TUTORIAL - CONFIGURABLE USB LOADER - EASY SETUP (fat32)

bro

Inactive User
Joined
Mar 16, 2005
Messages
9,448
Reaction score
748
Location
Gods Country
I looked everywhere and tried everything with no luck found this help via google, and thought I would write up a tutorial based on someone like myself with limited knowledge, please also note that the WII is a very complex system and modding this system is not an easy task but one that has rewards.

BEFORE YOU START

After finishing the TUTORIAL if your backed up games are not working then you might not have the CIOS222 file installed... please follow this link below for digidudes compiled version that has been working for most members... and follow his post

ONLY IF YOUR GAMES WONT PLAY.

https://www.digitalworldz.co.uk/posts/1683569/


Getting Started Part 1

The Very first thing you need to do if you have not done it already is install the latest softmod to the wii this will allow you to use your backup games, and also allow you to install a USB LOADER via the wii channels (WAD). YOU MUST INSTALL THIS BEFORE YOU CAN EVEN BEGIN TO USE LOADERS!!!

You must be aware of what version your WII is this will determine what softmod instructions you will need to follow.

This link below will show how to mod your wii so that you can play backups.

FOR MEMBERS WITH 4.2 - 4.2E Versions - http://www.digitalworldz.co.uk/21929...ing-guide.html

FOR MEMBERS WITH 3.2 - 4.1 Versions - https://www.digitalworldz.co.uk/index.php?threads/223361/


Getting Started Part 2

The Main problem I found was people was going on about CIOS222, IOS249, ISO222 which could very well be your problem, if you are trying to run the loader and the games are not working.

People have to remember when you start chucking these numbers around its very good that we are giving support but imagine the first time user seeing all that they will be like what ? Believe me I know.

So when you first try and load the USB LOADER and the games you have installed crash, do not load, chuck up a blank screen, wii remote locks up, etc you need to think about the very basics.


  1. Is your USB Device Compatible (USB Devices Compatibility List - WikiTemp)
  2. Are you using the right file system on your USB device
  3. Backups - are they the right format
  4. Game - is it compatible (USB Loader v1.x Game Compatibility - WikiTemp)

I am going to show you how to install the "configurable usb loader" from the very basics without too much technical jargon!

INSTALLATION - GETTING FILES

Right I am going to list a number of files that you will need so you can download them now and that step is out of the way.

This file below contains the USB LOADER, SD CARD FILES, USB DRIVE FILES, and the PC FILES (application to prepair your drive, and backup games)

Code:
You don't have permission to view the code content. Log in or register now.

This OPTIONAL file below will allow you to format your EXTERNAL / USB storage drive because vista and most windows does not give you the option to FAT32 format you DRIVE. (do not forget to follow the link above to see if your drive is compatible)

YOU MUST PREPARE YOUR DRIVE IN FAT32 (NOT exfat, NTFS, ETC!!!!)

Code:
You don't have permission to view the code content. Log in or register now.


INSTALLATION - STEP 1

With the first file you download please extract it to your computer somewhere you can find it easy.

You will see there is 3 directories:

Wii Backup Manager
Extract to USB Device

Extract to SD Device

Ok copy your existing (if any) files from your SD card somewhere safe so if you need them you can easily get them back, and then either delete the files or format the SD card.

Now with a blank SD card please copy the contents of Extract to SD Device folder to your SD card once you have done this you should have the following folders on your SD CARD:

apps
wads

Place the SD into your wii fire up the homebrew channel and you should have WAD MANAGER 1.5 in view (if not please check your SD card for the folders above).

Go into the wad manager 1.5 and do the following:


  1. Select IOS version to use: [IOS249], Press A.
  2. Select NAND Emulation device [disable], Press A.
  3. Select source device: [Wii SD Slot], Press A.
  4. Go to USBLoaderCFG_NForwarder-UCXF-Channel, press A.
  5. Select action: [install wad], press A.
  6. Come out of WAD Manager 1.5
Now you have just installed the USB LOADER that we will be using later to play your backup games via your USB HDD - This is a channel on your wii menu.


INSTALLATION - STEP 2

Now the Loader has been installed you need to install the file system onto the USB device (usb storage HDD) to prepare for your backup games to run from the USB drive.

If you are using vista or a version of windows that only supports you formatting you external hard drive in exFAT or NTFS then you will need the second file I posted above to format your machine to the correct FAT32 file system.

OK format your Drive (external HDD) to FAT32 please.

Now your drive is FAT32 you are ready to extract your files onto your external drive (USB Device)

Copy the "Extract to USB Device" folder directly to the root of your external drive.

Your Drive is now ready to install your backup games directly using the special software we will detail below.

INSTALLATION - STEP 3

We are now going to do the preparation of the ISO's (backup games) so that you can install them onto your USB Device.


  1. Plug your USB Device into your PC
  2. Find the folder "Wii Backup Manager"
  3. Run the File "wiibackupmananger.exe"
Ok now I will explain this step with a little more detail:

You will see application open up that has quite a few options... they are not all necerssery at this time because we just want to take our ISO files and convert them.

Once the application is open there is 5 tabs

Files, DVD, Drive 1, Drive 2, Log*


  1. Click the files tabs (it should already be on this)
  2. Click the add button just below the files tab
  3. Open your ISO file that you want to convert
  4. Highlight the ISO (Game) by checking the select box
  5. Click the Transfer tab (right of the add button)
  6. it will bring up a small box --- click the WBFS File option
  7. Find your Drive, and Choose the folder WBFS

The WBFS folder is the one we created earlier when you extracted the "Extract to USB Device" folder onto your usb drive.

