Decided to power on my wii (after about a year of not using it). Hit the power button and the drive flashed blue then darkness.
If I unplug it then plug it back in it does the same thing.
It's one of the year one launch models back when they had built in Game Cube backward compatibility.
I'm currently working on a way to revive it.
Update 10/7/2014Picked up a *brand new* complete in box Wii at Goodwill for $70. It was definitely opened before but I'm not complaining because inside the box it had all the original stuff (except the power brick. That was missing). Plus it had the USB to ethernet adapter. 3 extra wii remotes and two nunchucks still in the wrapping.
The only downsides...
1) I have learned I cannot re-download my wii store purchases. They are locked to your console not your club nintendo account. So all those digital purchases on my dead wii are still gone.
Like with my PS3 I'll document it all here so hopefully others can benefit from my ordeal.
Step 1:
Verified it wasn't the power supply in three ways:
Used a voltage meter to test the output of the power supply. It is the expected 12 volts.
I went to a local game shop and tried a different power supply. My will still did not work.
I tried my power supply on another wii and the other wii worked with my power supply.
The problem is definitely with the system.
It could be:
* Blue Tooth
* Wifi adapter
* Motherboard
Update: 10/10/2014Following this guide:
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repairing+Nintendo+Wii+Drive+Board+Fuses/4029I needed a tri-point screwdriver which I bought on Amazon.
Upon opening the Wii I discovered it had a game still in the drive. Not just a shovelware title either... Oh no.
Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition. One of my favorite wii games of all time (second only to Metroid Prime Trilogy).
With patience (it took 10 full minutes) I was able to manually turn the pulley that drives the motorized insert and loading mechanics of the wii dvd drive and remove my (mint) disc without damaging it.
Next I tested the two fuses on the Wii DVD drives circuit board using a voltage meter in continuity mode. If the fuses were bad the meter would read 1. It read 0 meaning the fuse is closed (complete).
Next I need to get to the wifi and blue tooth adapters and inspect those...
Update: 10/11/2014I bought a complete in box like new wii from Goodwill for $70. While not a bargain it came with 4 like new wii-motes and 2 new (still in original packaging) controllers.
I have dissembled a fully working Wii and used it to test the DVD Drive, Blue Tooth, and Wifi modules from the non-functioning unit. They all seem to work.
I have also learned the following:
* A working wii can be powered on without the DVD drive attached.
* A working wii will show the green light but not power on with the wifi module removed.
* A working wii will show the green light but not power on with the blue tooth module removed.
* A working wii will show the red light but not power on with both the wifi module and blue tooth removed.
I tried using the blue tooth, DVD, and Wifi modules from the working wii in the non-functional wii and it continues to lose all power (light goes out) when I try to power it on.
At this point it seems clear the problem is (unfortunately for me) on the motherboard.
The only option left at this point would be to call Nintendo. A motherboard swap would restore the wii to working condition but all purchases and saves (anything on the embedded NAND) would be lost.
They can at least attempt to recover the NAND contents and transfer licenses to the replacement/restored system.
