Replace your Nintendo DS Lite Shell

Step 2 Disassembly: Part 2

Taking Apart the Top
Now that we have the bottom cover off, we can start to disassemble the top. The screws for the top are hidden under these little covers. I would highly recommend using an exacto knife to get these off. I tried using a small flathead screwdriver and it's pretty tough.

Once you have all of the screws out, hold the top portion of the DS with your thumbs in front and fingers in the back. Push down with your thumbs and up with your fingers to slide the back cover of the top up. I had to use a small flathead screwdriver to pop it off once the cover was up.

Disconnecting Wires from the Top
Now that the back cover is off, the first connection to the main circuit board can be disconnected. This part is tricky and will require a soldering iron, some de-soldering braid or solder sucker, and some patience. To make things easier and secure, I flip the wifi board and stick it right back onto the pegs that it comes off of, exposing the wire that needs de-soldered. Using de-soldering braid or a solder sucker, de-solder the wifi antenna wire. After the wire is disconnected, pull it through the hinge and place the board somewhere safe!

Now, the microphone will need to come out. First, unhook it from the main circuit board. Then, carefully pull it through the hinge and pull the actual microphone out of the plastic case.

Once you have the back of the top portion off, the wifi board de-soldered, and the microphone disconnected, I like to tape down the speakers and the screen. We need to go back to the bottom portion to unhook all of the connections from the top and if you don't secure the speakers and screen, they may fall out and get in the way.

Comments

[musicman551]

first off, great tutorial. ive been looking all over the web for a legit explanation for ones purchased from dealxtreme.

the only thing im having trouble understanding is why you need to solder/de-solder. all the other tutorials/videos ive seen have/show no mention of this.

could you please explain? thank you

[Dandeman321]

Thank you! Well I had to do it to fully take it apart. I haven't done this is awhile so I can't remember exactly why, but at the time I knew I had to do it to get everything taken apart. It had to do with the wifi antenna I believe.

[zack247]

maybe because you didn't want to fight with it to get it under the ds cart slot?

[the_kingfish]

Great Instructable! It was the best help I found for my repair job. I didn't want to bother with desoldering, so I tied a piece of thread to the wifi wire. I cut the thread and left it in place for disassembly. For reassembly, I retied it and pulled the wire through with little effort.

[Dandeman321]

Thanks! Yeah, I've heard of methods being used so you don't have to desolder. Being an electrical engineering major I had all the stuff laying around to do that and that was just quick for me!