Hardware GBA SP Revival Project

[ScuberSteve]

Sitting on my desk is a fully-functional, scratched-up blue GBA SP. I want it to be AWESOME.
So, I did some lurking on DX. A new set of shell parts and a battery comes up to less than $10.

What I would really like to know is how to dis/reassemble a GBA SP, and which flashcart I should get. Many have already told me that the EZFlash IV is great (yes, I have a miniSD card sitting on my desk all lonely and shit), but I want some other opinions.

I tried googling how to disassemble this GBA SP, but you know what came up?
http://www.google.ca/search?q=gba+sp+disassembly+guide

It pisses me off that the fourth result was this thread:
http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=102192
EDIT:
Now this thread is the third result. How awesome is that?

So guys, think you can help?

EDIT:
Pokemon is worthless to me, therefore that RTC is worthless to me.

 

[Urza]

Get the ELink if you're a cheap fuck living on welfare.

G6 Lite or EZF4 for everyone else.

 

[ScuberSteve]

Yeah, I'm gonna need some extra encouragement to finish those RPGs, so the more difficult to load ROMs onto it, and the less I can have at once, the better.

You say the elink is great, but Opium seems to disapprove?
http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=68113

As opposed to the EFA which shaunj66 reviewed...
http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=22823

I can find both of them on DX for the same price.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10369 - elink
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10447 - efa

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13363 - elink (1Gb model)

Also: I thought that the M3 lite only came in a DSL filler cart size?

EDIT:
FINE URZA, I'LL BUY THE FRIGGEN EZFIV, BUT NOW I'LL NEVER FINISH A DAMN GAME.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.11179

Actually, $10 more dollars isn't that bad, since I have a miniSD card laying around.

 

[DrAlexander]

Isn't this any good?
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.2734

works with miniSD ...

 

[ScuberSteve]

Isn't this any good?
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.2734

works with miniSD ...

That's more for the DS, rather than the GBA. Many reviews say its compatability list isn't so great.

 

[DrAlexander]

So the best one for GBA would be the EZF4.

Thanks

 

[FAST6191]

Flashcart I will leave to others but repair guide (for future reference repair=good, disassembly/modding=bad when searching despite duality of knowledge making them one and the same):
http://site.powergamingparts.com/repairGBAsp.html

 

[pasc]

you could always but ez 3 in 1 and flash the games to nor via ds, so you would be sure to finish them... (assuming you have a ds)....

if that sounds utterly stupid... ignore it.

 

[Toni Plutonij]

Well, if you want my suggestion, get either M3 Lite Perfect with GBA shell for lots of games and microSD storage, or EZ-Flash II Power Star 512Mb for few games, but great compatibility and doubling your batter life.

 

[Toni Plutonij]

BOOO YEA! EZ Flash 2 ftw. I love that cart, although I haven't been putting much use to it lately.

Well, it was/is probably my favorite GBA flashcart, the thing is that M3 Lite has capacity, that's the reason why I prefer it...But EZ II really kick ass with those chips that use less power...

 

[arctic_flame]

Screw you, EZ-Flash 2 users! I still have my EZ-Flash 1 carts. They cost a hell of a lot too.

 

[berlinka]

Good thing you're reviving that little wondrous machine. Somehow I still think my little old silver GBA SP is much cooler than my DS Lite. Dunno why, it just feels better in my hand. Cool design, nice pocket format, cute side-lit screen, simple button layout. I still like it very much.

 

[JDMEVOIXMR]

I had a scratched up silver one, took it apart and put it back together with a new pink housing from DX and gave it to my girlfriend for her birthday =) I can help you in the disassembling and reassembly if you'd like. Got AIM?

 

[ScuberSteve]

Got AIM?

Check my profile.
But not now.
When I get my shell.

 

[Heran Bago]

You need stickers. Plain and simple.

All over that SP.

 

[CurleyAU]

stickers like.. SP and Cool..

 

[Veho]

I still use my SP (+ M3 CF) for reading. It's much smaller and more practical to lug around than my fat Phat. But it's getting old, the poor old thing could use some revamping. The speaker is getting quiet, the case is scratched, the battery lasts shorter lately... and it has that bottom-lit screen that I'd love to replace with a backlit one...

Tell us how it goes. I'm intrigued by that $5 replacement battery, especially since the only replacement available around here costs $30. Tell us if it explodes

 

[Ryukouki]

ya a 5$ battery might explode, just a thought? my friend tried one of those

 

[Toni Plutonij]

Hey Scubers.....how is it going? Have you done anything on reviving?

I'm really interesting on how did case replacing go, is it hard, and how's the quality of replaced case..

 

[ScuberSteve]

As usual, DX is being slow as fuck, and they're still on the packaging stage of my order.
But, that's what I get for ordering five things at once.

UPDATE:
IT'S BEEN SHIPPED!
Yet to arrive though...

UPDATE2:
Damn you DX, splitting my order into two shipments...
Sadly, the new casing is in the second shipment

UPDATE3:
I have the EZ-Flash IV!
It's awesome!
Figured out how to use it by lurking some forums, rather than being a jackass and asking about it despite the fact that it's been answered a billion times!
YES, I WANT A FUCKING COOKIE.
I am now waiting on the case.