Hardware Tutorial
Updated
DSi Screw Measurements and Differences.
This goes over the screws and other pieces within the DSi along with differences in screws used on a per-console basis.
There are Four Variations that I am aware of, and to my understanding, they are benign. There are a couple of other variations that I will be pointing out that aren't related to screws, but are something I want to document.
I did this exact post for the DSi XL some time ago, and now I have enough information to post on the DSi. The format of the post will be very similar.
With the exception of the Battery Door Nut, the DSi and DSi XL use the same screws and hardware.
I've done more basic screw measurement posts for several consoles (listed below) including every DS and 3DS console. These do not cover variations as I do not have access to the sample sizes like I do with the DSi and DSi XL.
Other posts can be found here:
- DS (Base)
- DS Lite
- DSi
- DSi XL
- 3DS (Base)
- 3DS XL
- 2DS
- New 2DS XL
- New 3DS
- New 3DS XL
Also check out my DS and 3DS Screw Repository.
How I measured these screws.
I measured the screws on a ruler with markings down to a single millimeter and a digital microscope. Measurements were taken similar to this image of measuring Thread Pitch below.
(Image Sourced from Albany County Fasteners' video, How to Measure Screws & Bolts - US & Metric Sizing | Fasteners 101)
Since I do not have specialty equipment to measure screws this small, I am forced to estimate; especially on the thread pitch itself. Take the measurements with the knowledge that it was done by someone who is a novice in screw measuring.
DSi
All Screws within the DSi have a JIS head (I assume JIS #00), but a Phillips #00 works. Screws seem to be a variety of Wafer, Truss, or Ultra Thin Head machine screws. Pan or Undersized Pan head is also possible. These are my best guesses. I don't assign a head name to the screws as I don't know for sure.
Below is the list of screws and Hardware grouped by size. Further information is further down.
I'll add links to an IFixIt Guide to match my terms to pictures (i.e. Motherboard Black Screw would point to the Motherboard removal step of an IFitIt guide). The screw names themselves will have a link to the image of the screw removal with another link next to it just in case that link dies.
Screws
Legend:
- Screw Length x Thread Width x Head Width.
- Recommended Driver.
- Screw Amounts, Placeholder name, and Link to IFixIt guides and images.
- Repeated previous entry as needed.
- Thread Pitch Measurement.
2.5mm x 1.5mm x 2.5mm
Phillips: PH #00
(1x) Outer Shell Card Slot (Step 5 Smallest Screw)
(*1x or 6x) Fine Thread Black Battery Daughter Board and/or Small Motherboard Screw (Step 8)
M1.4– 0.4mm x 2mm
2.5mm x 1.5mm x 2.5mm
Phillips: PH #00
(*5x or 6x) Course Threat Black or Silver Battery Daughter Board (Step 8)
(*1x) Small Black or Silver Motherboard Screw (Step 10 Smallest Screw)
M1.4 – 0.6mm x 2mm
3.5mm x 1.5mm x 3mm
Phillips: PH #00
(3x) Large Motherboard Screws (Step 10 Large Screws)
(4x) Top Screen Shell Screws (Step 12)
M1.4 – 0.6mm x 3mm
4mm x 1.5mm x 3mm
Phillips: PH #00
(8x) Gold SD/Stylus and Shoulder Button Cover Screws (Step 15)
M1.4– 0.6mm x 3.5mm
4mm x 1.5mm x 3.5mm
Phillips: PH #00
(2x) Battery Door (Step 4)
M1.4 – 0.4 x 4mm
5mm x 1.5mm x 3mm
Phillips: PH #00
(6x) Bottom Shell Screws (Step 5 Long Screws)
M1.4 - 0.6 x 4.5mm
*Variations in consoles make these screw counts inconsistent. See more below. My understanding is the difference between the coarse thread and fine thread is benign but may damage the screw post if installed in place of the other.
Other
(2x) E-clip
4mm Width
(2x) Battery Door Nut
3mm square x 1mm thickness
(2x) Shoulder Button Spring
6.5mm Length x 3.5mm Diameter
(2x) Shoulder Button Pivot Post
7mm Length x 1mm Diameter
(2x) Clam Shell Stoppers
9mm Long x 2.5mm Tall x 2mm Thick
Screw Covers
(2x) Bottom Shell Feet
3.5mm Tall x 3.5mm Diameter
(4x) Top Screen Screw Covers
3.5mm Square x ~0.3mm Thick
Battery Door
I will sort the screw via disassembly order. For this, I will be borrowing IFixIt's images from their DSi Teardown to point to screws.
