Homebrew setup

This is a step-by-step guide of how to install the Homebrew Channel on your Wii console. The method described in this tutorial is based on Bannerbomb exploit, as this is the easiest; other methods of installing the Homebrew Channel are: Indiana Pwns and Twilight Hack.

This tutorial applies to versions of the Wii System Menu ranging from 3.0 to 4.2.

About the Homebrew Channel

The Homebrew Channel is a self-updating application created by Team Twiizers, which allows users to easily load and use homebrew applications, without having to use exploits such as Bannerbomb or Twilight Hack every time they run a new application. After installation, the channel is accessible from the Wii Menu just like any other Wii channel. The channel can be deleted at any time through the Wii's "Data Management" menu. The Homebrew Channel does not show up in the console's play logs, however this does not affect the Wii in any way whatsoever.

Setting up Homebrew Channel

What is needed

• A Wii console
• An SD card
• The HackMii installer
• The Bannerbomb Exploit
• A computer (PC or Macintosh)
• And SD card reader for your computer

Part 1: Formatting the SD card

Important! This process will erase the data on the card and it is therefore recommended that you make a back-up copy the any data you may currently have on your SD card before continuing.

Windows

1. Open up My Computer.
2. Right-click on the drive that contains the SD card and select Format....
3. Under File system make sure you select FAT (see picture to the right).
4. Click "Start" and let the process finalize.
5. After the formatting is finished proceed to the next step.

Mac OS

1. Open up Disk Utility
2. Find your SD card in the navigation.
3. Go to the Erase tab.
4. Change the Volume Format to MS-DOS (FAT).
5. Click "Erase" and let the process finalize.
6. After the formatting is finished proceed to the next step.

Linux

1. Open up a terminal.
2. Execute the command "mkfs.vfat /dev/<location of your SD card>".
3. Caution not to reformat your hard disk. Think hard before formatting /dev/sda1, for example.
4. After the formatting is finished proceed to the next step.

Part 2: Copying files to SD card

1. Download Bannerbomb and the HackMii installer.
2. Extract both Bannerbomb and HackMii installer in an easily accessible folder, such as your Desktop (pic. 1).
3. Open up the folder called hackmii_installer_beta3 (pic. 2).
4. Copy file boot.elf to your SD card (pic. 3).
5. Finally, copy the folder called private (which you extracted from the Bannerbomb archive) to your SD card. Pic. 4 shows what files your SD card should contain.

• 
  Extract the files to your Desktop
• 
  Copy boot.elf to your SD card
• 
  Copy folder private to your SD card
• 
  Your SD card should look like this in the end

Part 3: Setting up your Wii

1. Do NOT insert your SD card into the console yet.
2. Power on your Wii.
3. Bannerbomb v1 (3.0–4.1): Go to Data Management > Channels > SD Card.
4. Bannerbomb v2 (4.2): Click the SD card icon in the bottom left of the Wii Menu.
5. Insert your SD card into the slot found in the front of your Wii console.
6. A window should appear "Load Boot.dol/elf?"; select "Yes".
7. If process was successful you should see a disclaimer — please continue the tutorial. If you did not see a disclaimer please download a new version of Bannerbomb (specific to your System Menu) and try again.

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  Open the settings menu
• 
  Go into Data Management and then Channels
• 
  Press SD Card
• A pop-up box will appear. Click yes.
  A pop-up box will appear. Click yes.

Part 4: Installing the Homebrew Channel

1. You will be presented with one of the screens below; if you have a new Wii you will only be able to install BootMii as boot2.
2. Select continue.
3. Go to Homebrew Channel > Install the Homebrew Channel. You will be asked whether you want to install the channel; select yes. After installation you should get a message "finished" and return you to the initial menu.
4. Go to Install DVDx > Install DVDx and select yes. (What is DVDx?)
5. If possible, install BootMii as boot2; if not install it as an IOS. (What is BootMii?)

• 
  Can Install BootMii as boot2
• 
  Cannot install BootMii as boot2 (newer Wii consoles)

Running Bootmii Through HBC

If you're one of the late-comers to the Wii party you may have had to install BootMii via IOS. In that case you have to run BootMii by going into The HBC and hit the "Home" button on your Wii Remote. Place your cursor onto the "Launch BootMii" selection and press A.

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Extra Note
While in BootMii, you should back up your NAND memory. This is mainly for those who have installed bootmii as Boot2, but should still be done when installed as IOS. when in BootMii, you will not have access to the wii-mote, so you will have to use a gamecube controller, or the buttons on the Wii itself. (power button is move cursor, reset button is select option.)
Select the 4th option then hit A/Reset, then you are taken to a new option.
The first corresponds to the backing up of NAND memory, the second; "injecting" NAND back into memory...
Select the first option (you must have at least 512MB of space on SD card to do so) to back up NAND.

Troubleshooting

When I insert my SD card to start the process nothing happens!

• One of 4 things has happened:

1. You didn't place the data on the SD card right.
2. You went into the savegame data menu instead of the channel menu.
3. You need to set the archive bit of the private\wii\title\aktn\content.bin.
4. You need the next bannerbomb zip. Download the next one and start over.

OMG!! One of the selections is purple and says I can't install BootMii!!

• You havn't read this page in detail, this is explained further up with a picture of the screen.

My Wiimote quit working when i loaded up BootMii! Why? and Can this be fixed?

• You didn't read BootMii's FAQ or the README file located in the Hackmii installer archive.

Both State that you have to use a Gamecube controller or the Power/Reset/Eject buttons on the console. In order for this to be fixed a lot of coding will have to be done to make a custom Bluetooth stack and drivers for BootMii. This isn't on the top of the priority list.

Will my Wavebird wireless controller work?

• Yes, but you must hold any (unused) button when you start up your Wii.

(Wavebird wireless controller now supported in beta3)

Any other questions whould be directed to the WiiBrew:FAQ. I'm human after all and can't remember every question that is asked but will update as necessary

• 
  Can Install BootMii as boot2
• 
  Can not install BootMii as boot2

If everything went as planned you should have everything installed and should select "exit" and your Wii will load into the Homebrew Channel, Or into the system menu with The Homebrew Channel on the menu.

See also

• Homebrew Browser
• List of homebrew applications

Notes

Choose the appropriate version of Bannerbomb based on your System Menu version the follow then instructions on the website.

The other three files contain information that made the creation of this tutorial possible but are not needed in the actual installation and use of the HackMii installer.

Once you press A on your Wii Remote it will power off and be unusable. You have to use a GameCube controller plugged into slot #1, or the three buttons on the front of the console.

External links

• Homebrew showcase — A YouTube video presentation of popular Homebrew applications
• HackMii blog — Blog of one of the creators of the Homebrew Channel
• Wii Would Like To Hack — A video tutorial on YouTube done by AlphaAxe777