Requirements

- BootMii (either installed as boot2 or as IOS)
- SD(HC) card (at least 1GB, 2GB recommended)
- USB keyboard

Preparing the SD card

You have to create 2 partitions. One little FAT16/32 for BootMii, HBC and the kernel and one big ext3 for the filesystem ("userland"). You can do this for example with gParted in Ubuntu. If you don`t have Ubuntu installed, use the latest LiveCD. For this tutorial it is important to set the descriptions of the partitions.

- Backup your current BootMii folder
- 1. partition: At least 32 MB, FAT16/32, "kernel" as description
- 2. partition: Remaining free space, EXT3, "filesystem" as description
- Copy your BootMii folder to the first partition

Installing the kernel

The mike kernel must be booted via BootMii! If you boot it with the homebrew channel, wifi and other things won`t work.

There are two ways to boot the kernel:

1.)
The first one (and also the recommended one) is to copy the kernel to the first partition of your sd card, for example to the BootMii folder. To boot the kernel you can use the sd card explorer in BootMii and select the kernel. It could happen that it doesn`t work and return to the BootMii main menu. If this happens try to update to the newest BootMii version (beta4). If it also doesn`t work with beta4 then you have to use the second way.

2.)
With the second way you will have to replace the executable of the BootMii GUI with the kernel. This should always work, but the disadvantage is that the kernel will boot immediately after launching BootMii. So you won`t see the GUI of BootMii. If you need the BootMii GUI you may use a second sd card for Linux only.

- Rename the file "ppcboot.elf" in the BootMii folder to "ppcboot.elf.backup"
- Download the latest mike kernel (mikep5) with your appropriate TV mode:

- 480i PAL: http://downloads.sourceforge.net/gc-linux/...480i(PAL60).elf
- 576i PAL: http://downloads.sourceforge.net/gc-linux/...i.576i(PAL).elf
- 480p PAL: http://downloads.sourceforge.net/gc-linux/...i.480p(PAL).elf
- 480i NTSC: http://downloads.sourceforge.net/gc-linux/....480i(NTSC).elf
- 480p NTSC: http://downloads.sourceforge.net/gc-linux/....480p(NTSC).elf

- Rename the kernel to ppcboot.elf and copy it to your BootMii folder
- If you have BootMii beta1 or beta2 you need to download the latest armboot.bin to prevent an error with the mike kernel: http://downloads.sourceforge.net/gc-linux/mikep1-armboot.bin. Rename it to "armboot.bin" and replace it with the one in your new BootMii folder. If you are running BootMii beta3 or later you might skip this step, because it should already include a newer version of armboot.bin

Installing the filesystem

- Download XWhiite 0.2 to your Desktop: http://hbcapps.com/debian-etch-4.0+whiite-...ite-0.2.tar.bz2
- Open a terminal and login as root (sudo su)
- Change the directory to your Desktop:

cd /home/yourusername/Desktop

- Extract the filesystem to your sd card:

tar -C /media/filesystem/ -xjvf debian-etch-4.0+whiite-0.1+xwhiite-0.2.tar.bz2

- Backup your xorg.conf:

cd /media/filesystem/etc/X11/
cp xorg.conf xorg.conf.backup

- Open your xorg.conf and set your TV mode (pal or ntsc):

gedit /media/filesystem/etc/X11/xorg.conf

- Find the Subsection "Display" in the section "Screen"
- Replace "pal_50" with "ntsc_60" if you have a NTSC TV
- If you have the problem with the "small line" try to remove the lines with "HorizSync", "VertRefresh", "Modeline "pal_50"" and "Modeline "ntsc_60"" in the section "Monitor" and the whole subsection "Display"

- Now you can try to boot your Wii with Linux.

Getting WiFi to work

- Download the necessary debian packages and put them to /media/filesystem/home/wii/:

- nano: http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/pool/main/...ch1_powerpc.deb
- wpasupplicant: http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/pool/main/...5-2_powerpc.deb
- wireless-tools: http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/pool/main/...f.1_powerpc.deb
- udev: http://security.debian.org/debian-security...ch1_powerpc.deb
- libiw28: http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/pool/main/...f.1_powerpc.deb
- libvolume: http://security.debian.org/debian-security...ch1_powerpc.deb
- wifi firmware: http://sourceforge.net/projects/gc-linux/f...tar.gz/download

- Boot your Wii Linux
- Open a terminal and login as root (pwd is "whiite")
- Install the packages:

cd /home/wii/
dpkg -i *.deb

- Extract the wifi firmware:

cd /
tar -xzvf /home/wii/openfwwf-5.2-bin.tar.gz

- Edit the wifi settings:

nano /etc/network/interfaces

- For WPA 1/2 add this:

auto wlan0
iface wlan0 inet dhcp
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwpa-ssid YOUR_SSID_GOES_HERE
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwpa-psk YOUR_SECRET_GOES_HERE
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwpa-key-mgmt WPA-PSK
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwpa-pairwise TKIP CCMP
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwpa-group TKIP CCMP
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwpa-proto WPA RSN
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwpa-ap-scan 1
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwpa-scan-ssid 1

- For WEP (ASCII string key) add this:

auto wlan0
iface wlan0 inet dhcp
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwireless-essid YOUR_SSID_GOES_HERE
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwireless-key YOUR_ASCII_SECRET_GOES_HERE

- For WEP (binary key) add this:

auto wlan0
iface wlan0 inet dhcp
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwireless-essid YOUR_SSID_GOES_HERE
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwireless-key s:0123-4567-89

- Test your wifi connection:

ifup wlan0
ping www.google.com

- If you get responses: CONGRATULATIONS! Now your Wii will automatically connect your wifi on every boot

And what now?