The battery door consists of Two Parts: The Screw and the E-Clip.
Two Screws:
M1.4 – 0.4 x 4mm
4mm x 1.5mm x 3.5mm
Phillips: PH#00
Two E-clips:
4mm Width
Bottom Shell
Six Long Screws:
(Only in Silver on the DSi. There are no Black screws. Too lazy to retake photos.)
M1.4 - 0.6 x 4.5mm
5mm x 1.5mm x 3mm
Phillips: PH#00
One Small Card Slot Screw:
M1.4– 0.4mm x 2mm
2.5mm x 1.5mm x 2.5mm
Phillips: PH#00
Motherboard and Power Daughter Board
The Motherboard and Powerboard are combined since the Motherboard Black Screw in the Top Right Corner can be the same as the screws used on the power board. It saves space on this post.
This is where all four Variations mentioned at the top of the post come in.
The screws used for the Power Daughter Board and the Top Right of the Motherboard can vary greatly.
This console used all coarse threaded black screws.
This console used all coarse threaded silver screws.
This console used five coarse threaded silver screws for the daughter board, and one black fine threaded screw similar to the small card slot screw.
And, lastly, this console* used all fine threaded black screws similar to the small card slot screw.
*Based on the image, I most likely began to take it apart before realizing there were differences in the screws used for the battery daughter board.
Three Black Screws on the left-hand side of the Motherboard:
M1.4 – 0.6mm x 3mm
3.5mm x 1.5mm x 3mm
Phillips: PH#00
Five or Six Small Coarse-Threaded Silver or Black Screws:
M1.4 – 0.6mm x 2mm
2.5mm x 1.5mm x 2.5mm
Phillips: PH#00
One or Six Small Fine Threaded Black Screw:
M1.4– 0.4mm x 2mm
2.5mm x 1.5mm x 2.5mm
Phillips: PH#00
Since the two small screws are the same depths, it shouldn't matter which ones you use for the Battery Daughter Board and the top right of the Motherboard. There is the potential of stripping the screw post if you use the wrong screw, but the screw will not punch through the shell.
*Motherboard Serial Number
One quick thing I wanted to add was the different use and deployment of Motherboard Serial Numbers by Nintendo.
In the images above of the Motherboard, Nintendo switched from Stamping the serial numbers on with ink to the more modern sticker and barcode approach I am used to seeing on DSi XL consoles.
A weird and somewhat annoying quirk of the stamped serial number is that it can be rubbed off easily with rubbing alcohol. I also have a pair of motherboards that share the same serial number, which is something I haven't seen with the printed sticker serial numbers. Not to say it cannot happen on the stickers, but given the length of characters, I would find that to be nearly impossible.
Upper Shell Screws
Four Silver Screws:
M1.4 – 0.6mm x 3mm
3.5mm x 1.5mm x 3mm
Phillips: PH#00
Bottom Shell (Shoulder Buttons and Stylus Cover)
Eight Golden Stylus Cover and Shoulder Button Cover Screws:
M1.4– 0.6mm x 3.5mm
4mm x 1.5mm x 4mm
Phillips: PH#00
Two Square Nuts.
These are under the removable battery back plate and the right shoulder button plate in the bottom shell.
3mm x 3mm x 1mm
*Stylus/SD Card Slot colors.
This is not so much a difference or quirk, but more of Nintendo using different colored pieces for the Stylus/SD Card Slot cover within the bottom shell. When disassembling a lot of these consoles, I got lost as to which color belonged to which console. I have images of all of them that I have.
^ This last one is the Dark Blue/Purple colored Console.
If you end up in a situation with a pile of shells and didn't take into consideration the stylus/SD card cover color, just check the SD card slot cover and match the internal color.
Shoulder Button Hardware
These are the shoulder button pivots and the springs.
Two Shoulder Button Spring:
6.5mm Length x 3.5mm Diameter
Two Shoulder Button Pivots:
7mm Length x 1mm Diameter
Clam Shell Stoppers
Two Clam Shell Stoppers
9mm Long x 2.5mm Tall x 2mm Thick
Screw Covers
Two Bottom Shell Feet
3.5mm Tall x 3.5mm Diameter
Four Top Screen Screw Covers
3.5mm Square x ~0.3mm Thick
There are Four Variations that I am aware of, and to my understanding, they are benign. There are a couple of other variations that I will be pointing out that aren't related to screws, but are something I want to document.
