Wii owners note...

[Lee]

Nintendo's latest Wii System Menu 4.2 update released earlier this week has caused quite a stir for many console owners.

The update was only intended to fend off piracy by disabling certain 'Homebrew' programs, or what Nintendo calls "unauthorized modifications." The update was not supposed to affect those with unmodified consoles. Here's what the official statement said:

"This update provides behind-the-scenes fixes that will not affect features but will improve the overall system performance."

"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."

Days later, however, Nintendo's forums have been flooded with users with unmodified Wiis experiencing issues after updating, such as freezing upon start-up, disc read errors, and even bricking the Wii entirely.

Nintendo says it's currently looking into the situation:

"Some of you have reported problems with your Wii console after updating to the Wii System Menu 4.2. The symptoms most people are describing usually occur when the Wii has been modified. However, some of you also mention your system has never been modified."

"We'd like to help get your system working properly again. If you're experiencing problems with your Wii console after downloading Wii System Menu 4.2, and you believe your system has not been modified, please give us a call. If we find that you have a normal system and the update caused your system to not work, we'll repair it at no charge.

Please call our Customer Service Department at your earliest convenience, 1-800-255-3700. We are open 6 AM to 7 PM, Pacific Time, 7 days a week."

the problems are generally on NTSC but there have been a few on PAL too, If you have PAL you can call them on (0)870 6060247.

The easy way to get round it is either A) not do the update or B) let it run through properly without cancelling.

 

[The Doctor]

This is why companies should stop blocking homebrew.

 

[Lee]

Kudos for them finding a way to lock a modified console.

 

[The Doctor]

Yeah.

But I still don't think they should.

 

[Lee]

Well this could blow up into a proper thread but I think they should, technically all the games on the wii etc have been taken from Nintendo so if they render their hardware incapable of playing illegal stuff then kudos.

 

[The Doctor]

OK, it's good for stopping pirating. Pirating is bad.

I think companies should find a way to work with homebrew makers. People make homemade games and interesting programs as well as pirating yknow. Like on the PSP, until Sony "fixed" everything, one could emulate most every system, use the PSP to watch youTube videos, and more. Very useful stuff there.