New to the Modchip arena...

[fldash]

Well, since I'm dying to play Mario Strikers Charged and I'm in the US, where it's not being released until the end of July, I've decided to purchase a modchip.

I thought I'd read about one with a switch to turn it off and on and I've also seen some crazy install pictures with people using serial ports. To be honest, I don't really know where to begin but I would like the ability to disable it in case Nintendo hops on the Microsoft wagon and stars banning consoles...

My questions:

A) Which modchip has a disable switch or can any of them be modded with a disable switch? Any tutorials on doing this using either the serial port method or another way?

B) How do I tell what version my console is? Everything I read says I need to be running 2.2U to play Strikers.

C) Where is the best place to buy the modchip that fits my criteria in A?

Thanks!

[hoagie_one]

http://www.cyclopswiz.com/

http://wiikey.cn/

http://www.wiinja.com/

http://www.openwii.org/

et. etc.

[fldash]

I think I'm going to go with the Cyclowiz, however after reading this I'm confused:

http://www.teamcyclops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=247&postcount=2

Does that mean with the latest firmware for the Cyclowiz you no longer need the reset wire to disable? Is it auto-disabled when it detects an official disk?

Thanks.

[fldash]

Okay, I realize that post means firmware 3.0B has an alternative method of disabling it by holding down the A button on a GC controller.

I know I need to hit radio shack and get a new soldering iron, any recommendations other than a 15w iron?

30 gauge wire, flux, ...

What kind of switch do I need to get from there?

[mikecanada]

If I were going to get a new chip right now it would be OpenWii you can now upgrade it with a DVD and it is open source so you can program the chip yourself or you can buy it for alot cheaper then the other Commercial modchips

[fldash]

Are there places locally that sell ATMega8 controllers and all the other parts needed to construct the openWii modchip? I'm looking thru the phone book and not seeing anything that I think might, but perhaps I'm looking in the wrong section. Anyone have any ideas?

[shroomie]

opensource is the way to go!

buy a programmer and a chip (obviously..), I suggest going for the tiny 12F629. I got my programmer w/ chip on ebay for cheap:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Microchip-12F629-Serial-Programmer-FREE-12F629-DIP8_W0QQitemZ270123604519QQihZ017QQcategoryZ50915 QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

it's from there you can decide what to do. Flash the chip and hard wire it inside the Wii (12F629 is perfect beacuse its soo tiny) or wire the points outside your Wii, grab some serial connectors and put it all together on a pcb. it's all so easy to do, just make sure your good at soldering inside the Wii, get help if you arnt.

If you get a retail modchip, it's fine, but opensource can be better cause you can change your firmware around (openwii, yaosm, wiiskas, ect..)