ndev_activator

ndev_activator is a simple multi-platform program to allow proper boot of a NDEV console, by pretending no disk is inserted.

To properly boot a NDEV console using this program, only two USB connections are needed. One to USB (COM) and one to USB (DI). In particular, the USB (COM) connection is only needed to synchronize Wii Remotes with the NDEV console. Once that step is completed, the connection can be interrupted.

There are two possible connection schemes:

• Easiest, requires 2 USB ports: Turn on the NDEV console. Connect both USB (COM) and USB (DI) to the computer. Run ndev_activator.
• Harder, requires 1 USB port: Turn on the NDEV console. First connect USB (COM) to the computer. Run ndev_activator. Once the LED in front of the unit starts circling, synchronize the Wii Remote(s) with the NDEV console. Disconnect USB (COM) from the computer. Connect USB (DI) to the computer. Run ndev_activator.

Dependencies

ndev_activator has three build dependencies: CMake, g++ and git. Make sure all are installed. On MacOS, Homebrew can be used to install both CMake and git. An automatic popup should appear to install g++ at Compile time.

ndev_activator has one library dependency: libusb. It should get downloaded automatically via CMake during the building process.

Below, the command for installing the compile-time dependencies on Debian-based distributions.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install \
    g++ \
    git \
    cmake

On Windows, you may need to install the Visual C++ Redistributable set of libraries. They are available here: Official Microsoft VC Redist Link.

Compilation

To compile the program, assuming CMake, git and g++ are installed on the system, this is the command which should be launched:

cmake -B build ; cmake --build build --config Release

This will download libusb, which may take a while during the first execution of the command. Later runs should be much faster. On MacOS, you may also be prompted to install the Apple Command Line Developer Tools first.

Docker Compilation

Alternatively, one may use Docker to compile the Linux version for its different architectures by running: docker run --rm -it -v ${PWD}:/home/builder/ndev_activator lorenzooone/ndev_activator:<builder> The following builders are available: builder32, builder64, builderarm32 and builderarm64.

Notes

• On Linux, you may need to include the udev USB access rules. You can use the .rules files available in the repository's usb_rules directory, or define your own. For ease of use, releases come bundled with a script to do it named install_usb_rules.sh. It may require elevated permissions to execute properly. You may get a permission error if the rules are not installed.
• When using NDEV devices on Windows, ndev_activator is compatible with both WinUSB and the official driver, meaning there is no need to have access to the official driver. To install and use WinUSB, plug in your device, download a software to install drivers like Zadig, select the device in question and select WinUSB. Then install the driver and wait for it to finish. The devices should now work properly with this application.
• This is a console application. To see its output on MacOS, you must launch it by using the Terminal.