Posts of News

Hermes rev5 support is here

2010-02-22T22:25:53.663Z

USB Loader GX rev914 is out and fully supports Hermes cIOS 222/223/224 rev5. Here is the changelog:

* Added Hermes rev5 support! (issue 1438)
* Updated to Hermes usb storage code
* Fixed some bugs in ntfs while writing timestamps, resulting in different hashes (dimok)
* Fixed codedump when switching partitions (issue 1454)
* Fixed graphical glitch on 4:3 screens, where the prefetch cover was visible in the coverwall
* Fixed a bug with installing games, due to the switch to C++ (dimok)

By the way, Wii Game Manager bug fixing version 1.5.0.2 has been release. Check the downloads for link.

PS: A quote from Waninkoko: "Rev18 release is going to be this week. Maybe the weekend..."

cIOS249 rev17 is out + Wii Game Manager 1.4.0.2

2010-01-18T16:44:50.788Z

Am I the only one that thinks that the releases of cIOS249 are more often since Waninkoko announced to leave the scene? Anyway, cIOS249 rev17 is out and (also)
Neogamma r8_RC1 AND Triiforce MRC rev7
work with it with no problems.

CHANGELOG rev17
===============
- DIP plugin improved (some code has been rewritten).
- More error 001 bug fixing.
- DVD+DL bug fixed.
- FFS plugin fixed.

NeoGamma readme had this about cIOS249 r17 compared to its previous revisions

Rev 17:
- contains BCA code
- Rebooter status unknown, may be broken, maybe not
- Same issues as with all other revisions: No instruments, no Monster Hunter Tri, possible online issues...
BEST GAME COMPATIBILITY AND LEAST ISSUES!

As of the Wii Game Manager, version 1.4.0.2 has been released. The major changes since v1.3 is the translations for the program and the ability to format a HDD to fat32. Here is the changelog from the original release post:

Requirements:
.net 3.5 and the program must be run as administrator as I did not feel like learning all about windows security just to make my program do what I want it to do. This may be looked at closer in the future to avoid confusion but it not at the top of my list of things to do

A Note about the language files: I have not written alot of error checking into the translation routines, this being said if there are missing entries in the language file, the program will crash. This will be taken care of in later versions, but for now just be aware of it. Versions 1.3 and below do not support multi-language.
Changes to version 1.4.0.2
Added Close button to custom theme creator
Rewrote the language loading routine with more error checking, if a section is missing it will report it and continue, If a value is missing it will ignore it
**Note: This may cause some items to appear with no text, make sure you have the right language files for your version
Added some additional item translations that I missed previously
Added the ability to format to FAT32 using fat32format.exe, if it does not exist it will be created in the application directory
Added the ability to press a key to select items in the list that match the letter pressed. multiple presses will cycle through each item that matches the letter pressed.
Fixed highlighted items would disappear from the list if it lost focus
Fixed Ctrl-A could only be used if the main list had focus (This still requires the main list to be visible)

Changes to 1.4.0.1
Fixed the theme option for checked item background
Fixed the extract .wbfs from WBFS partition options

Changes to version 1.4
Added a wbfs_file version check. If the wbfs_file version is incorrect the program will silently replace it at startup and add a log entry.
Fixed several bugs from previous the version
Added several bugs to this version Nah, hopefully I got most of em
Added Custom Theme Creator to help with theme creation
Added Language Translations (There are some minor formatting issues with certain menus)
Added format WBFS partition (Fat32 and NTFS are disabled for this version)
Added the ability to print items in the list
Additional wiitdb XML info is still broken in this version, although the picture stays put now
Menu items are no longer disabled, they will simply print a message when you select an item that is unavailable
Added additional information on the current process. IE: ETA, Throughput and time elapsed.
Added Total Items in Queue label
Fixed broken titles.txt language selection
Added a few more items to the log (Yes the log is still not even close to right, I still have many items to add to it)
There are probably other things I have forgotton, I was silly and didn't record my changes

Bugs I know About:
There is a bug in the "Select all games not in folder/drive I will work on this functionality for the next version and hopefully optimize it to perform better.
There is a bug in the centering for the print preview, the final print should come out centered tho
There is still a bug with the wbfs drive size displaying all the time (Just can't seem to find this one)
The is still no additional functionality for queue handling. I'm working on that

Simple WBFS File Manager is now Wii Game Manager

2009-12-29T14:12:47.404Z

The program I introduced to you, not so while ago, for the games management with fat32, changed it's name. The following is a part of the creator's post

What is this program:
If you are here probably already know but, this is a program for managing a Wii game collection on your PC.
Previously Simple WBFS File Manager this program has been completely rewritten form scratch and renamed to something more suitable.
It is written to add a GUI to wbfs_file.exe written by Oggzee.

