SD card/memory card mod theory.

[Craigsblackie]

With SD load working on wii and a new game dumper on the way. I have a theory that I'd like to put into practice but need input from a slightly more electronically minded member.

Basically, I was thinking I could solder wires from the SD port on the wii directly to the points on the GC memory card reader and maybe use a push to make button to make the Wii think there is a memory card present.

By doing this, I propose that you could use the front SD port for both SDload and standard Wii functions.

[foobar2k]

With SD load working on wii and a new game dumper on the way. I have a theory that I'd like to put into practice but need input from a slightly more electronically minded member.

Basically, I was thinking I could solder wires from the SD port on the wii directly to the points on the GC memory card reader and maybe use a push to make button to make the Wii think there is a memory card present.

By doing this, I propose that you could use the front SD port for both SDload and standard Wii functions.

Interesting. I was thinking much the same yesterday and considering something similar.

I don't see why this wouldn't work really.

[billprozac]

I believe the issue is that even though the the Wii cannot see the SD slot in GC mode, the Wii does still have the device connected (ie. power). You would have to come up with a way of disconnecting the SD slot from the Wii and routing it back to the GC slot.

[Craigsblackie]

I believe the issue is that even though the the Wii cannot see the SD slot in GC mode, the Wii does still have the device connected (ie. power). You would have to come up with a way of disconnecting the SD slot from the Wii and routing it back to the GC slot.

I was thinking all you'd need is to send the data lines from the SD to the points on the memory card port and use a push to make to fake insertion of memory card.

[billprozac]

Ok, here we go. I had this idea a while ago, but after talking to some people, put it away as a foolish idea. This thread, made we want to do some sleuthing to get a real answer. The short answer is in fact, no.

Here is what I did. I took a transflash/SD adapter apart, soldering wire to each if the sd pins inside. I then inserted it into the wii and booted a GC game. While the game was running, I tested for voltage across the important pairs.

Verdict:
Pin 4 is providing the appropriate power. I read ~3.3v but I could be off a bit as the spec calls for 2.7 or 3.6.
Pin 1 is indeed probing for a card, at least I believe that is what it's job is. I detected a regular current of > 1mv
Other pins, such as 2 (command) and 5 (clock) also had power, >1mv and 3.3v respectively.

What does this mean? Well, as for jumpering the media card slot to the SD slot, don't do it. You would have to disconnect all connections from the Wii in order to connect it to the memslot.

Now, what else is interesting is that unlike the Bluetooth, which appears to turn off when in GC mode, both SD and USB (also tested btw) still remain active when in GC mode. This could mean that there is a way to access both of these in GC mode using Linux. Anyways, file this info under good to know.

Prozac

[evlspcmk]

man i really dont think this will work, im telling you the Wii SD slot probably is not powered while in GC mode because even after the Wii goes into GC mode it cuts the power to the sensor bar but its still plugged in so im assuming it will be the same story for the SD slot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYtMDsOZaHk&mode=related&search=

i used a camera that obviously can pick up the IR light comming from the sensor bar and you can see the power get cut while in GC mode there

[billprozac]

Dude, I did test this, and there is power. I will post pics if you need, but re-read my post above.