-- Who's this for --

- People who want WAD based homebrew and people who want to install the Backup Launcher but have updated to 3.3 post October or 3.4

-- What you need --

- A Nintendo Wii with firmware version 3.4 (if you are on 3.3 then update to 3.4)
- Zelda: Twilight Princess original disk, with an existing saved game on your console
- SD card (anything under 2gb) freshly formatted as FAT
- My Installation files pack. Get it in post 1.
- WiFi connection on your Wii to download the firmware you select to downgrade to.


-- What to do --

DOWNGRADING
1. Copy all the files provided to the root/base of your SD card. When you open your SD card it should have the following folders and files: apps, private, WAD, boot.dol, IOS36-64-v1042.wad.

2. If you don’t already have the Homebrew Channel installed, follow the Homebrew Channel installation guide above in post 2.

3. Now launch the Homebrew Channel (HBC) from the Wii’s Main Menu.

4. Within the HBC menu click on ‘Wad Manager’ and load it.
Press ‘A’ on the WiiMote once. The Wii should detect a SD Card.
Press ‘A’ again to see a list of WADs on the SD Card.
Use the ‘D-Pad’ to select ‘IOS16-64-v257-prod.wad’.
Press the ’+’ to install the WAD.
Once it has installed the WAD, press the ‘Home’ button to restart you Wii.

5. Go back into the HBC and find and load ‘Custom WM’. Now using the same method as in the previous step install the ‘cios_fix.wad’.
Once it has installed the WAD, press the ‘Home’ button to restart you Wii again.

6. Back into the HBC again, find and load ‘IOS Downgrader’. Just follow the on screen instructions and wait until it finishes installing everything.
NOTE: Do not interrupt the process!

7. Once again go into the HBC. Find and load ‘CustomIOS Downgrader’.
PICK YOUR DESIRED FIRMWARE WITH THE CORRECT CONSOLE REGION i.e. for PAL/EUR consoles pick the recommended 3.2E, for NTSC/USA consoles pick 3.2U.
Follow prompts until done.

HACKING AND SECURING THE 3.2 FIRMWARE
8. Now find and load `Starfall` from within the Homebrew Channel. If you read the disclaimer carefully, you will see you are instructed to press B+1.
Press B+1 until you get to the next screen (it can be picky so don’t be surprised if you have to keep pressing it a number of times).
At the next screen the most important things to install are the last 3 options. Many people like to just install everything which is fine.

9. One last time head into the HBC, and load ‘Safe 3.3 Updates’. Just say ‘Yes’ to all. This will give you essential safe updates that come with firmware 3.3.

10. Disable WiiConnect24 from within the wii settings. (Wii Options -> Wii Settings -> WiiConnect24 -> WiiConnect24 -> Off)

11. You are now set!

-- What you need --

- Wii running firmware 3.2 recommended. Most apps will work regardless of your firmware aslong as you have the Homebrew Channel installed (tutorial 1)
- Homebrew channel installed. Check Post 2 for instructions on installing it.
- SD card (1gb and over recommended) freshly formatted as FAT
- My Homebrew pack. Get it in post 1.


-- What's included in the Pack --

Utilities:
- DVDx Installer: essential in order for homebrew applications to be able to use the dvd drive
- Starfall: Wii hacks & utilities
- Wad Manager: install and uninstall channels via WAD files
- SD Card Explorer
- Homebrew Browser: online homebrew browser that allows you to download and install more homebrew.
- Homebrew Disc Loader: allows you to load further homebrew from a DVDR
- Backup Launcher 0.3 gamma: Load backup games from within the HBC (requires waninkoko's cIOS - also included)

Applications:
- MPlayerWii: Plays all sorts of video media from SD-card, DVD-R or network.
- MPlayer: Originally for the gamecube, allows you to play DVD movies. Also plays all sorts of video media from the sd-card.
- DVD Dumper: Dumps content of game inserted to your SD card or network connected PC as an ISO so you can burn a backup.
- DuckHunt: Classic shooting game tht uses the Wiimote pointing capabilities.
- Pong: all time classic game.
- FTPII: allows you to connect to your Wii from any PC to transfer files to and from the SD card.
- NES emulator + some roms
- SNES emulator + some roms
- GBA + some roms
- N64 emulator
- Master System emulator + some roms
- Megadrive emulator + some roms
- ScummVM - Point & Click adventures


-- What to do --

1. Copy all the files in the pack onto your SD card. When you open your SD card it should have the following folders: apps, config, WAD, etc.

2. Launch your Homebrew Channel and find and load DVDx Installer. Now follow the onscreen instructions, if in doubt select Normal Install.

3. Delete DVDx and any other apps you may not want in the HBC from the SD card (within the apps folder). I recommended you remove any Utilities you no longer need (i.e. starfall, waninkokos cIOS, downgrader, etc.) to avoid others bricking your wii.