What it does:
By using wbfs_file.exe written by Oggzee, this program can convert .iso and .wbfs files to the oppisite format, it can also add and remove these files to a WBFS formatted partition.
It will also maintian your game cover collection

What it does not do:
It does not include support for formats other than .iso, .wbfs and WBFS Partitions
It does not download games nor will it tell you where to get them

This application can be broken on purpose if you try hard enough, telling the app to delete a game and then immediately telling it to process the same game in some way will cause the function to fail or the app to crash. I will be working on stopping this from happening in the next version.
Also, it does not currently check for duplicate requests, you can tell it to resplit your files 20 times and it will do it.
These are known bugs, I chose to release this version this way as I did not want to delay it any further. The main functionality of the program is 100% so these small annoyances can be fixed in the next version

It will be available here at the downloads. The link will be sending you to the official post of the creator so you can always get the latest version. ;)

UPDATE: Version 1.3 is out ;)

cIOS 249 with fat support + Wii Game Manager 1.5.0.1 + more

2010-02-05T17:51:27.756Z

For those that haven't heard it, waninkoko seems to be more active than ever as you can see at his twitter page. He had released the source for his programs, he added fat support to cIOS, he released a cIOS nightly build, he gave us a hint "FFS plugin + FAT module == NAND emulator" for the feature? and he is about to release a new cMIOS with a new installer. Maybe the new installer will use The STM Exploit, which is used by the Homebrew Channel installer, and make easier the installation to an unpatched Wii. Anyway I haven't tried the nightly build yet, cause I'm in the middle of exams at the University, nether I have looked further into it.

But the news don't stop there. I was thinking to create a Wii Scene news portal here at koureio. A preview can be found at http://wiiscene.koureio.net/ but as you can clearly see it's not fully active yet. When it goes live I'll post here about it. Please leave your comments for that project at it's first post.

Last, but not least, Wii Game Manager 1.5.0.1 has been released and it's now fully portable. Also a lot new features has been added. Here is the changelog since 1.4.0.2:

Changes to 1.5.0.1
Changed settings file to settings.ini located in the application directory
Updated the language routine to validate language files by version. The program will still allow older file use but will give an error message that the file is for the wrong version.
Fixed the statusbar would sometime be the wrong size on program start

Changes to version 1.5.0.0
Updated wbfs_file.exe to version 2.9
Fixed extract iso from WBFS partition
Added second Game List
Fixed error checking for format WBFS option
Finally found the WBFS drive size bug, it is fixed
Some routines have been rewritten to be more efficient
Added compare list A-B functionality
All menu functions have been rewritten to work based on the currently visible list
Added Drive To Drive Copy
The program should now properly prompt for Administrator access to run
Better handling of corrupted game files
All games will now be given a static index number when they are added to the list. This allows for the list to autoupdate when a function finishes (ie: delete will now remove the item from the active list after the title is deleted)
***Since the game lists are not locked and can be refreshed manually at will, if the item to be processed is queued and the list is manually refreshed, it will not be removed from the list as its index will have changed.
***This index will continue to grow until the program is restarted, at that time the index will start again at 0. I'm sure there is some max number that can be counted by the PC, I dunno what it is but I seriously doubt anyone will ever reach it
***Deletes and moved titles will take advantage of this feature. Keep in mind that this will only remove them from the list. If you move an item it will be removed regardless of the location you move it to. If you want it to show back up in the list, you will still have to manually update the list.
Made some changes to the way the WBFS drive selection window is populated, you will now recieve a message if all WBFS partitions are being used when you attempt a function that requires access to them. The drive is inaccessible when it is being used so you will need to wait until whatever is using it is done before proceeding.
Added the ability to use F5 to refresh the currently visible list
Added a seperate popup window to allow for the display of all available covers at one time and still keep the cover functionality and flow of the main form

