Edit by moderator :
This thread is locked for plagiarized work.
It's a copy of @nitehack/m3dssimply's work you can find here : https://www.elotrolado.net/hilo_tut...-ds-lite-sin-la-pantalla-superior-mod_1882054

It's not just doing a translation or rewriting, but even stilling the pictures and writing style.

This thread will be reopened if Alex4U comes to me and apologize to @nitehack, its original author, and is willing to properly give credit and specify its source.



*********

So, basically, I was bored. And I decided to investigate someway to turn on the NDS (Lite) without the upper or lower screen.

Basically, the NDS checks if both screens are connected. If the NDS detects there is a ribbon that isn't connected or broken, the DS will just flash and turn off. Typical error with the damn F1 and F2. But this case, is with the lower or upper screen.

So, I was looking the NDS Motherboard, and I followed where is the upper and lower screen PINs.
So, here is the formula:
Nintendo DS (Lite) screen has 4 or 3 (?) Leds for the Backlight. Each one receives 3V, and the mA is 12mA. with a multimeter.
so...
R=(3V*4 Leds)/12mA =1KΩ (resistane)
So, we will use a 1K resistance!

Basically, you can use any resistance HIGHER than 1K, but I didn't tested it. I'd recommend the 1K resistance. Of course don't be so stupid using a 1M resistance.

What do you need:
*Your broken NDS or DS Lite that doesn't work the upper or lower screen.
*A 1K Resistance
*Solderess
*A brain

For the Nintendo DS:

Spoiler

Dissamble your NDS, and the PINs are named LEDC1 and LEDA1 (lower screen), or LEDC2 and LEDA2 (upper screen) The pins are the same on the NDS and DS Lite.

Get ready to start with your resistance and soldering. If you are asking for the colours, there are. Remember resistances doesn't have polarity at all.

In my case, my upper screen ribbon is broken, so, I will solder a resistance here. You only need to solder the resistance and that's all, you don't need to do more. It would look like this:

You can solder some extra cable to put the resistance where you like and don't disturb in the start and select buttons. In my case, I will not.

So, just test it... and Voilá! It works! of couse, without the upper screen in my case.

NOTE: If you lower screen is broken, you should solder the resistance in these PINs

This is from the lower screen.

Just assemble it, and it works, of course, without the upper screen or lower or whatever...

In this case I'd recommend playing GBA or Touch Screen games only. like Pokémon Ranger, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, or some GBA games. same with the upper screen.

For the Nintendo DS Lite:

Spoiler

It's the same process as the DS fat, and the DS Lite motherboard doesn't changes at all.
Dissamble your DS Lite, and search for the LEDC1 and LEDA1 (lower screen), or LEDC2 and LEDA2 (upper screen).

In my case, again, I will use the lower screen again as a test. I will simulate my upper screen is broken.
This time, I will use extra cable, since there is the D-PAD and the resistance would disturb the D-PAD.

Solder it carefully... and solder the resistance.

Now try to turn it on, and Voila! It works now!

If you're going to turn it on with the upper screen ONLY, you should solder the resistance here:

Remember resistances doesn't have polarity at all.

So... I was bored again, so, eh. Hopefully this should works for someone.

 

[Pomegrenade]

Nice investigation, interesting discovery

 

[Deleted User]

Nice job? Haven't people done this before (making a nds lite gameboy) or did they keep on the top screen.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cearp]

Nice, it's not new but always cool to see.

It would be great if china/some guy made housing for this, gb macro.

 

[testerfan]

Old info, anyone can figure this out, if they couldn't - then they shouldn't be messing with their system in the first place. Want a medium-size challenge to pass your time? Hers is the system I've made couple of years ago when I was bored. You can toggle the image from the top screen to the bottom back and forth with the built-in switch. Can play both DS and GBA games.

 

[cearp]

I like how bouncy the fat ds shoulder buttons are, I might do a mod like this one day

 

[Xanthe]

I attempted this project about 1 month ago. Couldn't even get past taking off the case because I stripped every screw, DESPITE having the correct screwdriver.

My disappointment was immeasurable, and my day was ruined.

