WiiBrew

Difference between revisions of "Wii-Linux"

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(New page: The Wii PoC Linux mini-distro is a small Linux OS for the Wii, based on GC Linux. == Information == Creator: GC-Linux Team Accessories needed: USB Gecko; Computer running Linux Best PA...)
 
(Update Wii Linux Continuation Project details)
 
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The Wii PoC Linux mini-distro is a small Linux OS for the Wii, based on GC Linux.
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{{Seealso|Wii-Linux/Distros}}
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{{Infobox homebrew
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| title      = Wii-Linux
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| image      = [[File:Icon_WiiLinux.png]]
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| type        = operating system
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| version    = 1.10 (whiite)
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| licence    = Mostly GPL
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| author      = GC-Linux Team
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| website    = http://www.gc-linux.org/
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| download    = http://downloads.sourceforge.net/gc-linux/
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| source      = http://git.infradead.org/users/herraa1/gc-linux-2.6.git
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| peripherals = {{Wiimote1}} {{GCNController}} {{USBKeyboard}} {{FrontSD}} {{USBMSD}} {{USBGecko}}
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}}
  
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== Information ==
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'''Please note:''' The current kernel builds/code patches at gc-linux.org quite dated and it seems they are no longer being actively maintained by the original authors. However, since January 2013 someone else has continued development here [https://github.com/DeltaResero/ [1]]].  Unfortunately, even this project seems to no longer be active.  As such, [[Wii-Linux#Wii Linux Continuation Project|another continuation project]] has appeared that is still active as of May 31st, 2024.
  
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Creator: GC-Linux Team
 
  
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Accessories needed: USB Gecko; Computer running Linux
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'''Wii-Linux''' or '''GC-Linux''' is a port of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux Linux] kernel and related [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_Core_Utilities GNU userspace utilities] to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii Nintendo Wii video game console]. Many [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution distributions of GNU/Linux] are available for the Wii. All current distributions use a version of the "gc-linux" kernel, a port of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_kernel Linux kernel] by the [http://www.gc-linux.org/wiki/Main_Page GC-Linux project].
  
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Best PAL mode: 480i/p
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Wii-Linux may be loaded through the [[Homebrew Channel]] but is recommended to be loaded through [[bootmii]]/[[Mini]] to enable Wi-Fi and USB2.0 support.
  
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Button to return to loader: N/A
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The kernel itself can communicate with nearly all Wii peripherals; Wii Remotes, Wi-Fi, USB, Bluetooth, GameCube controllers, USBGeckos and the DVD drive are supported. GameCube Memory Cards are currently unsupported.
  
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Loaders useable: Zelda Chainloader
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The GC-Linux kernel can run under [[IOS]], Nintendo's official operating system that runs on the Wii's [[Starlet]] coprocessor, while other versions run under the alternate operating system by [[Team Twiizers]] known as mini or "[[Mini]]" (which stands for '''M'''INI '''I'''s '''N'''ot '''I'''OS)
  
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Installation for Zelda Chainloader: As usual, but setup USB gecko and load the software on the PC beforehand (see the readme).
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MINI has some advantages over IOS: full and complete access to Wii internal hardware, such as Wi-Fi, USB2.0, the DVD Drive. See [http://www.gc-linux.org/wiki/Wii:Hardware_Support here].
  
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Software type: Operating System
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The IOS-based kernels can be loaded through the [[Homebrew Channel]], or the [[Twilight Hack]]. But MINI-based kernels must be loaded through MINI (which means "[[BootMii]]" must be installed). BootMii can be installed in two ways. First in [[boot2]] (where the Wii powers up into BootMii) or second in IOS (where BootMii is loaded through the Homebrew Channel). Confusing, but this is current the state of Wii homebrew.
 +
 
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The latest version of GC-Linux is [http://www.gc-linux.org/wiki/MINI:KernelPreviewFive#.27Mini.27_Kernel_Preview_Five_.28aka_MIKE_p5.29 MIKEp5] (which stands for '''MI'''NI '''Ke'''rnel '''P'''review '''Five'''). The MIKEp5 kernel has an IOS and MINI version available.
 +
 
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== Hardware Required ==
 +
 
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* Nintendo Wii Console ([[Homebrew Channel]] or an alternate loader installed. [[bootmii]] installed in boot2 and/or ios)
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* SD Card (Will be formatted. 512MB Required. 2GB Recommended)
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* USB Keyboard
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Note: A computer already running Linux is useful for manual installation.
 +
 
