Glossary
We have created this glossary of common jargon that you are likely to encounter while learning about unlocking your Wii.
A| B| C| D| E| F| G| H| I| J| K| L| M| N| O| P| Q| R| S| T| U| V| W| X| Y| Z
A
- Acronym for Advanced Encryption Standard. It is used for encryption/decryption on the Wii.
- See also Encryption.
- The CBC (Cipher Block Chaining) mode of AES with a 128-bit key that is used on the Wii.
B
- A copy of a game that has been dumped from the original disc in case it should become unusable due to wear/damage.
- The animated graphics displayed on a channel’s icon and startup screen in the System Menu. A channel with a corrupt banner can cause a banner brick.
- See also Banner Brick, System Menu.
- An exploit used to run homebrew on any System Menu version. It uses a malformed banner to crash the Wii to load an .elf or .dol.
- An error preventing the Wii’s channel menu from displaying. It occurs when a WAD is installed with a banner that uses the wrong image sizes.
- See also System Menu, Brick, Semi-Brick, WAD.
- An old programming language very few apps are programmed in via a BASIC to C converter and compiler.
- See also Source, Compile.
- A term used to describe the base 2 number system when used with electronics. As slang, it also refers to an executable file.
- Bit
- Short for Binary Digit. A bit is the smallest amount of digital data possible. It is either a 0 or a 1.
- The first piece of code the Wii runs at power-on. It is burned directly into the CPU, so it cannot be modified. Its function is to initialize the hardware and load boot1.
- The second stage of the boot process. The program is stored in flash memory, but is verified against a digital signature stored in boot0, so any modification of it will brick the system. Because of this, the signature checking bug in boot1 cannot be patched in existing units, although new units have started to ship with a fixed version.
- The third stage of the boot process. This program is responsible for loading the system menu.
- Team Twiizers’ latest project. It is basically a replacement for boot2 that loads and runs code before the system menu.
- See also System Menu.
- One of the leading Wii unlock solutions on the market today. You can read our review of BreWii on this site. Here is a link to the BreWii web site.
- A console that is no longer working due to damaged hardware or an error with the internal software/filesystem. Usually the fault of the owner. Sometimes recoverable through special means.
- The restoration of bricked systems to partial or full functionality.
- The codename for the PowerPC processor that is the main processor in the Wii console.
- Eight bits, on all modern processors; the smallest number of bits that can be sent to/from memory at a time.
C
- A language homebrew developers program in.
- An object oriented language homebrew developers program in. Like its name suggests, C++ is essentially a step up from C.
- A Wii application bundled in a WAD which typically also contains banner animations and sound that make it loadable from the System Menu, but some channels are “hidden”.
- See also Banner, WAD, System Menu.
- A customized/hacked version of an IOS.
- A customized/hacked version of an MIOS.
- Basically a crash that displays code (or seemingly random numbers and letters to those that dont know how to read it) on the screen. Wii Homebrew code dumps will generally read “Exception DSI Occurred” or “Exception ISI Ocurred”.
- The development blog of the Homebrew Browser.
- See also Homebrew Browser.
- To convert the instructions in source code to an executable format usable by the target platform.
- See also Source, Binary.
D
- See Homebrew Developer.
- The SDK all homebrew developers use to create apps.
- To extract the protected contents of something like a chip or NAND drive or disc which are otherwise inaccessible and/or incomprehensible under normal circumstances.
- This is a homebrew application that installs a hidden “channel” which can be used by other homebrew applications to access home-burned or factory-pressed DVD content without the need for a modchip. This does not modify any IOS in any way, making it very safe.
E
- A device which takes electronic signals (inputs) and outputs a signal based on the status of its inputs. Some examples of electronic gates are AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, and XOR.
- Software that simulates a specific hardware environment (such as an old gaming console) so that programs designed for that hardware (such as old games) can be run on different hardware (such as a PC or different game console) which those programs were never designed to run on.
- Encryption is a common security measure used to obscure information, making it unintelligible unless a special “key” is applied during the reading process, thus “unlocking” it. A simplistic example would be to replace the letters in a text message with corresponding numbers so that only someone who knows which numbers represent the correct letters would be able to read the message; however, true encryption is much more complex and secure than this.
