Repairing a USA Import Wii

[jimtendo]

It's a hypothetical question at the moment.

But.

Since my laser sounds a little ropey and I'm not exactly a whizz at replacing/ repairing the lens drive I've looked into repair sites like these:

http://www.consoledoctor.co.uk/home/

However, when I questioned them about whether there would be:
- any problems repairing an import Wii (to which they replied "no problem")
- and whether there would be a delay because they needed to source USA parts (again, they replied that it "should be no problem")

Now, I'm being quiet hesitant and just wanted to know what the NTSC-UK tech savvy have to say about this?

Is it ok to use a UK lens drive and parts?

[speedlolita]

Is it ok to use a UK lens drive and parts?

Yes.

Generally, the only different between the consoles between regions is just the software, the region coding in this case.

The UK part will be fine. However, make sure you get the specific lens that your Wii requires. I'm pretty sure there are lots of revisions.

[jimtendo]

Ah excellent. Never knew that.
Mines a launch USA Wii so I'm not too sure of the availability of those drives.

Is there a site which catalogues what parts are compatible with which console revisions?
I'm just googling at the mo, and it hasn't brought up much.

As most of these repair sites only give one option for laser/ lens drives.

[speedlolita]

I might be wrong, I'm not the most knowledgable on the Wii here for sure.

[smouty]

You can change a Wii's region in software so I would say the hardware is not region specific.
You could look for someone who has bricked their one from softmodding so the drive is pretty much perfect as being a slot loader I'm guessing it won't be an easy job.
You could also look at USB loader to load your games from an external HDD and save the laser from wear.

You might want to try this first - http://vimeo.com/141142

[egparadigm]

Nintendo will actually repair import consoles for you. Someone mentioned on here, I think it was about £20. Bit of a reflief for me, as I have an import console, too.

[jimtendo]

Cheers guys for the help.

RE: monomaniacpat

Nice.
Is this done via the official Nintendo EU site?
Also, will they pull a fast one like Microsoft in that early in the 360 lifecycle they repaired import machines. But later on, they just replaced subsequent import machines with PAL units.

[kryss]

The drive on one of my Wiis has been sounding dodgy for ages.

[egparadigm]

From what I understand they will repair/replace the US unit, not fob you off with a PAL unit. I think the guy phoned them.

[jimtendo]

Nice.
I gave them a mailshot, but they replied with a copy & paste with what their service entails, but made no mention of the specifications of what my mail read.

Guess I'll phone them on Monday to find out the skinny on what they have to say.