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Note: The SD Card or USB Drive will likely be formatted and repartitioned.
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== Installing ==
 +
===Whiite-Linux Installer ===
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The GC-Linux team has released a [http://web.archive.org/web/20230527055421/http://www.gc-linux.org/wiki/WL:whiite-linux-installer Simple GUI-based installer] can be used with Whiite, Bliight and XWhiite distributions. The installer can be loaded via the [[Homebrew Channel]] or [[Twilight Hack]].  Note that these instructions are for a very old version of Debian Linux which predates the version 5.0 mentioned in here.
 +
 
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An ext3 filesystem is created on a removable disk (SD card or USB drive). The kernel image ELF can be loaded through [[Homebrew Channel]]. It is recommended to replace the kernel image ELF with the compatible MIKE (MIni KErnal) ELF binary. This will enable Wi-Fi and the DVD drive to be used. The latest MIKE version is currently [http://www.gc-linux.org/wiki/MINI:KernelPreviewFive MIKEp5].
 +
 
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=== Manual Installation ===
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Users may install a Wii-Linux distribution manually. Isobel has written the [http://www.gc-linux.org/wiki/WL:whiite-linux#Manual_Installation official instructions] for manual installation.
 +
 
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== Using Wii-Linux ==
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{{Main|Using Wii-Linux}}
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Once a Wii has booted Linux, there are lot's of things for users new to Linux to do.
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* A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphical_user_interface GUI] is available, in the form of an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X.Org_Server X.org server]. Although it is ''not'' optimized for a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10-foot_user_interface "10-foot user interface"], like that found in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii_Menu Wii Menu]. A Wii Remote may be used as a pointing device with the X.org server, but manual configuration is needed. (See xwhiite)
 +
 
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*It's possible for a Wii to powerup directly into Wii-Linux. BootMii must be installed in boot2 for this feature. To enable this, replace the file /bootmii/ppcboot.elf (on the front SD Card) with the GC-Linux kernel of your choice (Remember to back up the original ppcboot.elf somewhere!!)
 +
 
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== Hardware Compatibility ==
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{{Main|Wii-Linux Hardware Compatibility}}
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Before Wii-Linux supported internal Wi-Fi, users were forced to use USB Ethernet Adapters and USB Wi-Fi dongles for an Internet connection. Supported external hardware is listed.
 +
 
 +
Note that currently all internal "native" Wii hardware is supported. Some classic hardware (such as GameCube Memory Cards) are still unsupported. A full list of supported hardware is available [http://www.gc-linux.org/wiki/Wii:Hardware_Support here].
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Also note that [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NDISwrapper NDISwrapper] is '''not''' available for Wii-Linux since the Nintendo Wii uses a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PowerPC PowerPC]-based CPU (NDISwrapper does not have a PPC version and it would take a lot of work to port it)
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== Troubleshooting ==
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{{Main|Troubleshooting Wii-Linux}}
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For frequent problems when installing and setting up Wii-Linux
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== Distributions ==
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{{Main|Distributions of Wii-Linux}}
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Many distributions of GNU/Linux are available for the Nintendo Wii.
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=== Ubuntu 14.04.5 ===
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*Ubuntu PPC for the Wii
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*Designed to be as easy as flash and boot.
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*Made By Wiibuntu
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*TERMINAL ONLY! NO DESKTOP ENVIROMENT!
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*Downloads and .tar's found [https://github.com/Wiibuntu/Ubuntu14-Wii here.]
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*Last updated: 12 March 2024
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=== Ubuntu Server 13.10 ===
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*Ubuntu PPC for the Wii
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*Designed to be as easy as flash and boot.
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*Made By Wiibuntu
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*Downloads found [https://github.com/Wiibuntu/Ubuntu-13.10-Wii here.]
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*Last updated: 11 March 2024
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=== xUbuntu 9.04 ===
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*xUbuntu PPC for the Wii
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*Designed to be as easy as flash and boot.
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*Made By Wiibuntu
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*xorg already installed along with xfce4
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*All repository's are set to old-releases already
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*Downloads and .tar's found [https://github.com/Wiibuntu/Xubuntu-9.04-Wii/tree/main here.]
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*Last updated: 7 February 2024
 +
 
