Hardware Removing top half of 3DS XL. Need advice/instructions.

[zeello]

I want to do this:

But that is a DS Lite.. It's not mine, just some pic I found on the internet. But I want to do the same thing to my 3DS XL.

There's also this video.

In that vid, both screens stopped working as soon as he cut the cord between the two screens. That may pose a problem. I obviously want my bottom screen to remain working.

There's another problem. The wifi antenna in the 3DS and 3DS XL runs into the top screen, near the righthand speaker.

^source: http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20120802/231891/

From what I understand the wifi antenna is nothing more than a wire. Even if I avoid cutting the antenna, it will be an exposed wire sticking out from the system. I can think of three solutions.
a) Tape the wire to the unit. (ghetto solution)
b) Push the wire back into the hinge socket. (assuming it will fit) And then plug the hinge socket with something.
c) Open up the bottom of the DS and stick the wifi antenna in there.
(edit: I thought of another solution.. I can place it inside an actual antenna (like on a router) and attach it to my system. One of these: http://img.mosup.com/6510/6510654068210171798_1.jpg )

So the main question is what needs to be done for the top screen to be removed, to leave the bottom screen (and wifi) working. And then from there is question is simply what's the best way to hide the resulting exposed wifi antenna.

Any help on the matter would be appreciated.
I'm still undecided as to whether I should do this myself, or find someone to do it for me.

 

[avran89]

If you want to play GBA games on a 3DS get a Supercard DSTwo flashcard. I'm still confused why would you want to intentionally damage a 3DS since the 3DS has no GBA slot on the bottom and will be completely useless to play dsi/3ds ware or retail games without a top screen.

 

[BORTZ]

Uh. Whut.

The 3DS XL has no GBA slot. So im a bit confused as to how you are going to be able to do with with a 3DS XL of all things. Also, why a 3DS? use a DS Phat or lite if you want the Slot 2. the 3DS shines brightest when you use the 3D screen anyways.

On top of that, you are going to run into problems with the system turning on and whatnot. If i remember correctly, the DS will not power all the way on (it will fire and then power off) if you dont have the top screen connected.

 

[geishroy]

Uh. Whut.

The 3DS XL has no GBA slot. So im a bit confused as to how you are going to be able to do with with a 3DS XL of all things. Also, why a 3DS? use a DS Phat or lite if you want the Slot 2. the 3DS shines brightest when you use the 3D screen anyways.

On top of that, you are going to run into problems with the system turning on and whatnot. If i remember correctly, the DS will not power all the way on (it will fire and then power off) if you dont have the top screen connected.

this guy just wants to remove the top screen and play stuff off the bottom. I have no idea why he would want to do that.

to TC, there may be some room inside of the console for the wifi antenna. You will probably have to open the bottom half of the console to completely remove the top screen. You will need to remove the ribbon cable from there. Also you are crazy for wanting to do this.

 

[BORTZ]

Hes still going to have the problem of having no where to put a GBA game lol and most 3/DS games REQUIRE both screens lol

And not to mention the board shutting off if both screens arent attached.

 

[Eerpow]

OP, you're drunk go home.

 

[geishroy]

why do you guys keep saying he wants to play gba games. it is obvious he does not want that, the picture was of a system without the top screen. He simply wants to remove the top screen for some reason and have the system work.

 

[spinal_cord]

I'm curious as to why someone would want to remove the top screen from a 3DS?

 

[Foxi4]

Uhm... Okay...

I'm not going to ask why, all I'm going to say is that as long as the circuits are complete and the resistance checks out, the system won't know any better... Still, don't do it - that's a pretty silly thing to do.

I'm curious as to why someone would want to remove the top screen from a 3DS?

To play games on Difficulty Level: Mastery.

 

[BORTZ]

why do you guys keep saying he wants to play gba games. it is obvious he does not want that, the picture was of a system without the top screen. He simply wants to remove the top screen for some reason and have the system work.

probably because the picture shows a GBA game inserted into the bottom and the screen shows Pokemon Fire Red and the caption says "I want to do this".

 

[gamefan5]

... I'm sorry, this thread has made my day. Considering you need both screens to play 3D games, the sheer amount of nonsense (no offense) is off the scale.

 

[duffmmann]

Even if there was something to be gotten out of a 3DS without the bottom screen, what about the speakers? They're located in the top screen. We want to know OP why do you want to do this? What's your end game?

EDIT: Maybe he wants to mod it in some sort of way so it become a system where you slide the top screen up instead of flip it up. This would be cool if the top screen was as wide as the bottom screen so you could remove the sides (where the speakers are located) so that when you play VC titles, you don't have to slide the top screen up and still play with the bottom buttons (if that makes any sense to anyone). However I really doubt that's his end game, and that sounds like it'd be a lot of work.

 

[bowser]

You remind me of that toy-torturing kid Sid from Toy Story. No offense

 

[MrMarco]

Well, if you don't want to play the actual 3DS games, I really think that the bottom part of the 3DS looks amazing for a portable gaming device. If it had games designed for that screen only, I would buy something like that.