**Some known issues with version 1.5
The print routine works well for most languages, however some languages like Chinese will display incorrect spacing and others will dispaly with overlapped text as the translation from english is too long. This will be fixed eventually.
XML game info has not been updated at all, this is a back burner project. I will update it more eventually, but it is not a main priority. I am working towards displaying more of the info and also allowing for multi language display as well.
I have yet to track down the random queue bug. If anyone can give me some specifics as to when this happens it will help alot. (The queue will randomly stop processing for no reason for those of you who didn't know)

cIOS feast

2010-02-09T04:41:56.952Z

Yesterday cIOS 222/223 and first-time 224 rev5 has been released. Unfortunately they are not supported by USB Loader GX yet, but here are some info about it. Apparently 224 was introduced for merging IOS38 with IOS57, which -if I'm not wrong- is used for the camera game "Your Shape". Something also new to the cIOS/uLoader is

- It have a new FAT / FFS module that emulates the saves of the console (see Configuration -> Edit CFG#2, select a connected device
and folder (it support "nand", "nand2", "nand3" and "nand4"). You can export from the NAND the saves (if you have) one or launch directly
and teh game creates one. If the folder countain datas, you can see it in Green and Red without any datas. SD is protect for Game access
if you are using it (remember you need a SD with 32KB per cluster to work in optimus conditions)

The only thing we can do for now is to wait for USBLGX to support it. And while we wait for that, why don't we wait for the release of cIOS249 rev18?

cIOS rev18 is scheduled to be released in 1 week minimum. It's going to be the BIGGEST update ever (almost everything got changed).

Were you good boys and girls? (cios v16 is out)

2009-12-28T00:22:10.861Z

For those that haven't notice, Waninkoko's cIOS reached version 16 and you can found it at Downloads

Remember, fat32 and NTFS support still needs cIOS 222/223 ;)

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T20:08:50.995Z

Merry Christmas to everyone. :p

I hope you were good boys and girls.. :p

NTFS support!!!

2009-12-19T15:30:42.546Z

r867 and r868 are out and they brought the initial NTFS support
Here is the changelog

* Added initial NTFS support
* Added load system based on fragments

This commit is made possible for Oggzee and his great work on supporting other
filesystems!

We already had fat32 support (check previous post)
What does this mean?

- Your drive is fat32 formated and can be used from Windows, Mplayer CE, Homebrew Channel, USBLoader GX settings and covers AND for .wbfs game files
Also check this faq

Why would we want NTFS?

- It's the most common default format for large HDD at the moment. You could use any HDD without worrying what is it formated to ;) Plus fat32 doesn't allow files bigger than 4GB

If you need a manager for the .wbfs files (to convert iso files or extract games as .wbfs files from a WBFS partition) CFG-Loader has a command program wbfs_file (v2.1 for linux, mac os, windows) which is used by
Simple WBFS File Manager
http://www.mediafire.com/file/mgx4tzzy2oz/Simple_WBFS_File_Manager2.5.0.0 + wbfs_file_2.1.zip

PS: For the Greek visitors there is a beta greek hacking guide now (for now it's hosted at the forum)
http://shorty.koureio.net/greek

Revs 840-863 "What's new"

2009-12-15T00:20:19.639Z

So what did it change in the program through the last revisions?

First of all, we now have at the settings the BETA upgrades option (which downloads the latest revision at google code site). The old update progress will use only safe revisions ;)
Actually r851 added a lot of important stuff

* Added BETA upgrades option (to download the latest revisions from google code)
* Added Wii Parental Control support
* Added gui numpad
* Changed GuiText to support password character
* Added lock/unlock icon in the titlebar (to unlock Parental Control)
* Added new wbfs_fat from Oggzee (further speed improvement)

as well as r847

Lots of changes in this revision:
* Added MEM2 support by Hibern
* Better partition support (by oggzee)
* Support for subdirectories in FAT32 (by oggzee)
* Added support for cios 223 and 250
* Added BCA support (go to Settings->Custom Paths) to change the path of the BCA
files (by Hermes)
* Fixed issue with hairless mode
* Fixed issue with IOS_ReloadIOSsafe (by giantpune)
* Added setting to save games in a subdirectory
* Fixed slow startup when loading from FAT (WiiTDB required!)
* Changed handling of new titles a bit (speed improvement)

