Let's Refurb! - Fixing Faulty Nintendo DSI!

[@TheRetroFuture]

Sorry about the audio being louder in some places. I assure you my editor will go without food for a week.

[@superstition7674]

The Retro Future too much

[@FrezzyYT]

I don’t mind

[@shivkarthik803]

The Retro Future how about a month??

[@octilingboy7778]

How it going

[@lydia-mv2hx]

Lol

[@joshthecomputertech]

The marks on the top screen are from dog teeth. The spacing puts the dog at about 7-9 kilos and 8-10 months. The dirt is from the dog chewing it outside, the dirt mixing with the saliva. It's possible the owner left it outside, let the dog outside for a time and it chewed it. Not that anyone cares.

[@DarealJosh.n26]

Batman??

[@hardlarry]

Sherlock is that you?

[@thomasarchived246]

Batman.. the world's greatest detective... I knew you were real!!!

[@MatejGames]

@TheOneTold Better that kowalski

[@jinbts6909]

How on earth did you know that!?!?

[@chanhien4000]

Even though I don't know anything about electronics, but watching people repairing consoles is relaxing as hell.

[@sherlxck-221b9]

Sales!!

[@yani4349]

gokusupersaiyan6 lmfao that happened with my fitbit once

[@rjack3817]

Ikr

[@BeatBall]

relaxing as hell? how is hell relaxing XD

[@ConstantinTech]

This is the reason why I start making youtube videos, because there are people like you who love to watch repair videos even if they don't know much about repairing. It's relaxing! I make asmr repair videos if you are interested.

[@Charky_Creations]

Ds fact: When it goes on, one screen flashes and then it goes off, that means the motherboard isn't detecting the other screen. Sometimes it's a damaged ribbon, but sometimes it's just not plugged in quite right!

[@TheRetroFuture]

I tried to re-seet the cable I think, but it didn't work still!

[@DreamDaddie]

good to know

[@aldmyboi]

Thank you for telling me how to fix the ds at my mom's house

[@homeboye8632]

I tried and re-did this a dozen times with my DS Lite, and still nothing. The cable look fine to me, but it might be something in the motherboard

[@NLAYungblu]

Charky, at least you have your facts straight but it’s good to know that

[@AeliusAnonymous]

You inspired me to fix a DSi XL on my own! Bought it off ebay for $14 usd, and all that it took was a $4 wifi card replacement to work again! Screens and battery were fine!

[@QuentacosIsMe]

How did you know it was the WiFi card? I wanna get into fixing these too and It’d be good to know when the WiFi card would be a problem.

[@AeliusAnonymous]

@@QuentacosIsMe It threw up an "error has occurred message" Nintendo stored data on the wifi card at times, and as such games/apps won't launch without it. You can always try reseating the card, or buying a replacement as I did.

[@QuentacosIsMe]

@@AeliusAnonymous Thanks!

[@mysteriotube1233]

id have mashed the cases together red black white make a pokeball dsi

[@Jaxterstars]

SAME it would go great with my pokeball 2ds XL lol

[@fireballfurby]

Red top black middle white bottom Makes sense As long as a DSi has 4 parts 1 top part 2 middle (1 top part 1 bottom) 1 back part

[@jagerclaw-5455]

Found your channel about a week ago and absolutely loving it, especially the Gameboy and 3ds refurbs

[@TheRetroFuture]

Thanks!

[@FaSMaN]

On both the DSi and regular DS lite , a quick start up and sudden shutdown normally indicates one of the screens are completely dead or not plugged in, if you start it up and one doesn't turn on with a white screen, that is the culprit :) Edit:noticed other people in the comments already posted that :)

[@MinecraftPro97k]

HPZeta What is your profile pic?

[@MinecraftPro97k]

HPZeta Not a bad profile pic!

