I attempted to install a wiikey last night using the short wire solder method found here
After installation, I connected the drive back to my wii and was able to boot originals, but backups didn't work. I removed the drive again, examined my solder points and checked continuity with my multimeter and everything looked good. I then reconnected my drive, forgot to place electrical tape on top of the wiikey, and tried to boot.
Booting was unsuccessful with the drive connected. When I plugged in the power, the red standby light came on and when I press the power button, the LED cycles between amber and red and the unit makes a clicking sound (which seems to be coming from the processor board further inside the wii). I realized that I forgot the e-tape and put another strip onto the wiikey but had no success.
I removed the drive from the wii and was able to boot into the home screen and access the mii creator, but once I plugged the drive back in, the same LED & clicking problem happened again.
I removed the wiikey tested disconnecting and reconnecting the drive a few more times, confirming that the ribbon cables and white wiring harness were properly connected and now with the drive disconnected, I only get a black screen when I try to boot it.
I decided that I couldn't really make matters worse and finished disassembling the unit and checked the system board for any stray solder or wiring bits and found nothing. I've reassembled everything and have resolved myself to buying a new unit :grr:
I'm reading all of these posts about people screwing up their firmware and getting Opera errors - I wish I was that lucky and someone would just tell me "here's the fix, next time use the search n00b" but it appears I hosed my unit up worse that most of you.
That's what I think happened too... It's a sad state, thankfully the Best Buy near me got 25 units in stock for Sunday morning. Time to do the brave and foolish thing and try again!!
