 2011 16:15:55 +0100 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,64700,64700#msg-64700 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,64700,64700#msg-64700
Relatively new to the scene and have ran into a few issues. I would like to know if anyone here in the hardware department has ever had an issue where they were playing a video game and after a certain amount of time, or after a power down, you are no longer able to get the Wii Game out of the drive?

I have tried the normal, pressing Eject multiple times, waiting a few seconds and holding it down, have tried powering the device down for 10-15 min and trying again, I even tried turning it facing down to see if it would slide down.

I am not afraid to get my hands dirty, so if necessary I will take apart the hardware to get the DVD out, however I would like to know the following:

1. Is there an easier way that I just have not tried yet?
2. If not, whats the proper procedure for manually accessing the drive to remove the DVD?

Thanks a bunch,]]> ElderUsr HardwareSat, 29 Dec 2012 13:46:21 +0100 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,63576,63576#msg-63576 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,63576,63576#msg-63576
-It has a very simple start-up (Hold down the Plus and Minus buttons on the opening boot screen)
-It starts the System Menu with a user-friendly notice (Your Wii is operating in Maintenance Mode)
-All possible online communications have been blocked as well as the Wii Message Board completely
-All Regular Wii channels are missing parts of their channel banners/animations on the System Menu
-The Mario Kart channel displays Japanese letters and the Karts will not move, but freeze once in position
-Even if you've updated your Wii to have the SD Card Menu, it does not appear
-The Mii Channel and the Disc Channel both seem to be unaffected
-This mode does not respond to control sticks and the control pad on the Classic Controller, but responds fine to the other buttons
-Nintendo is aware of this mode, but has not done anything about it via Wii System Update

I've come to one guess so far about Maintenance Mode: It's being used as a Debug Tool for Nintendo's testers. However, it's not a good guess because I can't back it up very well. I also noticed that returning to the Wii System Menu (In any way with the exception of going to options) will reset the System Menu back to normal. I've been trying to find out where Maintenance Mode is located in the Wii's Flash Memory and what exactly resets the System Menu back to normal. Does anyone know good tools to do this? I'll be posting my progress here.]]> Dr.MarioX HardwareMon, 03 Jan 2011 05:15:54 +0100 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,61492,61492#msg-61492 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,61492,61492#msg-61492
I'm not that savvy when it comes looking at the Wii in a physical way. I hope to do so one day, but for now, I have a question.

How is the Wii supposed to handle faulty USB drives? Today, before turning on my system, I connected a microSD USB adaptor to port 2 (farthest from edge), since I carry in it some music I like to listen to with WiiMC (also included in the same device). But when I turned my Wii on, it only showed a black screen.

I was quite baffled, since I had not done anything to my Wii prior to this moment, other than play with my emulators, and I certainly don't have it connected to the internet, so it couldn't have been a System update while I was away. Still I panicked, turned my Wii off and attempted to go into Priiloader with that same USB device still hooked on my console. To my relief, it did appear. But it took a few seconds longer than usual to load, which still made me worry. I went into HBC immediately after that, and I noticed it didn't detect my USB.

So I did what I'd do to my game cartridges back in the day: took a deep breath, and then blew on the USB to get rid of any kind of dirt or something, and hooked it again. This time, it instantly found my device, and WiiMC popped up on screen. But after trying to load a song, it gave me a code dump as if it lost connection to my USB.

I didn't try anything else with it after that, but without that device in my Wii, it would boot normally and into the System Menu.

So, after this really long read... how is the Wii supposed to respond to faulty USB devices? Was my experience the "expected" reaction from the console?

I only ask because I remembered a similar experience, but with my N64. My dad bought an official controller that had the plug cut off, and he decided to use the plug from a controller we had lying around that didn't work anymore. After joining the both ends correctly, hooking it up to the system and powering it on, the N64 would refuse to turn on until the controller was disconnected from the console (it would turn off immediately if the controller was pluged in while the console was on).
For anyone curious, the problem lied in the length of the cord after joining them, which was much longer than the standard controller (my dad thought that with the extra length, we could sit as far away as possible without having to carry the console around... too bad his idea didn't work, heh).

So, my point in telling this story is about how the console (Wii in my case) could react in possibly undocumented ways.

