Wii Startup Disc is a set up disk

Please insert your Wii Startup Disc. This will set up your Wii console.

The mysterious Wii Startup Disc that was listed on the back of the Wii box has been summoned in public. While glancing over the Wii kiosk set up at the South Shore Mall Software Etc. in Bay Shore, NY, Engadget superstar Paul Miller snapped the above photograph, with the Wii console pleading (with the above message) for the Startup Disc. The request is written in only English, Spanish and French, implying that the disk is region-specific.

It may be a last-minute firmware update, but why not have the console download the update when it connects? After all, Wii is supposed to be connected 24 hours a day. Maybe Nintendo doesn’t trust its customers, and the Startup Disc is a mandatory orientation film on how to properly handle the Wiimote (think LOST). Or it might just be a very lame game — “insert the disc and win!” — that boosts your self-esteem.

Let’s say the Wii Startup Disc is a region-specific firmware update. If a US Wii owner could obtain a Japanese startup disc, could he or she enjoy a more expansive Virtual Console launch lineup?

source: joystiq

Weird I don’t think the wiiconnect24 is up and running yet ethier… the start up disk maybe for people with out network access. It’s funny though but this means the wii really does have an OS in the background.

wii doesnot run a background op system as such THAT WOULD WASTE CPU/RAM AND IS ONE OF THE REASONS CONSOLES OUT POWER PCS FOR SIZE ETC ps3 runs a lyxux op system rumored loss in cpu ram power 15% (then take into account on cpu sound processing and hd coding) x360 rumored 15% runs cut down xp/vista op system (then take into account on cpu sound and hd coding) wii cpu does not waste power on hd or sound wii has a dedicated sound processor
wii channels works on a vertual tv channel patent think switching from a internet based channel to another one and fermware in wii THERE IS NO PC STYLE OP SYSTEM THAT STEALS AWAY VALUABLE POWER both ps3/x360 run as cut down pcs that takes cpu and ram to run

this is why the power differance IN GAME WERE IT MATTERS IS NOT VASTLY BETTER ON 360/PS3 ITS JUST MORE FOR HD ETC

Well cubeboy has a point. The Wii does have a separate sound processor and deosen’t spend power on the hard drive (it uses much more power efficient flash memory). But the Wii does have an operating system, however much smaller than the Xbox360 and the PS3. Each console or handheld has an OS however minimalistic. It’s what stands between the hardware and the software (in this case games). If Nintendo started producing Wii’s in the summer, then they would have found flaws in their OS by now and the disc would be a way of making sure everybody is running the same version. Also the disc COULD have videos and tutorials to help people set up the network, or learn about using some features. (The PS2 had a network connect disk). So yes, the Wii has an OS that runs in the background however it only uses like 0.2% when playing a game.

I betting on start up vids or some demo disk of some sort. It would be dangerous for the wii to have an OS that is updately with a disk… The emulation and wares guys are no joke.

Thanks cube boy I already know about the OS compared to the PC OS’s that MS and sony are using. It’s a shame too the PS3 should of been a PC…LOL

Oyeah any word on developer tools for the virtual console?

they couldnt get the wii to download the update, because not everybody has wireless broardband, so the only other way where everybody can benifit is using a disk

my wii didnt come with a start up disk

My Wii turns on but it stays black….I got this after downloaded a update.Why Nintendo, why? It would seem 2 me that the systemfiles are gone this is the why I would like the startup program 2 download so i can find a way 2 Fix it .
I do not live there so i cant just go 2 a nintendo store and give it back im poor so cant just call U ppl and sit on hold all day.