- Now you can update your system (as root!):

apt-get update
apt-get upgrade

- You can also install a "normal" desktop environment like XFCE4. It`s more comfortable to use, but will use more RAM and will run slower. But it`s quite usable.

apt-get install xfce4

- Install whatever you want! Have fun!

Problems and their solutions

Problem: No sound
Solution: CODEusermod -G audio


by elmurato
revision 5


PS: If something isn`t clear feel free to ask so that I can improve this tutorial. Thanks!

Sources

http://www.gc-linux.org/wiki/WL:whiite-linux
http://www.tehskeen.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9777
http://www.gc-linux.org/wiki/MINI:KernelPreviewThree
http://www.gc-linux.org/wiki/WL:Wifi_Configuration

 

[m00k]

ive just realised ive lost all sound, whats likly to be wrong? I had sound before instlling xfce4

I installed kmix and asked for hardware info, it says that there is an alsa driver installed, but then it says ....

"sound informational message:
Error while initializing the sound driver:
device /dev/dsp cant be opened (Permission Denied)

The sound server will continue using the null output device."

any help?!?!



cheeskun, i had trouble formating my sdcard in linux, ended up using paragon partion manager 9 in windows.

 

[El Snorro]

ive just realised ive lost all sound, whats likly to be wrong? I had sound before instlling xfce4



cheeskun, i had trouble formating my sdcard in linux, ended up using paragon partion manager 9 in windows.

start terminal, run this command as root:

usermod -G audio wii

I am using Xfce4 also, it just rocks

 

[m00k]

thanks El Snorro!

worked like a charm

 

[Silverbullet09]

I am getting a "Kernel panic: VFS: Unable to mount root fs" then "Reboot in 180 seconds" error.

Anyone with something similar?

*edit*

My own fault. Problem solved. :-D

how you fixed you problem?? i have the same ,,always a Kernel panic

 

[El Snorro]

Can it be possible to run a higher resolution as 320x240?
It would sure be handy for VNC

 

[m00k]

Kernal Panic is normaly (from my exprience) from not extracting the debian xwhiite package on to your ext3 partition properly, so basically start again heh.


Yeah El Snorro this hellishly lo res is irritating. Although i should note that when i "xdpying | dimension" it does tell me that its running in 640 x 480 res even if xfce4 says im running in 320x240.

 

[cooldudechand]

this maybe a noob question but after installing xfce4 what should i do...like what command should i type to run it..

 

[m00k]

i just rebooted

 

[shadoxXx]

just a lil question, cos i´m not (yet

) really into this linux-thing:

is it possible to auto-log-in as root?
so you don´t have to do everything with the terminal?

 

[El Snorro]

just a lil question, cos i´m not (yet

) really into this linux-thing:

is it possible to auto-log-in as root?
so you don´t have to do everything with the terminal?

Dont know, but terminal is cool dude!!

 

[Silverbullet09]

Kernal Panic is normaly (from my exprience) from not extracting the debian xwhiite package on to your ext3 partition properly, so basically start again heh.


Yeah El Snorro this hellishly lo res is irritating. Although i should note that when i "xdpying | dimension" it does tell me that its running in 640 x 480 res even if xfce4 says im running in 320x240.

can anyone please unrar for me the file and packet whit Rar!?!? i can not unpack it whit a ubuntu live cd.... damn...

 

[Takoru]

Is it working fast enough to use it?

I installed Linux for my PS3, but because Sony is blocking everything, it's so damn slow!

With the Wii, we should be able to use all of it's power. - I'd install it, if it isn't that slow.

Edit: Is it able to use a Hard Drive with WhiiteLinux 0.2? - I got one for my USBLoader with 2 partitions.
The first one is fat32 formated, the second one wbfs formated.

 

[texasrick]

I went out a bought a wireless keyboard/mouse and it does not seem to work. The keyboard works with the Wii, I figure maybe the mouse is not compatable. Anyways, after following the the instructions on the first page, the Linux OS boots to a GUI (Blue background with a bar at the bottom showing the current time to the right in 24:00 format) I know the system is not locked up because the time is working and I can shut down Linux using the Wii reset.

Now maybe a wireless keyboard does not work with Linux either, ( I dont know, Im a Linux noob) but how do you open a terminal so the other 7 packages can be installed? Or is the desktop with the blue background my terminal?

