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This '''frequently asked questions''' page lists the most common problems associated with using Wii homebrew and does its best to provide solutions for you the reader. If you are having problems, chances are the solution to your problem(s) is present in this guide. Please at least skim through this guide before you ask your question to other people. Because, like I said before, the answers to your problems are most likely in here.
==Before Installing Homebrew==
===What does this word mean?===
We have a glossary of terms here: [http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Glossary Glossary]
===Does Homebrew cost money?===
No. Everything is absolutely free. If you have paid for homebrew, you have been scammed.
===Will installing the Homebrew Channel hurt (brick) my Wii?===
I have never seen it happen. Having said that, in the extremely unlikely event that it does happen, Team Twiizers may not be held responsible.
===Is it illegal to install the Homebrew Channel?===
No. But it will void your Wii's warranty, and Nintendo may refuse to do in and out of warranty repairs on it, such as disc drive replacements.
===Will you help me install my modchip?===
No. Modchips are not supported here.
===What kind of an SD card should I use?===
As long as they're formatted to FAT 16 (FAT) or FAT 32, most SD cards should work for you. All SD cards smaller than 256mb will not work for you because they are too small to be formatted properly. If you are still unsure which type of card to use, this page may help you: SD/SDHC Card Compatibility Tests. Also note that some exploits only work from a plain SD card.
===What is the root of my SD card?===
A place on your SD card that is not inside any folders.
===In general, how do I install homebrew?===
First, you run an exploit. The exploit crashes the Wii and runs unsigned code in the form of a .dol/.elf file on the root of your SD Card. If that unsigned code is the hackmii installer, you can then install the Homebrew Channel to run homebrew without the need to use an exploit
===Does Homebrew work on the Wii U?===
Sort of. As of right now, homebrew can only be run through Wii mode on the Wii U (also known as the virtual wii or vWii).
==Wii U Specifics==
===How different is the Wii U from the Wii? Why is it not hacked yet?===
Much about the Wii U is not known yet. If you want to know more about about the hardware, check the Wii U page. There are no exploits for Wii U mode as of yet. No one has found one.
===What about the controllers?===
The Wii U gamepad uses a form of Wi-Fi Direct (Wi-Fi P2P), likely something similar to Miracast, to provide low latency communication with the console. There is currently no way to interface with the gamepad.
The Wii U Pro controller uses bluetooth, however because we don't know the bluetooth pincode for the controller, we cannot communicate with that either.
[[Wii U GamePad]] / [[Wii U Pro Controller]]
===Can Wii U Save files be modified to create a new exploit for the Wii U?===
No. There is no way to modify or even read Wii U save files. While the Wii U can store save files and programs on external storage, the external storage devices cannot be read because they are either encrypted, use a propritary filesystem, or both.
==Wii to Wii U transfer==
===How does the Wii to Wii U transfer work?===
In a nutshell, the process goes like this: (1) Insert an SD card into the Wii U and prep it using the Wii Transfer tool which can be downloaded from the vWii Shop Channel. (2) After that's finished, take the same SD card and put it into the Wii. Run the Wii Transfer tool, which can be downloaded from the Wii Shop channel. (3) After that's finished, take that SD card and put it in the Wii U. Select the next button to copy the data from the SD card to the Wii U. The data will then be deleted from the SD card. So that's Wii U -> Wii -> Wii U.
===More depth?===
Well, the first thing that happens is that the Wii U prepares the SD card by creating a file, /private/wii/app/HTCE/data/content00.bin. This file probably contains information about the target Wii U console; it averages about a megabyte in size. Then, when the wii runs its transfer tool, it creates a file in the same directory called content01.bin. This contains all the data from the Wii, such as save files, Virtual Console games, and other things. It is moved from the system memory onto the SD card. Its size ranges, depending on the amount of things to be transferred. Now, after inserting the SD card back into the Wii U and continuing the process, the Wii U copies the data from the file content01.bin onto it's memory. Finally, the Wii U erases the transfer data from the SD card.
===Is it safe to transfer data to my Wii U if I have homebrew on my Wii?===
Yes. So far the transfer tool only moves legitimate data from the system memory to the SD card. The Homebrew Channel and other such data will be left behind, and the transfer will go smoothly.
==Homebrew on the Wii U==
===How does homebrew on the Wii U work?===
As of right now, homebrew can only be installed inside Wii Mode on the Wii U.
===How can I install homebrew in Wii mode?===
You must use a savegame exploit, like Smash Stack of Bathaxx, to run code. You can run the hackmii installer to install the Homebrew Channel using one of these exploits.
