So, yesterday morning, my wife started the update for our Wii. One hour later, it was half way done. No big deal. She heads out to handle some errands. 7 Hours later, when both of us get home, it is still in the same location as it was. The system locked up during download. Holding down the power button did nothing, the wiimote would not respond, the reset button wouldn't work. The system was dead in the water while ti was on. The download was not downloading anymore, so we did a hard reset [Pulling the cord]. We plug the system back in, press the power button, the green light turns on, the fans start up and you can hear the disc reader moving, but nothing comes up on the screen. The green light is on, but the wiimote will not connect. We moved the AV connectors to a different slot, checked all connections, unplugged the Gamecube controllers and memory cards and took out the SD card with no luck. 

Any one else having this problem or know what to do? I am 99% sure I have to send it to NoA, but I have no clue how much it costs to get this thing repaired.

Note: This is a release date Wii and have had no problems before today. 

Edit: Anyone know how much NoA charges to fix a system?

I tried the update yesterday and have the excat same situation. It was stuck on the 'Wii Update' screen forever after downloading. I pulled the plug, turned it back on - the Wii started (i.e turned on - even using the remote) but nothing on the TV screen. Just BSOD (Black screen of death). Looks like the bot/menu was erased and never got updated or something like that. However the remote stops communicating after it powers it on.  I sent an email to nintendo support, but there has been no response.

I have had no problems updating before or with the Wii in general, other than an occassional freeze on the Internet Channel. Unlike a computer, we have no ability to fix or troubleshoot this and not hope Nintendo will be nice enough to fix this without charge as the problem seems to be with the Update.

I have the Wii since it was released. Which was when? 2007?

Yes, it is out of warranty. I called Nintendo and they told me it will be $85 to repair. : /

I am going to hold out a week or so and see just how many people have this same issue. I am sure plenty of others are, as the poster above.

The exact same thing happend to me, Mine is even a release date purchase as well. I phoned Nintendo, And luckily I got a nice person on the other end of the phone, And he put my Nintendo Wii back under warranty, And said he was going to extend it for an extra year! So that's a bonus.

At first I thought it was just me and my internet connection.

Once Nintendo relizes that this is a widespread and common problem they will have no choice but to repair all related problems for free.

I'm still not complaing....In hopes to get some free Nintendo Points or something out of all this. It would be the least they could do, For causing all this inconvinice to loyal customers that have never downlaoded anything illegally in there whole life!

EVILBEHTTY - I am experiencing exactly the same symptoms.  Like you, I haven't had any problems before today.  You can add me to the list of affected customers.