The loader also now supports headless mode via argv
Of course we also had a lot of bug fixing, and one of them fixed cheating when using alt dol from sd/usb (r856)

Have fun playing until the next update

Forum update and new feature

2009-11-23T14:38:36.103Z

The forum has been updated. Because of the abuse of shoutbox, it's now seen only from members as well as the posts at problems and requests
IRC embeded client has been added (the same with the one here)

Regarding USB Loader GX

* Added a visual mark for new installed games. The first time this revision is started no games will be marked!

This comes with rev 839+

Long time no ... post

2009-11-18T07:40:09.742Z

As you would have noticed, USB Loader GX had it's pace slowed down (but now it's again on fire!). That, plus my job, led the news section a little back.

To sum up the what's new since I last posted

Loads game from *.wbfs file on FAT32 partition (works only with Hermes cIOS) more
mp3, ogg and various other formats are supported for background music more
New Super Mario Bros Wii had a new protection and a patch was added at the USB Loader GX (Thanks WiiPower)
Added BannerSound playback
USB Loader GX has a theme downloader now
Added support for larget WBFS drives, as found by Wiimm
Favorites now use a 5 stars system
Fix for games which need a disc in the drive to play (like MP3 and De Blob).
Alt-dol selection promt for games like Metroid Trilogy
A lot of bug fixes
A lot of language updates and additions

And the most important of all, this site was added at the meta.xml file used for infos by Homebrew channel!!! :p

Oh, and of course Waninkoko's cIOS v15 was leaked 4 days ago. I won't add it here yet, to check how it works.

r763 The update to cIOS222 rev4 is finished

2009-09-30T15:42:11.553Z

This is the log of the r763 by lustar

The mload/ehcmodule update is now complete, thanks to dimok. You need to update Hermes cIOS 222/223 to v4 if you use it because it works the same as in uloader, only v4 is supported. You may have to delete your main configuration file before updating if you had v3 installed. For some games, you will have to use 222 instead of 223 (RB instruments, GH 5) if you had 222 v3. If you think you need an external ehcmodule.elf, you can put it in SD:/apps/usbloader_gx/ and it will be loaded. Fixed crash when setting a custom path using the folder button (issue 864). Fixed black screen when starting the loader from HBC a long time after powering the Wii and the HDD went to sleep (tested on a WD 2,5") (possible fix for issue 881).

Grab it at Revisions

Hermes cios support has changed

2009-09-29T22:28:06.250Z

Since r749 and on, USB Loader GX has been updated for better support of cIOS 222/223 rev4. Unfortunately that dropped the compatibility with the previous versions of cIOS 222/223. You can find rev4 at the Downloads

By the way, from that revision and on, should also have been fixed some ocarina bugs. Please drop at this topic of the forum to report any more problems with ocarina.

Forum from BETA to RC

2009-09-27T17:26:47.961Z

As you already know, the forum was under beta status.
The reason for the BETA status is because there was no planned organization of the categories, no forum rules, missing some important extra features etc.

BUT
1. The main organization of the categories were done (no huge changes from no on, only new categories)
2. Rules were decided + special rules where needed (of course they can always change)
3. Some extra tags were added (spoiler, youtube, google-it and smiley link)

I will be adding more tags now, but I'm pretty much finished with 1 and 2. That's why I change the status of the forum to RC

Visit the forum now

Welcome Old8oy

2009-09-05T11:04:21.738Z

From today, Old8oy will help me out with this site. The previous contributors (logan and starstremr) seem to be preoccupied with other stuff (like I have been and still I am with my University exams), so it is up to him for now. Luckily for me and him there aren't so many revisions this period.

Vacations Mass News Post v1

2009-07-28T09:49:37.679Z

First of all I tried to compile r661 and had compiling errors. That means that I can't compile at the moment elf releases but I'll mirror the official dol files. It will take me a while though (5kbps speed!!!). :p

cIOS38 v14 from Waninkoko is out!! (and it doesn't have the restart bug!!!! -note to myself to update the faq-)

Channel launcher was added with factory channels support. You can now browse your channels from USB Loader GX. I don't know if they have implemented the NAND emulation of cIOSv14 yet. Probably not.

