How to wire a Wii's Bluetooth Module to a PC USB Port

[trihy]

I discover some funny stuff.

Launch nsmb, press any button, wiimote wont sync, go to windowed mode, click on Dolphin ui, let the game on the background, Dolphin ui on top, press any button on wiimote and voila, Will sync.

This is clearly a Dolphin bug. Not sure about other stuff.

[Watermelon_Sandwich]

(01-12-2019, 05:56 AM)themanuel Wrote: That disconnection every few minutes is precisely the problem.  I do also have the issue where the wiimote won't connect if I try to soon after the game loads but the real problem is those disconnections, which render the game unplayable.  This happens with any number of wiimotes, not just 4.  The 4th wiimote issue that Watermelon described is on Wii Sports, but I was not able to replicate it in my setup.

Keep in mind too, that I tested versions of Dolphin dating back to 6 and 12 months ago, and I still had the disconnection issue, although it took longer to manifest itself.

Thank you for testing Wiisports for me. For you, 4 Wiimotes work without a problem. For me, the 4th keeps disconnecting until the game starts, then they all stay on.

I've tried this so far:

1. Used both wii bluetooth modules: same problem
2. Used thicker gauge wires: same problem
3. Used shorter cables: same problem
4. Used WinUSB and Libusbk: same problem
5. Tested on both Windows 10 and Windows 8 on separate PC's: same problem.
6. I've tested it many times with different configurations, different Dolphin versions, including latest build, PR and Ishiiruka 1075: same problem.

BUT... In all the circumstances above, I've never had an issue with NSMBW. It syncs straight away and never disconnects. And it doesn't matter if it's windowed, fullscreen, direct3d 11, opengl, Vulkan or Direct3d 12. Even with 4 wiimotes, it connects well. Skyward Sword also syncs, connects and plays without a hitch.

For me, USBdk (using the link from the bluetooth passthrough wiki) is a necessity otherwise wiimotes won't sync after closing a game, even though I've deleted sysconf. I've even used it simultaneously with Winusb and Libusbk with no difference.

It's strange how USBdk runs into issues with some people. Have you tried uninstalling it using Iobit Uninstaller - where it cleans the registry also?

Have you tried uninstalling your bluetooth driver (Winusb or Libusbk) from device manager (you might need to do it more than once) until windows recognizes it as just a generic bluetooth adapter (blue symbol)? After everything's clean and restarted, then you could try installing USBdk again to see if it makes a difference.

The only hardware variables I see between us could be:

1. I'm using standard wiimotes (non-TR). I haven't got any TR motes to further test. With all you reading this (including @themanuel and @trihy) having NSMBW issues, are you using TR or Non-TR wiimotes?
2. Are you all using the same regulator? I understand the AMS1117 has been suggested here. I'm using a LM3940

Those 2 are the only hardware variables I haven't tested yet. I may have slight Wiisports and Wiiplay issues... but NSMBW and Skyward Sword run flawlessly with no disconnection or syncing issues whatsoever.

I've ordered 10 x AMS1117 regulators with the board to test (30 cents each). Once I receive them, I'll do some more testing to isolate this problem. I'll also try borrow a TR Wiimote to see if it makes a difference. 


Thank you for all your input and keep us updated on your findings 

.................
Update: The Wiimote problem with Wii Sports was happening with the NTSC version. I remembered I had a PAL version from an old wii I purchased long ago. I went through my garage, found the box and luckily the Wii Sports CD was still in there. I made a backup and transferred it to Dolphin.

The result: All Wiimotes work flawlessly. But I noticed there's no speaker data on the PAL version. Could the fact of not having to transfer extra speaker data be the reason why all wiimotes don't disconnect during startup?

Hey @themanuel, when you tested WiiSports for me, was it PAL or NTSC? By the way... my NSMBW is NTSC.
.................

[themanuel]

Hey, WS, thanks for the detailed post. When I have more time later today I'll add more info but wanted to give you a quick reply now. My wiimotes are non-TR: 2 white and 2 black Wiimote Plus from the SlingSmash bundle. Most of my testing has been with the black ones but it happens also with the white one, although I'll give it another try tonight.

All of my games are NTSC. I suggest you verify the hash of your game image for Wii Sports against known hashes if you haven't already done so.

I am using a 3.3V Out, 4.5V to 12V In, AMS1117-3.3 Step-Down regulator.

By the way, I tested Wii Sports Resorts yesterday, in did experience static sound from the wiimote speaker in that game but not on Wii Sports.

[trihy]

@watermelon which build are you using?

[Watermelon_Sandwich]

Hey @themanuel, thanks for that

You mentioned your wiimotes are non-TR, but do your white AND black wiimotes have built in motion plus, or is it just your black ones? The early ones don't register as TR... but have built-in motion plus. The Wiimotes I use are the standard, non-TR, non motion plus.

I'll verify the hashes on both my NTSC and PAL Wiisports when I get a chance tonight.

Your regulator seems to be the one which was suggested in this forum. I'm curious to know if everyone who has NSMBW issues have the same regulator?

My Wii Sports Resort has occasional static also.

..........

And @trihy, I predominately use Dolphin Ishiiruka (latest build 1075). However, I also have the standard dev build 5.0-8721 and PR-7216. I run all builds in portable mode and so far... there's no difference how the wii bluetooth module responds for me.
..........

I'm curious to know everyone else's experiences and findings just so we can cancel out the constants and try different variables

[themanuel]

(01-13-2019, 08:37 AM)Watermelon_Sandwich Wrote: Hey @themanuel, thanks for that

You mentioned your wiimotes are non-TR, but do your white AND black wiimotes have built in motion plus, or is it just your black ones? The early ones don't register as TR... but have built-in motion plus. The Wiimotes I use are the standard, non-TR, non motion plus.

My black ones are motion plus but not TR (one of the early ones you mentioned).  One of the white ones was pack-in when I bought the Wii in late 2006 and the other one was bought on that same day. 

[trihy]

All TRs here.

[themanuel]

I wired my newly received WLM-C43 BT module to great difficulty, as I'm really not good at this. Every time I wire one of these I seem to almost burn all the contacts and everything around them and somehow after a few tries, the poor thing works. At any rate, it was for naught, as it behaves exactly the same as my original one, as others have reported here.

I'm lying belly side down, with my legs being turned into a pretzel, and I'm looking pathetically at the crowd while tapping the canvas three times. I've finally run out of things to try...

[Helios]

*shrug*

Works great for me.

Maybe you got a faulty chip or your soldering job has problems.

[themanuel]

(01-14-2019, 01:31 PM)Helios Wrote: *shrug*

Works great for me.

Maybe you got a faulty chip or your soldering job has problems.

That would make three of us with multiple faulty chips and/or shoddy soldering that only seem to affect NSMBW and Wii Sports.  Pretty far-fetched.  You missed about 20 posts on the current conversation. 

When you say it woks great for you, would you please give NSMBW a quick run for a few minutes and see if connection stays rock solid with no lag?  It would be nice to have another data point.  Oh, and please specify if this is a Wii BT module you are using and with what driver.  Thanks.