Nintendo's latest firmware update for the Wii (system version 4.2) went live earlier this week.  The update did not appear to introduce any new functionality or affect any existing ones, though the savvy discovered that one of the update's less-advertised features included shutting down the unofficial Homebrew Channel hack (in its current form). 

Unfortunately, whether by unintended consequence of Nintendo's attempt to stave potential piracy or just simply poor design, Nintendo may have compromised users who haven't hacked their Wii console in any way.

Multiple reports confirm that the Wii system update 4.2 is "bricking" even non-modified Wiis, preventing them from booting properly after the firmware update has been applied.  While rumors suggested this was a result of false positives triggered by the update in its attempt to clean out potential Homebrew Channel hacking, other lines of investigation propose it was Nintendo's update process itself that was faulty.  In other words, perhaps some rather iffy engineering behind this latest firmware update process ensured it would be problematic no matter what.

Users who weren't so lucky during the update process (and have never tried hacking their firmware to enable the Homebrew Channel, etc.) should contact Nintendo's customer service directly to have their Wii consoles repaired, free of charge.

Some of you have reported problems with your Wii console after updating to the Wii System Menu 4.2. The symptoms most people are describing usually occur when the Wii has been modified. However, some of you also mention your system has never been modified.

We'd like to help get your system working properly again. If you're experiencing problems with your Wii console after downloading Wii System Menu 4.2, and you believe your system has not been modified, please give us a call. If we find that you have a normal system and the update caused your system to not work, we'll repair it at no charge.

Please call our Customer Service Department at your earliest convenience, 1-800-255-3700. We are open 6 AM to 7 PM, Pacific Time, 7 days a week.

The good news is that consoles which successfully updated to Wii firmware version 4.2 should be safe from any of this.