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Nintendo Wii firmware 4.2 has been crashing units

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DVDBack23 @ Oct 05, 2009 18:13 | 15 comments

Last week we reported that the new Nintendo Wii firmware 4.2 was killing the 'Homebrew Channel' for users who were using modded systems.

Today, Nintendo has told Eurogamer that they have been receiving reports in the EU and US that the firmware update has been causing crashes, sometimes even bricking the system.

Anyone experiencing the problems will have their Wii repaired for free, as long as it has not been modded.

"We are aware of a very small number of reported problems with Wii consoles after updating to the Wii System Menu 4.2," said the Nintendo statement.

"The symptoms described usually occur when a Wii console has been modified. However, there are a very small number of people reporting problems when a system has never been modified.

"If anyone is experiencing problems with their Wii console after downloading Wii System Menu 4.2, and believe their system has not been modified, please contact our customer service centre. If we find that you have a normal system and the update has caused your system to not work, we will repair it at no charge. Please do not return anything to our customer service department without contacting them first for advice."

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Comments

Comment by: wiimatrix (Oct 05, 2009 18:16)

So does this update just take out units with Homebrew soft mods on?

Comment by: ooZEROoo (Oct 05, 2009 20:52)

No it is killing legit systems. Most people that have modded systems have yet to update to the new firmware.

Comment by: akoli (Oct 05, 2009 22:14)

Well I have a preloader installed in my system and updates turned off so not worried... but does add another reason not to upgrade menu...

Comment by: Unfocused (Oct 06, 2009 02:33)

So, if you have a legit system that gets bricked due to the upgrade, how does this affect your DLC? This is tied into the unit SN isn't it?

Comment by: nintenut (Oct 06, 2009 04:31)

Originally posted by akoli:
Well I have a preloader installed in my system and updates turned off so not worried... but does add another reason not to upgrade menu...

The update would overwrite Preloader. That's why it's bricking systems, it tries to install the new Boot2, and if something goes wrong during it's installation (Power goes out, the Wii gets unplugged, ETC.) you're pretty well and proper f*cked.

Comment by: akoli (Oct 06, 2009 04:41)

Yeah think 4.2 updated Boot 2 but not so sure about 4.3 (would assume so if its breaking wii's ).... but as I said I have updates turned off ... and any updates i do will be from sources that have stripped out the features that nintendo have put in place that do not serve any use to me.ie removal of homebrew channel or unsigned channels....

Comment by: nintenut (Oct 06, 2009 05:21)

Right, you said that, I was just clarifying.

They released 4.3?

Comment by: akoli (Oct 06, 2009 05:24)

Think I'm just making things up ... I was reading something about 4.3 maybe something not related to wii ...!!!! Sorry

Comment by: emugamer (Oct 06, 2009 16:08)

At least they are offering to fix legit systems for free. Everytime I update my PS3 firmware, I break out in a sweat hoping that I don't have to shell out another $150 to get it fixed from brickage.

Comment by: KillerBug (Oct 07, 2009 05:32)

Originally posted by emugamer:
At least they are offering to fix legit systems for free. Everytime I update my PS3 firmware, I break out in a sweat hoping that I don't have to shell out another $150 to get it fixed from brickage.

The difference is that thw whole point of this update is to dissable features, yet they claim that it does not dissable any features and is just a bug fix...when it fixes nothing, and causes bugs.

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Comment by: redux79 (Oct 07, 2009 12:37)

Quote:
Originally posted by emugamer:
At least they are offering to fix legit systems for free. Everytime I update my PS3 firmware, I break out in a sweat hoping that I don't have to shell out another $150 to get it fixed from brickage.
The difference is that thw whole point of this update is to dissable features, yet they claim that it does not dissable any features and is just a bug fix...when it fixes nothing, and causes bugs.

Don’t you just love corporate double speak? It should say download our invasive malware there's a new shiny menu!

Comment by: nintenut (Oct 08, 2009 05:39)

Originally posted by redux79:

Quote:
Originally posted by emugamer:
At least they are offering to fix legit systems for free. Everytime I update my PS3 firmware, I break out in a sweat hoping that I don't have to shell out another $150 to get it fixed from brickage.
The difference is that thw whole point of this update is to dissable features, yet they claim that it does not dissable any features and is just a bug fix...when it fixes nothing, and causes bugs.
Don’t you just love corporate double speak? It should say download our invasive malware there's a new shiny menu!

To be fair, the Homebrew Channel is technically installed by exploiting a bug... and, thus, all Homebrew. And, I know, my username shows my allignment here, but you can't accuse them of "Double speak" when it clearly says:

Quote:
Because unauthorized modifications to save data or program files may impair game play or the Wii console, updating to Wii Menu version 4.2 will also check for and automatically remove such save data or program files.

Which is all true.

Also, there's no "Invasive Malware".

Comment by: akoli (Oct 08, 2009 05:53)

I understand what your saying but the ironic thing is its breaking peoples wii's who dont know any better.... if you have HBC, emus, USB loader ... your wii savvy so wont have done an offical wii update in a while.

People who just have updates switched on 24/7 who dont know anybetter are suffering here for an update that isn't merited.... offers no improvements other than removing exploits... and you cant exploit a bricked wii so suppose its working from that point of view...

Some mornings I wake up grumpy other mornings I let her sleep !!!

Comment by: nintenut (Oct 08, 2009 07:35)

Originally posted by akoli:
I understand what your saying but the ironic thing is its breaking peoples wii's who dont know any better.... if you have HBC, emus, USB loader ... your wii savvy so wont have done an offical wii update in a while.

People who just have updates switched on 24/7 who dont know anybetter are suffering here for an update that isn't merited.... offers no improvements other than removing exploits... and you cant exploit a bricked wii so suppose its working from that point of view...

Oh, I completely agree, (It's hard to be Wii-savvy without supporting Homebrew) I was just that pointing out.

Comment by: VGM (Oct 24, 2009 19:11)

So is there a way to fix a crashing wii with 4.2 that has not been modded without sending it in?
Would installing the HBC fix it or something?

VGM out...