Flashing GC+ 2.0 bootloader using a Wii

Aurelio

ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ
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Recently, a customer came to us with issues updating their GC+ 2.0. Upon investigation, we discovered that the bootloader, which is used to update the firmware without needing to reflash the chip, was not present. Without a bootloader, the board cannot be updated from RVLoader without reflashing the chip.

As of now, the only planned update regards range scaling for analog triggers, which doesn't involve any portable other than Xenii's Xii-Boy Ultra.

In order to install the complete firmware (with its bootloader) I wrote a small homebrew that implements Microchip's PIC programming protocol on Wii's GPIOs. The process is very simple and requires only 3 temporary wires (other than 3.3V and GND which should be already connected if you are upgrading a GC+ installed in a portable Wii). Follow these steps if you want to run the firmware flashing process:

1) Solder the 3 wires specified in below diagram. Note that two of these vias could be used by volume buttons if you were using them to control volume with WiiHUD, temporarily disconnect them if so.
GCPlus2_Wii_Flashing_Diagram.webp

2) Rename /apps/RVLoader/boot.dol into something else (like rvloader.dol)
3) Copy the attached boot.dol in /apps/RVLoader
4) Turn on your Wii portable. The flashing homebrew will boot instead of RVLoader
5) Wait for the process to be completed. The homebrew should show the FW version (2.3) and then tell you to turn off your Wii. You should see something similar to below picture
GCPlus2_Wii_Flashing_Process.webp

6) Turn off your Wii portable and disconnect the three wires. You can now restore the wirings you had to any of Wii's GPIOs (if any)
7) Delete /apps/RVLoader/boot.dol
8) Rename rvloader.dol back into boot.dol

The process is complete and the bootloader is restored!

If you have any questions, feel free to ask
 

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Oh awesome!!! Thanks a lot for your support and time!
 
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