*NOTE* In testing, all channels booted fine with system menu 4.1u installed.
None booted with 3.2u installed.

Support for the channels database for ATD mod. database.txt should be in the config path

wiitdb.zip offline download changed. You have to use the link that USB Loader GX gives you. At downloads now is the "guide" from giantpune.

SendElf / WiiLoad support for the Homebrew Launcher

NOTE 1: For this the network has to be initialized!!
You can initialize the network with the button at the right bottom of the Homebrew Launcher
or by AutoInit Network.

Background Network initialize + AutoUpdateCheck if AutoInit Network Setting is turned on (You will get a prompt if a new Update is available)

IMPORTANT NOTE: All those features require network being initialized.
Be aware that when network is initialized some games seem to not want to run,
this means its lowers the game load compatibility.
Most of the games don't have any problem with it but some do.
Thats why there is an option for the AutoInit Network.

filebrowser is now used for custom paths

titles.txt support was removed. Use wiitdb.zip

Oh. Also, now at downloads is the windows program (easy installer) that installs to your SD/USB USB Loader GX to be used with your Wii :p

Channel r719 + Beta testing koureio forum

2009-09-03T18:00:41.355Z

I updated the channel at downloads to r719 (it was already at the archive but not at the download page).

Also I created a forum (using forumer) under the name Koureio. I just created it and it's not the official forum for USB Loader GX. It can be found at forum.koureio.net for those that want to see it. For now it only has a USB Loader GX category with Users and Developers sub-categories. The Developers should be hidden.

The only forum rules for now are:

NO ILLEGAL files or links to them
USB Loader GX should be the only subject (for now)

Updated Downloads & Revisions pages

2009-09-02T22:45:47.824Z

Revision page has been updated again, after a long time, with rev719.

Download page has been updated with Hermes cIOS222/223 rev4, USB Loader GX channel r718 and waninkoko's cIOSv14 was replaced with a mediafire mirror.

PS: Hermes topic for uLoader has been added to the links

End of Vacations - University exams are here

2009-09-02T19:54:49.702Z

Unfortunately I'll be busy for a little longer. But there was nothing new out with USB Loader GX, except the latest rev 719 which allows you to change the game ID for custom games. ;-)

Anyway, the only new thing that I can report (as I haven't read the new forum posts yet) is that uLoader v3.0B was released and includes a new cIOS of Hermes. I haven't checked it for compatibility with USB Loader GX, nether have I read any reports regarding that, so you have to check it on your own or check the forums for someone that done it already.

See you around... ;-)

This was posted at the forum by Old8oy
***edit***
cIOS 222 rev4 has been tested working with GX by DjDynamite. He mentioned a noticeable improvement in load times
I will confirm later on tonight.

All suggested questions were added to the FAQ

2009-06-17T16:11:36.562Z

I made a huge update to the FAQ today... but enough with this. I'm going for a swim at the beach ;) Maybe I'll update this news article with more info later.

Altdol from disc option and a little bit of HBC function

2009-07-16T14:52:14.428Z

The program develops too fast for me to follow at the moment. I have been absent for a week and a lot have happened since then.
That week's changes that worth a spot at the news are AltDol from disc and the HBC-like functionality.

A guide for altdol from disc by giantpune.
Note: r626 has the latest changes to that feature.

Regarding the HBC-like function, I think the changelog is enough for the explaining

Here is what dimok wrote with r627:

*Made a little HBC inside our loader
*Added HomebrewFiles Class

NOTE 1: In settings/custompaths you can change the HomebrewPath and the standard
is SD:/apps/. Our browser searches for EVERY .dol and .elf file in the directory
even if its not called boot.dol.

NOTE 2: Giantpune and me tested the homebrewbooting and it worked for every
homebrew we tested except our own application. (a bit ironic)

NOTE 3: Right now the information on the Buttons is the path to the Homebrew.
This and the BootPrompt will be replaced with the XML information inside the
path of the homebrew later but for now i am taking a break

NOTE 4: Right now the button to the HomebrewMenu is next to WiiMenuButton and
has the same image as the listgamebrowser. I didnt have any images so i took
what i had and cyrex will change the images when he is back. Also there will be
a no icon image added later.

