Gaming NDS screens broken

ipoopfool

Member
OP
Newcomer
Joined
Jan 5, 2012
Messages
7
Trophies
0
XP
121
Country
United States
When I turn on my ds lite, both the upper and lower screens are very, very white. You can still faintly make out the ds menu, but I've given up trying to play with it.
Is there a simple fix or do I have to ship it off to nintendo?

Nintendo is gonna charge me $90 for a repair, though a new ds lite costs around $140 and a 3ds costs only like $15-20 more.
Honestly, I won't buy a 3ds at this stage because my cyclo ds evolution won't work on it, so I need to decide what to do...
 

Majorami

Banned!
Banned
Joined
Nov 21, 2011
Messages
387
Trophies
0
XP
93
Country
United States
I would buy a 3DS and a DSTWO, but you could try a self repair... Google it.

From what I've read on the forums, I'm assuming that so far all cards only play DS games and are not able to play 3ds roms...
How does DSTWO compare to things like the R4 or Acekard?
DSTwo can patch itself even if the 3DS firmware has been patched to block flashcarts. Thats the reason why I bought a DSTwo, was because I dont have a 2nd DS to do the post-firmware patching.

Also DSTwo has perks like in-game cheat editor or a semi-functional GBA and SNES emulator.


 

ipoopfool

Member
OP
Newcomer
Joined
Jan 5, 2012
Messages
7
Trophies
0
XP
121
Country
United States
It's just that I already have a cyclo, plus I'd be ordering a brand new 3ds, so it kinda adds up.
Also, do you know if the short 3ds battery life only affects 3ds games, or will it be short running ds roms on the DSTWO?

Also, I think I'll ask again:
How does the dstwo compare to other 3ds capable flash cards out on the market right now?
 

Cartmanuk

Well-Known Member
Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2010
Messages
720
Trophies
1
XP
409
Country
When I turn on my ds lite, both the upper and lower screens are very, very white. You can still faintly make out the ds menu, but I've given up trying to play with it.
Is there a simple fix or do I have to ship it off to nintendo?

Nintendo is gonna charge me $90 for a repair, though a new ds lite costs around $140 and a 3ds costs only like $15-20 more.
Honestly, I won't buy a 3ds at this stage because my cyclo ds evolution won't work on it, so I need to decide what to do...

Check the PCB for water damage or dry joints. A reflow should help solve this issue.
 

jarejare3

PROFILE CHANGE!
Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2010
Messages
660
Trophies
0
Age
29
Location
Kuala lumpur?
XP
305
Country
Malaysia
EDIT: NWM

You can change the screen if you know how to do it, it's on youtube. the parts can be bought relatively cheap at certain stores and Worst comes to worst Ebay....

I don't trust people to repair my stuffs unless I can't repair it myself.
 

Majorami

Banned!
Banned
Joined
Nov 21, 2011
Messages
387
Trophies
0
XP
93
Country
United States
It's just that I already have a cyclo, plus I'd be ordering a brand new 3ds, so it kinda adds up.
Also, do you know if the short 3ds battery life only affects 3ds games, or will it be short running ds roms on the DSTWO?

Also, I think I'll ask again:
How does the dstwo compare to other 3ds capable flash cards out on the market right now?
Well the DSTwo does come with a processor-microchip thingy to give it more power to emulate GBA and play high-quality videos, so yeah it eats up battery a little quicker than a Cyclo. But the all important thing about the DSTwo is that you can still patch it without owning a 2nd DS should your 3DS firmware block it. However if you're one to play with screen brightness on low, then battery isn't a big as deal as people think.

The only reason I suggest a 3DS + DSTwo is because The 3DS does what the DSi does + plays a whole new set of games. Even if you decide to get a DSi, you're still going to buy a Flashcart that works on a new system. And you could buy another DS Lite, but even used models go for $90. So if you get a used DSLite, After tax thats $100, which is a ripoff since new ones (if you can even find one) afre like $120-$140.

While a new DSi and a new 3DS are both $170, and both need new flashcarts.

And I'm only suggesting a new system because DSLites are old, they're out of production, new parts that you can buy for it are often not the best quality, and you're probably an amateur who wouldn't really know what to do to fix your problem. I mean if BOTH screens are acting up, then maybe its something wrong in the circuittry themselves as the two screens on the DSLite are/and work seperate from each other. It sounds like your DS is approaching dead status and Nintendo repair out of warranty is $90 + shipping + waiting for any repair no matter how minimal.

