Nintendo Owes its Users an Apology

[illinialex24]

Link to original post: [drupal=2470]Nintendo Owes its Users an Apology[/drupal]



As almost every Wii user knows, the Wii recently had a message in your message board with an update option.

Now, many users who chose to update started the update and then waited... and waited...

and waited...

and waited...

It never finished. It was stuck at the exact same point for over 10 hours for some, and eventually the Wii shut down or they had to shut it down. The result was a black screen.

There was nothing they could do about it, users who had never even done a single modification to their Wii all of a sudden no longer had a Wii, I believe all had expired warranties and there was and is no fix for their Wii.

Now what was the reasoning behind this update that is causing many users both their save data, their VC/Wiiware games, and 250 dollars for a system?

An update to prevent users of third party applications from getting access to their system. Of which their software was cracked (with preloader codes) within 10 hours of its release, safely upgradable within 24, and anyone could re-install this third part software with 48 hours.

The update did nothing that it was supposed to, everything was re-exploitable immediately and it even failed in getting rid of piracy immediately after the update.

Now why were regular users so hugely affected, those who had never used third party applications?

The reason is because this update was the first update to include an update to a crucial piece of software, the first editable part of the Wii in the boot process. This file if it becomes corrupted destroys the entire Wii, and Nintendo had a very buggy installer for it.

The reason they wanted to update this file was because it limited pirates options and it stopped downgrading of the Wii System Menu and IOS's (the operating system) past a certain point.

Coders had already learned the installer was buggy, the main coder or one of the main coders for the Homebrew Channel had written about this before.

Yet Nintendo rushed out an update and as a result, users who did exactly as they were told now have a useless $250 piece of software.

Nintendo needs to apologize to its users, they obviously don't need to apologize to third party software users because they overwhelmingly were unaffected by this. However, those who trusted them that this updated was a bugfix ended up losing a lot.

 

[SuSa]

Ouch!

Glad I don't update.

 

[Darkshadow7827]

I didn't read it all, but waiting is annoying. I wouldn't update my wii console, but ever since my brother started using it, he's been updating. I fear the brick and I fear losing homebrew... but it was original his wii console to begin with.

 

[GHNeko]

Update for your brother via homebrew. Durp.

Also, Nintendo now effectively has horrible PR.

 

[.AC.]

wow do you have a link relating to this from another website?sounds horrible D:.

 

[Teran]

I updated and my Wii is fine. =/

This is stupid though.

 

[Cloudfox]

wow do you have a link relating to this from another website?sounds horrible D:.

http://www.gamingunion.net/news/latest-wii-system-update-causing-system-failures--456.html

......wow. This is such a huge screw-up for them I'm almost at a loss for words. I could've sworn Nintendo respected its player base (or at least its profit margin) enough to at least make absolutely sure they've tested their firmware updates thoroughly enough.

The article links to their tech support forum post that says they'll repair it for free, and it sounds like only the boot sector of the Wii gets corrupted, so save data should be fine...but their zeal to stop piracy and hacks is really getting out of control now. Ugh.

Glad I was too annoyed with seeing these updates constantly to bother initiating it...

 

[JustKindaBoredUKno]

Nintendo is really, REALLY starting to fail hard at everything they do.

 

[illinialex24]

http://hackmii.com/2009/09/silly_games/ There's the ideal site, bushing is probably the expert on Wii stuff, him Marcun and Waninkoko (*cough* pirate) know the Wii inside out. So for the internet, those three are very trusted sources.

But yeah, I am so surprised they did this.

 

[Jimnymebob]

I installed this last night, and it took around 5 minutes for the bar to even show signs of movement, so that had me panicked for a while. Thankfully, it installed OK, and up to now seems to be functioning miles better than 4.0 did.

Does it only affect older Wii's, or are newer ones being hit as well?

Nintendo's biggest screw up was telling people to keep WiiConnect24 on all the time to receive updates, and in turn screwing up the graphics card thingy(technical term XD), causing black speckles to cover the screen, especially on orangey coloured backgrounds, i.e Bridge of Eldin, and Shamar in Sonic Unleashed.

 

[Kantō]

this is exactly why i dont update my wii. this is bull****.

 

[Hyper_Ridley]

Wow, that's pretty scary.

I had just updated my Wii a few hours ago, thank goodness it went through smoothly.