4. To add more roms go into the Apps folder then find the emulator folder. Inside that folder you will see a rom's folder where you can add additional games. (e.g. appsnesroms).
NOTE: scummVM roms go in the folder scummvmdemos (from the root of your sdcard).

5. To add media files to play with the MPlayers, simply add them to the root of the SD card or a dvd-r (only MPlayerWii)

6. Some emulators require you to load the rom first, so go to Load Rom in the menu, select the rom you want , then go back to the menu and select Play Game.
NOTE: some emulators won't default to the roms folder, simply browse the SD card and go into the roms folder described in point 4. Use the .. symbol to go up a level.

7. Use the Homebrew Browser to see what other Homebrew applications are available for the wii, if you see one you like just click on download and it should, in theory, auto install it and configure it for you on the SD card.
NOTE: disable the write lock on the SD card (if it has one).

1. What firmware version do I have?
From the Main Menu click on the Wii Options icon (bottom left of the screen). Go into Wii Settings. Top right of the screen you will see your wii firmware version. e.g. Ver. 3.3E means you are on the European firmware version 3.3.

2. What are Firmware versions "3.3 pre October (3.3v1)" and "3.3 post October (3.3v2)" and how can I tell which I have if I am on 3.3E/3.3U ?
Nintendo released an update for firmware 3.3 in October that put an end to allowing us to install code from WAD files. Both versions of 3.3 display as either 3.3E (for europe consoles) and 3.3U for NTSC consoles. The best way to tell what you have is to know your Wii! If if you ran an System Update after October you will be on the new 3.3 firmware or higher. If you have never ran System Update you are most likely still on 3.3v1 or lower. If you have only just purchased a new Wii it is 50/50.
Alternatively you can attempt to install a WAD file (i.e. you can attempt the backup launcher install) and if it gives a ticket error -2011 then you know you are on the newer version of the firmware and need to downgrade.
On 3.3v2 you can still install the homebrew channel and run .dol apps, but you will need to downgrade your firmware version in order to use WAD files (which are needed for the software backup loader mod).

3. So what do I do if I have 3.3 post October or higher and want the Backup Launcher?
if this is the case, you will need to downgrade. Check the relevant guide above for instructions.

4. What if I have 3.3 post October or higher and I follow your Backup Launcher guide without downgrading?
Nothing, your Wii will remain as is. Wii's running versions 3.3b or higher don't allow WAD file execution, so when you reach point 6 you will be stuck as you will get an error when it attempts to install the required files. If you are on 3.4 then you wont even be able to install the Homebrew Channelw with the files supplied.

5. I have an NTSC Wii, what "Twilight Hack" saved game should I launch within my Zelda game?
You must determine the correct save slot to load by checking your version of the game. To do this, compare the text string which is on the inner circle of the data surface of your game disk with the ones below:
America (USA) RVL-RZDE-0A-0 JPN TwilightHack0
America (USA) RVL-RZDE-0A-0 USA TwilightHack0
America (USA) RVL-RZDE-0A-2 USA TwilightHack2

6. I have a PAL Wii, will any original Zelda Twilight Princes game work?
Yes.

7. What are the risks to my Wii if I follow this guide?
As long as you don't do something dumb like turn off your Wii while it's installing a WAD or any other component, risks are minimal, or else you will get a brick.

8. What else can I do with this Homebrew Channel??
Lots, you can install the Backup Launcher, setup dvd, divx, radio and other media players, install emulators for older consoles (psx, N64, snes, megadrive, etc), play the quake remake, and loads more. Just google Wii Homebrew.

9. How do i add more apps to my homebrew channel?
On your SD card you will find an "apps" folder, simply create a new folder in there with the name of your homebrew program and copy the .dol or .elf you downloaded into that folder. You will need to rename it to boot.dol or boot.elf in order for the HBC to detect it. Also it is a good idea to delete the hacked zelda saved game, so that you can actually play it :-)

10. Can I delete all the other files from your pack from my SD card?
Yes, once it is installed, you no longer need them on your SD card, in fact I recommend you format your SD card once you are done with this tutorial, then create an apps folder in there and start downloading your homebrew apps :-)

11. What if I want to delete all these hacks from my Wii?
Well you can delete all the channels or format your Wii memory from within the Wii's settings menu, and you can uninstall the custom IOS with the uninstaller you can download from waninkokos website. ALTERNATIVELY just run system update, and go to the latest firmware as this will disable and remove all homebrew.

12. I don't have Zelda Twilight Princess, do I really need it? And where should I get it?
Yes you do need it, as it's the base start for hacking a a Wii that does not have a modchip. Best bet is ebay or CEX or Game or any other sell/trade stores. I picked up my copy for £20. Or you can buy it new for about £30-35 from Play or Amazon.

13. I don't have a WiFi connection setup on my Wii, can I install downgrade?
Yes you can, just not with my guide. Sorry, but a quick google should find you what you need my friend. I may in future look into it and update the current method.