You will store all your games in the "wbfs" folder.

INSTALLATION - FINAL STEP

OK the hard parts are done and now it is time to test your USB LOADER.

Turn on your WII with your USB device plugged into the USB slot.

Some Wii's use the right slot if you are looking at it from the back OTHER wii's have the USB slots on top of each other if you have them on top of each other use the BOTTOM USB slot.


OK fire it up and do this:


  1. choose the USB LOADER from the wii MENU
  2. it should give you a list of games you have put on your drive
  3. choose your game
  4. PLAY IT
YOUTUBE - VIDEO

This is the V39 Version, and this video is only to give you an idea of what it looks like when installed.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.



OTHER THINGS TO NOTE

You will be aware that time goes fast and soon there will be a much better way to do all these things (if not already lol)

You can even RIP games direct from from your WII's DVD DRIVE to your USB Device meaning you do not need to even use WII BACKUP MANAGER!

There are also many types of loaders this one was the best one I found it downloads covers and allows you to rip games directly to your USB Device but feel free to try them all.

I hope this tutorial has been of some help.

REPPPPPSSSS TOOOO
WIIFOOKER!!!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
this is an amazing setup, i installed it, had a bit of trouble with cios222 but sorted that out, and once its installed, updated it to version 51 and downloaded covers for all my games on its own (i set it going)

i would highly recommend this, especially if you have little kids, as they can see the cover of the game they want to play, and theres no discs to scratch

5***** from me :)
 
well i tried this, and with four diff usb set ups, one says that its missing a file, the other three reset the system :-(
 
Brilliant little piece of kit. Worked first time for me with no problems. Many thanks.
 
well i tried this, and with four diff usb set ups, one says that its missing a file, the other three reset the system :-(



Hi mate have you made sure that you have installed cios222. If not there is an offline cios222 installer posted that will help you.

I had a problem at first getting it to work and was helped by the guys here and it was cios222.
 
well i tried this, and with four diff usb set ups, one says that its missing a file, the other three reset the system :-(

i had exactly the same problem m8, the wii needs a file updates

i read loads of very confusing and conflicting posts about how to fix it

so i followed a mix of the best 2, and created a filesystem containing all the files needed to update offline

download the file from the linked post, unpack straight to an SD card, and follow the readme thats in there

https://www.digitalworldz.co.uk/posts/1683569/
 
Last edited by a moderator:
spot on lads . I now have working like a wee dream. I have found the update for v51.
can I set it up so that it automatically obtains the covers from the net?

I see that it lets you rip discs to the HD. Can this be my back upgames or does it have to be originals?
 
spot on lads . I now have working like a wee dream. I have found the update for v51.
can I set it up so that it automatically obtains the covers from the net?

I see that it lets you rip discs to the HD. Can this be my back upgames or does it have to be originals?

it will rip any game dvd backup or original

edogg
 
i rip backups and originals

install v51, you can do it all auto, press 1, then 1 again, and choose update, then choose download all missing covers, and it sorts itself out

i have to say, this is one of the best things ive come across for a console
 
The weird thing for me is, since I updated to v51 when I go into the loader it says partition wbfs1 not found and I have to physically mount my fat32 drive each time.

Not a big problem for me but I doubt that my young daughter will be able to do it. Before i did the update I just plugged the usb hd in, went into the loader screen and all the games auto loaded on the screen.

The drive is formatted fat32 (no wbfs partition)
 
this reminds me very much like WiiFlow v1.1 which I still think is the best loader out there, so many different skins/themes favourites, also download covers etc etc, again, it just looks like Wiiflow but not quite as good imho, still, whatever works is good :)
 
The weird thing for me is, since I updated to v51 when I go into the loader it says partition wbfs1 not found and I have to physically mount my fat32 drive each time.

Not a big problem for me but I doubt that my young daughter will be able to do it. Before i did the update I just plugged the usb hd in, went into the loader screen and all the games auto loaded on the screen.

The drive is formatted fat32 (no wbfs partition)

unzip this file rename it to boot.dol and replace the boot.dol on the hdd and away you go
View attachment 50344

edogg
 
Last edited:
Yes mate my games are in wbfs folder and were working fine before I updated to v51. I can still play all the games on the hard drive.

I will try edoggs suggestion as Im sure that will do the trick.
 
its a steep learning curve with 14 grand kids

edogg
 
Hi i followed the tut. for installing the softmod for 4.2 and can play back up disks :) But i seem to be having trouble setting the hard drive to work just crashes im gonna follow the steps in ths thread but was wondering the files i take off the sd card before formatting do i need to put them back on at any stage ? Thanks in advance
 
Hi i followed the tut. for installing the softmod for 4.2 and can play back up disks :) But i seem to be having trouble setting the hard drive to work just crashes im gonna follow the steps in ths thread but was wondering the files i take off the sd card before formatting do i need to put them back on at any stage ? Thanks in advance
If you've followed everything in INSTALLATION - STEP 1
sd card is no longer required as all files should now have been installed on the wii.

Make sure you've formatted the external drive to FAT32 using this http://www.ridgecrop.demon.co.uk/guiformat.exe then put the contents of Extarct to USB Device.zip onto the root of the external drive.

If your problem is with cios222 follow this posted by digidude https://www.digitalworldz.co.uk/posts/1683569/

I had the above problem & i followed the instructions in the file & everything worked fine i'm well pleased with it as it saves burning to disc all the time.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Back
Top