 

[Darkshadow7827]

nintendo really pisses me off. it's like they think they are so superior than us & when consumers make suggestions, they cover their ears and yell "la la la can't hear you." They need to work on serving the customers.

Also, I don't I have the app to update through homebrew. I've tried numerously to update my version of homebrew via an old version of the homebrew channel, but it always fails o_o It says something like the boot.dol file is a different size and that the previous version was restored... my hbc web browser is so old you can only download apps one at a time, doesn't have a queue, and can't even move the scroll bar or anything.

 

[Jonkku]

Now I'm glad that I read the update note that Nintendo sent: ("This update will delete all third party software from your Wii [And then few lines below:] Deleting some third party software may cause your Wii to break")

Spoiler

Well, obviously it wasn't with those exact words

....Yeah. I didn't update.

 

[Frown]

I got HBC to get custom skins for characters, but nobody wants to help a noobish PAL user.

I might actually get rid of HBC since it doesn't benefit me at all...

 

[illinialex24]

nintendo really pisses me off. it's like they think they are so superior than us & when consumers make suggestions, they cover their ears and yell "la la la can't hear you." They need to work on serving the customers.

Also, I don't I have the app to update through homebrew. I've tried numerously to update my version of homebrew via an old version of the homebrew channel, but it always fails o_o It says something like the boot.dol file is a different size and that the previous version was restored... my hbc web browser is so old you can only download apps one at a time, doesn't have a queue, and can't even move the scroll bar or anything.

You can't press B during the install and it will work fine. You can also manually update it from Wiibrew.org.

 

[Chis]

How lame. Good thing I put off the update. I'm definitely not updating now lol.

 

[momochuu]

I never update. Too scared. >_>

 

[Omnicron's Baklava Enterprises]

I hope Nintendo doesn't start destroying themselves financially like Sega is beginning to.
I think I have WiiConnect, but I haven't allowed updates in a long time.

Saw Nintendo's message about the new update a few days ago, and I didn't want it.

Someday, I'll get bored enough where I'll want to hack my Wii.

 

[Espy Rose]

I never update. Too scared. >_>

This. I was terrified when I heard about it several days ago, and promptly turned off my Wiiconnect.

Now I don't think I'll ever turn it on. Losing $250.00 worth of machinery would be devastating.

 

[Darkslash]

All I can say is that you brought it upon your selves. 4.2 is a double edge sword and thanks to third party users like the ones on this site.

Don't blame Nintendo, blame your selves.

 

[illinialex24]

All I can say is that you brought it upon your selves. 4.2 is a double edge sword and thanks to third party users like the ones on this site.

Don't blame Nintendo, blame your selves.

Lmao. Your saying using legal components allows a company to destroy people's software so their hardware doesn't work for people who didn't make ANY modifications.

Is your IQ below 30 or just under 60.

Because honestly, I have difficulty telling.

 

[Darkslash]

Lmao. Your saying using legal components allows a company to destroy people's software so their hardware doesn't work for people who didn't make ANY modifications.

Is your IQ below 30 or just under 60.

Because honestly, I have difficulty telling.

Do you honestly think they would go messing around with people's systems if there where no pirates? What kind of world do you live in? This update is obviously a random hit and run tatic used to hit homebrew users. Problem is that it's random and inefective.

But seriously, would they do this if there where no pirates?

Yes they need a explanation, and a apology, but then again we get it in the form of a free repair and a one year warranty.

And don't go insulting my intelligence just becuase I made some mistake or some thing. Shows how mature you are.

 

[GunmasterLombardi]

I know that it took at least 10 minutes to the bar to fill, but idk I could lose my Wii...

I might turn off WiiConnect24, but I'm waiting for an actual GOOD update. I wanted to play BBrawl but I guess I'll have to find another way w/ the crippled Homebrew.

 

[illinialex24]

Do you honestly think they would go messing around with people's systems if there where no pirates? What kind of world do you live in? This update is obviously a random hit and run tatic used to hit homebrew users. Problem is that it's random and inefective.

No, they have a faulty boot2 updater on the Wii system, so when the Wii updates this file sometimes it glitches up and freezes permanently. Thats random.

The whole point was to undo all of hackers things and fix a few other glitches but what happened was none of their intentions panned out.