14. What is the compatability like on the Backup Loader?
They say it will load 90-95% of 1:1 copies (copies identical to the original), and that it will load 85-90% of patched copies. Some games may experience choppy/laggy video scenes, but it's not that bad. Use good media and a low burn speed to reduce these possible issues.
For a complete list of games that work and don't or have minor issues/glithces check out :
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NOTE: It does NOT load any Gamecube backups.

15. I get a green screen for a a second or two after launching my backup, should I be worried?
No it's normal, everyone gets it. Don't worry, be happy.

16. What's the difference between this software mod and an actual drive chip?
The main difference is that this is FREE compared to the £60 you will probably pay for a modchip. It also forces you to discover and install the Homebrew channel which in turn will let you get so much more out of your Wii.

17. I'm getting errors like "ticket error -2011" or "1035 error" or "Install returned -1" what should I do?
I believe this means you are on the newer version of firmware 3.3 (post october update) and your system cannot load and install from WAD files. You must downgrade. If you have downgraded and are on 3.2 and still get that error, then it was a bad downgrade or you are still missing a step form the downgrade process! If this happens when you are downgrading and trying to install the cios_fix.wad with the custom wad manager, then use the normal wad manager to install it and carry on with the rest of the guide.

18. I can't load Gamecube games, what the hell?
Yes, that's because gamecube backups are not supported.

19. Will you notify us and update this thread when a new version of the cIOS or the loader channel is available with improvements.
Most likely, depends when they come out.

20. What's that "Wiizle Diizle Shiizle" you recommend?
It's an all in One Tool for Patching the game region (JAP, US, PAL) and removing of DVD-Updates from your wii game disk image files. It also acts as your local game collection database.

21. It's not working on 2.1 or lower
I believe the Wii's on really old firmware models are missing code in some of the IOS sectors that the homebrew channel links onto. I recommend you just update the wii. If you have mario kart or mario galaxy use those to update to 3.x and you'll be set (you wont even need to downgrade). Alternative use the System Update to go to 3.4 and then downgrade.

22. On the Nintendo64 emulator and some others, I can load the menu but then can't do anything??! whats wrong?
Nothing is wrong, you are using the wrong input device, try using the Wii Classic controller or a gamecube controller in either port1 or port4.

23. Why should I trust your process and your files?
Don't. In fact you will understand how this all works better if you do your own research and digg around. I put in a couple of days research and saw the different files and methods being used. I opted to go for the latest release from the spanish hacker Waninko for the CustomIOS as he and others state that it is an improved version of the Wiigator cIOS. I then opted to install a forced/automated Backup Launcher Channel for the Wii Main Menu that you simply have to click on once after inserting your disk to get into the game... instead of having to enter the HBC or being prompted with configuration menus asking what disk it is and how I would want to load it. I went for Quick & Sweet, and I now chose to share it.

24. 'Failed to read boot.elf (-1)!' Error when installing Homebrew Channel / Twillight Hack. What do I do?
If you get an error such as Failed to read boot.elf (-1), your SD card may not be formatted as FAT or it may be an SDHC card! You need a standard SD card formatted as FAT.

25. I get a error code 324 from the backup launcher. What's up?
This is a DVD read error.. and in order to solve it try the following:
First check that the game you are trying is compatible with the backup launcher (check point 14 in the FAQ). If not try another game. Mario Kart or Mario Galaxy is a good start.
Verify that the image of the game you're trying to burn is legit and a 1:1 virgin image (no patches, no scrubber).
Are you using a DVD+R or a RW or a DL? If so switch to a DVD-R.
Are you burning images at maximum/auto speed? If so burn at 4x or lower, they say 2x is best.
Are you already using a DVD-R a 2x? try a different media brand. Verbatim are the best.
Try a different burner. I use nero's burn image feature, lots of people prefer Imgburn.
PM me to buy a game that works on my backup launcher wii (so you know it's not a media/game/image issue)
If all fails ensure you are on firmware version 3.2 and reinstall Waninkokos cIOS and the gamma launcher ( you may want to do this first to not waste disks).

26. Where can I buy Wii backup games?
Straight from me. Send me a PM with the games you want. Check out the first post for details.

27. A PAL game is in black and white, what the hell?
The ISO was probably region freed with RegionFrii or the wizzle app, force it to boot via PAL60 or PAL50 depending on your region/TV. To do this go into the Backup Launcher menu (hold the "1" button after hitting start), go into Options and select Force Pal60 by using the D-Pad. then return to menu and launch the game from there.


Useful Links

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Thanks to

1. Team Twiizers for the Twilight hack, the Homebrew Channel and for making all of it possible
2. Waninkoko for his pro skillz in hacking and patching the firmware allowing the softmods, and all his downgrading and misc tools!
3. WiiGator and his crew for the gamma 0.3 and all the work done on software based Backup loading.
4. NeoRame for the compiled WAD of the Backup Loader Channel included in the files.
5. Whoever the images i nicked from google belong to 8)