Wii Exposed: Wiinternals, Wii-motes, and a Teardown Wiideo
Date: Nov 20, 2006
The Wii is the latest offering from Nintendo. Since word of this console system has hit the gaming community, people have been speculating over how the device operates and what kind of features it would have. Over time, it was discovered that the Wii was not going to be just another upgrade (like the Xbox 360 or PS3). While there would be some hardware enhancements, the Wii caught the interest of the gadget and gaming world due to how the user would interact with the system. Instead of the standard two-handed controller, this system sports a Wii remote that resembled a small TV remote. Figure 1 provides a shot of the Wii and accessories.
)
The Wii-mote, as many are calling it, not only has the normal buttons you would expect, but it has three additional features that truly redefine the gaming experience. First, the remote can detect motion on three axes. In other words, the remote can tell if you flick it left, right, up, down, forward or backward. The second new concept is that of the infrared pointer. Thanks to the use of a small black bar that a user places above or below their TV, the Wii-mote can move an object around the screen, much like you would do with a mouse. Finally, the Wii-mote incorporates Bluetooth technology to allow up to four different wireless controllers to be used at one time. Take a moment and imagine the possibilities for such an interface.
There are some other useful features that Nintendo built into the Wii. For example, they added 802.11B/G wireless networking capability that can easily allow the Wii to connect to the internet. With this ability, Nintendo has also incorporated features like news, weather, shopping, pictures and more into their device (Figure 2). The point is, the relatively cheap Wii has done something that console system makers can only dream of — attracted the attention of every gamer in the world. Sure, the PS3 and Xbox 360 might have better graphics and more powerful processors, but game play isn't all about how it looks. The Wii pulls off a relatively sharp-looking screen when used with an HDTV, but it also keeps the user physically involved with the game.
)
In this article, we are going to take a look at this system and it peripherals. We will start with a system teardown, accompanied by an nine minute video you can view to check out your own Wii's internals. We will then take a look at the Wii-mote, Nunchuk, and sensor bar and point out some of the interesting pieces and parts that help make the Wii experience what it is.
The Teardown
The Wii is a very tight system. There is little in the way of wasted space, which indicates an excellent design job. I am honestly impressed at how the creators of this device put all these pieces and parts together. If you are not the type to tinker with your electronic gadgets, consider the following as a front row seat into the world of the Wii. On the other hand, if you are reading this because you are the moding type or are trying to fix a broken part, this article will serve as a step-by-step guide to disassembling the Wii. Either way, we hope you enjoy!
To disassemble:
- Flip the device upside down and remove the small silver Phillips screw. Once out, remove the battery tray from the console.
- Next remove the rubber foot directly above this battery tray. Also remove the three square white stickers from the bottom of the Wii. The rubber foot and the sticker are covering hidden screws. Figure 3 provides a shot of where these screws are located.
- Unscrew the two Triwing screws and three Phillips screws from the bottom of the Wii.
- Flip the Wii over onto its right side. Locate and remove the two rear rubber feet and the two rectangle stickers near the faceplate.
- Remove the two silver Triwing screws in the holes and remove the two black Triwing screws on the faceplate (Figure 4).
- Flip the Wii upright and carefully remove the two socket covers. They come right out with a little wiggling.
- Remove the three black Phillips screws from the black plate (Figure 5). Note the one closest to the faceplate is the longest and will need to go back into that hole when putting the Wii back together.
- With the screws removed, carefully pull off the faceplate of the front of the Wii. You will need to disconnect the red/black wire plug from the Wii to remove the faceplate completely. Figure 6 shows what is hiding under the faceplate.
- Remove black plate from memory/controller socket area.
- Remove two silver Phillips and two silver Triwing screws from memory/controller socket area (Figure 7). g
- Lay the Wii on left side (with the ATI and Nintendo logo facing you) and slowly work the right side cover of the console off the device. This will take a little bit of force. If something appears to be stuck, double check to ensure you removed all the screws.
- Locate and remove four screws holding DVD reader in place. Two are located in plain site in the middle of the unit. Two are located near the front of the Wii inside the DVD unit (Figure 8).
- Slowly tilt the DVD player upward toward top of Wii. There are two wires that need to be disconnected before you can safely remove the DVD unit. One is a plug type of connector that only requires a little tug. The other is a circuit strip connector that requires you to lift the brown catch, which will release the pressure holding the strip in place (Figure 9). Do not break this!
- Locate and remove two wireless antennas (Figure 10 and Figure 11). One is located near the bottom of the device and can be removed by carefully pushing against the tabs keeping the card in place. The upper card can be removed by unscrewing a silver Phillips screw. Once removed, unthread the wire from the Wii's body.
- Remove two silver Phillips screws holding the fan in place (one on each side of fan). Disconnect fan power wire and remove fan (Figure 12).
- Remove three silver Phillips screws from fan flow guide/black plastic piece. Lift away the black plastic piece (Figure 13).
- Remove two silver Phillips screws from middle black plastic piece. Then remove the one center silver Phillips screw (Figure 13).
- Lift the black plastic pieces off the Wii. The rear piece will pull away fairly easily. The center black plastic piece will require some attention. Remove the DVD wires from where they are tucked, and watch the silver heat shield piece when lifting the center plastic piece off the Wii.