I did this exact post for the DSi XL some time ago, and now I have enough information to post on the DSi. The format of the post will be very similar.
With the exception of the Battery Door Nut, the DSi and DSi XL use the same screws and hardware.
I've done more basic screw measurement posts for several consoles (listed below) including every DS and 3DS console. These do not cover variations as I do not have access to the sample sizes like I do with the DSi and DSi XL.
Other posts can be found here:
- DS (Base)
- DS Lite
- DSi
- DSi XL
- 3DS (Base)
- 3DS XL
- 2DS
- New 2DS XL
- New 3DS
- New 3DS XL
Also check out my DS and 3DS Screw Repository.
How I measured these screws.
I measured the screws on a ruler with markings down to a single millimeter and a digital microscope. Measurements were taken similar to this image of measuring Thread Pitch below.
(Image Sourced from Albany County Fasteners' video, How to Measure Screws & Bolts - US & Metric Sizing | Fasteners 101)
Since I do not have specialty equipment to measure screws this small, I am forced to estimate; especially on the thread pitch itself. Take the measurements with the knowledge that it was done by someone who is a novice in screw measuring.
DSi
All Screws within the DSi have a JIS head (I assume JIS #00), but a Phillips #00 works. Screws seem to be a variety of Wafer, Truss, or Ultra Thin Head machine screws. Pan or Undersized Pan head is also possible. These are my best guesses. I don't assign a head name to the screws as I don't know for sure.
Below is the list of screws and Hardware grouped by size. Further information is further down.
I'll add links to an IFixIt Guide to match my terms to pictures (i.e. Motherboard Black Screw would point to the Motherboard removal step of an IFitIt guide). The screw names themselves will have a link to the image of the screw removal with another link next to it just in case that link dies.
Screws
Legend:
- Screw Length x Thread Width x Head Width.
- Recommended Driver.
- Screw Amounts, Placeholder name, and Link to IFixIt guides and images.
- Repeated previous entry as needed.
- Thread Pitch Measurement.
2.5mm x 1.5mm x 2.5mm
Phillips: PH #00
(1x) Outer Shell Card Slot (Step 5 Smallest Screw)
(*1x or 6x) Fine Thread Black Battery Daughter Board and/or Small Motherboard Screw (Step 8)
M1.4– 0.4mm x 2mm
2.5mm x 1.5mm x 2.5mm
Phillips: PH #00
(*5x or 6x) Course Threat Black or Silver Battery Daughter Board (Step 8)
(*1x) Small Black or Silver Motherboard Screw (Step 10 Smallest Screw)
M1.4 – 0.6mm x 2mm
3.5mm x 1.5mm x 3mm
Phillips: PH #00
(3x) Large Motherboard Screws (Step 10 Large Screws)
(4x) Top Screen Shell Screws (Step 12)
M1.4 – 0.6mm x 3mm
4mm x 1.5mm x 3mm
Phillips: PH #00
(8x) Gold SD/Stylus and Shoulder Button Cover Screws (Step 15)
M1.4– 0.6mm x 3.5mm
4mm x 1.5mm x 3.5mm
Phillips: PH #00
(2x) Battery Door (Step 4)
M1.4 – 0.4 x 4mm
5mm x 1.5mm x 3mm
Phillips: PH #00
(6x) Bottom Shell Screws (Step 5 Long Screws)
M1.4 - 0.6 x 4.5mm
*Variations in consoles make these screw counts inconsistent. See more below. My understanding is the difference between the coarse thread and fine thread is benign but may damage the screw post if installed in place of the other.
Other
(2x) E-clip
4mm Width
(2x) Battery Door Nut
3mm square x 1mm thickness
(2x) Shoulder Button Spring
6.5mm Length x 3.5mm Diameter
(2x) Shoulder Button Pivot Post
7mm Length x 1mm Diameter
(2x) Clam Shell Stoppers
9mm Long x 2.5mm Tall x 2mm Thick
Screw Covers
(2x) Bottom Shell Feet
3.5mm Tall x 3.5mm Diameter
(4x) Top Screen Screw Covers
3.5mm Square x ~0.3mm Thick
Battery Door
I will sort the screw via disassembly order. For this, I will be borrowing IFixIt's images from their DSi Teardown to point to screws.
