Hardware n2DS XL Repair Gone Wrong

[gudenau]

So one day I broke the top screen on my n2DS XL and I just tried to fix it with an eBay screen. When I put it all back together and powered it on it only clicks the speakers and turns right back off.

Any idea what I might have done wrong?

Any idea how I could fix this?

 

[TurdPooCharger]

Since the n2DSXL is not only the newest model but probably the hardest to repair, there's going to be few people who can comment what is exactly wrong. If it's anything like the other 2DS and 3DS systems, one or more your of your (flex) cable connection(s) are broken or not inserted. Parts that are not connected or properly communicating with the motherboard will prevent boot up.

Taking a look in the,

• [iFixit] New Nintendo 2DS XL Top Screen Replacement

There are:

• Two (2) left and right side cables.. Speakers??
• Back, center orange flex cable.. Top LCD or camera??
  
• Back cable, WiFi antenna.
  
• Some other smaller ones, upper backlit power supply?

My best guess is your replacement top LCD has its flex cable damaged trying to roll it like a tiny blunt while inserting it through the that dumb hinge barrel.

 

[gudenau]

Since the n2DSXL is not only the newest model but probably the hardest to repair, there's going to be few people who can comment what is exactly wrong. If it's anything like the other 2DS and 3DS systems, one or more your of your (flex) cable connection(s) are broken or not inserted. Parts that are not connected or properly communicating with the motherboard will prevent boot up.

Taking a look in the,

• [iFixit] New Nintendo 2DS XL Top Screen Replacement

There are:

• Two (2) left and right side cables.. Speakers??
• Back, center orange flex cable.. Top LCD or camera??
  
• Back cable, WiFi antenna.
  
• Some other smaller ones, upper backlit power supply?

My best guess is your replacement top LCD has its flex cable damaged trying to roll it like a tiny blunt while inserting it through the that dumb hinge barrel.

Any chance that theirs a way to test for stuff with ntrboot?

 

[TurdPooCharger]

Any chance that theirs a way to test for stuff with ntrboot?

If that n2DSXL was already hacked with custom firmware, failure to boot HOME Menu, Recovery Mode, Luma3DS v#.# configuration (SELECT), and Luma3DS chainloader (START) → GodMode9 with and without [FAT32 format | 32 KB cluster size | MBR disk | Primary partition] SD card means that you can't debug this with ntrboot when it's a hardware fault.

You'll have to closely examine all the flex cables with magnifying glasses and may need to to test continuity using multimeter. Another idea is to take another fully working n2DSXL and do A/B testing to find which parts are broken. Other than that, you're left with guessing and buying multiple replacement parts in hopes you swap out whichever one is bad.

 

[gudenau]

If that n2DSXL was already hacked with custom firmware, failure to boot HOME Menu, Recovery Mode, Luma3DS v#.# configuration (SELECT), and Luma3DS chainloader (START) → GodMode9 with and without [FAT32 format | 32 KB cluster size | MBR disk | Primary partition] SD card means that you can't debug this with ntrboot when it's a hardware fault.

You'll have to closely examine all the flex cables with magnifying glasses and may need to to test continuity using multimeter. Another idea is to take another fully working n2DSXL and do A/B testing to find which parts are broken. Other than that, you're left with guessing and buying multiple replacement parts in hopes you swap out whichever one is bad.

So you can't use the bootloader exploit to do any debugging? That's kinda lame.

 

[TurdPooCharger]

So you can't use the bootloader exploit to do any debugging? That's kinda lame.

It's not that you can't. Debugging with ntrboot so you can launch GodMode9 is most appropriate with software based bricked. If your issue stems from hardware fault, ntrboot is not going to help you.

 

[gudenau]

It's not that you can't. Debugging with ntrboot so you can launch GodMode9 is most appropriate with software based bricked. If your issue stems from hardware fault, ntrboot is not going to help you.

But it turns on, just seems to fail some sort of POST. Guess I'm just SOL.

 

[TurdPooCharger]

But it turns on, just seems to fail some sort of POST. Guess I'm just SOL.

Let's wind back a little. Can you clarify if your n2DSXL is already custom firmware hacked with boot9strap, Luma3DS, etc?

If it's not, ntrboot will at best help you determine if the n2DSXL can boot at all to Luma3DS configuration or GodMode9. If the system instantly shuts off even with appropriate boot.firm payload, this will let you know for sure it's definitely faulty hardware.

 

[gudenau]

Let's wind back a little. Can you clarify if your n2DSXL is already custom firmware hacked with boot9strap, Luma3DS, etc?

If it's not, ntrboot will at best help you determine if the n2DSXL can boot at all to Luma3DS configuration or GodMode9. If the system instantly shuts off even with appropriate boot.firm payload, this will let you know for sure it's definitely faulty hardware.

