Someone trim a wii board until it breaks
- Thread starter Tchay
- Start date
ShockSlayer
Probably SS
Ashen
GameCube Révolutionary
I'm not really sure I see the point in making the Wii board SUPER small. Because of the motion control the best option for portablizing a Wii is always going to be laptop styled. Unless of course you want pretty much a GCp that can play a few Wii games that only use the Wiimote horizontally.
That being said, I'd still be on board for looking into how small we can make it, even if it is semi pointless.
1st step in this will be to identify just how many board revisions we're dealing with. I know there are a bunch of revisions and they vary from 7 layer to 5 layer PCB's if I'm not mistaken. If its anything like the GC Nintendo just probably moved useless flax around on the boards to prevent piracy, etc.
2nd step I guess is to start tracing flax back and find the closest alternate points we can to the CPU/GPU area. Just looking at the board, it looks like the built in regulator takes up a huge amount of space, which I'm almost certain we can Custom Reg out and eliminate a huge area of the board.
3rd step I suppose is sanding the layers to reveal any stuff we miss by tracing. And to get an Idea of whats going on inside.
After I wrap up my current commission my next project is definitely a Wii Lappy, I've wanted to do it for a while now but have just been to caught up in GC shizzle.
Anyway, count me in on board for all of this.
That being said, I'd still be on board for looking into how small we can make it, even if it is semi pointless.
1st step in this will be to identify just how many board revisions we're dealing with. I know there are a bunch of revisions and they vary from 7 layer to 5 layer PCB's if I'm not mistaken. If its anything like the GC Nintendo just probably moved useless flax around on the boards to prevent piracy, etc.
2nd step I guess is to start tracing flax back and find the closest alternate points we can to the CPU/GPU area. Just looking at the board, it looks like the built in regulator takes up a huge amount of space, which I'm almost certain we can Custom Reg out and eliminate a huge area of the board.
3rd step I suppose is sanding the layers to reveal any stuff we miss by tracing. And to get an Idea of whats going on inside.
After I wrap up my current commission my next project is definitely a Wii Lappy, I've wanted to do it for a while now but have just been to caught up in GC shizzle.
Anyway, count me in on board for all of this.
Tchay
Frequent Poster
Okay great. Lets get to it.
****** FROM HERE ON OUT, ALL THE INFORMATION BELOW SHOULD BE CONSIDERED THEORETICAL AND UNTESTED ******
I've dug up some old posts and photos for further colaboration:
7 different sections. Not necessarily 7 different voltages. We'll need to test all that.
****** FROM HERE ON OUT, ALL THE INFORMATION BELOW SHOULD BE CONSIDERED THEORETICAL AND UNTESTED ******
I've dug up some old posts and photos for further colaboration:
The Wii has 5 layers. Not 4 as I had previously thought.back to work.
Yup, I just confirmed it. And guess what? There are hidden traces on this 3rd inner layer. Interesting fact: This third inner layer is not perfectly in between the other layers. Its actually very very very close to the "controller slots & main chips" side of the board. Right behind the inner layer that has the hidden traces I had found and started to show you guys (in my first post).
It makes sense because I was noticing vias that STILL didn't seem accounted for. The hidden "traces" of the second layer on the controller side aren't really traces but voltage division lines. There are 7 different voltages for 7 different sections of the wii (as shown by the second layer on the controller slots side). Now, the 3rd inner layer will probably have actual traces - actually, IT DOES. I am looking at them right now. Lot more work to do....
7 different sections. Not necessarily 7 different voltages. We'll need to test all that.
LOCtronicz
Formerly known as zenloc
Tchay said:
Don't you mean "we" did it for the gamecube
Good to see your also busy with wii trimming. I have also been busy with wii cutting and have found the power,eject and reset trace location. Also the wii works on 1.0v, 1.15v, 1.8v, 3.3v, 5v and 12v. So six voltages in total.
I have also got it running of a 7.4v custom regulator. The 12v line is again not really used just like the gamecube.
I'll post info next week.
Good work Tchay let's cut this puppy super tiny.
ShockSlayer
Probably SS
Not bad to bring considering some of the similarities we can draw from.
SS
SS
vskid3
Well-Known Member
If someone needs a cheap Wii for science, I have one I would sell for $25 shipped (just the console). Not in the greatest shape, but I'll have my wife double check that it works.
I think Palmer showed me some outlines of how small the Wii can be cut down a year or two ago. I don't know how for sure they were, or if they were even released publicly.
I think Palmer showed me some outlines of how small the Wii can be cut down a year or two ago. I don't know how for sure they were, or if they were even released publicly.
LOCtronicz
Formerly known as zenloc
Here are some pics of my Wii cut with original regulator still intact. You can cut it this far without doing any serious wire relocations.
Wii mobo front view:
Wii mobo back view:
Voltage and video relocation:
Power and eject relocation (front side mobo):
Note if you want to remove the power/standby button all together and just power it on with the voltage power switch wire pin 1 and 16 together. Which will put the Wii in always on mode.
Reset and 3v bios battery relocation (back side mobo):
Note that all components you will remove in the cutting area can be removed without any problems.
I'll try to post as much information as possible the more I trim the board. By investigating the board I can tell you that I will be able to cut it very close to the size of a cut gamecube mobo but we'll see if that will work. It will involve allot of rewiring.
As for power consumption the Wii can be powered at a minimum of 10.2v. Just like the gamecube
The amp draw at 10.2v is around 1.1-1.2A and at 12v 0.9-1A.
Have any questions feel free to ask
Edit: Here's a pic of the board running.
Wii mobo front view:
Wii mobo back view:
Voltage and video relocation:
Power and eject relocation (front side mobo):
Note if you want to remove the power/standby button all together and just power it on with the voltage power switch wire pin 1 and 16 together. Which will put the Wii in always on mode.
Reset and 3v bios battery relocation (back side mobo):
Note that all components you will remove in the cutting area can be removed without any problems.
I'll try to post as much information as possible the more I trim the board. By investigating the board I can tell you that I will be able to cut it very close to the size of a cut gamecube mobo but we'll see if that will work. It will involve allot of rewiring.
As for power consumption the Wii can be powered at a minimum of 10.2v. Just like the gamecube
The amp draw at 10.2v is around 1.1-1.2A and at 12v 0.9-1A.Have any questions feel free to ask
Edit: Here's a pic of the board running.
