Repairing Nintendo DS Top LCD Screen

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  • Author: dnguye26
  • Time required: 5 Minute
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Add Note x
  • x 6

The top LCD is easy to remove once the rest of the cover and circuit board have been taken out.

Sections
Tools
Tools (continued)
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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Battery  ¶ 

  • Remove the cartridge from the console.

  • Use a Phillips #00 Screwdriver to remove the screw securing the battery door to the rear case.

  • Remove the battery door.

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • Use a plastic opening tool or spudger to pry out the battery from the bottom. If a plastic open tool or spudger isn't available, your fingernails may work.

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Add Note Edit Step 3  ¶ 

  • Remove the battery from the Nintendo DS.

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Add Note Edit Step 4 — Back Panel  ¶ 

  • Remove the 7 tri-wing screws located on the back.

  • It might be helpful to remove the strap from the hole to access the top left screw.

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Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • With your hands, pry the back panel off the main case.

  • Separate the back from the front, and set it aside.

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Add Note Edit Step 6 — Main Circuit Board  ¶ 

  • Using a Phillips #00 screwdriver, remove the 4 screws on the circuit board.

  • Be careful NOT to slip with the screwdriver, you can damage the circuit board!

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Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

  • Unlock the two large ribbon cables by moving the black clip up.

  • Carefully pull the ribbon cables down and out with your fingers.

  • Do not use pliers to pull the cables, as they can be damaged easily.

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Add Note Edit Step 8  ¶ 

  • Locate the two small ribbon cables, beneath the rightmost large ribbon cable.

  • Slide the locks for the small ribbon cables down to the side, and remove the cables.

  • It may be useful to use tweezers to remove the small ribbon cables.

  • Be careful not to damage the delicate ribbon cables.

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Add Note Edit Step 9  ¶ 

  • Locate the Wifi antenna pigtail connector

  • Remove the antenna by grasping it at the head with tweezers. Using a slight rocking motion, pull up to dislodge the connector.

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Add Note Edit Step 10  ¶ 

  • Feed the ribbon cables through the opening on the board.

  • Pull up and remove the circuit board, and set it aside.

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Add Note Edit Step 11 — Top LCD Screen  ¶ 

  • Use a flat head screwdriver or a dental tool to lift the 4 rubber screw covers.

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Add Note Edit Step 12  ¶ 

  • Using a Phillips #00 screwdriver, remove the 4 screws beneath the rubber caps.

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Add Note Edit Step 13  ¶ 

  • Using a soft plastic tool, pry the edges of the plastic case apart at the seam.

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Add Note Edit Step 14  ¶ 

  • Separate the top cover from the body.

  • Using a Phillips #00 screwdriver, remove the screw holding the hinge cover in place.

  • Remove the hinge cover and set it aside.

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Add Note Edit Step 15  ¶ 

  • Feed the ribbon cables and the Wifi pigtail cable through the opening in the hinge cover.

  • Remove the yellow spacer, and set aside.

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Add Note Edit Step 16  ¶ 

  • Using a Phillips #00 screwdriver, remove the two screws holding down the speaker circuit boards.

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Add Note Edit Step 17  ¶ 

  • Move the black lock on the two large ribbon cables up with a pry tool, and gently pull out the two ribbon cables.

  • For the small ribbon cable, pull the lock downwards.

  • Gently pull out the small ribbon cable from the connector.

  • Set the two small circuit boards aside

  • Be careful not to damage the two delicate ribbon cables when removing them from the DS.

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Add Note Edit Step 18  ¶ 

  • Using a pry tool, gently lift the top screen out of the shell.

  • Set the top screen aside

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

For more information, check out the Nintendo DS device page.

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