Check list before carrying out a mod?

[kinn]

Hi

I'm new to Wii modding but I have modded a GC. So I kind of know the basics.

I just wanted to know is there was like some kind of check list I could go through before ordering the chip etc? What are the things that I should look out for? I know about the missing pin/legs that Nintendo has removed. My Wii was purchased before that. Anything else?

Thanks

[drsquirrel]

Get the cheapest.

Unless you want the audiofix for GC games, which isnt as bad as it seems anyway, then get the wiinja deluxue, I think, cant remember.

Anyways, its really simple so no point in paying loads.

[kinn]

I'm not asking about which chip to get (lets not go there!) I'm asking about what to check up on before I order one (which ever one it is!).

I.e. do I need to check which verison of the Wii I have? Do I need to find out what motherboard I have in the Wii?

I know I need to check that I have the right tools i.e. Soldering iron, whether or not I need that Tri wing screwdriver etc. But is there anything else?

Thanks again

[drsquirrel]

Oh ok, I didn't read it as that literal.


Well look at the thread for identifying which wiis have the legs cut, its not so easy to do though.



Tools.
Triwing screwdriver. (Always need this)
Small Phillips screwdriver.
Small Soldering Iron (Ideally 15w)
Small Soldering bit. (Standard sizes on the 15s are ok for installing on the pads)
Solder (thinner the better)
Wire (I think its 30AWG that people prefer, solid core for data points, multicore for VC and GND though you can ommit this I think)
Flux - optional really, very easy to do without
Desolder mop - good install you wont need this, its simple but better to have just incase

[kinn]

Oh ok, I didn't read it as that literal.


Well look at the thread for identifying which wiis have the legs cut, its not so easy to do though.



Tools.
Triwing screwdriver. (Always need this)
Small Phillips screwdriver.
Small Soldering Iron (Ideally 15w)
Small Soldering bit. (Standard sizes on the 15s are ok for installing on the pads)
Solder (thinner the better)
Wire (I think its 30AWG that people prefer, solid core for data points, multicore for VC and GND though you can ommit this I think)
Flux - optional really, very easy to do without
Desolder mop - good install you wont need this, its simple but better to have just incase

Thanks mate.

Do I need the Small Soldering bits and wire? Arent the chips all easy solder? I.e. slap a little solder on and your done?!

I'm considering the Wiikey by the way. Just need a place to get it from...

Oh and your from the west mids too?

[finite]

I was looking at the Antex 12w as this comes with a 0.5mm tip as standard anyone else use these?

[drsquirrel]

Thanks mate.

Do I need the Small Soldering bits and wire? Arent the chips all easy solder? I.e. slap a little solder on and your done?!

I'm considering the Wiikey by the way. Just need a place to get it from...

Oh and your from the west mids too?

Yes, very west :p

The Wii is pretty easy to do, so if you are decent you will get away with the standard chisel bit that comes on the 15w antexs (~£10 from maplin), though if you can get one with smaller on then buy it. Or just get the bits, Maplin dont do so many though for the antex.

Not sure really, if you really want to waste your money, check the offical resellers, as for a clone, im not that sure where to get them lol.

You can directly solder them... they are apparently quick solder, but its not very good, best off using wires, makes it simpler.


For the Wii I just use my mains "15W Miniature Soldering Iron Type C" from Maplin £15 (comes with 820 bit), with an antex bit 10

There is also the "12W Miniature Soldering Iron Type M" Maplin, also £15, with a bit that will suit the Wii.

[metalclay]

electrical tape to hold down the wires =)

oh, and a solder sucker incase you drop any on the wii xD. desoldering braid is awesome to have as well. and, a wire trimmer of course, you can use, scissors, but it's easier with an actual trimmer. and...a multimeter to check for bridges (just to make sure).

also...if you can't wait for a tri-wing screw driver, you can always take a drill to the screws =) 1/16" i believe is the right bit for wii. for the top ones though, you can use a flathead screwdriver. just buy one from home depot (get the 4-in one bit screwdrivers that have uber small bits =D)

and...yeah, flux isn't that important. at least for me....i tried using it but didn't find it was helpful, it just made my hands all sticky (which was annoying). as for solder, .032 dia is what i used, and it's great. and...if you wanna go all out, get some tip tinner for the solder iron, it's nice to have a clean tip.

[kinn]

electrical tape to hold down the wires =)

oh, and a solder sucker incase you drop any on the wii xD. desoldering braid is awesome to have as well. and, a wire trimmer of course, you can use, scissors, but it's easier with an actual trimmer. and...a multimeter to check for bridges (just to make sure).

also...if you can't wait for a tri-wing screw driver, you can always take a drill to the screws =) 1/16" i believe is the right bit for wii. for the top ones though, you can use a flathead screwdriver. just buy one from home depot (get the 4-in one bit screwdrivers that have uber small bits =D)

and...yeah, flux isn't that important. at least for me....i tried using it but didn't find it was helpful, it just made my hands all sticky (which was annoying). as for solder, .032 dia is what i used, and it's great. and...if you wanna go all out, get some tip tinner for the solder iron, it's nice to have a clean tip.

