AfterDawn: News

Nintendo Wii firmware 4.2 has been crashing units

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."

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 5 Oct 2009 14:13

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• 15 comments

• wiimatrix

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

  5.10.2009 14:16 #1

• ooZEROoo

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

  5.10.2009 16:52 #2

• 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...

  5.10.2009 18:14 #3

• Unfocused

  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?

  5.10.2009 22:33 #4

• nintenut

  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.

  6.10.2009 00:31 #5

• akoli

  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....

  6.10.2009 00:41 #6

• nintenut

  Right, you said that, I was just clarifying.
  
  They released 4.3?

  6.10.2009 01:21 #7

• akoli

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

  6.10.2009 01:24 #8

• 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.

  6.10.2009 12:08 #9

• KillerBug

  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.
  

  Current System: Windows 7 RC1, DFI M2RS, ATI 3870HD, Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1600, Athlon 9950, 6GB Corsair DDR2, 3TB RAID 5, 750GB Raid-1, 500GB RAID-1, 640GB RAID-0 Boot, 3ware 9690SA, Adaptec 2610SA, Adaptec 1430SA, Intel Gigabit NIC (PCI), LG 20X Lightscribe DVDR, Coolmax 1200w Power Supply, Logitech G15(first edition), Logitech G5(Second Edition), modified dell poweredge 1800 server case.
  Overall configuration: Perfect chair, two 22" widescreens overhead, Logitech 5.1 Audio

  7.10.2009 01:32 #10

• 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!

  7.10.2009 08:37 #11

• nintenut

  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".
  

  
  

  8.10.2009 01:39 #12

• 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...
  

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

  8.10.2009 01:53 #13

• nintenut

  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.
  

  
  

  8.10.2009 03:35 #14

• VGM

  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...

  24.10.2009 15:11 #15