Hello everyone, I'm sorta new here. Why "sorta"?
Well a little over a year ago, I registered and made a couple posts asking for directions to get started in the safest non-bricking way possible
http://forums.kc-mm.com/index.php?topic=55436.0I did receive help, but then something occurred to me: rather than having to fret and worry about doing something wrong and possibly bricking my Wii, I could just buy another one used and play it safe.
It took much longer than I thought to find one with GameCube ports (darn that family edition crap), in good conditions and at a convenient price but finally here I am.
I would have already gotten started with the instructions I was given in that other thread of mine but the thing is: this Wii too had its firmware upgraded to 4.3E.
Since I don't care about the content that the previous user had on it, should I format the system? Will that set it back to the original firmware from 2009?
Or does formatting only erase the channels and saves? In that case, I'd probably not bother since it already has the Homebrew Channel (and some other thing called Neo Gamma R9 beta 23, dunno what that is but I can venture a guess)
Although... can you guys tell me if formatting gets rid of the family filter? Because it was set on and it doesn't seem possible to set it off (I mean, I can set it to not limit anything, but it still asks me for the pin for certain operations, like changing internet settings).
I get frustrated having to again and again enter 1234 (no joke, that was the password they used. And they couldn't remember it when I asked, had to discover it by tries)

I hope I can get this sorted out soon so I can finally get started

Post Merge: February 27, 2014, 11:33:38 AM
Apologies for any time that was wasted by this topic, I managed to find out the answers on my own (admittedly, it didn't take too long, at least concerning the firmware issue).
Moderators/Admins feel free to lock or delete this.
Should it be locked and someone with my same problems happens to read it, these are the answers:
Formatting the system does not (sadly) downgrade the firmware.
It's possible to disable the parental control (so long as you do have the pin) by accessing its settings while in safe mode (turn the Wii on while holding + and - and keep holding them as you press A at the initial screen) if you leave the settings without making changes you should be asked if you want to delete the settings altogther.