[@djb1ge]

My boy lost on World 1-1. 😂 Good job on the refurbishing though! 👏🏾

[@SparksNZeros]

frankensteining together multiple system parts to make working ones can be hugely satisfying but it doesn't always work out sadly, in any case I always massively look forward to your content and I can't wait for you to dip into home consoles and mods in future. (and a part 2 of the tv video giving it a full refurb and clean)

[@Nixie-Nix]

I really do appreciate how simple but good the DSI motherboard is. You'll notice there's a portion of the motherboard that's dedicated entirely to the battery, which I believe has something to do with battery life, and it's connected via a few cords to the rest of the motherboard. It's pretty basic, and old news even by DSI standards, but it's pretty cool to see on a flagship handheld console nonetheless. It's cool that you could harvest parts to get at least one console working, that's already made your money back, as acceptable conditioned DSI consoles can go for around 50 on Amazon, even more if you include basics like a charger and stylus. I really enjoyed this one, it was neat to see a variety of consoles with a variety of issues, of which was fixable with the right gutting and handiwork. I enjoy when these sorts of videos have a variety in them, and the issues aren't just things like "it won't turn on because the power switch was too dirty" or "it had problems getting a connection from the batteries", I'm glad you could finally get something fixable and actually fix it. If you're continuing to refurb one of each Nintendo handheld, the next is the 3DS. Do you intend to do an original 3DS or are you going for a newer system? My launch 3DS console works just fine aside from a finicky left shoulder button, which just needs to be held down for a short bit to work sometimes. The 3DS consoles are a lot more sophisticated though, I had to open mine up and clean it out, as it had developed a lot of gunk and I had to replace a swollen battery, and it was really surprising how detailed it is for a handheld, whereas most just have a single basic board with a couple of cards soldered on and that's it. I hope you can find some cool new consoles to fix soon, these videos you make are really enjoyable and relaxing. I've just subscribed, I'm excited to see what you do next!

[@maxibash]

Alright, you fixed it! ᴵⁿˢᵗᵃˡˡ ᴴᶦʸᵃᶜᶠᵂ ᵃˡʳᵉᵃᵈʸ...

[@12KTOYOTA]

Yes

[@shizuosenpai3319]

how can one destroy such a great console?? 🤧🤒😢

[@WorldsFirstRenamedHandle]

Hes fixing it

[@SudoWoofie]

When the ds turns on for a split second I’m like: “ yay! “ Then I’m like: “ oh... wow... “ ( slow clap at ds )

[@genericgreensquid6669]

Hey retro! Just wanted to say that your videos have really inspired me (and the gameboy subreddit) to go out there and repair Nintendo handhelds. However, I am extremely unlucky with DSs. I have bought 3 Lites so far (one from japan with a broken hinge, one with a broken top screen and hinge from the flea market, and another from the flea market with everything fine except the bottom screen). On the most recent one (the latter), I somehow damaged the top screen's ribbon cable and now its junk (bottom screen flashes and turns off). Next time I'm going to buy a Gameboy for repairs instead. Thankfully, I was able to learn a lot, and I didnt even waste that much money.

[@genericgreensquid6669]

I hate to say it, but after having worked on them, I think DSs are kind of flimsy devices.

[@TheRetroFuture]

Awesome man! Trial and error really, hope the next one goes better!

[@LJMinette]

Love the Video and love the DSi! Imo probably pretty underrated, because most people go for the XL Variant at least where I live. Also I'd say refurbishing and reshelling the DSi is much easier than the DS Lite, especially because of the Trigger Buttons. Btw, is "mankey" really a word? I'm no native English speaker and the only mankey I know is that Pokemon:D

[@zhenlore]

If something is manky it means it's disgusting and dirty, it's a British slang/saying. Thanks! :D

[@LJMinette]

@@zhenlore Thanks for explaining!:D

[@Gogeta007yBro]

Yeah, like the 3DS, when a ribbon cable isn't properly connected, or damaged, the console will just pop the blue light, and in case of the DSi, the screens will pop up white and then turn off.

[@MrLezzident]

If the backlight is the only trace broken in the ribbon cable of the top screen that makes the console blink, you can repair it as the backlight has both connection as solder pads near the speaker pads. You could reconnect them with some thin magnet wire to the motherboard

[@WulfgarUr4848]

I once found a blue DSi with both fire and water damage

[@RebornAudio]

KingWulfgar666 Squirtle vs Charmander

[@ConstantinTech]

Great video! Nintendo DSi still rocks in 2022! You have a lot of games you can enjoy on this console.. good old times! I teardown and clean one DSi on my channel. Very easy to disassemble and clean!