- A clever circumvention of security allowing a user to perform tasks that are not normally permitted. Often several exploits will be employed in a series with the user gaining increased authority over a system at each step, the goal typically being complete access and control.
- See also Stack Overflow, Twilight Hack, Fakesign, BootMii.
F
- Homebrew that exploits a bug in the Wii’s signature handling to bypass the digital signature. This exploit was fixed in IOSes distributed with system menu version 3.3.
- A type of data storage used internally by the Wii.
- See also NAND.
- Fixed low-level code written directly into a programmable chip. The Wii’s system menu software is NOT firmware, despite what some misguided people may think.
G
- Acronym for Graphics Processing Unit. The computing hardware responsible for rendering everything you see on screen.
- See also Hollywood.
H
- A way of verifying file integrity, often as a security measure. Basically, a hash function is used when examining a file, outputting a short string or integer. This value can be stored for later comparison. If the file has been altered, repeating the same process with the same hash function will produce a different result. When the result is compared to the stored value, if it does not match, it is an indication that the file cannot be trusted.
- A term used to describe the base 16 number system, in which each digit represents four bits. After the digits 0-9, the letters A-F are used to represent the values 10-15. Hexadecimal is the preferred format for displaying binary data, as it is easy to mentally convert to/from binary and uses only 2 characters per byte.
- The Wii’s integrated graphics chip, manufactured by ATi.
- See also GPU.
- Unofficial software created for a platform by its users, without the involvement of the vendor. While some vendors support or ignore homebrew, most video game companies (including Nintendo) disapprove and make efforts to prevent it, due to the potential for unofficial software to brick the system or be used for piracy.
- Generally refers to an application run on the Wii via the Homebrew Channel.
- A homebrew application that lets users download other homebrew applications directly to their SD card without the need to use a PC.
- A channel created by Team Twiizers that allows you to run executable .dol and .elf files.
- A term describing someone who develops Wii homebrew applications.
- One of the leading Wii unlock solutions. Here is a recent review of Homebrew Installer. Here is a link to the Homebrew Instlaller web site.
- One of the leading Wii unlock solutions on the market today. Here is a review of Homebreware. Here is a link to the Homebreware web site.
I
- Input/Output System. These programs run on the Starlet coprocessor and control access to Wii hardware and security.
- See also Starlet.
- Internet Relay Chat; that is, realtime text-based chat over the Internet. Many homebrew developers and hackers use IRC to communicate and share information.
- A modchip that can read and write data to and from the Wii’s internal NAND. Very useful for hacking.
- See also Modchip.
J
K
L
- A new save game hack developed by Team Twizzers using Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures that functions almost exactly like the Twilight Princess hack by way of a buffer overflow. This hack works on System menu 4.2 and below.
- Generally given the extension *.a, a library is a compilation of source code that may be linked into a program.
M
- The IOS used in Gamecube mode, responsible for locking out all new hardware to make the system functionally identical to a Gamecube.
- A device containing simple firmware that is usually soldered or clipped onto a circuit board typically for the purpose of altering or circumventing the normal functions of a device. In a game console, a modchip almost always serves to enable the playing of backup and/or pirated copies of games.
N
- Typically refers to the Wii’s internal storage, which uses a NAND-based flash chip. The term actually stands for Not-AND; an electronic gate whose output is low only when all inputs are high.
- See also Flash.
O
P
- See Semi-Brick.
- Acronym for Printed Circuit Board. The Wii has a few of these, most notably the mainboard containing all the crucial parts and the game disc drive’s control board where modchips are typically installed.
- Short for PowerPC or Power Performance Computing. The processing architecture of the Gamecube and Wii consoles. Also used in the XBOX 360 and Playstation 3.
Q
R
- An encryption/digital signature algorithm used by the Wii. When implemented correctly it is too strong to be broken with modern technology. The acronym is made from the names of its inventors.
S
- SD is an acronym for Secure Digital. This is a common type of memory card, used by the Wii, digital cameras, music players, etc. An SD card slot is hidden behind the cover on the front of the Wii console.
