13 replies to this topic

[dustinb12]

ive been looking over old posts for an answer and really can't find the ones i need so here goes..

 

im starting to download lots of VC titles for my wii u and im looking to back up the purchases, i have a 500 GB Toshiba HD, not powered. just usb cable coming out

 

1. will it work with my wii u

 

2. will it cause problems

 

3. does it have to be left plugged in at all times (i don't like this much)

 

4. are the games just copied to it, or are they moved to it and run off of it 

 

5. are the games backed up automatically or do i have to tell the wii u to do it

 

thanks from a Nintendo Power/tech knowledge deprived fellow

[Cloud Windfoot Omega]

ive been looking over old posts for an answer and really can't find the ones i need so here goes..

 

im starting to download lots of VC titles for my wii u and im looking to back up the purchases, i have a 500 GB Toshiba HD, not powered. just usb cable coming out

 

1. will it work with my wii u

 

2. will it cause problems

 

3. does it have to be left plugged in at all times (i don't like this much)

 

4. are the games just copied to it, or are they moved to it and run off of it 

 

5. are the games backed up automatically or do i have to tell the wii u to do it

 

thanks from a Nintendo Power/tech knowledge deprived fellow

buy a  usb y splitter to be sure, then it should

[Nollog]

Yes it'll work.

No.

Yes.

They run off it.

There is no backing up. Games and other data will just be stored there, like it would normally store them in system memory. The hard drive is locked to your console.

A y-cable would be wise.

[Kokirii]

You can only be guaranteed compatibility if it's on Nintendo's list.  I tried using my PNY usb drive and it kept freezing during data transfers, but my WD MyBook external hdd works fine.  

 

What is a Y Cable??

[grahamf]

A Y - cable is designed to connect to two USB ports at the same time, in order to increase the voltage sent to the device. You want to make sure you get one that has the right B-side connector.

 

1. It will work with your Wii U, but if it's not powered it will most likely need a Y cable

 

2. Not really, the system will function as normally

 

3. It doesn't need to be plugged it all the time. But it can't be plugged in or removed when the Wii U is on. Also game saves default to saving to the external, so whenever you start a new game you have to move the game save to internal memory (not hard to do)

 

4. the games run directly off of it, at least as far as I can tell. Way better than how the first Wii does it.

 

5. there games are not backed up. it is possible to connect a second external drive and copy (not move) the games however.

[dustinb12]

thanks gang. it makes since now. evidently this is why the 3DS came with an sd card. i appreciate the help but one more question:

 

if the hd goes bad, do i lose my games?

[Kokirii]

thanks gang. it makes since now. evidently this is why the 3DS came with an sd card. i appreciate the help but one more question:

 

if the hd goes bad, do i lose my games?

 

I think you still have the ability to download the games again, but only using the console on which they were originally purchased

 

 

**

 

Would a Y cable be able to replace the A/C adapter for an external HDD that normally needs one for power??

Edited by kokirii, 23 May 2013 - 04:19 AM.

[Alex Atkin UK]

Would a Y cable be able to replace the A/C adapter for an external HDD that normally needs one for power??

 

No, full sized hard drives use a lot more power than laptop sized ones which come in self-powered units.

 

Downloads run quicker if you use an external HDD of any kind though, internal memory is slow.

[cannonshane]

I run a usb 3.0 compatible 500GB Hitachi hdd, running off a usb 2.0 Y cable. Been working great for ages. 

[OldmanWii]

Here is my problem. I have a random 300GB Samsung SATA HDD plugged into a Thermaltake BlacX Duet ST0014U Docking Station  which is externally powered and USB 2.0. 

 

Here is my problem: The console keeps dropping the USB storage and I have to move the connector around and power the console on and off for it to detect the HDD. Sometimes I don't even have to power the unit off. I obviously got this for more game storage and I put my son's Lego game on here and every time he wants to play it we have to go through this. 

 

I don't want to buy a new external drive because this one definitely meets the requirements, but there might be something I'm missing. Any input you guys may have would be greatly appreciated!!!

[alan123]

it might work, the best thing to do is try your HD with your WiiU when you get it, if the HD doesn't work then just get a USB Y lead, they are only a few pounds/dollars on ebay/amazon

ive been looking over old posts for an answer and really can't find the ones i need so here goes..

 

im starting to download lots of VC titles for my wii u and im looking to back up the purchases, i have a 500 GB Toshiba HD, not powered. just usb cable coming out

 

1. will it work with my wii u

 

2. will it cause problems

 

3. does it have to be left plugged in at all times (i don't like this much)

 

4. are the games just copied to it, or are they moved to it and run off of it 

 

5. are the games backed up automatically or do i have to tell the wii u to do it

 

thanks from a Nintendo Power/tech knowledge deprived fellow

 

It might work, the best thing to do is try your HD with your WiiU when you get it, if the HD doesn't work then just get a USB Y lead, they are only a few pounds/dollars on ebay/amazon.

 

When you turn on your WiiU the HD will turn on as well automatically.

Here is my problem. I have a random 300GB Samsung SATA HDD plugged into a Thermaltake BlacX Duet ST0014U Docking Station  which is externally powered and USB 2.0. 

 

Here is my problem: The console keeps dropping the USB storage and I have to move the connector around and power the console on and off for it to detect the HDD. Sometimes I don't even have to power the unit off. I obviously got this for more game storage and I put my son's Lego game on here and every time he wants to play it we have to go through this. 

 

I don't want to buy a new external drive because this one definitely meets the requirements, but there might be something I'm missing. Any input you guys may have would be greatly appreciated!!!

 It could be a issue with the docking station maybe, or it could be a data transfer issue, i have a docking station myself but i only use it for old HD's from my PC's, i wouldn't use a set-up like this all the time, i have one of these http://goo.gl/93IER WD passport HD's connected perminatly with a USB Y lead to my WiiU & have never had any problems.

[dustinb12]

wow. while doing a little research on purchasing said y cable, i stumbled across Nintendo's website, i had no idea i couldn't just hook up my hd i've been using to backup pics and music from my mac. according to nintendos website, while formatting the device, everything on it would be erased. looks like i'll be buying a new one for this project. btw, how many different types of y cables are there? im confusing myself

[grahamf]

There should be one for each usb b connector. So Microusb B (used in cellphones) Miniusb B (not so common) Microusb 3.0 B (used ln the latest hard drives) maybe usb B (used in printers) and I have a hard drive that uses usb A 3.0 (same connector on both ends)

[cannonshane]

In general the most common Y cable is mini usb to 2 full sized 2.0 ports.