Hacking Possible to put 4.5 Motherboard in Zelda 3DS XL?

[19cookies]

Hi, I was wondering if it is possible to put a motherboard with FW 4.5 into a Zelda 3DS XL?

I just want to be sure it will work before trying as the Zelda one hasn't been on anything lower than 6.x

 

[Sylantemp]

If you've got the skills for a motherboard replacement, there shouldn't be any reason you can't (someone else may correct me on that). Though honestly, if you've got the Zelda 3DS XL and a donor 4.5 XL, you'd be better off to just swap the casing. If you only have the 4.5 motherboard... Have fun.

 

[19cookies]

Yes, I have the skills and both 3DS's. I didn't think to just swap the casing though Thank you!

 

[gamesquest1]

Yes, I have the skills and both 3DS's. I didn't think to just swap the casing though Thank you!

Swapping the entire casing would be more work.....but they are in essence the exact same thing

 

[19cookies]

I've not swapped casings before, so if it would be more work I'll stick with swapping the motherboard.

 

[Vengenceonu]

I've not swapped casings before, so if it would be more work I'll stick with swapping the motherboard.

take before and after photos after its completed.

 

[19cookies]

Will do

 

[JinbuKami]

emiingham be like:
before: http://cdn.devicemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/3DS-Nintendo.jpg
After: http://www.geek.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/broken-DS.jpeg

xD bam nailed it!
anyway, gl. I also would like to see it.

 

[19cookies]

lol, thanks!

 

[Robotica72]

I did the same (just to a regular XL) - Its easy to swap a motherboard overall ...

 

[mcsdoode]

I've done a motherboard swap and it's not that bad.... just be VERY, VERY careful with the ribbon cables and their connectors; I luckily had some electronics tweezers to work with.

 

[DragonSky]

I even have let replace a few years ago a japanse model to europe.
Yes it is possible.

 

[BORTZ]

I went over to iFixit to see if they had a guide to teardowns, and they dont :c Funny. They have tons for the Vita.

 

[Qtis]

I went over to iFixit to see if they had a guide to teardowns, and they dont :c Funny. They have tons for the Vita.

Luckily the ifixit forums are top notch and provided this guide:
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20120730/231194/

 

[gamesquest1]

http://uk.ign.com/wikis/nintendo-3ds/3DS_XL_Shell_Swapping

 

[19cookies]

http://uk.ign.com/wikis/nintendo-3ds/3DS_XL_Shell_Swapping

That's the guide I used

 

[19cookies]

I finally had some free time so I did the motherboard swap today. Everything works fine

 

[kyomagi]

awesome! how hard was it?

 

[19cookies]

Not too hard, I've done quite a few so I know what I'm doing Took roughly an hour in total

 

[hundshamer]

Did you do a full shell swap or mobo swap? If just the mobo, it shouldn't have taken that long. Original 3DS' are harder, as you have to move the SD reader to get to 2 of the screws holding the mobo down. With the XL all the screws are easily accessed.