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=== Wii-Linux-NGX ===
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*Based on Debian Jessie 8.0
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*Made by [https://github.com/neagix neagix], who keeps the repository for the distribution on github
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Includes several different branches of implementations of the GNU/Linux kernel:
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*[https://github.com/neagix/linux/tree/stable-v3.x stable-v3.x], latest working v3.x kernel with most up to date upstream patches
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*[https://github.com/neagix/linux/tree/experimental-v3.x experimental-v3.x], some features might be broken (SDHC)
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*[https://github.com/neagix/linux/tree/experimental-v4.x experimental-v4.x], some features might be broken (SDHC)
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Current working features:
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*WiFi
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*Reading DVD-ROMs
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*Xorg (using the framebuffer)
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Last Update: 6 September 2017.
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=== Whiite ===
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[http://www.gc-linux.org/wiki/WL:whiite-linux#Introduction Whiite-linux] is a Debian 5.0 (lenny) based Linux distribution for the Nintendo Wii.
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*Wifi, USB2.0 and DVD drive support when running with [http://www.gc-linux.org/wiki/MINI:KernelPreviewFive MikeP5]
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*Easy Wifi configuration tool in /root/ to run type ./whiite-ez-wifi-config
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*[http://sourceforge.net/projects/gc-linux/files/wii-linux/whiite-linux-1.10/debian-lenny-5.0%2Bwhiite-1.10.tar.bz2/download Version 1.10 (Debian Lenny 5.0) Download]
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*Currently uses kernel [http://www.gc-linux.org/wiki/MINI:KernelPreviewFive 2.6.32]
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*Written by the gc-linux team.
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*Last updated: 21 Oct 2009
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=== WiiToo! ===
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[[WiiToo!]] is a minimal precompiled stage4  made to let you run [http://www.gentoo.org/ Gentoo] on your Wii using [http://www.gc-linux.org/wiki/MINI:KernelPreviewFour MIKE] and [[Mini]]. It provides all the basic software required to compile and install new programs on it, and some other software ready to be used. The kernel used is plain vanilla-sources & [[Wii-Linux]] patches, so expect WiFi working out of the box.
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*Ready to use, uncompress, copy, configure and run
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*Highly configurable, like Gentoo
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*USB keyboard isn't a requirement, simply configure your network and use SSH
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*Can use all the hardware that Wii-Linux is able to use
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* Last update: 29 October 2009
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=== Archii ===
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*Arch Linux PPC for the Wii
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*Designed for use with the new MIKE p1 kernel but can be made to work with Boot it or any other kernel release.
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*Made By TheStorm/JonimusPrime and zc00gii
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*Is designed for more advanced users to create from scratch but minimal and X11 file-system tars are available
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**The X11 tar has X.Org installed along with the OpenBox3 WM and Cwiid for Wii Remote input
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**It also includes the Opera Browser, X-Chat IRC client and Pidgin IM client
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**The Minimal image is just enough to get you booted and the end user can install any packages they wish using pacman
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*File-system tars can be found [http://jonimoose.net/archii/ here.]
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*Last updated: 11 July 2009
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=== XWhiite ===
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*[[Wii Linux#Whiite|Whiite]] but with the X.Org environment successfully implemented.
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*It currently uses [[Wii Linux#Kernel 2.6.27|kernel 2.6.32]].
 +
*It also includes some applications including Firefox.
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*It uses the whiite method of installation
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*It has now been updated to v0.2
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*Made by bertjan
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*[https://mega.nz/#!O0tjXCrK!etpJQMHvTOzQtORQw_J8J1twOLXfo5O1cPQfEASLVZY v0.2 Download]
 +
*Last updated: 02 December 2008
 +
 
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=== Wii Linux Continuation Project ===
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*A kernel based on [[Wii-Linux#Wii-Linux-NGX|Wii-Linux-NGX]], with upgrades and patches
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*Modern (2024) [https://github.com/kth5/archpower ArchPOWER]-based rootfs
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*Xorg can optionally be installed, and works properly, however does not come with the base system
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*Kernel previously updated by TheOtherOne, work continued by [[User:Techflash|Techflash]]
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*Includes a custom Linux text console based boot menu written in C to pick a distro to boot.
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*[https://wii-linux.org Website, including download links]
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*[https://github.com/Wii-Linux All code relating to the project]
 +
*Last updated: 6 November 2024
 +
 
 +
== External links ==
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* A [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hUSkOLWMZ8 video] showing '''Arch Linux on the Wii''' called, "Archii."
 +
* A [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiYbQfDhGKg video] showing a playable '''pacman console game with Wii Remote support'''
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* A [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpDcnaeftsc video] showing '''how Wii-Linux Debian boots''', with some features and applications
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* A [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1UCQEMO8yc video] showing '''T2 SDE 6.0 Linux booting from an external HDD using the SD card as pivot root. X runs!'''
 +
* A [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pvHvcq8qJ8 video] showing T2 SDE 6.0 Linux booting from an external HDD using a ramdisk card as pivot root. In this video '''the xserver works with a driver for Wii/GameCube and has correct colours'''
 +
 