The battery door consists of Two Parts: The Screw and the E-Clip.
Two Screws:
M1.4 – 0.4 x 4mm
4mm x 1.5mm x 3.5mm
Phillips: PH#00
Two E-clips:
4mm Width
Bottom Shell
Six Long Screws:
(Only in Silver on the DSi. There are no Black screws. Too lazy to retake photos.)
M1.4 - 0.6 x 4.5mm
5mm x 1.5mm x 3mm
Phillips: PH#00
One Small Card Slot Screw:
M1.4– 0.4mm x 2mm
2.5mm x 1.5mm x 2.5mm
Phillips: PH#00
Motherboard and Power Daughter Board
The Motherboard and Powerboard are combined since the Motherboard Black Screw in the Top Right Corner can be the same as the screws used on the power board. It saves space on this post.
This is where all four Variations mentioned at the top of the post come in.
The screws used for the Power Daughter Board and the Top Right of the Motherboard can vary greatly.
This console used all coarse threaded black screws.
This console used all coarse threaded silver screws.
This console used five coarse threaded silver screws for the daughter board, and one black fine threaded screw similar to the small card slot screw.
And, lastly, this console* used all fine threaded black screws similar to the small card slot screw.
*Based on the image, I most likely began to take it apart before realizing there were differences in the screws used for the battery daughter board.
Three Black Screws on the left-hand side of the Motherboard:
M1.4 – 0.6mm x 3mm
3.5mm x 1.5mm x 3mm
Phillips: PH#00
Five or Six Small Coarse-Threaded Silver or Black Screws:
M1.4 – 0.6mm x 2mm
2.5mm x 1.5mm x 2.5mm
Phillips: PH#00
One or Six Small Fine Threaded Black Screw:
M1.4– 0.4mm x 2mm
2.5mm x 1.5mm x 2.5mm
Phillips: PH#00
Since the two small screws are the same depths, it shouldn't matter which ones you use for the Battery Daughter Board and the top right of the Motherboard. There is the potential of stripping the screw post if you use the wrong screw, but the screw will not punch through the shell.
*Motherboard Serial Number
One quick thing I wanted to add was the different use and deployment of Motherboard Serial Numbers by Nintendo.
In the images above of the Motherboard, Nintendo switched from Stamping the serial numbers on with ink to the more modern sticker and barcode approach I am used to seeing on DSi XL consoles.
A weird and somewhat annoying quirk of the stamped serial number is that it can be rubbed off easily with rubbing alcohol. I also have a pair of motherboards that share the same serial number, which is something I haven't seen with the printed sticker serial numbers. Not to say it cannot happen on the stickers, but given the length of characters, I would find that to be nearly impossible.
Upper Shell Screws
Four Silver Screws:
M1.4 – 0.6mm x 3mm
3.5mm x 1.5mm x 3mm
Phillips: PH#00
Bottom Shell (Shoulder Buttons and Stylus Cover)
Eight Golden Stylus Cover and Shoulder Button Cover Screws:
M1.4– 0.6mm x 3.5mm
4mm x 1.5mm x 4mm
Phillips: PH#00
Two Square Nuts.
These are under the removable battery back plate and the right shoulder button plate in the bottom shell.
3mm x 3mm x 1mm
*Stylus/SD Card Slot colors.
This is not so much a difference or quirk, but more of Nintendo using different colored pieces for the Stylus/SD Card Slot cover within the bottom shell. When disassembling a lot of these consoles, I got lost as to which color belonged to which console. I have images of all of them that I have.
^ This last one is the Dark Blue/Purple colored Console.
If you end up in a situation with a pile of shells and didn't take into consideration the stylus/SD card cover color, just check the SD card slot cover and match the internal color.
Shoulder Button Hardware
These are the shoulder button pivots and the springs.
Two Shoulder Button Spring:
6.5mm Length x 3.5mm Diameter
Two Shoulder Button Pivots:
7mm Length x 1mm Diameter
Clam Shell Stoppers
Two Clam Shell Stoppers
9mm Long x 2.5mm Tall x 2mm Thick
Screw Covers
Two Bottom Shell Feet
3.5mm Tall x 3.5mm Diameter
Four Top Screen Screw Covers
3.5mm Square x ~0.3mm Thick
Last edited by KIlly728,