- Remove three silver Phillip screws from front black piece and then remove the piece from the Wii. Be careful of the small square nut located on the bottom part of the piece, as well as the arm that is slightly inserted into the body of the Wii. To remove this, just lever the arm gently away from the Wii when lifting the black plastic piece out (Figure 14).
- Locate and remove numerous silver Phillips screws from silver heat shield where you see a small arrow or a small square. Then remove two black Phillips screws marked with a small triangle (Figure 15).
- Once all screws are removed, slowly lift off tin heat shield. Be careful as this piece can not be damaged. At this point the motherboard is exposed.
- Locate the heat sink and remove the four black Phillips screws to gain access to the processor. Do not do this if you are not familiar with how heat sinks need to be seated onto the processor or you could cause irreversible damage to your Wii.
- You can optionally remove the wireless network card from the motherboard.
- Lift the circuit board off the body of the Wii.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
Figures 16—21 show various pieces and parts of the Wii for your amusement.
)
)
)
)
)
)
Some Wireless Specifications
The following contains some of the details of the wireless networking gear contained in the Wii. All this information is available at the FCC's equipment search page (https://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/cf/eas/reports/GenericSearch.cfm). To locate the actual details schematics, testing, and internal pictures of the 802.11 or Bluetooth cards, go to the previous listed site and type in EW4DWMW004 for the 802.11 card and/or POOWML-C43 for the Bluetooth card.
In summary, the 802.11 card only operates in the 2412-2462GHz range. In 802.11b mode, the card can obtain a 20.07dBm or 101.62 mW output. The external antenna provides an additional 1.87dBi. The internal chip is made by Broadcom, a popular wireless network card manufacturer. Onboard the wireless card are two antenna connectors, which can easily be used to connect an more powerful and larger external antenna if desired. The following are the numbers on the chip:
BCM4318EKFBG HS0605 P20 769984 N1
The Bluetooth card operates within the 2.402-2480 GHz range. It can obtain a 5.83dBm or 3.83mW output in 8PSK mode or 3.66dBm/2.32mW output in GFSK mode.
Wii-mote, Nunchuk and IR
As we previously discussed, the most unique and attractive quality of the Wii is the way the user interacts with the games. This section will outline the components used and provide some internal shots for your viewing pleasure.
Wii-mote
The first item we took apart was the Wii-mote. This is fairly easy to disassemble. You first must remove the battery door, take out the batteries, and then unscrew the four Triwing screws keeping the Wii-mote together. Once the screws are out, you will have to pull the top and bottom of the remote apart with significant force. Be careful not to let the pieces fly everywhere if the parts suddenly disconnect.
The following images shed some light as to what you can expect to find.
)
Wii-mote circuit board highlighting one of the XL330 chips that handle the movement detection
)
Wii Nunchuk
The second item on our list of peripherals is the nunchuk. This component is an add-on to the Wii-mote and adds some extra motion/interaction aspects to select games. The following figures detail what is inside this controller.
)
)
Wii Sensor Bar
Without taking this bar apart you would not have much of an idea how it works. However, after looking at the insides, it appears as if the bar uses an array of IR emitters to send InfraRed light out to the sensor in the Wii-mote. As you move around, the sensor in the Wii-mote determines where you are pointing based on the IR signal it is detecting. As pointed out by several readers (thanks to all who sent in your comments), the sensor bar is not really sensing anything – it should be called an IR LED bar. Due to the limited distance of IR, you have to be within a certain range of the sensor bar or it will act goofy. In addition, things like sunlight and fluorescent lights can interfere with the signal.
)
Summary
Before I took this device apart, I was able to spend a few minutes trying out some of the games included with the Sports DVD. Specifically, my daughter and I hit a few golf balls and attempted to play tennis. My daughter is 5 and is not new to video games, but in all honesty she shies away from the Xbox 360 controller because it is too much for her. The Wii-mote, on the other hand, was fun for her to use. Simply put, the Wii represents a console system anyone can enjoy.
In addition to the playability factor, the Wii was also fun to disassemble. While I won't go so far as to say everyone should take theirs apart, the fact is, there weren't too many complex or tricky aspects to disassembling and reassembling the device. So, go ahead and crack your case open! (Just be aware that doing so most likely voids your warranty.)
P.S. Obtaining my Wii was not as simple as walking into the store and picking it up. I was one of the lucky folks who stood outside and waited inline. Lucky you ask? Yes. You see, Wal-mart did a nice thing by sticking the line outside. It gave all those inline the freedom to create a community that was able to have some fun. Be it rolling tents, surfing on plastic doors, or playing water bottle baseball — none of that could have happened had the line been indoors. Anyway, here is a shout out to just some of those people who were in line with me! Nice to meet you Ian, Maxipad (don't ask), Tony, Meaf (I feel for you — but you did the right thing), Lunchbox, Alex, Brian, and a whole bunch of others. Also, a special thanks to David who covered my spot in line for many hours while I was home with the family!
Want to do more with your Wii? Check out Seth's article on Adding an External Antenna To Your Wii to learn how to extend the range of the Wii's wifi antenna.