===How safe is it to install Homebrew in Wii Mode?===
Well, as of right now, there are no problems installing or running standard homebrew applications or the Homebrew Channel in Wii Mode. Be very careful, though. Do NOT install any applications which modify the NAND unless you KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING. Because Wii Mode differs slightly, some modifications that worked on the Wii will not work in Wii Mode. Unless you know what you're doing, it would be best to avoid the risk of bricking Wii Mode altogether. Better safe than sorry.
===Is there any brick protection for Wii Mode, like bootmii or priiloader?===
No, no brick protection exists for Wii Mode. There is no bootmii for Wii Mode, and Priiloader doesn't work with Wii Mode - it will cause a brick. On the upside, if Wii Mode is bricked, the normal Wii U Mode will still work, even though Wii Mode won't load. If you want to avoid a brick, don't use any homebrew which modifies the NAND, plain and simlple.
===Is there a list of compatible exploits for Wii Mode?===
Yes, take a look at the Wii Mode page.
== Indiana Pwns Questions ==
=== Can I use a backup of LEGO Indiana Jones? ===
No, you should be using the original copy. Backups are not supported or condoned by WiiBrew.
=== I have some problems... ===
*Make sure you are using the correct region of the hack
*Make sure you are looking at the ''second'' character in the art room
== Smash Stack Questions ==
=== I have some problems... ===
*You need to remember that this exploit only works if you are using a US NTSC version of the game and Wii.
*Make sure you have renamed your entire original "private" directory on the SD card to "privateold" or something similar.
*Make sure the Smash Stack "private" folder has been copied to the root of your SD card and you have a valid .elf file in the root directory.
== Homebrew Channel Questions ==
=== When installing the Homebrew Channel it fails to find boot.elf or boot.dol ===
Make sure the Homebrew Channels boot.dol file is in the root of your SD card. If that still does not solve your problem, try a different SD card. Some SD cards are simply not compatible with exploits. SD Cards smaller than 256MB will not work. Note: SDHC cards cannot be used to install the Homebrew Channel from an exploit if the Wii itself does not support them.
=== Where are my apps? The Homebrew Channel is only a screen with bubbles. ===
Make sure that you have these three basic things set up for apps on your SD card:
* There is a folder in the root of your SD card named apps. NOTE: apps is case sensitive. It can not be named APPS, aPpS or anything else other than apps in all lower case letters.
* Make sure that no more and no less than one folder is between the apps folder and the boot.dol or boot.elf file of an application.
* Make sure that each of your applications have a path that looks like: /apps/afolder/boot.dol or /apps/afolder/boot.elf
Also, make sure you are using a correctly formatted SD or SDHC card or USB device. (The card you used to install the Homebrew Channel will also work to run apps from).
=== Invalid Wii App ===
Convert the .elf file of the application to a .dol file with the [[ELF to DOL Converter]].
=== I have another question... ===
Read the official [http://hbc.hackmii.com/faq/ HBC FAQ] to find your answer.
== After Homebrew Installation ==
=== Is it safe to update my Wii? ===
Yes. The current updates will not ruin (brick) or hurt your Wii in any way on account of homebrew being installed on your Wii.
=== I am looking for an app that... ===
Please refer to the complete list of Wii Homebrew Applications here: [[List of homebrew applications|Homebrew Applications List]] If you can not find an application that does what you are looking for it is either 1) Not supported by WiiBrew or 2) It doesn't exist. NOTE: New applications are being created just about every week so check back often.
=== Downgrading? ===
Downgrading is '''not''' recommended. Every Wii system menu version will work equally well with homebrew at the moment and the risk of downgrading is not worth the reward.
== For Even More Help ==
=== This FAQ stinks! It didn't solve my problems! ===
Please refer to all of these WiiBrew pages for further assistance:
[http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Indiana_Pwns Indiana Pwns]
[[Bathaxx]]
[[Smash Stack]]
[http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Homebrew_Channel Homebrew Channel]
[http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Homebrew_setup Homebrew setup]
=== I still have problems/questions/concerns ===
Please post a topic in our [http://forum.wiibrew.org WiiBrew Forums] and you will be assisted shortly after.
=== I don't have time to read! I need help NOW!!! Like, this-instant NOW!!! ===
Please go to the IRC. The server is EFNET (irc.efnet.org) The channel is #wiihelp. If you do not have an IRC client you may use mibbit to access the IRC with this link: [http://www.mibbit.com/chat/?url=irc://irc.efnet.org/wiihelp Mibbit WebIRC]. When you get to the channel, please remember to read the rules by typing "!rules" without quotes in the channel.
[[Category:FAQs]]