 

[cooldudechand]

i dont knw but i have done everything in the guide but i dont get any GUI..... its all dos... any help

 

[Yyhhggtt]

This should be stickied... So... With this, I can download files from "teh interwebz"? internet?

 

[ozguy]

I went out a bought a wireless keyboard/mouse and it does not seem to work. The keyboard works with the Wii, I figure maybe the mouse is not compatable.

The first time I got into Linux I had to unplug my keyboard and plug it back in before it would work, so you may have to unplug the wireless keyboard adaptor and plug it back in.

If it is a bluetooth keyboard, I am not sure if the bluetooth drivers are included in this build of Linux. So you may have to use a USB keyboard first and then install the bluetooth drivers.

QUOTEcan anyone please unrar for me the file and packet whit Rar!?!? i can not unpack it whit a ubuntu live cd.... damn...

You need to be logged in as root to be able to untar the file correctly. It won't work correctly for someone else to do it for you.
You can see if you are root by typing whoami at the command prompt.
All linux distributions include tar, so it should work. Make sure you have the command typed exactly as shown in the tutorial. Most likely you simply typed it incorrectly.

 

[texasrick]

I did note on the boot up process that it seemed like it was locked up. I pressed the reset button on the Wii and it responded by telling me it was going to reset in 3 seconds unless I pressed the button again. I aborted reset and unplugged the usb receiver. The screen responded that the usb device had been unplugged and when I plugged it back in it responed as well with the name of the keyboard "logitech". It did the same with my Microsoft keyboard. So this tells me that it does see these devices even though it is wireless. I just cant do anything once I get booted up to what looks like a desktop.
It's also kind of hard to follow the flow of lines while the boot up takes place unless it hangs like mentioned above.

I guess I need to go get a wired keyboard and mouse for this to work?
Anyone else able to use a wireless keyboard/mouse while installing all this?

 

[Ferrie]

I did note on the boot up process that it seemed like it was locked up. I pressed the reset button on the Wii and it responded by telling me it was going to reset in 3 seconds unless I pressed the button again. I aborted reset and unplugged the usb receiver. The screen responded that the usb device had been unplugged and when I plugged it back in it responed as well with the name of the keyboard "logitech". It did the same with my Microsoft keyboard. So this tells me that it does see these devices even though it is wireless. I just cant do anything once I get booted up to what looks like a desktop.
It's also kind of hard to follow the flow of lines while the boot up takes place unless it hangs like mentioned above.

I guess I need to go get a wired keyboard and mouse for this to work?
Anyone else able to use a wireless keyboard/mouse while installing all this?

I'm using a logitech wireless keyboard, but not the mouse because that's an old ps/2 plug. Keyboard works great, but my mouse is the WiiMote.

And yes to the other guy, you can download with this. Works really nice. Now i can download movies to my USB HD, reset the Wii and watch them with the Wii (MPlayerCE). And the positive thing is the low power consumtion. Wii is about 20 watts, with a USB powered HD connected (western digital passport). So it's a real cheap download computer in comparrison with a laptop (45 watts) or a desktop (150/300 watts).

 

[m00k]

cooldudechand

Im definatly no linux expert so i probably cant help however...

did it boot to the desktop before installing xfce4?
what does it say on your screen if you type "dmesg" (if im correct this shows you the last thing written on the console & might give you a clue)
If you managed to install xfce4 i assume the internet is working, have you tryed "apt-get update" "apt-get upgrade" might upgrade or update something broken, you never know.

 

[texasrick]

Ok, as stated before, after installing xwhiite on my sd card and booting to it using my wii, I boot to a desktop with no access to my mouse or keyboard.

Please take note the following:

Installing the filesystem

- Download XWhiite 0.2 to your Desktop: http://hbcapps.com/debian-etch-4.0+whiite-...ite-0.2.tar.bz2
- Open a terminal and login as root (sudo su)
- Change the directory to your Desktop:
CODE
cd /home/yourusername/Desktop

- Extract the filesystem to your sd card:
CODE
tar -C /media/filesystem/ -xjvf debian-etch-4.0+whiite-0.1+xwhiite-0.2.tar.bz2

________________________________________________________________________


I made a live cd using Slax linux and from the GUI I extracted debian-etch-4.0+whiite-0.1+xwhiite-0.2.tar.bz2 to my ext3 partition of my SD card.
I dont know if this is different than opening a terminal and logging in as root.
If this is the reason I am having the problems I am having then I need to know the commands to do this using the terminal in slax.
I opened a terminal in slax and it shows me as root already. I tried the command:
tar -C /media/filesystem/ -xjvf debian-etch-4.0+whiite-0.1+xwhiite-0.2.tar.bz2
and got an error that the file did not exsist.

Now keep in mind, my wii is booting xwhiite all the way to a desktop. I even get the sound after it boots up.
Since my keyboard and mouse do not respond I am kinda stuck.
Im going to try a wired keyboard and mouse after I return from work today although I still think I will have the same problem.

I am hoping someone will read this and know what I need to do as well as suggestions on how to do it.