Wii launch corrupted by fatal error '110213'

by James Ransom-Wiley { Nov 21st 2006 at 1:15PM }

Nintendo has begun replacing Wii units corrupted by fatal error 110213. An unknown percentage of users have been struck with the malfunction after attempting to download the WiiConnect24 update. Affected units will not be able to connect to Nintendo's online services and must be replaced.

Luckily, offline modes still function, giving you an opportunity to back up your Zelda progress onto SD before shipping the unit off to Nintendo's scrap yard. You do have an SD card, right?

[Via Engadget]

Tags: fatal error, FatalError, firmware, launch06, update, WiiConnect24

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Kevin @ Nov 21st 2006 1:19PM

I'm so glad to have been lucky enough to not get this error. Sucks to those who did though. At least Nintendo has enough units to replace them.

randomshagz @ Nov 21st 2006 1:21PM

When I heard about this I was freaking out. I was in the middle up updating the first time and I was like. Ahhh crap.

Thank baby Mario nothing bad happened.

Joe_123 @ Nov 21st 2006 1:21PM

No proble with mine, it works pretty good, the only thing is that the friking wii channels doesn't work (weather, news)

Intentless @ Nov 21st 2006 1:23PM

At least it isn't catching on fire or destroying games... Its still usable offline and most of the online features arn't online yet...

Josh @ Nov 21st 2006 1:24PM

I really want to know how widespread this problem is. I hope it's not too far. Otherwise, we could have some serious problems with availability this year...

Prof-KOS @ Nov 21st 2006 1:25PM

I got some sort of error code the first 2 or 3 times I tried to connect. It worked fine by Sunday evening. I just chalked it up to everyone on the Eastern Seaboard trying to connect to Nintendo's servers at once.

Is the fact that they're screwed coming from Nintendo?

@ Nov 21st 2006 1:26PM

Now, watch all the Nintendo fanbois come out to defend their system. Nintendo makes quality products my ass.

therpham @ Nov 21st 2006 1:27PM

How widespread is this problem? The webbernet is making it out to be a big deal, but they did the same thing with failing Xbox 360s a year ago and that only affected a small percentage of units.

Miniboss @ Nov 21st 2006 1:28PM

Actually, Nintendo is looking for additional methods for fixing this problem without having to replace the console. They're offering this option in case you really want to get back to playing quickly and don't want to wait for an additional solution (at least, that's what they say). ( http://wii.ign.com/articles/746/746907p1.html )

Apparently, the problem seems to stem from the fact that the firmware wasn't updated on some of the systems before it made it out of manufacturing. ( http://wii.ign.com/articles/746/746801p1.html )

Rob Stevens @ Nov 21st 2006 1:29PM

"Luckily, offline modes still function, giving you an opportunity to back up your Zelda progress onto SD before shipping the unit off to Nintendo's scrap yard. You do have an SD card, right?"

Except that you need a firmware update that isn't available yet in order to transfer game saves to SD. Oops, screwed.

Ritz @ Nov 21st 2006 1:30PM

It gets a little more complicated, however, if you have stuff you bought for the Virtual Console. All that information (drm, etc) is tied to that machine, so the time to wait for a new console can reach to almost half a month or longer in length if you want to keep those games. It's pretty brutal.

Although you sources I have read suggest the wait time for a new Wii without VC complications is only about a week or so. And it's all free, last I checked.

x876543 @ Nov 21st 2006 1:30PM

I updated Sunday, Nov 19, and no problems. I'm thinking this is a defect in the unit and not in the update. The update probably doesn't work with the defect in the unit and there is your fatal error.

Weather and News channels aren't up, but according to Nintendo is expected to be up in January 27, 2007 (according to their wii support).
http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/channelsNews.jsp

Kevin @ Nov 21st 2006 1:30PM

#8, This probably has nothing to do with the console itself. It probably has to do with what was downloaded.

crono141 @ Nov 21st 2006 1:32PM

...and replace them for free, with free shipping, and no customer support hassles. They send you a new console and a box to send your broke ass one back.

Many are speculating that the firmware update was corrupted on some machines due to spotty downloads.

JoystiqNub @ Nov 21st 2006 1:34PM

Another example of Joystiq harping on the Wii. Man this site sucks for being bias against Nintendo. How much did Sony or Microsoft pay you?

Skwurl @ Nov 21st 2006 1:35PM

#8

How you're not in the negative star world is amazing. On another note, the graphic for this post is hillarious.

epobirs @ Nov 21st 2006 1:37PM

It's probably just a bug that breaks the firmware update functionality. So I doubt those units will be scrapped. At worst they'll turn up as discounted refurbs. Deal!

@ Nov 21st 2006 1:38PM

"How you're not in the negative star world is amazing. On another note, the graphic for this post is hillarious."

And, i was right.

Nintendo sends out a bricking update and you guys just brush it off like nothing happened.. because Nintendo can do no wrong. Nintendo Fnabois are quickly becoming like their Apple counterparts... shit just wont stick, eh?

