Retro GEM Wii Installation: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 23:14, 23 December 2025

Retro GEM Logo

Introduction

Disclaimer

This kit is for advanced installers only. Install at your own risk. We cannot be held responsible for damage to your console and/or kit.

Important Information

The kit is compatible with all Wii Models. There are three different installation types depending on your Wii Motherboard. These will be referred to as 6 Layer, 4 Layer, Wii Mini.

6 Layer Models:

RVL-CPU-01
RVL-CPU-10
RVL-CPU-20
RVL-CPU-30

4 Layer Models:

RVL-CPU-40
RVL-CPU-50
RVL-CPU-60

Wii Mii:

RVK-CPU-01
RVK-CPU-02

Here is a video installation of a 4 layer board. Please use it for references and techniques.

Kit Contents

Wii Main Flex
USB Sniffer Board
USB Sniffer Flex
Mini HDMI Adapter Board
Male HDMI Adapter
150mm 18p FFC Cable
FR4 Mount
M1.6 Screw mount (2x)
M1.6 Screw 3mm (2x)
Wifi Antenna
.5mm Thermal Pad

Items Required

Temperature Controlled Soldering Iron
Leaded or Lead Free Solder
Non-Corrosive, No Clean Flux (Amtech 559 / Kester 959T)
99% Isopropyl Alcohol
Multi Meter
Exacto Knife
Small screw Phillips screw drivers
Side cutters

GEM Jumpers

Set the Retro GEM Jumpers and attach the WIFI antenna along with the mini HDMI connector. Make sure the mini hdmi is plugged in all the way sometimes it can be stubborn to insert fully.

Retro GEM jumper information Tool

https://docs.pixelfx.co/fxdigital-config.html?c=wii

Disassembly

This guide will not go over the disassembly of the Wii. Guides are available online.

Please make sure the heatsink is attached to the Wii when doing any power on testing. M2 screws and Nut can be use a temp solution to hold the heatsink in place without the bottom plastic. Allowing you to boot the console and still have access to the back side of the motherboard. For the Wii to display an image the WIFI/BT Dongle must be attached (Sometimes it sticks to the top metal shield during disassembly).

6 Layer Installation

Area Prep

Prep all the areas highlighted in the picture for soldering. (Some vias might have solder mask that needs to be scraped off)

Main Flex

Solder the flex to the AVE as shown in the photos. The Wii by default uses leaded free solder. If you are using leaded solder please take the proper steps to solder wash the AVE.

After soldering the Wii cable bend and secure as shown in the photos. Take note of the alignment of the flex cable with the Wii Motherboard screw area. Stay out of the gold circle as pointed out by the blue line. The solder mask will have to be scraped for the two ground connections to the flex. Then solder all the flex arms to their corresponding points.

GEM Mount

Solder the GEM PCB mount and install the supplied M1.6 mounts

HDMI Mount

Install the Mini HDMI connector. De-solder some of the area around the points to get a better fitment. Make sure the PORT is flat and squared out with the console when attaching.

Wiimote Sniffer

Breakdown the small flex cables to two small cables. Just grab them with your fingers and pull apart.

Attach the cables as shown to the USB Sniffer board. Pay attention to the orientation of the cables, the traces should be on the solder side.

Solder to the main flex next. Again pay attention to the orientation.

Before soldering the other side of the sniffer. Prep the sniffer by partially removing the 3M tape backer . Get your alignment and solder the flex. Take careful note of the orientation. As the hookups for the 4 layer and Wii mini will be on the top side.

(Take note that flex on the 6 layer is flipped vs the 4 layer when connecting to the motherboard if following a video tutorial with a different mainboard)

Ignore the GEM and white HDMI cable these will be installed in the next step

HDMI FFC

Attach the white ffc cable to the GEM's HDMI port as shown.

Flip the GEM over and install the main FFC connector. Attach the GEM loosely as show with the white FFC cable going underneath. Make sure its not snagged by any components.

The white ffc cable needs to flipped 180 to make the correct mating orientation. Follow the steps closely to bend the cable and then plug into the mini HDMI cable. Do not pinch the FFC cable too tight, just light pressure is all that is needed. Tighten down the gem screws after the HDMI cable is routed.

Enable 480p

Bridge the pins shown to enable 480p support, FYI this will also disable composite support.

Open OSD

Now is a good time to check the installation. But remember to keep the heatsink attached when testing.

Open up the OSD

-WiiMote A + B + Home -

-GC Controller L Trigger + R Trigger + DPad Right + X

After confirming the GEM is working its type to finish up the install.

