Gecko OS Basic Questions

[bnuge]

Sorry to ask a few basic questions, but I'm having trouble finding answers in the existing forums. 


What is Gecko OS?

I know usbGecko is basically gone.  Do I need to find a usbGecko to use Gecko OS?

Do I need anything other than the Homebrew Channel to use Gecko OS?

I know Nintendo doesn't like the Homebrew Channel.  I found this on their site:

Most Recent Update:

September 28, 2009

Wii Menu 4.2


Unauthorized Modifications
Because unauthorized channels or firmware may impair game play or the Wii console, updating to Wii Menu version 4.2 will check for and automatically remove such unauthorized files. In addition, there are some behind the scenes enhancements that do not affect any prominently-used features or menus but will improve system performance.

They definitely don't approve of it, but I don't know what happens if the Homebrew Channel is found.  Does Nintendo do anything other than delete the channel? Basically, what are the risks?

Any other info that anyone wants to share is welcome as long as it has to do with Gecko OS. 

Thanks

[conanac]

Perhaps GeckoOS could be used for other things, but for me I use it mainly for:
1. Playing games with cheat codes
2. Creating cheat codes with combination of WiiRD (PC application) and USBGecko

And I use HBC to run GeckoOS (some people install GeckoOS as a channel so
they could use it without running HBC).

As long as you do quite a good research and reading, you could try minimize the risk
of bricking your Wii when modifying your Wii. Any action will have its own risk and merit.

Cheers.

[bnuge]

My main question is... How does it work?

I generally use Action Replay so I don't know anything about hacking, but it's looking like their never going to make one for Wii so I'm trying something else.  I want to keep it legal though. 

[dcx2]

You use HBC to launch Gecko OS (or any other homebrew app).

Gecko OS loads the disc, and then injects itself into the game's execution.  Since it's running at the same time as the game, it can do interesting things, like give you full health every frame (i.e. infinite health).

If you have a USB Gecko, you can become a hacker yourself...but it takes a lot of skill, patience, and time to hack.  However, you don't need a USB Gecko to use the cheats that we develop...all you need to do is put a certain file in a certain folder in the memory card with the codes from the code database, and the cheats will automatically be applied when Gecko OS runs a game.

Nintendo will try to delete HBC during pretty much every system update.  Hence the bold at the top - "update 4.2 - do not update".  4.2 was special in a way that previous updates were not - instead of just killing HBC, they also tried killing BootMii.  This had the potential to brick your Wii.

HBC itself isn't illegal but it does void your warranty, and Gecko OS can't load backups anyway, it only reads original discs.

[bnuge]

If an update does brick the Wii will Nintendo still fix it without the warranty?
I had my disc drive break and they charged to fix it because it was out of warranty.  Would they do the same if the problem was completely my fault?  It took so long to get a Wii that I don't want to risk breaking it permanently.  I haven't looked around yet, but I think the Wii is still at the stage where it sells out as soon as it arrives at a store. 

[dcx2]

The chance of you bricking on an update is small.  Very small.  In fact, until update 4.2, if you had BootMii as boot2, your brick chance was exactly zero.  They did something funny with 4.2, and it allegedly can brick anyone, even non-homebrew.

But the chance is like one in a million or something ridiculous, i.e. it's probably not going to happen unless you have the worst luck.  The installer for BootMii/HBC and bannerbomb are written to be pretty safe for the masses.  Just promise to never, ever downgrade anything, ever, and you'll be golden.

You can always opt not to update.  You could also install just the functional updates without installing the "stubs" that overwrite HBC and BootMii - assuming you used BootMii, which you should.

Sure, they would fix your Wii, and definitely charge you.  Might even charge you extra if they figure out you had homebrew on it, who knows.  But Wii's are easy to find these days.  Go to newegg if you're in the US or CA.  It will be at your door in like three days.