Regardless, I thank you for your attention, and apologize for the long post.]]> Magil HardwareTue, 02 Nov 2010 17:55:23 +0100 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,60541,60541#msg-60541 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,60541,60541#msg-60541
Id just like some info on what type of bad block management the Wii uses..

I assume block 0 is guaranteed by the factory to be working? Also, does the Wii skip invalid blocks or remap to RBA?

Just looking for as much info as possible as things specific to how the Wii handles things.

Thanks]]> Bad_Ad84 HardwareFri, 08 Oct 2010 14:18:54 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,60317,60317#msg-60317 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,60317,60317#msg-60317
The original website is here [www.windmeadow.com]. Copying just the odes didn't work, so need more than just that apparently.

Now, I've read the wiiimote wiki, especially on the extension controller and Nunchuk. but several things I dont get:. I'll start with what I think I understand:

1. To initialise the connection, the Wiimote sends 0x00 to 0x(4)A40040, which is the address of the device
Translated into arduino, that's

Wire.send (0x40); // sends memory address
Wire.send (0x00); //sends zero

2. How do the device reply? from the wiki:
The Nunchuk is identified by the 16-bit constant 0x0000 (0xFEFE encrypted) at register address 0xa400fe
I guess the memory address is 0xfe, but what is the value of the data to be sent? I've tried 0x00 and 0xfe, but each time the wiimote registers it as unknown device...

Can someone explain to me the data transfer between these two devices?]]> Sodrohu HardwareTue, 05 Oct 2010 16:07:45 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,59126,59126#msg-59126 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,59126,59126#msg-59126
I am relatively new to this but is there an existing library which allows connecting other Bluetooth devices to the WII? I am asking this because if there is a possibility to do that I probably will begin looking into using an android device for input to the WII. The only sensor on most android devices that is missing compared to a WII remote is the IR sensor. So in principal it would be possible to develop an app which emulates a WII remote.

BR]]> rikmer HardwareTue, 05 Feb 2013 13:39:29 +0100 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,58939,58939#msg-58939 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,58939,58939#msg-58939I have been busy hacking away on the Logitech wheel (picked up a few for $8.00 each).... I've started a page here:
[www.wiibrew.org]

I have coms working for to/from wheel (making it usable for game play in Linux) and am in the process of reverse engineering the force feedback 'commands'.

Enjoy,
Mungewell.]]> mungewell HardwareWed, 08 Sep 2010 17:41:27 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,58361,58361#msg-58361 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,58361,58361#msg-58361
Copyright date: 2006
Serial: LU50767982 2 (last digit is in a square)
Model No. RVL-001(USA)

Now what i'd like to know is if this info alone would point to it possibly being old enough to need a new laser lens, as I've bought it used from Gamestop (and it has an old enough Boot sequence that I can install Bootmii as a Boot2,) and if that's the case, I'll have to virginize it, and send it to Nintendo.

Nintendo failed to give me this info, i'm hoping I can get it here.

Thank you in advance,
Arceusdude]]> arceusdude222 HardwareSat, 28 Aug 2010 02:51:11 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,58191,58191#msg-58191 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,58191,58191#msg-58191

My Wii's Serial Number: LU5178XXXXXX

My Wii's Model Number/ Region: RVL-001(USA) / NTSC-U/C

Copyright Year: 2006

DVD board serial: AMV752OEU

DVD controller: GC2-D2B

I have 3 cut pins on the DVD controller chip, but no missing third solderpad near it. I assume I need a D2B drive?

[vpgames.com]

That looks identical to the one I have now, at least on the front. I also noticed that the number on the yellow label (to the left of the black tape) matches the number I have on my current drive.

VEP70148A

Mainly I'm wary about just buying what would APPEAR to work. I'd like to be SURE I am making the right choice. So any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Oh, and one thing. The DVD controller chip on that site is a GC2-D2C, and the DVD Board Serial is different than mine.

[vpgames.com]

Huh? Incompatibility maybe?

The drive I have now works well as is, but if I could replace the laser, and be able to read and play game discs again, that'd be great. But at the same time, I believe it's possible that a new laser might not fix the problem I have with my channels not loading. That seems something a new drive would fix. I don't know. Anyway, I'd like to know if ANY Wii laser I buy will be compatible with my system, or if different Wii drives require corresponding lasers to work. Help is appreciated. Thanks.]]> Labatryth HardwareWed, 25 Aug 2010 03:27:08 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,56900,56900#msg-56900 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,56900,56900#msg-56900 WiiHax HardwareSat, 02 Oct 2010 05:40:29 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,56796,56796#msg-56796 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,56796,56796#msg-56796
I would like to use my old amiga joystick with my wii, is it possible ? how ?