When there isn't a boot.firm it is pretty instant, I tried to send this in to Nintendo so I unhacked it.

 

[CMDreamer]

Have you tried connecting all the flex cables to the motherboard with the N2DS XL taken apart?

That's not an easy task of course, but will help you find out if the error is from a flex cable or component, or from software (I doubt it).

In my very limited opinion, that is the best way to test components without having to reassemble it every time you make a test.

 

[TurdPooCharger]

When there isn't a boot.firm it is pretty instant, I tried to send this in to Nintendo so I unhacked it.

I know from your previous thread that you were into HOME Menu icon GUI modding. A 3DS system with edited or unsigned system titles will brick if the custom firmware is removed. Something to keep in mind.

If you send in your n2DSXL, you might not get back your actual unit. Because of how difficult it is fix this system's top screen, repair technicians may send you someone else's n2DSXL. If this happens and you didn't backup your saves, extdata, essential.exefs, SysNAND *.bin image, etc., later recovery of your personal user setup and data may be forever lost, locked behind the console's unique encryption.

Here's someone who was unfortunate in losing their n2DSXL sending it to Nintendo repair.

• Luma3DS repair SD Card after board change

 

[gudenau]

I know from your previous thread that you were into HOME Menu icon GUI modding. A 3DS system with edited or unsigned system titles will brick if the custom firmware is removed. Something to keep in mind.

If you send in your n2DSXL, you might not get back your actual unit. Because of how difficult it is fix this system's top screen, repair technicians may send you someone else's n2DSXL. If this happens and you didn't backup your saves, extdata, essential.exefs, SysNAND *.bin image, etc., later recovery of your personal user setup and data may be forever lost, locked behind the console's unique encryption.

Here's someone who was unfortunate in losing their n2DSXL sending it to Nintendo repair.

• Luma3DS repair SD Card after board change

They sent it back after banning it with a broken screen.

 

[pikatsu]

If that n2DSXL was already hacked with custom firmware, failure to boot HOME Menu, Recovery Mode, Luma3DS v#.# configuration (SELECT), and Luma3DS chainloader (START) → GodMode9 with and without [FAT32 format | 32 KB cluster size | MBR disk | Primary partition] SD card means that you can't debug this with ntrboot when it's a hardware fault.

You'll have to closely examine all the flex cables with magnifying glasses and may need to to test continuity using multimeter. Another idea is to take another fully working n2DSXL and do A/B testing to find which parts are broken. Other than that, you're left with guessing and buying multiple replacement parts in hopes you swap out whichever one is bad.

But how can you test a flex cable continuity using multimeter?

 

[Deleted-401606]

good charlotte?

 

[TurdPooCharger]

They sent it back after banning it with a broken screen.

Depending how careful you are and whether you have no qualms with doing this, there's temporarily "borrowing" another n2DSXL to swap motherboards so you can ntrboot re-hack your mobo, backup everything, swap back the mobos, and return the store purchased n2DSXL, like the techniques noted below.

• The Shameful Guide in uninstalling custom firmware on a nonbootable n3DSXL by temporary borrowing another n3DSXL from Target or Walmart because you don't want to lose out on money and Nintendo Warranty hasn't expired yet.

I would seriously consider selling off your broken n2DSXL for parts, buying a n3DSXL, and transferring everything to that if build durability and repair-ability are big concerns for you.

***

Another option is to send it in to get repair by 3ds repair specialist wiigotem.

• [eBay] Nintendo 2DS XL Game Console/System Repair Service,Game Slot.Top LCD & More

Just let him know what's wrong with it on top needing to rehack with ntrboot / CFW.

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

But how can you test a flex cable continuity using multimeter?

Very tiny pin hole scratches from the farthest end points along each of the traces if there are no exposed contacts. This is if you can't visually verify there are breaks in the flex cable, but you have a strong suspicion it's coming from that cable.

This does have the drawback where doing this can break the traces, and you would have to patch the exposed layers with tiny strips of tape. Delicate hardware repair is often a messy affair.

 

[gudenau]

I know from your previous thread that you were into HOME Menu icon GUI modding. A 3DS system with edited or unsigned system titles will brick if the custom firmware is removed. Something to keep in mind.

If you send in your n2DSXL, you might not get back your actual unit. Because of how difficult it is fix this system's top screen, repair technicians may send you someone else's n2DSXL. If this happens and you didn't backup your saves, extdata, essential.exefs, SysNAND *.bin image, etc., later recovery of your personal user setup and data may be forever lost, locked behind the console's unique encryption.

Here's someone who was unfortunate in losing their n2DSXL sending it to Nintendo repair.

