Hacking Need help repairing my DS lite.

[JDMEVOIXMR]

So I acquired a DS lite with a broken hinge. It doesn't power on or anything The ribbon cable for the top screen broke, I was wondering, could I replace it just by buying another LCD? My problem is that the speakers are soldered to the ribbon cable...

 

[Joey90]

You could buy a new top screen, but you would probably need to desolder and resolder the speakers onto the new one.

Also, if the hinge is broken you'll need a new case...

Both can be bought from Dealextreme.com inexpensively.

 

[mcp2]

Yes you will need to do some desoldering. Here is a screen for you

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3161

Don't forget to check out this picture

http://www.dealextreme.com/feedbacks/brows...sku.3161~id.267

also here are some replacement cases for DSL, there are some bloody nice ones too

http://www.dealextreme.com/products.dx/cat...eplacement+case

Everything is cheap as chips and free shipping worldwide too!

 

[JDMEVOIXMR]

Thanks guys! ...hmm. I don't know how to solder, is electrical taping an option?

 

[Joey90]

To solder you'll need a soldering iron... If you don't have one then you could try electrical tape... but it would very dodgy and probably wouldn't work properly.

If you do have a soldering iron it isn't too hard, you just need to heat the solder until it melts (happens very quickly) then remove the wire, then put it in place on the new screen, heat the solder until it melts, then hold in place until it solidifies.

The trick is not to heat it up more than necessary.

 

[Steevsee]

Thanks guys! ...hmm. I don't know how to solder, is electrical taping an option?

Practice soldering some old bits of wire to a broken circuit board, or even to each other, before you try the real thing.
After about ten goes you'll have a feel for how the solder melts and bonds the metallic parts.
Good luck and have fun!

 

[mcp2]

Soldering is piss easy.