[@iamapie13]

I still have my childhood DSi, the hinge doesn't lock anymore, the touch screen has dead zones and neither trigger works, I'm thinking of buying a working DSi of the same color and using its parts to repair my childhood one. I have all my Flipnotes, DSi ware photos and recordings from my childhood there and I think it deserves a restoration

[@satyman08]

Maybe the white DSi works. The touch screen blinked and the DS popped and died. That means the ribbon cable for the top screen isn't well enough for every contact to be read.

[@flowerthencrranger3854]

My DSi is on perfect condition I wanted to play it like 6 years after I lost the charger (I found today) and I do not live in te US and the ac adaptor to Brazilian power plugs (I tried all that I had) and it won’t turn on, I checked the battery and it was fine. Help please

[@ast3rnomical]

oof i found my broken dsi xl thats been hidden away for at least five years and im tryna find a solution on how to turn it on ;-; the bottom screen turns on for a split second and quickly turns off again welp

[@wsketchy]

From what I can see in the rest of the comments it might not be recognising the top screen then

[@flowerwithsunglasses2420]

!!! We are on the same situation! My mom says to throw it away but i don’t want to! I have hope :(

[@robusthammer3956]

I found a green dsi today, got it home and the volume down button was stuck, from watching your videos i was able to take it apart and use ipa and clean the volume control area and now its working, gotta order a matching stylus and charger but for $15 I'm thrilled.

[@gks554]

What is commonly the issue if the Nintendo dsi bottom screen blinks but top screen stays black? 5:17 I'm asking because I have this issue and have had this problem for years but never got around to fixing it. I desperately want it fixed because I always wanted to save my memories from there onto an SD card Could you please make a video specifically on how to fixing that issue. I'd appreciate it so much!

[@JoshBagwell]

Great videos. I am looking at replacing my DSlite touch screen and shell. I saw your video on the DSlite shell replacement from a while back. I was wondering if you could do more of the voice overs and more indepth tutorial like videos. That would be super dope

[@unsnaggedsteak456]

Have you thought about using a Spudger or other similar item used in iPhone repairs for the ribbon cables?

[@deefrosted4361]

WII RESTORATION VIDEO PLZZZ

[@powerfulking500]

Hey Retro, I have a question, so recently I wanted to fix my DSI, but the only problem I know is that when I turn on the DSI, it automatically turns off, do you know what the problem is and how I can replace? Thanks for taking your time!

[@jamaicanpattys5557]

I know this is an old video but I feel like you should make a book about how to repair all Nintendo handheld consoles with it starting at game and watch and ending at switch lite

[@tailsthegreenninja2003]

Can you do a video on how to replace the microphone? I have a working dsi, but the only thing is is that the microphone doesn't work.

[@Yellow35555vr]

thats an easy fix, its the white wire that goes through the hinge

[@UncannyEXP]

When I had a DSi a long time ago, my little brother jammed a game in backwards and I had to get it out with a knife. The game slot no longer works and I was wondering if I there’s a fix for it as I plan on repairing it so that it’s no longer a paperweight.

[@toastyt4477]

What should I do about the jammed volume buttons on my DSi? They’re practically leveled into the shell and are somewhat difficult to press. I’m willing to take the console apart if it’s an internal issue.

[@ToffeeWaffley]

You should try the white dsi’s motherboard since the red motherboard didn’t work in the white shell meaning that the white motherboard may work

[@megetnoob1664]

I live in Canada and I got a DSI,carry case,4 styluses and 6 games that all work fine for 30 bucks

[@barrybshrekson864]

Get r4

[@paulb4uk]

I started to dismantle a tidy white dsi it flicks off if turned on, so I have a new screen but quite a bit of work to fit it so it is still in a cupboard till I get round to fixing it.

[@25supercharlie]

You probably got VIH by touching those consoles.

[@egebazl2169]

Hı nice video. Which screwdriver did you use for dissasemble battery?

