I was trying to set-up my Wii to use the Internet last night but just kept running into problems. The Wii includes a Wireless B and G module inside it which means it should be able to connect to either B or G networks. I have three access points in my house, two G’s and one B. One of my G access points had full signal so that was the one I wanted to go with. I attempted to connect, entering in the network key. The Wii then performs a test on the connection and each time failed. Receiving an irritating 51300 error message that isn’t very helpful.

To try and fix it I first of all changed the access points channel to 1 and 11 as suggested on the official Nintendo forums. This didn’t work. I then switched the access point from using just G to a mixed access point of B and G. This fixed the problem. The Internet now works fine.

It’s mind boggling for me however to try understand why it won’t work with just a G access point? The Wii does have a B + G module inside and should be able to connect to either with no problem. Not the case, annoyingly.

Besides the Wii being picky about that, the interface to set-up the Internet is very DS like. Nice and simple and not too confusing.

So just be warned–if you’re having trouble–try switching your access point to a mixed B and G mode.

My Wii, which I pre-ordered from Amazon.co.uk a few weeks back, arrived today–the official launch day for Europe. I was in a dilemma when it arrived.

The little kid angel on my right shoulder wanted me to surrender the Wii to my Mum and to tell her not to give it to me until Christmas day. Getting older now (I’m not ancient) I just miss that feeling in the morning unwrapping a favourite pressie that you’d put on your Christmas list! Last few years, and I’m not complaining at all, the thing I’ve looked forward to the most is Christmas dinner.

The devil on my left shoulder was telling me to sell it on ebay for an exorbitant amount of money. But I just don’t think I’d have been able to sleep tonight if I’d ripped off some poor parent. Granted, I’d have probably been £300 richer, but I’d feel bad. I’m a fool right?

Then there is my best mate sitting next to me saying “opening it now! let’s play it!!”. The pressure was immense–but to cut the story short, I’m very weak when it comes to these sorts of things–having a Nintendo Wii sitting on my desk in front of me, just begging to be played. I had to give in and just play the damn thing!

So here’s a few of my first impressions on the console.

(more…)

That was quite the adrenaline rush.

Got an email from Amazon last night saying the Nintendo Wii pre-order would be starting today at 9am, and that they would only sell as many as they were expecting to receive. So I’m at my Mac at the ready just before and Amazon is dead slow. Page loads are 1 minute or more. Crazy.

The minutes are ticking away and finally it’s 9:41am and the pre-order button is visible. Click. Click. Click. Done.

Looks like I was very lucky – 7 minutes later and now the product page is saying that the Wii is unavailable to order. Crikey – I knew this thing would be in great demand. Amazon nearly grinds to a halt over 7 minutes of frantic people trying to order one. Come on, Amazon–you could have been a little better prepared?

I’m really tempted (it’s easy to say it at the moment, because it’s not sitting in front of me begging to be played with) to have my Mum take it off of me when it arrives and not give it to me until Christmas day :) I love, hate and miss that feeling where you can’t open something until the big day arrives. I wonder how strong I can be.