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cIOS Installation

The cIOS (custom IOS) is a custom piece of software that is used by some applications that work with unofficial content.
By installing it, you can for example use Backup Loaders and install unofficial channels to your Wii menu.
Every cIOS uses an official IOS by Nintendo as its base.


This guide uses an updated method to bypass the old IOS236 installation ("trucha bug restoring") steps.
The old steps are still available here, but should only be used if the newer guide doesn't work.




Note: While a cIOS is installed by most people for Backup Loaders, it is also needed by a handful of other applications to work.
There are many applications however that don't need a cIOS.
Most of the Homebrew Applications on Wiibrew only need the Homebrew Channel.




Required
  • An SD Card (preferably non-SDHC)
  • Homebrew Channel installed (must be up to date!)
  • A program that extracts 7zip files.
Result
  • 2 cIOSs will be installed, which can be used by backup loaders and some other apps as well.
Guide

Offline NUS Downloads

If you have no WiFi access on your wii, follow these additional steps first.
Else skip to the guide below.
These steps don't apply to the WiiU, since it uses another method to get the WADs.


Computer ----------------------

1. Start up NUS Downloader. If you don't have it, you can grab it on its page (or direct download link)

2. Make sure that "Pack WAD" is enabled.

3. Using the database, navigate to the following files and press start NUS Download for each one:
  • IOS -> IOS56 -> v5661
  • IOS -> IOS57 -> v5918
4. Open the NUS Downloader directory (the folder where you placed NUS Downloader, you can use extras -> open NUSD directory to open it easily).
You will see a folder named titles. You will find two new folders in this directory:
  • 0000000100000038
  • 0000000100000039
In each folder, there is another folder for the version you just downloaded. Open this version folder and find a WAD file:
  • 0000000100000038 -> 5661 -> IOS56-64-v5661.wad
  • 0000000100000039 -> 5918 -> IOS57-64-v5918.wad
Copy both WAD files to the root of the SD card.


Guide


Computer ----------------------

1. Start off by downloading the cIOS Installer (If you are softmodding a WiiU, use this one instead)

Inside the zip will be a d2x-cios-installer folder (inside the hbc folder for the WiiU version). Copy this folder to the apps folder on your SD card (create that folder if needed).

Your SD card should look like this:
SD
|- IOS56-64-v5661.wad (optionally, for Wii offline guide)
|- IOS57-64-v5918.wad (optionally, for Wii offline guide)
|- /apps
  |- /d2x-cios-installer

2. Updating the installer with the newest version
The installer was made to work with multiple cIOS D2X versions, so the installer itself does not contain any data on what it needs to install.
In order to make it work, we need to provide it with the cIOS D2X data.

We will download the latest D2X cIOS (v10). While it is still marked "beta", it is actually rather stable.
Now you will have the choice between two revisions:
  • beta52 - Has better support for NAND emulation (eg. loading Virtual Console/WiiWare from a virtual NAND), but handles only 1 USB port (so try both) and lacks support for plug-and-play (USB needs to be connected before starting the USB loader)
  • beta53-alt - Worse for NAND emulation, but does support plug-and-play and both USB ports.
Download the version you chose using the links below:
Note: It is important that you do NOT use the WiiU version on the Wii and vice versa. This could brick your console.


WiiWii U 
beta52DownloadDownload
beta53-altDownload Download

After downloading, you will have a zip file. This is actually a renamed 7-zip archive. You can use a tool such as 7-zip to extract it (several other programs support it as well).

Extract the file to the d2x-cios-installer folder on the SD card.
Your SD should now look like this (verify):

SD
|- IOS56-64-v5661.wad (optionally, for Wii offline guide)
|- IOS57-64-v5918.wad (optionally, for Wii offline guide)
|- /apps
  |- /d2x-cios-installer
    |- boot.dol
    |- ciosmaps.xml
    |- /d2x-v10-beta??? (depending on your version)
      |- ???.app (multiple)
    |- .... (some other files)



Wii ----------------------

3. Insert you SD card into the Wii.
Start it up and go to the Homebrew Channel.
Now locate the cIOS D2X Installer and run it.

4. Wait for the app to load. Read the text on the welcome screen (if it interests you) and press A to continue.

5. Time to install the cIOSs
You are now on the main configuration screen. A lot of options will be available here.
  • Your cursor will be on the cIOS D2X Version. Use the D-Pad to change it to the newest version (all the way to the right).
  • Move down, and change the IOS Base to 56
  • Move down again, and change the IOS slot to your preferred slot. Most people use slot 249.
  • If you want, you can change the version under the fourth option, though this doesn't directly change the result.
    • This version is only used by the Wii when checking updates. You can set the version to maximum (65535) if the Wii keeps asking for updates after you install it.
You are now ready to install, so press A to continue. You will land on an overview with the available cIOS slots.
The slot you just selected should be blinking. Several other slots may be highlighted in red.

Press A to start the installation.
Wait for the progress to complete. It may take a while, especially for the online installation.
Once it finishes, you will land on another IOS overview screen.
Your freshly installed cIOS should be highlighted in a green color.

Press the A button to go back to the configuration screen.

Next, you want to configure the second cIOS. This time, use base 57, and choose a different slot (250 in this tutorial).
Again, press A to install it and wait for the process to finish.

Once everything is installed, press B to exit the application.


That's it!
You are now able to run any backup loader you want! Enjoy!

We recommend you to use a USB loader.
USB loaders do not require DVD burning and have much better speeds and interfaces.