 +
[[Category:Homebrew applications]]

Latest revision as of 17:33, 6 November 2024

See also: Wii-Linux/Distros

Please note: The current kernel builds/code patches at gc-linux.org quite dated and it seems they are no longer being actively maintained by the original authors. However, since January 2013 someone else has continued development here [1]]. Unfortunately, even this project seems to no longer be active. As such, another continuation project has appeared that is still active as of May 31st, 2024.

Wii-Linux
Icon WiiLinux.png
General
Author(s)GC-Linux Team
TypeOperating system
Version1.10 (whiite)
LicenceMostly GPL
Links
Download
Website
Source
Peripherals
Wiimote1.svg GameCube Controller USB Keyboard Loads files from the Front SD slot USB mass storage device USBGecko2.svg


Wii-Linux or GC-Linux is a port of the Linux kernel and related GNU userspace utilities to the Nintendo Wii video game console. Many distributions of GNU/Linux are available for the Wii. All current distributions use a version of the "gc-linux" kernel, a port of the Linux kernel by the GC-Linux project.

Wii-Linux may be loaded through the Homebrew Channel but is recommended to be loaded through bootmii/Mini to enable Wi-Fi and USB2.0 support.

The kernel itself can communicate with nearly all Wii peripherals; Wii Remotes, Wi-Fi, USB, Bluetooth, GameCube controllers, USBGeckos and the DVD drive are supported. GameCube Memory Cards are currently unsupported.

The GC-Linux kernel can run under IOS, Nintendo's official operating system that runs on the Wii's Starlet coprocessor, while other versions run under the alternate operating system by Team Twiizers known as mini or "Mini" (which stands for MINI Is Not IOS)

MINI has some advantages over IOS: full and complete access to Wii internal hardware, such as Wi-Fi, USB2.0, the DVD Drive. See here.

The IOS-based kernels can be loaded through the Homebrew Channel, or the Twilight Hack. But MINI-based kernels must be loaded through MINI (which means "BootMii" must be installed). BootMii can be installed in two ways. First in boot2 (where the Wii powers up into BootMii) or second in IOS (where BootMii is loaded through the Homebrew Channel). Confusing, but this is current the state of Wii homebrew.

The latest version of GC-Linux is MIKEp5 (which stands for MINI Kernel Preview Five). The MIKEp5 kernel has an IOS and MINI version available.

Hardware Required

  • Nintendo Wii Console (Homebrew Channel or an alternate loader installed. bootmii installed in boot2 and/or ios)
  • SD Card (Will be formatted. 512MB Required. 2GB Recommended)
  • USB Keyboard

Note: A computer already running Linux is useful for manual installation.

Note: The SD Card or USB Drive will likely be formatted and repartitioned.

Installing

Whiite-Linux Installer

The GC-Linux team has released a Simple GUI-based installer can be used with Whiite, Bliight and XWhiite distributions. The installer can be loaded via the Homebrew Channel or Twilight Hack. Note that these instructions are for a very old version of Debian Linux which predates the version 5.0 mentioned in here.

An ext3 filesystem is created on a removable disk (SD card or USB drive). The kernel image ELF can be loaded through Homebrew Channel. It is recommended to replace the kernel image ELF with the compatible MIKE (MIni KErnal) ELF binary. This will enable Wi-Fi and the DVD drive to be used. The latest MIKE version is currently MIKEp5.

Manual Installation

Users may install a Wii-Linux distribution manually. Isobel has written the official instructions for manual installation.

Using Wii-Linux

Main article: Using Wii-Linux

Once a Wii has booted Linux, there are lot's of things for users new to Linux to do.

  • A GUI is available, in the form of an X.org server. Although it is not optimized for a "10-foot user interface", like that found in the Wii Menu. A Wii Remote may be used as a pointing device with the X.org server, but manual configuration is needed. (See xwhiite)
  • It's possible for a Wii to powerup directly into Wii-Linux. BootMii must be installed in boot2 for this feature. To enable this, replace the file /bootmii/ppcboot.elf (on the front SD Card) with the GC-Linux kernel of your choice (Remember to back up the original ppcboot.elf somewhere!!)