PS: Tomorrow I'm leaving for vacations (at least 10 days) but I'll take the laptop with me and try to keep updating the site. Also I haven't yet checked like 20 pages from the forum, so I haven't been fully updated regarding this week.

Ask a question... answers

2009-07-06T14:46:41.446Z

I only answered the first 24 for now

Chech the Ask a question page for the answers

WiiTDB.com support added at last

2009-07-04T11:04:40.767Z

As you can all remember I announced a new feature a while back, and now is almost competed as the r575 added support for the updating info site ;)
Unfortunately for now it only downloads covers from that site.

To use the game info function you have to copy the wiitdb.zip found at the site mentioned above (without unzipping it) to the folder that you have set to your path settings of the loader as the folder for titles.txt
To show the info you press the button 1 (or was it the 2 button? anyway one will show the info and the other will download covers) and to go back the B button.

This what thedarkness1981 posted:

*Support for wiitdb.com added
*Downloads the images depending from which country the game is
There are still missing images so please everyone who wants to help please add
them on www.wiitdb.com. ;)

Covers Download is back... for now

2009-06-29T00:41:17.875Z

Revision 567 did the trick and now we can download covers again
Here is what giantpune said:

changed the address we get covers from.  this doesnt mean open season to DL
50000000 covers or else we will be in the same boat we were in people.

Cover Downloads problem...

2009-06-28T18:59:31.328Z

Apparently the webmasters of the wiiboxart site started to demand money from you in order to be able to download covers from the loader. Usb Loader GX doesn't support the new method (downloading with username and password from that site) and apparently nether will be in the feature.

You can always use that site though (without paying/donating and getting a username) from your PC for getting one by one the covers/disks you miss
Remember to change the dimensions at the top of the site before downloading
Normal covers must be160x224
3D covers must be 176x248
Disc covers are left as they are 160x160 (you don't have to put that somewhere)

Giantpune is working on an temporary solution. Here is what he said at the forum:

What is up with the cover download is we haven't decided. We feel that there is no reason that this can't be a free feature. If it turns out that there is a site that is free requires a password, we will make that possible. In the mean time m4x0r has granted the use of his ftp site as well as a few other people have expressed that they will help in hosting these covers. I have put a decent number of the covers that this application uses on m4x0r's server and adjusted the loader so that it knows where to look to get them.

If you guys want to help out with the cover download, here's how you can make yourself useful..
rar up your image folder and put it on mediafire and PM me a link ( I know I'll regret this)
i would rather many smaller rars (around 300 images) then 1 big ass one
i only want images that show in this loader. if you don't know the sizes, just open them in the app and see if it calls you a dipshit.
it will make the loader faster if all images are named with 6 character ID. don't ask how. just trust me here.

I am not in any way trying to get into the habit of updating these covers so don't bother me about ones that are missing or incorrect. this is just a temporary fix till somebody else gets something set up. I will also welcome people to mirror this and the load can be shared across the servers.

Alternate DOL support

2009-06-17T16:11:33.162Z

I don't have the time to check what it is but dimok posted this with r529

*Added Alternate DOL support which is used to boot games that don't work due to
IOS Reloads like Mortal Kombat

NOTE: There is a GameSettings you need to turn ON to load Alternate DOLs. The
alternate DOL has to be called 6 IDs .dol for example RHDP8P.dol and has to be
in the root of the SD. Giantpune will add custom path support i dont have time
for it.

If you want to use it use r533+ (custom path is supported)

giantpune also said:

Also, before you start asking about the dol replacement deal, please read
http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=160710
It is also discussed a little bit here
http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=158884&st=135
If you still don't understand it, then this feature is not for you
and those games were not meant to be played on your wii.

Here is a "How To" For running Medal of Honor Heroes 2 from USB Loader GX with alternative dol:
http://gbatemp.net/index.php?s=&showtopic=149922&view=findpost&p=2057212

Here is a step by step that starstremr put together on how to use and extract the alt dols.
http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=161988