 

[Darkslash]

No, they have a faulty boot2 updater on the Wii system, so when the Wii updates this file sometimes it glitches up and freezes permanently. Thats random.

The whole point was to undo all of hackers things and fix a few other glitches but what happened was none of their intentions panned out.

Well I didn't know that, thanks for the info. I'll just sit and wait for a proper update then.

You didn't have to insult my intelligence. I just hate crackers, and pirates...with every square inch of my body.

Some may be cool except when the ruin the game.

 

[urdailywater]

How do I take off the homebrew channel to stop this?

Don't really care for it other than screwing around with Twilight Princess or other games anyways..

but I would like an update if it's the least bit beneficial. and i don't think i can hit up wii shop channel without updating either so there yah go i guess..

edit: screw that, if the only true patch notes are that they removed the firmware, then i'm not dealing with it right now. pretty sure they really didn't add system performance.

 

[Pakman]

Do you really think that most of the people with homebrew are updating their wii regularly? I can assure you most do not.

That's the same argument for DRM on music. The reasoning behind it is fine. "Let's only release stuff that can't be pirated." But in reality, they are only hurting the users who DON'T pirate. "The masses" will always be more intelligent and clever then the computing industry simply because its much easier to find exploits in software then to make a secure product.

How many people didn't give a crap about the RIAA before they started prosecuting people and made it so you can't give you brother an MP3?

 

[ndayday]

Nintendo is offering free repairs if they find your Wii to be homebrew free now.

Hello,

Some of you have reported problems with your Wii console after updating to the Wii System Menu 4.2. The symptoms most people are describing usually occur when the Wii has been modified. However, some of you also mention your system has never been modified.

We'd like to help get your system working properly again. If you're experiencing problems with your Wii console after downloading Wii System Menu 4.2, and you believe your system has not been modified, please give us a call. If we find that you have a normal system and the update caused your system to not work, we'll repair it at no charge.

Please call our Customer Service Department at your earliest convenience, 1-800-255-3700. We are open 6 AM to 7 PM, Pacific Time, 7 days a week.

Thank you,
NOA_Tech_Jane

 

[urdailywater]

Nintendo is offering free repairs if they find your Wii to be homebrew free now.

Already known pretty much.


I'm glad they're nice enough to not even check if you have the homebrew browser though. Or to at least see if you have emulators on there.

Just great.

If they could check at least. I would hope they would know about their own console enough to at least get past a brick to see the content.

 

[uhmuzing]

Nintendo just really sucks sometimes.

 

[Darkshadow7827]

The more I read responses the more I fear for my wii and the more I want to delete HB just in case.

 

[Skadorski]

OH MY GOSH THANK HEAVEN!
This was the only update I didn't do.
Good grief!!!

 

[illinialex24]

The more I read responses the more I fear for my wii and the more I want to delete HB just in case.

Homebrew won't affect anything, its actually safer because you can update safely without Nintendo using HB.

 

[Underload]

Nintendo launched a program to fix the affected Wiis for free.

I can post proof if you want.

 

[ndayday]

I posted that 1 page back.

It might be different since I posted it though, so I dunno.

 

[D13]

Suddenly I'm glad school has kept me busy.

No update for me, thanks.

 

[Cloudfox]

Do you really think that most of the people with homebrew are updating their wii regularly? I can assure you most do not.

That's the same argument for DRM on music. The reasoning behind it is fine. "Let's only release stuff that can't be pirated." But in reality, they are only hurting the users who DON'T pirate. "The masses" will always be more intelligent and clever then the computing industry simply because its much easier to find exploits in software then to make a secure product.

How many people didn't give a crap about the RIAA before they started prosecuting people and made it so you can't give you brother an MP3?

Thiiis. You can't stop piracy. When you begin a wild assault to try and curtail it, you're doing no more than ruining your consumers' experience with things like this, the size of GCN discs, and all the BS the RIAA pulls.

Edit: Oh yeah, you shouldn't have to worry about WiiConnect24. If they were willing to do something as sneaky as make firmware updates non-elective that way, they wouldn't bother informing you that updating a hacked Wii will probably brick it.

All you can do is continue to produce quality material that the majority of people are actually willing to shell out money for (provided they actually have it), and give relatively cheap options like iTunes and Virtual Console (...preferably cheaper than the latter).

No one's going to allow an entire industry to go under just because they're that much of a cheap ***.