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Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement

What you need

  1. Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement, Faceplate: step 1, image 1 of 2 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement, Faceplate: step 1, image 2 of 2
    • Locate the two circular holes on the side of the Game Boy nearest to the directional pad.

  2. Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 3 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 3 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3
    • Straighten the end of a paper clip and push it into each of the circular holes.

    • You may hear a faint click afterwards.

    • Use the paper clip to lever the faceplate off from the unit.

  3. Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement, Remove the Cover: step 3, image 1 of 2 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement, Remove the Cover: step 3, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the Phillips #00 screw on the side of the Game Boy closest to the directional pad.

    • Once the screw has been loosened, lift the cover off the back of the device.

  4. Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement, Unscrew the Outer Cover: step 4, image 1 of 2 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement, Unscrew the Outer Cover: step 4, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the two tri-wing screws on the top of the Game Boy and the two screws next to the volume/contrast switch.

  5. Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 3 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 3 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3
    • Remove the three Phillips #00 screws.

    • Remove the two tri-wing screws.

  6. Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 3 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 3 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 6, image 3 of 3
    • Lift the back cover off of the Game Boy.

  7. Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 3 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 3 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 7, image 3 of 3
    • Remove the two Phillips #00 screws from the plastic frame.

    • As you are pulling off the plastic frame, the shoulder buttons and the volume switch may fall out of the device.

    • Underneath each shoulder button is a small spring. Do not lose them.

  8. Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2
    • With a spudger, depress the small clip on the lower right corner of the plastic guard.

    • Grab the edges of the plastic frame and lift the frame off the motherboard.

  9. Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the two gold Phillips #00 screws from the motherboard.

  10. Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 2
    • With one hand, gently slide the top left end of the motherboard up and out of the front case.

    • With your other hand, pull out the EMI shield until the tab comes out of the front case.

    • Once the tab is pulled out from the bottom, slide the EMI shield down and out of the device.

  11. Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 3 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 3 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 11, image 3 of 3
    • The entire motherboard is now accessible.

    • Take extreme care when working with the motherboard to avoid damaging the device and its components.

    • A small ribbon cable connects the start and select buttons to the motherboard. It can rip very easily, so do not pull on it.

    • Lift the motherboard and the front plastic cover assembly off of the front case.

    • Once the front case is removed, the plastic on/off switch will fall out of place.

  12. Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 3 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 3 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 12, image 3 of 3
    • When you remove the motherboard from the front case, the start and select buttons may fall out.

    • If the buttons do not fall out, remove them with a pair of tweezers.

  13. Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 3 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 3 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 13, image 3 of 3
    • Without the front case, you will be left with the motherboard and the plastic mount. The LCD screen is attached to the motherboard by a ribbon and can fall off the plastic mount.

    • Using metal tweezers, grab the start/select board and slide it out gently.

  14. Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 2 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 2
    • Lift the entire motherboard assembly off the plastic guard.

    • Take caution not to damage any of the gold ribbon cables on the motherboard.

    • The LCD screen is the only thing connecting the motherboard and plastic guard.

  15. Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 2 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 2
    • To remove the LCD screen, carefully angle it until it is diagonal to the square hole in the plastic guard and slide it out.

    • It is now possible to remove the entire motherboard assembly from the plastic guard.

  16. Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 3 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 3 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 16, image 3 of 3
    • On the plastic guard, there are two rubber pads that cover the buttons. Remove them.

    • These pads rest on the motherboard and sometimes stick to it. If they do, peel them off.

    • With the rubber pads off, you may use your fingers to remove the buttons to clean or replace them.

    • When returning the buttons to the guard, they have to be put back in exactly the way they were pulled out.

  17. Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 17, image 1 of 3 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 17, image 2 of 3 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 17, image 3 of 3
    • The LCD screen is connected to the motherboard by two ribbon cables.

    • Use a plastic spudger to disconnect the LCD's ZIF connector.

  18. Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 3 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 18, image 2 of 3 Game Boy Micro Motherboard Replacement: step 18, image 3 of 3
    • Use the tip of the spudger to lift the small, black tab holding the thin ribbon.

    • With both tabs lifted, pull the ribbons off the motherboard and remove the LCD screen.

Conclusion

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

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Brendan Kelly

Member since: 01/26/10

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Team

Cal Poly, Team 8-46, Regan Winter 2010 Member of Cal Poly, Team 8-46, Regan Winter 2010

CPSU-REGAN-W10S8G46

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