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#1 2008-09-22 2:32 am
- Bat
- Adult's Play
- Royal Wombat
- From: Björk, Björk
- Registered: 2001-05-14
- Posts: 24109
Nintendo thwarts modders
But only because they wuv you.
Nintendo thwarting Wii modders with epoxy-locked chips; Wii Backup Loader abandoned
A double shot of bad news for the Wii hacking set today -- not only do new Wiis appear to have a modchip-proof layer of epoxy around the DVD-ROM IC chips, Waninkoko has abandoned the Wii Backup-Loader project. The modchip news isn't all that surprising -- Ninty's been fighting a losing battle against chip devs for a while now, and gluing things down with epoxy is a logical solution -- but Waninkoko quitting is a bit of a shock, since we just caught wind of the Wii Backup-Loader a few days ago. Apparently he's not happy that it was leaked this morning, so he's dropping it, but surely an outpouring of affection in comments will change his mind.
If all economists were laid end to end, they would not reach a conclusion - George Bernard Shaw
"Fire up a colortini, sit back, relax, and watch the pictures, now, as they fly through the air."
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#3 2008-09-28 4:36 pm
- Mr. T
- Uses STOS implicitly
- From: omnipresent
- Registered: 2002-04-02
- Posts: 3602
Re: Nintendo thwarts modders
Surely there must be some chemical that can dissolve epoxy. Alternatively, you could always grind it down enough to access the pins. I would take either approach without a moment's hesitation.
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#4 2008-09-28 5:25 pm
- NightCougar_37
- Has been Larrabee vaccinated..have you?
- From: The back of my Netherdrake
- Registered: 2001-07-22
- Posts: 8774
Re: Nintendo thwarts modders
Depends how strong the epoxy is. The stuff used for removal might also be harmful to electronics.
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#5 2008-09-28 9:14 pm
- Mr. T
- Uses STOS implicitly
- From: omnipresent
- Registered: 2002-04-02
- Posts: 3602
Re: Nintendo thwarts modders
Yeah, I did some quick googling, and apparently, there really isn't anything practical that can dissolve epoxy without potentially wrecking the electronics (afaik). So, it's a matter of dremeling. Attack with a fine-grit grinding wheel on high speed in short bursts, till you see exposed metal. Ought to work. Others probably would not be so adventurous, however. And if I screwed up, I could always add more epoxy to cover my work, send it in for repair, and play dumb. 
Last edited by Mr. T (2008-09-28 9:16 pm)
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#6 2008-09-28 10:36 pm
- Bat
- Adult's Play
- Royal Wombat
- From: Björk, Björk
- Registered: 2001-05-14
- Posts: 24109
Re: Nintendo thwarts modders
Mr. T wrote:
Yeah, I did some quick googling, and apparently, there really isn't anything practical that can dissolve epoxy without potentially wrecking the electronics (afaik). So, it's a matter of dremeling. Attack with a fine-grit grinding wheel on high speed in short bursts, till you see exposed metal. Ought to work.
...if your goal is to vibrate heck out of delicate electronics, yep.
Others probably would not be so [s]foolhardy[/s] adventurous, however. And if I screwed up, I could always add more epoxy to cover my work, send it in for repair, and play dumb.
The way those overclockers who push too hard can always send their chips back, 'cuz those inexperienced, dumb chipmakers have never seen those signs before. 
If all economists were laid end to end, they would not reach a conclusion - George Bernard Shaw
"Fire up a colortini, sit back, relax, and watch the pictures, now, as they fly through the air."
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