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Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement

Introduction

This guide will teach you how to remove the existing GameCube motherboard and replace it with a new one.

What you need

  1. Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement, Top Case: step 1, image 1 of 3 Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement, Top Case: step 1, image 2 of 3 Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement, Top Case: step 1, image 3 of 3

    • Turn over the Gamecube so that the bottom side is facing up.

    • Use the 4.5 mm Gamebit screwdriver to remove all four screws.

    Edit

  2. Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 3 Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 3 Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • With the bottom side of the GameCube facing upward and the screws removed, carefully pull the outer shell of the unit away from the top half.

    • Move the GameCube so that the inside is facing upwards.

    Edit

  3. Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement, Removing the back panel: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Gently press down on the clips located on either side of the back panel.

    • Carefully remove the back panel from the GameCube.

    Edit

  4. Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Unclip the controller ports at the front of the unit.

    • A ribbon cable (outlined in orange) is still attached to the unit. Do not disconnect this cable.

    • Controller ports are where the controllers plug into the game console, and are a half circular shape.

    Edit

  6. Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement, Separate the casing: step 5, image 1 of 2 Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement, Separate the casing: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Use a Phillips #2 screwdriver to remove the two screws on the back of the control port.

    • Carefully separate the gray outer casing of the control port and the circuit board.

    Edit

  7. Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement, Remove Nintendo GameCube Optical Drive Assembly: step 6, image 1 of 2 Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement, Remove Nintendo GameCube Optical Drive Assembly: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • The left side of the unit contains the cooling fan and its housing.

    • Carefully remove the two screws attaching the cooling fan housing to the unit.

    • Do not detach the red and black cooling fan wire from the main unit. Boxed in orange.

    Edit

  8. Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the four Phillips #1 screws retaining the ground springs.

    • Carefully remove the ground springs from the main unit.

    Edit

  9. Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • The optical drive is secured to a metal plate.

    • Using a Phillips #2 screwdriver, unscrew the twelve screws that are around the outer edge of the optical drive.

    Edit

  10. Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement, Remove the assembly: step 9, image 1 of 3 Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement, Remove the assembly: step 9, image 2 of 3 Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement, Remove the assembly: step 9, image 3 of 3

    • Carefully separate the optical drive assembly from the rest of the GameCube unit.

    • The optical drive assembly is secured to the motherboard underneath by a slot; some force may be required to carefully free the assembly.

    • The metal plate and the actual optical drive will remain attached.

    Edit

  11. Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 10, image 1 of 2 Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • With the Optical Drive Assembly removed, your GameCube should now look like this.

    • Remove the 6 screws (circled in orange) on the heat sink using a #1 Phillips screwdriver.

    Edit

  12. Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • Gently lift the motherboard from base (as shown in second picture).

    Edit

  13. Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 2 Nintendo GameCube Motherboard Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Carefully disconnect the ribbon cable connecting the motherboard with the front panel.

    • At this point you can replace the old motherboard with a new one and enjoy your now-functional GameCube!

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

12 other people completed this guide.

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mwbisson

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Cal Poly, Team 6-2, Maness Fall 2009 Member of Cal Poly, Team 6-2, Maness Fall 2009

CPSU-MANESS-F09S6G2

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3 Comments

What happens if you disconnect that cable (localizated on Step 4)?

Santi12008 - Reply

Its soldered to the front-board and the connector is on the main-board under the disc assembly, trying to remove it will break it.

Joseph Lalone -

I have been having trouble with my cube shorting out when I insert a memory card into slot A. What is the best way to get at it see if this is the case, and what should I be looking for?

Many thanks

farrell dann - Reply

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