Instructions for N00bs?

[coolaj86]

Update: GameCube Homebrew for n00bs

I made a guide based on my experience as someone who knows how to use a computer, but didn't know the first thing about GameCube homebrew:

• https://gchomebrew.com/ultimate/

It's not 100% complete yet, and some stuff may be too technical, but I plan to make a video to show the things that are difficult to explain (like typing commands).

Original post

I'm a total noob when it comes to GameCube homebrews and such. I have no idea how to use this.

I have an SD Gecko (a cheap clone) and a 4GB memory card.

• I should format my card FAT32, yeah?
• Does the name matter?

I see three files in the Zip File on the Releases page:

• https://github.com/FIX94/ww-hack-gc/releases
• https://github.com/FIX94/ww-hack-gc/releases/download/v1.1.1/WWHack-GC-v1.1.1.zip
  • gzlp.gci (PAL)
  • gzlj.gci (NTSC-J)
  • gzle.gci (NTSC-U) (because the Game ID is DL-DOL-GZLE-USA as printed on the disc)

Based on searches, I'm guessing that I need gzle.gci copied to the sd card... but maybe by another name?

I need to boot up with an original Wind Waker disc.

Then I need to put the SD Gecko into... card slot B?

And then I need some other files - something that either boots homebrew software or allows reading backup discs?

• bootloader ?
• swiss ?
• gbi ?

I'm not really clear on what loaders do what.

[RazorLeafAttack]

You need the glze.gci and the swiss/gbi .gci files on the SD card in your Wii, in a folder called MCBACKUP. you need to use the utility GameCube Memory Manager (GCMM) to 'Restore' those .gci files to a memory card.

[coolaj86]

I have a GameCube, not a Wii.

As I'm searching it seems that most information is for the Wii.

Do you know where I go to find out how to do this with a GameCube and a laptop?

(I have a Mac, but I run Windows in a VM and am a long-time Linux user, very happy to use the command line whenever possible).

[RazorLeafAttack]

The Wii is critical as it allows you to use the GCMM homebrew utility to put the needed files onto the GameCube memory card. It doesn't work to just have the files on the SD gecko. Perhaps a friend or somebody near you can help you set up a memory card.

[FIX94]

yea with just a gamecube you wont be able to do much, you have to be able to copy the save file onto an actual memory card for the game to then use, so you need somebody with a wii or gamecube that can already run homebrew to do so.

[coolaj86]

@FIX94 What's the equivalent to GCMM that I would be able to use on a GameCube with homebrew?

I ordered an SD Media Launcher from Code Junkies, so perhaps the memory card hack is a moot point, but I'd like to learn how to do it still.

[RazorLeafAttack]

GCMM is able to run on the GameCube too. The issue is really just getting the GameCube to run homebrew software in the first place. The AR will work fine for that, and if you want you can even make a memory card that can be used to start up Swiss or GBI using WW. The limitation with AR is it only can accept SD cards with a capacity of 2 GB or smaller. Swiss on the other hand will take any size.

[coolaj86]

Hey hey hey! I got my Datel Action Replay SD Media Launcher and I've successfully managed to cause Wind Waker to freeze when I press start.

At first it just froze and I wasn't sure how to get it to load something instead of just freezing, but then I figured out that ./GCI/boot.gci needed to be 'Restore'd as well.

You need [...] the swiss/gbi .gci files on the SD card [...] in a folder called MCBACKUP. you need to use the utility GameCube Memory Manager (GCMM) to 'Restore' those .gci files to a memory card.

I documented my experience with the process here:

• GameCube Homebrew for n00bs

I'm not 100% done, but close. I still have to investigate the laser / pot tuning thing, then I plan to make a video, and then clean things up a bit.