Hardware Compatibility

Main article: Wii-Linux Hardware Compatibility

Before Wii-Linux supported internal Wi-Fi, users were forced to use USB Ethernet Adapters and USB Wi-Fi dongles for an Internet connection. Supported external hardware is listed.

Note that currently all internal "native" Wii hardware is supported. Some classic hardware (such as GameCube Memory Cards) are still unsupported. A full list of supported hardware is available here.

Also note that NDISwrapper is not available for Wii-Linux since the Nintendo Wii uses a PowerPC-based CPU (NDISwrapper does not have a PPC version and it would take a lot of work to port it)

Troubleshooting

Main article: Troubleshooting Wii-Linux

For frequent problems when installing and setting up Wii-Linux

Distributions

Main article: Distributions of Wii-Linux

Many distributions of GNU/Linux are available for the Nintendo Wii.

Ubuntu 14.04.5

  • Ubuntu PPC for the Wii
  • Designed to be as easy as flash and boot.
  • Made By Wiibuntu
  • TERMINAL ONLY! NO DESKTOP ENVIROMENT!
  • Downloads and .tar's found here.
  • Last updated: 12 March 2024

Ubuntu Server 13.10

  • Ubuntu PPC for the Wii
  • Designed to be as easy as flash and boot.
  • Made By Wiibuntu
  • Downloads found here.
  • Last updated: 11 March 2024

xUbuntu 9.04

  • xUbuntu PPC for the Wii
  • Designed to be as easy as flash and boot.
  • Made By Wiibuntu
  • xorg already installed along with xfce4
  • All repository's are set to old-releases already
  • Downloads and .tar's found here.
  • Last updated: 7 February 2024

Wii-Linux-NGX

  • Based on Debian Jessie 8.0
  • Made by neagix, who keeps the repository for the distribution on github

Includes several different branches of implementations of the GNU/Linux kernel:

Current working features:

  • WiFi
  • Reading DVD-ROMs
  • Xorg (using the framebuffer)

Last Update: 6 September 2017.

Whiite

Whiite-linux is a Debian 5.0 (lenny) based Linux distribution for the Nintendo Wii.

  • Wifi, USB2.0 and DVD drive support when running with MikeP5
  • Easy Wifi configuration tool in /root/ to run type ./whiite-ez-wifi-config
  • Version 1.10 (Debian Lenny 5.0) Download
  • Currently uses kernel 2.6.32
  • Written by the gc-linux team.
  • Last updated: 21 Oct 2009

WiiToo!

WiiToo! is a minimal precompiled stage4 made to let you run Gentoo on your Wii using MIKE and Mini. It provides all the basic software required to compile and install new programs on it, and some other software ready to be used. The kernel used is plain vanilla-sources & Wii-Linux patches, so expect WiFi working out of the box.

  • Ready to use, uncompress, copy, configure and run
  • Highly configurable, like Gentoo
  • USB keyboard isn't a requirement, simply configure your network and use SSH
  • Can use all the hardware that Wii-Linux is able to use
  • Last update: 29 October 2009

Archii

  • Arch Linux PPC for the Wii
  • Designed for use with the new MIKE p1 kernel but can be made to work with Boot it or any other kernel release.
  • Made By TheStorm/JonimusPrime and zc00gii
  • Is designed for more advanced users to create from scratch but minimal and X11 file-system tars are available
    • The X11 tar has X.Org installed along with the OpenBox3 WM and Cwiid for Wii Remote input
    • It also includes the Opera Browser, X-Chat IRC client and Pidgin IM client
    • The Minimal image is just enough to get you booted and the end user can install any packages they wish using pacman
  • File-system tars can be found here.
  • Last updated: 11 July 2009

XWhiite

  • Whiite but with the X.Org environment successfully implemented.
  • It currently uses kernel 2.6.32.
  • It also includes some applications including Firefox.
  • It uses the whiite method of installation
  • It has now been updated to v0.2
  • Made by bertjan
  • v0.2 Download
  • Last updated: 02 December 2008

Wii Linux Continuation Project

External links

  • A video showing Arch Linux on the Wii called, "Archii."
  • A video showing a playable pacman console game with Wii Remote support
  • A video showing how Wii-Linux Debian boots, with some features and applications
  • A video showing T2 SDE 6.0 Linux booting from an external HDD using the SD card as pivot root. X runs!
  • A video showing T2 SDE 6.0 Linux booting from an external HDD using a ramdisk card as pivot root. In this video the xserver works with a driver for Wii/GameCube and has correct colours
Retrieved from "https://wiibrew.org/w/index.php?title=Wii-Linux&oldid=120582"