Nintendo of America

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Data Management

 

The Wii console's Data Management options lets you organize and delete data in the Wii System Memory, SD Cards, Nintendo GameCube Memory Cards, as well as specific Channels. Please choose from the list of options below.

Accessing the Data Management menus
Data saved to the Wii's System Memory:
Managing Your Wii Console's Available Memory Space
Viewing Wii save game data (and determining available memory)
Deleting Wii Channels data (includes WiiWare and Virtual Console channels and save game data)
Copying data to an SD Card  
Format (Erase) system memory  
Format Wii Shop Channel  
Files displayed with one or more "?"  
SD and SDHC Cards:
About SD and SDHC Cards
Copying items (game saves, Wii Channels, Virtual Console games, etc.) to an SD Card or SDHC Card
Delete items (game saves, Wii Channels, Virtual Console games, etc.) off of an SD Card or SDHC Card
Compatible File Types
Working with the SD Card Menu
Launch a game or Wii Channel directly from an SD or SDHC Card
Nintendo GameCube Memory Cards:
View saved data  
Erase saved data  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to Access "Data Management"

  1. With the Wii console properly connected, power on the console to reach the Wii Channel menu.
  2. Use the Wii Remote to move the cursor over the "Wii" button in the bottom-left corner of the screen and press the A Button.
  3. From the main Wii Menu and System Settings screen, use the Wii Remote to move the cursor over the "Data Management" option.

  4. Press the A Button to enter the Data Management tool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working with Wii Data

After accessing the Data Management screen, select "Save Data" to organize certain types of data for the Wii console and Nintendo GameCube Memory Cards.

    After selecting "Save Data," you will have the following choices:

    What type of data are you attempting to organize?

  • Wii (includes WiiWare and Virtual Console games)
  • Nintendo GameCube

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working with Wii Saved Data

After accessing the Save Data screen, select "Wii" to organize certain types of data for the Wii console and Nintendo GameCube Memory Cards.

 

 

 

 

 

Viewing Wii Channel Data and Available Space

All downloaded Wii Channels (which includes WiiWare and Virtual Console games) can be viewed and managed from the "Wii Channel" section of Data Management.

    To view the data
  1. Access the Wii Data Management screen (how to).
  2. Select the "Wii Channels" button.
  3. All downloaded "Wii Channels" (which includes WiiWare or Virtual Console channels) will appear here. Keep in mind that Wii Channels that were not downloaded from the Wii Shop will not appear, such as Mii Channel, News Channel, etc.
  4. The available amount of system memory is displayed in the lower-left corner as "Blocks Open:".

    5.  

 

 

 

 

Viewing Saved Game Data and Available Space

To view save game data

  • Access the Wii Data Management screen ( how to ).
  • Select the "Save Data" button.
  • Any Wii game data, including WiiWare and Virtual Console, save game data currently on the Wii cosole's system memory will be shown here as icons.
  • The available amount of system memory is displayed in the lower-left corner as "Blocks Open:".

 

 

 

 

 

Deleting Game Save Data

All Wii games and Wii Channels that create a save file (such as for game progress, high scores, channel settings) that can be deleted or copied.

    To delete save game data
  1. Access the Wii Data Management screen (how to).
  2. Select the "Save Data" icon to display all save files.
  3. Select the file you want to delete.
  4. Select "Erase" to delete the file.

    5. Warning: If a game save file is deleted, there is no way to get it back. Be sure you want to delete it, or even copy it to an SD Card if necessary.

 

 

 

 

Deleting Wii Channel Data

Any Wii Channel you downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel, which includes Virtual Console or WiiWare games, can be deleted to free up hard drive space. Should you wish to get it Wii Channel back, you can simply re-download it later at no cost through the Wii Shop Channel. You can also back the Wii Channels up to an SD Card and copy them back over when needed.

    To delete Wii Channel data
  1. Access the Wii Data Management screen (how to).
  2. Select the "Wii Channels" icon.
  3. All available Wii Channels will be displayed. Select the file you wish to delete, and choose "Erase" to delete the file.

    4.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Format (Erase) Wii System Memory

This option is used to delete ALL Channels and ALL save data that have been added to the Wii console and will wipe the system memory clean, as it was when purchased new. Please note that if you also have a Wii Shop Account, that data should be deleted first (click here for instructions).

    To delete ALL Channels and save data
  1. Access the Wii System Settings screen (how to).
  2. Click on the left blue arrow twice to reach the Wii System Settings 3 menu options.
  3. Select "Format Wii System Memory."