But listen... It already sounds like your DS is dead anyways, that you're 95% likely to either buy a used DSLit, or better. So you're going to end up spending atleast $95 or more to play NDS games again. That said, if you got nothing to lose, then buy a tri-gram screwdriver for $1, take apart your DS and see what you can or can't do. You'll either be no help, break it more, or somehow fix it. And when it breaks, then you can have some options. I'll make a list of what your options are.

Screen Repair: $10-$25 (Do it yourself, and may not even fix the source of your problem)
Nintendo Repair Service: $90 + Shipping
Used DSLite @ Gamestop: $90 + Tax
Used DSi @ Gamestop: $110 + Tax
New DSi in Warranty: $170 + Tax
New 3DS in Warranty: $170 + Tax
New Flashcard for DSi or 3DS: + $15-$37 + Shipping

Working DSLite via Craigslist/eBay: $$$??? (Possible terribly scratched)

I personally would go for a 3DS + DSTwo Combo (As I did). I got a flashcart that will never be useless because it patches post-firmware update, and the 3DS itself comes with a memory card, some useless AR cards, and can be registered at club Nintendo for an additional 160 Nintendo points and 90-day warranty. Points can be redeemed for a free downloadable game, and the eshop will soon release game demos, and has access to the better DSi ware games.

Though when I did buy my 3DS, it was because my DSLite was worth $70 at the time, and the 3DS that I was getting was the 25th anniversary limited edition zelda 3DS. Thouhg I did have a job then so money wasnt a big issue for me. I spent $200 and got Zelda 3DS + Ocarina 3D + Mario 3D + Screen Protectors + 2-year warranty, which wasn't too shabby. Then spend $40 for a DSTwo, and now I got nothing to buy until Kid Icarus comes out.
 

ipoopfool

Member
OP
Newcomer
Joined
Jan 5, 2012
Messages
7
Trophies
0
XP
121
Country
United States
That's a pretty big post you got there =\
Anyway, I thought about it and ultimately decided that I'd get a 3ds and a card (I'm guessing the DSTWO for the gba emulator).
Dunno when I'll be able to get around to getting the money, but hopefully by that time, a card for the 3ds will come out!
As for the people who gave me advice for fixing it myself. Thanks, but I have 0 experience fixing electronics, and 90 bucks for a repair is a rip off.
 

Majorami

Banned!
Banned
Joined
Nov 21, 2011
Messages
387
Trophies
0
XP
93
Country
United States
That's a pretty big post you got there =\
Anyway, I thought about it and ultimately decided that I'd get a 3ds and a card (I'm guessing the DSTWO for the gba emulator).
Dunno when I'll be able to get around to getting the money, but hopefully by that time, a card for the 3ds will come out!
As for the people who gave me advice for fixing it myself. Thanks, but I have 0 experience fixing electronics, and 90 bucks for a repair is a rip off.
Don't forget to buy $10 screen protectors for a new system.
I know spending money sucks, but you really don't have that much of a choice.

However here's some last bit of advice thats contradictory to all I stated above...

The only reason I even got a 3DS + DSTwo was because one night, My DSLite was worth $70 trade in, and I would be getting a Limited Edition Zelda DS. Although I'm happy with my purchase, here's some advice. Since YOU don't have the luxury of $70 off, and since YOU're not getting a special 3DS, DO NOT get one.

Think about it, you'll be spending $200 or more anyways, and the 3DS only has 3 games tops worth their $40 price tag for ahwile, so why not take that $200, and purchase both, a used DS Lite and a used PSP-2000. You'll still be able to use the fantastic Cyclo, and you'll get access to not only 70-100 "great" PSP games, you'll also be able to run PS1 games (mostly at 100% speed) as well. All you need is a $2 microSD to MSProDuo adapter and you can keep your microSD cards.

My Story: I got a new 3DS for $250, hated it for its lack of games and didn't wanna wait till 2013 for a decent library or 3DS flashcart, bought me a $100 PSP and was immensely satisfied with what I was able to do or play on it considering the system has been thouroughly hacked after 5+ years and boasted a decent library even though as a Nintendo/DS fan, the PSP didn't really appeal to me. And the PSP can emulate GBA games if your cyclo doesn't hav an EZ3n1 or a DSTwo.

3DS + DSTwo = NDS, GBA Games, and games for other emulators. Access to 3D/3Shop/DSiWare Games but have to pay. $170 + Tax + $37ish

Hacked PSP + DS Lite = NDS, PSP, PS1 GBA (PSP Emulator or Cyclo EZ3in1), and other games for emulators AND get to enjoy hack PSP Minis games. $180-$220 depending on eBay.