- Acronym for Secure Digital High Capacity. A type of SD card with a higher storage capacity than normal SD cards. This extension of the SD standard increases the card’s storage capacity up to 32 GB. The Wii console supports SDHC cards as of System Menu 4.0.
- Stands for Software Development Kit. An SDK is a group of libraries that allow a programmer to access the primary features of a platform.
- A console that is no longer working normally but still has some useful functionality which may be used to restore full functionality. Usually, a semi-brick is the fault of the owner.
- The process of attaching two or more metal components by melting additional metal directly onto them. This process is used to add components onto circuit boards.
- Source
- The code for a program before it is compiled into a binary executable.
- The memory of a program. As one declares pointers and integers, the computer sets aside memory for each. That memory then “stacks” itself on the last declaration. Think about stacking up building blocks and each block is a piece of memory.
- Simply put: Bad coding that makes the stack crash. There are a number of ways to do this. It can lead to an exploit in some cases. An exploit using a stack overflow is sometimes called a “Stack smash” attack.
- See also Twilight Hack.
- The unofficial name for the ARM coprocessor located in the Hollywood, which is responsible for the peripheral access and security control.
- See also Hollywood.
- A Stub IOS is an IOS that serves no purpose other than a placeholder. They are typically released by Nintendo in order to overwrite any existing version of an IOS and render it unusable for piracy or homebrew purposes.
- The Wii’s main interface which appears after the health warning screen when the system is powered on. It is loaded after boot2. It allows the user to start channels, manage data, and change settings.
T
- A group that that has created many hacks for the Wii including the Homebrew Channel, the Twilight Hack, and DVDX. Most of the guides reviewed on this site rely upon techniques and software developed by members of this group. Team Twiizers is named for the infamous tweezer attack in which a pair of tweezers was used to obtain the Wii’s private encryption keys. Once the Wii’s private keys were obtained, exploration of the system could truly get into full swing.
- Basically, a ticket is just an encryption key used to read the encrypted title it belongs to.
- See also TIK, Encryption, Title.
- A ticket file corresponding to an encrypted title.
- See also Ticket, Encryption, Title.
- A title is a Wii game on a disc, a Wii channel or a virtual console game. A title is identified by a unique title ID, an 8 byte (4 character) long code used for title identification. All titles are encrypted for security purposes.
- A format used for storing metadata about a title and its installed contents, including which contents they consist of and their SHA1 hashes.
- See Title Metadata.
- See Fakesign.
- Involving some Gamecube homebrew code running on the Wii in combination with a pair of tweezers, the Tweezer Attack is what allowed hackers access to the locked portions of the Wii normally invisible when the machine is running in Gamecube compatibility mode. It allowed the creation of true Wii homebrew.
- A hacked save game with a loader embedded in it for the Wii game The Legend of Zelda the Twilight Princess. The file exploits a buffer overflow to take control of the system and run a program found on the SD card, such as the Homebrew Channel installer.
U
- Acronym for Universal Serial Bus. USB is a specification to establish communication between devices and a host controller. Two USB 2.0 ports are located at the rear of the Wii console.
V
- See Virtual Console.
- A phrase invented by Nintendo so that they didn’t have to use the word “emulator”.
W
- An archive format that channels and updates are contained in.
- Refers to any pirated digital content.
- One of the leading Wii unlock solutions on the market today. You can read our review of Wii Unlock Plus on this site. Here is a link to the Wii Unlock Plus web site.
- One of the leading Wii unlock solutions on the market today. You can read our review of Wii Unlocker Ultra on this site. Here is a link to the Wii Unlocker Ultra web site.
- The common nickname for the Wii Remote the primary controller for Nintendo’s Wii console. A main feature of the Wii Remote is its motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact with and manipulate items on screen via gesture recognition and pointing through the use of accelerometer and optical sensor technology.
- A platform started by Nintendo that allows developers to cheaply create and then sell original content at low prices (compared to the prices of brand new Wii games).
X
Y
Z
- See Twilight Hack.
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