Worklog Gman's Wii portable

Gman

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The hype
IMG_20160225_205749492_zps1wsfcuvo.JPG
 
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ShockSlayer

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Absolute insanity.
 

Noah

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I see all of the drive connectors are gone. Safe to assume this is a GC only machine until a daughter board solution is worked out?

That thing is crazy small. Can't wait to see how far you take it.
 

Gman

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I see all of the drive connectors are gone. Safe to assume this is a GC only machine until a daughter board solution is worked out?

That thing is crazy small. Can't wait to see how far you take it.
Everything will be rewired directly to the GPU including the disc drive, no reason that won't work. Also it is probable that I could have a working Wii smaller than an omgwtf by the end of the weekend.

This board was booting every time just fine, then seemingly random, it just stopped turning on. I have no clue why, but I've got 5 more wiis to do it again!
 

Noah

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Everything will be rewired directly to the GPU including the disc drive, no reason that won't work. Also it is probable that I could have a working Wii smaller than an omgwtf by the end of the weekend.

This board was booting every time just fine, then seemingly random, it just stopped turning on. I have no clue why, but I've got 5 more wiis to do it again!
I'm in awe. This is truly more revolutionary than the work done on the GameCube.
 

Gman

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I'm in awe. This is truly more revolutionary than the work done on the GameCube.
Thanks, couldn't have done it without everyone's contribution. I went from basic trim to omgwtf in just 3 days.
 

Gman

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Some notes:
Regarding Wifi relocation
-Filter50 inline on pin 5 is required inorder for the wii to boot
-Wifi relocation has been successful for me until I either relocate the capacitor on pins 11 and 12 or I just dont connect it and then the board stops working after that

I have successfully relocated the bluetooth module to maximum points several times now and no issues. Pins 10 and 11 that go to the GPU, have to be relocated to the trace, there is no via for pins 10 and 11 on the bottom of the board. Those traces are very small and delicate so once you solder it, secure the wire and dont pull it.

I have also successfully relocated SD card directly the the filters ontop of the GPU. The 5 pin ICs on the SD card are presumably not required but not 100% positive on this yet.

The preamp by the video encoder can be cut off with no issues, then just wire audio and video directly to the video encoder after you cut that section off.

Cutting on the left side of the board with the SD card and buttons will sever the 3.3v hidden traces and will require reconnecting these traces in order to revive the board. Some people have wrote that after cutting that part off of the board their wii doesnt work, but they probably just need to reconnect the 3.3v.

I have had the most luck trimming a CPU-40, the voltage layer is different than a CPU-60 and the 3.3v traces dont need to be connected unless you trim a significant amount off.

5v regulator is not required for operation unless you want USB and rumble functions. 5v goes to the disc drive but I'm not sure on what it does, may not be needed if you are just relocating the daughter board.

That's all for now.
 

ShockSlayer

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Yeah the biggest thing is gonna be isolating what is and isn't required for the Wii to boot up. It seems there's a lot of different things it looks for in specific ways. We should compile a direct list somewhere; would be extremely useful for troubleshooting.
 

Noah

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Yeah the biggest thing is gonna be isolating what is and isn't required for the Wii to boot up. It seems there's a lot of different things it looks for in specific ways. We should compile a direct list somewhere; would be extremely useful for troubleshooting.
Not sure who has tried what yet, but it could be as simple as a call to the board and back. I'm not sure if it would be as simple as bridging a couple of pins, but over the weekend I can look into what can be done hardware wise. When it comes to software for the Wii I wouldn't be of much help though.
 

Gman

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I must be crazy or an awful modder because Shank removed the capacitor on a stock Wii and it booted fine...
 

ShockSlayer

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Must be something else then, right?
 

Gman

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Must be something else then, right?
I have no clue now. I had it relocated on like 3 boards to the filters but I left pins 9 and 10 to the normal spot on the port. It worked fine every time until I messed with the capacitor. Maybe I need a thicker ground. As soon as Shank confirmed it booted I raged and ordered two more Wiis. Wasn't planning on doing any Wii modding over spring break but I have to get this working asap or I'll go insane.
 

ShockSlayer

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I'd check your wifi relocation. Would also be helpful to see some recent pictures, might notice something. Also reminds me of some advice Ashen gave me many moons ago; sand the sides of the mobo a bunch.
 

cheese

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Not sure if any of you have taken a look at this but it may be of use. Also, where are you relocating all the wifi pins? Do you know if the resistors they have near the GPU are necessary? I am planning on trying different things for relocating the wifi and was wondering what all you have tested and confirmed working/not working.
 

Gman

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Here ya go. I'm positive there are no shorts and fairly confident in the pinout considering it has worked before. Pin 5 has been soldered right to the filter cap. The board just sits at the black loading screen. I'm added 3 ground wires for good measure.
IMG_20160301_223018931_zpshxnsszak.JPG
IMG_20160301_223714170_zpsvp3d6ea6.JPG
 
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cheese

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If you want to cross-reference your wiring to triple check, I made a pinout sheet for the wifi board. Pin 1 would be top right and go around counter clockwise. (Attached pinout sheet) Also, pretty sure you can wire the grounds to the shielding (if you want to use thicker ground wire)
 

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Gman

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If you want to cross-reference your wiring to triple check, I made a pinout sheet for the wifi board. Pin 1 would be top right and go around counter clockwise. Also, pretty sure you can wire the grounds to the shielding (if you want to use thicker ground wire)
Yup that's how I have it wired.
 

cheese

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Try shortening the wiring on pin 5? I know it does communications over that particular wire in excess of 20MHz ( <3 cheap scope from ebay), so it's starting to get to the speed where length may matter AFAIK

EDIT: Did you make sure to have the bluetooth daughterboard plugged in as well? I know that'll make it hang at the black screen... And I also know that you can make a board seem fried if you blow the stupid fuse at the back...
 

Gman

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Try shortening the wiring on pin 5? I know it does communications over that particular wire in excess of 20MHz ( <3 cheap scope from ebay), so it's starting to get to the speed where length may matter AFAIK

EDIT: Did you make sure to have the bluetooth daughterboard plugged in as well? I know that'll make it hang at the black screen... And I also know that you can make a board seem fried if you blow the stupid fuse at the back...
Shortened the wire, still nothing. Yes the bluetooth is connected, but I've found it will boot into Wiiflow without it connected as well.
 
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