  4. If Parental Controls are set, enter the PIN.
  5. If you are sure you want to erase the Wii console's system memory, select "Format."

    6.  

 

 

 

 

Files or Channels displayed with one or more "?"

The Wii console can detect unnecessary files that may be saved on the system. When this happens, these files are displayed as a question mark (or marks) in the Data Management screen of the Wii System Settings, or in the Wii Channels menu. Deleting these files will remove the question mark(s). There are no harmful effects caused by deleting them.

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copy Data to an SD Card

Important note: For some Wii console's released in November of 2006, you may need to connect it online first to receive a Wii System Update. For more information on connecting your Wii console online, please click here.

    To copy Wii Channels to an SD Card
  1. Insert the compatible SD Card with the Wii data on it into the SD Card slot on the front of the Wii console, just below the disc drive.
  2. From the Wii menu, select the "Wii Settings" icon on the bottom left of the screen.
  3. Select "Data Management," then "Wii Channels"
  4. Select the Wii Channel you wish to copy, and select "Copy."
  5. Select "Yes" to "Copy to SD Card."

    6. Please note that while it possible to copy WiiWare and Virtual Console games to an SD Card and load onto another Wii console, the games will not be playable if they have not been previously downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel to that particular Wii console.

    To copy Save Data to an SD Card
  1. Insert a compatible SD Card into the SD Card slot on the front of the Wii console, just below the disc drive.
  2. From the Wii menu, select the "Wii Settings" icon on the bottom left of the screen.
  3. Select "Data Management," then "Save Data," and select the "Wii" tab to display all Save Data.
  4. Select the file you wish to copy, and select "Copy."
  5. Select "Yes" to "Copy to SD Card."

    6. Please note that while most game save files can be copied, some titles -- particularly those that have online play -- may not allow for the copying of save files to an SD Card.

    To save Message Board data to an SD Card
  1. If you get a message on the Wii console that there is no more room for additional Message Board data, insert a compatible SD Card into the SD Card slot on the front of the Wii console.
  2. Confirm that you want to save data to the SD Card.
  3. A set number of messages will be saved to the SD Card, starting with the oldest messages.

    4. Please note that if you do not insert an SD Card after the memory-full message, the oldest messages will be deleted automatically.

 

 

 

Copy Wii Data From an SD Card

Important note: For some Wii console's released in November of 2006, you may need to connect it online first to receive a Wii System Update. For more information on connecting your Wii console online, please click here.

    To copy Wii data from an SD Card
  1. Insert the compatible SD Card with the Wii data on it into the SD Card slot on the front of the Wii console, just below the disc drive.
  2. From the Wii menu, select the "Wii Settings" icon on the bottom left of the screen.
  3. Select "Data Management," then "Save Data," and choose "Wii."
  4. Select the "SD Card" tab to display all the compatible files on the SD Card.
  5. Select the file you want to copy over and select "Copy."
  6. Select "Yes" to copy the file over to the Wii's memory.

    7.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delete Wii Items Off of an SD Card

    To delete from an SD Card
  1. Insert the compatible SD Card with the Wii data on it into the SD Card slot on the front of the Wii console, just below the disc drive.
  2. From the Wii menu, select the "Wii Settings" icon on the bottom left of the screen.
  3. Select "Data Management," then "Save Data," and choose "Wii."
  4. Select the "SD Card" tab to display all the compatible files on the SD Card.
  5. Select the file you want to copy over and select "Erase."
  6. Select "Yes" to erase the Wii data from the SD Card.

    7.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Viewing Nintendo GameCube Memory Card Data

 

  1. Insert the Nintendo GameCube Memory Card you wish to view into one of the Nintendo GameCube Memory Card slots of the Wii (how to).
  2. Select the Nintendo GameCube tab at the top of the screen.

  3. All currently-saved games for that Memory Card will be displayed.
  4. The available blocks of free space on the Memory Card are displayed in the bottom-left corner.

    5.  

 

 

 

 

Erasing Nintendo GameCube Memory Card Data

Warning: Memory Card data that is deleted can not be recovered.

  1. Insert the Nintendo GameCube Memory Card you wish to view into one of the Nintendo GameCube Memory Card slots of the Wii (how to).
  2. Select the Nintendo GameCube tab at the top of the screen.

  3. Select the Memory Card slot to be displayed (Slot A or Slot B).
  4. Select the file you wish to erase and select "Delete".

    5.