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wraggster
May 16th, 2007, 23:42
Press release:

http://us.codejunkies.com/images/article_images/images/DriveDoctorBoxFeat.jpg

The trouble with most games consoles, is you can't modify the game code when it's running. Sure, you can use tools such as Datel's own Action Replay game enhancers to input all sorts of cheats and enhancements, but there's no straightforward way for amateur programmers and techie tinkerers to get inside the game, investigating how it works and trying out modifications and tweaks you've programmed yourself. Thankfully, if you're a Wii owner Datel has come to the rescue with Drive Doctor, the ultimate aid for the hardcore tinkerer and amateur programmer. With Drive Doctor for your Nintendo Wii, you can gain a unique insight into the under-the-bonnet operation of your console, examining, analysing and altering the Wii drive's memory...

With Drive Doctor in place, you can connect your Wii to your PC using the supplied USB 2.0 cable. You can then review its innermost operations, watching your Wii software in action through Drive Doctor's PC application. You can even add data of your own, all from your PC. Drive Doctor’s memory and command views give you a unique insight into the innermost workings of your Wii’s drive memory, and even lets you make on-the-fly adjustments. You can read status, write data, send control commands, report the drive status and more. By injecting your own code into the data stream, you can create your own effects and experiment with modifying the program. It’s fun! And as the Wii home brew scene grows and prospers, the device will also come in handy for playing freely-downloadable software straight from your console.

Fitting Drive Doctor requires a little soldering, so make sure you have your precision soldering iron handy. Full fitting instructions are supplied. It’s a fairly simple task, requiring you to connect just five wires. After that, the unit just clips to the back of your console. It remains in place even when not in use - just unplug your USB cable and you can use your Wii in the usual way. It's styled to match the console, and completely unintrusive when not in use.

Adrenalin
May 17th, 2007, 09:05
hmmm. interesting to say the least.

bmemike
May 17th, 2007, 12:39
If this thing would allow you to

1) Dump a Wii disk to a backup file on your PC
2) Dump Wii firmware to a file on your PC
3) Allow you to run software on your Wii from your PC (e.g., running homebrew ROMs, etc.)

then it'd be useful.

Right now, it sounds like you can just modify what's in memory in real time, which has limited usefulness as far as I can tell.

I'm also curious if it uses some of the same solder points as the modchips and if it can run in conjunction with a modchip installed. I don't plan on installing either - but I think it's an important question to raise.

TheLamer
May 17th, 2007, 15:53
It is datel cashing in on the serial cables that people have allready made for under 2 dollars.

Cloudhunter
May 17th, 2007, 16:12
Actually - this could lead to true Wii homebrew. Modifying memory is a powerful tool.

Cloudy

kcajblue
May 18th, 2007, 00:29
thats interesting for a datel product that requires soldering.

higgins163
May 26th, 2007, 15:48
The drive doctor lets you flash the drive and update it or roll back if needs be. It is basically a mod chip with way more features. It lets you play backup games and homebrew (although they dont mention the backup part as its illegal). You can do just about anything with this piece of kit.:thumbup:

prophecy
May 26th, 2007, 23:56
you need to solder it though so its the same as the serial cables

acn010
May 27th, 2007, 00:08
oh damn... oh well... its interesting though