Hardware GBA SP Shell Swap: How Hard Is It?

Rokku

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I'm now the proud owner of a blue AGS-101 GBA SP. And while I love the new screen...the shell has certainly seen better days, with plenty of scratches and even a bit of chipping along the one side. The screen and buttons are excellent, but the outside looks like it's been rattling around a child's backpack for years.

My question is...how hard is doing a shell swap? I'm not really a fan of the pale blue and the shell's all scratched up anyway, so I was thinking of getting an orange shell and swapping the guts over. I know I'll need a tri-wing screwdriver, but is there any other tools I'd need?
 

WiiFit_Guy

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I'm now the proud owner of a blue AGS-101 GBA SP. And while I love the new screen...the shell has certainly seen better days, with plenty of scratches and even a bit of chipping along the one side. The screen and buttons are excellent, but the outside looks like it's been rattling around a child's backpack for years.

My question is...how hard is doing a shell swap? I'm not really a fan of the pale blue and the shell's all scratched up anyway, so I was thinking of getting an orange shell and swapping the guts over. I know I'll need a tri-wing screwdriver, but is there any other tools I'd need?
Nice! I got a GBA SP 101 from a garage sale not to long ago! Works like a charm and not bad condition. As for you, like Jo88 says, follow the video and it should be easy. You can buy shells from ebay along with a screwdriver (the whole kit).
 

Mike001

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I'm now the proud owner of a blue AGS-101 GBA SP. And while I love the new screen...the shell has certainly seen better days, with plenty of scratches and even a bit of chipping along the one side. The screen and buttons are excellent, but the outside looks like it's been rattling around a child's backpack for years.

My question is...how hard is doing a shell swap? I'm not really a fan of the pale blue and the shell's all scratched up anyway, so I was thinking of getting an orange shell and swapping the guts over. I know I'll need a tri-wing screwdriver, but is there any other tools I'd need?
The first reply of RetroGameTech's vid will NOT HELP. It is literally a disassembly video not a replacement shell one. This guy just says "do it all I'm reverse" and I was so stumped. Look for a different vid. And the only tool you need besides a triwing screwdriver is a Phillips #00. Some sellers on eBay offer shells with proper tools, its like $15. That's what I got.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Watch this for less confusion.
 

Rokku

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Thanks, I appreciate the explanation. You wouldn't happen to have a link to someone selling a gold or green shell with tools, would you?
 

Rokku

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Great, thanks!

Unfortunately, I think I'm gonna need a new battery too. Only got like 4 hours on the low setting. Oh well.
 

sweis12

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I just did one yesterday. The only part that was hard was reconnecting the ribbon cable and popping the hinges out of the old case.
Besides that it was EZPZ.
 

Rokku

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Successfully completed the swap on the first try! Awesome.

Definitely easier than I expected. Just like sweis12, I only had issues with the hinges and reconnecting the ribbon cable.
 

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