Nintendo Wii Teardown

http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/unHnsKZaWIMIMEUP Sterling Hirsh Moderate Nintendo Wii

In this teardown, we open a Wii to the logic board. I couldn't have done this without the help of my girlfriend, Elizabeth.

Tools

Magnetic Pickup Tool Phillips #0 Screwdriver Phillips #00 Screwdriver Spudger Tri-wing Screwdriver An awesome member of our community made this guide. It is not managed by iFixit staff. Disconnect all external cords from the Wii console. Disconnect all external cords from the Wii console. Gather all tools. Gather all tools. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/unHnsKZaWIMIMEUP http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/hsjq1KwUCVUCmepd http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/JZZTZMpXQkWe2A3T One small screw holds the BIOS memory battery. One small screw holds the BIOS memory battery. Once that screw is removed, you can slide out the plastic slot. Once that screw is removed, you can slide out the plastic slot. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/DTTHDeSLkpioVpWM http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/vVq2YYS2PMatTXw6 http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/NVtGKlFdtZVdIcnJ Remove these three black case screws. The one on the right is a few mm longer. These screws hold on the black plastic cover for the GameCube ports. Remove these three black case screws. The one on the right is a few mm longer. These screws hold on the black plastic cover for the GameCube ports. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/qIGGjlI23SOLbUMw http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/6vLY2BxsyjsWer5X Lift off the black plastic plate. Lift off the black plastic plate. There are four screws: two Phillips #00 and two Tri-Wing. There are four screws: two Phillips #00 and two Tri-Wing. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/QvHBQwTcSGFNmVrA http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/tfvPFmimBO1KCa6N Remove all screws from the case. Remove all screws from the case. Some screws are under rubber feet, or small, square paper screw covers (red square). I used a sharp metal tool to get under the screw covers. You could use an X-acto knife. Some screws are under rubber feet, or small, square paper screw covers (red square). I used a sharp metal tool to get under the screw covers. You could use an X-acto knife. Several case screws require a Tri-Wing screwdriver. Several case screws require a Tri-Wing screwdriver. The next step has more pictures of removing rubber feet and the screws underneath. The feet and screwcovers are self-adhesive, but not every foot or screwcover has a screw. The next step has more pictures of removing rubber feet and the screws underneath. The feet and screwcovers are self-adhesive, but not every foot or screwcover has a screw. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/ecO2LKWTXkyooSXx http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/uKSAOFcEySugBGtV http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/DPcEJNjUrp5ABuEl Remove rubber feet and screws underneath. Remove rubber feet and screws underneath. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/nkokcneEvkgrRHDT http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/L1BdMQj3BuyENGBa http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/EWFsWc2p2EvErNVT Careful! If you don't remove the feet and the screws underneath before you try to pull off the front panel, the tab can split! Careful! If you don't remove the feet and the screws underneath before you try to pull off the front panel, the tab can split! Once all screws are removed, you should be able to pull off the front drive panel. Once all screws are removed, you should be able to pull off the front drive panel. The wire connecting the front panel (green squares in the third image) can be pulled out gently by hand or with the help of a spudger. The wire connecting the front panel (green squares in the third image) can be pulled out gently by hand or with the help of a spudger. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/QO2CQ5LlBVwt524C http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/4p2JXCL6BPNQ4lbZ http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/PkOWI4i3ROfOVWqT Now the case can be pulled apart. Now the case can be pulled apart. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/jeKYSNNIH2Y3YEo3 http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/4WevAdL4utLPrhHm http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/tOVCL4oBjmByVKNL We lifted up the cover of the optical drive by removing the six Phillips #00 screws. These are all labeled on the previous image. We lifted up the cover of the optical drive by removing the six Phillips #00 screws. These are all labeled on the previous image. Because of a secured wire leading to the drive, we reattached the cover to facilitate the remove of the entire drive assembly without harming any of the electronics. Because of a secured wire leading to the drive, we reattached the cover to facilitate the remove of the entire drive assembly without harming any of the electronics. There are a ton of parts in the optical drive, but there is nothing very fancy about this drive compared to other slot-loading drives, so I didn't take it apart completely. There are also a ton of gears and levers that I did not want to deal with. There are a ton of parts in the optical drive, but there is nothing very fancy about this drive compared to other slot-loading drives, so I didn't take it apart completely. There are also a ton of gears and levers that I did not want to deal with. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/Gd25XvKBphbeDbxB http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/esOmlIMdV1huN1wc http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/CH3ND6YONBAwFhAl The screws holding in the drive were deep within the casing. The screws holding in the drive were deep within the casing. Once those screws were removed, the entire case could be lifted off. Once those screws were removed, the entire case could be lifted off. Don't pull too hard! There are two cables attaching the drive to the logic board underneath. Don't pull too hard! There are two cables attaching the drive to the logic board underneath. This wire slid out from its horizontal slot. Once it was detached, the ribbon cable came out as well. This wire slid out from its horizontal slot. Once it was detached, the ribbon cable came out as well. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/ECb6mKIVQftAhvkT http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/HFFgxM6CTA62lQpi http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/aCGbX1vYde6XW4XJ With those wires detached, the optical drive came off completely. With those wires detached, the optical drive came off completely. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/YW4KmKZCucUTUkP4 http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/4ymAE4efGYYlBwrI We begin trying to get to the logic board by removing this small black plastic rim. We begin trying to get to the logic board by removing this small black plastic rim. Once within the case, all screws are Phillips #00. There are marked on the logic board with arrows, triangles, boxes, and crosses. From what I can tell, an arrow means that it just goes through the logic board cover. A triangle means that it is a longer logic board cover screw. A cross means that it holds on a plastic piece, and a box means that it holds on another EM shield / or heat sink. Once within the case, all screws are Phillips #00. There are marked on the logic board with arrows, triangles, boxes, and crosses. From what I can tell, an arrow means that it just goes through the logic board cover. A triangle means that it is a longer logic board cover screw. A cross means that it holds on a plastic piece, and a box means that it holds on another EM shield / or heat sink. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/4A1T4XA2kksJ4CEk http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/pZGuQxLsgtOYKXMP Remove all screws from the logic board cover. Two are recessed in the middle; others are along the edge. More will become visible as other parts are removed. It's like a game! You can start with the screws holding in the black plastic pieces, but I started with the most visible and went from there. Remove all screws from the logic board cover. Two are recessed in the middle; others are along the edge. More will become visible as other parts are removed. It's like a game! You can start with the screws holding in the black plastic pieces, but I started with the most visible and went from there. There are two wires (shown in the third picture) coming from the logic board and connected to what appear to be thermal sensors. These are delicate. Do not break them. There are two wires (shown in the third picture) coming from the logic board and connected to what appear to be thermal sensors. These are delicate. Do not break them. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/j4RQWMDxbJLZx6Lw http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/CiqmjHel65dtQXBN http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/PKRECZDMQsC3afZJ Take out these screws in the black plastic casing. Take out these screws in the black plastic casing. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/PdKsymS6YPWtrWjk http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/AOCOPrTZOvXTaLXq Detach the case fan. There are two screws holding it in. Detach the case fan. There are two screws holding it in. You must detach the power connector for the fan if you want to remove it completely. You must detach the power connector for the fan if you want to remove it completely. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/1j6GuTKUsaXBTANj http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/1vxCXyD5L6othpEe If your screwdriver is not magnetized, you will need a magnet to get out some of the embedded screws. You can hold a magnet against your screwdriver shaft to temporarily magnetize it. If your screwdriver is not magnetized, you will need a magnet to get out some of the embedded screws. You can hold a magnet against your screwdriver shaft to temporarily magnetize it. Once all the screws out, you can begin to remove the black casing. Once all the screws out, you can begin to remove the black casing. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/LWt2fSpvlLFIOSLn http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/g5dIQZCYOl5Y4Vty With the black plastic covers off, we can see all the screw holes. Most of the screws are out by now, but once the rest of them are out, you can lift off the logic board cover. With the black plastic covers off, we can see all the screw holes. Most of the screws are out by now, but once the rest of them are out, you can lift off the logic board cover. Note that at least one part is thermal padded to the logic board cover. You might have to replace this thermal pad, but I didn't. I just pushed them back together. Oh well! Note that at least one part is thermal padded to the logic board cover. You might have to replace this thermal pad, but I didn't. I just pushed them back together. Oh well! Remove any remaining screws in the logic board cover. Remove any remaining screws in the logic board cover. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/KnMRwiAJqbOGwVp3 http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/DYxB2YWsS41WqBCU http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/gdqYg1TZjawD3JMZ Once all screws are removed, lift off the logic board cover. Once all screws are removed, lift off the logic board cover. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/hcURPGipeusYNUP3 http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/vBgU4LaevZdTRhki http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/FDIuTWPJF1MDTMnE Look around. Look around. This is the thermal padding. This is the thermal padding. We opted not to remove the heat sink from the logic board, but it certainly could be removed. We opted not to remove the heat sink from the logic board, but it certainly could be removed. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/ewv3yZPOujCRpKEj http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/VbYIsqLnCjhNRTfF http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/NCnsWFuHrKuw1QQO Take some more awesome photos. Take some more awesome photos. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/SsIM5NFbf3VUYQIr http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/fgHENtI21AyZJoGE http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/MUfZHTEfUeduR2At And take a couple more photos. And take a couple more photos. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/6wEh4GneCZvKSMlg http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/Km2bVE4nHWx5sIfj http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/EXCEqyCwMZUgIhJE We stopped there. We stopped there. A muffin tin worked really well to organize all the screws. A muffin tin worked really well to organize all the screws. Putting the Wii back together took only about half an hour, and it works perfectly. We improved Nintendo's design by three or four screws and one square nut, but worsened their design by one piece of duct tape (to hold in the bios battery). Putting the Wii back together took only about half an hour, and it works perfectly. We improved Nintendo's design by three or four screws and one square nut, but worsened their design by one piece of duct tape (to hold in the bios battery). http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/6XhGqthv1FWe6mfU http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/HCNcvGJ5cOUOOB6V

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