GCN Gamecube tray issue

[Devilmonkey667]

I have a Nintendo GameCube That is missing the fins that make it think the tray is closed. Is there anything I can use to replace them.

 

[FAST6191]

Don't know if I have heard of that being broken before.

Looking at teardowns ( https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Nintendo+GameCube+Optical+Drive+Assembly+Replacement/1491 ) it looks like an optical sensor on the one side (with control ports facing front it will be on the right at the back) rather than it poking a switch or something (which would then need mechanical strength).

Assuming you are dealing mainly with single disc games then you can probably bend something and tape it over the top. Making a new prong that will reliably stay there is harder (superglue and baking soda method might do it but will be tedious) but not out of the realm of possibility, indeed if you check you might be able to bend a bit of plastic (v shape, v shape with wings or L shape will depend on you) and stick that to the side which is far easier.

I am probably supposed to also say be careful as laser to the eyeball (much less invisible laser to the eyeball) is not a good thing to do so make sure you turn it off to replace a game if doing the tape over the sensor thing. If you have kids/younger siblings/careless friends then go with the replacement prong method.
Remember you can hold A when powering on to get to the memory card manager menu.

 

[Zonark]

had this same issue I removed the sensor and replaced it with a physical switch that I can slide on and off. If the shell is damaged I would do this that way your not spending basically the same to buy a replacement. My switch placement is on the backside of the console.