Wii Console "An Error has occured" - Anyone experience this?

[Link83]

Hi Everyone,
I bought a PAL Wii console in August last year. it hasnt been 'over used' or abused at all, but In November last year when I played Mario Galaxy it displayed this message "An Error has occured, Press the Eject Button and remove the disc" etc. Heres a picture I found online:-



It only happened the once, so I thought it must just have been an anomally and didnt think too much off it.

Now though I have just bought Mario Kart Wii last week, and in that time have probably turned the console off/on about 12 times - and four of those times it has come up with this message again It sound like its struggling to read the disk as I can hear the drive whirring and beeping over and over.

Im not sure what to do - is this just a random error that everbody gets from time to time, or is it a sign of worse things to come?

As it is still under warranty I guess I could get it replaced by Nintendo, but I have quite a few Virtual Console games and messages that I would like to keep. So my questions are:-
1) Is Nintendo likely to just repair this current console or replace it with a new one?
2) If its a new console will they copy everything across from my old console? (messages and all)
3) Do Nintendo send out refurbished consoles or new ones (As I really wouldnt like to get a refurbished one)

Anyone with experience of returning a console to Nintendo UK would be greatly appreciated as this is the first console I have ever had problems with (and I have had quite a few!)

Thanks in advance

[teddymeow]

If you're going to send it back to Nintendo you're best off contacting them to get a returns number and so they can get your details to send you a pre-paid postage label.

Don't email them as in my experience they don't tend to reply to them so much. Call them 1st thing in the morning to minimise the odds of you being stuck on hold for aaaaaaages.

I had to send mine back before Xmas and it took about a week from when it was signed for at their end until it was back under my TV.

Best of luck, can't go too long without Mario Kart!!

[buster_broon]

if i dont use my console for a while the first game always crashes and i get the response

but a reset later and it works perfectly

[Link83]

Thanks for both your replies
Im pretty sure I am going to have to return it to nintendo
teddymeow, did you get your original console back or was it a brand new one? and if so did they copy everything for you?

if i dont use my console for a while the first game always crashes and i get the response

but a reset later and it works perfectly

Thats what I mean - is it a normal occurence with the Wii -something to be expected? (Abit like how years ago I used to sometimes blow in a cartridge to get it working - although I know better now!)
If it is I may just live with it, but if it could suddenly stop working entirely I guess I should definitely get it exhanged.

[egparadigm]

I would say you're best to press ahead with a return if you're getting this error. If you're concerned about returning it to Ninty, have you thought about returning it to the shop where you bought it? They should offer you a replacement - as it has been under twelve months. Since the Wii is not known for problems you may need to be robust, but providing you have a receipt you should be within your rights.

I have not had this error with my Wii, which I have had about the same amount of time as you. Although, I did get a similar error with my PAL GC... But I have also had multiple problems with multiple bits of kit and I always end up regretting not getting it sorted. So, I'd encourage you to take action.

[teddymeow]

I got my original console back but they did say that if it needed to be replaced then they would copy everything across.

Regarding taking it back to the shop that it was bought from; Nintendo told me that stores don't have the ability to transfer across any VC stuff you may have downloaded, it is only something that they can do. I remember working in store when the Wii launched and we got a whole load of leaflets to give to customers explaining that if they downloaded VC items and had a hardware problem then they would have to return it to Nintendo directly.

The whole "it only does this if I don't play on it for a while" nature of the fault - it's still a fault, surely? My Wii doesn't do that and I've never seen anybody elses' with this issue. Best to get it fixed whilst it is still under gurantee than wait and keep your fingers crossed that it doesn't get any worse?

[egparadigm]

Good point about save data. Double check with Ninty that that is the case. They might be able to credit you the Wii points to repurchase. This is how MS has done it for me in the past.