About Us
1. What is WiiAreCheap.com?
WiiAreCheap.com is a web comparison site that was initially designed to compare the prices of mod-chips for the Nintendo wii's Since its first inception the idea has expanded to include a number of different products for the wii's but still maintaining its focus on mod-chips.
2. What does WiiAreCheap.com do?
We work with a number of partners to bring you the cheapest prices of modchips in the UK
3. How can I list my shop contents on WiiAreCheap.com?
If you run a shop that has sells products related to mod-chips or any other items we compare please visit our Shop Owners page
Modchip Installing
1. Is installing a Mod-Chip legal in the UK?
The simple answer is
- Install a Mod-Chip is legal,
- Piracy is ILLEGAL - DONT DO IT!
In June 2008 the law was clarified that install a modchip was legal:
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/06/13/appeal_court_weighs_in_on_modchips/
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20080612/0055131385.shtml
2. Can I replace my drive with a new one that has a different chipset?
Yes you can.
3. Are the latest wii's consoles "unmoddable" consoles?
Yes, then no. Every time a new version is released it will be unmoddable because the chips and firmware will have been upgraded but it is rarely a massive difference from the last so it will only be a few weeks until the modchip manufactures have developed an upgrade that will be compatible with it. Even the latest chipset that comes covered in resin is able to be chipped.
4. Is it safe to install a modchip in my wii's?
Yes if you follow the instructions properly
There are a million reason why it is safe and only two reasons that it's not
Your wii's normally comes with a 1 year warranty(unless you got it in Europe where it comes with 2 years), as soon as you open it you will void the warranty. Which from personal experience isn't a problem, I sent my wii's back to Nintendo after 13 months and they fixed it for free.
Secondly, which is the BIGGEST issue people face, is they brick their wii's, which means that it wont work anymore. This happens when you install a system update from a disc from a different region i.e. you have a PAL console and you install a JAP update. Its the same as putting diesel in a petrol engine, they are both fuels and do the same job but are not compatible with each other's engines.
5. System Update / Modchip Update
You need to know these are two totally different things. Your wii's console(system) will periodically be
updated via either WiiConnect24 or via a game, if you update your console with a disc from a different region it will cause you console to "brick". Your modchip normally won't need updating. PLEASE READ INFO ON BRICKING
Backing Up Games
1. What programs can I use to burn my discs?
The general consensus is that imageburn is the best around and its also free, click here to download it. Nero can also be used but can be problematic on a few titles. You will need to watch the speed that you burn at, there are reports of speeds above x8 not always working, so best stick with a nice slow speed x2 or x2.4.
2. What type of blank discs should I use for my backups?
Media type -R or +R? - Both should work, people have reported problems with both but this could also be down to people trying to burn back ups at x24
DVD Brand? - In the world of DVD's you pay for what you get, if you buy your blank disc's from Tesco then don't expect to get many problem free burns. Buying higher quality dvd's is a must, Verbatim -R's has been reported to be very successful, from our experience Prodisc have been pretty good as well, remember steer clear of supermarket own brands it will cost you more in time and money in the long run.
Modchip Use
1. Will the modchip need updating?
Generally no, but if you are having problems with your modchip or certain back ups are not working then there may be an update available that can overcome this. Our best advice is to google the problem and/or visit the modchip manufactures website. If its fully working then there is no need to update it.
2. What is bricking?
Bricking is NOT good! Bricking happens when you update your console(firmware) with a disc from a different region. Typically it will totally stop working and be as useful as a brick, hence the term.
IF YOU HAVE A PAL WII CONSOLE (THE UK & EUROPE IS PAL) YOU CAN ONLY UPDATE YOUR CONSOLE WITH A PAL DISC(OR ONLINE).
Like wise, if you have an American wii's only update it using an American game or online and the same for a Japanese wii's, only use a Japanese game to update it
3. What is semi-bricking?
There are reports that some people have semi-bricked their wii's This occurs when they have performed a firmware(console not modchip) update and they can no longer access the settings menu but they can still play games.
4. How can I prevent bricking?
If you have a PAL console only use PAL backups/ISO, if you have an American console only use NTSC backups/ISO and Japanese consoles should only use... you guessed it... Japanese backups/ISO's. There are some tools available that supposedly can remove the update from a disc but we haven't tried them and its not work the risk.
5. Will a WiiConnect24 update brick my modded wii's?
In the early days of chipping a wii's people thought that leaving the WiiConnect24 on or installing an firmware update via this method would brick your wii's but this has been proven wrong. It is perfectly safe to update your wii's via the internet. Modchips are still undectable to the on-line update method (currently system version 3.4e).
6. Can a console overheat with a mod chip installed?
- Your playing on your wii's in the sahara dessert and its midday, yes it will over heat.
- Your sitting in your living room in Wales and its 25 degrees and the wii's in a cabinet, it's probably not going to overheat.
The wii's console has a fan built in to get rid of any unwanted heat, our best advice would be to made sure that its got room to breath, so don't jam your console into a cramed cabinet that has no ventilation. If your really worried about it you can always purchase an additional fan. From our experience the wii's console will run quite warm when WiiConnect24 is on, this is because the wii's uses 7 times more electricity(9.6 watts) when WiiConnect24 is turned on compared to 1.3 watts when WiiConnect24 is off and the console is in standby mode.
7. Can I play online with the any of the mod chips installed?
According to the manufactures you can but be aware of any updates.
Guides / Tutorials
1. Can I have a step by step guide to update the firmware of my modchip?
Please visit the manufactures website for a detailed description.
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