Joe Smith @ Nov 21st 2006 1:40PM

Maybe they should test this stuff before they release it?

Dogle @ Nov 21st 2006 1:42PM

I think everyone is just used to it by now. 360s dying left and right, PS3s blinking red and eating discs. And now a network error with the Wii.

Yawn...

Mike @ Nov 21st 2006 1:42PM

JoystiqNub, you're an idiot. News is news. You want them to only report bad news on the other systems and only report good news for Nintendo?

> you're an idiot, but anyone that's familiar with you needs not explanation.

Anyways, I was having problems with my system connecting to the net. Thankfully I wasn't getting that error code. Instead I had to change the channel on my router to channel 11. Oddly enough it worked.

crono141 @ Nov 21st 2006 1:44PM

>,

Reading comprehension=good.

Nobody's system got bricked. Just can't connect. Nintendo replaces it for free.

Nintendo makes quality products. Period. When there is an issue (which is rare), they do everything they can to correct it with as little inconvenience as possible.

Good luck when your PS3 dies. Sony customer support is notoriously bastardly.

And you claim you're not a fanboy.

Mike @ Nov 21st 2006 1:45PM

Oops

...needs no explanation...

JFink @ Nov 21st 2006 1:45PM

>.

Yep Nintendo makes sh**** systems. That's why my 8-bit NES, my SNES, my OG Game Boy (one of the first ones released), my N64, and my GC all still work. Meanwhile I'm on my third PS2 now after the first two broke down.

Oh and they weren't "Bricked" as you can still play games on them, you just can't do anything online with them, which as you Sony fanboys love to point out, you can't do much online with Nintendo systems anyway.

epobirs @ Nov 21st 2006 1:47PM

Perhaps an update CD freely distributed through retailers could reduce the cost of this a bit. Throw a bunch of demos on to fill the leftover space and everyone will want one.

@ Nov 21st 2006 1:48PM

crono.. please stop the patronizing.. trust me, you're in no position to do that and never will be.

Do you guys ever stop and read your posts. Bad Sony news comes out, and you guys blindly dump on it, then herd mentality kicks in and everybody is in it.

Then, Nintendo sends out a bricking update (the firmware is f*cked otherwise youre wouldnt need to send it in), and its no big deal, lalalaaa.. Sony sucks ..

You guys like to dish out the hate, but, cant seem to take the same without resorting to crying ot playing the fanboy card.

kaproll @ Nov 21st 2006 1:49PM

damn! I wanted to buy one of those! :(

The Intangible Fact @ Nov 21st 2006 1:50PM

Sony produces the worst products on market!

Marty @ Nov 21st 2006 1:51PM

Ignore >. All he does is troll around the forum all day, writing ridiculously fanatical comments slanted towards his doomed system, the one and only PS3.

Majortom @ Nov 21st 2006 1:51PM

Well nintendo will probably just reflash the defective wiis with new firmware.

They couldnt just send a diosc out that reflashes the firmware itself?

FSK405K @ Nov 21st 2006 1:52PM

Are Joystiq readers the only ones stupid enough to use the word "bias" when they should use "biased" or is the whole world that stupid?

Skwurl @ Nov 21st 2006 1:55PM

#23

> isn't a fanboy - he's evolved way beyond that. I like to think of him more as someone who is suffering battered console syndrome.

"Sony loves me...he only hits me when he drinks".

Intentless @ Nov 21st 2006 1:58PM

Then Sony must be doing a lot of drinking...

crono141 @ Nov 21st 2006 1:58PM

>

I'm not patronizing you.

I'm calling you a fucking jackass without saying "fucking jackass".

Its not a bricking firmware. I got it just fine, my Wii works great. I get on VC and WiiConnect24 every damn day. its not like the 2 or 3 firmware updates for PSP sony has sent out that brick the system.

My PS2 component output stopped working about a year ago. Is that system now "bricked" because 1 feature is now faulty?

You're an idiot. I don't even know why you talk, because everytime you do, you make yourself look even dumber. Your posts come across as angry and ignorant, even beyond the normal fanboys. You accuse others of "drinking the kool-aid" because we all like our Wii even though some people don't.

Stop trolling.

thon @ Nov 21st 2006 2:05PM

interesting,

the first time i updated i had this error, and reupdated and everything is working 100% now. I just figured nintendo's servers were busy. I downloaded a VC game this morning, so i'm sure its working

Mobat @ Nov 21st 2006 2:06PM

Its great Nintendo is making efforts to correct this.

I’m surprised at the "Fanboy" reactions. A true gamer does not discriminate between consoles or companies. The industry would not be where it is, if not for all parties involved.

If cannot honestly sit back and appreciate all the Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, and Sega have done. Then you should consider keeping your bias opinion to yourself.

Bakabaka @ Nov 21st 2006 2:07PM

I don't know if this is the case for a lot of users afflicted by this problem but I heard in several cases, Nintendo is sending them small SD cards for them to transfer their game saves to the replacement unit. If that's true, that's pretty nice of them.