[@Webpelt]

And I thought I didn't take good care of my DS's back in the day, haha the worst damage or wear is on my GBA (the battery light doesn't come on, but it still works)

[@d4rckfox382]

Hey i need your help my nintendo screens are in negative colours (not a setting) and idk what to do to fix it

[@goldeninfinity8876]

Hello, my screen is broken and there is a thick beam of light from the top to bottom and i really want to get it fixed, please help me

[@austinwilburn1772]

One of my all time favorite hobby is taking broken consoles and Frankensteining them to one, (or however many working ones we can get).

[@iamtwotimesone8482]

hi so, i have my dsi, wich i think its kinda bricked (with a similar screen of black screen of death, but its not, as it actually charges), it happened when i was hacking it, i was inserting a game, but the sd card just went out (the spring is broken btw), and it suddenly only turn the blue led on, in this case, what should i do?, as ive searched and nothing (i dont have a backup neither)

[@thefishinggamekeeper5713]

Well, I have encountered an issue with my dsi. American model, I believe. The dsi doesn't turn on and there is a little water damage underneath the ribbon cable connecting the d-pad to the motherboard. I swapped the old d-pad for a new one. Can you help a little more please? Kinda stuck.

[@toadstool5379]

I have the dsi XL and When I turn igon I press thvsceen but then I just turns on and frezzes 🤧 and suggestions??

[@jjandjada]

My dsi I haven’t used for a while and now i wanted to, the buttons don’t respond so as the other buttons except for the left and right camera buttons. I tried opening it but it won’t open. Do you know how to fix it?

[@emiliepinson3089]

I have a DSI but the the right side of plus sign (don't know what it's called) doesn't work.

[@xthirdbladez]

Do you know if dsi needs all components to power on? someone gave me a broken dsi with the top part hanging down from the two cables, screen ribbon cable and camera module cable (i dont know if ribbon cable is the correct term). The ribbon cables are completly destroyed. I can replace the screen and the shell easily but i cant find the camera module ribbon cable anywhere but ebay or alliexpress. Is it necessary to have the camera module working for the dsi to boot up? i realy dont care if the cameras are working.

[@aheadsounds2522]

Help me my dsi turns on for a bit after leaving it off for a while and by that I mean a really long time and works perfectly then stops it still charges it's really weird

[@Daniel-dl6fp]

The white D's won't turn on cause of a broken bottom screen the top one will allow it to turn on but bottom screen won't let it turn on

[@chloe-anngriffin7067]

Hello I brought a DSi yesterday and when I turn it on it turns back off straight away do you know how I can fix the DSi

[@ShadowcasterZero]

ever think about testing the circuits? there might be just a blown capacitor or resistor that needs to be swapped.

[@carolinapaez5874]

Please help! My dsi brick and I need do a hard reset, when I on my dsi just appears the message error... Sorry for my English isn't very good looking and I'll just hope you have the solution for my problem. thank

[@thump3r]

thanks for this video i have a black dsi that needs a new top screen. it turns off every time i close the lid...

[@Nate-gu7gj]

I have a red dsi (on my pfp you can see it) but it doesn’t work, when you switch it on the bottom screen flashes then turns off. I have a white dsi that works though so that’s good.

[@JeffreyWilliamsMusic]

Nice video, I was looking forward to seeing this after you announced it in the original ds video.

[@musicviolamusician4392]

anyone know how to remove stripped screws because I have one on the corner and its hard to replace a lcd screen

[@gachawolfstudio5602]

What kind of screwdriver did u used?

[@AndrewMarks1278]

The red one looks like someone beat it up real bad.

[@tamr7884]

Hey, can someone help me; how to unscrew the screws if it is hard and stuck? For nintendo DSi. Thanks

[@MicroLord]

Fun Fact: If you have your DSI's wifi card unplugged it will refuse to open anything (Never unplug or kill your wifi card)

[@koda1778]

Bro, I would have like no reason to downgrade back to a DSi for any reason sincr I have a 3DS and New 3DS XL, but I miss my old DSi. I had the black one. A scumbag human that I originally had thought was my friend ended up stealing it from me and then got his mother to believe that he didn't actually have it when I took my mom over to his house witb me to confront him, so I never got it back.

[@lightlysaltedmilk666]

h e y a nice video i was looking forward to another ds repair or refurbish! It would be REALLY cool if you did a console for a future video! Like a retro console. You haven't been doing to many console videos recently. I would love that!