I rocked the PSP + NDSLite combo until that Black Friday deal, and was supremely satisfied with the decision of giving up my 1st 3DS for a PSP. Got to go fanboy crazy over Miku Hatsune games, Dissidia, and a surprisingly awesome Ys 7 while enjoying my NDS/GBA games on my DSLite.

Anyways just a suggestion for you if you're not ready to take the 3DS plunge, and in my opinion, a much better bargain for the $200 you'll spend anyways.
 

ipoopfool

Member
OP
Newcomer
Joined
Jan 5, 2012
Messages
7
Trophies
0
XP
121
Country
United States
I have a psp phat with a kinda crappy battery that's been sitting around with no usage because I don't have many games on it and the memory card I have is 256mb big =(

The whole issue about repairing the DS or getting a 3ds kinda seems like it would happen eventually thought. Once games almost entirely move over to the 3ds (which I would expect to happen), I'd need a 3ds eventually.

So it seems more like a matter of when I want to throw my money away =\
 

Majorami

Banned!
Banned
Joined
Nov 21, 2011
Messages
387
Trophies
0
XP
93
Country
United States
I have a psp phat with a kinda crappy battery that's been sitting around with no usage because I don't have many games on it and the memory card I have is 256mb big =(

The whole issue about repairing the DS or getting a 3ds kinda seems like it would happen eventually thought. Once games almost entirely move over to the 3ds (which I would expect to happen), I'd need a 3ds eventually.

So it seems more like a matter of when I want to throw my money away =\
Well that is true... you're eventually gonna have to get a 3DS anyways.

All I have are 16GB and 32 GB microSD's so I cant begin to imagine how much your PSP life sucks right now. I would say that flash memory is ever-cheaper. Last year a 32GB card would be $120, now its $50. You can get a 16GB for $15-$27 based on class speed too.
But all that asside, you do know that you can boot games on your PSP straight from your computer's harddrives via USB cable, right? Thats just an idea if you're too cheap to buy a $6 8GB card.

Anyways, start saving them bizenjamins
 

Site & Scene News

Popular threads in this forum

General chit-chat
Help Users
  • K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2:
    Oh hi flame
  • S @ salazarcosplay:
    @K3Nv2 what was your ps4 situation
  • S @ salazarcosplay:
    did you always have a ps4 you never updated
  • S @ salazarcosplay:
    or were you able to get new ps4 tracking it \
    as soon as the hack was announced
  • S @ salazarcosplay:
    or did you have to find a used one with the lower firm ware that was not updated
  • K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2:
    I got this ps4 at launch and never updated since 9.0
  • K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2:
    You got a good chance of buying a used one and asking the seller how often they used or even ask for a Pic of fw and telling them not to update
  • RedColoredStars @ RedColoredStars:
    Speaking of PLaystation. I see Evilnat put out a beta for PS3 CFW 4.91.2 on the 22nd.
  • K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2:
    Don't really see the point in updating it tbh
  • BigOnYa @ BigOnYa:
    Yea you right, I thought about updating my PS3 CFW to 4.91, but why really, everything plays fine now. I guess for people that have already updated past 4.9 it would be helpful.
  • K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2:
    Idk if online servers are still active that would be my only thought
    +1
  • BigOnYa @ BigOnYa:
    Thats true, personally I don't play it online at all, in fact, I deleted all wifi details on it once I installed CFW, so it won't connect and auto-update itself
  • BigOnYa @ BigOnYa:
    I play most games that are on both PS3/360 strickly on the 360, but PS3 exclusives are really only games I play on the PS3 (You know me, I'm more of a Xbox junkie)
  • K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2:
    Ps3 really has no titles worth going online
  • BigOnYa @ BigOnYa:
    what is nps?
  • Xdqwerty @ Xdqwerty:
    @K3Nv2, what about GTA v onl... O Yea the PS3 versión got discontinued
  • K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2:
    I feel like the world's cheapest pc build can play gtaV
  • K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2:
    In modern standards
  • Xdqwerty @ Xdqwerty:
    @K3Nv2, then why mine can't?
  • BigOnYa @ BigOnYa:
    @K3Nv2 What is nps you mentioned?
  • K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2:
    Because your pc has a hamster innit
    +3
  • BakerMan @ BakerMan:
    R.I.P. LittleBigPlanet PS3 servers
  • BakerMan @ BakerMan:
    LBP2 still the goat tho
  • K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2:
    That can be played on ps5 iirc
  • BigOnYa @ BigOnYa:
    I'm surprised any PS3 servers are still up, tbh
    BigOnYa @ BigOnYa: I'm surprised any PS3 servers are still up, tbh