Thank you in advance for help]]> chrisbati HardwareFri, 20 Aug 2010 01:23:11 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,55799,55799#msg-55799 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,55799,55799#msg-55799
I'm not really sure if this is the right place for this or not, but there's a typo / miscalculation on this page: [wiibrew.org] . I've been trying to implement the gyro from the WM+ in an RC application and running through the calculations I discovered that if you scroll down to this section: Data Format (Wii Motion Plus) you'll see the following paragraph:

Voltage reference is 1.35V that you can assume it as 8192 unit (half of the ADC range), using 2.7272 mV/deg/s, 8192 is 594 deg/s (1.35v/2.72mv), you must divide by ~13.79 unit/deg/s (594/8192) to know the correct deg/s.

The problem here is that 1.35V / 2.7272 mV does not equal 594, it equals 494. However, 1.35V / 2.2727mV does equal 594. Either the 2.7272 is wrong and should be 2.2727 or the calculation is wrong and was accidentally calculated 2.2727 instead of 2.7272.

If someone knows which one it is, it would be great. Thanks!

-Brett]]> brettnak HardwareSun, 04 Jul 2010 10:17:41 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,55525,55525#msg-55525 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,55525,55525#msg-55525 4.0u HardwareTue, 29 Jun 2010 12:48:47 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,54208,54208#msg-54208 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,54208,54208#msg-54208I got my Motorola PC850 BT dongle working with a Wiimote.
It took the Widcomm update no problem.
Syncing was done by
BT icon - Add a BT device - (1+2 to activate discovery mode) - (click Nintendo**** icon while holding alt+S).
Brings up add services, checked boxes, fired up wiinremote, so far everything works.

Maybe it should be moved to the "working under XP/Linux section" in the working BT list?]]> jgsturbo HardwareThu, 03 Jun 2010 03:40:42 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,53466,53466#msg-53466 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,53466,53466#msg-53466
I'm currently doing research on how to use motion tracking to improve physiotherapy exercising and I came up with an idea to use Wiimotes IR camera to track patients movement. Four tracking points is although not much to deal with. So I thought why not to use synchronized, blinking IR leds to increase the amount of points to be tracked. Let's say 8 leds of which 4 are on at the same time. Of course the tracking frequency would get two times slower, but 50Hz might still be enough. The only problem that comes to my mind is that Wiimote might start randomly placing these points in it's 4 memory slots, since the seem to appear randomly (not constant light source). But I think this could still be overcome by rearranging points at PC side. So, now that I don't have wiimote to play with (yet!), I'd like to have your opinion if this idea sounds like dead-born already...

Many thanks, and keep on the good work!

p.s. What about motion plus driver support? ;)

-Pauli Närhi]]> chadez HardwareSun, 09 May 2010 20:27:04 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,53305,53305#msg-53305 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,53305,53305#msg-53305

ive traced the circuit of this new button assembly, and every button shares a common ground. that is to say, each button has a lead. when the button is pressed, that lead connects with the common wire. is this how the wiimote is set up? ive opened the thing up and tried to see. but there is white paint or something on the board so i cant really tell where the circuits are running to. for each button, there are 2 exposed surfaces of conductive material. is one of the pieces of material connected to the material from the other buttons? i dont have a multi meter to check it.

also, the -, home, and + buttons dont have the exposed material. instead, they are sealed with a flexible metal cap. are there solder points on the board i can get to to "relocate" the - and + buttons without having to try to remove the metal caps off these buttons?

]]> giantpune HardwareWed, 05 May 2010 10:59:05 +0200 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,52297,52297#msg-52297 http://forum.wiibrew.org/read.php?7,52297,52297#msg-52297
I have one of the first wii's ( killed by 3.2 -> 4.2 update ) just get black screen, no diag works and used to have trouble reading...but original good pcb.
a working d2e wii but has trouble reading original disks.
a Black wii... pain in the backside with the d3-2 chip

would it be possible to change the pcb in my original wii to the black one or the white d2e or do I have to get certain chip versions.]]> jimbob343 HardwareSun, 18 Apr 2010 19:04:37 +0200