• Luma3DS repair SD Card after board change

They sent it back after banning it with a broken screen.

Depending how careful you are and whether you have no qualms with doing this, there's temporarily "borrowing" another n2DSXL to swap motherboards so you can ntrboot re-hack your mobo, backup everything, swap back the mobos, and return the store purchased n2DSXL, like the techniques noted below.

• The Shameful Guide in uninstalling custom firmware on a nonbootable n3DSXL by temporary borrowing another n3DSXL from Target or Walmart because you don't want to lose out on money and Nintendo Warranty hasn't expired yet.

I would seriously consider selling off your broken n2DSXL for parts, buying a n3DSXL, and transferring everything to that if build durability and repair-ability are big concerns for you.

***

Another option is to send it in to get repair by 3ds repair specialist wiigotem.

• [eBay] Nintendo 2DS XL Game Console/System Repair Service,Game Slot.Top LCD & More

Just let him know what's wrong with it on top needing to rehack with ntrboot / CFW.

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


Very tiny pin hole scratches from the farthest end points along each of the traces if there are no exposed contacts. This is if you can't visually verify there are breaks in the flex cable, but you have a strong suspicion it's coming from that cable.

This does have the drawback where doing this can break the traces, and you would have to patch the exposed layers with tiny strips of tape. Delicate hardware repair is often a messy affair.

I can hack it just fine, I've got the flash card and everything. The hardware is what sucks.

 

[Deleted-401606]

Depending how careful you are and whether you have no qualms with doing this, there's temporarily "borrowing" another n2DSXL to swap motherboards so you can ntrboot re-hack your mobo, backup everything, swap back the mobos, and return the store purchased n2DSXL, like the techniques noted below.

• The Shameful Guide in uninstalling custom firmware on a nonbootable n3DSXL by temporary borrowing another n3DSXL from Target or Walmart because you don't want to lose out on money and Nintendo Warranty hasn't expired yet.

I would seriously consider selling off your broken n2DSXL for parts, buying a n3DSXL, and transferring everything to that if build durability and repair-ability are big concerns for you.

***

Another option is to send it in to get repair by 3ds repair specialist wiigotem.

• [eBay] Nintendo 2DS XL Game Console/System Repair Service,Game Slot.Top LCD & More

Just let him know what's wrong with it on top needing to rehack with ntrboot / CFW.

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


Very tiny pin hole scratches from the farthest end points along each of the traces if there are no exposed contacts. This is if you can't visually verify there are breaks in the flex cable, but you have a strong suspicion it's coming from that cable.

This does have the drawback where doing this can break the traces, and you would have to patch the exposed layers with tiny strips of tape. Delicate hardware repair is often a messy affair.

So you are recommending that he commits fraud so he can save 100 dollars?

 

[TurdPooCharger]

So you are recommending that he commits fraud so he can save 100 dollars?

I'm simply presenting him an option to consider if he has limited means. The switcheroo technique is objectively wrong in several ways, but no where was it implied he should swap and keep good parts while returning a broken system. If he can afford to buy another functioning n2DSXL or has a friend who'll let him borrow theirs, than by all means he should do those instead.

For those who might be poor as fuck and weren't diligent backing up their [games, DLCs, updates], saves + extdata, and user profile like the Friends List, this might be the only practical method that's available to them in recovering their data.

What he ends up doing is ultimately his choice to make.

 

[gudenau]

I'm simply presenting him an option to consider if he has limited means. The switcheroo technique is objectively wrong in several ways, but no where was it implied he should swap and keep good parts while returning a broken system. If he can afford to buy another functioning n2DSXL or has a friend who'll let him borrow theirs, than by all means he should do those instead.

For those who might be poor as fuck and weren't diligent backing up their [games, DLCs, updates], saves + extdata, and user profile like the Friends List, this might be the only practical method that's available to them in recovering their data.

What he ends up doing is ultimately his choice to make.

I might end up contacting the person. I clearly don't have the means to fix this crap, might be able to talk to them about some other hardware stuff I have been wondering about as well.

 

[Deleted-401606]

I'm simply presenting him an option to consider if he has limited means. The switcheroo technique is objectively wrong in several ways, but no where was it implied he should swap and keep good parts while returning a broken system. If he can afford to buy another functioning n2DSXL or has a friend who'll let him borrow theirs, than by all means he should do those instead.

For those who might be poor as fuck and weren't diligent backing up their [games, DLCs, updates], saves + extdata, and user profile like the Friends List, this might be the only practical method that's available to them in recovering their data.

What he ends up doing is ultimately his choice to make.

You suggested that he steals from somebody so that he can play with a kids handheld device, that shows an immense lack of character from your part.