Shield Cuts

If using the bottom metal shield you must use the supplied thermal pad. The bottom metal shield can be omitted and thus the thermal pad is required in this instance.

The metal shield needs to be trimmed (Side cutters, fatigue bending etc) to clear the HDMI port as shown. Once trimmed, install the thermal pad on the back of the gem. Then use some side cutters to trim any plastic on the bottom side. THis area is where the HDMI port goes. Reassemble the bottom case and motherboard and route the Wifi antenna as shown. *Make sure its not pinched when securing the heatsink.*

Now is another good time to check the install. The fan can be install to do longer testing. There is nothing more annoying than putting the console back together only to have to completely disassemble again.

Case Cut

Part of the top case must be trimmed for the Mini HDMI to clear. Just small cut and file as needed.

Antenna Placement

After testing, put the console back together. Install the WIFI antenna as shown

Congrats you made it!

4 Layer Installation

Area Prep

Prep all the areas highlighted in the picture for soldering. (Some vias might have soldermask that needs to be scraped off) Solder the flex to the AVE as shown in the photos. The Wii by default uses leaded free solder. If you are using leaded solder please take the proper steps to solder wash the AVE.

Flex

After soldering the Wii cable bend and secure as shown in the photos. Take note of the alignment of the flex cable with the Wii Motherboard screw area. Stay out of the gold mounting holes. The solder mask will have to be scraped for the two ground connections to the flex. Then solder all the flex arms to their corresponding points.

[[File:WII_4_FLEX1.JPEG[|500px]]

GEM Mount

Solder the GEM PCB mount and install the supplied M1.6 mounts

Pay careful attention to not put the PCB MOUNT on top of any components on the Wii PCB. There is a small resistor pack can be shorted without careful attention to this area. If this resistor pack is shorted, it must be replaced Link to Replacement resistor pack. More details can be found on the discord here: https://discord.com/channels/1101136714916962364/1425610417505570959/1435257770441183376 *

HDMI Mount

Install the Mini HDMI connector. Desolder some of the area around the points to get a better fitment. Make sure the PORT is flat and squared out with the console when attaching.

Wiimote Sniffer

Breakdown the small flex cables to two small cables. Just grab them with your fingers and pull apart.

Attach the cables as shown to the USB Sniffer board. Pay attention to the orientation of the cables, the traces should be on the solder side.

Solder to the main flex next. Again pay attention to the orientation.

Before soldering the other side of the sniffer. Prep the sniffer by partially removing the 3M tape backer . Get your alignment and solder the flex. Take careful note of the orientation. As the hookups for the 4 layer and Wii mini will be on the top side.

Take note that flex on the 6 layer is flipped vs the 4 layer when connecting to the motherboard.

HDMI FFC

Attach the white ffc cable to the GEM's HDMI port as shown.

Flip the GEM over and install the main FFC connector. Attach the GEM loosly as show with the white FFC cable going underneight. Make sure its not snagged by any components.

The white ffc cable needs to flipped 180 to make the correct mating orentation. Follow the steps closely to bend the cable and then plug into the mini HDMI cable. Do not pinch the FFC cable too tight, just light pressure is all that is needed. Tighten down the gem screws after the hdmi cable is routed.

Enable 480p

Bridge the pins shown to enable 480p support, FYI this will also disable composite support.

Open OSD

Now is a good time to check the installation. But remember to keep the heatsink attached when testing.

Open up the OSD

-WiiMote A + B + Home -

-GC Controller L Trigger + R Trigger + DPad Right + X

After confirming the GEM is working its type to finish up the install.

Shield Cuts

If using the bottom metal shield you must use the supplied thermal pad. The bottom metal shield can be omitted and thus the thermal pad is required in this instance.

The metal shield needs to be trimmed (Side cutters, fatigue bending etc) to clear the HDMI port as shown. Once trimmed, install the thermal pad on the back of the gem. Then use some side cutters to trim any plastic on the bottom side. THis area is where the HDMI port goes. Reassemble the bottom case and motherboard and route the Wifi antenna as shown. *Make sure its not pinched when securing the heatsink.*

Now is another good time to check the install. The fan can be install to do longer testing. There is nothing more annoying than putting the console back together only to have to completely disassemble again.

Case Cut

Part of the top case must be trimmed for the Mini HDMI to clear. Just small cut and file is needed.

Antenna Placement

After testing, put the console back together. Install the WIFI antenna as shown

Congrats you made it!

Wii Mini Installation

Coming Soon