Minimalist-H1

This is a step-by-step guide of how to install the Homebrew Channel (HBC) on your Wii console.  This is the main weapon in your arsenal for installing and running homebrew applications, including custom IOS, without having to use exploits everytime.  This tutorial applies to versions of the Wii System Menu ranging from 3.0 to 4.3, covering NTSC-U, NTSC-J, PAL and Korean consoles.

This guide has been tailored to use BannerBomb and LetterBomb - two exploits that have been developed to launch the HackMii Installer without a game.  If you wish to use a game exploit please refer to the previous guide in the guides section.

BannerBomb works on System Menu 4.2 and lower, while LetterBomb is needed for System Menu 4.3

What is needed

• SD card or SDHC card (System Menu 4.0 or higher)
• Computer with SD card reader
• ModMii
  
• BannerBomb / LetterBomb
  
• System Menu 4.3+ - LetterBomb(All regions)
• System Menu 4.2 and below - Bannerbomb (NTSC-U, NTSC-J and PAL)

Update the Wii (optional but recommended)

Pretty much every guide will say not to update the Wii unless necessary, but you are able to and are not running System Menu 4.3 I recommend that you update before performing any hacks.  The not only makes sure that you are fully up-to-date with the Nintendo Wii Channels but also installed IOS58 which improves USB read speeds and is required by some homebrew applications - IOS58 can also be installed separately if you do not wish to update but I see no reason not too.  
Once you are on System Menu 4.3 you must use the LetterBomb method for using the HackMii Installer.
I suggest doing this first since the Homebrew Channel will use IOS58 to run - without IOS58 the HBC will use another one (probably IOS61) and you may find that you need to reinstall it before some homebrew will work (such as WiiMC).

Of course, if you can't update you Wii for some reason then stick with the BannerBomb exploit.

Download the Files and Prepare the SD card

Download and install ModMii onto you PC and launch it, typing "I agree" on the opening screen.  ModMii is a text based application required you to type menu options to select them.  Start by typing 1 to select page one.  Cycle through the pages by entering on a blank entry and type the corresponding tag to add the file to the download queue.

Select the following files:

• Page 1
• 36a = IOS36v3351
• Page 2
• HM = HackMii Installer
• MMM = Multi-Mod Manager
• 236 = IOS236 Installer
• USBX = USB-Loader Fwdr Channel
• Exploit - BannerBomb (System Menu 4.2 and lower only)
  
• Page 4
• 249d2x56 = cIOS249[56]-d2x-v6
• 250d2x56 = cIOS250[56]-d2x-v6

Note that there are two versions of the Bannerbomb exploit.  Bannerbomb v2 is for System Menu 4.2 only, Bannerbomb v1 is for System Menu 4.1 and below.

Once all files are added, press D to preview the download queue and then Y to confirm.  All files will be downloaded to the COPY_TO_SD folder in the ModMii directory.

For the LetterBomb method, the exploit will need to be downloaded separately as ModMii does not offer it due to the requirements of the MAC address embdedding.  To obtain the LetterBomb exploit:

1. Go to Wii Settings -> Internet -> Console Settings and make a note of the Wii's MAC address.
2. On the PC goto, http://please.hackmii.com/ and enter the MAC address from step 1.
3. Select the appropriate region for your console, untcik 'Bunde the HackMii Installer for me!' and press one of the buttons to download the exploit package - the HackMii Installer should already be downloaded via ModMii.
4. Unzip the contents and move to the COPY_TO_SD folder.
   
   

Place the SD card into your card reader and back-up any existing data on it.  Format the card to FAT(32).  If you already use this card on a Wii you may already have a private folder on the card, in which case you can either copy this onto your PC and then format or rename this folder to privateold, perform the hack and rename it back afterwards.  I recommend starting with a blank card, backed-up and formatted, to ensure their is no confusion.  Copy the contents of COPY_TO_SD to the SD card.  The IOS36v3351.wad needs to be moved from the wad folder to the root of the SD card.

Formatting your card with erase all data so it is important to make sure that all data is backed-up first.

Note: If you intend to use the Smash Stack exploit, it is important to copy any custom stages (including default ones) onto the SD card from your Wii first or simply delete them.

