So I picked up a Wii the other day at 3rd floor Central in Chaing Mai.

I assume it is chipped because it can play the backup games, but I want to know if anybody knows what chip. more so what does that mean to have a chipped wii?

should I turn off updates and internet access, am I in danger of bricking it with a wrong move.

On another note some of the 'backup' games start to work and then when try to load into actual gameplay says that it cant find the disk. This seems to be consistent with a few and others like Mario Kart (arrhh) worked the first few times and then cant find the disc.

Does this have to do with the fact that it is chipped or just crappy backup copies?

You can either open up the Wii to find out what chip they used or go back to the store and ask them. A chipped Wii allows you to play games that are copied and games from other regions. I wouldn't update until you check some boards to make sure the newest update doesn't brick the Wii. I haven't touched mine for about a year cuz I play my ps3 more often. Don't update firmware from a game from another region. As for the disc problem, it might be cuz of the chip. Try to update the chip's firmware to the latest one.