12 replies to this topic

[Prince AKR]

I just recently started a topic, asking for help with my external hard drive which has been stopping me from transferring files over 1GB from the system memory. 
Here: http://thewiiu.com/t...dd/#entry314187

 

As of  this writing, I'm transferring the data from the external HDD to an SD Card via a USB 2.0 Card Reader. I've done this before in the past and everything worked beautifully from the SD Card, even full retail games. Now, here's what I'm wondering: has anyone decided to use this method instead of the traditional external HDD? I'm asking because, I don't want to buy another external HDD when the one I have works just fine on my PC and original Wii. I'd rather use my funds to pick up Splatoon. 

 

I know from jumpstreet Nintendo said the best option would be to go ahead and use HDDs, however, after reading around I've seen that a lot of people have gone against their word and things have worked out just fine for them. Now, they warned against using USB thumbdrives, but not SD Cards. The 3DS uses SD Cards, as does many phones and tablets that have expandable storage, and of course digital cameras. So I'm wondering; would it be okay to use the SD Card+USB Reader as a long-term alternative? Should I be worried about it failing? Like I said—at this point it's working better than my external HDD, which is strange considering the HDD has its own power source... 

Edited by Prince AKR, 11 June 2015 - 06:39 AM.

[NintendoReport]

I don't think that is a good solution at all.

 

From Nintendo,

 

 

For Wii U, SD Cards can be used for saving a picture of your Mii and QR Code patterns for your Mii, but not as an external storage device for Wii U software. SD Cards can, however, be used in Wii mode to save data for Wii games. This data is managed through the Data Management feature in Wii mode. SD cards are also used to transfer data from Wii to Wii 

 

[Prince AKR]

I don't think that is a good solution at all.

 

From Nintendo,

 

I'm aware that they can be used for those operations. In fact I've done all of those already (I've had my Wii U since 2012, lol).  I was just wondering if it was really all that dangerous to use it as full expandable storage. Like I said; they warned against USB Flash Drives, but not SD Cards. You said you don't think it's a good solution—any particular reason?

[NintendoReport]

I'm aware that they can be used for those operations. In fact I've done all of those already (I've had my Wii U since 2012, lol).  I was just wondering if it was really all that dangerous to use it as full expandable storage. Like I said; they warned against USB Flash Drives, but not SD Cards. You said you don't think it's a good solution—any particular reason?

 

Because it isn't technically a supported solution, more of a work around. Games will not boot from an SD card in the Wii U, with a cheap adapter people have said the Wii U recognizes it as HDD unit of some sort but I still would go with what Nintendo suggests to use. If you ever run into problems technically and need support from Nintendo, I don't think they would be as helpful knowing you didn't follow suggested guidelines.

 

http://www.nintendol..._off_an_sd_card

[Raiden]

My Wii U would not even recognize it. So no.

[Prince AKR]

Because it isn't technically a supported solution, more of a work around. Games will not boot from an SD card in the Wii U, with a cheap adapter people have said the Wii U recognizes it as HDD unit of some sort but I still would go with what Nintendo suggests to use. If you ever run into problems technically and need support from Nintendo, I don't think they would be as helpful knowing you didn't follow suggested guidelines.

 

http://www.nintendol..._off_an_sd_card

 

I get what you're saying. I'll play around with it for a while. I've already played a few titles from it, and the games are saving just fine. So far, so good.

[grahamf]

I did use a Cruzer Mini until I outgrew it. It worked flawlessly and I never had to worry about bumping it.

[NintendoReport]

I did use a Cruzer Mini until I outgrew it. It worked flawlessly and I never had to worry about bumping it.

 

Really? I tried using one long ago and it gave me instant trouble. How many gigs?

[grahamf]

I think 16gb or 32gb, don't remember. I never really had a problem with it (I must've gotten a genuine one). Though my library is ~300gb now so I have a 750gb drive attached to it.

[Raiden]

I did have a USB thumb drive I used for a while. Min HP 16GB. Worked fine until I got my HDD for it. I did try a SD card USB reader and that didn't work at all

[Sage]

I used a Cruzer Glide 32GB for a bit, worked well enough. It will become obsolete fast if you download a lot of games. Also the constant writing to it will kill it pretty fast.

Edited by Sage, 11 June 2015 - 06:55 PM.

[Prince AKR]

I used a Cruzer Glide 32GB for a bit, worked well enough. It will become obsolete fast if you download a lot of games. Also the constant writing to it will kill it pretty fast.

 

I've seen a few people around the net refute that claim, stating that while there is a maximum read/write limit, it takes eons to actually fill it up. Can anyone second that?

[Sage]

I've seen a few people around the net refute that claim, stating that while there is a maximum read/write limit, it takes eons to actually fill it up. Can anyone second that?

 

It more depends on the quality of the device. If you get a good one it'll last. You can get a few million cycles out of a good one. That can last about a quarter to half a century maybe more, if used in a normal manner. There was a test to intentionally kill a drive it lasted 90,593,104 write/deletion cycles. There's a higher chance of it becoming defective. The real issue is the transfer rate of the device, just wont be as fast as a HDD.