Modding the "Un-moddable Wii"


Below is a pic of Nintendo's so called un-moddable Wii. I have just purchased this Wii from a Canadian Walmart. There are three pins removed from an IC on the DVD drive's circuit board. To install the Wiikey modchip, you need access to these three pins. It is believed that if your Wii Sports game came in a cardboard sleeve, your will also be missing these pins. If your game came in a plastic case, you will have an easy mod because you have the missing pins.

http://www.wiiloaded.com/images/100_0716.jpg

Next, is a pic of my modded Wii console with the Wiikey installed, able to play all of the burnt disks I've tried.

http://www.wiiloaded.com/images/100_0717.jpg

Tips for your install:

Use a wire that is a solid strand conductor that has an enameled finish . Braided wire is to hard to solder to the exposed copper (areas on IC where pins were cut). I used 36AWG Belden Magnet Wire. This is the type of wire that is used primarily for manufacturing coils and inductors.
Some sites tell you to use a dremel tool on the IC to cut away an area to solder too. If you take a dremel tool to your brand new Wii, you might just be an idiot. You will damage your Wii I promise.
Also, don't even bother trying if all you have for a solder iron is a cheapo from Radio Shack. Get yourself a good Weller or Metcal station. You need an extremely fine tip for this kind of soldering with accurate temperature control/recovery.
Make sure you shock your tip on a damp sponge before making any joints. This will burn off any oxides that have formed on your tip.
Apply flux to the areas you are soldering. Make sure that it is a no-clean flux. Other fluxes can be corrosive over time. Steps 3 and 4 will help you get a nice clean, shiny, and smooth solder joint.
Solder the wires to the remaining copper on the IC under some kind of magnification. You need to be sure none of the wires are shorted.
Place electrical tape under the Wiikey board to keep it from shorting to the drive's circuit board. After you are finished soldering, glue the board and wires in place using hot glue.
Take your time. Try your best to keep your hands steady.
Good Luck.