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Released in North America in November 2006, the Wii was Nintendo's first home console to directly support Internet connectivity, supporting both online games and digital distribution of games and media applications through the Wii Shop Channel.

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Can I diagnose a drive beyond simply tearing the console down?

My Wii toppled and while it would restart, it wouldn't read any disks. I used the procedure elsewhere in this site to disassemble the unit down to the drive, but I don't see any obvious problems. I'm assuming the drive itself is the problem (duh!).

I've seen parts from drives for sale so I assume someone's taken it further than I have, but I am at a loss to figure out how to diagnose and fix the problem at the stage I'm at. Where do I go from here?

Thanks in advance,

Jon

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What symptoms are you seeing? Does the drive make any noises? Can you insert and eject the disc? Do you get any error messages?

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The drive attempts to read a disk, but can't and spits it out (I think; it's torn down now so I can't go back and check it's spitting capability). It doesn't make any scraping or whining noises, but you can tell it's having a hard time reading the disk. Eventually I get the usual "Can't read the disk ..." message.

Thanks,

Jon

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Here's my suggestion. Try using a Game Cube disc once the unit is back together. Game Cube discs are a smaller diameter. Pick up a cheap one at a local game store just for testing.

If the Game Cube disc works, but the Wii still will not play regular Wii discs, I have a repair that works about 3 times in 5.

There are two metal flaps which move up in front of the inner disc slot to keep the disc from being pulled out of the drive.

Each flap should have a white plastic guide about 5 by 4 mm clipped to it. Sometimes this guide is broken, loose or missing.

I use a bit of heat shrink tubing about 5mm long to replace the missing guide.

After installing the new heat shrink guide, carefully bend the flaps with a needle nose pliers until they are close to (1mm away), but do not touch the edge of the Wii game disc.

Let me know if this works for you. Best of luck and hope this fixes it for you.

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Well, I finally found an old Game Cube disk (I'm cheap and wanted to borrow one instead of shelling out more money) and tested it. No luck. I guess I'm screwed and have to resign myself to replacing the drive, right?

Thanks. It was a shot, anyway....

Jon

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Assuming I have to replace something, what determines whether I replace the drive or just the laser (which can be purchased from iFixit)? If the drive, is it important which chipset I purchase when picking up a replacement drive -- I notice there's several and don't know where the designation is on mine, or if it really matters anyway?

Thanks

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