[@SchizoGamingChannel]

I need help please so I have a dsi it worked great until I took it apart so I put it back together and it didn't work.

[@AsterDuMont]

do you know where can i buy the dsi trimmers potentiometers?

[@RIAX7]

I've had my matte blue dsi since I was 5 and now I'm 13 and I realized I did a very good job at keeping it clean and not broken the only problem is the l and r buttons but it's because it was dirty but I only have dropped it once

[@alloygenesis2895]

my dsi wont turn on but it will still charge, is there a fix for this?

[@Tylxrr.wompwomp]

I like this intro better than the newer one.

[@KOSMOS1701A]

I tried reshelling a DSi once, i tore one track of the data cable for the top screen :\

[@casualtuff2327]

my dsi xl when i charge it, it always light up as red even if it's charged and the wifi is yellow

[@acicion3439]

I found my old Dsi 😃👍 buuuut it needs a battery where can I get a good one?

[@breeseburger]

I accidentally broke the first ribbon cable. 💀 Luckily it was a DS that was worthless as it doesn’t work with game carts or sd cards.

[@birdfriend_4043]

You know, other KZbinrs put cringey music in the background but you're different and put energetic and vibrant music in the background

[@Rodville]

For me the DSi is the easiest to work on. But it does have the most delicate touch screen connector.

[@OutdatedRam]

Me: chops off the white conductor off of the motherboard. Me now: what I do with these!.. the black one I have is the one with the poor connector cables flaps missing on left. My pink one supposedly had a flap missing. And don't know why power top right was missing. I was stressing the right side. Pink one was my owned.

[@OGHellblade]

Do you have pens for the Original Nintendo DS

[@harry3837]

Does anyone recommend specific tools for this? Or should I just go hunting and see what I can't find in my dad's garage

[@oliverjackson5416]

I still play a DSi XL for the Nostalgia

[@AA-xm7rt]

Cool SpongeBob stickers though ^^

[@deefrosted4361]

If you still had a wii like 👍👍

[@TheIrishSandwich5824]

Hey question where can I find your tiny screwdrivers to repair my DSI

[@3EGamingDev]

The black dsi motherbord may be fine it may just need a new wifi board

[@Pile_of_rocks]

Can I send my dsi so you can fix it. every time I try to power it on it shuts off immediately

[@sirgil4872]

WAAAAAAAAHT YOU WERE THE ONE THAT BOUGHT THAT UP MINUTE BEOFRE ME?!?!?!

[@mklgtr43]

I have the same problem with my dsi xl because of unlauch could someone please help me out

[@BrazyTech]

Does anybody know the music in the intro?

[@brettcannon6051]

What could I do if a ds lite is potentially water damaged

[@FrezzyYT]

Can you refurb my charging port broken DSi XL?

[@consolemayhemthestarcollec1308]

Good choice: you're fixing my favourite console ever

[@consolemayhemthestarcollec1308]

Its the one I have the most memories with

[@sethp8947]

I had a white dsi like that one. Mine was a lot more well kept though

[@jamesrichardson8714]

I repair old DS’ as a hobby and I love it

[@MrMegaManFan]

As is my typical I'll pose a question that's likely to not be answered but beggars my curiosity anyway - why buy 2-4 non-working DSi systems just to only end up with one that does after swapping all the parts around? Wouldn't it be cheaper to just buy one that does?

[@TheRetroFuture]

Entertainment.

[@Conchobhar]

Has anyone ever successfully removed the rubber feet without destroying them?

[@momos1simp978]

Where can I get a dsi stylus? I have a ds lite stylus but doesnt fit in the dsi

[@TheRetroFuture]

eBay!

[@CyanAnn]

elliot (does a cool long jump into a hole): *brilliant.*

[@KIRMIZILEVHAKL]

How to correct scratches on plastic

[@johneygd]

Great restoration by recycling parts from one dsi to the next one, but it’s really sad how some people do handle their dsi rough, wich is a really shame to them.

[@fish4688]

A small price to pay for super mario bros

[@giannebaron6139]

Nice video Man, loving the content so far!