New to Gecko OS, have some questions...

[nintendude]

Well first off, hi! As you can tell, I'm new to these forums, to the Homebrew Channel, and to Gecko OS. Additionally, I'm not a hacker, but someone who would love to play SSBB with hacked codes (also referred to some as Brawl +). I tried searching for answers to the following questions on here, but nothing relevant enough to help. So, here goes:

Alright, right now I have a virgin 4.0 Wii and I'm eagerly awaiting to see what this new exploit by Comex will do for people in my situation. As mentioned, I just heard about the Homebrew Channel, Ocarina, and Gecko OS just a few days ago. I know that you must have the Homebrew Channel installed in order to even use codes for any game. And in order for codes to take effect, you have to use them through either Ocarina or Gecko OS. Through research, I see and pretty much understand how to use Ocarina, but I'm in the dark about how to use Gecko OS. I know that you don't need the Gecko USB in order to use codes (just to create and debug them), so I'm not going down that route with this.

Where I am going, however, is how can I use Gecko OS to go from getting the codes to using them and experiencing Brawl in a new way? I saw that Gecko OS works for Windows, but what about Mac (I have both, so it doesn't matter too much on which one I use)? Also, how do I use WiiRD and code manager? Finally, I hear that the only real advantage that Gecko OS has over Ocarina is that you can play games in different languages. Tell me, in your own words, what is/are the real advantage(s) of using Gecko OS over Ocarina. Again, sorry about asking so many questions, but I'm seriously interested in learning about all of these things so I can play games such as Brawl in a new, fun way. And after all, isn't having fun the whole reason of why you guys do what you do?

[111]

You actually don't need the Homebrew Channel to use codes, but you do need an exploit to run unsigned code, so hopefully "Bannerbomb" will be able to accomplish that.  Even then, the exploit that the Homebrew Channel installer used has been patched on 4.0, so you will not be able to install it at this time.  Fortunately, once you have the ability to run unsigned code, it is possible to downgrade from it.

GeckoOS is basically the same as Ocarina, and can operate in the exact same way.  To use the Wii Cheat Code Manager on Windows (I don't have a Macintosh), you simply select 'File', and then 'Open TXT File', once you have some cheat TXT files.  You can obtain many codes on these forums, and on the following site...

http://www.usbgecko.com/codes/

When you open a page, you can simply right-click on 'DOWNLOAD', and 'Save Link As...' (again, I am doing this on Windows with Firefox) to download the TXT file.  When you open that TXT file in the Wii Cheat Code Manager, you should see something like this...



You would select the codes that you want to use, and click on 'Export to GCT', and save it to your SD card.  It will save to the 'codes' folder on the root of the card.  If you don't already have that folder created, the program will create it for you, along with the GCT cheat file in it.  When you load GeckoOS on the Wii, the cheat function should be on by default.

Ocarina, by itself, has been discontinued.  GeckoOS now has Ocarina support, and has better compatibility with many games.  For example, on Ocarina, Twilight Princess will not have any sound whenever you play it.  However, this has been fixed on GeckoOS.  GeckoOS also offers the Rebooter function, which can allow for support of Multi DOL games.  For example, when using the Rebooter for Super Smash Brothers Brawl, you can disable the time limits on the 'Masterpieces', which you cannot do on Ocarina.

Thanks to brkirch, GeckoOS/Gecko 1.8.0.2 is still being developed.  In the future, channel hacking is also planned, which you can see a video of here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkzdKwAa4Gs

[nintendude]

Thanks! That does help. By the way, I noticed that (for now, anyway) that Gecko OS and the Ocarina Code Manager are for PC only. Are there any plans to bring it to Mac as well? I don't really want to get Parallels or Boot Camp to run Windows just for this (looks like I'm stuck to my parents' desktop PC for now).

Also, you say that I don't need Homebrew Channel to run codes, so how do I do that? Additionally, if I'm able to downgrade to a previous firmware and then updgrade to 4.0 through Homebrew, can that be done safely if all goes well with this new exploit that everyone's waiting for?

[Full Metal Kirby]

Thanks! That does help. By the way, I noticed that (for now, anyway) that Gecko OS and the Ocarina Code Manager are for PC only. Are there any plans to bring it to Mac as well? I don't really want to get Parallels or Boot Camp to run Windows just for this (looks like I'm stuck to my parents' desktop PC for now).

You could always use another homebrew program for managing codes right on the Wii. (Cheat Manager)

Also, you say that I don't need Homebrew Channel to run codes, so how do I do that? Additionally, if I'm able to downgrade to a previous firmware and then updgrade to 4.0 through Homebrew, can that be done safely if all goes well with this new exploit that everyone's waiting for?

