Region Firmware Stored Where?

Macflame · 06-12-2008, 11:09 AM

I have two faulty wii's. 1 is a PAL(UK) and the other a NTSC (USA). The pal one does not boot. I get the green light but there is no output from the Audio/Video socket.My TV does not detect a signal, so I just get a blue screen.

With the second NTSC Wii, the output is perfect even on HD but the DVD-Rom is not reading or ejecting disks.

Ideally I would like to fix both but I hope at least get 1 working out of the two.

Where does the Wii store the region code firmware? Is it just stored on the DVD-Rom or is it also stored on the motherboard?
If it is stored on the DVD_Rom then I can swap motherboards and get a working PAL version. Or its back to the drawing board.

hencam[uk] · 06-12-2008, 01:44 PM

I can't specifically help with your questions but I would suggest you do the following if you can...

Why not write to Nintendo telling them what the problem is with the Wii's and seeing what they offer. Big companies can be quite helpful when a product breaks down, especially if you take the effort of writing to them and explaining how it was only 3 months out of date, you've been a lifelong supporter of them etc etc...

Might be worth a try before you start pulling the Wii's apart.

masonb15 · 06-13-2008, 02:41 PM

What do you mean by region firmware? The region code of the console is written into the consoles firmware and stored on an IC, which is put onto the motherboard. The Pal Wii could have a number of problems, from a faulty AV cord to a damaged GPU. The NTSC wii I bet will be an easy fix, if your warranty ran out and Nintendo can't fix it for you. The laser that reads the discs probably needs adjusted. On the motherboard there is a small "knob thing". That is called a laser pot or potentiometer. You will want to turn it slightly to one direction and test it. If that doesn't work, try the other direction. Eventually it should work, granted that is the only problem with your NTSC Wii.

Hope that Helps!

Macflame · 06-13-2008, 03:15 PM

Many thanks for your quick replies.
Yes I did mean the region code. Thanks masonb15. Your answer was confirmed by me putting the good drive with the NTSC mobo. It would only read NTSC disks.
I took a meter to the 'NTSC' dead drive and found a fuse that was open circuit. I cannot find the fuse rating as yet.
I eliminated the AV cable as the now working Wii showed no audio or video probs.
I saw that the graphics chip uses the balls of solder method of attachment to the mobo. The same method as the dreaded 360. I am going o try and eliminate bad solder joints on the AV/Video socket and clamp the heatsink down a bit firmer and see how it goes. Failing that, I will have to find out how much Nintendo charge for repairs.