Dignan17 @ Nov 21st 2006 2:08PM

I haven't gotten the error code mentioned in the article, but has anyone had difficulty getting onto the Wii Shopping Channel? So far that's the only problem I'm having with the system. It'll sit on that screen with the spinning circle for about ten minutes, or until I pull the power plug. Sometimes it will fail and give me a different error code than in this article, and then occasionally it'll let me in.

This only started happening the day after the update, because between the update and the start of the symptoms, I was using the store fine and bought some games.

Any ideas?

lebowsky @ Nov 21st 2006 2:08PM

I assumed these issues were occurring because users were powering off their Wiis due to extremely long download times. When I tried up update my Wii Sunday morning, it timed out 5 or 6 times, each time taking up to 10 minutes to display an error message.

I bet a lot of people were halfway through the update when they figured it was never going to finish and just powered the damn thing off - not a good idea when applying firmware.

Nintendo's network is getting hammered right now and I think it is causing people to lose patience with the updates.

I'm not saying that these problems aren't a bad thing, but at least the Wii is not bricked and Nintendo is doing the right thing (as they always do) when replacing the system.

Skullivan @ Nov 21st 2006 2:14PM

#11-
You can transfer your save games to an SD card, I did it with my Zelda file yesterday.

I have yet to be able to connect to the WiiShop. I keep getting error code 209600. I'm just glad that there's nothing I want from the Shop yet and my system works fine otherwise. If it's a connection issue I can't see how they won't be able to issue a patch to fix it. It sucks if you were looking forward to VC games though...

1up_clock @ Nov 21st 2006 2:18PM

#33 and #34 seems to have hit the nail on the head for that little bugger.

And again, stuff like this is usually why I wait out on getting new consoles, except unlike Sony's policy of "Yeah, it's broke, just deal with it and give us more money.", Nintendo actually fixes the problem.

The reason Nintendo fanboys are so loyal is that their company actually treats them nicely.

Paul P. @ Nov 21st 2006 2:21PM

Hey #39, I got that same problem once. And it was odd, becaue this actually came AFTER I had succesfully gotten to shop before.

But I think I figured out how to fix it. If you go to settings and look at the WiiConnect24 User Agreement thing again, for some reason that'll make the shop channel work again. It worked for me, though it still took longer to connect than I liked.

Paul P. @ Nov 21st 2006 2:24PM

To everyone talking trash about Sony support, I don't really know where you are coming from. I've dealt with them before and they have good support. They don't go the extra mile like some companies but if you are under warranty and haven't been messing around with your system they will take good care of you.

I think this "horrible" Sony support is some line fanboys came up with that is just now accepted as fact for no good reason.

JodyAnthony @ Nov 21st 2006 2:26PM

gotta love >, accuse everyone in the world of being a "fnaboi" (sic) just because they god forbid prefer nintendo over sony

crono141 is right, you are a fucking jackass.

Iscariote @ Nov 21st 2006 2:43PM

"To everyone talking trash about Sony support, I don't really know where you are coming from. I've dealt with them before and they have good support. They don't go the extra mile like some companies but if you are under warranty and haven't been messing around with your system they will take good care of you."

So if you're under warranty they honor the contract in the box? Thank god for Sony, they're so nice.

Shagi @ Nov 21st 2006 2:44PM

You are all jackasses. Remember that arguing on a blog is like the special olympics, no matter who wins your all retarded.

FSK405K @ Nov 21st 2006 2:46PM

In case Nintendo reads this, I want to let you guys know that my Wii works perfect 100%, and there are many probably like mine. So don't get all scared; just fix the tiny fraction with problems.

Kevin @ Nov 21st 2006 2:47PM

FSK405K, thank you. I read 'bias' on here all the time when they really mean 'biased.' I think it's just Joystiq readers, the rest of the world knows better.

I think this is the same thing than happened with 'per se.' Someone used that in a sentence once and then for weeks I saw 'per se' all over the comments.

Next-Gen-Gamer @ Nov 21st 2006 2:48PM

I see the troll is at it again. You know, >, this idiotic banter goes both ways. If anyone who makes a case for Nintendo is a fanboy, then anyone who attacks Nintendo constantly is a moron. Just because someone makes a case for Nintendo doesn't make them a fanboy. However, you're so blind that you can't see past your own hate. Hell, actual Nintendo fanboys aren't this rabid.

Do you even understand what's going on with the Wii? No one is denying that this is a problem. That being said, it hasn't happened to very many, and Nintendo is shipping new ones to those people (with broken Wiis) for free.

Let's not forget the little pamphlet that comes with the Wii. It clearly states that you can go to Nintendo's website, and become a "Nintendo Now" member (for free). What this also means is that, when you type in the serial number for your Wii, it will add an additional 90 days to your warranty (for free). So if something like this happened later on, you could still get a new one (for free).

No one should be denying that this IS a problem. If they are, THEN they're probably fanboys. However, you have to keep an open mind about this (and everything that happens with ANY console). Not only is Nintendo handling everything for free, but the 'competition' is having it much worse.