 

[PrincessLillie]

Old info, anyone can figure this out, if they couldn't - then they shouldn't be messing with their system in the first place. Want a medium-size challenge to pass your time? Hers is the system I've made couple of years ago when I was bored. You can toggle the image from the top screen to the bottom back and forth with the built-in switch. Can play both DS and GBA games.
View attachment 99346 View attachment 99347

gimme

 

[MonkeyDKid]

Old info, anyone can figure this out, if they couldn't - then they shouldn't be messing with their system in the first place. Want a medium-size challenge to pass your time? Hers is the system I've made couple of years ago when I was bored. You can toggle the image from the top screen to the bottom back and forth with the built-in switch. Can play both DS and GBA games.
View attachment 99346 View attachment 99347

wow, that's neat man. how to do that??

 

[fedehda]

Old info, anyone can figure this out, if they couldn't - then they shouldn't be messing with their system in the first place. Want a medium-size challenge to pass your time? Hers is the system I've made couple of years ago when I was bored. You can toggle the image from the top screen to the bottom back and forth with the built-in switch. Can play both DS and GBA games.
View attachment 99346 View attachment 99347

we need THAT tutorial

 

[duffmmann]

A couple years ago a guy modded the bottom half of a broken DS lite to make a custom GBA, and it is a sexy beast.

 

[PrincessLillie]

A couple years ago a guy modded the bottom half of a broken DS lite to make a custom GBA, and it is a sexy beast.

I want this desperately. Do you have this guy's contact info?

 

[duffmmann]

I want this desperately. Do you have this guy's contact info?

Here is his blog http://anthonythomas.io/tag/gba-macro/ I know he used to take orders, not sure if he still does or not.
Edit: I was able to find his store, and he currently has one "Acid Green" GBA Macro (thats what he calls them) for sale here, act fast if you want one, price is pretty fair at $160. http://gameboymacro.com/product-category/onetime/

 

[TheTrueDream42]

Could this be done with a 3DS, I had one turn into two separate screens about a month ago and due to it not powering on from the ribbon cable not being connected I can't power it on. I have another 3DS already but it's saves on the SD card is something I want back.

 

[MonkeyDKid]

Could this be done with a 3DS, I had one turn into two separate screens about a month ago and due to it not powering on from the ribbon cable not being connected I can't power it on. I have another 3DS already but it's saves on the SD card is something I want back.

yeah we need that too on 3DS.

 

[Alex4U]

Could this be done with a 3DS, I had one turn into two separate screens about a month ago and due to it not powering on from the ribbon cable not being connected I can't power it on. I have another 3DS already but it's saves on the SD card is something I want back.

this should work for 3DS too. But I don't know if the pins are the same. I will see later.

 

[DeoNaught]

I am selling these for like $120

Old info, anyone can figure this out, if they couldn't - then they shouldn't be messing with their system in the first place. Want a medium-size challenge to pass your time? Hers is the system I've made couple of years ago when I was bored. You can toggle the image from the top screen to the bottom back and forth with the built-in switch. Can play both DS and GBA games.
View attachment 99346 View attachment 99347

that's pretty narly, i'll do that on my next!

Thanks for the Idea.

 

[Taffy]

Old info, anyone can figure this out, if they couldn't - then they shouldn't be messing with their system in the first place. Want a medium-size challenge to pass your time? Hers is the system I've made couple of years ago when I was bored. You can toggle the image from the top screen to the bottom back and forth with the built-in switch. Can play both DS and GBA games.

We need this, I have half of a DS that's already a GBA, but THIS?

This is beautiful. You have some great workmanship here, I need to try this out at some point.

Time to look at some DS schematics

 

[DeoNaught]

We need this, I have half of a DS that's already a GBA, but THIS?

This is beautiful. You have some great workmanship here, I need to try this out at some point.

Time to look at some DS schematics

I don't think its that hard, If you want, I can help.

I am also on Discord

 

[Taffy]

I don't think its that hard, If you want, I can help.

I am also on Discord

I'll take you up on that.

I lost my soldering iron so for now I'd just like to know what it is that you did to make this work.