 

[BORTZ]

Well, if you don't want to play the actual 3DS games, I really think that the bottom part of the 3DS looks amazing for a portable gaming device. If it had games designed for that screen only, I would buy something like that.

Hmmmmmm The bottom screen of a 3DS is only slightly better than a DS lite bottom screen, and considering the resolution you can pack into a smart phone, 360x240 is pretty piss poor. That aside.
There are like 5 devices like this. The Dingoos.

GBA original

GB Micro

There is ZERO reason to embark on this journey of madness OP.

 

[MrMarco]

Hmmmmmm The bottom screen of a 3DS is only slightly better than a DS lite bottom screen, and considering the resolution you can pack into a smart phone, 360x240 is pretty piss poor. That aside.
There are like 5 devices like this. The Dingoos.

GBA original

GB Micro

There is ZERO reason to embark on this journey of madness OP.

Exactly why I didn't do it. lol

I have a Dingoo A320, but I'd rather get a Letcool, since it's prettier and looks like a DSi bottom part.

Anyways, the 3DS' bottom part is still cool.

 

[zeello]

On top of that, you are going to run into problems with the system turning on and whatnot. If i remember correctly, the DS will not power all the way on (it will fire and then power off) if you dont have the top screen connected.

And not to mention the board shutting off if both screens arent attached.

That could be a huge problem. Can anyone else verify this?

I'm not going to ask why, all I'm going to say is that as long as the circuits are complete and the resistance checks out, the system won't know any better...

Thank you. I just hope you're right!

Even if there was something to be gotten out of a 3DS without the bottom screen, what about the speakers? They're located in the top screen. We want to know OP why do you want to do this? What's your end game?

I was very disappointed when first I realized I'd have no speakers. But I still want to do this.
Besides, I could always just use the headphone jack.

EDIT: Maybe he wants to mod it in some sort of way so it become a system where you slide the top screen up instead of flip it up. This would be cool if the top screen was as wide as the bottom screen so you could remove the sides (where the speakers are located) so that when you play VC titles, you don't have to slide the top screen up and still play with the bottom buttons (if that makes any sense to anyone). However I really doubt that's his end game, and that sounds like it'd be a lot of work.

I had two ideas for dream mods, one is to have a button that makes the bottom screen display the top screen. (a button to switch back and forth between the two screens) As well as new or relocated speakers.

The other idea I had was to make the top screen and bottom screen connectable through a cable. That way the top screen is still available as an option.

But these are elaborate full fledged mods. I'm willing to sacrifice speakers and top screen entirely and and just have the bottom screen. (I really want to keep wifi though) The problem is whether 3DS can function without a top screen connected, whether there's a good way to hide the wifi wire (as well as plug up the hinge holes) and lastly, whether I can do this without ruining the system, or just find a patient and understanding individual who is able to do this for me.

As for why I want it, I feel it would make my system more ideal for touchscreen games. Not to mention that both Mr. Driller games released for DS would play fine without a top screen.

 

[Kouen Hasuki]

The OP must have epically typo'd or something surely he meant DS not DSi / 3DS

 

[geishroy]

i have a few broken ds consoles in my closet right now. the ds lite can work without the top screen, iirc it doesn't even need to be plugged into the board and the console can still function. pretty sure it is the same with the dsi xl i have in there too. i would try it but they are in too many pieces right now for me to care.

from what i read and understand, the magnets in the speakers of the console actually tell the it whether to go into sleep or not. if there are no magnets or a screen for that matter it should just stay on forever no problem. my dsi was completely functional w/o the top screen as long as you did not play a game requiring the top screen lol. not 100% sure about a 3ds though.

as for your mods i don't think relocating the speakers would be a good idea with the whole magnet thing lol. you could play with it to make sure it would not make the console go to sleep (as long as the 3ds is the same as the others in this regard).

i would first play with old ds consoles to test your mods if you actually go through with them. they are cheap, i can find 5 right now for under 20 bucks on craigslist in my area. not really sure if the bottom screen would be able to handle things that happen on the top screen on a 3ds though. it is clearly not built for 3d and the resolution is different i believe? but maybe making the top screen external would be possible more possible but probably difficult as well... but yeah, good luck.


edittttttt


i think i lied to you about it working without the screen.

but this kid on youtube made it function without:


i dont think this would work well for a 3ds however...

 

[zeello]

The OP must have epically typo'd or something surely he meant DS not DSi / 3DS

My idea is that by simply removing the top screen, the system would be basically be like a slate/tablet that plays games. Slimmer, lighter, easier to hold with one hand (whether horizontally or vertically) and just more attractive:

From a purely screen size standpoint, I could do it with DSi XL. But 3DS XL has higher resolution as well as access to 3DS games.

From a GBA playback standpoint, obviously DS Lite is the best for this. Maybe DS fat, but the hinges I think would leave you with a rather unattractive device.