Michael Deitz

I have a 3DS that is broken to a point where repair is far beyond my limited skill level. I would like to send it to a...

A friend of mine’s computer monitor tends to flicker rapidly and display lines on the top of the screen with the section...

A long time ago, I put the laptop away on a shelf for a few months and when I took it down again, the screen was almost...

I have a completely DEMOLISHED 3DS, with an enormous number of problems, like the CHiP (How would the multiple problems...

I have an older WowWee CHiP with a great many problems. First off, the IR sensors are miscalibrated, making it difficult...

I have a Nintendo 3DS (and a WowWee CHiP) that need repair urgently. I managed to upload a video to YouTube. Click the...

I have a red New Nintendo 3DS XL, an older handheld for this version. The main issue here is the top screen. The latches...

I could not find a more narrow category for this device, so I had to list it as a media player. The Panasonic DVD player...

I made a short clip of the problem with the PS3 to help with better diagnosis. As I have heard, the power supply may be...

The legs on my WowWee CHiP began jamming frequently after an update. However, what someone did to fix it eventually broke...

Try checking the screen closely with bright images (if it is possible to get one displayed) and/or try shining a light on the screen. If you can make anything out on the screen, the backlight has probably failed. If, no matter what you try, you can’t see anything, the display itself has probably failed or disconnected. It is best to consult a disassembly guide or professional to fix these issues unless you know you can do it yourself and have the right tools.

My best guess is that a faulty or very old battery was placed in the tablet during construction. It may be necessary to replace the battery.

I believe that it may be a power-supply problem, which causes it to lose power after a few seconds when the HDD activates.

If you hear a constant *beep*, try waiting for this beep to end. This worked for my computer!

Try Holding L, R, A, and Up (on the directional pad, not the circle pad), then performing a system update. This fixed a “soft-bricked” 3DS. If this does not work, you may have to insert the SD card into a computer and perform a specific procedure for “hard-bricked” 3DS consoles. I found this on YouTube long ago. If you wish, you may click here for a video clip I have found, but not yet reviewed due to it being blocked.

According to what I have heard, the backlight may have failed. Try shining a bright light, like a flashlight, on the screen and checking if you can see anything.

You will probably need to use a mixture meant for removing carbon particles from metal, if you want to clean it off.

I think that you either have not completely plugged the ribbon cable in securely enough, or you may have accidentally damaged a part. You may need to check for broken parts and get replacements for any that have been damaged or broken.

Try holding Return and Play/Pause, then pressing Power. I do not know what to do if this does not work. Look for a red signal light if there is one.

The optical drive or HDD may be malfunctioning or working loudly, is my best guess at the problem.

Mine has the same exact problem, but is much more damaged. Perhaps the ribbon cables are damaged, broken, or are not properly connected? Mine are broken, which would be an obvious cause. Only the red wire remains intact. If there are other wires that are broken or disconnected, that would be the cause.

@tronicsfix,

I really did not want to attempt to get ahold of you this way, but due to the server blocking every other option, I have no choice. This may be marked as spam, and I may lose reputation for this, but I don’t have any other option I can viably use. You may or may not have seen a question I entered into the Answers Forum (Do you have any tips on repairing this device? (3DS))) that gives you a summed-up diagnosis of the problems with this 3DS, hence why I chose here specifically to post this comment, since it is the most relative spot on the site for this. I do want to send it to you, but I live in Kentucky and cannot really afford cross-country shipping fees. Since I hear you specialize in 3DS repair, you’re the one I want to see about this. You do still repair 3DS consoles? If you do, I would like to somehow get it to you for repair. Thank you in advance!

Sorry about taking WAY too long to give a reply. From what I hear, the CHiP thinks you are trying to get it to do a command that is invalid because not all of the necessary accessories are connected. I don’t know what would be wrong with the SmartBall, but telling me where the issue began could help, and by “rebooting the CHiP“, I meant restarting it using the power switch. Try removing the wheels by twisting the front grey cover left, which displays a red color on the lock, and the wheel falls off. You can then remove dust or debris as necessary, and secure it by turning the cover to the right, making it display a green color. It does sound like the wheel’s propulsive parts are weak and struggle to turn the wheel on surfaces. You would need to open the wheel after removing it to replace the gear. I also heard from others that the app’s calibration function does not work most of the time when there is a problem.

My WowWee CHiP has been SMASHED. The front and hind legs are floppy to the point that gravity can rotate them. The right rubber ear has been severed from the plastic base. The left eye sometimes dims quite a bit. A part of the right eye also dims occasionally, but much less frequently. The rear motors make an unpleasant grinding sound when they move. When CHiP attempts to rise, the hind legs buckle with a loud *click*. CHiP can only find the SmartBall when placed directly on the magnet, and nothing else. And last, the speaker has dramatically decreased in volume without adjusting the volume control. Repairing the device would be next to impossible and incredibly costly.

My best guess is that the batteries are dead since two watches have the same problem. Try plugging them in. If the light flashes red, then this is the case. If you wait a minute or two, it should begin flashing purple to indicate charging. When done, it should remain purple without flashing.

It sounds like the legs jammed up. You could try this guide I made in an attempt to help.

Using a CHiP SmartBall or SmartBand with a CHiP connected can confuse MiPosaur and activate a TrackBall mode.

If an LED goes out or malfunctions on your CHiP, try getting it to change eye color, and see if it reverts. Then, try tapping and/or smacking the LED which is not working right. If this doesn’t work, you may have to open the head and replace the damaged/ malfunctioning LED board.

This does sound similar to what it is supposed to do, but the barking and sitting there do not. It likely did not fall over like it was supposed to. Running the front two wheels is done to get it back up. The legs move to simulate yoga. It seems to have skipped the first part.

I think you will have a breeze tearing down a WowWee MiPosaur. Only screws and a few connectors in this, besides one covered part or two!