Your SD card should now contain (atleast):
apps - Folder containing HackMii Installer, IOS236 Installer and Multi-Mod Manager
private - Extracted from Bannerbomb or LetterBomb exploits
boot.elf - Extracted from the HackMii Installed
privateold (optional) - Renamed folder for existing Wii files
wad - IOS249d2x56, IOS250d2x57 and USBLoader-Fwdr-Channel wad files
IOS36v3351.wad - Needed for IOS236 Installer

Load the HackMii Installer

Place the SD card into the Wii and following the guide for the corrospoing exploit.  Bannerbomb and LetterBomb are the recommended methods as they do no require games.

Bannerbomb :

1. On System Menu 4.1 or lower, go to Settings -> Data Management -> Wii -> SD and the exploit will execute automatically.
   On System Menu 4.2, go to the SD card menu and the exploit will execute.
2. If is shows "Load boot.dol/elf", if works and you can click YES to run it.  Otherwise, go back to the Bannerbomb site and download the next version.
   

LetterBomb:

1. Open the messageboard and browse to 'yesterday' - which ever day that is.
2. Click on the envelope that stands out from the others and wait for the HackMii Installer to start.

Install the Homebrew Channel

On the installation screen you will be presented with several options.  Depending on the age of your Wii you may only have the option to install BootMii as IOS.

1. Select continue on the first screen.
2. Go to Homebrew Channel > Install the Homebrew Channel and select Yes to install.  Wait until it says "finished".
3. If possible, install BootMii as boot2 (which gives you the best brick protection).  If not, install it as an IOS (which will give you NO brick protection on its own).
4. Return to the main menu and choose Exit to reboot the Wii.

If you have installed BootMii as boot2 the BootMii menu will load everytime while the SD card is in the Wii (with the BootMii files on it).  If you do not want this to happen, rename or move the BootMii folder on the SD card.
If you have installed BootMii as IOS, this will be available to load from within the Homebrew Channel.

Trucha Bug Installer

In order to use wad managers, cIOS installers or back-up loaders you need to make use of a security hole known as the Trucha Bug, which allows homebrew users to bypass Nintendo's security checks.  The IOS236 Installer will install a patched IOS36 in IOS slot 236 to restore the Trucha Bug on updated Wii consoles allowing the custom IOS, such as Waninkoko's cIOS, to be installed.

1. With the SD still in the Wii, open the Homebrew Channel and Launch the IOS236 Installer.
   
2. Press 1 when prompted and choose "Load IOS from SD card", pressing A to confirm.
3. Press A to start the installation.
4. At step 2, be sure to press button 2.  Button 1 will invoke a anti-piracy message and will remove the patched IOS36, plus it won't let you reinstall until you load an original disc first.  Since this is an guide for non-pirates, you should be pushing button 2 anyway.

cIOS Installation

Custom IOSes, such as IOS249, changes the way the Wii is able to access data meaning that homebrew can be run from a USB hard drive instead of the SD.

At time of writing the latest release of Waninkoko's cIOS is rev21, which allows you to install a cIOS into multiple slots.  However, the newest version of cIOSs is the d2x-v6 release, which is an evolution of Waninkoko's work.

1. Open the Homebrew Channel and launch Multi-Mod Manager.
2. Tap down the bottom option and press A to confirm the change of IOS - select 236.
3. Select Wad Manager and you should see the cIOS files and the forward channel downloaded by ModMii in part 1 of the guide.
4. Press 1 to install them all (installing the fowarder now saves coming back later).
5. Press the Home button to exit to the System Menu.
   

It does not harm to have multiple cIOSes installed and Hermes cIOS222/223/224 had added some additional compatability prior to Waninkoko's cIOSX rev20 being released.  These files are also available to download through ModMii and can be added at a later time if you find you have problems with the above cIOS installations (I haven't).

With the Homebrew Channel installed, and some cIOSes installed as well, the Wii is now ready to run homebrew applications from an SD card or USB hard drive.  If you intended to use a USB loader for running backup games I recommend using Configurable USB Loader - follow my guide on installation and usage.