All the HBC installer does is run a .dol (or .elf) on the SD Card's root to install the HBC channel, so if you replace that 'boot.dol'(or 'boot.elf') with the Gecko's 'boot.elf' then each time you run the exploit it'd run Gecko which would be accessible the same as if you ran it from the HBC.

As for downgrading, there's always a risk for any modification you do to your Wii, but if you follow whichever guide/instructions (and use some common sense sometimes) that are trustworthy, then the chance is slim.

[nintendude]

Thanks for the pointers. I have 2 other questions to ask:

1)When I'm able to do so, how do I get Gecko OS on my Wii? Is it a simple matter of just copying the Gecko 1802 folder to the root of the SD card?

2)Do you, or someone you know have any trustworthy guides to successfully downgrade firmware?

Oh, also, how can I add more codes to the Ocarina Cheat Code Manager that aren't from the USB Gecko site? Additionally, are any codes that work with Ocarina work with Gecko OS (I'm assuming yes, but I'm not sure).

[111]

Thanks for the pointers. I have 2 other questions to ask:

1)When I'm able to do so, how do I get Gecko OS on my Wii? Is it a simple matter of just copying the Gecko 1802 folder to the root of the SD card?

2)Do you, or someone you know have any trustworthy guides to successfully downgrade firmware?

Oh, also, how can I add more codes to the Ocarina Cheat Code Manager that aren't from the USB Gecko site? Additionally, are any codes that work with Ocarina work with Gecko OS (I'm assuming yes, but I'm not sure).

1.  Assuming you can install the Homebrew Channel, on the root of your SD card, you would first create a folder that is named 'apps'.  When you download Gecko 1.8.0.2, you navigate to the 'HBC' folder.  Inside of that folder, you simply copy or move the 'Gecko1802' folder into the 'apps' folder.  When you open the Homebrew Channel, Gecko 1.8.0.2 should show as a homebrew application.

If you cannot install the Homebrew Channel, you would navigate into the 'Gecko1802' folder, copy or move the 'boot.elf' file to the root of the SD card, and you should be able to run it in that manner.

2.  Now that I think of it, I'm wondering how the Homebrew Channel installer works, and if it would be possible to use comex's DVDx 3.4 to first downgrade IOS35, and if the installer would then use that version to install.  Therefore, you would be able to install the Homebrew Channel without really downgrading from 4.0.  If that would work, it should be pretty safe to do.

Most Ocarina codes should work with GeckoOS.  To add codes to the TXT file, you could simply modify the TXT file, and add the code in a format like this...

Code Select Expand

Code [name of creator]
01234567 89ABCDEF

After that, save the changes.

[nintendude]

Thanks again! Obviously, I'm learning about this stuff. Heck, even the thought of using Gecko USB kind of interests me so that I can do live code uploading (you know, where you can put more codes in and have them take effect during gameplay). I really hope that exploit either a)lets me install Homebrew Channel and show 4.0 who's boss (so to speak) or b)allow me to safely "downgrade" the way that you suggested.

Personally, though, I don't understand why Nintendo can't just allow the Homebrew Channel to be installed and tell any and all who use it (or want to use it like me) that they are in no way, shape, or form responsible for anything that happens to the user as it is their own fault for the risks they take. It's kind of like the "click it or ticket" seat belt law where I live: so what if I don't wear my seatbelt? I understand the risks and am willing to take it (even though I DO wear my seatbelt...). The only thing that I hear of why Nintendo is so strict is because of piracy and how the HBC makes it possible...

Anyway, thanks again for the answers. Also, while I'm asking questions so I can understand some more terminology and such, what exactly is IOS? Doesn't it stand for 'Input/Output System'? And what does it do? Is it kind of like what a system file is to a computer? And what is a 'Hollywood "Starlet" ARM Core'? Believe me, I want to know (but please explain to me as much in plain English as possible).

[111]

Keep in mind, I've never downgraded anything myself, but was just brainstorming a possible safe alternative to allow you to install it.  Team Twiizers have other exploits, and I think they are planning on releasing an installer which works on 4.0.  If so, "downgrading" to install the Homebrew Channel would be unnecessary.

Nintendo will patch anything that will allow unsigned code to run, such as the Twilight Hack or Homebrew Channel installer.  If you can run your own code, it is always possible to create programs primarily intended for piracy purposes.  For example, the first bug that the Homebrew Channel installer used - the signing bug - could also be used to install pirated Virtual Console/WiiWare titles.

Yes, IOS stands for Input/Output system, and is the operating system that runs on the Starlet.  I don't really understand it myself, but the following pages contain some good information on the hardware/software of the Wii...

WiiBrew

IOS - WiiBrew
Hardware/Starlet - WiiBrew