Thanks. I forgot about the tape!

[ciper]

Make sure your console doesnt have the D2C chip or cut legs before ordering the chip.

[metalclay]

Make sure your console doesnt have the D2C chip or cut legs before ordering the chip.
does that really matter? i mean...if the legs are cut...it just means he needs a dremel right?

[drsquirrel]

D2C is just a myth so far.

Yes the legs might be cut if they are new. And yes you might have to grind the IC casing down, and then either bridge to the original leg pads, or solder directly to the chip. (Bridging is the cleanest imo, but can be a little harder).

[homicidalmo0se]

i'm also new to modding the wii, and i've never soldered a thing in my life. so i decided to go out and buy an iron and some solder. would a generic iron from radioshack work? it's 15 watts. also, the solder i bought is silver-bearing. does it matter what the solder is made of?

[kinn]

I bought my Wii on the launch day here in the UK. Had to have it replaced due to it having that problem of the GPU displaying black/white noise. But I've had the replacement well before the "cut legs" thing was introduced.

As for the D2C thing...I thought many of these chips are now compatable with all types?

[drsquirrel]

Yes, DMS D2A D2B

D2C is yet unconfirmed, just the one picture which is imo a fake.

[kinn]

Cheers mate.

I actually slapped the chip in today! I did a bit of practice soldering beforehand. But man is that thing small! But I managed to get it in and working!

The only main problem I had was with the solder not sticking to the points. I was using flux as well but its hard applying flux to such small points!

Given the choice again I would proabaly get someone else to do it for me next time!

Thanks for the help!

[homicidalmo0se]

hey kinn, what did you apply the flux with? i bought my flux from radioshack and it didn't come with anything to apply it with.

how did you solder the wires in? did you put solder on the pads first, put the wire on, heat the solder, and stick the wire on?

i think that's what i'm going to do. still a little scared though. :D

[drsquirrel]

Flux is for pansies. The Wii is one of the easiest consoles to solder with I think.

You have to remember to put your soldering iron on the point first you want to put solder on, to heat it up, half a second to a second, then apply the solder, will stick like brilliant.

All the points are "tinned" anyways, so its even more easy to do.

[homicidalmo0se]

really? i'll have to try that. the solder would never stick onto the pad for me either.

do you tin the tip of iron first?

[kinn]

hey kinn, what did you apply the flux with? i bought my flux from radioshack and it didn't come with anything to apply it with.

how did you solder the wires in? did you put solder on the pads first, put the wire on, heat the solder, and stick the wire on?

i think that's what i'm going to do. still a little scared though. :D

Alright mate

LOL. I had the same problem! I'm from the UK so I dont know how Radioshack sell it but I had the flux in a tub. I'm a newb to soldering and so I dont know if I was doing anything right....I just dunked the wire end into the flux so it had a slight coating of it and then I applied a little solder to "tin" it.

I guess I'm doing it totally wrong! Maybe someone can point me and others to some site which explains how this should be done!

[ng12345]

looks like you already modded your wii but there are some good guides available on the forums --- i don't know why they aren't stickied

there is a really good tutorial by thecheekymonkey specifically for the wiikey:
http://forums.maxconsole.net/showthread.php?t=66503

and there is an older one that was for the wiinja which was smaller

can't seem to find that one at the moment

[homicidalmo0se]

Flux is for pansies. The Wii is one of the easiest consoles to solder with I think.

You have to remember to put your soldering iron on the point first you want to put solder on, to heat it up, half a second to a second, then apply the solder, will stick like brilliant.

All the points are "tinned" anyways, so its even more easy to do.
drsquirrel, do you tin the soldering iron and the wire? i see some people say to do it and some people say don't do it.

[drsquirrel]

really? i'll have to try that. the solder would never stick onto the pad for me either.

do you tin the tip of iron first?

What do you mean "try that", its what you are supposed to do... you cannot expect room temperature metal (the pad) to adhere properly to molten hot metal

Tin the iron if you want, it does help a bit, just in the same way that solder already on the point helps.

Generally, unless Im using a really small bit, I don't.

[homicidalmo0se]

well i didn't place the iron the point for a second and then apply the solder. i would put the two together at the same time. and that would make the solder stick to the iron and not the pad.

now that i practiced with the correct method, it works a whoooole lot better. i don't even have to use flux. :p

thanks!!

[homicidalmo0se]

what kind of wire strippers do you guys use?

i'm trying to find one but radioshack, walmart, and lowe's only have wire strippers that strip up to 22-gauge wires.

i'm trying to avoid buying stuff on the internet (because i don't like to wait).

[Nikeplektrum]

I have a wirestripper, but I never use it.

I use a plier to rip the coating off

http://www.action-electronics.com/grc/xcms543jv.jpg

[homicidalmo0se]

yeah. i've been using scissors. :D

but i guess i'll just find some pliers in the house.